Thursday, March 29, 2012
Mega Millions jackpot
Do's, don'ts for your Mega Millions jackpot
With a half-billion-dollar multistate lottery jackpot up for grabs, plenty of folks are fantasizing about how to spend the money. But doing it the right way - protecting your riches, your identity and your sanity - takes some thought and planning.
Making sure you don't blow the nation's largest-ever lottery jackpot within a few years means some advice is in order before the Mega Millions drawing Friday, especially if you're really, really, really lucky.
Q: What do I do with the ticket?
A: Before anything else, sign the back of the ticket. That will stop anyone else from claiming your riches if you happen to drop it while you're jumping up and down. Then make a photocopy and lock it in a safe. At the very least, keep it where you know it's protected. A Rhode Island woman who won a $336 million Powerball jackpot in February hid the ticket in her Bible before going out to breakfast.
Q: What next?
A: Relax; breathe; take time to think about your next move. Don't do anything you'll regret for the next 30 years, like calling your best friend or every one of your aunts, uncles and cousins. It doesn't take long to be overwhelmed by long-lost friends, charities and churches wanting to share your good fortune. You've waited a lifetime to hit the jackpot; you can wait a few days before going on a spending spree.
Q: So whom should I tell first?
A: Contacting a lawyer and a financial planner would be a lot wiser than updating your Facebook status. Make sure it's someone you can trust and, it's hoped, dealt with before. If you don't have anyone in mind, ask a close family member or friend. Oklahoma City attorney Richard Craig, whose firm has represented a handful of lottery winners, says it's essential to assemble a team of financial managers, tax experts, accountants and bankers.
Q: Remind me, how much did I win?
A: As it stands now, the Mega Millions will pay out a lump sum of $359 million before taxes. The annual payments over 26 years will amount to just over $19 million before taxes.
Q: How much will I pay in taxes?
A: This partly depends on where you live. Federal tax is 25 percent; then there's your state income tax. In Ohio, for example, that's another 6 percent. And you might need to pay a city tax depending on the local tax rules. So count on about a third of your winnings going to the government.
Q: Should I take the cash payout or annual payments?
A: This is the big question, and most people think taking the lump sum is the smart move. That's not always the case. First, spreading the payments out protects you from becoming the latest lottery winner who's lost all their money. Don McNay, author of the book "Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers and What to Do When You Win the Lottery," says nine out of 10 winners go through their money in five years or less. "It's too much, too fast," he says. "Nobody is around them putting the brakes on the situation."
Q: But what if I'm good at managing the money?
A: Invested properly, the lump sum option can be a good choice. There's more planning that you can use to reduce estate taxes and other financial incentives. Others, though, say that with annual payments, you are taxed on the money only as it comes in, so that will put you in a lower tax bracket rather than taking a big hit on getting a lump sum. And you still can shelter the money in tax-free investments and take advantage of tax law changes over the years.
Q: Should I try to shield my identity?
A: Absolutely. This will protect you from people who want you to invest in their business scheme or those who need cash in an emergency. Lottery winners are besieged by dozens of people and charities looking for help. "There are people who do that for a living. Unless you understand that, you can become a victim very quickly," says Steve Thornton, an attorney in Bowling Green, Ky., who has represented two jackpot winners.
Q: So how can I protect myself?
A: Again, it somewhat depends on where you live. In Ohio, you can form a trust to manage the money and keep your winnings a secret. In other states, you can form a trust but still be discovered through public records. And a few states require you to show up and receive your oversized check in front of a bunch of cameras, making it impossible to stay anonymous. Thornton set up a corporation in the late 1990s to protect the identity of a client in Kentucky who won $11 million. "No one had done this before, and there were legal questions about whether a corporation can win," he says. "We were able to hide their names."
Q: Is it OK to splurge a little?
A: Sure, it's why you bought a ticket, right? "Get it out of your system, but don't go overboard," McNay says. But remember that if there's a new Mercedes-Benz in the driveway, your neighbors will probably be able to figure out who won the jackpot.
Q: How much should I help my family and others?
A: It's certainly a natural desire to help relatives in need and take care of future generations. But use extreme caution when giving out your money. Jack Whittaker, a West Virginia contractor who won a nearly $315 million Powerball jackpot in 2002, quickly fell victim to scandals, lawsuits and personal setbacks. His foundation spent $23 million building two churches, and he's been involved in hundreds of legal actions. "If you win, just don't give any money away, because the more money you give away, the more they want you to give. And once you start giving it away, everybody will label you an easy touch and be right there after you. And that includes everybody," Whittaker said five years ago.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/28/3134073/what-to-do-after-you-hit-the-mega.html#storylink=cpy
With a half-billion-dollar multistate lottery jackpot up for grabs, plenty of folks are fantasizing about how to spend the money. But doing it the right way - protecting your riches, your identity and your sanity - takes some thought and planning.
Making sure you don't blow the nation's largest-ever lottery jackpot within a few years means some advice is in order before the Mega Millions drawing Friday, especially if you're really, really, really lucky.
Q: What do I do with the ticket?
A: Before anything else, sign the back of the ticket. That will stop anyone else from claiming your riches if you happen to drop it while you're jumping up and down. Then make a photocopy and lock it in a safe. At the very least, keep it where you know it's protected. A Rhode Island woman who won a $336 million Powerball jackpot in February hid the ticket in her Bible before going out to breakfast.
Q: What next?
A: Relax; breathe; take time to think about your next move. Don't do anything you'll regret for the next 30 years, like calling your best friend or every one of your aunts, uncles and cousins. It doesn't take long to be overwhelmed by long-lost friends, charities and churches wanting to share your good fortune. You've waited a lifetime to hit the jackpot; you can wait a few days before going on a spending spree.
Q: So whom should I tell first?
A: Contacting a lawyer and a financial planner would be a lot wiser than updating your Facebook status. Make sure it's someone you can trust and, it's hoped, dealt with before. If you don't have anyone in mind, ask a close family member or friend. Oklahoma City attorney Richard Craig, whose firm has represented a handful of lottery winners, says it's essential to assemble a team of financial managers, tax experts, accountants and bankers.
Q: Remind me, how much did I win?
A: As it stands now, the Mega Millions will pay out a lump sum of $359 million before taxes. The annual payments over 26 years will amount to just over $19 million before taxes.
Q: How much will I pay in taxes?
A: This partly depends on where you live. Federal tax is 25 percent; then there's your state income tax. In Ohio, for example, that's another 6 percent. And you might need to pay a city tax depending on the local tax rules. So count on about a third of your winnings going to the government.
Q: Should I take the cash payout or annual payments?
A: This is the big question, and most people think taking the lump sum is the smart move. That's not always the case. First, spreading the payments out protects you from becoming the latest lottery winner who's lost all their money. Don McNay, author of the book "Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers and What to Do When You Win the Lottery," says nine out of 10 winners go through their money in five years or less. "It's too much, too fast," he says. "Nobody is around them putting the brakes on the situation."
Q: But what if I'm good at managing the money?
A: Invested properly, the lump sum option can be a good choice. There's more planning that you can use to reduce estate taxes and other financial incentives. Others, though, say that with annual payments, you are taxed on the money only as it comes in, so that will put you in a lower tax bracket rather than taking a big hit on getting a lump sum. And you still can shelter the money in tax-free investments and take advantage of tax law changes over the years.
Q: Should I try to shield my identity?
A: Absolutely. This will protect you from people who want you to invest in their business scheme or those who need cash in an emergency. Lottery winners are besieged by dozens of people and charities looking for help. "There are people who do that for a living. Unless you understand that, you can become a victim very quickly," says Steve Thornton, an attorney in Bowling Green, Ky., who has represented two jackpot winners.
Q: So how can I protect myself?
A: Again, it somewhat depends on where you live. In Ohio, you can form a trust to manage the money and keep your winnings a secret. In other states, you can form a trust but still be discovered through public records. And a few states require you to show up and receive your oversized check in front of a bunch of cameras, making it impossible to stay anonymous. Thornton set up a corporation in the late 1990s to protect the identity of a client in Kentucky who won $11 million. "No one had done this before, and there were legal questions about whether a corporation can win," he says. "We were able to hide their names."
Q: Is it OK to splurge a little?
A: Sure, it's why you bought a ticket, right? "Get it out of your system, but don't go overboard," McNay says. But remember that if there's a new Mercedes-Benz in the driveway, your neighbors will probably be able to figure out who won the jackpot.
Q: How much should I help my family and others?
A: It's certainly a natural desire to help relatives in need and take care of future generations. But use extreme caution when giving out your money. Jack Whittaker, a West Virginia contractor who won a nearly $315 million Powerball jackpot in 2002, quickly fell victim to scandals, lawsuits and personal setbacks. His foundation spent $23 million building two churches, and he's been involved in hundreds of legal actions. "If you win, just don't give any money away, because the more money you give away, the more they want you to give. And once you start giving it away, everybody will label you an easy touch and be right there after you. And that includes everybody," Whittaker said five years ago.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/28/3134073/what-to-do-after-you-hit-the-mega.html#storylink=cpy
Clayton Osbon
CNN) -- The midflight breakdown of a JetBlue pilot has sparked concerns about psychological screening for flight crews.
Capt. Clayton Osbon's erratic behavior prompted Flight 191 from New York to Las Vegas to make an unscheduled landing in Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday after crew and passengers intervened and subdued the 49-year-old pilot.
Osbon "yelled jumbled comments about Jesus, September 11th, Iraq, Iran,and terrorists," according to a federal criminal complaint filed against Osbon. One passenger quoted Osbon as saying, "Pray f------ now for Jesus Christ," the complaint said.
"It just seemed like something triggered him to go off the wall. He would be calm one minute and then just all of a sudden turn," said passenger Jason Levin.
JetBlue pilot charged with interfering with flight crew
JetBlue has not elaborated on the pilot's condition, but CEO Dave Barger referred to the incident as a "medical situation."
The pilot's behavior points to possible psychological distress, doctors say.
The episode could be the result of bipolar disorder or a recent start on antidepressant medication, said Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist at the University of Arizona and CNN consultant who has not treated Osbon. Medical illnesses such as brain tumors, subtle seizures or hormonal imbalances could also have caused Osbon's behavior, Raison said.
Are pilots screened closely enough?
JetBlue pilot remembered as 'fantastic'
Plane carried security specialists
All airline pilots are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to have a first-class medical certificate that must be renewed annually for pilots younger than 40 and every six months for pilots 40 and older. JetBlue follows all FAA pilot requirements, the airline said.
Pilots must be examined by an aviation medical examiner as part of that process, and a candidate's psychological condition is assessed.
The exam does not include a formal psychiatric evaluation, although the examiner should "form a general impression of the emotional stability and mental state of the applicant," according to FAA's Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. Bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders that involve "acting out" and substance dependence generally are disqualifying conditions, according to the guide. In these cases, the examiner would either deny issuing the certificate or defer it and report evidence of significant problems to the FAA, the guide says.
"If the person is exhibiting any signs of psychosis, thinks he's on the moon, is disoriented in time and place, if he's taking any medicines -- and the FAA is very strict -- the computer won't even let me give an exam if medicines are not approved. It's very strict under those circumstances," said Dr. Gabriel Guardarramas, an FAA-approved New York family doctor who performs about 40 pilot exams a year.
Guardarramas said one pilot grieving the death of his father raised a red flag for him and he deferred certification to the FAA.
"Pilots as a rule are extremely stable people," said retired airline Capt. Steve Luckey, a 33-year veteran. "By the time a person becomes a commercial pilot, they've gone through so many filters."
However, the agency's strict criteria prompt some to hide their conditions, according to two pilots who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity out of concern for their own careers.
One veteran with three decades of experience said he's known just a single fellow pilot who sought treatment for depression. The treatment lasted eight or nine months, and he never told his employer, the pilot said.
"A guy has worked his whole career toward what he's gotten, and he's dealing with issues, what does he do? If he says, 'Hey, I'm depressed,' then the FAA pulls his medical certificates and then there goes his career."
Another veteran pilot echoed that sentiment: "Yes, pilots are flying around depressed because if they do (admit depression), they'll be grounded."
"Pilots are generally well psychologically screened for all the right reasons. Some people snap. If this pilot did indeed snap, it doesn't surprise me. There's tremendous pressure out there in the pilot group, and that's something the public should care about," the pilot said.
In its medical examiners guide, the FAA says pilots being treated with four specific antidepressants may receive medical clearance, which would be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Osbon's breakdown comes just weeks after an American Airlines flight attendant's behavior alarmed passengers and prompted flight crew members to restrain her while the plane was taxiing. One passenger said the flight attendant described herself as bipolar and said she had not taken her medication. Other accounts referred to her talking on the intercom about the plane crashing.
American Airlines has not identified her, and no charges have been filed. She remains employed by the company, the airline said Wednesday. American said the airline follows all FAA rules.
Unlike pilots, flight attendants are not required to pass medical examinations before they fly, according to the Association of Flight Attendants, a union that does not represent American Airlines workers.
"However, flight attendants do have to go through recurrent training each year to refresh their emergency situation skills," said AFA spokeswoman Corey Caldwell. They are also required to receive proficiency certification from the FAA.
She added that "in most cases," flight attendants could be treated for various conditions and still perform "as first responders efficiently," noting that red flags would probably come up during the initial six- to eight-week training period or during a probationary period of up to a year.
In addition to the pressure of performing the duties of flying itself, airline employees face the added stress of trying to survive in an industry fraught with restructuring, bankruptcies and other uncertainties.
"This industry is very turbulent," Caldwell said. "And after 9/11, these workers really went through a very difficult time personally and professionally."
Capt. Clayton Osbon's erratic behavior prompted Flight 191 from New York to Las Vegas to make an unscheduled landing in Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday after crew and passengers intervened and subdued the 49-year-old pilot.
Osbon "yelled jumbled comments about Jesus, September 11th, Iraq, Iran,and terrorists," according to a federal criminal complaint filed against Osbon. One passenger quoted Osbon as saying, "Pray f------ now for Jesus Christ," the complaint said.
"It just seemed like something triggered him to go off the wall. He would be calm one minute and then just all of a sudden turn," said passenger Jason Levin.
JetBlue pilot charged with interfering with flight crew
JetBlue has not elaborated on the pilot's condition, but CEO Dave Barger referred to the incident as a "medical situation."
The pilot's behavior points to possible psychological distress, doctors say.
The episode could be the result of bipolar disorder or a recent start on antidepressant medication, said Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist at the University of Arizona and CNN consultant who has not treated Osbon. Medical illnesses such as brain tumors, subtle seizures or hormonal imbalances could also have caused Osbon's behavior, Raison said.
Are pilots screened closely enough?
JetBlue pilot remembered as 'fantastic'
Plane carried security specialists
All airline pilots are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to have a first-class medical certificate that must be renewed annually for pilots younger than 40 and every six months for pilots 40 and older. JetBlue follows all FAA pilot requirements, the airline said.
Pilots must be examined by an aviation medical examiner as part of that process, and a candidate's psychological condition is assessed.
The exam does not include a formal psychiatric evaluation, although the examiner should "form a general impression of the emotional stability and mental state of the applicant," according to FAA's Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. Bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders that involve "acting out" and substance dependence generally are disqualifying conditions, according to the guide. In these cases, the examiner would either deny issuing the certificate or defer it and report evidence of significant problems to the FAA, the guide says.
"If the person is exhibiting any signs of psychosis, thinks he's on the moon, is disoriented in time and place, if he's taking any medicines -- and the FAA is very strict -- the computer won't even let me give an exam if medicines are not approved. It's very strict under those circumstances," said Dr. Gabriel Guardarramas, an FAA-approved New York family doctor who performs about 40 pilot exams a year.
Guardarramas said one pilot grieving the death of his father raised a red flag for him and he deferred certification to the FAA.
"Pilots as a rule are extremely stable people," said retired airline Capt. Steve Luckey, a 33-year veteran. "By the time a person becomes a commercial pilot, they've gone through so many filters."
However, the agency's strict criteria prompt some to hide their conditions, according to two pilots who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity out of concern for their own careers.
One veteran with three decades of experience said he's known just a single fellow pilot who sought treatment for depression. The treatment lasted eight or nine months, and he never told his employer, the pilot said.
"A guy has worked his whole career toward what he's gotten, and he's dealing with issues, what does he do? If he says, 'Hey, I'm depressed,' then the FAA pulls his medical certificates and then there goes his career."
Another veteran pilot echoed that sentiment: "Yes, pilots are flying around depressed because if they do (admit depression), they'll be grounded."
"Pilots are generally well psychologically screened for all the right reasons. Some people snap. If this pilot did indeed snap, it doesn't surprise me. There's tremendous pressure out there in the pilot group, and that's something the public should care about," the pilot said.
In its medical examiners guide, the FAA says pilots being treated with four specific antidepressants may receive medical clearance, which would be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Osbon's breakdown comes just weeks after an American Airlines flight attendant's behavior alarmed passengers and prompted flight crew members to restrain her while the plane was taxiing. One passenger said the flight attendant described herself as bipolar and said she had not taken her medication. Other accounts referred to her talking on the intercom about the plane crashing.
American Airlines has not identified her, and no charges have been filed. She remains employed by the company, the airline said Wednesday. American said the airline follows all FAA rules.
Unlike pilots, flight attendants are not required to pass medical examinations before they fly, according to the Association of Flight Attendants, a union that does not represent American Airlines workers.
"However, flight attendants do have to go through recurrent training each year to refresh their emergency situation skills," said AFA spokeswoman Corey Caldwell. They are also required to receive proficiency certification from the FAA.
She added that "in most cases," flight attendants could be treated for various conditions and still perform "as first responders efficiently," noting that red flags would probably come up during the initial six- to eight-week training period or during a probationary period of up to a year.
In addition to the pressure of performing the duties of flying itself, airline employees face the added stress of trying to survive in an industry fraught with restructuring, bankruptcies and other uncertainties.
"This industry is very turbulent," Caldwell said. "And after 9/11, these workers really went through a very difficult time personally and professionally."
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
5 things that trigger an IRS audit
No one wants to get that IRS Notice or Letter of additional taxes due or an invitation to come to the local IRS office for an audit. If you want to reduce your chances of getting flagged for an audit, or to know that your chances for one are higher, then you need to know what can trigger it. Here are five situations that can draw additional attention of the IRS to your tax return.
-- Reporting income and taxes withheld on your tax return that does not agree with the information on the Forms W-2 and 1099 that you received. The IRS receives the same information and their Document Matching Program will always flag these errors.
-- Total income from self employment, reported on Schedule C, of $100,000 or more. According to one study, the IRS has concluded that individuals filing Schedule C are more likely to under-report their income and overstate their deductions.
-- Claiming deductions that are unusually large in relation to your income. According to a report of IRS inquiries, the IRS selected a taxpayer's return for audit when the tax payer claimed over $18,000 of un-reimbursed business expenses when he reported only $25,000 in gross income.
-- Married taxpayers filing separately who both claim the same deductions. Many such taxpayers should split or allocate the deductions that are paid jointly.
-- Taxpayers who earn their income from certain industries or activities that, based on past IRS audit experience, have a higher incidence of noncompliance. This includes tax returns of auto dealers, taxi and air service operators, attorneys, gas retailers, etc.
Check back in a few days when I'll write about a few specific tax return errors that can trigger an IRS audit and how you can avoid them.
more @ http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505146_162-57405084/5-things-that-trigger-an-irs-audit/?tag=nl.e857
-- Reporting income and taxes withheld on your tax return that does not agree with the information on the Forms W-2 and 1099 that you received. The IRS receives the same information and their Document Matching Program will always flag these errors.
-- Total income from self employment, reported on Schedule C, of $100,000 or more. According to one study, the IRS has concluded that individuals filing Schedule C are more likely to under-report their income and overstate their deductions.
-- Claiming deductions that are unusually large in relation to your income. According to a report of IRS inquiries, the IRS selected a taxpayer's return for audit when the tax payer claimed over $18,000 of un-reimbursed business expenses when he reported only $25,000 in gross income.
-- Married taxpayers filing separately who both claim the same deductions. Many such taxpayers should split or allocate the deductions that are paid jointly.
-- Taxpayers who earn their income from certain industries or activities that, based on past IRS audit experience, have a higher incidence of noncompliance. This includes tax returns of auto dealers, taxi and air service operators, attorneys, gas retailers, etc.
Check back in a few days when I'll write about a few specific tax return errors that can trigger an IRS audit and how you can avoid them.
more @ http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505146_162-57405084/5-things-that-trigger-an-irs-audit/?tag=nl.e857
iPhone passcode cracking
iPhone passcode cracking is easier than you think
A Swedish security firms shows that it can break into a passcode-protected mobile phone in a matter of minutes.
A report came out last fall suggesting that repeating one number in the iPhone's four-digit security PIN made for better protection than using all unique numbers. However, that little trick doesn't seem to go very far with Micro Systemation, a Swedish security firm that helps police and military around the world crack digital security systems.
The company released a video last week that shows just how easy it is to break into a passcode-protected iPhone or Android device.
The video, "Recovering the Passcode from an iPhone," tapes a demonstration where a company spokesman uses an application called XRY and accesses the contents of the mobile phone in less than two minutes. User information, such as GPS location, call history, contacts, and messages, can all be read.
The way the XRY software works is a lot like jailbreaking into the phone, according to Forbes, which talked to the company about the application. Rather than looking for vulnerabilities made by the manufacturer, the software searches for security flaws by guessing every combination of numbers to find the correct code.
"Every week a new phone comes out with a different operating system and we have to reverse engineer them," Micro Systemation marketing director Mike Dickinson told Forbes. "We're constantly chasing the market."
According to mobile security provider Lookout, both iOS and Android could beef up their security. Both are potentially threatened by rogue apps and both are susceptible to Web-based malware, just like any Internet-connected device.
Dickinson said that the longer users' passcodes are the better and the more difficult the devices become to crack -- even using XRY. "The more complex the password, the longer and harder it's going to be to access the phone," he said.
A Swedish security firms shows that it can break into a passcode-protected mobile phone in a matter of minutes.
A report came out last fall suggesting that repeating one number in the iPhone's four-digit security PIN made for better protection than using all unique numbers. However, that little trick doesn't seem to go very far with Micro Systemation, a Swedish security firm that helps police and military around the world crack digital security systems.
The company released a video last week that shows just how easy it is to break into a passcode-protected iPhone or Android device.
The video, "Recovering the Passcode from an iPhone," tapes a demonstration where a company spokesman uses an application called XRY and accesses the contents of the mobile phone in less than two minutes. User information, such as GPS location, call history, contacts, and messages, can all be read.
The way the XRY software works is a lot like jailbreaking into the phone, according to Forbes, which talked to the company about the application. Rather than looking for vulnerabilities made by the manufacturer, the software searches for security flaws by guessing every combination of numbers to find the correct code.
"Every week a new phone comes out with a different operating system and we have to reverse engineer them," Micro Systemation marketing director Mike Dickinson told Forbes. "We're constantly chasing the market."
According to mobile security provider Lookout, both iOS and Android could beef up their security. Both are potentially threatened by rogue apps and both are susceptible to Web-based malware, just like any Internet-connected device.
Dickinson said that the longer users' passcodes are the better and the more difficult the devices become to crack -- even using XRY. "The more complex the password, the longer and harder it's going to be to access the phone," he said.
Which game console should you buy?
Which game console should you buy?
This is an interesting read i guess i will buy an Ebox360
A lot has changed since the Xbox 360 debuted in November 2005. After what has seemed like dozens of upgrades, improvements, omissions, price drops, motion controllers, and bundles, the dust has settled (once again) and we're left with three competitively priced consoles.
Editors' note: This console buying guide was updated on November 23, 2011, for the holiday season.
Such an evenly matched trio of hardware brings up the ultimate question for prospective video game console buyers: which home console should you buy?
This question doesn't necessarily have a definitive answer. Quite frankly, the answer could be any of the three depending on what you're looking for. In other words, there is no default "best console." It's about finding the one that's right for you--and what will be the deciding factor in your case will ultimately depend on what you plan to use the console for. That said, in lieu of detailing every last bit of functionality that each console offers, let's discuss the type of person we think would benefit most from each console.
Nintendo Wii
• Nintendo Wii Hardware Bundle ($170-200)
• Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Bundle ($150)
Last year Nintendo introduced a new bundle for the Wii that included Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and a Wii Remote with MotionPlus built in. This year, the company has chopped $50 off the price and now offers a $150 Wii with just Mario Kart Wii bundled inside. Though the Wii isn't regarded as a "hard-core" gamer's console, the system has served up some pretty compelling titles over the past few years, with more-recent titles like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid Other M giving Wii owners something to cheer about. A growing trend with the Wii seems to be that of rebooted franchises from the company's past, like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Kirby's Epic Yarn. Not much has been seen in terms of pure innovation, but Nintendo seems content with rewarding its loyal fan base. However, we must admit that Nintendo seems to have left the Wii hanging with little to play since the announcement of the console's Wii U successor at E3 2011.
This notion was reinforced with the release of what's probably the Wii's last major title, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. We absolutely love the game, and think it's a fine way for the Wii to go out. That said, at this point in the game it's tough to recommend a new purchase simply because software support is on its last breath. While the Wii does have a respectable library, just know you'll only playing games from its past and the occasional WiiWare standout.
All things considered, the Wii has become best known for its addictive party games, the occasional fitness game, kid-friendly fun, and shooting titles that emulate light-gun arcade games. The number of first-party Nintendo titles is small, and a large number of third-party games are mostly written off as gimmicky cannon fodder.
The Wii's online multiplayer experience isn't anything to write home about, but we definitely recommend playing Mario Kart Wii online. Unfortunately, the Wii's 16-digit friend code system did not catch on with most gamers. The well-established Virtual Console offers an impressive number of classic games from various older gaming systems, and WiiWare provides a platform for inexpensive titles from independent developers.
Aside from games, the Wii doesn't offer much in terms of additional functionality. Only last year did the Wii obtain Netflix streaming, and it can't play DVDs or CDs. Besides Netflix, its only streaming-media compatibility comes from PlayOn's third-party PC software. A cheaper Wii that can't play GameCube titles was recently introduced in Europe, but Nintendo says it has no plans of releasing this system in North America.
Accessories for the Nintendo Wii can add up. The console supports up to four Wii remotes and Nunchuks (the system comes with one of each). Thankfully, Wii MotionPlus is now bundled in most new controllers, so purchasing a separate attachment is no longer needed. However, there are still plenty of accessories to purchase, and all this plus extra chargers and batteries can become quite pricey, creating a lot of hidden costs.
The Nintendo Wii is best for: Parents with children who are just beginning to enter the world of gaming; family gaming; an environment with a lot of people (dorm room or apartment with numerous roommates); loyal fans of classic Nintendo franchises.
The Wii is not the best choice for: Those who are looking for a game console that doubles as an all-purpose entertainment hub, want state-of-the-art HD graphics, enjoy a robust online community, and/or those who prefer a wide selection of adult-targeted titles.
Key Wii exclusives: All Zelda, Mario, Metroid, and first-party Nintendo games.
Microsoft Xbox 360
• Xbox 360 (4GB) ($200)
• Xbox 360 (4GB) with Kinect Bundle ($300)
• Xbox 360 (250GB) ($300)
• Xbox 360 (250GB) with Kinect Bundle ($400)\
The Xbox 360 still remains the better-selling of the two powerhouse consoles of this generation, but by a much smaller margin worldwide. This is partly because the system went on sale an entire year before the PlayStation 3 and because the console had a much stronger lineup of exclusives early on in its life cycle. Also, at launch, Xbox 360 was considerably more affordable than the expensive PlayStation 3. But a lot has changed since then.
With well over 20 million members worldwide, Xbox Live is the most complete online console experience available today. The caveat is that the "Gold" Membership tier--required for online gaming and access to the best perks--requires an annual fee of $50. (By comparison, the standard Sony and Nintendo online networks are free, though Sony does now offer a premium PSN experience called PlayStation Plus for the same yearly price.) That said, there are plenty of opportunities to save money on an XBL subscription, so make sure to keep an eye on the Xbox Dashboard for special deals.
Like Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN), Xbox Live offers downloadable games (both casual "Arcade" titles and full games), game add-ons (downloadable content, or "DLC"), and the capability to buy and rent TV shows and movies, many of which are in high-definition video. Some of the purchased videos can also be transferred to Microsoft's Zune portable media player. (Note that you'll need a hard drive to fully enjoy most of these features; the current "Slim" console includes a 250GB model, but it's a separate purchase for the 4GB model). A dashboard update also gave Xbox 360 owners the ability to use USB sticks as a means of storing media and game saves.
Back at E3 2010, Microsoft debuted a completely redesigned Xbox 360 console. Dubbed as the "Slim" or "S" console, the newer unit is 17 percent smaller than its predecessor, has built-in Wi-Fi, runs much quieter, and has a dedicated port for the Microsoft Kinect. This console is now the standard Xbox 360 system, while a $200 4GB unit has accompanied it on store shelves.
In terms of additional functionality, the Xbox 360 offers streaming Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter applications, in addition to Last.fm and ESPN content. You can stream digital media from a networked Windows PC through DLNA, and the 360 can double as a full-on Windows Media Extender for those running Windows Media Center on their PCs; third-party products such as PlayOn and TwonkyVision can also expand the 360's default streaming capabilities. Xbox 360 will also recognize most music players and hard drives, so you can manually plug these types of devices into an open USB port and play music, photos, and videos right on the console. However, unlike the Blu-ray-capable PS3, the Xbox 360 can only play standard DVD movies.
On December 6, 2011, the Xbox 360 will be getting a major dashboard update that will overhaul the system's look, which falls in line with Microsoft's new Metro UI. It will also introduce Bing content search and cloud storage for game saves and Xbox Live user profiles.
Beyond all of its impressive media capabilities, the Xbox 360 is also an excellent game machine. Most triple-A titles are available on the 360, save for a few PlayStation 3-only games, and the games generally look as good as or better than their PS3 counterparts. The console also has its fair share of exclusives, including the Gears of War, Halo, Forza, and Fable series. Also--especially for the past two summers--Microsoft has impressed us with some major exclusive Xbox Live Arcade titles like Bastion, Fruit Ninja Kinect, and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet.
There are plenty of Xbox 360 accessories that can extend the overall cost of owning the system. Additional controllers and rechargeable batteries represent the core add-ons, but you can also spend money on wireless headsets, charging docks, and messaging keypads.
Note that the older Xbox 360 consoles have a notorious (and deserved) reputation for bad reliability, thanks to the "red ring of death" problem that afflicted far too many early models. However, the slim Xbox 360 has proved to be a much more reliable piece of hardware.
In an effort to compete with PlayStation Move and the Wii's motion control, Microsoft debuted the $150 Kinect accessory add-on (previously referred to as Project Natal). We like Kinect for its unique take on motion control, and the fact that it's nearly impossible to cheat or fool, unlike the Wii. Though it does have a large launch library, there are only a few titles really worth checking out. Also, Kinect requires much more space to play than any other motion system, so this should be the primary factor when deciding on a purchase. Almost a year after its initial launch, the Kinect gaming selection is still a bit scarce. We really like innovative titles like Fruit Ninja Kinect and Child of Eden, but Kinect's showing at E3 2011 left us a bit concerned for its immediate future. Still, games like the Dance Central and updates that allow Kinect to bring voice control to Xbox 360 apps keep it relevant.
The Xbox 360 is best for: People who want an easy-to-use interface; gamers who take online gameplay seriously; gamers who already have friends on Xbox Live; hard-core and casual gamers; anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system; fans of full-body motion control; workout fiends.
The Xbox 360 is not the best choice for: Those who want the PS3's added value of built-in Blu-ray; do-it-yourselfers who want more media-viewing options.
Key Xbox 360 exclusives: The Halo, Fable, Forza, and Gears of War series; some Xbox Live Arcade titles like Bastion and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet; small number of DLC for multiplatform games like Fallout: New Vegas.
Sony PlayStation 3
• PlayStation 3 (160GB) ($250)
• PlayStation 3 (320GB) ($300)
• PlayStation 3 (320GB) Move Bundle ($350)
There's no doubt about it, the PlayStation 3 did not get off to a great start when it was released in November 2006. Fast-forward five years, and the console has definitely righted the ship. The PlayStation 3 now offers a solid library of games (including the Uncharted, Killzone, InFamous, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance series) and access to the PlayStation Store, and is one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. (It also plays DVD movies and CDs, of course.) Now with an entry-level price of just $250, it might be the best time to consider buying a PS3. Sony has strategically positioned the console with a competitive price and promising list of future titles.
Though the base plan is totally free, the PlayStation Network doesn't necessarily provide you with the best online gaming experience around, but if you don't consider such a thing important, it is more than sufficient. At E3 2010, Sony announced PlayStation Plus, a fee service that promises to enhance the overall PSN experience. We've had some time with PlayStation Plus and have to report that its benefits simply don't justify a $50 per year subscription.
Like Xbox Live, the PlayStation Store is host to tons of movies, TV shows, demos, and downloadable games. PlayStation 3 also offers Home, a Second Life sort of experience where you can set up shop in a virtual world. Sony had been hyping the feature for years, but PlayStation Home is now generally regarded as a dud despite the company's numerous attempts to revitalize it.
Just like the Xbox 360, there are plenty of ways to get digital media streamed over the console via a home network or a third-party product like PlayOn. You can also hook up a device via USB and play media that way as well. The PS3 offers Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, NHL, MLB, NFL Sunday Ticket, and HBO content support.
Though the Xbox 360 and Wii have various accessories available, you probably will need to purchase only a few for the PS3. Aside from additional controllers, there is not much you'll need. (The biggest annoyance: you'll need an infrared-to-Bluetooth adapter if you choose to use the PS3 with a universal remote.) The console uses Bluetooth technology so you can use almost any headset for chatting purposes.
Sony has marketed the PS3 as an exceptional deal because of its built-in Blu-ray player. While getting a built-in Blu-ray player is one of the console's major selling points, its benefits to the gaming experience remain mixed. It offers game developers much more space to work with than a standard DVD, but that hasn't translated into a quantum leap in graphics quality--the PS3's graphics are essentially on par with those of the 360. Also, the Blu-ray drive's fixed speed is problematic: it requires many PS3 games to do a preliminary hard-drive installation when playing a game for the first time. To this day, some titles--including major ones like Gran Turismo 5--suffer from long load times.
Sony's answer to controller-based motion control is PlayStation Move, which it released September 19, 2010. Though Move feels a lot like the Nintendo Wii experience, it offers better precision control and adds HD graphics. Like Kinect, the Move's initial library of games is lacking, but motion junkies should find safe haven in first-party titles like Sports Champions and light-gun games like The Shoot. A year after its release, Move support has been implemented into a handful of existing PS3 titles. Its functionality is being incorporated into new games, but only a few upcoming titles have Move-only mechanics.
The PS3 also now supports 3D movies as well as a growing list of 3D games. Of course, you'll need a new 3D HDTV to enjoy this content, but it is the only console pushing the initiative.
The PS3 is best for: Hard-core and casual gamers who aren't concerned with the ultimate online experience; early adopters and fans of 3D; do-it-yourselfers; videophiles who need the latest and greatest in Blu-ray; content-conscious media consumers.
The PS3 is not the best choice for: Those who don't care about HD graphics or video.
Key PS3 exclusives: The Uncharted, InFamous, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, Gran Turismo, and Resistance series.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10365624-1/which-game-console-should-you-buy/
This is an interesting read i guess i will buy an Ebox360
A lot has changed since the Xbox 360 debuted in November 2005. After what has seemed like dozens of upgrades, improvements, omissions, price drops, motion controllers, and bundles, the dust has settled (once again) and we're left with three competitively priced consoles.
Editors' note: This console buying guide was updated on November 23, 2011, for the holiday season.
Such an evenly matched trio of hardware brings up the ultimate question for prospective video game console buyers: which home console should you buy?
This question doesn't necessarily have a definitive answer. Quite frankly, the answer could be any of the three depending on what you're looking for. In other words, there is no default "best console." It's about finding the one that's right for you--and what will be the deciding factor in your case will ultimately depend on what you plan to use the console for. That said, in lieu of detailing every last bit of functionality that each console offers, let's discuss the type of person we think would benefit most from each console.
Nintendo Wii
• Nintendo Wii Hardware Bundle ($170-200)
• Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Bundle ($150)
Last year Nintendo introduced a new bundle for the Wii that included Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and a Wii Remote with MotionPlus built in. This year, the company has chopped $50 off the price and now offers a $150 Wii with just Mario Kart Wii bundled inside. Though the Wii isn't regarded as a "hard-core" gamer's console, the system has served up some pretty compelling titles over the past few years, with more-recent titles like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid Other M giving Wii owners something to cheer about. A growing trend with the Wii seems to be that of rebooted franchises from the company's past, like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Kirby's Epic Yarn. Not much has been seen in terms of pure innovation, but Nintendo seems content with rewarding its loyal fan base. However, we must admit that Nintendo seems to have left the Wii hanging with little to play since the announcement of the console's Wii U successor at E3 2011.
This notion was reinforced with the release of what's probably the Wii's last major title, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. We absolutely love the game, and think it's a fine way for the Wii to go out. That said, at this point in the game it's tough to recommend a new purchase simply because software support is on its last breath. While the Wii does have a respectable library, just know you'll only playing games from its past and the occasional WiiWare standout.
All things considered, the Wii has become best known for its addictive party games, the occasional fitness game, kid-friendly fun, and shooting titles that emulate light-gun arcade games. The number of first-party Nintendo titles is small, and a large number of third-party games are mostly written off as gimmicky cannon fodder.
The Wii's online multiplayer experience isn't anything to write home about, but we definitely recommend playing Mario Kart Wii online. Unfortunately, the Wii's 16-digit friend code system did not catch on with most gamers. The well-established Virtual Console offers an impressive number of classic games from various older gaming systems, and WiiWare provides a platform for inexpensive titles from independent developers.
Aside from games, the Wii doesn't offer much in terms of additional functionality. Only last year did the Wii obtain Netflix streaming, and it can't play DVDs or CDs. Besides Netflix, its only streaming-media compatibility comes from PlayOn's third-party PC software. A cheaper Wii that can't play GameCube titles was recently introduced in Europe, but Nintendo says it has no plans of releasing this system in North America.
Accessories for the Nintendo Wii can add up. The console supports up to four Wii remotes and Nunchuks (the system comes with one of each). Thankfully, Wii MotionPlus is now bundled in most new controllers, so purchasing a separate attachment is no longer needed. However, there are still plenty of accessories to purchase, and all this plus extra chargers and batteries can become quite pricey, creating a lot of hidden costs.
The Nintendo Wii is best for: Parents with children who are just beginning to enter the world of gaming; family gaming; an environment with a lot of people (dorm room or apartment with numerous roommates); loyal fans of classic Nintendo franchises.
The Wii is not the best choice for: Those who are looking for a game console that doubles as an all-purpose entertainment hub, want state-of-the-art HD graphics, enjoy a robust online community, and/or those who prefer a wide selection of adult-targeted titles.
Key Wii exclusives: All Zelda, Mario, Metroid, and first-party Nintendo games.
Microsoft Xbox 360
• Xbox 360 (4GB) ($200)
• Xbox 360 (4GB) with Kinect Bundle ($300)
• Xbox 360 (250GB) ($300)
• Xbox 360 (250GB) with Kinect Bundle ($400)\
The Xbox 360 still remains the better-selling of the two powerhouse consoles of this generation, but by a much smaller margin worldwide. This is partly because the system went on sale an entire year before the PlayStation 3 and because the console had a much stronger lineup of exclusives early on in its life cycle. Also, at launch, Xbox 360 was considerably more affordable than the expensive PlayStation 3. But a lot has changed since then.
With well over 20 million members worldwide, Xbox Live is the most complete online console experience available today. The caveat is that the "Gold" Membership tier--required for online gaming and access to the best perks--requires an annual fee of $50. (By comparison, the standard Sony and Nintendo online networks are free, though Sony does now offer a premium PSN experience called PlayStation Plus for the same yearly price.) That said, there are plenty of opportunities to save money on an XBL subscription, so make sure to keep an eye on the Xbox Dashboard for special deals.
Like Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN), Xbox Live offers downloadable games (both casual "Arcade" titles and full games), game add-ons (downloadable content, or "DLC"), and the capability to buy and rent TV shows and movies, many of which are in high-definition video. Some of the purchased videos can also be transferred to Microsoft's Zune portable media player. (Note that you'll need a hard drive to fully enjoy most of these features; the current "Slim" console includes a 250GB model, but it's a separate purchase for the 4GB model). A dashboard update also gave Xbox 360 owners the ability to use USB sticks as a means of storing media and game saves.
Back at E3 2010, Microsoft debuted a completely redesigned Xbox 360 console. Dubbed as the "Slim" or "S" console, the newer unit is 17 percent smaller than its predecessor, has built-in Wi-Fi, runs much quieter, and has a dedicated port for the Microsoft Kinect. This console is now the standard Xbox 360 system, while a $200 4GB unit has accompanied it on store shelves.
In terms of additional functionality, the Xbox 360 offers streaming Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter applications, in addition to Last.fm and ESPN content. You can stream digital media from a networked Windows PC through DLNA, and the 360 can double as a full-on Windows Media Extender for those running Windows Media Center on their PCs; third-party products such as PlayOn and TwonkyVision can also expand the 360's default streaming capabilities. Xbox 360 will also recognize most music players and hard drives, so you can manually plug these types of devices into an open USB port and play music, photos, and videos right on the console. However, unlike the Blu-ray-capable PS3, the Xbox 360 can only play standard DVD movies.
On December 6, 2011, the Xbox 360 will be getting a major dashboard update that will overhaul the system's look, which falls in line with Microsoft's new Metro UI. It will also introduce Bing content search and cloud storage for game saves and Xbox Live user profiles.
Beyond all of its impressive media capabilities, the Xbox 360 is also an excellent game machine. Most triple-A titles are available on the 360, save for a few PlayStation 3-only games, and the games generally look as good as or better than their PS3 counterparts. The console also has its fair share of exclusives, including the Gears of War, Halo, Forza, and Fable series. Also--especially for the past two summers--Microsoft has impressed us with some major exclusive Xbox Live Arcade titles like Bastion, Fruit Ninja Kinect, and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet.
There are plenty of Xbox 360 accessories that can extend the overall cost of owning the system. Additional controllers and rechargeable batteries represent the core add-ons, but you can also spend money on wireless headsets, charging docks, and messaging keypads.
Note that the older Xbox 360 consoles have a notorious (and deserved) reputation for bad reliability, thanks to the "red ring of death" problem that afflicted far too many early models. However, the slim Xbox 360 has proved to be a much more reliable piece of hardware.
In an effort to compete with PlayStation Move and the Wii's motion control, Microsoft debuted the $150 Kinect accessory add-on (previously referred to as Project Natal). We like Kinect for its unique take on motion control, and the fact that it's nearly impossible to cheat or fool, unlike the Wii. Though it does have a large launch library, there are only a few titles really worth checking out. Also, Kinect requires much more space to play than any other motion system, so this should be the primary factor when deciding on a purchase. Almost a year after its initial launch, the Kinect gaming selection is still a bit scarce. We really like innovative titles like Fruit Ninja Kinect and Child of Eden, but Kinect's showing at E3 2011 left us a bit concerned for its immediate future. Still, games like the Dance Central and updates that allow Kinect to bring voice control to Xbox 360 apps keep it relevant.
The Xbox 360 is best for: People who want an easy-to-use interface; gamers who take online gameplay seriously; gamers who already have friends on Xbox Live; hard-core and casual gamers; anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system; fans of full-body motion control; workout fiends.
The Xbox 360 is not the best choice for: Those who want the PS3's added value of built-in Blu-ray; do-it-yourselfers who want more media-viewing options.
Key Xbox 360 exclusives: The Halo, Fable, Forza, and Gears of War series; some Xbox Live Arcade titles like Bastion and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet; small number of DLC for multiplatform games like Fallout: New Vegas.
Sony PlayStation 3
• PlayStation 3 (160GB) ($250)
• PlayStation 3 (320GB) ($300)
• PlayStation 3 (320GB) Move Bundle ($350)
There's no doubt about it, the PlayStation 3 did not get off to a great start when it was released in November 2006. Fast-forward five years, and the console has definitely righted the ship. The PlayStation 3 now offers a solid library of games (including the Uncharted, Killzone, InFamous, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance series) and access to the PlayStation Store, and is one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. (It also plays DVD movies and CDs, of course.) Now with an entry-level price of just $250, it might be the best time to consider buying a PS3. Sony has strategically positioned the console with a competitive price and promising list of future titles.
Though the base plan is totally free, the PlayStation Network doesn't necessarily provide you with the best online gaming experience around, but if you don't consider such a thing important, it is more than sufficient. At E3 2010, Sony announced PlayStation Plus, a fee service that promises to enhance the overall PSN experience. We've had some time with PlayStation Plus and have to report that its benefits simply don't justify a $50 per year subscription.
Like Xbox Live, the PlayStation Store is host to tons of movies, TV shows, demos, and downloadable games. PlayStation 3 also offers Home, a Second Life sort of experience where you can set up shop in a virtual world. Sony had been hyping the feature for years, but PlayStation Home is now generally regarded as a dud despite the company's numerous attempts to revitalize it.
Just like the Xbox 360, there are plenty of ways to get digital media streamed over the console via a home network or a third-party product like PlayOn. You can also hook up a device via USB and play media that way as well. The PS3 offers Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, NHL, MLB, NFL Sunday Ticket, and HBO content support.
Though the Xbox 360 and Wii have various accessories available, you probably will need to purchase only a few for the PS3. Aside from additional controllers, there is not much you'll need. (The biggest annoyance: you'll need an infrared-to-Bluetooth adapter if you choose to use the PS3 with a universal remote.) The console uses Bluetooth technology so you can use almost any headset for chatting purposes.
Sony has marketed the PS3 as an exceptional deal because of its built-in Blu-ray player. While getting a built-in Blu-ray player is one of the console's major selling points, its benefits to the gaming experience remain mixed. It offers game developers much more space to work with than a standard DVD, but that hasn't translated into a quantum leap in graphics quality--the PS3's graphics are essentially on par with those of the 360. Also, the Blu-ray drive's fixed speed is problematic: it requires many PS3 games to do a preliminary hard-drive installation when playing a game for the first time. To this day, some titles--including major ones like Gran Turismo 5--suffer from long load times.
Sony's answer to controller-based motion control is PlayStation Move, which it released September 19, 2010. Though Move feels a lot like the Nintendo Wii experience, it offers better precision control and adds HD graphics. Like Kinect, the Move's initial library of games is lacking, but motion junkies should find safe haven in first-party titles like Sports Champions and light-gun games like The Shoot. A year after its release, Move support has been implemented into a handful of existing PS3 titles. Its functionality is being incorporated into new games, but only a few upcoming titles have Move-only mechanics.
The PS3 also now supports 3D movies as well as a growing list of 3D games. Of course, you'll need a new 3D HDTV to enjoy this content, but it is the only console pushing the initiative.
The PS3 is best for: Hard-core and casual gamers who aren't concerned with the ultimate online experience; early adopters and fans of 3D; do-it-yourselfers; videophiles who need the latest and greatest in Blu-ray; content-conscious media consumers.
The PS3 is not the best choice for: Those who don't care about HD graphics or video.
Key PS3 exclusives: The Uncharted, InFamous, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, Gran Turismo, and Resistance series.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10365624-1/which-game-console-should-you-buy/
Monday, March 26, 2012
North Korea
Official: North Korea moves long-range rocket to launch pad
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Just hours after the United States warned that North Korea would achieve nothing with threats or provocations, Pyongyang moved a long-range rocket it plans to test fire to a launch pad Monday, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said.
A U.S. official said the United States also has seen signs the North Koreans are preparing to launch a long-range rocket.
The news broke at the start of a two-day nuclear summit in Seoul that is bringing together leaders from the United States, Russia, China and dozens of other nations to discuss how to deal with nuclear terrorism and how to secure the world's nuclear material.
Overshadowing the summit's message of international cooperation was an announcement by North Korea that it plans to carry out a rocket-powered satellite launch in mid-April.
South Korea has said it considers the satellite launch an attempt to develop a nuclear-armed missile, while U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday such a launch would bring repercussions.
"Here in Korea, I want to speak directly to the leadership in Pyongyang. The United States has no hostile intent toward your country," Obama said during a speech to students at Seoul's Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
"But by now it should be clear, your provocations and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not achieved the security you seek. They have undermined it."
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Monday his country would "thoroughly retaliate against North Korea" if provoked.
If the rocket is launched, South Korea is prepared to "track its trajectory," said the Defense Ministry official, who did not want to be named.
"There are concerns that parts of the rocket may fall within South Korean territory," he said. "If that were to happen it would threaten lives and cause damage to the economy. To guard against that, they (the military) will be tracking the orbit."
The rocket was moved to a launch pad in the northeastern portion of Dongchang-ri, a village in northwest North Korea, the South Korean official said.
North Korea says it has a right to a peaceful space program and has invited international space experts and journalists to witness the launch. Prior to Obama's speech, Pyongyang said it will see any statement critical of its nuclear program as "a declaration of war."
Using ballistic missile technology is in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 and against a deal North Korea struck with the United States earlier this month that, in return for food aid, it would not carry out nuclear or missile tests.
"There will be no rewards for provocations. Those days are over," Obama said in his speech. "To the leaders of Pyongyang I say, this is the choice before you. This is the decision that you must make. Today we say, Pyongyang, have the courage to pursue peace and give a better life to the people of North Korea."
The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency's director general, Yukiya Amano, said the U.S.-North Korea deal is "not over" despite Pyongyang's plans to launch the rocket.
"We have established contact at a working level, and they are keeping contact with the North Korean mission in Vienna," Amano said. "Nothing has been decided yet."
He said the International Atomic Energy Agency needs to consult with North Korea and other parties involved in the multilateral talks, known as the six-party talks.
Obama's wide-ranging speech also touched on the U.S. commitment to further cut its stockpile of nuclear weapons, and he issued a stern warning to Iran.
The president said sanctions have led to the "slowing" of Tehran's nuclear program. But it remains a concern.
While the president didn't specify the course of action if Iran does not comply with international demands and produces nuclear weapons, he left little leeway for Tehran's leaders.
"Iran must act with the seriousness and sense of urgency that this moment demands. Iran must meet its obligations," Obama said.
Later, Obama met with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, and the two agreed that there is a window of opportunity to pursue diplomacy and that Iran should take advantage of it, Ben Rhodes, one of Obama's deputy national security advisers, told reporters.
The two leaders also agreed the proposed launch by North Korea would be a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, he said.
"There is agreement that provocative acts like this will only increase isolation going forward," Rhodes said.
The rocket launch site is near the Chinese border.
China has somewhat of a diplomatic relationship with North Korea, though the relationship between the two countries is limited because of Pyongyang's routine provocations.
As a result, North Korea's planned launch was front and center in a meeting between Obama and China's president, Hu Jintao.
"The two leaders agreed to coordinate closely to this potential provocation, and registering our serious concerns," Rhodes said.
The two also agreed there is a broad view in the international community that a satellite launch would be destabilizing, he said.
Obama and Hu also discussed North Korea's new leadership, "this being a sensitive time on the Korean peninsula, and this being a new leader who is going to take some lessons from what works and what doesn't," Rhodes said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took over from his father following the latter's death in December.
"That's a conversation President Obama had with both China and Russia," Rhodes said. "... I think they also share a frustration with the choices the new leadership has made as well."
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Just hours after the United States warned that North Korea would achieve nothing with threats or provocations, Pyongyang moved a long-range rocket it plans to test fire to a launch pad Monday, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said.
A U.S. official said the United States also has seen signs the North Koreans are preparing to launch a long-range rocket.
The news broke at the start of a two-day nuclear summit in Seoul that is bringing together leaders from the United States, Russia, China and dozens of other nations to discuss how to deal with nuclear terrorism and how to secure the world's nuclear material.
Overshadowing the summit's message of international cooperation was an announcement by North Korea that it plans to carry out a rocket-powered satellite launch in mid-April.
South Korea has said it considers the satellite launch an attempt to develop a nuclear-armed missile, while U.S. President Barack Obama said Monday such a launch would bring repercussions.
"Here in Korea, I want to speak directly to the leadership in Pyongyang. The United States has no hostile intent toward your country," Obama said during a speech to students at Seoul's Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
"But by now it should be clear, your provocations and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not achieved the security you seek. They have undermined it."
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Monday his country would "thoroughly retaliate against North Korea" if provoked.
If the rocket is launched, South Korea is prepared to "track its trajectory," said the Defense Ministry official, who did not want to be named.
"There are concerns that parts of the rocket may fall within South Korean territory," he said. "If that were to happen it would threaten lives and cause damage to the economy. To guard against that, they (the military) will be tracking the orbit."
The rocket was moved to a launch pad in the northeastern portion of Dongchang-ri, a village in northwest North Korea, the South Korean official said.
North Korea says it has a right to a peaceful space program and has invited international space experts and journalists to witness the launch. Prior to Obama's speech, Pyongyang said it will see any statement critical of its nuclear program as "a declaration of war."
Using ballistic missile technology is in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 and against a deal North Korea struck with the United States earlier this month that, in return for food aid, it would not carry out nuclear or missile tests.
"There will be no rewards for provocations. Those days are over," Obama said in his speech. "To the leaders of Pyongyang I say, this is the choice before you. This is the decision that you must make. Today we say, Pyongyang, have the courage to pursue peace and give a better life to the people of North Korea."
The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency's director general, Yukiya Amano, said the U.S.-North Korea deal is "not over" despite Pyongyang's plans to launch the rocket.
"We have established contact at a working level, and they are keeping contact with the North Korean mission in Vienna," Amano said. "Nothing has been decided yet."
He said the International Atomic Energy Agency needs to consult with North Korea and other parties involved in the multilateral talks, known as the six-party talks.
Obama's wide-ranging speech also touched on the U.S. commitment to further cut its stockpile of nuclear weapons, and he issued a stern warning to Iran.
The president said sanctions have led to the "slowing" of Tehran's nuclear program. But it remains a concern.
While the president didn't specify the course of action if Iran does not comply with international demands and produces nuclear weapons, he left little leeway for Tehran's leaders.
"Iran must act with the seriousness and sense of urgency that this moment demands. Iran must meet its obligations," Obama said.
Later, Obama met with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, and the two agreed that there is a window of opportunity to pursue diplomacy and that Iran should take advantage of it, Ben Rhodes, one of Obama's deputy national security advisers, told reporters.
The two leaders also agreed the proposed launch by North Korea would be a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, he said.
"There is agreement that provocative acts like this will only increase isolation going forward," Rhodes said.
The rocket launch site is near the Chinese border.
China has somewhat of a diplomatic relationship with North Korea, though the relationship between the two countries is limited because of Pyongyang's routine provocations.
As a result, North Korea's planned launch was front and center in a meeting between Obama and China's president, Hu Jintao.
"The two leaders agreed to coordinate closely to this potential provocation, and registering our serious concerns," Rhodes said.
The two also agreed there is a broad view in the international community that a satellite launch would be destabilizing, he said.
Obama and Hu also discussed North Korea's new leadership, "this being a sensitive time on the Korean peninsula, and this being a new leader who is going to take some lessons from what works and what doesn't," Rhodes said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took over from his father following the latter's death in December.
"That's a conversation President Obama had with both China and Russia," Rhodes said. "... I think they also share a frustration with the choices the new leadership has made as well."
Strauss-Kahn charged with 'aggravated pimping'
Strauss-Kahn charged in alleged prostitution ring
(CNN) -- Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was charged in France on Monday with "aggravated pimping" for his alleged participation in a prostitution ring, prosecutors said.
He is not allowed to have contact with other people involved in the investigation, nor is he permitted to talk to the media about the case. Strauss-Kahn was released under a 100,000-euro bail, according to prosecutors.
Earlier in the day, he was questioned by a judge about his alleged involvement in the ring. The meeting was initially scheduled for Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the judge told CNN it was the judge's decision to change the date, but did not say why the decision was made.
Last month, Strauss-Kahn was held for more than 24 hours by police in Lille and questioned about his alleged involvement in the prostitution ring.
His attorneys released a statement in November calling the allegations against their client "unhealthy, sensationalist and not without a political agenda."
The prostitution probe, nicknamed the "Carlton Affair" by the French press, kicked off in October.
It centers around the city of Lille, where investigators began looking into claims that luxury hotels, including the Carlton, served as a base for a high-profile prostitution network.
In December, Strauss-Kahn's attorney, Henri Leclerc, acknowledged in an interview with radio station Europe1 that his client attended sex parties, but said Strauss-Kahn was unaware the women in attendance were prostitutes.
While prostitution is not illegal in France, profiting from the prostitution of another person is against the law, according to the French Penal Code. Authorities are also investigating whether corporate funds were used to pay for the prostitutes. In the December Europe1 interview, Leclerc said there is no evidence that such funds were misappropriated.
A hotel manager and four other men were arrested late last year in connection with the investigation.
The Carlton Affair continues a string of sexual allegations against Strauss-Kahn.
The former IMF chief has been linked with a number of sex scandals in the past year -- one of which torpedoed his expected plan to run for the French presidency this year. He has not been convicted of any crime.
He stepped down from the top job at the IMF after a New York hotel maid accused him of sexual assault and attempted rape in May.
The case ultimately fell apart after the alleged victim posed significant credibility issues for prosecutors, despite forensic evidence that showed a sexual encounter had occurred.
Strauss-Kahn also faced allegations of attempted rape from a young French writer. Tristane Banon filed a complaint, alleging a 2003 attack, though it could not be pursued because of a statute of limitations.
Strauss-Kahn denied the allegations and has since filed a countersuit in France, alleging slander.
(CNN) -- Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was charged in France on Monday with "aggravated pimping" for his alleged participation in a prostitution ring, prosecutors said.
He is not allowed to have contact with other people involved in the investigation, nor is he permitted to talk to the media about the case. Strauss-Kahn was released under a 100,000-euro bail, according to prosecutors.
Earlier in the day, he was questioned by a judge about his alleged involvement in the ring. The meeting was initially scheduled for Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the judge told CNN it was the judge's decision to change the date, but did not say why the decision was made.
Last month, Strauss-Kahn was held for more than 24 hours by police in Lille and questioned about his alleged involvement in the prostitution ring.
His attorneys released a statement in November calling the allegations against their client "unhealthy, sensationalist and not without a political agenda."
The prostitution probe, nicknamed the "Carlton Affair" by the French press, kicked off in October.
It centers around the city of Lille, where investigators began looking into claims that luxury hotels, including the Carlton, served as a base for a high-profile prostitution network.
In December, Strauss-Kahn's attorney, Henri Leclerc, acknowledged in an interview with radio station Europe1 that his client attended sex parties, but said Strauss-Kahn was unaware the women in attendance were prostitutes.
While prostitution is not illegal in France, profiting from the prostitution of another person is against the law, according to the French Penal Code. Authorities are also investigating whether corporate funds were used to pay for the prostitutes. In the December Europe1 interview, Leclerc said there is no evidence that such funds were misappropriated.
A hotel manager and four other men were arrested late last year in connection with the investigation.
The Carlton Affair continues a string of sexual allegations against Strauss-Kahn.
The former IMF chief has been linked with a number of sex scandals in the past year -- one of which torpedoed his expected plan to run for the French presidency this year. He has not been convicted of any crime.
He stepped down from the top job at the IMF after a New York hotel maid accused him of sexual assault and attempted rape in May.
The case ultimately fell apart after the alleged victim posed significant credibility issues for prosecutors, despite forensic evidence that showed a sexual encounter had occurred.
Strauss-Kahn also faced allegations of attempted rape from a young French writer. Tristane Banon filed a complaint, alleging a 2003 attack, though it could not be pursued because of a statute of limitations.
Strauss-Kahn denied the allegations and has since filed a countersuit in France, alleging slander.
Zeus Botnets
The long arm of Microsoft tries taking down Zeus botnets
Microsoft and its allies seized control servers Friday in two states as part of an operation to not just stop the botnets but also to disrupt how criminals use them.
Microsoft and financial services organizations, with an escort of U.S. Marshals, seized command-and-control servers Friday to take down botnets allegedly used to steal more than $100 million using an estimated 13 million computers infected with the Zeus malware.
After raids in Scranton, Pa., and Lombard, Ill., "some of the worst known Zeus botnets were disrupted by Microsoft and our partners worldwide," Microsoft announced Sunday night in a post by Richard Domingues Boscovich, senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit.
The defendants allegedly installed the Zeus malware and close relatives called Ice-IX and SpyEye onto victims' computers, according to a lawsuit filed against the alleged Zeus botnet creators and operators last week. (See below for the full suit.) The botnet operators used the software to show fake or modified Web sites when victims tried to use real banking sites, log their keystrokes to capture victims' identity information, and then use that information to steal money from victims' accounts.
To take down the operation, Microsoft also took over Internet traffic that had been used to operate 3,357 botnets, according to the court's temporary restraining order. (See below for the temporary restraining order, in two parts.)
The seizure was made when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York blessed the operation after Microsoft and its partners filed a plea to seize the computers and sued 39 as-yet-unnamed defendants who bear nicknames such as Slavik, zebra7753, iceIX, Veggi Roma, susanneon, JabberZeus Crew, and h4x0rdz.
"The United States Marshals and their deputies shall be accompanied by plaintiffs' attorneys and forensic experts a the foregoing described seizure, to assist with identifying, inventorying, taking possession of, and isolating defendant's' computer resources, command and control software, and other software components that are seized," the court's seizure order stated. It also said the U.S. Marshals would preserve up to four hours of Internet traffic before disconnecting the computers from the Internet.
Microsoft has made similar moves before, but this was the first time others were involved: joining company's Digital Crimes Unit were the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), a trade group representing 4,400 financial institutions, and NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, which operates the ACH system for electronic funds transfer. In addition, Kyrus Tech supported Microsoft's case.
The Zeus family of malware takes runs in the background of an infected computer, logging keystrokes so criminals can transfer money out of bank accounts, make purchases with others' money, and engage in identity theft, Microsoft said. Command-and-control computers run networks of infected machines called botnets, and Microsoft and its partners seized what they say are servers that handle this command operation.
Fourth botnet takedown
Microsoft has made similar moves with the Waledac, Rustock, and Kelihos botets. But this operation was different, and not just because other partners were involved, Microsoft said.
"Due to the unique complexity of these particular targets, unlike our prior botnet takedown operations, the goal here was not the permanent shutdown of all impacted targets," Microsoft said. "Rather, our goal was a strategic disruption of operations to mitigate the threat in order to cause long-term damage to the cybercriminal organization that relies on these botnets for illicit gain."
And disrupting that operation is a potentially big deal: Microsoft estimates there are 13 million computers infected with Zeus and its variants, 3 million of them in the United States.
"Zeus is especially dangerous because it is sold in the criminal underground as a crimeware kit, which allows criminals to set up new command and control servers and create their own individual Zeus botnets," Microsoft said. "These crimeware kits sell for anywhere between $700 to $15,000, depending on the version and features of the kit."
Microsoft and its partners accused the defendants of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violating the the CAN-SPAM Act, violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, various trademark-related claims relating to the Lanham Act, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The partners involved in the suit include FS-ISAC, a trade organization with 4,400 members such as banks, credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and payment processors. NACHA, meanwhile, operates the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network used to transfer money among financial institutions.
Operation b71
Microsoft's case, with the code name Operation b71, took months to investigate. Many of its details are laid out in the lawsuit.
The Zeus malware also goes under the name Ice-IX and SpyEye. Microsoft said John Doe 1, who goes by the name Slavik, Monstr, IOO, and Nu11, is the creator. John Doe 2, aka zebra 7753, lexa_mef, gss, and iceIX, created a Zeus family member called Ice-IX, Microsoft said, and John Doe 3, aka Harderman and Gribodemon, created another family member called SpyEye, the complaint said.
John Doe 5, aka miami and miamibc, John Doe 9, aka Kusunagi, and John Doe 38, aka jheto2002, are other developers involved, writing "Web inject" code that gets the malware onto victims' computers, the complaint said. Some other defendants also were involved in developing the software.
John Doe 4, aka Aqua, aquaSecond, percent, cp01, and other aliases, recruits "money mules" whose job it is to travel to different countries to create bogus bank accounts into which victims' money is transferred. Several of the other John Does are these money mules. John Does 23 and 24, aka jtk and Veggi Roma, respectively, also recruited money mules, the lawsuit said.
Many of the other defendants purchased and used the Zeus family of malware, the lawsuit said.
The Zeus software first emerged in 2007, with the formerly independent SpyEye software merging in October 2010 and Ice-IX arriving in May 2011 with extra antivirus-avoiding features, the suit said. John Does 1, 2, and 3 sold the software in "builder kits."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise"
All the John Does form what the lawsuit calls "the Zeus Racketeering Enterprise."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise has existed since at least October of 2010, when John Doe 1 and John Doe 3 merged their respective botnet operations into a single, consolidated global credential-stealing botnet. John Doe 2 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at an unknown date prior to fall of 2011. Other Defendants identified as John Does 4-39 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at various times thereafter," the suit said.
The group gets its software onto computers by sending malicious spam e-mails purporting to be requests to update bank information, download IRS tax statements, read electronic greeting cards, and otherwise click a link to a malware site.
Infected computers in the botnet are used to send such spam, the suit said--and there's lots of it. "At one point in August 2011, such spam emails infringing NACHA's trademarks were as high as 167 million emails in a 24 hour period. By contrast, the normal volume for authentic outbound email messages from NACHA is only 1,500 emails per day," the suit said.
An infected machine loads banking Web site templates from malware sites; those templates can be used to add extra that inserts new data-gathering fields into online banking forms. Botnet operators therefore can discover victims' ATM codes, social security numbers, mothers' maiden names, and other data the victims' real banks might not actually seek, the lawsuit said.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57404275-264/the-long-arm-of-microsoft-tries-taking-down-zeus-botnets/?tag=mncol;topStories
Microsoft and its allies seized control servers Friday in two states as part of an operation to not just stop the botnets but also to disrupt how criminals use them.
Microsoft and financial services organizations, with an escort of U.S. Marshals, seized command-and-control servers Friday to take down botnets allegedly used to steal more than $100 million using an estimated 13 million computers infected with the Zeus malware.
After raids in Scranton, Pa., and Lombard, Ill., "some of the worst known Zeus botnets were disrupted by Microsoft and our partners worldwide," Microsoft announced Sunday night in a post by Richard Domingues Boscovich, senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit.
The defendants allegedly installed the Zeus malware and close relatives called Ice-IX and SpyEye onto victims' computers, according to a lawsuit filed against the alleged Zeus botnet creators and operators last week. (See below for the full suit.) The botnet operators used the software to show fake or modified Web sites when victims tried to use real banking sites, log their keystrokes to capture victims' identity information, and then use that information to steal money from victims' accounts.
To take down the operation, Microsoft also took over Internet traffic that had been used to operate 3,357 botnets, according to the court's temporary restraining order. (See below for the temporary restraining order, in two parts.)
The seizure was made when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York blessed the operation after Microsoft and its partners filed a plea to seize the computers and sued 39 as-yet-unnamed defendants who bear nicknames such as Slavik, zebra7753, iceIX, Veggi Roma, susanneon, JabberZeus Crew, and h4x0rdz.
"The United States Marshals and their deputies shall be accompanied by plaintiffs' attorneys and forensic experts a the foregoing described seizure, to assist with identifying, inventorying, taking possession of, and isolating defendant's' computer resources, command and control software, and other software components that are seized," the court's seizure order stated. It also said the U.S. Marshals would preserve up to four hours of Internet traffic before disconnecting the computers from the Internet.
Microsoft has made similar moves before, but this was the first time others were involved: joining company's Digital Crimes Unit were the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), a trade group representing 4,400 financial institutions, and NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, which operates the ACH system for electronic funds transfer. In addition, Kyrus Tech supported Microsoft's case.
The Zeus family of malware takes runs in the background of an infected computer, logging keystrokes so criminals can transfer money out of bank accounts, make purchases with others' money, and engage in identity theft, Microsoft said. Command-and-control computers run networks of infected machines called botnets, and Microsoft and its partners seized what they say are servers that handle this command operation.
Fourth botnet takedown
Microsoft has made similar moves with the Waledac, Rustock, and Kelihos botets. But this operation was different, and not just because other partners were involved, Microsoft said.
"Due to the unique complexity of these particular targets, unlike our prior botnet takedown operations, the goal here was not the permanent shutdown of all impacted targets," Microsoft said. "Rather, our goal was a strategic disruption of operations to mitigate the threat in order to cause long-term damage to the cybercriminal organization that relies on these botnets for illicit gain."
And disrupting that operation is a potentially big deal: Microsoft estimates there are 13 million computers infected with Zeus and its variants, 3 million of them in the United States.
"Zeus is especially dangerous because it is sold in the criminal underground as a crimeware kit, which allows criminals to set up new command and control servers and create their own individual Zeus botnets," Microsoft said. "These crimeware kits sell for anywhere between $700 to $15,000, depending on the version and features of the kit."
Microsoft and its partners accused the defendants of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violating the the CAN-SPAM Act, violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, various trademark-related claims relating to the Lanham Act, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The partners involved in the suit include FS-ISAC, a trade organization with 4,400 members such as banks, credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and payment processors. NACHA, meanwhile, operates the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network used to transfer money among financial institutions.
Operation b71
Microsoft's case, with the code name Operation b71, took months to investigate. Many of its details are laid out in the lawsuit.
The Zeus malware also goes under the name Ice-IX and SpyEye. Microsoft said John Doe 1, who goes by the name Slavik, Monstr, IOO, and Nu11, is the creator. John Doe 2, aka zebra 7753, lexa_mef, gss, and iceIX, created a Zeus family member called Ice-IX, Microsoft said, and John Doe 3, aka Harderman and Gribodemon, created another family member called SpyEye, the complaint said.
John Doe 5, aka miami and miamibc, John Doe 9, aka Kusunagi, and John Doe 38, aka jheto2002, are other developers involved, writing "Web inject" code that gets the malware onto victims' computers, the complaint said. Some other defendants also were involved in developing the software.
John Doe 4, aka Aqua, aquaSecond, percent, cp01, and other aliases, recruits "money mules" whose job it is to travel to different countries to create bogus bank accounts into which victims' money is transferred. Several of the other John Does are these money mules. John Does 23 and 24, aka jtk and Veggi Roma, respectively, also recruited money mules, the lawsuit said.
Many of the other defendants purchased and used the Zeus family of malware, the lawsuit said.
The Zeus software first emerged in 2007, with the formerly independent SpyEye software merging in October 2010 and Ice-IX arriving in May 2011 with extra antivirus-avoiding features, the suit said. John Does 1, 2, and 3 sold the software in "builder kits."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise"
All the John Does form what the lawsuit calls "the Zeus Racketeering Enterprise."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise has existed since at least October of 2010, when John Doe 1 and John Doe 3 merged their respective botnet operations into a single, consolidated global credential-stealing botnet. John Doe 2 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at an unknown date prior to fall of 2011. Other Defendants identified as John Does 4-39 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at various times thereafter," the suit said.
The group gets its software onto computers by sending malicious spam e-mails purporting to be requests to update bank information, download IRS tax statements, read electronic greeting cards, and otherwise click a link to a malware site.
Infected computers in the botnet are used to send such spam, the suit said--and there's lots of it. "At one point in August 2011, such spam emails infringing NACHA's trademarks were as high as 167 million emails in a 24 hour period. By contrast, the normal volume for authentic outbound email messages from NACHA is only 1,500 emails per day," the suit said.
An infected machine loads banking Web site templates from malware sites; those templates can be used to add extra that inserts new data-gathering fields into online banking forms. Botnet operators therefore can discover victims' ATM codes, social security numbers, mothers' maiden names, and other data the victims' real banks might not actually seek, the lawsuit said.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57404275-264/the-long-arm-of-microsoft-tries-taking-down-zeus-botnets/?tag=mncol;topStories
Woman breaks nose at Apple store
Woman breaks nose on Apple store, sues for $1M
An 83-year-old woman walks into the glass door of the Apple store in Manhasset, Long Island. Her lawyer blames the dangers posed by "high-tech modern architecture."
Is Apple's sense of sleek, discreet design a danger to the elderly?
It seems 83-year-old Evelyn Paswall believes it is. For she is suing Apple for $1 million after passing into the wall of glass that is an Apple store door.
I am grateful to CBS New York for bringing forth this difficult news of such a grim spectacle. For it seems Passwall simply didn't see the glass doors at the Apple store in Manhasset, Long Island, and ended up breaking her nose after the impact.
One surely doesn't have to be 83 years old in order to walk into glass. It has happened to me, as surely as it must have happened to you. Sometimes, one loses concentration and, before one realizes it, a bump on one's forehead (or worse) ensues.
However, Paswall's attorney claims that it's simply far too hard to see Apple's sleekness. Derek T. Smith was quoted by CBS News York as saying: "Apple wants to be cool and modern and have the type of architecture that would appeal to the tech crowd, but on the other hand, they have to appreciate the danger that this high-tech modern architecture poses to some people.
It is true that high-tech modern architecture isn't always easy on the eye. But it doesn't usually affect the nose in the way that it allegedly affected Paswall's. She is demanding $75,000 in medical expenses and the remainder in negligence charges.
However, she claims she has wonderful eyesight. Indeed, she told the New York Post: "I may be elderly, but I'm very active, and I'm still driving too!"
How difficult it would be for even Solomon to drive justice into these charges. The Manhasset store, according to MacRumors, had white markings on the glass in order to assist anyone -- even the more active -- in seeing that they are about to enjoy an encounter with glass.
And yet in litigious America people win lawsuits when their coffee is too hot. Shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifo one imagines that Paswell might have a passable chance of achieving some level of compensation.
She isn't the first person ever to walk into a piece of Apple glass, as the 2010 video I have embedded shows. However, she might well be the first who believes that her encounter with transparent greatness is worth $1 million.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57404273-71/woman-breaks-nose-on-apple-store-sues-for-$1m/?tag=mncol;posts
An 83-year-old woman walks into the glass door of the Apple store in Manhasset, Long Island. Her lawyer blames the dangers posed by "high-tech modern architecture."
Is Apple's sense of sleek, discreet design a danger to the elderly?
It seems 83-year-old Evelyn Paswall believes it is. For she is suing Apple for $1 million after passing into the wall of glass that is an Apple store door.
I am grateful to CBS New York for bringing forth this difficult news of such a grim spectacle. For it seems Passwall simply didn't see the glass doors at the Apple store in Manhasset, Long Island, and ended up breaking her nose after the impact.
One surely doesn't have to be 83 years old in order to walk into glass. It has happened to me, as surely as it must have happened to you. Sometimes, one loses concentration and, before one realizes it, a bump on one's forehead (or worse) ensues.
However, Paswall's attorney claims that it's simply far too hard to see Apple's sleekness. Derek T. Smith was quoted by CBS News York as saying: "Apple wants to be cool and modern and have the type of architecture that would appeal to the tech crowd, but on the other hand, they have to appreciate the danger that this high-tech modern architecture poses to some people.
It is true that high-tech modern architecture isn't always easy on the eye. But it doesn't usually affect the nose in the way that it allegedly affected Paswall's. She is demanding $75,000 in medical expenses and the remainder in negligence charges.
However, she claims she has wonderful eyesight. Indeed, she told the New York Post: "I may be elderly, but I'm very active, and I'm still driving too!"
How difficult it would be for even Solomon to drive justice into these charges. The Manhasset store, according to MacRumors, had white markings on the glass in order to assist anyone -- even the more active -- in seeing that they are about to enjoy an encounter with glass.
And yet in litigious America people win lawsuits when their coffee is too hot. Shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifo one imagines that Paswell might have a passable chance of achieving some level of compensation.
She isn't the first person ever to walk into a piece of Apple glass, as the 2010 video I have embedded shows. However, she might well be the first who believes that her encounter with transparent greatness is worth $1 million.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57404273-71/woman-breaks-nose-on-apple-store-sues-for-$1m/?tag=mncol;posts
botnet
The long arm of Microsoft tries taking down Zeus botnets
Microsoft and its allies seized control servers Friday in two states as part of an operation to not just stop the botnets but also to disrupt how criminals use them.
Microsoft and financial services organizations, with an escort of U.S. Marshals, seized command-and-control servers Friday to take down botnets allegedly used to steal more than $100 million using an estimated 13 million computers infected with the Zeus malware.
After raids in Scranton, Pa., and Lombard, Ill., "some of the worst known Zeus botnets were disrupted by Microsoft and our partners worldwide," Microsoft announced Sunday night in a post by Richard Domingues Boscovich, senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit.
The defendants allegedly installed the Zeus malware and close relatives called Ice-IX and SpyEye onto victims' computers, according to a lawsuit filed against the alleged Zeus botnet creators and operators last week. (See below for the full suit.) The botnet operators used the software to show fake or modified Web sites when victims tried to use real banking sites, log their keystrokes to capture victims' identity information, and then use that information to steal money from victims' accounts.
To take down the operation, Microsoft also took over Internet traffic that had been used to operate 3,357 botnets, according to the court's temporary restraining order. (See below for the temporary restraining order, in two parts.)
The seizure was made when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York blessed the operation after Microsoft and its partners filed a plea to seize the computers and sued 39 as-yet-unnamed defendants who bear nicknames such as Slavik, zebra7753, iceIX, Veggi Roma, susanneon, JabberZeus Crew, and h4x0rdz.
"The United States Marshals and their deputies shall be accompanied by plaintiffs' attorneys and forensic experts a the foregoing described seizure, to assist with identifying, inventorying, taking possession of, and isolating defendant's' computer resources, command and control software, and other software components that are seized," the court's seizure order stated. It also said the U.S. Marshals would preserve up to four hours of Internet traffic before disconnecting the computers from the Internet.
Microsoft has made similar moves before, but this was the first time others were involved: joining company's Digital Crimes Unit were the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), a trade group representing 4,400 financial institutions, and NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, which operates the ACH system for electronic funds transfer. In addition, Kyrus Tech supported Microsoft's case.
The Zeus family of malware takes runs in the background of an infected computer, logging keystrokes so criminals can transfer money out of bank accounts, make purchases with others' money, and engage in identity theft, Microsoft said. Command-and-control computers run networks of infected machines called botnets, and Microsoft and its partners seized what they say are servers that handle this command operation.
Fourth botnet takedown
Microsoft has made similar moves with the Waledac, Rustock, and Kelihos botets. But this operation was different, and not just because other partners were involved, Microsoft said.
"Due to the unique complexity of these particular targets, unlike our prior botnet takedown operations, the goal here was not the permanent shutdown of all impacted targets," Microsoft said. "Rather, our goal was a strategic disruption of operations to mitigate the threat in order to cause long-term damage to the cybercriminal organization that relies on these botnets for illicit gain."
And disrupting that operation is a potentially big deal: Microsoft estimates there are 13 million computers infected with Zeus and its variants, 3 million of them in the United States.
"Zeus is especially dangerous because it is sold in the criminal underground as a crimeware kit, which allows criminals to set up new command and control servers and create their own individual Zeus botnets," Microsoft said. "These crimeware kits sell for anywhere between $700 to $15,000, depending on the version and features of the kit."
Microsoft and its partners accused the defendants of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violating the the CAN-SPAM Act, violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, various trademark-related claims relating to the Lanham Act, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The partners involved in the suit include FS-ISAC, a trade organization with 4,400 members such as banks, credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and payment processors. NACHA, meanwhile, operates the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network used to transfer money among financial institutions.
Operation b71
Microsoft's case, with the code name Operation b71, took months to investigate. Many of its details are laid out in the lawsuit.
The Zeus malware also goes under the name Ice-IX and SpyEye. Microsoft said John Doe 1, who goes by the name Slavik, Monstr, IOO, and Nu11, is the creator. John Doe 2, aka zebra 7753, lexa_mef, gss, and iceIX, created a Zeus family member called Ice-IX, Microsoft said, and John Doe 3, aka Harderman and Gribodemon, created another family member called SpyEye, the complaint said.
John Doe 5, aka miami and miamibc, John Doe 9, aka Kusunagi, and John Doe 38, aka jheto2002, are other developers involved, writing "Web inject" code that gets the malware onto victims' computers, the complaint said. Some other defendants also were involved in developing the software.
John Doe 4, aka Aqua, aquaSecond, percent, cp01, and other aliases, recruits "money mules" whose job it is to travel to different countries to create bogus bank accounts into which victims' money is transferred. Several of the other John Does are these money mules. John Does 23 and 24, aka jtk and Veggi Roma, respectively, also recruited money mules, the lawsuit said.
Many of the other defendants purchased and used the Zeus family of malware, the lawsuit said.
The Zeus software first emerged in 2007, with the formerly independent SpyEye software merging in October 2010 and Ice-IX arriving in May 2011 with extra antivirus-avoiding features, the suit said. John Does 1, 2, and 3 sold the software in "builder kits."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise"
All the John Does form what the lawsuit calls "the Zeus Racketeering Enterprise."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise has existed since at least October of 2010, when John Doe 1 and John Doe 3 merged their respective botnet operations into a single, consolidated global credential-stealing botnet. John Doe 2 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at an unknown date prior to fall of 2011. Other Defendants identified as John Does 4-39 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at various times thereafter," the suit said.
The group gets its software onto computers by sending malicious spam e-mails purporting to be requests to update bank information, download IRS tax statements, read electronic greeting cards, and otherwise click a link to a malware site.
Infected computers in the botnet are used to send such spam, the suit said--and there's lots of it. "At one point in August 2011, such spam emails infringing NACHA's trademarks were as high as 167 million emails in a 24 hour period. By contrast, the normal volume for authentic outbound email messages from NACHA is only 1,500 emails per day," the suit said.
An infected machine loads banking Web site templates from malware sites; those templates can be used to add extra that inserts new data-gathering fields into online banking forms. Botnet operators therefore can discover victims' ATM codes, social security numbers, mothers' maiden names, and other data the victims' real banks might not actually seek, the lawsuit said.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57404275-264/the-long-arm-of-microsoft-tries-taking-down-zeus-botnets/?tag=mncol;topStories
Microsoft and its allies seized control servers Friday in two states as part of an operation to not just stop the botnets but also to disrupt how criminals use them.
Microsoft and financial services organizations, with an escort of U.S. Marshals, seized command-and-control servers Friday to take down botnets allegedly used to steal more than $100 million using an estimated 13 million computers infected with the Zeus malware.
After raids in Scranton, Pa., and Lombard, Ill., "some of the worst known Zeus botnets were disrupted by Microsoft and our partners worldwide," Microsoft announced Sunday night in a post by Richard Domingues Boscovich, senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit.
The defendants allegedly installed the Zeus malware and close relatives called Ice-IX and SpyEye onto victims' computers, according to a lawsuit filed against the alleged Zeus botnet creators and operators last week. (See below for the full suit.) The botnet operators used the software to show fake or modified Web sites when victims tried to use real banking sites, log their keystrokes to capture victims' identity information, and then use that information to steal money from victims' accounts.
To take down the operation, Microsoft also took over Internet traffic that had been used to operate 3,357 botnets, according to the court's temporary restraining order. (See below for the temporary restraining order, in two parts.)
The seizure was made when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York blessed the operation after Microsoft and its partners filed a plea to seize the computers and sued 39 as-yet-unnamed defendants who bear nicknames such as Slavik, zebra7753, iceIX, Veggi Roma, susanneon, JabberZeus Crew, and h4x0rdz.
"The United States Marshals and their deputies shall be accompanied by plaintiffs' attorneys and forensic experts a the foregoing described seizure, to assist with identifying, inventorying, taking possession of, and isolating defendant's' computer resources, command and control software, and other software components that are seized," the court's seizure order stated. It also said the U.S. Marshals would preserve up to four hours of Internet traffic before disconnecting the computers from the Internet.
Microsoft has made similar moves before, but this was the first time others were involved: joining company's Digital Crimes Unit were the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), a trade group representing 4,400 financial institutions, and NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, which operates the ACH system for electronic funds transfer. In addition, Kyrus Tech supported Microsoft's case.
The Zeus family of malware takes runs in the background of an infected computer, logging keystrokes so criminals can transfer money out of bank accounts, make purchases with others' money, and engage in identity theft, Microsoft said. Command-and-control computers run networks of infected machines called botnets, and Microsoft and its partners seized what they say are servers that handle this command operation.
Fourth botnet takedown
Microsoft has made similar moves with the Waledac, Rustock, and Kelihos botets. But this operation was different, and not just because other partners were involved, Microsoft said.
"Due to the unique complexity of these particular targets, unlike our prior botnet takedown operations, the goal here was not the permanent shutdown of all impacted targets," Microsoft said. "Rather, our goal was a strategic disruption of operations to mitigate the threat in order to cause long-term damage to the cybercriminal organization that relies on these botnets for illicit gain."
And disrupting that operation is a potentially big deal: Microsoft estimates there are 13 million computers infected with Zeus and its variants, 3 million of them in the United States.
"Zeus is especially dangerous because it is sold in the criminal underground as a crimeware kit, which allows criminals to set up new command and control servers and create their own individual Zeus botnets," Microsoft said. "These crimeware kits sell for anywhere between $700 to $15,000, depending on the version and features of the kit."
Microsoft and its partners accused the defendants of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violating the the CAN-SPAM Act, violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, various trademark-related claims relating to the Lanham Act, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The partners involved in the suit include FS-ISAC, a trade organization with 4,400 members such as banks, credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and payment processors. NACHA, meanwhile, operates the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network used to transfer money among financial institutions.
Operation b71
Microsoft's case, with the code name Operation b71, took months to investigate. Many of its details are laid out in the lawsuit.
The Zeus malware also goes under the name Ice-IX and SpyEye. Microsoft said John Doe 1, who goes by the name Slavik, Monstr, IOO, and Nu11, is the creator. John Doe 2, aka zebra 7753, lexa_mef, gss, and iceIX, created a Zeus family member called Ice-IX, Microsoft said, and John Doe 3, aka Harderman and Gribodemon, created another family member called SpyEye, the complaint said.
John Doe 5, aka miami and miamibc, John Doe 9, aka Kusunagi, and John Doe 38, aka jheto2002, are other developers involved, writing "Web inject" code that gets the malware onto victims' computers, the complaint said. Some other defendants also were involved in developing the software.
John Doe 4, aka Aqua, aquaSecond, percent, cp01, and other aliases, recruits "money mules" whose job it is to travel to different countries to create bogus bank accounts into which victims' money is transferred. Several of the other John Does are these money mules. John Does 23 and 24, aka jtk and Veggi Roma, respectively, also recruited money mules, the lawsuit said.
Many of the other defendants purchased and used the Zeus family of malware, the lawsuit said.
The Zeus software first emerged in 2007, with the formerly independent SpyEye software merging in October 2010 and Ice-IX arriving in May 2011 with extra antivirus-avoiding features, the suit said. John Does 1, 2, and 3 sold the software in "builder kits."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise"
All the John Does form what the lawsuit calls "the Zeus Racketeering Enterprise."
"The Zeus Racketeering Enterprise has existed since at least October of 2010, when John Doe 1 and John Doe 3 merged their respective botnet operations into a single, consolidated global credential-stealing botnet. John Doe 2 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at an unknown date prior to fall of 2011. Other Defendants identified as John Does 4-39 joined and began participating in the Zeus Enterprise at various times thereafter," the suit said.
The group gets its software onto computers by sending malicious spam e-mails purporting to be requests to update bank information, download IRS tax statements, read electronic greeting cards, and otherwise click a link to a malware site.
Infected computers in the botnet are used to send such spam, the suit said--and there's lots of it. "At one point in August 2011, such spam emails infringing NACHA's trademarks were as high as 167 million emails in a 24 hour period. By contrast, the normal volume for authentic outbound email messages from NACHA is only 1,500 emails per day," the suit said.
An infected machine loads banking Web site templates from malware sites; those templates can be used to add extra that inserts new data-gathering fields into online banking forms. Botnet operators therefore can discover victims' ATM codes, social security numbers, mothers' maiden names, and other data the victims' real banks might not actually seek, the lawsuit said.
more @ http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57404275-264/the-long-arm-of-microsoft-tries-taking-down-zeus-botnets/?tag=mncol;topStories
Visa data center
Top secret Visa data center banks on security, even has moat
SOMEWHERE ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD – Prisons are easier to enter than Visa's top-secret Operations Center East, its biggest, newest and most advanced U.S. data center.
The 8-acre facility looks like any other industrial park in a sleepy suburb. But the serene setting masks hundreds of cameras and a crack team of former military personnel. Hydraulic bollards beneath the road leading to the OCE can be quickly raised to stop an intruding car going 50 mph. Any speed faster, and the car can't navigate a hairpin turn, sending it into a drainage pond that functions as a modern-day moat.
The data center resembles a fortress, with dogged attention to detail. It can withstand earthquakes and hurricane-force winds of up to 170 mph. A 1.5-million-gallon storage tank cools the system. Diesel generators onsite have enough power, in the event of an outage, to keep the center running for nine days. They generate enough electricity for 25,000 households.
Once you get clearance from a guard station, get an OK from a roving security guy in a golf cart, and surrender a photo and fingerprint inside, the adventure begins.
There are plenty of reasons for the airtight security. Billions, in fact.
In an era when mobile purchases on smartphones and tablets are expected to grow 73% to $11.6 billion in the U.S. this year, security is a necessary obsession at OCE — and an acknowledgment of the perils posed by profit-minded hackers.
Mobile payments are just a trickle of the more than 200 million daily transactions processed here and at one other Visa data center in North America.
"We're at the forefront of data centers," says Rick Knight, head of global systems operations and engineering. "Now everyone has to do it."
The fortress is home to the facility's 130 workers, who are entrusted with the arduous task of keeping hackers out and the network up.
OCE is a "Tier 4" center, a certification from data center research organization Uptime Institute that requires that every mainframe, air conditioner and battery have a backup.
To meet such lofty standards, Visa has poured hundreds of millions of dollars annually into developing state-of-the-art risk-management technology. VisaNet's services include transaction risk scoring, data encryption and transaction alerts. It all adds up to highly accurate models to identify and address potential fraudulent deals before they're concluded. That has contributed in great part to global fraud rates of just 6 cents per $100 spent, according to Visa.
Visa's core-transaction network is private, immune — the company says — from Internet dangers such as denial-of-service attacks by the likes of Anonymous. When hackers took down Visa's corporate website in 2010, for example, it had no impact on the core network.
Data about data centers
More than half of the world's 13,000 large data centers are in the U.S., according to market researcher Gartner. It estimates $22 billion will be spent on new centers worldwide this year, after growth sputtered during the recession.
Data centers are increasingly in vogue as demand for digital data explodes with the popularity of cloud computing, tablets and smartphones. Google, Facebook and Apple are among the large tech companies that built their data centers in rural areas to save on land and power.
"Physical security is the foundation where you start," says John Thielens, chief security officer of Axway, a business-software vendor. "If you can afford it, build a data center. The big guys build their own."
At the same time, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and others have plunged into the business of managing data centers for corporate clients, says Philip Russom, a research director for The Data Warehousing Institute. Amazon.com says it offers cloud-based "data centers for rent."
"The growth in data center construction is very much tied to the growth in the amount of data which needs to be stored and delivered to businesses and consumers," says Rakesh Shah, director of product marketing and strategy at data-security firm Arbor Networks.
Visa is loath to say how much it spent to build its data center, but a conservative estimate is probably hundreds of millions of dollars, based on construction costs and equipment housed at the facility.
Once inside, visitors encounter a "mantrap" portal, which requires a badge and biometric image of the right index finger to gain access to the data center. The digital image is necessary to pass through a phalanx of shatter-resistant glass doors.
A NASA-like command center, with a 40x20-foot wall of screens and 42 firewalls, monitors the company's worldwide network, which Visa says processes 2,500 transactions per second.
Inside the fortress
The data center's main corridor is about three football fields long, connecting seven 20,000-square-foot rooms called pods.
Two pods contain Visa's core network, a third its corporate networks, and the fourth, development work. A fifth pod handles Visa's new mobile platforms, such as the recently acquired Fundamo, a mobile financial services platform. Two dormant pods await expansion.
Pods 4 and 5 are the brains of the network, a blur of hard drives spinning and fans whirring amid rows of IBM mainframes, Cisco Systems switches and EMC and Hitachi storage arrays. They're all connected by 3,000 miles of cable — enough to traverse the country.
"Yeah, this place is pretty impressive, but there's a lot at stake (in terms of security)," Knight says. "We need to keep things safe."
more @ http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/story/2012-03-25/visa-data-center/53774904/1
SOMEWHERE ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD – Prisons are easier to enter than Visa's top-secret Operations Center East, its biggest, newest and most advanced U.S. data center.
The 8-acre facility looks like any other industrial park in a sleepy suburb. But the serene setting masks hundreds of cameras and a crack team of former military personnel. Hydraulic bollards beneath the road leading to the OCE can be quickly raised to stop an intruding car going 50 mph. Any speed faster, and the car can't navigate a hairpin turn, sending it into a drainage pond that functions as a modern-day moat.
The data center resembles a fortress, with dogged attention to detail. It can withstand earthquakes and hurricane-force winds of up to 170 mph. A 1.5-million-gallon storage tank cools the system. Diesel generators onsite have enough power, in the event of an outage, to keep the center running for nine days. They generate enough electricity for 25,000 households.
Once you get clearance from a guard station, get an OK from a roving security guy in a golf cart, and surrender a photo and fingerprint inside, the adventure begins.
There are plenty of reasons for the airtight security. Billions, in fact.
In an era when mobile purchases on smartphones and tablets are expected to grow 73% to $11.6 billion in the U.S. this year, security is a necessary obsession at OCE — and an acknowledgment of the perils posed by profit-minded hackers.
Mobile payments are just a trickle of the more than 200 million daily transactions processed here and at one other Visa data center in North America.
"We're at the forefront of data centers," says Rick Knight, head of global systems operations and engineering. "Now everyone has to do it."
The fortress is home to the facility's 130 workers, who are entrusted with the arduous task of keeping hackers out and the network up.
OCE is a "Tier 4" center, a certification from data center research organization Uptime Institute that requires that every mainframe, air conditioner and battery have a backup.
To meet such lofty standards, Visa has poured hundreds of millions of dollars annually into developing state-of-the-art risk-management technology. VisaNet's services include transaction risk scoring, data encryption and transaction alerts. It all adds up to highly accurate models to identify and address potential fraudulent deals before they're concluded. That has contributed in great part to global fraud rates of just 6 cents per $100 spent, according to Visa.
Visa's core-transaction network is private, immune — the company says — from Internet dangers such as denial-of-service attacks by the likes of Anonymous. When hackers took down Visa's corporate website in 2010, for example, it had no impact on the core network.
Data about data centers
More than half of the world's 13,000 large data centers are in the U.S., according to market researcher Gartner. It estimates $22 billion will be spent on new centers worldwide this year, after growth sputtered during the recession.
Data centers are increasingly in vogue as demand for digital data explodes with the popularity of cloud computing, tablets and smartphones. Google, Facebook and Apple are among the large tech companies that built their data centers in rural areas to save on land and power.
"Physical security is the foundation where you start," says John Thielens, chief security officer of Axway, a business-software vendor. "If you can afford it, build a data center. The big guys build their own."
At the same time, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and others have plunged into the business of managing data centers for corporate clients, says Philip Russom, a research director for The Data Warehousing Institute. Amazon.com says it offers cloud-based "data centers for rent."
"The growth in data center construction is very much tied to the growth in the amount of data which needs to be stored and delivered to businesses and consumers," says Rakesh Shah, director of product marketing and strategy at data-security firm Arbor Networks.
Visa is loath to say how much it spent to build its data center, but a conservative estimate is probably hundreds of millions of dollars, based on construction costs and equipment housed at the facility.
Once inside, visitors encounter a "mantrap" portal, which requires a badge and biometric image of the right index finger to gain access to the data center. The digital image is necessary to pass through a phalanx of shatter-resistant glass doors.
A NASA-like command center, with a 40x20-foot wall of screens and 42 firewalls, monitors the company's worldwide network, which Visa says processes 2,500 transactions per second.
Inside the fortress
The data center's main corridor is about three football fields long, connecting seven 20,000-square-foot rooms called pods.
Two pods contain Visa's core network, a third its corporate networks, and the fourth, development work. A fifth pod handles Visa's new mobile platforms, such as the recently acquired Fundamo, a mobile financial services platform. Two dormant pods await expansion.
Pods 4 and 5 are the brains of the network, a blur of hard drives spinning and fans whirring amid rows of IBM mainframes, Cisco Systems switches and EMC and Hitachi storage arrays. They're all connected by 3,000 miles of cable — enough to traverse the country.
"Yeah, this place is pretty impressive, but there's a lot at stake (in terms of security)," Knight says. "We need to keep things safe."
more @ http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/story/2012-03-25/visa-data-center/53774904/1
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Prostitute Tattoos
Bar Code Pimps: Prostitute Tattoos In Spain Mark Madrid Sex Traffic Police Bust
Spanish police have arrested 22 alleged pimps in connection with a prostitution ring in Madrid -- and some even allegedly tattooed their prostitutes as a sign of "ownership," the Associated Press reports.
The Daily Mail notes one 19-year-old woman held against her will had a bar code and an amount of money tattooed on her wrist by her pimp. Sex workers were allegedly inked with the distinct marks after escape attempts to denote their "owners" and how much money they owed their pimps, the paper writes. The freed woman claims to have been whipped, chained to a radiator and having had her hair and eyebrows shaved off as punishment from her illicit proprietor, according to the AP.
Police are referring to the gang as the "bar code pimps," according to reports, and 22 suspected pimps have been arrested, all of Romanian nationality. In addition to the arrests, police seized more than $185,000 in cash, illegal firearms, swords, machetes, gold jewelry and luxury vehicles, CNN notes.
One of the ring leaders, by the name of Iancu T., was also wanted in his country for crimes related to prostitution, La Razón reports. Iancu allegedly made false promises of legitimate work to women to ensnare them, only to force the women into prostitution in various clubs throughout the community of Madrid as well as along Calle Montera, a street in central Madrid. According to Spanish newspaper ABC, Calle Montera holds an infamous reputation for hosting dozens of prostitutes at all hours in the heart of Spain's capital.
Iancu and the two clans implicated in the bust often called their sex slaves "packages," "suitcases" and "bicycles," according to CNN. The pimps monitored their "packages" on Calle Montera from a number of apartments they owned and used for turning tricks, La Razón notes.
AP reports sex trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry in Spain, where the legalities of prostitution fall into a legal grey area. Pimping is outlawed, while prostitution is not regulated. Most of Spain's sex laborers are poor immigrants from South America, Africa and Eastern Europe.
more @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/25/bar-code-pimps-prostitute-tattoos-spain_n_1378270.html
Spanish police have arrested 22 alleged pimps in connection with a prostitution ring in Madrid -- and some even allegedly tattooed their prostitutes as a sign of "ownership," the Associated Press reports.
The Daily Mail notes one 19-year-old woman held against her will had a bar code and an amount of money tattooed on her wrist by her pimp. Sex workers were allegedly inked with the distinct marks after escape attempts to denote their "owners" and how much money they owed their pimps, the paper writes. The freed woman claims to have been whipped, chained to a radiator and having had her hair and eyebrows shaved off as punishment from her illicit proprietor, according to the AP.
Police are referring to the gang as the "bar code pimps," according to reports, and 22 suspected pimps have been arrested, all of Romanian nationality. In addition to the arrests, police seized more than $185,000 in cash, illegal firearms, swords, machetes, gold jewelry and luxury vehicles, CNN notes.
One of the ring leaders, by the name of Iancu T., was also wanted in his country for crimes related to prostitution, La Razón reports. Iancu allegedly made false promises of legitimate work to women to ensnare them, only to force the women into prostitution in various clubs throughout the community of Madrid as well as along Calle Montera, a street in central Madrid. According to Spanish newspaper ABC, Calle Montera holds an infamous reputation for hosting dozens of prostitutes at all hours in the heart of Spain's capital.
Iancu and the two clans implicated in the bust often called their sex slaves "packages," "suitcases" and "bicycles," according to CNN. The pimps monitored their "packages" on Calle Montera from a number of apartments they owned and used for turning tricks, La Razón notes.
AP reports sex trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry in Spain, where the legalities of prostitution fall into a legal grey area. Pimping is outlawed, while prostitution is not regulated. Most of Spain's sex laborers are poor immigrants from South America, Africa and Eastern Europe.
more @ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/25/bar-code-pimps-prostitute-tattoos-spain_n_1378270.html
U.S. pays $860,000
U.S. pays $860,000 to families of Afghan shooting victims, officials say
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The United States gave $860,000 to the families of people in Afghanistan killed or wounded in a shooting rampage that is being blamed on U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, two Afghan officials said Sunday.
The money includes $50,000 for each of 16 people who were killed, as well as $10,000 for each of six who was injured, the provincial council members said.
A U.S. official confirmed Sunday that a payment had been made on Saturday.
"I can't comment on the figure, but I can say that it reflects the devastating nature of the incident," said the official, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Military investigators now believe Bales committed the shootings during two separate trips off his base, a separate U.S. official told CNN Sunday.
"We believe the shooter went to one village, came back and went to a second village," the official said.
The official, who would not speak on the record because the investigation is ongoing, said the conclusion was based on factors including interviews and the overall investigation.
The American official who handed over the money to the families said it was not compensation, but the U.S. government offering to help the victims and their families, Kandahar provincial council member Haji Nyamat Khan said.
But a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, Col. Gary Kolb, said the money was compensation.
Charges filed in Afghan massacre
Sgt. Robert Bales charged with murder
Afghan shooting suspect is in 'shock'
It was not immediately clear if the word used to describe the payment had legal significance in Afghanistan, where "blood money" can replace a trial or punishment of a killer.
Afghans are insisting that the suspect be returned to Afghanistan to face trial, with villagers and lawmakers questioning the U.S. military's account of what happened. But a military official in Afghanistan has said that Bales will be tried in the United States.
Khan, the local official, said the money was paid in Afghan currency and handed over in Kandahar city.
He did not name the American official involved in the meeting.
Bales has been charged with 17 counts of murder, and could face the death penalty if convicted of any of them.
Authorities say Bales left a remote outpost in Kandahar province's Panjwai district early March 11 and went house-to-house, gunning down villagers. U.S. and Afghan officials initially said 16 people died in those attacks.
But Kolb, the ISAF spokesman, said Friday that investigators assigned to the case felt they had evidence to charge Bales with 17 counts of murder.
The charge sheet accuses Bales of killing four women among 17 victims, while initial U.S. and Afghan reports listed three women among the 16 dead. Afghan government officials in Kabul have said they have no record of another death.
Afghan officials say nine children, three women and four men from at least four families were killed in villages in Kandahar province on March 11.
They were Mohammad Dawood Abdullah, Khudaidad Mohmmad Jama, Nazar Mohammad Taj Mohammad, Payendo, Robina, Sahtarina Sultan Mohammad, Zuhra Abdul Hameed, Nazia Doost Mohammad, Mosooma Mohammad Wazir, Farida Mohammad Wazir, Palwasha Mohammad Wazir, Nabia Mohammad Wazir, Asmatullah Mohammad Wazir, Faizullah Mohammad Wazir, Esa Mohammad Mohammad Husain, and Akhtar Mohammad Murad Ali.
Four children, one woman and one man were wounded in the attacks, according to the charge sheet against Bales.
Two of the wounded were released from the hospital Thursday, according to Ahmad Javed Faisal, a Kandahar government information spokesman.
Bales, who was returned to the United States last week, is being held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
It is not clear whether he will now face a military procedure known as an Article 32 hearing, at which military authorities would determine whether to proceed with charges against him, or whether he will go before a group of experts to determine whether his mental health may be a factor in his defense.
If and when the case comes to trial, Bales' lawyer, John Henry Browne, said, it is going to be "extremely difficult" for the prosecution.
"They have no murder scene, no forensics," the lawyer said Thursday night outside his Seattle office. "I'm going to make them prove every claim."
Military law experts acknowledge that proving the case may be difficult, especially given that there are no autopsies to help prove the cause of death -- in part because those killed were buried quickly, in accordance with Islamic tradition -- and difficulty in getting witnesses to testify.
Gary Solis, a former U.S. Marine Corps lawyer and current Georgetown professor, told CNN that any bullet rounds recovered from the scene could be matched with Bales' weapon -- assuming it was "immediately seized" -- which would serve as "powerful evidence for the government."
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The United States gave $860,000 to the families of people in Afghanistan killed or wounded in a shooting rampage that is being blamed on U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, two Afghan officials said Sunday.
The money includes $50,000 for each of 16 people who were killed, as well as $10,000 for each of six who was injured, the provincial council members said.
A U.S. official confirmed Sunday that a payment had been made on Saturday.
"I can't comment on the figure, but I can say that it reflects the devastating nature of the incident," said the official, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Military investigators now believe Bales committed the shootings during two separate trips off his base, a separate U.S. official told CNN Sunday.
"We believe the shooter went to one village, came back and went to a second village," the official said.
The official, who would not speak on the record because the investigation is ongoing, said the conclusion was based on factors including interviews and the overall investigation.
The American official who handed over the money to the families said it was not compensation, but the U.S. government offering to help the victims and their families, Kandahar provincial council member Haji Nyamat Khan said.
But a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, Col. Gary Kolb, said the money was compensation.
Charges filed in Afghan massacre
Sgt. Robert Bales charged with murder
Afghan shooting suspect is in 'shock'
It was not immediately clear if the word used to describe the payment had legal significance in Afghanistan, where "blood money" can replace a trial or punishment of a killer.
Afghans are insisting that the suspect be returned to Afghanistan to face trial, with villagers and lawmakers questioning the U.S. military's account of what happened. But a military official in Afghanistan has said that Bales will be tried in the United States.
Khan, the local official, said the money was paid in Afghan currency and handed over in Kandahar city.
He did not name the American official involved in the meeting.
Bales has been charged with 17 counts of murder, and could face the death penalty if convicted of any of them.
Authorities say Bales left a remote outpost in Kandahar province's Panjwai district early March 11 and went house-to-house, gunning down villagers. U.S. and Afghan officials initially said 16 people died in those attacks.
But Kolb, the ISAF spokesman, said Friday that investigators assigned to the case felt they had evidence to charge Bales with 17 counts of murder.
The charge sheet accuses Bales of killing four women among 17 victims, while initial U.S. and Afghan reports listed three women among the 16 dead. Afghan government officials in Kabul have said they have no record of another death.
Afghan officials say nine children, three women and four men from at least four families were killed in villages in Kandahar province on March 11.
They were Mohammad Dawood Abdullah, Khudaidad Mohmmad Jama, Nazar Mohammad Taj Mohammad, Payendo, Robina, Sahtarina Sultan Mohammad, Zuhra Abdul Hameed, Nazia Doost Mohammad, Mosooma Mohammad Wazir, Farida Mohammad Wazir, Palwasha Mohammad Wazir, Nabia Mohammad Wazir, Asmatullah Mohammad Wazir, Faizullah Mohammad Wazir, Esa Mohammad Mohammad Husain, and Akhtar Mohammad Murad Ali.
Four children, one woman and one man were wounded in the attacks, according to the charge sheet against Bales.
Two of the wounded were released from the hospital Thursday, according to Ahmad Javed Faisal, a Kandahar government information spokesman.
Bales, who was returned to the United States last week, is being held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
It is not clear whether he will now face a military procedure known as an Article 32 hearing, at which military authorities would determine whether to proceed with charges against him, or whether he will go before a group of experts to determine whether his mental health may be a factor in his defense.
If and when the case comes to trial, Bales' lawyer, John Henry Browne, said, it is going to be "extremely difficult" for the prosecution.
"They have no murder scene, no forensics," the lawyer said Thursday night outside his Seattle office. "I'm going to make them prove every claim."
Military law experts acknowledge that proving the case may be difficult, especially given that there are no autopsies to help prove the cause of death -- in part because those killed were buried quickly, in accordance with Islamic tradition -- and difficulty in getting witnesses to testify.
Gary Solis, a former U.S. Marine Corps lawyer and current Georgetown professor, told CNN that any bullet rounds recovered from the scene could be matched with Bales' weapon -- assuming it was "immediately seized" -- which would serve as "powerful evidence for the government."
Prison
Woodland, Washington (CNN) -- Alan Northrop was playing pool in 1993 when his life changed forever. He was lining up a bank shot when he felt something on his wrist: a handcuff.
Northrop was arrested for the rape and kidnapping of a housekeeper. "I instantly said, 'No, you've got the wrong guy,'" Northrop recalls telling detectives. But detectives believed the victim's testimony, although she was blindfolded for most of the attack. A jury agreed, sentencing Northrop, a father of three children under age 6, to 23 years in prison.
From behind bars, Northrop tried to prove police had the wrong guy. In 2000, he contacted the Innocence Project Northwest at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle.
For years, prosecutors denied the project's requests to use more advanced DNA testing on the evidence in Northrop's case. In 2005, a new state law gave judges the power to order additional testing. But it took five more years for Northrop's testing to be completed and for a court to consider the results that conclusively showed another man's DNA was on the victim.
In 2010, Northrop, still sitting in prison, got a letter with news he thought he might never get.
"I was jumping around the day room saying, 'I'm out of here! I'm out of here!'" Northrop said.
He walked out of prison a few months later, an experience he could barely describe. It was like every emotion you've ever had, it was so overwhelming, he said.
But because he was convicted in Washington, Northrop got little more than that feeling when he was released. Like 23 other states across the country, Washington provides no compensation for those who have been wrongfully convicted.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn\'t commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn't commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Northrop left prison with less than $2,500, money he had been sent while in prison and wages from his 42-cent-an-hour prison job. Had he been wrongfully convicted in one of the 27 states that do provide compensation, Northrop could have received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his 17 years behind bars.
State standards vary
According to an Innocence Project study, Northrop is among the 40% of exonerated prisoners nationwide who received nothing from authorities for their time behind bars. The report calls for all states to pass laws providing the same compensation that the federal government offers for federal crimes: $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration with an additional $50,000 for each year spent on death row. Today, five states have the same standard.
Money would give Northrop a chance to "just get started over again and have a normal life again," he said. He works full-time but lives in a small room in a friend's house because he can't afford his own apartment.
Even in the states that do offer compensation to the innocent, standards vary wildly. Some pay $50,000 per year. Two pay more (Texas and Vermont), but others less. Wisconsin pays $5,000 per year while Missouri pays $50 per day. New Hampshire sets an award cap of $20,000 while other states set a maximum of $500,000, $1 million or no limit.
Does your state compensate the wrongly convicted?
According to the Innocence Project, exonerated prisoners who are eligible for compensation wait an average three years to receive their money. Most states tax the money, according to the Innocence Project Report.
Exonerees denied right to benefits
"There's sort of a gut reaction that this is a horrible injustice," said Innocence Project Northwest attorney Lara Zarowsky, who helped free Northrop. She is lobbying for a law in Washington state that would provide not only compensation for exonerated prisoners but also counseling, job training and other benefits that are currently available only to guilty former prisoners, not exonerees like Northrop.
Some tasks, like learning new technology or finding transportation, can be difficult for someone who has been out of society for a decade or more. Zarowsky is also pushing for mental and physical health care benefits for exonerees.
Washington state agencies "just say flat out they're not eligible because they weren't actually guilty so they don't qualify, they don't fit our criteria," Zarowsky said.
Nationwide, 10 states provide social services to help the innocent recover from their time in prison.
"It's not all about the money," Northrop said. "It's about possible counseling for certain individuals. ... People have no idea what effect stress has on a person in there. ... What that does to a mindset is just devastating. Terrible."
Northrop was arrested for the rape and kidnapping of a housekeeper. "I instantly said, 'No, you've got the wrong guy,'" Northrop recalls telling detectives. But detectives believed the victim's testimony, although she was blindfolded for most of the attack. A jury agreed, sentencing Northrop, a father of three children under age 6, to 23 years in prison.
From behind bars, Northrop tried to prove police had the wrong guy. In 2000, he contacted the Innocence Project Northwest at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle.
For years, prosecutors denied the project's requests to use more advanced DNA testing on the evidence in Northrop's case. In 2005, a new state law gave judges the power to order additional testing. But it took five more years for Northrop's testing to be completed and for a court to consider the results that conclusively showed another man's DNA was on the victim.
In 2010, Northrop, still sitting in prison, got a letter with news he thought he might never get.
"I was jumping around the day room saying, 'I'm out of here! I'm out of here!'" Northrop said.
He walked out of prison a few months later, an experience he could barely describe. It was like every emotion you've ever had, it was so overwhelming, he said.
But because he was convicted in Washington, Northrop got little more than that feeling when he was released. Like 23 other states across the country, Washington provides no compensation for those who have been wrongfully convicted.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn\'t commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn't commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Northrop left prison with less than $2,500, money he had been sent while in prison and wages from his 42-cent-an-hour prison job. Had he been wrongfully convicted in one of the 27 states that do provide compensation, Northrop could have received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his 17 years behind bars.
State standards vary
According to an Innocence Project study, Northrop is among the 40% of exonerated prisoners nationwide who received nothing from authorities for their time behind bars. The report calls for all states to pass laws providing the same compensation that the federal government offers for federal crimes: $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration with an additional $50,000 for each year spent on death row. Today, five states have the same standard.
Money would give Northrop a chance to "just get started over again and have a normal life again," he said. He works full-time but lives in a small room in a friend's house because he can't afford his own apartment.
Even in the states that do offer compensation to the innocent, standards vary wildly. Some pay $50,000 per year. Two pay more (Texas and Vermont), but others less. Wisconsin pays $5,000 per year while Missouri pays $50 per day. New Hampshire sets an award cap of $20,000 while other states set a maximum of $500,000, $1 million or no limit.
Does your state compensate the wrongly convicted?
According to the Innocence Project, exonerated prisoners who are eligible for compensation wait an average three years to receive their money. Most states tax the money, according to the Innocence Project Report.
Exonerees denied right to benefits
"There's sort of a gut reaction that this is a horrible injustice," said Innocence Project Northwest attorney Lara Zarowsky, who helped free Northrop. She is lobbying for a law in Washington state that would provide not only compensation for exonerated prisoners but also counseling, job training and other benefits that are currently available only to guilty former prisoners, not exonerees like Northrop.
Some tasks, like learning new technology or finding transportation, can be difficult for someone who has been out of society for a decade or more. Zarowsky is also pushing for mental and physical health care benefits for exonerees.
Washington state agencies "just say flat out they're not eligible because they weren't actually guilty so they don't qualify, they don't fit our criteria," Zarowsky said.
Nationwide, 10 states provide social services to help the innocent recover from their time in prison.
"It's not all about the money," Northrop said. "It's about possible counseling for certain individuals. ... People have no idea what effect stress has on a person in there. ... What that does to a mindset is just devastating. Terrible."
Alan Northrop
Woodland, Washington (CNN) -- Alan Northrop was playing pool in 1993 when his life changed forever. He was lining up a bank shot when he felt something on his wrist: a handcuff.
Northrop was arrested for the rape and kidnapping of a housekeeper. "I instantly said, 'No, you've got the wrong guy,'" Northrop recalls telling detectives. But detectives believed the victim's testimony, although she was blindfolded for most of the attack. A jury agreed, sentencing Northrop, a father of three children under age 6, to 23 years in prison.
From behind bars, Northrop tried to prove police had the wrong guy. In 2000, he contacted the Innocence Project Northwest at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle.
For years, prosecutors denied the project's requests to use more advanced DNA testing on the evidence in Northrop's case. In 2005, a new state law gave judges the power to order additional testing. But it took five more years for Northrop's testing to be completed and for a court to consider the results that conclusively showed another man's DNA was on the victim.
In 2010, Northrop, still sitting in prison, got a letter with news he thought he might never get.
"I was jumping around the day room saying, 'I'm out of here! I'm out of here!'" Northrop said.
He walked out of prison a few months later, an experience he could barely describe. It was like every emotion you've ever had, it was so overwhelming, he said.
But because he was convicted in Washington, Northrop got little more than that feeling when he was released. Like 23 other states across the country, Washington provides no compensation for those who have been wrongfully convicted.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn\'t commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn't commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Northrop left prison with less than $2,500, money he had been sent while in prison and wages from his 42-cent-an-hour prison job. Had he been wrongfully convicted in one of the 27 states that do provide compensation, Northrop could have received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his 17 years behind bars.
State standards vary
According to an Innocence Project study, Northrop is among the 40% of exonerated prisoners nationwide who received nothing from authorities for their time behind bars. The report calls for all states to pass laws providing the same compensation that the federal government offers for federal crimes: $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration with an additional $50,000 for each year spent on death row. Today, five states have the same standard.
Money would give Northrop a chance to "just get started over again and have a normal life again," he said. He works full-time but lives in a small room in a friend's house because he can't afford his own apartment.
Even in the states that do offer compensation to the innocent, standards vary wildly. Some pay $50,000 per year. Two pay more (Texas and Vermont), but others less. Wisconsin pays $5,000 per year while Missouri pays $50 per day. New Hampshire sets an award cap of $20,000 while other states set a maximum of $500,000, $1 million or no limit.
Does your state compensate the wrongly convicted?
According to the Innocence Project, exonerated prisoners who are eligible for compensation wait an average three years to receive their money. Most states tax the money, according to the Innocence Project Report.
Exonerees denied right to benefits
"There's sort of a gut reaction that this is a horrible injustice," said Innocence Project Northwest attorney Lara Zarowsky, who helped free Northrop. She is lobbying for a law in Washington state that would provide not only compensation for exonerated prisoners but also counseling, job training and other benefits that are currently available only to guilty former prisoners, not exonerees like Northrop.
Some tasks, like learning new technology or finding transportation, can be difficult for someone who has been out of society for a decade or more. Zarowsky is also pushing for mental and physical health care benefits for exonerees.
Washington state agencies "just say flat out they're not eligible because they weren't actually guilty so they don't qualify, they don't fit our criteria," Zarowsky said.
Nationwide, 10 states provide social services to help the innocent recover from their time in prison.
"It's not all about the money," Northrop said. "It's about possible counseling for certain individuals. ... People have no idea what effect stress has on a person in there. ... What that does to a mindset is just devastating. Terrible."
Northrop was arrested for the rape and kidnapping of a housekeeper. "I instantly said, 'No, you've got the wrong guy,'" Northrop recalls telling detectives. But detectives believed the victim's testimony, although she was blindfolded for most of the attack. A jury agreed, sentencing Northrop, a father of three children under age 6, to 23 years in prison.
From behind bars, Northrop tried to prove police had the wrong guy. In 2000, he contacted the Innocence Project Northwest at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle.
For years, prosecutors denied the project's requests to use more advanced DNA testing on the evidence in Northrop's case. In 2005, a new state law gave judges the power to order additional testing. But it took five more years for Northrop's testing to be completed and for a court to consider the results that conclusively showed another man's DNA was on the victim.
In 2010, Northrop, still sitting in prison, got a letter with news he thought he might never get.
"I was jumping around the day room saying, 'I'm out of here! I'm out of here!'" Northrop said.
He walked out of prison a few months later, an experience he could barely describe. It was like every emotion you've ever had, it was so overwhelming, he said.
But because he was convicted in Washington, Northrop got little more than that feeling when he was released. Like 23 other states across the country, Washington provides no compensation for those who have been wrongfully convicted.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn\'t commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Alan Northrop served 17 years for a rape and kidnapping he didn't commit. He received no compensation for his time behind bars.
Northrop left prison with less than $2,500, money he had been sent while in prison and wages from his 42-cent-an-hour prison job. Had he been wrongfully convicted in one of the 27 states that do provide compensation, Northrop could have received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his 17 years behind bars.
State standards vary
According to an Innocence Project study, Northrop is among the 40% of exonerated prisoners nationwide who received nothing from authorities for their time behind bars. The report calls for all states to pass laws providing the same compensation that the federal government offers for federal crimes: $50,000 per year of wrongful incarceration with an additional $50,000 for each year spent on death row. Today, five states have the same standard.
Money would give Northrop a chance to "just get started over again and have a normal life again," he said. He works full-time but lives in a small room in a friend's house because he can't afford his own apartment.
Even in the states that do offer compensation to the innocent, standards vary wildly. Some pay $50,000 per year. Two pay more (Texas and Vermont), but others less. Wisconsin pays $5,000 per year while Missouri pays $50 per day. New Hampshire sets an award cap of $20,000 while other states set a maximum of $500,000, $1 million or no limit.
Does your state compensate the wrongly convicted?
According to the Innocence Project, exonerated prisoners who are eligible for compensation wait an average three years to receive their money. Most states tax the money, according to the Innocence Project Report.
Exonerees denied right to benefits
"There's sort of a gut reaction that this is a horrible injustice," said Innocence Project Northwest attorney Lara Zarowsky, who helped free Northrop. She is lobbying for a law in Washington state that would provide not only compensation for exonerated prisoners but also counseling, job training and other benefits that are currently available only to guilty former prisoners, not exonerees like Northrop.
Some tasks, like learning new technology or finding transportation, can be difficult for someone who has been out of society for a decade or more. Zarowsky is also pushing for mental and physical health care benefits for exonerees.
Washington state agencies "just say flat out they're not eligible because they weren't actually guilty so they don't qualify, they don't fit our criteria," Zarowsky said.
Nationwide, 10 states provide social services to help the innocent recover from their time in prison.
"It's not all about the money," Northrop said. "It's about possible counseling for certain individuals. ... People have no idea what effect stress has on a person in there. ... What that does to a mindset is just devastating. Terrible."
Paris
Paris (CNN) -- The brother of a gunman killed in a siege in southwestern France has been charged with complicity in seven murders and two attempted murders and taken into custody, the Paris prosecutor's office said Sunday.
Abdelkader Merah is also being charged with conspiracy to prepare acts of terrorism and group theft, the prosecutor's office told CNN. He was arrested Tuesday night as police closed in on his brother Mohammed and faced a anti-terror judge on Sunday.
Mohammed Merah, 23, was killed Thursday at the end of a 32-hour siege of the apartment in the city of Toulouse where he was holed up. He was wanted in the killings of three French paratroopers, a rabbi and three children ages 4, 5, and 7. Two other people were seriously wounded in shootings blamed on him.
A spokeswoman for Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said Saturday an autopsy showed Mohammed Merah had been struck more than 20 times by bullets.
Toulouse suspect died while shooting
Bullet holes riddle Toulouse scene
French politics and Toulouse suspect
Timeline of Toulouse standoff
Most of the impacts were on the arms and legs, Elisabeth Allannic said. There were two deadly wounds on the front left temple and crossing his abdomen, she said.
Police also questioned Mohammed Merah's mother and his brother Abdelkader's girlfriend, but have released them without charge, the Paris prosecutor said.
Police union leader Christophe Crepin told French TV news channel i-tele Saturday that Abdelkader Merah and his girlfriend were moved early Saturday from Toulouse to the headquarters of the DCRI, the French counter intelligence agency, in Levallois-Perret, near Paris.
The brothers' mother, Zoulika Aziri, was released Friday night, police in Toulouse confirmed. She lives in the Toulouse suburb of Mirail, CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported previously.
Police tracked Mohammed Merah down via his mother's computer IP address, which was apparently used to respond to an ad posted by the first shooting victim, officials said.
The interior ministry said Saturday it had lifted the scarlet state of alert, the country's highest security alert level, which was put in place in the Toulouse region following the third shooting on Monday targeting a school.
France's prime minister defended the police and intelligence services Friday over their handling of the case, saying they had done well to find Mohammed Merah so quickly.
Questions have been raised as to why Mohammed Merah -- a petty criminal who was placed under surveillance by French authorities after visiting Pakistan and Afghanistan -- was not being more closely watched.
He claimed to have attended an al Qaeda training camp, according to Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, and was on the U.S. no-fly list for that reason, a U.S. intelligence official said.
Fillon told French radio station RTL that "there was no single element" that would have allowed the police to arrest Mohammed Merahbefore the killings began.
Toulouse lawyer Eric Mouton, acting for a woman named only as Aicha, to protect her identity, told CNN she filed a complaint against Mohammed Merah in June 2010 over alarming behavior Merah displayed toward her children and herself.
Aicha claimed that Mohammed Merah had beaten up her daughter, 19 at the time, and had threatened her. He also held her son, 15, against his will in a room for several hours, forcing him to watch extremely violent videos, Mouton said. Mohammed Merah denied that claim, the lawyer added.
At the time of his death, the case was still open and had not yet gone to trial because of a backlog of cases at the Toulouse public prosecutor's office, Mouton said.
Investigators say Mohammed Merah filmed the attacks in which he killed seven people.
He was tracked down by police 10 days after the first shooting on March 11.
In that attack, Imad Ibn Ziaten, a paratrooper of North African origin, arranged to meet a man in Toulouse who wanted to buy a scooter Ziaten had advertised online, the interior minister said. The victim said in the ad that he was in the military.
Four days later, two other soldiers were shot dead and another injured by a black-clad man wearing a motorcycle helmet in a shopping center in the city of Montauban, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Toulouse.
In the attack at the private Jewish school Ozar Hatorah on Monday, a man wearing a motorcycle helmet and driving a motor scooter pulled up and shot a teacher and three children -- two of them the teacher's young sons -- in the head. The other victim, the daughter of the school's director, was killed in front of her father.
Police said the same guns were used in all three attacks.
Abdelkader Merah is also being charged with conspiracy to prepare acts of terrorism and group theft, the prosecutor's office told CNN. He was arrested Tuesday night as police closed in on his brother Mohammed and faced a anti-terror judge on Sunday.
Mohammed Merah, 23, was killed Thursday at the end of a 32-hour siege of the apartment in the city of Toulouse where he was holed up. He was wanted in the killings of three French paratroopers, a rabbi and three children ages 4, 5, and 7. Two other people were seriously wounded in shootings blamed on him.
A spokeswoman for Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said Saturday an autopsy showed Mohammed Merah had been struck more than 20 times by bullets.
Toulouse suspect died while shooting
Bullet holes riddle Toulouse scene
French politics and Toulouse suspect
Timeline of Toulouse standoff
Most of the impacts were on the arms and legs, Elisabeth Allannic said. There were two deadly wounds on the front left temple and crossing his abdomen, she said.
Police also questioned Mohammed Merah's mother and his brother Abdelkader's girlfriend, but have released them without charge, the Paris prosecutor said.
Police union leader Christophe Crepin told French TV news channel i-tele Saturday that Abdelkader Merah and his girlfriend were moved early Saturday from Toulouse to the headquarters of the DCRI, the French counter intelligence agency, in Levallois-Perret, near Paris.
The brothers' mother, Zoulika Aziri, was released Friday night, police in Toulouse confirmed. She lives in the Toulouse suburb of Mirail, CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported previously.
Police tracked Mohammed Merah down via his mother's computer IP address, which was apparently used to respond to an ad posted by the first shooting victim, officials said.
The interior ministry said Saturday it had lifted the scarlet state of alert, the country's highest security alert level, which was put in place in the Toulouse region following the third shooting on Monday targeting a school.
France's prime minister defended the police and intelligence services Friday over their handling of the case, saying they had done well to find Mohammed Merah so quickly.
Questions have been raised as to why Mohammed Merah -- a petty criminal who was placed under surveillance by French authorities after visiting Pakistan and Afghanistan -- was not being more closely watched.
He claimed to have attended an al Qaeda training camp, according to Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, and was on the U.S. no-fly list for that reason, a U.S. intelligence official said.
Fillon told French radio station RTL that "there was no single element" that would have allowed the police to arrest Mohammed Merahbefore the killings began.
Toulouse lawyer Eric Mouton, acting for a woman named only as Aicha, to protect her identity, told CNN she filed a complaint against Mohammed Merah in June 2010 over alarming behavior Merah displayed toward her children and herself.
Aicha claimed that Mohammed Merah had beaten up her daughter, 19 at the time, and had threatened her. He also held her son, 15, against his will in a room for several hours, forcing him to watch extremely violent videos, Mouton said. Mohammed Merah denied that claim, the lawyer added.
At the time of his death, the case was still open and had not yet gone to trial because of a backlog of cases at the Toulouse public prosecutor's office, Mouton said.
Investigators say Mohammed Merah filmed the attacks in which he killed seven people.
He was tracked down by police 10 days after the first shooting on March 11.
In that attack, Imad Ibn Ziaten, a paratrooper of North African origin, arranged to meet a man in Toulouse who wanted to buy a scooter Ziaten had advertised online, the interior minister said. The victim said in the ad that he was in the military.
Four days later, two other soldiers were shot dead and another injured by a black-clad man wearing a motorcycle helmet in a shopping center in the city of Montauban, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Toulouse.
In the attack at the private Jewish school Ozar Hatorah on Monday, a man wearing a motorcycle helmet and driving a motor scooter pulled up and shot a teacher and three children -- two of them the teacher's young sons -- in the head. The other victim, the daughter of the school's director, was killed in front of her father.
Police said the same guns were used in all three attacks.
Texas Rangers hot dog $26
Baseball, beer, and hotdogs. These three things go together quite well.
This season, the World Series runners-up Texas Rangers have taken it one step further. On Opening Day, April 6th, the baseball club will debut this year’s newest and most talked about concession item—the $26 hot dog.
The “Champion Dog,” which is also being referred to as “the Boomstick” in honor of Texas Rangers’ slugger, Nelson Cruz, will be two feet long and weigh in at a full pound–and that’s before the toppings are added.
In true Texas fashion, fans have the choice of topping the hotdog with cheese, onions, jalapenos, and chili.
Casey Rapp, the operations manager for SportsService, the company that runs concessions in the Ballpark at Arlington, said that though he isn’t sure how many calories are in the Boomstick, it has to be around 2,000-3,000.
The Champion Dog is in intended to feed four people, and it’s a good thing too, since I doubt many fans will be willing to fork over $26 bucks for a regular hotdog.
Who knows though; the more beer fans drink, the more at ease they will likely become about throwing down $26 on a single food item.
I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers sold a lot of these–at least at the beginning of the season. It’s new, it’s a novelty, and people can tell everyone that they have tried the Rangers’ famous one-pound, $26 dog.
As for me, well, I’m cheap. I think I will stick with the regular, old “Dollar Hot Dog Night.”
This season, the World Series runners-up Texas Rangers have taken it one step further. On Opening Day, April 6th, the baseball club will debut this year’s newest and most talked about concession item—the $26 hot dog.
The “Champion Dog,” which is also being referred to as “the Boomstick” in honor of Texas Rangers’ slugger, Nelson Cruz, will be two feet long and weigh in at a full pound–and that’s before the toppings are added.
In true Texas fashion, fans have the choice of topping the hotdog with cheese, onions, jalapenos, and chili.
Casey Rapp, the operations manager for SportsService, the company that runs concessions in the Ballpark at Arlington, said that though he isn’t sure how many calories are in the Boomstick, it has to be around 2,000-3,000.
The Champion Dog is in intended to feed four people, and it’s a good thing too, since I doubt many fans will be willing to fork over $26 bucks for a regular hotdog.
Who knows though; the more beer fans drink, the more at ease they will likely become about throwing down $26 on a single food item.
I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers sold a lot of these–at least at the beginning of the season. It’s new, it’s a novelty, and people can tell everyone that they have tried the Rangers’ famous one-pound, $26 dog.
As for me, well, I’m cheap. I think I will stick with the regular, old “Dollar Hot Dog Night.”
African Union
African Union beefs up forces to hunt Joseph Kony
(CNN) -- The African Union plans to deploy 5,000 troops to hunt down Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the Lord's Resistance Army who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo will supply soldiers for the mission, said Francisco Madeira, the African Union's special envoy on the LRA.
He said the mission has support from the United States and 100 combat-ready troops the Pentagon sent to the region in October will assist.
Kony and the LRA have been terrorizing Uganda and now, neighboring nations, for more than two decades. He is accused of using vicious tactics to recruit children to use them as soldiers and sex slaves and of slicing off ears, noses and limbs of his victims.
Villagers in Uganda watch 'Kony 2012'
Acaye from 'Kony 2012' shares journey
LRA victim opposes 'Kony 2012'
There are reports of child soldiers brainwashed into killing their own parents.
A celebrity-backed video that went viral helped make Kony's alleged crimes more widely known. Invisible Children produced the "KONY 2012" half-hour documentary, viewed more than 84 million times on YouTube.
But in introducing Kony to many for the first time, the video also spurred a flurry of questions about Invisible Children's intentions, its transparency and whether the social-media frenzy was too little, too late.
Kony formed the LRA in an attempt to overthrow the government of Uganda. When that failed and the LRA was pushed out of Uganda in 2006, Kony began moving around in neighboring countries.
Abou Moussa, a special U.N. envoy for central Africa, said there is enough information to believe Kony may be in Central African Republic. It's also believed the LRA soldiers range between 200 and 700 in number.
"I don't think that's the most important thing," Moussa said. "The most important thing is how little they may be, they still constitute a danger to the environment. So they continue to attack, they continue to create havoc."
(CNN) -- The African Union plans to deploy 5,000 troops to hunt down Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the Lord's Resistance Army who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo will supply soldiers for the mission, said Francisco Madeira, the African Union's special envoy on the LRA.
He said the mission has support from the United States and 100 combat-ready troops the Pentagon sent to the region in October will assist.
Kony and the LRA have been terrorizing Uganda and now, neighboring nations, for more than two decades. He is accused of using vicious tactics to recruit children to use them as soldiers and sex slaves and of slicing off ears, noses and limbs of his victims.
Villagers in Uganda watch 'Kony 2012'
Acaye from 'Kony 2012' shares journey
LRA victim opposes 'Kony 2012'
There are reports of child soldiers brainwashed into killing their own parents.
A celebrity-backed video that went viral helped make Kony's alleged crimes more widely known. Invisible Children produced the "KONY 2012" half-hour documentary, viewed more than 84 million times on YouTube.
But in introducing Kony to many for the first time, the video also spurred a flurry of questions about Invisible Children's intentions, its transparency and whether the social-media frenzy was too little, too late.
Kony formed the LRA in an attempt to overthrow the government of Uganda. When that failed and the LRA was pushed out of Uganda in 2006, Kony began moving around in neighboring countries.
Abou Moussa, a special U.N. envoy for central Africa, said there is enough information to believe Kony may be in Central African Republic. It's also believed the LRA soldiers range between 200 and 700 in number.
"I don't think that's the most important thing," Moussa said. "The most important thing is how little they may be, they still constitute a danger to the environment. So they continue to attack, they continue to create havoc."
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Apple
Apple and the risks of trading 29,000 times per second
The flash crash that knocked $52 billion off Apple's market cap was hardly the first
By now anybody who reads the business pages knows that BATS Global Markets screwed up its initial public offering big time Friday by mangling trades in a bunch of stock symbols at the top of the alphabet, including Apple (AAPL) and BATS, its own stock.
Apple's shares briefly fell by more than $55 per share. BATS, which had been trading for more than $15, fell to less than 4 cents.
NASDAQ quickly erased all those trades and BATS was allowed to cancel its IPO.
The official explanation for what happened -- or at least the one BATS and the Security Exchange Commission worked out Friday -- is that software in a server covering stock symbols from A to BFZZZ went a little haywire, spitting out what are known on the Street as "false prints."
That made more sense than the original explanation -- a so-called "fat finger" trade caused by someone hitting the wrong keys. It's hard to imagine anyone hitting $542.80 -- the price that was entered for Apple -- when they meant to hit $598.23 (the price Apple was trading for) or anything like it.
But investors are understandably suspicious. For one thing, these "false prints" happen a lot more frequently than BATS' uptime record would suggest. Apple investors are still complaining about a mini-flash crash Tuesday morning when Apple suddenly dropped from just under $600 to $570. That print was erased, but a $582 trade that looked equally bogus was allowed to stand.
Why, these investors ask, do false prints and fat finger trades always happen on the downside, where they benefit hedge funds running computer-driven algorithms through high-frequency trading platforms like BATS, the largest of the independent exchanges.
In 2011, BATS accounted for more than one in 10 U.S. stock trades, processing an average of 29,000 trades per second. Against that kind of computer power, retail investors don't stand a chance.
The SEC was already investigating BATS for its role in the 2010 flash crash -- the one that temporarily erased $1 trillion in market value. Maybe now they'll take a closer look.
The flash crash that knocked $52 billion off Apple's market cap was hardly the first
By now anybody who reads the business pages knows that BATS Global Markets screwed up its initial public offering big time Friday by mangling trades in a bunch of stock symbols at the top of the alphabet, including Apple (AAPL) and BATS, its own stock.
Apple's shares briefly fell by more than $55 per share. BATS, which had been trading for more than $15, fell to less than 4 cents.
NASDAQ quickly erased all those trades and BATS was allowed to cancel its IPO.
The official explanation for what happened -- or at least the one BATS and the Security Exchange Commission worked out Friday -- is that software in a server covering stock symbols from A to BFZZZ went a little haywire, spitting out what are known on the Street as "false prints."
That made more sense than the original explanation -- a so-called "fat finger" trade caused by someone hitting the wrong keys. It's hard to imagine anyone hitting $542.80 -- the price that was entered for Apple -- when they meant to hit $598.23 (the price Apple was trading for) or anything like it.
But investors are understandably suspicious. For one thing, these "false prints" happen a lot more frequently than BATS' uptime record would suggest. Apple investors are still complaining about a mini-flash crash Tuesday morning when Apple suddenly dropped from just under $600 to $570. That print was erased, but a $582 trade that looked equally bogus was allowed to stand.
Why, these investors ask, do false prints and fat finger trades always happen on the downside, where they benefit hedge funds running computer-driven algorithms through high-frequency trading platforms like BATS, the largest of the independent exchanges.
In 2011, BATS accounted for more than one in 10 U.S. stock trades, processing an average of 29,000 trades per second. Against that kind of computer power, retail investors don't stand a chance.
The SEC was already investigating BATS for its role in the 2010 flash crash -- the one that temporarily erased $1 trillion in market value. Maybe now they'll take a closer look.
BATS
By now anybody who reads the business pages knows that BATS Global Markets screwed up its initial public offering big time Friday by mangling trades in a bunch of stock symbols at the top of the alphabet, including Apple (AAPL) and BATS, its own stock.
Apple's shares briefly fell by more than $55 per share. BATS, which had been trading for more than $15, fell to less than 4 cents.
NASDAQ quickly erased all those trades and BATS was allowed to cancel its IPO.
The official explanation for what happened -- or at least the one BATS and the Security Exchange Commission worked out Friday -- is that software in a server covering stock symbols from A to BFZZZ went a little haywire, spitting out what are known on the Street as "false prints."
That made more sense than the original explanation -- a so-called "fat finger" trade caused by someone hitting the wrong keys. It's hard to imagine anyone hitting $542.80 -- the price that was entered for Apple -- when they meant to hit $598.23 (the price Apple was trading for) or anything like it.
But investors are understandably suspicious. For one thing, these "false prints" happen a lot more frequently than BATS' uptime record would suggest. Apple investors are still complaining about a mini-flash crash Tuesday morning when Apple suddenly dropped from just under $600 to $570. That print was erased, but a $582 trade that looked equally bogus was allowed to stand.
Why, these investors ask, do false prints and fat finger trades always happen on the downside, where they benefit hedge funds running computer-driven algorithms through high-frequency trading platforms like BATS, the largest of the independent exchanges.
In 2011, BATS accounted for more than one in 10 U.S. stock trades, processing an average of 29,000 trades per second. Against that kind of computer power, retail investors don't stand a chance.
The SEC was already investigating BATS for its role in the 2010 flash crash -- the one that temporarily erased $1 trillion in market value. Maybe now they'll take a closer look.
Apple's shares briefly fell by more than $55 per share. BATS, which had been trading for more than $15, fell to less than 4 cents.
NASDAQ quickly erased all those trades and BATS was allowed to cancel its IPO.
The official explanation for what happened -- or at least the one BATS and the Security Exchange Commission worked out Friday -- is that software in a server covering stock symbols from A to BFZZZ went a little haywire, spitting out what are known on the Street as "false prints."
That made more sense than the original explanation -- a so-called "fat finger" trade caused by someone hitting the wrong keys. It's hard to imagine anyone hitting $542.80 -- the price that was entered for Apple -- when they meant to hit $598.23 (the price Apple was trading for) or anything like it.
But investors are understandably suspicious. For one thing, these "false prints" happen a lot more frequently than BATS' uptime record would suggest. Apple investors are still complaining about a mini-flash crash Tuesday morning when Apple suddenly dropped from just under $600 to $570. That print was erased, but a $582 trade that looked equally bogus was allowed to stand.
Why, these investors ask, do false prints and fat finger trades always happen on the downside, where they benefit hedge funds running computer-driven algorithms through high-frequency trading platforms like BATS, the largest of the independent exchanges.
In 2011, BATS accounted for more than one in 10 U.S. stock trades, processing an average of 29,000 trades per second. Against that kind of computer power, retail investors don't stand a chance.
The SEC was already investigating BATS for its role in the 2010 flash crash -- the one that temporarily erased $1 trillion in market value. Maybe now they'll take a closer look.
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