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LAWMAKERS TARGET PHISHING WITH NEW LEGISLATION
ONLINE SCAMMERS FACE TOUGH NEW PENALTIES
In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
- Tech Policy Feature: Anti-phishing legislation targets online scammers
- Legal Update: Compliance at home, appeal in Europe
- Financial News: Microsoft's special dividend
- EXTRA! Candidates head home for August
- Tech Tip: Update your software!
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TECH POLICY FEATURE: LEGISLATORS GO AFTER PHISHING SCAMS
In the last issue of the FINFlash Update, we alerted FIN members to the dangers of phishing scams. This type of online fraud tricks Internet users into providing valuable personal information through a combination of fraudulent email and websites. Now state and federal legislators are responding to this threat. In Congress, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has introduced legislation aimed at phishing. California lawmakers are also considering enacting legislation to combat this type of scam. The new laws would levy higher fines and increase jail time for convicted phishers. Stay tuned for more developments.
Read more:
http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,94490,00.html
LEGAL UPDATE: ACTIVITIES IN U.S. AND EUROPE
On July 19, District Court judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly held a quarterly status conference to review Microsoft's compliance with the settlement in the antitrust case. That settlement was affirmed in June by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Kollar-Kotelly praised the ongoing cooperation between Microsoft and the Department of Justice. "We have a system that's in place that's moving along," she said.
On July 27, the European Court of First Instance announced that it would hear oral arguments on September 30 and October 1 about Microsoft's request for a suspension of antitrust sanctions through the course of the appeals process.
Read more:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/07/27/HNcourtdateset_1.html
FINANCIAL NEWS: MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES SPECIAL DIVIDEND
With much of its legal challenges resolved and confidence in long-term growth, Microsoft announced that it would provide up to $75 billion in value back to shareholders through a stock-buyback plan, a dividend increase and a special one-time dividend of $3 per share.
Read more:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/jul04/07-20boardPR.asp
EXTRA! LEGISLATORS COME HOME FOR THE AUGUST RECESS
We encourage FIN members to look for opportunities to meet and listen to legislators when they attend in-district events throughout August. With the Democratic and Republican conventions framing this month, we're sure to hear a lot of political debate on a wide range of topics, including science, technology and job growth.
Voter Information for FIN Members:
http://www.freetoinnovate.com/gotv/
TECH TIP: UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE!
To maintain security on your desktop, it is essential that you keep your software updated. Microsoft and other software companies regularly release updates and patches to help users keep their computers working and secure. This month, Microsoft releases a major update to Windows XP called Service Pack 2 (or SP2). We encourage users to download SP2 when it becomes available. In the meantime, to have your computer analyzed to see if you need critical Windows updates, visit:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
You can also update Microsoft Office software at:
http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/
Any comments about the new look of the FINFlash Update? Write us at msfin@microsoft.com
We’re hoping to add more new features later in the year.
For Microsoft news and voter information, visit the Freedom to Innovate Network at: www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
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