The Publishers League

March 30, 2010

What is the Real Scale of Global Internet Fraud?

Filed under: Comp & Tech — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 6:32 am

In the modern era, the scale of global fraud is rapidly increasing as new levels of wealth and new technologies develop. The technologies often aid both the fraudsters and the fraud investigators, resulting in a technological arms race that can drastically shift the statistics associated with fraud.

Also of concern is the reporting rate—law enforcement in the United States currently operates a website (co-run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the White Collar Crime Center) which exists as a collection point for internet fraud reports, while no such facility exists in the United Kingdom. This means that the only real defense against fraud comes in the form of relatively unpublicized warnings and similar well-meaning attempts to educate the public about the growing threat of internet fraud, without the rigor associated with formal studies. As a result, fraud gets far less attention from law enforcement than more headline-grabbing internet crimes such as the use of the web to take advantage of children.

The other thing to keep in mind when measuring the extent of global internet fraud is the extremely high ratio of fraud attempts to successful scams. In today’s internet age, it is extremely inexpensive to commit fraud on a wide scale—all one needs is access to a large number of email addresses and a secure bank account. Even if only a small percentage fall for the scam, it can be extremely profitable if thousands of people have been emailed at no additional costs.

Other varieties of internet crime are also associated with internet fraud: for instance, criminals may use computer viruses to co-opt other computers to create enormous networks that automatically send fraudulent emails and scams. These “botnets” can bypass spam filters which are on the lookout for mass emails from a single computer. It is estimated that the largest botnet known, a botnet created by the computer virus “Confiker”, has over ten-million computers co-opted into its network, and a capacity for spam of 10 billion emails a day.

It is difficult to track the numbers of global fraud, but it is easy to draw a conclusion: it is serious, and growing.

March 29, 2010

Cocktail Dresses: Perfect for Formal and Semi Formal Occasions

Filed under: Men's and Women's Fashion — Tags: , , — damon @ 8:03 am
Singapore's 1st Bejeweled Sugar Art Cocktail Dress
Creative Commons License photo credit: tHE oNe™

You’re invited to a formal event and you’re in a dilemma on what to wear. Worse, you’re hosting a party and with all the preparations you have to go through, you can’t think of or simply forgot what to wear on such important occasion. Don’t fret. When you need to dress up without having to go overboard, a sexy cocktail dress always does the job. Cocktail dresses are perfect for formal and semi-formal occasions and even casual events to give you that elegant yet relaxed and comfortable look.

Of course, the “little black dress” is always a safe and smart choice. Basically simple yet exuding with classic elegance, the LBD is a fashion must-have perfect for all occasions. You can dress it up or down depending on the occasion, with simple or glamorous shoes and jewelry appropriate for the occasion and matching the wearer’s personality and style.

When shopping for a little black dress, even the simplest design will turn heads with its strong and sexy impact. But a few guidelines to consider are also helpful in making you find that perfect LBD. The length of your dress should fall on the thinnest part of your legs, usually a little above the knees, to give your legs a more slender and longer image. The cut should be sexy to accentuate your assets, but not too tight that it shows your “curves” in all the wrong places. Jersey is stretchy and comfortable, but it has the tendency to lose its shape easily. Investing on fine quality, soft fabrics such as silk and satin will make your LBD last longer for future parties and other important gatherings.

While the classic LBD was fairly simple in design, modern LBDS come in more revealing styles to reflect the strong and sexy modern woman. Sleeveless, strapless, spaghetti straps, one-shoulder designs in sexy V-neck or deep necklines look ultra chic and trendy in elegant lace or ruffle detailing. Pair it with a fabulous pair of opaque tights to dress your LBD down and for a more fun and youthful look.

If you prefer an evening or party dress with more color and patterns, a sexy cocktail dress comes in more fun and versatile designs perfect for formal, semi-formal and casual occasions. A velvet, satin or silk cocktail dress in simple or elegant lace, sequins and other shiny or metallic accents can also be played up or down with the right mix of accessories to suit the occasion.

Whether you choose a classic LBD or a sexy cocktail dress depends on one’s personality and style. Whatever style you prefer though, choose a design that highlights your assets without trying too hard and you will stand out looking elegantly chic – absolutely perfect.

March 28, 2010

Electric Industrial tools

Filed under: Home Improvement — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 4:28 pm
this can do some permanent damage
Creative Commons License photo credit: (nutmeg)

Since everything else has gone electric, so have the day to day tools that make life better and worth living. From simple and tiring tools of days gone, now the manufacturers have made life better with the advent of electric tools. Most of these tools are available at your local hardware store but the more complex ones designed or heavier duties can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.

Electric industrial tools are fast. They reduce the workload by more than half and they are an indication of competency. They give a smooth polished finish and are efficient. For hand appliances like hand drills, hand grinders and wood working tools, the manufacturers have the cordless variety that does not require long electric cables. They instead operate by use of rechargeable batteries. This makes the workload easier for the workman and more value for money is delivered.

Factory plants, pulleys and moldings have gone electrical. More production is thus enhanced and client demands can be met well ahead of due dates. Efficiency has thus contributed greatly to improved service offer. Safety and effectiveness have improved companies’ production capacity from low outputs to high outputs that are conversant with consumer demand that is continuously on the rise.

Industrial tools brought about the invention of new technologies like plastic engineering which comprises the use of plastic processing injection and extrusion machines molding machines. Before the advent of electric industrial tools, plastic was not considered a viable investment option.

Better real estate and property investment have brought about a rise in demand for housing. Housing has become even better due to the effectiveness of building tools and equipment. Building a standard home is now easier and so is the erection of bigger buildings. A large chunk of population has found work in the construction industry, thanks to electric industrial tools.

Three Reasons to Use Natural Makeup

Filed under: Men's and Women's Fashion — Tags: , , — damon @ 1:07 pm
IMG_2617
Creative Commons License photo credit: tedviens

Natural makeup products are gaining in popularity, and there are three main reasons for this trend.  This article gives a brief look at each.

Your Personal Skin Health -Natural makeup products, such as pure mineral makeup, avoid the use of harmful chemical additives like arsenic or formaldehyde.  Ingredients such as those are linked to some serious health problems that will plague you later in life, so get a jump on your health and just stop buying cosmetics with damaging ingredients. Using makeup products with harsh chemicals can cause your skin to be itchy, flaky or get painful and unsightly rashes.  Natural makeup also contain less filler, so your pores do not get clogged up, causing further skin problems such as acne or eczema.

Superior Products – Contrary to popular belief, natural makeup products such as mineral powder foundation are just plain better makeup than the conventional, traditional liquid makeups once so prevalent on the store shelves.  Natural makeups cover better with less product, thereby preventing skin problems due to wearing too much makeup and also saving you money by needing less product to achieve full coverage.  Natural makeup can be applied sparingly to get the same effect as many layers of chemical-laden liquid cosmetics.  Natural makeup lets your skin breathe! Natural makeup contain natural ingredients like keratin or coenzyme Q10, which are known to add to skin health.

Cost Effectiveness -  Because natural cosmetics provide full coverage with less product, they are more cost effective than traditional cosmetic products. And now that natural products are being accepted by the general public, their increased use has resulted in healthy competition and the prices have recently decreased. Natural products are now easy to find and more affordable than you  might think.

Using natural makeup is a smart move and these cosmetics offer so many benefits. Protect your health, nourish your skin and achieve a healthy, youthful glow all at prices you can afford.  Taking good care of your skin now will result in a lifetime of looking your best through good skin health.

March 23, 2010

Power tools for your garage

Filed under: Auto Repair and Maintenance — Tags: , — damon @ 4:30 pm

Car power tools are a necessity for any car owner. This is because their application has come to receive a substantial amount of fame and admiration. Their ease of use makes them a perfect solution for any garage car problems. The garage is one of the places which would not do well without this accessory. There are three main kinds of accessories that will find solace in this room. These include cordless, air-compressors and multi-purpose power tools. All these are available at a fair deal worth your money from any stores.

Having one of these types for your car will go a long way in reducing your trip to your garage supplier. Saving your money is first priority to allow more for use in other activities; the common solvable problems should not always be done by a mechanic. Luckily, manufacturing companies know the important tools that must be owed by a car owner. They make available tool kits which have a multitude of equipments for use at convenience. However, you should be keen since some of them can be of no relevance to your car. For example, buying a battery charger might be a wasteful investment as it is rarely used. An inspection of the set should be done before handing your hard earned cash.

The following are some power tools worth making an investment on:

  • Suction pumps
  • Knives
  • Injector teasers and testers

The manual types would be pliers, screw drivers, hammers and others.

In the more vigorous individuals who take a do-it-yourself approach to everything, then one of the lifting equipments and paint sprayer will be a valuable addition.

The occurrence of power tools in the garage is also a hazard. A first aid kit should be present as one of the safety precautions. An overcoat will protect your body from corrosive fluids or gumboots to prevent feet related accidents and fall due to slippery floors.

Shopping For Colorful Titanium Rings

Filed under: Men's and Women's Fashion — Tags: , , , — damon @ 9:12 am
Elephant2
Creative Commons License photo credit: Fordos

Titanium is a particularly fashion precious metal for the creation of rings at the moment not just because if it natural look,but also because it can be anodized to enhance its look. Anodizing is where the metal is heated in a chemical bath which causes the titanium to react and create titanium oxide. This creates a coating on the surface of a chosen color of a thickness determined by the jeweler. A ring that has been anodized well will have a thick coating which will be almost impossible to scratch though to the surface underneath.

When buying anodized rings you should be aware that the cheaper versions won’t be done to the same thickness and will therefore be of a lower quality and more prone to damage. There’s really no difference between a cheap gold plated ring and an anodized design which has been done without care. If you can find one that has been anodized to half the thickness of the band then you should be in good shape.

The colors that you can get with this process are almost limitless so no matter what you have in mind you should be able to find something to suit. Having said that the technology is always advancing and the options available always increasing. Purple titanium rings are particularly popular, and great if you are looking for something unique for a young relative.

One color that is perhaps even more popular than even purple is the black titanium ring. These look just as stunning but are a little classier, and can be worn on any occasion. They are even popular with many men who normally wouldn’t think twice about wearing jewelry, and are often purchased as wedding ring sets.

The best range of unusual titanium rings at the best prices are available online. As long as you don’t mind picking your jewelry from a picture on a website, this is the place to do your shopping.

March 20, 2010

Current Mortgage Interest Rates and Mortgage Calculators

Filed under: Personal and Corporate Finance — Tags: , — damon @ 5:07 pm

When it comes to getting the best deal on your mortgage there are almost too many options out there to know where to start. It is definitely worth keeping track of the current mortgage interest rates as the right timing can potentially save a useful sum of money. Figuring which deal is best for you can seem a daunting task but is essential if you are serious about reducing the cost of your mortgage. Mortgage calculators are a great help as they allow you to apply each lenders terms to your own personal situation and the current mortgage interest rate.

There are several different types of mortgage calculator available, and can be used to compare different types of mortgages with the same lender as well as one type of mortgage with several lenders.

The Fixed Rate versus Adjustable Rate Mortgage Calculator, as its name suggests, compares the costs of each type of mortgage against the other. This can be helpful when trying to ascertain whether the potential savings from an adjustable rate mortgage will justify the additional risk involved. The Mortgage Comparison Calculator allows you to review several mortgage types at once, and gives you the predicted monthly cost for each. The Fifteen Years versus Thirty Years Calculator shows how changing the term of the loan can affect your payments, a great help when planning for the future.

All of these calculators require some basic details like the loan amount, number of payments and rate of interest, but once supplied return exactly the information required to help make an informed decision. Working all this out unaided, especially for those not used to working with numbers, can be a real chore, and given all the other leg work involved in purchasing a house, an unwanted one. Keeping an eye on the current mortgage interest rates and ensuring you have got the right deal by using mortgage calculators can go a long way towards securing you a cheaper mortgage.

March 19, 2010

Carolina Amato’s Glove Collection

Filed under: Men's and Women's Fashion — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 8:20 pm
Feather & Tartan Ribbon Tied Around Tribu Leather Gloves
Creative Commons License photo credit: Emilie Smith

Carolina Amato is a world-renowned accessory designer with a wide, elegant collection of gloves, wraps, hats, scarves and other accessories for men and women. High-end Carolina Amato shops are situated all across the world in America, Canada, England, South Korea and Japan and all its products are guaranteed sold-outs because of its high-quality material and luxurious designs. Its top-of-the-line products are often featured in world-famous magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. Carolina Amato gloves in particular are made of luxurious wool, leather and cashmere materials perfect for all occasions for people who have exquisite taste. Wearing Carolina Amato gloves is not only for functional purposes but a wonderful and unique experience altogether.

Carolina Amato’s elegant glove collection includes the Black Lace Cashmere Gloves, 16-button opera-length gloves, 16-button lace fingerless gloves, 16-button long leather gloves, Black French Lace Gloves, 2-button cotton black, and other opulent, top-quality designs. The Carolina Amato driving gloves are one of its most popular and best creations. Available in wonderful Earth, Peacock, Purple, Fuchsia, White, Green, Apricot and Yellow colors, this amazing Italian leather gloves is made of soft and smooth high-quality leather materials for the perfect driving feel. Designed with top-of-the-line stitching, round cutout lineaments, snap closure and perforated detailing, it protects the driver’s hands from blisters and calluses while providing a soft, smooth feel while cruising the road. They keep your hands warm in the winter and keep them from sweating during the hot season.

The Snap Combination Gloves is a favorite design among women. It comes in a three-quarter length made from the cleanest, high-quality Italian leather. Available in blue, black and brown, this pair is versatile enough to be worn not only for driving but for other casual and even formal events. The Black Lace Cashmere Gloves is one of its latest and most popular styles made of 100% elegant cashmere material and highlights a luxuriously soft beige lace lining for men and women. For the bride, the Carolina Amato extended length opera gloves collection enhances the beauty of the bride and adds elegance to the memorable occasion.

Whether you’re looking for women or men’s leather gloves, authentic Italian leather gloves or other luxurious materials, Carolina Amato has a complete line all in high-quality, excellent designs. Whatever the function, whatever the time of the year, coming out in Carolina Amato gloves assures you of a classic, elegant style that will surely stand out above the rest.

Manic Depressive Disorder and Psychotic Features

Filed under: Conditions and Diseases,Health & Fitness — Tags: , , , , — damon @ 7:59 am

Almost 2% of all US citizens will experience Bipolar Disorder. This is a disorder which both has depression and manic features. A patient will experience intermittent episodes of depression and mania/hypomania. Between episodes a person will often feel normal and there will not be anything to notice.

Depression

In almost all cases this disorder will first start with an episode of depression. That is why so many patients are diagnosed with primary depression instead of bipolar disorder because it will only become bipolar when a patient will experience manic episodes in the future. When experiencing depression, a person will feel really sad and he will believe that his situation is hopeless. It is not just a matter about feeling a little bit sad for a while, but it is feeling sad for at least 3 months which prevents normal functioning in society.

Mania and Hypomania

Bipolar depression is a mood disorder and both extremes are out of balance. In an episode of depression a person will feel really sad and depressed, but in an episode if mania a person will feel extremely good. He will feel he can take on the entire world and will succeed in all that he undertakes. Although this may sound great, a person can get himself in dangerous situations and do harm to himself. He will also not care about his finances and shop for everything that he likes and wants.

Hypomania

But a person will not always feel extremely well about himself, in some cases he will feel extremely annoyed about everything. Instead of feeling great he will feel annoyed about small thing and might even react aggressively. He could shout or hit someone in an act he would otherwise not do.

Psychotic features

In some cases a manic or hypomanic episode can become a psychosis. When this happens a person will lose all contact with the real world and will live in a world of his own. He might experience hallucinations and see people walking that are not really there. Psychotic patients often experience anxiety because they feel they are endangered. The only way to reduce these symptoms is by giving medication. When a person experiences psychotic episodes it is called manic depressive disorder with psychotic features.

Gout is Painful, But Remedies are Available

Filed under: Conditions and Diseases — Tags: , , , , , — damon @ 7:32 am

Gout can be a very painful condition. It can come from complications with other health related issues, such as diabetes, but it has also been shown to be hereditary. Luckily, there are a number of different types of remedies for gout. The first area of focus when taking about cures for gout is diet. Are you consuming high amounts of food that contribute to gout? Alcohol can play major role as well. Obesity, taking insulin, and even excessive amount of aspirin have also been known to contribute. Other common precursors are recent surgeries, joint injuries, or a problems with high blood pressure. So what causes the pain and swelling? Gout is caused by the crystallization of uric acid in the body. If there is a high level of uric acid, it begins to form crystallized deposits that form in areas of the bottom. The most common areas are the extremities, especially the lower ones. Foods that promote the condition include;

Red meat

Organ type meats such as liver

Shellfish

Creamy sauces

Anchovies

And alcohol

So what are some of the gout remedies? A simple, cheap, and effective remedy is water. Yes… drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day will help flush the uric acid out of the body. Adding a lemon to the water can be beneficial as well. Dairy products are another common way to deal with the symptoms of gout. Exercise and physical activity are great for just about any health condition, and gout is no exception. Try to get 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise, and you will begin to see a serious improvement in effect that gout has on you. There are prescription medicines that are available. In serious cases, these are almost always the number one option, but they come with negative side effects and a hefty price tag in many cases.

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