Ware Fare

A US report from the Global Organized Crime Project, chaired by former FBI and CIAchief William Webster, says that to crash the US’ electrical power grid and militarycommand and control systems, all you need is software from the Web. Hence the need tooverhaul national security agencies to avert cyberattacks that could cripple the nationand corporate America’s critical infrastructure. Indeed, in a recent US militaryexercise code-named ‘Eligible Receiver’, a team of security experts proved justthat. For example, the team showed that using software available free at cracker websitescould deny computer services to the entire Pacific military command and control system.Even more stunning: indications that about 20 nations have already penetrated USinformation systems!

THE world’s first bank that will operate primarily via the Net will also be thefirst to cater specifically to homosexuals. The brainchild of Steven Dunlap, who got theidea when banks refused to finance his planned gay and lesbian resort, the G&L Bank(no prizes for guessing what G and L stand for) will target homosexuals as its firstcustomer base, and then widen its target audience. The staff of G&L Bank currentlynumbers 11, and is almost equally divided between homo and heterosexuals.

IF the Tatas can launch an auto magazine Overdrive, Ashok Leyland, traditional rival inTelco’s commercial vehicles business, have decided it can go a step further. It hasjust set up www.automeet.com (India’s definitive auto domain), a website devoted toall matters automotive. From news from the auto world, to industry statistics and chatswith top auto executives and product reviews, the website intends to be the full internetequivalent of print-media’s auto magazine.

MORE than 60 per cent of liquor websites actively target children, says the US-basede-media watchdog body Centre for Media Education. Websites use ploysgalore—interactive games, cartoon characters, contests and all sorts ofgimmickry—to zero in on and attract kids. The deadliest trick, apparently, isdeveloping ongoing story-lines woven around cartoon characters that attempt to buildlong-term relationships with young surfers. For instance, the site for Captain Morgan runshighlight comedy clips featuring Captain Morgan’s voice and an entire page dedicatedto pirate slang. Liquor industry officials have, of course, vehemently denied thesecharges.

Spaced Out!

www.ufomind.com www.abductee.net

There’s someone out there, and wants to take you there too. www.ufomind.com is thefinal word on alien abductions, with links to other UFO sighting and extra-terrestrialkidnapping sites. From images of UFOs and aliens to listing of alien abduction supportgroups (who help you come to terms with your experience while the world disbelieves you),from ‘Alien Abduction—Theory and Analysis’ to ‘AlienAbduction—Skeptical Viewpoints’, it’s all here. Follow the link towww.abductee.net for ‘real stories from real abductees’. A few random headlinesto give you the flavour: "Girls camping out on grandparent’s farm encounteralien; Canadian man lies paralysed in bed while wife is ‘visited’","Master hypnotist describes how unexplained red marks on her body flare up whenaliens are near." Scary stuff.