| Online banking customers deserve better security
New Zealanders have a right to better protection from banks against scamming attacks and should demand better security for online banking, said Mike Heath, General Manager of New Zealand’s online savings and investment service, RaboPlus. “The country’s biggest banks are all encouraging their customers to use online services, however many banks here lag behind in the security they offer to their online banking customers,” said Mr Heath. Overseas, consumer legislation and the growing number of phishing attacks has motivated many European banks to improve their security measures. Interpol has found that countries which have better protected online industries are significantly less likely to be targeted. “Unless banks in New Zealand step up the security they offer their online banking customers, it is possible we will see more and more fraudsters targeting New Zealanders,” said Mr Heath.
Free lessons in The Independent
All this week (commencing April 14th) The Independent newspaper is giving away a total of seven free keyboard courses, thanks to a tie up with Gigajam, the multimedia music learning developer and Yamaha. Each day, a new CD and tutor book is included in the national daily, which also ties in with Gigajam’s online resources, and builds up into a 48-page workbook, containing the first five lessons of Gigajam’s Essential Keyboards Course, a CD-Rom of the first five lessons, and five interactive worksheets. All of the content has been developed with Yamaha and ties in with Gigajam’s partnership with the English Broadband Consortia to make musical instrument tuition more widely available to students in our schools. The entire scheme ties in with Gigajam’s and Yamaha’s commitment to the Music Manifesto."At The Independent our promotions are aimed at giving readers opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge," explained David Greene, the marketing director at The Independent.
Microsoft expands Windows Genuine Advantage notification
Microsoft Corporation has recently rolled out a new version of its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) anti-piracy program for Windows, which will allow end-users to validate their operating system as genuine. The validation offers users benefits such as free updates and repairs, enhanced capabilities, higher performance, greater security, IT support and downloads. Non-genuine operating systems increase the possibility of users being left vulnerable to viruses, spy-ware and other types of malicious activity. Adriana Rangel, Windows Client Business Group Manager, Microsoft Gulf said, "The Windows Genuine Advantage notification tool allows users to determine whether they are using licensed copies of Windows and if so, the program allows them to extract the full productivity, security and entertainment advantages available.
New Zealanders Go Online to Shop
Nielsen//NetRatings today released information from the first wave of a continuous Online Retail Monitor for the New Zealand market. The results show just how strong the New Zealand market is for online shopping. In a month-long period over December 2006 to January 2007, 66% of adult New Zealand internet users made a purchase online and 95% researched goods or services via the internet. In comparison, 54% of Australians made a purchase online in the lead up to Christmas, and 87% researched goods or services online, according to Nielsen//NetRatings’ Australian Online Retail Monitor.
Moreover, New Zealanders are spending up big online. The average amount spent online was NZ$774 for the measured period, whilst in Australia the December figure was A$570 (NZ$649). Tony Boyte, Senior Analyst for Nielsen//NetRatings, said: “The data from this first wave of results shows that an estimated 1.3 million consumers in New Zealand are prepared to go the distance online and actually do click that “buy now” button.
Daily Planner: Thursday
23RD ANNUAL CHICO SCIENCE FAIR: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Chico State University Farm on Hegan Lane. This year's theme is "dream, explore, discover." Free admission. LIBRARY WEEK EVENTS: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tamale pie luncheon, Congregational Church, Oroville; 2:30-5 p.m. movie "Joy Luck Club" at Oroville library; 3:30 guest paramedic at story time, Chico library; 6-7 p.m. The Laughter Yoga Club, Paradise Library. THURSDAY NIGHT MARKET: 6-9 p.m. on Broadway, between Second and Fifth streets. Entertainment: Diallo Kunda African drumming troupe at City Plaza, as well as David Love, Ginger Browne and Seckund Naychur. Free. Rain cancels. Downtown Chico Business Association event. 345-6500. Weekly. Performances 1078 GALLERY: 7 p.m. Chico Poetree Slam, a two-round slam. $5.
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