Expanding the cloud beyond data

In other words, hosted PBX (private branch exchange) innovation, which is a telephone exchange that serves a particular business or office, made possible a cloud-based solution to enable enterprises to increase productivity and maximize their technology in a cost-effective manner. Organizations and individuals who didn’t want to purchase or maintain a server, but required experienced IT support and 99.9 percent availability, utilized virtual-server infrastructures, PC over IP (desktop hosting), and saw an increase in the virtualization of the desktop.

In 2011, “Voice” itself became a “killer app.” This new “standard” environment was characterized by convergence of communications with integration of services such as voice mail, global telephone network, directory, presence, unified messaging capability, text-to-speech, conferencing, online phone, address book and more. Enterprises that added voice to the other IP-compliant applications really began to see what the technology can do for them.

So what is in store for both iCore and the telecom industry in the year ahead?

In 2012, iCore will focus on providing on-demand cloud applications. as a pioneer of cloud-based solutions, we want to continue our tradition of delivering services from anywhere at anytime. Along with building out technology solutions for our customers, we will be creating enhanced initiatives so that our customers have the opportunity to always be heard and served quickly.

We will kick off the New Year with a significant expansion of network services and customer service capabilities to serve our 50,000 and growing subscriber base with the most advanced and reliable cloud based network featuring full motion full broadcast quality video from every device — be it a desktop, laptop or handheld device.

Finally, by using high-definition IP-based video telephony, with 3D cameras and displays, we can help people hundreds of miles away feel as if they are present at a staff meeting, job interview, product demonstration or design conference. Virtual video gatherings eliminate unnecessary travel time and costs, support green initiatives, increase employee productivity and morale, build trust, foster innovation teamwork and speed time to market by helping businesses make better decisions faster.

When it comes to the continuing integration of voice and data in the enterprise, 2012 promises to be a year in which iCore and other hosted end-to-end voice and data system providers are looking forward to an even “cloudier” outlook.

Stephen G. Canton is chief executive and chairman of D.C.-based iCore Networks.

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The Ten Commandments of Affordable Web Hosting

With so many companies offering web hosting services these days, you can easily find affordable web hosting. indeed, gone are those days when only the bigwigs are able to get their businesses online because web hosting packages now come in all budget sizes.

Nonetheless, there are still basic rules to keep in mind when choosing an inexpensive web hosting service. These 10 commandments of affordable web hosting are as follows:

First is to look for the reliability factor. If you want your business to prosper online, you will need your service provider to be someone you can depend on. a good web host should be able to render support to you whenever you need him. you need your web host to immediately respond to your queries whether it’s two in the morning or two in the afternoon. thus, it is necessary for your web host to provide you with more than one means you can communicate with each ot&# 104;er.

The next thing to look out for is the uptime percentage. An affordable web host should be able to provide you with an uptime percentage of not less than 99%. always remember that downtimes can translate to huge losses on your part, so make sure that your web host is able to offer you a more than acceptable uptime percentage.

Third, go over the history of the web host you plan to deal with. it pays a lot to collaborate with someone who has been in the business long enough.

Fourth, consider, too, the fees if they are indeed worth the services being offered to you. Cheap web hosting services typically range from $1 to $10 a month.

You must also need to go over the features the come with each package if they meet your website’s requirements. the amount of space and bandwidth is an important consideration when choosing a company to host your site.

The sixth commandment is to go over review sites because these are among the best sources of information of the top web hosting providers that are within your budget.

Participating in technological forums is also a must-do in order for you to find the best web host. it is here where you can meet IT professionals and other web hosting experts.

Eighth, search for customer reviews and testimonials. Usually when a customer is satisfied or dissatisfied with a particular service there’s a good chance that he will write about it. take time to search for reviews of this kind.

Ninth, the type of server is another important consideration, too. Servers are of two types — dedicated and shared; as much as possible, go for dedicated servers because this means that you are not going to share the same server with other clients.

Finally, don’t change web host at inappropriate times. Changing web hosts can mean a lot of technical changes and even loss of data. Because of this, it becomes all the more important for you to think things through before deciding on a web host. you need to find one with whom you can partner with for a long time.

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translators-center.com » Blog Archive » Virtual dedicated server Web hosting Versus Dedicated Servers

Virtual dedicated server hosting happens to be one of many buzzwords nowadays. this is the service that aims at presenting its buyers all the benefits of owning a server focused because of their consumption and never having to suffer the drawbacks of getting focused hosting space.

What the heck is VPS Website hosting?

VPS internet hosting refers to the technological innovation the place where a one actual physical host, having powerful recollection volumes and Computer features, plus substantial storage devices and multi-level facilities connected, is separated into a couple of computers. that may be, you are feeling like there is a few web server, in fact there is only one. It is really an good example of how technology is it being accustomed to become more and more green. It’s an outstanding answer, for the reason that end users who reall ;y need a web server for web host an internet site . get a devoted pair of means that they will be provided comprehensive handle. the Virtual dedicated server web host company guarantees that there are no issues in terms of other partitions. consequently, you should utilize your portion of specialist options at home according to your own dreams.

Great things about Virtual dedicated server website hosting

This is certainly really useful if you wish to coordinator an internet site for your unique promotion function or purpose. you will possibly not prefer to maintain the site going forever. consequently, should you have a committed host, you will have no longer use for all those that processing energy, memory space and safe-keeping one your own purpose has been obtained,. It becomes an huge waste materials, in terms of resources. To possess a few devoted machines requires a se
14;ious large purchase. apart from the fixed charges involving the mandatory gear you should also invest some huge cash on routine maintenance.

Price tag added benefits

The focused web servers requires a data middle with fees of energy and area. It’ll need educated routine maintenance pros who will ensure that the machines will be in great working condition, and are on line often. With VPS web host, just eradicate most of these costs forever. you may just purchase the volume of nights you must have the electronic host. when your commitment receives above, you may either continue it individuals come to feel it vital, or terminate it. this company the master of t& #104;e Virtual dedicated server hosting cut will just reallocate the resources that have been provided to you for another person. you can also privatean individual server operated with Vds internet hosting inside.

The VPS hoisting may be possible due to technical computer software that is installed on the primary actual physical host. the hypervisor on the Vds host is hard-wired so it can achieve the tasks of allocating means and making sure each one partitioned machine can work separately without having any issues compared to other severs. the charges of repair are small, specifically if you use outsourcing providers. Contrary to devoted hosting space, the VPS hosting machine corporation can take the responsibility of mak 5;ng sure that the forum has risen all the time, and it is often online.

This article was brought to you by dedicated server. to read more about dedicated server please visit dedicated server.

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How to choose an ISP for your small business

Internet Connection Types

When shopping for Internet access, you’ll probably encounter several marketing terms frequently. “Broadband” and “high-speed” are used to describe pretty much any type of Internet connection that provides bandwidth speeds faster than traditional dial-up accessâ€"and nearly all connections offered today qualify as faster than dial-up. Wideband, a relatively new term, refers to connection types that provide throughput at levels approaching or exceeding 50 mbps.

Here are the three most common connection types you’re likely to see when shopping for an ISP:

DSL: this is generally the cheapest connection type, with business-class prices ranging from $30 to $90 per month. Though DSL uses traditional telephone lines, you can carry on voice calls and transfer data simultaneously. DSL performance depends on how far your location is from the ISP’s exchange, but speeds may reach 15 mbps for downloads and 1 mbps for uploads, which can support a dozen typical users simultaneously or a point-of-sale system.

Cable: this is one of the most popular connection types. Monthly prices for cable range from $60 to over $300. the technology works over standard television cable lines, but it permits concurrent TV viewing and even digital phone use. ISPs may offer cable speeds of 50 to 100 mbps for downloads and 2 to 10 mbps for uploadsâ€"enough for a few dozen simultaneous users. Cable connections share bandwidth among other users in the vicinity, so speeds may be slower during peak (work) hours.

Fiber: this newer connection type offers superior performance. Telecommunication companies have been using fiber-optic lines in their backbone infrastructure for some time now, and in the past few years they have extended the fiber connections closer to end-users. Some companies run fiber-optic cabling to a neighborhood distribution point, as is the case with AT&T U-verse, and then make the connection to individual buildings via existing copper lines. others, like Verizon FiOS, are installing fiber connections all the way to their customers. Fiber-optic connections permit download speeds of 15 to 15 0 mbps and upload speeds of 5 to 35 mbps. Monthly pricing ranges from $70 to $200. since fiber provides such high bandwidth, it can easily provide TV, phone, and Internet service for 24 simultaneous users.

Bandwidth Speed

ISPs offer a couple of service levels or plans for each connection type. the main point of distinction between levels is the bandwidth speed. Choosing a suitable speed is one of the key decisions you must make.

Generally, the greater the number of people who’ll be using the connection, the more bandwidth you’ll need. in addition, the more performance-intensive the users’ needs areâ€"for example, watching or streaming video, downloading large files, or using Internet-connected VoIP phonesâ€"the more the bandwidth you’ll need. on the other hand, users who want to use their connection for email and browsing the Web won’t need as much bandwidth.

Some ISPs have begun to cap data usage. Under a data cap, if you exceed the data transfer limit during a billing cycle, the ISP may automatically throttle back your speeds for the remainder of the cycle, or it apply a surcharge to your bill. But unless you stream an extensive amount of video or download a great many large files, you probably won’t run afoul of a data cap.

The Fine Print

It’s important to read and analyze the fine print of a service provider’s contract before signing up. the prices that most companies post online are conditional: many require contracts, ranging from one to three years in order to get the advertised monthly service rate. in addition, some prices include a discount for a set amount of time or are locked in for a limited period. you may even see prices listed that apply only when you arrange to subscribe to a bundle of Internet, phone, and TV service.

Most ISPs offer a service level agreement (SLA) that spells out the service’s performance and support terms, including up-time guarantees, support availability, and guaranteed response-time for support or fixes; they usually also state your compensation if the ISP fails to meet its obligations under the agreement. Compare the SLAs of any providers you’re looking at before you sign a contract.

Other policies of note are the ISP’s subscriber agreement, its terms of service (ToS), and its acceptable use policy. these documents state the rules governing how you may use the service, including any bandwidth or data usage limits that may be in force. you can browse the ISP’s site for these documents or run a Google search for the company name and the word “policies.”

Equipment and Installation Fees

Consider the hardware each ISP provides. Some services provide nothing more than a basic modem, while others may give you a gateway that includes a router with ethernet ports, firewall protection, or even a built-in Wi-Fi router. ISPs rarely post this type of information on their website, so you’ll probably have to call the service’s sales line for details.

Installation or activation fees are another variable. Some companies provide free installation and activation, but most make waiving the associated fees (typically $100 to $150) contingent on your accepting a one-, two-, or three-year contract.

Since ISPs usually install the basic Internet modem or gateway and verify access on a single computer, you’ll likely be responsible for setting up the service on your other computers. DSL providers normally provide kits for the user to install, in lieu of offering professional installation; fortunately, most such kits are easy to set up.

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses

Business-class Internet access is usually available through dynamic (changing) or static (permanent) Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.

Every Internet connection in the world has at least one assigned public IP address to help identify it uniquely to the millions of other connections and computers on the Internet. An IP address functions similarly to a phone number, except that computers use the numbers in the background to communicate with each other.

Some ISPs offer static IP addresses by default on their higher-service plans, but most offer dynamic IP addresses by default on all of their plans, with static IP addresses available as an add-on, usually priced at about $10 to $15 extra per month.

ISPs prefer to assign dynamic IP addresses rather static ones to avoid having to manage and configure select addresses to specific customers. ISPs use a protocol like DHCP to assign dynamic IP addresses to customers automatically from the services’ range of IP addresses. Dynamic addresses are useful for businesses because they don’t require IP configuration on the router, and because they make it somewhat harder for hackers to find and track a particular business’s IP address. Unless you plan to run servers or remote connections via the Internet, a dynamic IP sho uld be adequate for your business.

Static IP addresses make it easier to host serversâ€"for email, website, and VPN, sayâ€"over the Internet, or offer remote connections to users (via a program such as Microsoft or VNC Remote Desktop). Most servers require that the client applications on the end-users’ computers be configured with the primary user’s IP address, which calls for a static IP that doesn’t change. Though you mighty be able to get away with using dynamic IP addresses for servers, you’d have to set up a dynamic DNS service, such as from DYN.com or No-IP.com, to provide a domain name th& #097;t would always point to your current IP address.

ISPs offer single and multiple static IP addresses. you can run multiple servers from a single IP addressâ€"and use it for general Internet usageâ€"but to do so you must configure port forwarding on your router. Multiple IP addresses don’t increase your Internet bandwidth or speeds, but they do let you assign a unique IP to each server, as well as assign a unique IP for general Internet usage by visitors; you can even assign a unique IP to provide your guests with wireless Internet access. But you should treat each unique IP address as a direct Internet connection, and make sure that each server or router you assign an IP address to has a firewall.

Email Services

If you don’t have an email service set up and you don’t plan to host your own email servers, compare the email offerings of competing ISPs. Most ISPs offer a set number (usually about 10) of email accounts for the base price, with the option to pay for more if you need them. Some services offer email addresses that list their domain (such as ), while others let you customize addresses with your own domain (such as ), if you have one.

ISPs may offer only Web-based email that you must access via the Web browser, or they may also let you set up email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook, using the POP3 or IMAP protocols. one useful feature to check for either way is secure encrypted email access. Also compare the spam filtering features that each ISP offers. different ISPs may provide a traditional filter that scans messages, or a confirmation service that automatically asks for verifications from people who email you fo& #114; the first time.

ISP websites usually reveal only how many email addresses or mailboxes the service offers. for other email details, you’ll have to consult the ISP’s the sales department.

Tech Support

Comparing different ISPs’ tech support offerings is crucial. Nearly all of the big companies say that they offer around-the-clock, 24/7/365 supportâ€"but you need to check whether that assistance is live or automated. Another worthwhlie question to ask is what the service’s on-site support times and days are, in case you run into problems that phone reps can’t resolve.

Website Hosting

If you have a website or are planning to create one and you don’t want to run it on your own server, compare the Web-hosting features of the candidate ISPs. Some services include free website space and tools; others offer it as an add-on; and some don’t provide it at all. the most important factors to consider in this area are how much space the ISP offers and whether that amount is enough to accommodate all of your content.

If you need help with site design, compare any site builders that the ISP may have on hand. if your site uses scripts or content other than traditional HTML (for example, PHP or CGI ASP) or if you use specialized databases (such as MySQL), check to see whether the ISP supports the tools you use.

If you plan to sell products or services or to accept sensitive information via your website, make certain that the ISP offers Secure Socket Layers (SSL) support. Also, look into other e-commerce options that the service may have available, such as shopping carts and payment processing.

Other Services

Many ISPs bundle Internet service with security software for your PCs or online data backupâ€"either at no additional charge or as an extra-cost add-on. Also, they may provide anywhere from 1 to 25 licenses as part of the setup. ISPs like AT&T and Verizon offer Wi-Fi hotspot access, so you can stay connected when you’re on the go.

Some ISPs even provide hosted servers, such as Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft SharePoint, for email and collaboration. Most services do charge for this, but Comcast Cable offers it free with all business-class serviceâ€"a great deal.

And as noted earlier, some companies that sell combinations of Internet, phone, and TV at a significant discount.

Your Local ISPs

If you haven’t already, start making a list of the ISPs in your area, beginning with your local cable and telephone companies. then check major national telecommunication companies, such as AT&T and Verizon, to see whether they offer Internet service at your location. Also consult online directories such as ISPcompared.com, run some Google searches, and check the phone book.

Most ISPs offer separate business-class and residential-class services. Business-class service is often significantly more expensive, but it usually offers extra features and higher-priority service, too. if you run an office from your home and don’t need the extra features of business-class service, consider using residential service. But check with the ISP first, as its Acceptable Use Policy may prohibit any business or commerical use under residential service.

Eric Geier is a freelance tech writer and the founder of NoWiresSecurity.

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Big Drawing for Mega Millions Lottery Tuesday Night

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) – Winning Tuesday night’s Mega Millions lottery with an estimated jackpot of $206 million would certainly start someone’s New Year off in fine fashion.

What would you resolve to do with all that money? FOX 2 asked lottery players about their Mega Millions resolutions.

Here are some of the responses we received:

“Give some to charity and, of course, take care of my family and friends and have a big party.”

“Buy a house. I need a house.”

“It’s too much to think about.”

“I’m going to spend it, but I’ll give a million to charity.”

On the other side of the counter, a lottery retailer had a different perspective.

“They want everybody to wish them good luck. They think they’re going to win. Most people, when they buy them, think they’re going to win,” he said.

The Mega Millions drawing is set to take place at 11:00 p.m.

For more information about the Mega Millions lottery, including winning numbers, visit megamillions.com.

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Web Hosting for Small Business: 5 Things to Consider Before You Buy

Take a look at these five things before you purchase web hosting services for your small business. Don’t be the one to get burned Learn about the things that make a web hosting company stand above the rest

1. Price

Obviously, the first thing you should base your web hosting decision off of is the price. you should definitely compare the prices of a few of the best web hosting companies to get an idea of what a reasonable price for web hosting is. Hosting prices change often so it is likely that the prices have changed since the time this article was originally written. First, do a few searches online to see which companies are currently providing the best prices, services and discounts for yo& #117;r small businesses. When looking at web hosting prices you should look for discounts the web hosting company offers for new members and for members who pay for bundles of hosting service up front.

Introductory web hosting discounts range anywhere from paying only one cent for the first month of your hosting to having no customer discounts at all. Most hosting companies offer discounts if you purchase their services in lots of a few months or years at a time. Some companies also offer discounts to new customers. make sure you do your hosting company pricing research before you make your final decision, it’s the first thing you will save money on. Worst case scenario, you don’t like the hosting services and cancel t ;he service. That’s one penny wasted.

2. Customer Service and Support

The next thing you should consider is the quality of customer support. this quality is often overlooked or sacrificed for cheaper monthly rates. Don’t make this mistake one of the best and only services a web hosting company can provide for your small business is great customer service. After all, a hosting company without a dedicated customer service team is just a couple of rooms filled with cables and servers. Reputable hosting companies offer 24/7 customer service and are always friendly and willing to help at any time of the day. m 7;ke sure the company you choose offers great customer service and support for your small business the service is really what you’re paying for. Also be sure to look online for reviews and see what others are saying about their services.

3. Service Discounts

Another factor you should think about is whether or not the hosting company offers you free credit for online marketing services. Most people don’t consider this before they decide on a web hosting company. Don’t overlook this Almost all web hosting companies offer coupons and discounts for popular online marketing services, most of the time these coupons offer free service just for signing up with the hosting company Some of the best web hosting companies offer coupons for free search engine marketing from hug ;e media sites like Google, Bing and Facebook. I’ve seen companies offer up to $300 dollars in free advertising credit to customers.

Don’t miss out on a couple hundred dollars worth of free marketing for your small business your business could be selling the best, most interesting product in the world but if nobody knows your business exists then you’re not going to make any sales. Marketing your website is the key to being successful. Additionally, some companies also offer money-back guarantees for a certain period of time in order to let you evaluate their services risk-free. Free things are always a nice little bonus.

4. Number of Services

You should also look at the variety of services your website host will provide for you based on what your small business will be doing. the number of services the companies provide will often be slightly different. if you plan on starting an e-commerce business, make sure the hosting company offers services that will make it easier for you to get your products online and available for customers to buy. Some web hosting companies are entirely dedicated to hosting customers with e-commerce who w ;ant e-commerce websites. this is another time where the small business web hosting reviews are important. once again, make sure you browse reviews before you choose any service online, including web hosting services.

If you plan to start a blog, make sure the company offers things like free automated WordPress installs and databases that can support your blog. if you plan on starting an e-commerce website make sure they offer secure checkout and allow you to take credit card payments. Most web hosting companies offer services like e-mail accounts and templates for your website at no extra charge so don’t place too much emphasis on standard services like these. think of what you&# 114; business goals are and look for services that are specific to your what your small business plans on doing in the future.

5. Disk Space and Bandwidth

Finally, you should consider the amount of disk space and bandwidth that your web host offers. Most web companies will give you more than enough space to host your website so don’t worry about this unless you plan on storing a massive amount of large files or creating massive databases. the thing you really need to look at is how much bandwidth the hosting company offers your business every month. Bandwidth is basically a measure of how much user traff ic your website can handle. if you don’t have enough bandwidth your website won’t be available to your customers after the maximum bandwidth is exceeded.

A lot of companies offer hosting plans with unlimited bandwidth which enables your website to handle all the traffic it could possibly want. the last thing to look at is the uptime percentage rate. this is basically a measure of how often your site will be available on the web. All hosting companies experience occasional problems or require some time to do server maintenance so it’s important to check this uptime rate. A 99.9% uptime guarantee means that a web hosting company guarantees that your website will be viewable by people on the web 99.9 percent of the time. Be extr a cautious if a web hosting company doesn’t have an uptime guarantee.

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WordPress hosting for larger site

hello. Brand new to the forum with limited hosting knowledge. Here because I am trying to find the best hosting solution for my needs and I am sure there is someone here who can steer me in the right direction.

I have a Large wordpress site (1000+ pages) with soon to be 4 times that before launch. I have not launched it yet and I am just on bluehost for now until I do. Allready running abit slow. Before I launch it is important to me to find best hosting solution possible for both my current needs and potential future needs. I need the site to be as fast as possible for both SEO purposes and the user experience. I expect the site to eventually (within 1-2 years) be a high traffic site (5-10k uniques a day) and want to be in a position to upgrade easily as my traffic grows without changing co mpanies.

Features I need: -compatible with wordpress -assistance with migrating and setup -caching solution -auto backups -security -reliability

Features I would like: -cpanel -free support email and phone support -litespeed

my budget right now is $50-$100 a month. my budget will grow as does my traffic. since I am not currently getting much traffic I dont need anything that heavy to start, just want to optimize my current speed and have it be very easy upgrade when I do start recieving more traffic. so hopefully a host with the option to upgrade to VPS or a dedicated server when needed?

having a tough time finding the best solution. seems like lots of reviews online are just pushing the product for affiliate commissions. Tried going with VPS.net, but that was a bad experience before I was even able to migrate. somehow they deleted my account that I was getting charged daily for and this took several days to resolve with poor support. Also they charge $10 per ticket? a bit rediculous and after doing more research on them I hav 1; steared away.

Any tips would be much appreciated and I look forward to using this forum and increasing my knowledge on the matter. Thankyou much.

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Millions Of Stolen Credit Card Numbers Sold Cheap At Online Bazaar

December 21, 2011 (Bloomberg News) in mid-September, a European hacker nicknamed Poxxie broke into the computer network of a U.S. company and, he said, grabbed 1,400 credit-card numbers, the account holders’ names and addresses, and the security code that comes with each card. With little trouble, he sold the numbers for $3.50 each on his own seller’s site, called CVV2s.in, to underworld buyers who have come to trust the quality of his goods, he said. “The main thing in any business is honesty,” Poxxie said, without any trace of irony. the Traverse City, Michigan-based Ponemon Institute, which researches data security, estimates th 7;t thieves annually steal 8.4 million credit-card numbers in the U.S. alone. how do cyberbandits, who have turned hacking into a volume business, unload all those numbers? a lot like Amazon.com, it turns out. Customers on CVV2s can search for card numbers by bank, card type, credit limit and zip code, loading them into a virtual shopping basket as they go. the site offers the ability to search by bank identification number. that means customers can choose cards by institutions known to have weak security, Poxxie said. CVV2s even has an automated feature that lets clients validate th ;e numbers in real time, to make sure the bank hasn’t canceled the card. Sites like Poxxie’s make up the cyberunderworld’s version of a pirate’s cove, offering their online booty at cut-rate prices. Hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen data are bought and sold in underground’s chat rooms and forums every year, a fencing operation that becomes more robust annually, according to RSA, the security division of EMC Corp. CrackHackForum.com, one of the sites, even mimics EBay Inc., rating buyers and sellers with starred reviews. $114 Billion a Year Symantec Corp., the cybersecurity firm, estimates tha ;t cyberthieves steal data worth $114 billion a year. by comparison, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said the take from all bank robberies in the U.S. in 2010 was just $43 million. the global market in cocaine is an estimated $85 billion, according to the United Nations. “The problem is getting worse faster than we’re getting better,” said Tony Sager, chief operating officer of the Information Assurance Directorate at the National Security Agency, which includes some of the U.S. government’s best cyberexperts. “We’re not keeping pace.” To look inside the cyberbazaar, to f
05;nd details on prices and goods for sale, Bloomberg News gathered information through publicly available websites and in restricted forums, aided in this search by cybersecurity experts. Some of the information was provided through online interviews with participants, who protected their real identities as they discussed details on their lives and criminal operations. How To Verify the cyberunderground thrives because of anonymity: Hackers can devise any persona to conduct business and use a variety of technical tricks to hide their tracks. Their stories were verified to the extent possible by security experts who have watched the careers and methods of specific hackers for years. As recently as 2008, the fight between those who protect computer networks and those who attack them was about evenly matched. That’s no longer the case, according to the cybercops. the defenders are losing the battle because of a combination of their opponents’ technical achievements and rapid advances in a global supply chain of theft. in 2009, Symantec cataloged 2.8 million new viruses infecting computers. a year later, that number had jumped to 286 million. one reason for t
04;e hundredfold growth is that sophisticated viruses now change their digital signatures as they infect new machines. because anti-virus software uses a catalog of known signatures to stop infections, the dominant cybersecurity technology in many cases is useless as a result. Cheap Malware Some of the market’s most advanced malware — stealth software that steals data or lets hackers take remote command of a computer — can be bought for a few thousand dollars. Sophisticated spam operations implant the malware in computers for pennies per victim. Black-market vendors test malware & #097;gainst the latest anti- virus programs; provide hosting for command-and-control servers in countries that can’t be touched by U.S. law enforcement; or start a directed denial-of-service attack on a commercial or other website priced by the number of hours the site is down. one enterprise, advertised recently on the Israeli forum SecondZion, has created a language-aid call center for hackers who need to pose as U.S. bank customers or communicate with a German-speaking money mule, as currency transporters are called. the hackers provide a script; operators do th& #101; rest. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman crooks,” the site says, noting that its translators are “all operators with extensive experience.” Two users followed up with comments praising the service as excellent. Illicit Chat Rooms Distribution of goods and services is organized through thousands of illicit chat rooms and invitation-only forums. Some are publicly accessible: Any beginner looking to learn the basics of a so-called SQL injection hack — a basic attack on the security of a website — can join a forum like OpenSC and ask for tips. Others are private and access is strictly protected. the m
11;st serious criminals congregate on forums such as Maza. Membership to the forum is granted only by a vote of all of its senior members and only after an eight-day waiting period, according to researchers who have tried to infiltrate it. most deals done on the forum are large, so members use an escrow system. Cash or goods are held either by a trusted senior hacker or one who has retired from the business. in a criminal world in which conspirators almost never meet and trust is in short supply, the ; escrow system has evolved as a way for elite hackers to do big business. ‘Five Figures’ “Most of the transactions of in those forums will be in the five figures,” said a security investigator who has infiltrated several such forums. “The escrow system is the only way to make those transactions viable.” Public hacker sites, including CrackHackForum and HackForums, usually have rules against selling stolen data. Enforcement of sales postings is often weak and varies widely. Poxxie’s site, which is well known to security experts, was run un&# 116;il recently from a server in India, where U.S. law enforcement carries little weight with local authorities when it comes to computer crime. the site was recently moved or shut down, a common security practice among hackers. Poxxie has been in business long enough to see the price for a stolen credit card plummet because of over-supply and more sophisticated safety precautions by banks. why charge $3.50 for a stolen card number with the purchasing power to buy a car? the card could be canceled at any time after purchase, he said, and there are inherent risks in using it. Crime Wave “In this whole carding scene, nothing is guaranteed,” Poxxie said via ICQ, the online messaging network that is a common platform for doing business in the cyberunderground. Poxxie’s business is a boutique firm in an industrial-scale crime wave. Although the targets of cybercrime are still concentrated in the U.S. and Europe, the perpetrators are global. Some are independent operators who make a few thousand dollars a month, often supplementing their income with a day job. Others are members of large criminal organizations. Hex Nightmare falls somewhere in � 98;etween. when you conduct business with the 20-something cyberthief, the first — and only — thing you see is an avatar on ICQ: an anime version of a girl in hip huggers and a tank top. a person who has tracked her over several years said Hex Nightmare has managed to gain an impressive pedigree in the cyberunderground, learning quickly and moving in some of the most trusted circles of top cyberthieves. Take-Home Pay Her take-home from cybertheft, which concentrates mostly on stealing credit-card numbers and online banking credentials, com pares with the pay of some lower-level corporate executives, she said via ICQ — keeping her true identity secret. “I can possibly make an extra $8k a month on top of my regular income,” she said. To the young hacker, cybertheft is like a second job, one she juggles, she said, with going out to clubs on weekend nights and waitressing during the week. Her legitimate job is also a way to launder illicit income, she said. Hex Nightmare said she didn’t want the debt of a university education and instead spent two years on the forums learning her trade. the hacker faces non
01; of violence associated with other organized crime and otherwise leads a relatively normal life. “They have no idea what I do,” she said of friends and acquaintances. the details of the cyberthief’s personal life — including her real gender and age — couldn’t be verified but her business model and activities were corroborated by a security professional and fit the profile typical of young hackers, according to Eric Strom, an FBI special agent who heads an elite cyber team based in Pittsburgh. Like Universities “These are marketplaces, but they are also like universities,” Strom said. “You have n ewbies on there, you have seasoned guys. It’s a meeting place, it’s a social networking place, everything wrapped into one.” Working out of an office in a tech hub along the Monongahela River, Strom wears short-sleeves and loose pants, the uniform of a man who fights crime at a computer keyboard. His unit has a storied place in that world. It was behind DarkMarket, an elite English-language hackers forum that turned out to be an FBI sting when 56 of its members were arrested in 2008. Before turning to the cyber world, Strom spent most of his FBI career fighting the Mafia. It’s was good training, he said. Like the Mob “The stance we take is looking at it through the lens of organized crime,” he said. It took the better part of the 1980s and early 1990s for federal authorities to understand and begin to dismantle the U.S. mafia: develop investigative capacity, penetrate complex enterprises, pass new laws. It will take time with global cybercrime as well, Strom said. “We’re trying to keep pace with how the crime is evolving,” he said. Facing sophisticated cartels, the FBI and European law enforcemen t officials have created new cybersquads and launched major investigations. in October 2010, the FBI began one of its most ambitious cybercrime operations. Code-named Trident Breach, authorities broke up an international crime ring responsible for stealing $70 million from online bank accounts of small businesses and local government throughout the U.S. and Europe. There were arrests in four countries, including 39 in the U.S. Frustrations that success was accompanied by frustrations faced daily by investigators: There is almost no chance the world’s top cybercri minals — residing in safe-haven countries like Belarus, Romania, and Ukraine — will ever be brought to justice. most of the individuals detained last year were international students who, acting as so-called mules, withdrew money from the hackers’ U.S. bank accounts and forwarded it home. five people who were described as kingpins were detained for questioning in Ukraine. all five were eventually set free without seeing the inside of a courtroom, the FBI said in September. “Cybergangs, mainl&# 121; in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, are making money that rivals some drug cartels,” said Richard Clarke, former special adviser on cybersecurity to U.S. President George W. Bush, at an October conference on network security. “There is frankly nothing the FBI and Secret Service can do about it.” in April, the Department of Justice dismantled one of the largest known criminal botnets, a network of infected computers programmed to send data automatically from their hard drives to a server controlled by hackers. the ; department declared the break-up of Coreflood, as the botnet was known, a major victory. the Russians It said almost nothing about the criminals who ran it. Researchers at Dell SecureWorks, the Atlanta-based security firm that aided the investigation, said the kingpins behind Coreflood are three Russians last known to be living comfortably in Rostov, a mid-size city on the Don River. “Our relationship with the Russians is always a work in progress,” Strom said. no one personifies Russia’s plac ;e at the top of the cyber underworld more than Gribo-demon, a Russian programmer, around 30 years old, U.S. investigators estimate. He is one of the few cybercriminals who is the focus of his own FBI special operation. Gribo-demon is the author of SpyEye, a sophisticated malware package first released in late 2009 and upgraded several times since then. once downloaded on a machine, the malware can be used by hackers to take remote command of key functions. Using SpyEye, a cyberthief can hijack an online banking session in real time, transfer funds to accounts they or their mules control, and adjust &# 116;he balance displayed so nothing seems amiss. Seems Legit the transaction looks legitimate because, in computer terms, it is. all the bank can tell is that it was made from their customer’s computer, using their correct password. a basic version of SpyEye costs around $2,000, according to the hacker sites. “SpyEye provides military-grade intrusion capabilities for the price of a TV,” said Gunter Ollmann, vice president of research at Damballa Inc., the Atlanta-based security firm that tracks major cyberthreats. Gribo-demon’s real innovation stems from w&# 104;at he didn’t do: keep SpyEye to himself. Hackers used to write their own code. good tools were trade secrets. Gribo-demon instead licenses SpyEye, mimicking Microsoft and Oracle, a business model that arguably opened cybercrime to the masses. the model was pioneered by a competitor and fellow Russian who created popular malware called ZeuS, according to security experts. ZeuS first appeared in 2008. both programmers provided clients with customer service, offering an array of enticing modules to add functionality for an additional price. Beta Testing the ZeuS author, known as Sla vik, even Beta-tested new versions with elite users, according to Don Jackson, a SecureWorks researcher. Slavik disappeared in late 2010, but not before he handed the ZeuS source-code to Gribo, who incorporated some of its features into his own product, Jackson said. Security experts say it’s hard to overestimate impact of Slavik’s and Gribo-demon’s handiwork. in September, the Tokyo-based cybersecurity firm Trend Micro publicized a dossier on a 20-something Russian cyberthief who goes by the name Soldier, tracing his activities in the underground forums over several months. Using SpyEye, Soldier stole $3.2 million from U.S. customers of three banks in ju st six months — about $17,000 a day — Trend Micro said. Going Price the hacker used bank-account information scraped from more than 25,000 victims’ computers, in some cases renting other cyberthieves’ networks of infected computers. He created counterfeit checks with banking data and mailed them to money mules throughout the United States. They cashed them, then forwarded the funds untraceably to Russia. He even used stolen credit card numbers vacuumed from the victims’ hard drives to buy pre-paid postal-service labels for the packages. “From star ;t to finish, this guy leveraged every bit of data,” said Alex Cox, an investigator for Netwitness, a cybersecurity division of EMC Corp., which has also been tracking Soldier’s activities. the most remarkable thing about the theft — and this is, to experts in the field, the most worrisome development of the past few months — was that Soldier didn’t need any special expertise with computers. all he needed was a shopping list. “He’s not a lone hacker,” said Trend Micro’s David Perry. “He didn’t write any code. ” Shopping List Strom said the FBI is also tracking Soldier and is confident they’ll get him. “These guys are very sophisticated, but often times they slip up,” Strom said. Strom and other investigators have one significant advantage: the hackers have a habit of turning their skills on one another. the FBI’s DarkMarket sting started with a hacker war between a hacker, calling himself Iceman, who ran CardersMarket, and JiLsi, the DarkMarket administrator, whose real name was Renukanth Subramaniam, the FBI said. “We took advantage of th at animosity,” Strom said, eventually persuading JiLsi to turn over the site to the FBI and giving the bureau control over all communications involving DarkMarket’s 2,500 members. As a result, Subramaniam was sentenced to more than four years in prison in the U.K. Maza, the elite Russian forum, was recently hacked and its database dumped online. It presented a priceless opportunity for law enforcement. the forum’s database held membership lists, e- mail addresses, IP addresses, and passwords — the kind of information the world’s top cyber thieves try very hard to keep secret. the main suspect in th e Maza attack is the administrator of a rival site, Hex Nightmare said. Learned a Lot “We learned a lot of lessons with DarkMarket, and we’ve passed that experience on not only to other offices within the FBI but to our counterparts overseas,” Strom said. “We’re definitely taking the fight back to them.” Hex Nightmare agrees the FBI may eventually make more progress. when Slavik, the author of the ZeuS malware, disappeared in 2010, he was at the height of his fame. Theories about his disappearance abound on the un derground: Slavik was killed; he now works as a cyberspy for the Russian government. Hex Nightmare has her own: “I think Slavik thought it was a good time to get out.” Millions of Stolen Credit Card Numbers Sold Cheap At Online Bazaar  

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Qualcomm Stadium Changing Names for 3 Games in Huge (Savvy) Marketing Stunt

For the past however many years—let’s say…15—the San Diego Chargers have been playing their home games in Qualcomm Stadium, formerly known as Jack Murphy Stadium, until Qualcomm came in and paid $18 million to smack their logo on top for 20 years.

What does Qualcomm do? I’m not entirely sure, to tell you the truth. I’m suspect it has something to do with communications or phone cords or Ethernet cables or, as their website indicates, designing and supplying chipsets and system software. 

The corporate sponsors atop our favorite teams’ stadiums have become largely interchangeable over the years. Between 1997 and today, the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers have played home games in the CoreStates Center, First Union Center, Wachovia Center and Wells Fargo Center, all part of the Comcast Complex and—oh, right—all the exact same building.

Starting this week, Qualcomm is making the revolving door of bank sponsors look like lifelong partners with their new gimmick. Qualcomm has a product called Snapdragon that is a more progressive arm of the telecommunications conglomerate. Snapdragon makes (or is, perhaps) the chips inside our phones and other mobile devices.

In other words, they’re doing the Lord’s work.

So why are Qualcomm and Snapdragon making big news today? well, because they’ve decided to change the name of their branded stadium from Qualcomm Stadium to Snapdragon Stadium…for just two weeks.

The name change, and all the fabrication of new signage and new branding, is taking place for a whopping two weeks. The Murph has become some weird kind of corporate sponsorship timeshare.

If they get the hit they’re looking for, don’t be surprised if Qualcomm starts lending the space out to their cheap aunt and uncle who really want to vacation in San Diego but don’t want to spend the money on a nice hotel.

“Can we stay in your stadium for a few days while we’re out there? You’ve always been such a nice boy.”

I can see it now: Art and Sylvia’s Weekend Getaway to San Diego because “Have you Seen the Weather and Traffic Where We Live These Days” Stadium. 

It actually has a rather nice ring to it.

The reason for this Qualcomm gimmick came because the stadium is hosting three big events between now and the start of the new year. Qualcomm thought it was a prudent investment to get their product a little more national recognition and either didn’t want to change the stadium forever or didn’t want to have to go through all the permits and approval boards to do so (and may just keep it Snapdragon in the future if all parties agree after the fact).

Plus, if they changed the name of a stadium from one corporate logo to another, people like me wouldn’t care. Loaning out the space piques the average sportswriter’s interest and allows me to envision imaginary relatives sitting atop the stadium in an old fedora, a wife beater, shorts, dark socks and loafers, complaining about how salty the air smells.

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

So, with that, this weekend’s Sunday Night Football game will be played at Snapdragon Stadium, followed by the S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl between TCU and Louisianna Tech on December 21st and the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl between Cal and Texas on December 28th.

Following that, if you believe the reports, all the signs will come down and the Chargers will be playing in Qualcomm Stadium once again.

Let’s not deny the fact that it’s a great marketing idea, if only for the fact that people are talking about it. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?

The first rule of marketing is to get people talking about your brand. In that regard, you win, Qualcomm.

If Al Michaels mentions Snapdragon Stadium to 30 million people this weekend, the company wins even more. if he takes the time to mention how and why it changed—something the company is surely pushing (full disclosure: as they did to me)—the publicity will far outweigh the cost of changing all the signs. 

The City of San Diego and the Chargers had to approve the move, so it’s not like corporate sponsors are going to suddenly have free reign to change whatever they want on teams’ home arenas and stadiums. it does, however, set a precedent that other companies will surely want to follow. 

Whitney Curtis/Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals play all their home games in Busch Stadium, but after seeing this Qualcomm deal work so effectively (to this point), will they suddenly start playing all nationally-televised games in Budweiser Stadium or make a playoff run at Bud Light Lime Field?

Heck, if they wanted to spend the money for new signage—or more efficiently reconfigured all corporate signage in the building into LED boards that could easily change the logos with a click of a mouse—who’s to say the stadium couldn’t change names based on whatever beer was on special that day of the week?

You know, the strangest thing…I’m writing about this with an odd sense of anti-corporate indignation, but after getting this far, I realize I don’t even care.

Do any of us really care where our teams play? does it come up that often in conversation? In Philly, we called the First Union Center the F.U. Center, so it was disappointing to fans when First Union got bought out by Wachovia.

The “Linc” has a good ring to it, either making the people at Lincoln Financial happy their name has a long-standing affiliation with the Eagles, or upset we shortened it to something the average fan can’t associate with their brand.

This gimmick in San Diego is really just that—a gimmick. this isn’t the deciding event to signify when corporate sponsorships finally jumped the shark. That happened decades ago.

This is just a two-week PR ploy that got people talking about a brand we’d otherwise totally and completely ignore this holiday season.

Good marketing, Qualcomm…whatever you sell.

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