Virtual World - Real Crime 04/16/2007 11:43:31 am by Dan Krohn

	In February, this blog commented on the increasing blur between virtual and real world economies as players of the huge online multiplayer games are trading weapons and such for real cash. Many of the online games have rules prohibiting this, but it happens nonetheless. And there are some online multiplayer games which permit real world business transactions in their virtual goods. Now things are getting more interesting. A recent ComputerWorld story reports that organized crime is getting into the act. By hacking and phishing techniques, criminals are making concerted efforts to obtain gaming passwords, so as to be able to complete real world cash transactions. Alas, wherever there is money, there is crime. Gamers must now be alert less they find their weaponry has disappeared - sold by someone on another continent in the real world.

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Virus Alert 04/14/2007 03:38:47 pm by Dan Krohn

	A new variation on the Storm Virus is out and wrecking havoc. This is one of the most sophisticated bits of malware to hit the Internet, and it is spreading at breakneck speed. Ironically, the virus is spread by spam warning the recipient that his/her computer is infected and instructing the recipient to click on a link to remove the virus. Once you click, you've got a problem. And beware, this email can come to you from a friend, as the virus has the capability to replicate itself and send emails to those in your address book. Among other harms, this virus is designed to search for personal data and send it to some hidden server. It can also turn your PC into part of a bot network for nefarious use in the future. Lastly, this virus seems to mutate periodically making defense difficult. Update your antivirus software often and don't open attachments unless you KNOW they are safe.

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North Korea update 04/11/2007 03:20:23 pm by Dan Krohn

	About three weeks ago this blog commented on how remarkable it was that North Korean money frozen in Macao under Patriot Act provisions could not be freed and moved once that had been agreed upon. Finally, today there are reports that the freeze has been lifted and North Korea will allow nuclear inspectors as previously agreed. This blogger still finds it remarkable that this much time had to pass to address the issue. Let's hope that our government can fix the statutes and regulations so that this kind of nonsense does not happen again.

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