Filed under: Computers, Advice, MySpaceIf you spend any time on the social-networking-site-cum-Internet portal MySpace, then you've definitely seen the scam. It's an offer for a $500 gift card to Macy's. Sometimes it takes the form of a private message, and other times it's a comment on your page. The link can be text or an image, often a picture of a half-naked woman.Clicking on the link takes the user to a phony MySpace page, where he or she is asked to enter personal information to claim the gift. The information is forwarded to a fraudster, who uses it in credit card fraud and identity theft schemes. In addition to destroying a person's credit, the scam also grants access to the victim's MySpace account. From here the cycle continues as a new pool of friends is available to send the misleading message to.It's a classic 'phishing' scam and many MySpace members have already been victims, according the the Daily Mail.Macy's and news outlets are just now taking note of the scam, despite it having circulated for almost a year. Macy's has posted a message on its Web site warning users to be wary of offers for free gift cards, and that it would never ask for personal information. From Daily MailRelated Links:Hacked Alicia Keys MySpace Page Could Leave You With a VirusFake Credit Card Swiper Steals Your IdentityeBay Accounts Hijacked and Used to Scam Buyers Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Green TechShopping on Black Friday requires a certain amount of masochism -- struggling through the crowds, punching mothers in front of their children to get that cheap plasma TV -- it's dangerous business.If you decide to brave the battlefield at Best Buy this year, you'll be rewarded with an opportunity to grab an eMachines PC with a 17 inch LCD monitor for the super low price of $200. Don't expect the world though. The PC is rumored to be powered by an Intel Celeron running at 2.66 Ghz (meaning no efficient and powerful 'Core' for you), comes with 512 megabytes of RAM (which is the bare minimum for doing just about anything on a computer these days), has a measly 80 Gigabyte hard drive, and it has no DVD burner. Don't get us wrong -- $200 is still a heck of a price, but you could get so much more, or at least more interesting for a tad more cash. For instance, Wal-Mart is selling their own $200 PC without monitor. The gPC, as it's called, runs Linux instead of the resource-hungry Vista and uses an ultra low-power (and carbon-neutral) processor from Via. Or, how about the diminutive and cheap Eee from Asus which is also powered by Linux (noticing a trend here?). Priced from $200 to $400, these little laptops let you get all your basic computing tasks done by focusing on web applications.Or, if you're in the market for something truly different, head on over to Laptop.org and you can get yourself one of the OLPC XOs (also Linux powered). These tiny, innovative convertible laptops are meant for kids in developing nations, but for a limited time you can order one for yourself as long as you're willing to pay for two. The second one gets sent to a child in the third world on your dime. In that case, $400 gets you a technological marvel, a piece of history, and a warm, fuzzy feeling.From EngadgetRelated links:Wal-Mart Gets $200 Green PCAre You Ready to Ditch Windows?For $12.95 a Month, Zonbu Gives You a PC Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell PhonesAny frequent bar-goer knows that the way to get yourself noticed by an overworked bartender is by having some combination of a good personality and a big tip. While some women may have an easer time flaunting their, um, personalities to get the attention of a busy barman, others aren't so lucky. And, of course, that big tip will only get noticed on subsequent trips to the bar. To dodge the lines, would-be drinkers at a few pubs in the U.K. are turning to their cell phones and ordering the next round by text message.The system, called MyQbuster (as in busting the queue to get drinks) enables bar-goers to browse a given establishment's drink list via their phone. They can then submit orders with a few thumb-taps and get their lagers delivered to a certain table number or go grab them at the bar.The service tacks a 10% fee on top of the cost of the round, and of course you'll still be expected to tip your waitstaff. As much as we love tech, we can't help but think that slipping a few extra bucks to the busy barman is still your best bet for prompt service. From Daily MailRelated Links: NYC Hopes to Launch Subway Text Message Alert System Passwords You Draw Instead of Write PlayerBlock Lets You Check Up On Your Date Via Cell Phone  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersLast week it was announced that social networking site Facebook would be including some new advertisements in users' News Feeds. Many users grumbled and complained, but given the complete lack of any cost to use the thing, it was hard to get too upset. However, privacy advocates are being a little less forgiving, saying that the ads may be unethical and, possibly, unlawful.The advertisements in question, called "Social Ads", would show up in the News Feed section of a users' profile, a rolling list that typically shows silly updates about this or that happening to the person owning the profile. The ads would take updates from a user and mix in slogans and jingles from paid advertisers. So, for example, if a friend of yours posted that he went to a race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, the update might include some text inserted by Mazda, a link to Mazda's site, or maybe even video from one of their annoying "Zoom Zoom" commercials. This sort of feed hijacking might break laws in several states that forbid a given company from using a person's "name, portrait, picture or voice" in advertising without his written approval. Right now there's nosuch permission given with Facebook, and since a user's name and picture will typically appear next to these ads, it's easy to see why some think these ads would be illegal.So, could Facebook's new advertising system be tripped up just as it exits the gate, or will users be forced to click an agreement allowing their name and any pictures they post to the site to be used for advertising? That, we think, would be an unfortunate move on Facebook's part.From Privacy.org and PC WorldRelated Links: Facebook Gets More Ads A Holy War Wages on Facebook Females Flock to Facebook to Post Pictures of Their Drunken Antics  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, AdviceIt's confirmed: Online dating is the way to go if you're looking to get lucky. According to a recent survey published by the Sexuality Research and Social Policy research journal, one-third of women who meet people online have sex on the first date, and a whopping three-quarters of those surveyed do not use a condom. Meanwhile, a mere 27-percent engage in oral sex on the first day.That's right, online dating is like grazing a lush field of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).The high likelihood of sex on the first date is partially attributable to an increased comfort level. According to the survey, having extended or multiple conversations with a person online can decrease the tension and general awkwardness that accompanies a first date. The sense of familiarity not only increases the chances for intercourse, but it also will make a person more likely to cast off better judgment and go sans condom. That, and, of course, alcohol.They neglected to mention that pretty much 100 percent of men will have sex on the first date -- if given the chance.Okay, you can stop giggling now.From News.com.auRelated Links:Five Things to Avoid When Dating OnlineSex Less Important Than the Web for Many AmericansSenior Singles Hooking Up Online Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, CelebritiesPrince is schizophrenic. Really that's the only excuse we can think of. First he gave away his album for free, then he sued YouTube, eBay, and Pirate Bay for enabling people to share his music. Then the artist formerly known as "the artist formerly known as Prince" decided to sue his biggest fan sites for using images of his likeness... including those created with needle and ink on fans' skin.Now Prince has had yet another PR seizure. First he tried to play nice with the people he is currently sending cease and desist letters to by offering up a new song, 'PFunk', to Prince Fans United, an organization formed by Prince fan sites being sued by the purple-obsessed musician. Of course, shortly after that, Prince's PR lackeys released a statement claiming the people behind Prince Fans United were "phony."This story would be confusing enough if it ended here, but the elven funk deity quickly released another statement saying the previous "phony" statement had been released in error and that he was working with Prince Fans United to release a joint statement. Phew... that's a whole lot of statements.Here's hoping Prince gets his act together soon... we're running out of snarky ways to refer to him.From TMZRelated links:Prince Sues His No. 1 FansPrince Sues Three Sites Over the Piracy of His MusicNew Prince Album Free for the Taking Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersLate last week, New York-based Western Express International was shut down for identity theft and money laundering. In addition, 17 of the company's employees were indicted in the investigation Following a two-year investigation by the Manhattan DA and the Secret Service, charges were filed on Wednesday against the front company that reportedly brought in over $35 million in illicit funds.Western Express International operated two Web sites, Dengiforum.com and Paycard2000.com, which it used to help harvest unsuspecting Web surfers' credit card information. In total, the company trafficked 95,000 stolen credit card numbers.Two corporate officers of the company went to prison last year after pleading guilty to illegal check-cashing and money-laundering activities, which presumably was one of the first big red flags that helped launch this latest investagtion. The 17 employees indicted this week face up to 25 years behind bars.From PC WorldRelated Links:Fake Credit Card Swiper Steals Your IdentityHow to Avoid Getting Scammed on eBay and CraigslistThe Face of Credit Card Fraud Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/VideoLast week we reported that, according to ComScore, 62% opted to pay nothing for Radiohead's latest album: 'In Rainbows'. What the company didn't indicate was just how many of those two million actually downloaded the album, which would have given some indication of the statistical validity of those numbers. Now Radiohead itself is stepping forward (or spokespeople for the band anyway) and saying those ComScore numbers are "wholly inaccurate."Radiohead released 'In Rainbows' online exclusively, going without a proper record label and, more interestingly, allowing downloaders to pay anything they like. This included paying nothing at all. ComScore said that only 38% of people opted to pay more than $0 for the album. But, for its part, Radiohead isn't saying is just what the REAL numbers look like, giving no indication of whether that 62% "freeloader" statistic is high or low.For its part, ComScore is saying their numbers are correct, explaining there's a "minimal margin of error based on the size of the sample we used and the narrow range of values." But, of course it would say that. Now it's time for Radiohead to step up and hit us with the real numbers.From BetaNewsRelated Links: Most People Downloading Radiohead's New Album for Free Name Your Own Price For New Radiohead Did Radiohead's Experiment Fail?  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell Phones, ComputersMa Bell and Big Brother in bed together: Incest has never been so scandalous! And corporate! And gross!In an interview this week, Mark Klein, a former AT&T technician, alleged that, with the help of AT&T, the NSA set up a system that monitored Internet and phone-call data from ordinary Americans. It also did so without obtaining one of those things -- what do you call them? -- oh yeah: a court order. Since day one of wiretapping controversy, the government has claimed that its surveillance program was aimed purely at overseas terrorists. According to Klein, however, much of the data sent through AT&T to the NSA was domestic. He said the NSA actually built a special room in San Francisco to receive data streamed through an AT&T Internet room containing "peering links," or major connections to other telecom providers. Similar secret rooms were reportedly constructed at AT&T sites in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose, CA.The 62 year-old Klein is retired, and therefore not worried about losing his job -- which may make him the only one willing to actually come out and talk about this. "If they've done something massively illegal and unconstitutional -- well, they should suffer the consequences," Klein said.From The Seattle TimesRelated Links:Your Facebook profile could cost you your jobPublic audio surveillance hits London  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, iPodIt's the perennial question whenever your iPod, laptop, cell phone, or other device suddenly stops working -- should I replace this or can it be fixed? Surprisingly, seemingly unfixable problems like a cracked LCD laptop screen can be fixed for not too much money either by you, or by sending it out to a repair person. Same goes for a cracked iPod screen. And, according to a recent article in the New York Times, you can even sometimes get a fishy hard drive on about 70 percent of broken iPods to work using a piece of paper as a shim. The piece highlights this quick fix, as well as a bunch of sites where you can get either get information on how to repair common gadgets, as well as services that will fix your gadgets for free. We've covered some of this stuff before. Fixya.com, for example, offers up tutorials and gadget-fix solutions -- all uploaded by users who've tried these fixes out themselves -- for a multitude of devices. The Fixya solutions tend to be more extensive and easier to access than the average official consumer electronics tech-support site.According to tech pundit Rob Enderle, 15 percent of iPods fail in their first year, which is why places like RapidRepair do such a great business. The site will do 24-hour turnaround repairs on everything from broken screens and hard drives to batteries. They'll also do mods to your iPod, such as this cool iVue iPod with a transparent body that reveals all the innards.We spoke with RapidRepair.com founder Aaron Vronko and asked him for some quick tips on when your iPod is fixable and when it's time to throw it out. (btw, the throw-out tips are based on actual broken iPods that Vronko's company has received in the mail).Your iPod is fixable when...You get that sad iPod icon on your screen. This means your hard drive is kaput and needs to be replaced. According to Vronko, this repair is worth doing because it usually only costs 50 percent of the original cost of the device.Your screen looks like some ink has spilled on it. This means you've got a broken LCD screen. The cost on these sorts of repairs are usually just 25 to 35 percent of the original cost of the unit, according to Vronko, usually around $90 or less. You can even do it yourself, if you want to do it ASAP (Vronko says his company also just sells the screen and directions for DIY types).You get a battery and and exclamation point on your screen. "If you're getting this several times a week and more quickly than usual, your battery is probably dead," says Vronko. This fix is a cinch and usually costs around $20 from a professional service.Your iPod is probably beyond repair when...It's fallen in the water: Salt water is worse than fresh water, but the real danger comes when you turn it on and it's still wet. "This is probably when you'd do the most damage," says Vronko. "You're better off taking it apart as soon as possible and removing any corrosive liquid with concentrated rubbing alcohol." You can also try sticking your iPod in a bowl of uncooked rice, but this doesn't always work. RapidRepair will try and fix these sorts of issues -- if you send the soiled device to them in a sealed plastic bag -- but it's likely your iPod is a goner.If it's been chewed by a dog: Dog's teeth are strong, and unfortunately they usually puncture an iPod's hard drive, the screen, and the battery. It's been run over by a car: Vronko says someone actually sent him an iPod that had been run over by a car.Vronko's rule of thumb is, if the hard drive, the battery, and the screen are all broken, it's time to replace the entire thing. And, according to the New York Times piece, you should usually just toss broken DVD players or any PC with Windows 95 or older, because the cost of replacement is usually less than the cost of repair.For some cool pics of broken iPods, check out the gallery below.%Gallery-10022%From NY Times and RapidRepairRelated Links:Get Ya Answers at Fixya.comHow to Unlock Your iPhone for FreeDIY iPhone Battery Replacement Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Celebrities, MySpaceMySpace is a minefield. Time magazine even put the social-networking site on its list of 'Five Web Sites to Avoid.' Even we here at Switched have posted endless coverage of the sexual predators, spammers, and hackers that have made the MySpace risky at times for anybody not browsing with a sandboxed Firefox browser.Now, the hackers have managed to expand their attacks beyond the usual faux profiles or hijacks of your friends pages. They're starting to hit the MySpace pages of celeb musicians such as Alicia Keys.The hack is actually quite sophisticated and involves multiple avenues of infection. Just visiting Keys' page prompts spyware to attempt to install itself on your PC. If that fails, the page will then ask you to install a codec to allow you to view a video. The codec is fake and if you accept the installation, you will get instant spyware infection! If that fails, the entire background image of the page is a link. Miss any of the legitimate links on the page and you'll be taken to a Web site registered by a Chinese company Xiamen Hua Shang Sheng Shi Network Co. Ltd. That Web site also tries to install malicious code on your computer.It's a big mess!Security experts at Exploit Prevention Labs, a company that tracks pages containing malicious code, spotted the hack when Keys' s MySpace page was flagged by users of the company's LinkScanner system.Keys's page has been confirmed as being cleaned by MySpace and LinkScanner.com, but all that could change in a matter of days.From PC WorldRelated links:Five Web Sites You Should AvoidFive Things to Avoid When Dating OnlineIs MySpace's Tom Lying About His Age? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell PhonesAustralians, what with their funny accents and numerous marsupials, really enjoy chatting to one another. With their funny accents. About marsupials. On cell phones. So much so, in fact, that the NSW government says cell phone bills are to blame for the increasing numbers of young Australians seeking to declare themselves bankrupt. According to a survey conducted by the Office of Fair Trading, the young men and women are, often unknowingly, racking up huge bills."Suddenly they have got bills of $3,000 to $4,000 because they thought services they were getting in term of downloads and ringtones, and voting on Big Brother, were free," Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney said.A survey of 1,000 Australians found 75 percent were "not confident" that their mobile phone premium content provider would address their concerns about a high bill. The OFT has apparently received more than 2,000 phone-related complaints over the past 18 months.We agree that navigating the cell phone billing maze is awful and evil and all sorts of bad. But at the risk of stating the obvious, might we suggest a little less talking on the cell phone? From TextuallyRelated Links:Kosher Phone for Orthodox Jews5% of US electricity wasted by "vampire electronics" Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Video Games, eBayAre you obsessed with video games? Do you cry every time you think about how your mom gave away your Atari 2600? Do you have 10 grand or so to spare?If you answered yes to any of those (especially the last one), we've got some good news for you. For an undisclosed reason, a man is selling his collection of video games, game systems, and accessories via eBay. The lot of almost 1,800 items, estimated to be worth about $15,000 and weighing in at half a ton, took the seller known as "sengoku" 30 years to amass.We couldn't possibly list every item in the auction, but here is a list of the systems (there are multiples of some):Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari Jaguar, Atari Lynx, Coleco ColecoVision, Coleco Gemini, Coleco Telstar, Commodore 64/128, GCE Vectrex,Mattel Aquarius, Mattel Intellivision, Mattel Odyssey 2, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Miscellaneous APF TV Fun, Miscellaneous Handheld Games, Miscellaneous PC Games, Miscellaneous SC Eight Thousand, Miscellaneous Sega Pods, Miscellaneous TV Games, NEC Turbo Duo, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo NES, Nintendo Nintendo 64, Nintendo Super NES, Nintendo Virtual Boy, Nintendo Wii, Sega Dreamcast, Sega Game Gear, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, Sega Saturn, SNK Neo Geo, SNK Neo Geo Pocket, Sony Playstation, Sony Playstation 2, Texas Instruments TI 99/4A, VM Labs Nuon. With a collection of this size you could open a museum.%Gallery-10015%From TMZRelated links:Online Game Character Sells for $10kMisspelling Costs eBay Seller $500,000eBay Rival Sells Itself on eBay Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: CamerasThe British military is testing a new helmet that allows fighter pilots to see through their planes. The system is actually very elegant in its simplicity. A series of camera are placed on the outside of the plane. The images from the cameras are fed back to the cockpit where they are projected inside the specially designed helmet, allowing the pilot to see 360 degrees around him/her. It will look to the pilot as if there is no plane at all... which, now that we think about it, sounds kinda creepy.The cameras will even have infrared sensors, allowing pilots to look down, through the cockpit floor, in the dead of night, and identify targets.From Daily MailRelated links:Gay Bomb Makes Love, Not WarThe Defense Department's New Robot DogsRussia Tests "Father of All Bombs" on September 11 Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments