Scammers Scam Gmail Scam Filters

This amused me. A scam message got through Gmail’s eagle-eyed scam filters telling me to update my account details. That’s not unusual. But was it because the scammers added their own assurance that they had already done the filtering? It says: ************************************************************************** This footnote confirms that this email message has been scanned by New Google … Read more

Podcast: The Usual Suspects

Here I discuss on my regular slot with Adelaine Ng of Radio Australia patent wars, Amazon’s pricing policy and anything else we can think of. (This is from last Wednesday, so probably of historical interest only, unless you like hearing me say ‘er’ a lot.)  Loose Wireless 111101 Thanks to the ABC for allowing me … Read more

Phishy Facebook Emails

Facebook phishes are getting better. Compare this one: and this: Notice how the key bit, supposedly defining that it’s a legit email, is successfully and convincingly faked: The only difference that stands out is the domain: facebookembody.com. Although Google classified it as spam they didn’t warn that it would go to a website that contains … Read more

The Siri Thing

I was asked to pen a few lines for a Guardian journalist on why I thought Siri was male  in the U.S. and female in the UK. My quote was taken a tad out of context and so offended some folk who either didn’t know I was a technology columnist who makes a living out … Read more