Spammers and Phishers becoming more creative

A recent spammy email begs to ask, "Are internet spammers and phishers getting more creative in their emails?"

Take this example that was indicating it was from the FBI and that it was Advice -- definitely something I might be interest in reading about ... right? Yep, let me think, when was the last time that the FBI or even the CIA wanted to give me some advice or even want to email me? Perhaps because it is nearing the 4th of July, Independence Day, these spammers are thinking readers will be more inclined to read and respond to these type of spammy emails?

FBI magnetic@mails.ch
Reply-To: monitoringunit@zapak.com
ADVICE FROM THE FBI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI. WASHINGTON DC.

Attention,

We have today through our inteligence monitoring system dictated that you have a transaction with African Bank International worth Two Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars. This payment from our finding is as a result of Inheritance claim.

Be also informed that we spoke with the Bank and the African Authority to let them know that whatever that will be done to release your funds to you will directly be monitored by the FBI and they accepted as they have no option.

We advice you get back to us confirming the authenticity of this news before we can proceed. As soon as we here from you advicing us to guide you accordingly, we will proceed.

Hoping to hear from you urgently.

Thanks,
Mr Robert Mueller
Fbi Director

Spammy emails -- More than sixty percent of today's email traffic is spam, according to email filtering firm Brightmail. This year alone, five trillion spam messages will clog Internet users in-boxes, costing society an estimated $10-billion in lost productivity, filtering software, and other expenses.

I'm wondering, will internet spammers and phishers ever stop? First it was those usually 2-page letters from Nigeria back in the early 1990s. I worked at an terpene chemistry company that had an international focus, plus we sourced gum arabic out of Africa, so maybe that accounted for these spammers of the time finding that company. But, with the advent of the computer and the internet, these spammers and phishers became more creative. What's particularly interesting is how they've learned to mask their IP addresses. And, how they seem to think that the "normal" reader is going to be greedy enough to want to share in their millions of dollars of inheritance.

Bottomline: Something should be done about these spammers and phishers to put them out of business for good -- put them out of business for good in spamming hard-working individuals! Put them to work doing some good in their community. Why doesn't Bill Gates give them some computer programs to test? Or offer them some honest financial incentives to do some good on the internet? I know Bill Gates certainly has the influence and the money ... and I've heard that he's mellowed some over the years. Hello, Bill ... can you hear me now?

Does the ANONYMITY of the Internet aid and abet rudeness

Remember that TV program, Kids Say the Darndest Things? Well, the more that I use the internet, the more apparent it has become that people in general can and will say the darndest things especially with the anonymity of the internet.

After personally hosting a number of Squidoo Hey Monkeybrain debates and having included guestbooks on many of my lenses, I'm happy to say that people do indeed say the darndest things! And the darndest things that people say can be downright rude and crass!

It was recently that I received an interesting and brief guestbook message ... 2 words ... the first begins with an "F" ends with a "K" and the second word was me, well "You." Get it? Well, it seems that I am not alone as the only Squidoo lensmaster receiving these type of rude, crass guestbook remarks in addition to others.

Take lensmaster Janet21 for example ... she received a different type of 'rude' guestbook remark: $328 --- that's your idea of "making a living". And you're no. 1??? Not a very good adverstisement for Squidoo, I must say." 

Lensmaster kab recently started a SquidU Forum thread: Don't even 14 year olds get tired of leaving rude and pointless comments on lenses and other websites? My lens Did Atlantis Really Exist, just got three comments: 1. f-- atlantis and f-- u if u read this sh-- 2. no atlantis does not exist u damn b-- f-- all of u u could suck my c-- 3. f-- you.

The rude remarks have been also directed at Squidoo from other social-network sites such as StumbleUpon and wis.dm. It seems that one if not more Squidoo lensmasters got a bit carried away with their 'passion' about Squidoo and their lenses and added too many links to their lenses on those two sites. As a consequence, lensmasters such as myself got inadvertantly and rather rudely labeled as social members who didn't care about those social-network sites as much as we do about Squidoo. And, other NOT so nice things were said ... ah -- again the anonymity of the internet. At the moment, I can't speak for Twitter, as I've not gotten firsthand knowledge of similar circumstances.

Bottomline: While the internet may provide a sense of anonymity to forum and guestbook posters who make drive-by rude and crass remarks, IPs are traceable. And, perhaps the bigger picture, I believe in a sense of karma ... what goes around, comes around. --JaguarJulie.

Who doesn't love a contest

Who doesn't love a CONTEST? If you know that person, tell me! Yes, I must admit that I am a big sucker for contests! I've certainly entered my share along the way, but probably made about minimum wage when you consider all the time and effort that have gone into entering ALL those contests! Well, now I'm on the other side of that contest ... actually running my own logo designing contest for all Squidoo lensmasters. Not a lensmaster, well hurry up and sign up!

Here's the skivvy ... Jaguar Julie, that's me, is in need of a logo for her company, that's Jaguar Julie Designs. Yep, she designs logos, B-U-T, you know that story about the cobbler's children going without shoes? It's much the same with Jaguar Julie -- she's got designer's BLOCK when it comes to her own logo! See this wild cat collage? This has been Jaguar Julie Designs online presence for some time. But, she's never had her own logo! Now, how can that be?


So, what is the prize that goes to the winner of this design contest? You'll just have to check out the rest of the details to find out! Hurry up, what are YOU waiting for?

Vacation is just around the corner

Vacation is just around the corner :: Stay-put in a Staycation Vacation? The urban dictionary's definition of staycation -- A vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer.


So, are you already looking forward to the Summer when you will be taking that annual vacation? We all know how the price of gas has taken a big chunk out of our wallets. A staycation might just be what the doctor ordered!

A Squidoo friend of mine, LaraineRose, has written a lovely and topical lens, "Staycation" -- Everyone Should Try One. Everyone should try one! Staycation -- what do I do? Hmmm ... Here is a list assembled by LaraineRose:

• A holiday at home.
• Switch off the phones.
• No going to malls.(You can still shop online!)
• Use up food squirreled away.
• Read the 3 foot stack of magazines I have saved.
• Play cards/watch old movies.
• Read a book.
• Read all the new Squidoo lenses.
• Start no major projects.

Staycation was born at "Corner Gas." P.S. love those pictures? You'll find them on LaraineRose's lens!

BAM! It's the Bamster AND Martha

Wow, or should I say BAM! Talk about Topicability ... it's Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse!

As reported on April 3, 2008, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Chef Emeril Lagasse's media and merchandising business. Lagasse retains his restaurant and foundation-related assets.

The deal, which was first announced in February 2008, brings together one of the biggest brands in food-related content with MSLO's well-established expertise in the lifestyle arena. The closing of the deal was announced today on the Emmy-winning daily, nationally syndicated television series, The Martha Stewart Show ... 

The purchase price was $50 million, $45 in cash and $5 million in stock, at closing, and could reach up to $70 million if certain performance targets are realized in 2011 and 2012.

In a face-off between Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey, I'll bet that Martha has gained some ground with this recent acquisition. In a September 2007 money face-off poll, it was voted Oprah over Martha 73% to 27% of votes. Is Martha secretly playing catch-up with Oprah?

Who Is Martha Stewart?
Martha Stewart (born as Martha Helen Kostyra on August 3, 1941) is an American business magnate, author, editor and homemaking advocate. She is also a former stockbroker and fashion model. Over the last two decades Stewart has held a prominent position in the American publishing industry; as the author of several books, hundreds of articles on the domestic arts, editor of a national homekeeping magazine, host for two popular daytime television programs, and commercial spokeswoman for K-Mart. In 2001 she was named the third most powerful woman in America by Ladies Home Journal.

What is Martha Stewart Doing for TV Show Ideas?
Martha Stewart is Reading MY Lenses ! Have you been watching Martha Stewart's TV Show lately? Well, I have and I've thought for quite some time that she's obviously reading Squidoo lenses for ideas to feature on her TV show! Some of you might say it's just a coincidence, but I don't know about that! Maybe Martha Stewart is just on the same wave length as me? Or, better yet ... she and her staff have recognized the topicability of Squidoo lenses? Hey, Monkeybrain, is topicability a word?

What does Martha LOVE to Bake? C-O-O-K-I-E ?
Though cookies have been around in some form since the 7th century AD (read their long history), they don't last very long on the kitchen counter... or at least the best ones don't. This lens serves up the secrets to creating the disappearing Martha's Cookies.

Why did Martha Break-up with Sherwin Williams?
Martha Stewart and Sherwin Williams parted ways in January of 2007. The Martha Stewart Signature Color collection at Sherwin Williams was without a doubt one of the best color collections ever. An official Martha Stewart Colors "fandeck" was never issued so these sets of
chips are extraordinarily unusual and rare.

What about that NEW Man in Martha's Life? E-M-E-R-I-L ...
Emeril John Lagasse (born October 15 1959) is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. A regional James Beard Award winner, he is perhaps most notable for his Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril as well as catchphrases such as "kick it up a notch" and "BAM!" He is a 1978 graduate of Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts. The "Emeril Empire" of media, products and restaurants generates an estimated USD$150 million annually in revenue.

I love watching this man cook. You can keep the "BAM!"- just give me a plate of that food. He's got a great balance of love and skill in every dish he produces.

It's a Circular Reference : Topicability

It's a Circular Reference : Topicability the Squidoo Lens announcing Topicability the Blog. Ah, the importance of being TOPICAL! I AM inspired by Squidoo -- that's where you can find many a topical lens; that which personifies topicability -- the topical cream that rises to the top.

To know me is to know that I am not only inspired, but also deeply taken with Squidoo. Not only have I personally penned over 325 lenses along with 6 groups on Squidoo, but I've earned the ranks of Giant Squid and Squid Angel. Being a Giant Squid, Squid Angel, and prolific Lensmaster, I have learned first-hand the importance of Topicability particularly in how that translates to lensranking. And, I've also learned that it greatly helps when the powers-that-be at Squidoo award you with the honor of Lens of the Day, LOTD. It means a boost in lensranking!

To further celebrate my infatuation with the goodness of Squidoo, I have launched this here blog, Topicability : The Blog which made its debut on April 8, 2008! In this blog, I'll be featuring Squidoo lenses that I happen upon which are spot-on topical!

Topicability : that which is relevant, of current interest, contemporary, spot-on.

HOW TO ADD YOUR LENS: Oh, want me to check out your Squidoo lenses for topicability to be featured in my Topicability Blog? To submit a lens, please feel free to leave a comment on this topicability blog post!

P.S. I guess you could say that a bit of my inspiration from 'yesterday' is the Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Have you seen the movie or read the book yet?

The Launch of Topicability : The Blog

I have been a blogger -- JaguarJulie Ann Brady -- for more than a few years on Google. As a Squidoo lensmaster, I wanted to launch another blog that would concentrate on the relevance of Squidoo Lenses. I came up with a name; i.e. Topicability. I thought it was pretty original, and only found a few examples of that word/name in a Google search.

Topicability : that which is relevant, of current interest, contemporary, spot-on.

Use in print : The publication of two completely independent books to the same problem underlines the worldwide topicability. Knowledge Miner. On the Relation of Data Mining and Knowledge Mining. Comments on "Self-Organising Data Mining" by Prof. J.-A. Mueller and F. Lemke. By Prof. A.G. Ivakhnenko, Corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine, Kiev.

I value "scopability" of association higher then its "topicability". Especially because "topicability" can be easily solved. --Nikita Ogievetsky.

Just a general remark: There is a sister list called "pd-ot" wheresuch things are always welcome regardless of on- or off-topicability. --Frank Barknecht.

Maybe Martha Stewart is just on the same wave length as me? Or, better yet ... she and her staff have recognized the topicability of Squidoo lenses? Hey, Monkeybrain, is topicability a word?