COMPUTER HACKERS
The Senate's Permanent Investigations Subcommittee recently heard testimony that computer hackers cost big business around the world an estimated US$800 last year. U.S. firms account for half of the estimated loss. The estimate, provided by an undisclosed security firm, was based on a survey of large financial firms known to have been attacked by hackers. Hospitals are also popular targets where patient records are often subjected to alterations or "data diddling."

In other hacking news, hackers attack the Pentagon computers 250,000 a year. Two attackers were able to enter a system at NATO's European Headquarters through an Air Force computer in Rome, New York. (Source: Wall Street Journal: 05/31/1996 and 06/06/1996)

NOTEBOOK NABBING
Do you know where your notebook computer is? According to Safeware Insurance Company, one in every fourteen notebook computers is reported stolen. Thiefts frequently occur in airports but notebooks have been know to be stolen right off the user's own desk. Suggestions for protecting your notebook at the airport: carry your notebook onto the plane, let those in front of you to pass through the metal detector before placing your computer on the conveyor belt and use a nondescript case to carry your notebook. Other suggestions are: lock the notebook in your office during off-hours, use a cable and lock to secure your notebook if you are working outside your office, use encryption software to protect your data if your notebook is stolen and insure your notebook. Personal suggestions: have a current backup copy of your notebook's data back in your office before you leave for your trip. Also, know the make, model and serial numbers for your notebook. Should your notebook be stolen, the police will need this information to complete their report. (Source: PC WEEK, 05/06/1996)

vCARD
35 vendors recently agreed to a common standard for electronic business cards. The new standard, vCard 2.0, creates a prototype capturing the information contained on the cards including a voice or audio clip. The electronic cards can be exchanged via e-mail, Web pages, or by wireless links between laptops. For more information, including free copy of the vCard software, check out Communication Week's Web site www.commweek.com. Click on net news. (Source: Communication Week, 05/13/1996.

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
Looking an address and phone number of a friend or business? You may want to try Switchboard. I found Switchboard www.switchboard.com to have more addresses than Bigfoot www.bigfoot.com, another general search service. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 05/30/1996)
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Technology Tidbits is Published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1996 Jerry W. Price

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