AMD Hack Points to Widespread Web Forum Flaws, Attacks

" Malicious hackers are increasingly targeting security vulnerabilities in open-source software that runs bulletin boards and online forums, according to Internet monitoring firm Netcraft.

The unpatched holes, in open-source software like phpBB, PostNuke, and Mambo are being used to take control of powerful servers for denial of service attacks and phishing scams ... "

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1918295,00.asp

Survey tells us about online advertisers perceptions and plans

" Search Engine Watch guided me to a story today in Online Media Daily about search ads on Google, Yahoo! and MSN. The story focuses on a study done by Outsell using a survey of 1,200 advertisers. The study shows advertisers' perception that Google search advertising would be more effective than Yahoo! or MSN (71% thought Google's would be, 62% thought Yahoo!'s would be and 49% thought MSN's would be). The article points out that the most enthusiastic Google fans also were the advertisers with the smallest marketing budgets ($3.7 million compared to the $4.6 million from the combined Yahoo!/MSN camp).

This says a lot about the positive market perception for Google and also about how the dollars spread to Yahoo! and MSN as the budgets get larger ... "

http://yahoo.weblogsinc.com/2006/02/01/survey-tells-us-about-online-advertisers-perceptions-and-plans/

Will the real TrueLocal please stand up?

" TrueLocal, the new Australian online search directory unveiled by News Ltd this week, might soon have a fight on its hands from a Canadian outfit bearing the same name.

According to sources at the Toronto-based TrueLocal "hundreds of Australians" have already attempted to sign up to its service after mistaking it for the recently launched directory listing service from News Ltd.

The local directory market differs from more generic search engines by providing a database of business listings linked to specific geographical areas much like a traditional print directory.

Although the North American TrueLocal does not own the trademark for its brand in Australia, the company said it had planned to launch its operations here later this year ... "

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/02/02/1138836363279.html