Online game "World of Warcraft" is taking its bizarre battle out of the internet into the real world as Chinese regulators fight each other over the right to oversee the popular game. The bureau that licenses publishers said this week to Associated Press that the game's Chinese operator failed to obtain required import approval and should stop signing up customers.

Its rival, the Ministry of Culture's cultural products department, fired back that it was the regulator of online games and said the Web site's paperwork was in order.

The squabble has given the Chinese public a rare glimpse into the struggles between bureaucrats over who gets to regulate the Internet and other promising new industries and reap the added influence and revenues that can bring.

"If you supervise a more dynamic area with a lot of growth potential, you have more budget and more administrative muscle," said Edward Yu, president of Analysys International, an Internet research firm in Beijing. "They see this pie is getting bigger and bigger, so it is no wonder different administrations are fighting over pieces of that territory."

China went through similar struggles as regulators fought earlier this decade over who would control and tax online commerce.

But the latest clash appears more acrimonious, possibly because regulators see the Internet spreading to nearly every industry, bringing a windfall of status to any official associated with it.

China has the world's biggest online population, with 338 million Internet users at the end of June — a bigger group than the whole US population. Beijing encourages Web use for education and business but tightly regulates games and other content.

Games and entertainment are the biggest draw for Web portals in China, where e-commerce has developed more slowly than in the West. Multiplayer fantasy games such as "Warcraft" are hugely popular, with tens of millions of devoted followers. Business is booming for their operators, despite the global economic crisis.

The General Administration of Press and Publications released a statement Monday saying the "Warcraft" operator, Netease.com Inc., failed to get the administration's permission to bring the game into China.

It said the company should stop signing up customers and apply for approval.
Netease, which is based in Beijing and traded on the US-based Nasdaq stock market, said in a statement that it had not received official notification of the agency's announcement.

The Ministry of Culture rejected the publishing bureau's claim to control over online games.

"These online games and publications are fully subject to administration by the Ministry of Culture," the director of its department of cultural markets, Li Xiong, said Tuesday at a news conference.

Li said Netease is "complete in its paperwork and its game is legitimate," according to a transcript on the ministry Web site.

Online game operators had 6.8 billion yuan (US$ 1 billion) in revenue in the third quarter of this year, according to Analysys International.

The operator of the Chinese version of "World of Warcraft," Netease.com, reported a $68.5 million profit for the three months ending June 30, up 6 percent from the same time last year.
The game is the fourth installment in a series created by Activision Blizzard, an American unit of France's Vivendi SA.

"They are learning. They are making progress," said Yu of Analysys International. "But so far, the definition of territory and who will be more suitable to supervise each portion is still not settled yet."

If you were using PayPerPost (PPP) services to get those available opportunities for your blog, then you might be surprised on 20 November 2009 once you log in and see for yourself the latest changes they have adopted.

PayPerPost was known for several years as a marketplace for companies to connect with bloggers who are willing to blog about their product - for a price of course. The companies can set guidelines for their requests such as whether a picture must be included and whether they will only pay for positive blog coverage.

With the latest changes, PayPerPost hopes to improve their functionality and give their members new opportunities in the new site inPostLinks. These changes will be implemented on Friday, 20 November. Once bloggers start to show-up on that day, they will be seeing the merging of the two versions of PayPerPost into one improved site.

To log-in, it is important to follow this step:

• If a blogger has not created a login for PPP version 4.0, they will need to create one. They just have to follow the create login button and instructions. They will need to add their blog if they have not created a PPP version 4.0 login previously. If they have created an account in either PPP version 4.0 or SocialSpark, they can use the same login information that they have been using for those accounts. They will still need to add their blog in PPP version 4.0 if they have not used this site previously. Once they have login to PPPv4, they can add their blog by clicking on the 'my account' tab, then selecting 'add a blog'.

PayPerPost's foremost new feature is the inclusion of opportunities that bloggers are eligible for under 'My Leads' tab. Instead of spending hours scrolling through Opportunities in the Marketplace, as was experienced in PPP version 3.0 or the 'old PPP', blogger will now be able to find all the Opportunities under that tab. There bloggers will be able to preview Opportunities and decide which ones they are interested in pursuing. PayPerPost will send a message to the Advertiser letting them know about the blogger who is interested. Then, if the Advertiser feels that the blogger meet their particular needs they will extend an offer to them. And poof! - A wonderful partnership is born!

What’s happening to the 'old' PayPerPost?

inPostLinks allows for a new and easy way to monetize a blog. All the Opportunities in inPostLinks will be link only just like what LinkWorth is doing. This means they are not asking bloggers to write reviews, or to endorse anything. They are simply asking bloggers to place the link on their blog.

The 'old' PPP version 3.0 information will be at the new site http://www.inpostlinks.com. Here, bloggers will be able to find their previous PPP version 3.0 activity, all posts and any posts pending review. Any posts that have been approved will be paid out in the normal course that bloggers are accustomed to. The only difference to is the type of opportunities one will find.

A powerful new type of Internet attack works like a telephone tap, except operates between computers and Web sites they trust.

Hackers at the Black Hat and DefCon security conferences have revealed a serious flaw in the way Web browsers weed out untrustworthy sites and block anybody from seeing them. If a criminal infiltrates a network, he can set up a secret eavesdropping post and capture credit card numbers, passwords and other sensitive data flowing between computers on that network and sites their browsers have deemed safe.

In an even more nefarious plot, an attacker could hijack the auto-update feature on a victim's computer, and trick it into automatically installing malware pulled in from a hacker's Web site. The computer would think it's an update coming from the software manufacturer.

The attack was demonstrated by multiple hackers, including independent security researcher Moxie Marlinspike, Dan Kaminsky, with Seattle-based security consultancy IOActive Inc., and security and privacy researcher Len Sassaman.

They separately reached essentially the same conclusion: there are major problems in the way browsers interact with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, which is a common technology used on banking, e-commerce and other sites handling sensitive data.

Browser makers and the companies that sell SSL certificates are working on a fix.

Microsoft Corp., whose Internet Explorer browser is the world's most popular, said it was investigating the issue. Mozilla Corp., which makes the No. 2 Firefox browser, said most of the problems being addressed were fixed in the latest version of its browser, and that the rest will be fixed in an update coming this week.

VeriSign Inc., one of the biggest SSL certificate companies, maintains that its certificates aren't vulnerable.

Tim Callan, a product marketing executive in VeriSign's SSL business unit, added that the "tap" won't work against so-called Extended Validation SSL certificates, which cost more and involve a deeper inspection of a company's application for a certificate.

The attack falls into a class of hacks known as "man-in-the-middle," in which a criminal plants himself between a victim's computer and a legitimate Web site and steals data as it moves back and forth.

Jeff Moss, founder of the Black Hat and Defcon conferences who this summer was appointed to the Homeland Security Department's advisory council, said the fact a hacker has to actually break into a victim's network for the attack to work can limit its usefulness.

"That's the nice mitigating thing," he said.

But he warned that "for targeted attacks it's absolutely deadly. This is the way you can get everything. If you can get in the middle, you can get everything. It's a big, giant wake-up call for the industry."

SSL certificates are a critical technology in assigning trust on the Web.

Sites buy them to encrypt traffic and assure visitors it's O.K. to enter confidential information. Companies that sell SSL certificates verify that someone trying to buy a certificate actually owns the site that certificate will be attached to.

The presence of an SSL certificate on a site is designated by a padlock in the address bar. But many people don't pay attention to whether a padlock is present or not.

Browsers do care, though, which is why this week's talks were significant.

There is danger in the virtual world of the Internet that parents should be concerned about - the possibility of their kids being exposed to, and becoming victims of, spam mail, offensive websites, photographs and sexual videos that have been circulating in the web.

Recognizing the enormous influence of the Internet and the need for information on safe Internet usage, the Business Software Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, has been maintaining B4USurf (www.b4usurf.org), an online resource website that teaches cyber-ethics and cyber safety to teachers, parents and children.

To guide children learn more about cyber ethics, the BSA offers six tips below. These tips are designed to provide an easy reference teaching about respect for creative works online, appropriate computer downloading and peer-to-peer (P2P) technology usage.

1. Computer Terms. Understand both technical and slang computer terms when referencing downloading, files sharing and other computer uses. For example, 'ripping' is slang commonly used to describe copying. 'Warez' (pronounced 'ware-z) is used to describe software that has been illegally stripped of its copyright protection.


2. Appropriate and Legal. Know what is legal usage of a computer and software and what is not. For instance, personal, self-created works may be legally shared on P2P networks, but sharing copyrighted works without permission from the creator is illegal.


3. Risks and Consequences. Share the risks and consequences associated with file-sharing, downloading and copying software, music, movies and games illegally. Educators are also urged to talk to students about the economics behind piracy and illegal uploading and downloading. Demonstrate that there are real consequences, both for themselves and for the authors of the creative works.


4. Rules. Establish computer usage rules at school. Computer usage rules at school and rules at home should mirror one another.


5. Present Alternatives. Offer incentives and legal alternatives to illegal file sharing and downloading, such as giving your students certificates for responsible online behavior.


6. Talk More. Continue to monitor your students' computer habits and usage. Several conversations may be necessary as they develop an understanding of what is legal and safe and what is not.

Ovi by Nokia, the global brand for Nokia's internet services will be giving everyone a chance to win 1000 pesos Ayala EGC.

All you need to do is share your stories.

If you’re a food blogger, just email your best food discOVIry to fooddiscOVIry@ovi.com. If you’re a fashion/beauty blogger, then you can share your best fashion/beauty discOVIry to fashiondiscOVIry@ovi.com. For tech bloggers, they can discuss their best tech/gadget/game discOVIry to techdiscOVIry@ovi.com.

Contest period is from 27 October to 20 November 2009. Ten (10) winners will be chosen for each category and all of them will win PhP 1000 Ayala EGC!

It is important for each of the contestant to first open an OVI Mail account at www.ovi.com. They must also put the following details in their email entry: (a) Name, (b) Address, (c) OVI Mail Address, and (d) Mobile Phone Number.

Ovi.com is the web component of Ovi by Nokia. Like its counterparts, Ovi on Mobile and Ovi on Desktop, Ovi.com lets you organise your contacts, places and media from a single location. You can create, manage and share media, maintain calendar events, contacts and to-dos, and stay in touch with friends and communities as you would with a standard internet browser.

With the Ovi services catalogue continually growing, Ovi will remain an increasingly powerful way for you to access and create content and services from a mobile device, desktop computer or via the web.

Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), a global leader in laser vision correction, wants everyone to tell them how better vision could improve — or has improved — people’s lives. To this end, AMO launched the 'You Gotta See This' Video Contest and is inviting entrants to make a video showing the impact of improved vision for a chance to win cash and prizes.

Anyone can play an important role in helping others developed a better eyesight. This contest is just one of the many opportunities for anybody to share their views, advocate for healthy lifestyle and make videos that can make a difference in the lives of others who are hampered by poor vision.

Through this video contest, one has the power to open minds and inspire change, and share their stories on how to improve vision. Nobody needs to be a professional to win money from this iLASIK Video Contest. No need for for expensive equipment since even mobile phone videos can be used. All they need is a good idea, creativity and some basic hardware and software. There must also be passion to communicate the story through imaginative modes.

This video contest is geared toward all skill levels who are interested in showcasing their hidden video talents.

To date, several entrants have already submitted:

• original music videos


• videos on boxing and swimming


• videos that just show how their daily lives would improve

However, AMO wants to entertain more entries from contestants who vowed to submit quality works of art. Hence, visit www.GottaSeeThisNow.com and submit one.

The iLASIK Video Contest goes beyond what other video contests offer. There are no other movie contests like it! So send them your best work because you have as good a chance as anyone to win the great prizes.

Prizes to be won include US$ 5,000 for the lucky owner of the chosen video. Aside from that, AMO will be giving away a HDTV package worth US$ 2,500 for the First Prize (one in each video category) and a Flip UltraHD™ camcorder valued at US$ 199.99 for the Second Prize (one in each video category).

Everyday, everyone who has an access to an internet and has an email will no doubt agree that scammers are spamming the net to find an unsuspecting victim. News reports and features tackled this new-age crime operation to help warn the public about this hi-tech modus operandi. However, it seems people are still drawn to this instant-rich scheme and find it hard to resist the temptation of these offers.

The latest of these scam operations involve sending thousand of emails raving about a new marketing opportunity that not only guaranteed your business website would get a tremendous increase in traffic, but you could make a hefty profit each month just by adding some links to your page.

I decided to visit one of these pages which I suspect to be a scam and used a temporary site to test my theory. The suspected page promised that you could make between US$ 4-9,000 a month just buy allowing them to advertise on your page and you' will get huge increases in traffic as well. The catch? Fortunately they make it quite clear that when you sign up you are given their "exclusive software" which allows you to email other business owners to tell them about this amazing opportunity. In other words, you get to spam people-and if those people you spammed sign up, you get some money and they get to spam even more people.

This is a classic example of a MLM scam. I will not provide a link anymore to this site, but if you get an email like this in the future, just hit that delete key. I called up some of my friends and they reported that they too had the same experienced. However, since they already have an idea that it was a scam, they were saved from learning a very hard lesson!

Another scam operation involves inviting prospective clients to attend a seminar cum brainwashing workshops. I noticed that some of these scams are seen in home TV ad channel. The operation usually involve happy people talking about how they make several thousands a day with their home based business, and they try to tell you that you can too. All you have to do is go to their website to get a free "Home Business Training Package".

The first thing that you would notice that tells you something is wrong is that these people usually avoid mentioning any specific type of business. That is because there is none. All you get is a package with some printed information and a couple of DVDs-and this supposedly "free" information will costs PhP 5,000.00! They also promise a 14 day "free trial". A free trial on a free kit? Hmmmm …. something is definitely wrong.

Try to read the fine print and you will note that if you do not return it after 14 days you will be charged with another PhP 5,000.00! The information you get is worthless. It simply shows you more of the hype from the commercials and then instructs you to call a person who is supposed to be your mentor. This mentor pledges to help you make lots of money with your own home business, but you have to act fast and sign up for an "International Business Package" that costs a cool PhP 10,000.00.

If you have gotten this far, the "free" opportunity offered by the cartoon fox has cost you PhP 20,000. What does your investment get you? Not much, just a list of leads that will hopefully give you PhP 20,000.00 for the same package. In other words, it's just another MLM scam. If you want to get some more information about this, try to Google MLM or Herbalife.

If you try to do a search on Google Video for "homebased business", you might be amazed at what you will discover. Every scam and "opportunity" that you can imagine is there.

If you missed some of the infomercial of your planned business venture, then you could find it there. Over 1,000 videos promising amazing home based businesses and the chance to "make money fast". Unfortunately, there is no such thing as making money fast, unless you win the lottery and become a millionaire overnight. Making a profit with your home based business takes lots of hard work and time. You have to sell your product or service and get the word out about your business. Any "opportunity" that promises prospective clients a thousands of pesos in no time at all is most probably a scam. The only people making that kind of money are the scammers themselves.

Can you make good money with a home based business? Absolutely. Will you do so overnight? Not likely.