I think that there is a doubt that germinates and grows like a weed when discussing e-commerce. I believe that a lot of individuals feel that when you use your credit card online that it is simply sent across cyberspace naked with no protection, or stored on some server waiting for someone to simply take. This is untrue (in most cases).

One way for some unknown entity to acquire your personal information is by conducting a transaction on an unsecure site. Other ways that this can be done is by outside sources tricking, scamming, or possibly infecting your system. One such example is the old phishing scam in which the would be thief sends out emails that look like legitimate sites such as Ebay, then try to get account information out of you with this guise. What do most of these methods have in common is that none of them happen on a secure site, not to mention that they are almost all tricks to get you to show your personal information on this unsecure site, They still however don’t grab this information off the web—no need it was offered freely to them.

As mentioned earlier, on a secure website you can shop freely without fear. It is far easier to steal physical information—i.e. card numbers, social security numbers, and such—that if not disposed of properly can possibly expose your personal information. Not to mention that paper methods take little to no cleverness—just a twisted desire to steel from other people.

Let’s for the sake of argument say that you take your family out to dinner and you give the server your credit card in order to pay for the bill. There is nothing other than lack of need, morals, or possibly respect for the law that stops this person from recording your card information. There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of people who have access to your credit card information throughout an average year, and any of these people, if they wanted, could easily take this information.

This is just a quick example to help illustrate my point: it is possible for an employee of any business you deal with to obtain your personal information. But, this type of theft is second to another even more heinous form—theft from acquaintances or family. People close to you—family members, friends, or possibly business associates—probably know more about you and your accounts then any outside threats. These are the people that know your possible passwords, where you bank, and other information you might guard heavily. This is a horrible thought but it does happen. You probably would know if someone close to you had the nerve or lack of respect to do something like this. I would suggest unless there is some dire need to share this information, don’t do it—keep it hidden.

On the other hand attempting to circumnavigate the security measures that are in place and very regularly monitored on a secure website takes a tremendous amount of skill—if it can be performed at all. This is such a hard point to make for some, I’ve had people who are absolutely paranoid to enter there credit card number online, at a highly secure website, but will call in the number on a cell phone or cordless phone, that has no security measures whatsoever on a broadcasted signal. One customer was even afraid to enter her name and address but had no problem sending a check through the mail–allowing anyone with access to that envelope to get her information and checking account number.

I think what a big part of this misconception, or misplaced blame, on identity theft is due not necessarily to how the cards are getting stolen, but rather what the thieves are doing with the information once they have it. That’s where the Internet comes in. I don’t know if there was ever an easier way for someone to fraudulently assume someone’s identity than by using the World Wide Web.

Let me stress again this is not because the Internet is so unsecure, not at all, but rather by providing an easy place to use this information. Let me clarify: once someone has, let’s say, your social security number and name that they obtained in some manner discussed earlier, that’s all it takes—this person can now create an account and apply for credit cards all in your name. Another example of this sort of fraud is when a would-be thief will go to the post office and do a change of address, to one that he/she has access to and then wait for "Pay dirt". There are a number of ways to get this information. Online there’s no actual person that you have to speak with to create an account and in most cases it’s an automated system—if some of the info isn’t correct there’s no explaining to do, simply close out window and try somewhere else.

Don’t take my word for it, take a look at the results from BBB/Javelin survey. A couple of these findings are real eye openers and they are backed up with good explanations. Two jumped right out at me:

1. Average loss due to ID theft—$551 in losses when detected using online banking vs. average $4,543 when detected from paper bank statements. Due to the slow nature of monthly bank statements and the almost instant access of online banking, users see abnormalities, much sooner and act to correct them.

2. The BBB’s recommendation for protecting yourself from ID theft

* Replace paper bills, statements and checks with Internet (paperless) versions. Consider moving to an electronic bill payment service, such as your bank or biller’s web site, and stop sending signed paper checks through the mail.

* Visit your bank’s site to monitor account activity on a regular basis.

The fact that the BBB actually recommends that you use online banking and bill paying as a safer alternative to traditional banking practices says a lot. I realize this is a departure from the way you may have banked for who knows how many years, but if you are concerned about ID theft then it may be a course of action you should take. As I mentioned previously, and I can’t stress it enough, you’re safer using an online server than you are using paper methods.

Stay safe out there,

~ Chad

There was no gasp, because it took time to register. He dropped it in casually, just after he had finished answering his last question and when notebooks were being put away. He leaned forward, almost as if he was preparing to leave, and whispered these words into the mike: "I gave extensive consideration to this," he said "I want everybody to know that on Saturday I’ll be playing my last international match."
Journalists turned around and looked enquiringly at each other. Did I hear it right? Did he say merely international or was there a one-day before it. Some rushed to the dais to confirm it with Imran Khan, the West Indies media manager, who nodded his head. Some shoved miniature bats and notebooks to be autographed. But Lara had made it clear that there would be no further questions, and none were asked.

The very first question had been about his future and Lara had cut the questioner off. "This is about today’s match," he had said firmly, and had repeated the refrain whenever the subject had veered towards it. However, he had fielded other broader questions, about West Indies cricket, about Ramnaresh Sarwan - the leading contender for the captaincy - and one about how he would like to be remembered. Given what transpired, the question now seems prescient though, to be honest, it was asked in the context of his one-day career.

Lara’s answer was typical of him. He didn’t bother mouthing platitudes about service to the country and the game. "I would like to be remembered as someone who came out there and tried to entertain." That was the truth about Lara. It was his essence. Over a 17-year career, lots of his relationships — with the board, with selectors, with the media and even his own team-mates - were stretched and tested. But one bond remained unshakable, that between a conjurer and his spellbound audience. You fell for him instantly, and were hooked for life.

With hindsight, it is obvious now that the press conference had so many touches of a farewell. "I am also proud," said Lara. "I have been knocked down so many times, as a player and as a person, and I have had the strength, I suppose that has come from my parents, to be able to pick myself each and every single time and go out there in the face of adversity and try my best and perform. I didn’t read it up in a book. It’s deep down and it’s part of my family trait."

Time and again during the press conference, Lara was provoked to bring his dispute with the administrators in the open. He refused the bait. But what he left unsaid, said a lot. "Whoever is the new captain, must receive the support he deserves." When asked if he received the support he needed, he merely said it was no time to cry over spilt milk. Success in the international arena, he said, depended on much more than the 11 players on the field but, when pressed further, he insisted that "this was not the forum to discuss this."

Mixed reactions from private sector experts but there is consensus the move should be temporary with defence authorities asked to get their act together; Lanka’s vision of becoming an air hub gets more remote as India is likely to fast track its efforts

Seen and heard

Since LTTE had, as per some experts, used the full moon light to carry out its air strike in Colombo, the Defence authorities are busy getting the superior 3D radar system in place before the Poson Poya.
At a top level meeting it was disclosed in somewhat lighter vein that privately owned tall buildings should switch off the red signal used to warn commercial aircraft in the hope that LTTE aircrafts without such signals would crash on to one of those buildings and destroy themselves.
With the country plunging into darkness every time after suspected LTTE air raids, experts maintain that the switching off lights was a tactic used during the World War 1 as at that time, lights were used to identify certain landmark locations. These experts said that with night vision technology and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) switching off lights only helps the mission of an enemy aircraft and switching on lights would help country’s defences.

LTTE air attacks-propelled closure of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from Thursday has caused an equally devastating concern among the country’s private sector which is insisting that the move should be temporary to minimize the serious economic impact.

The Government last week said that the BIA from May 10 would be closed for business from 10.30 p.m. to 4.30 a.m. as a security measure. The move follows the third air attack in a month by the LTTE in the early hours of April 29. This decision also follows leading international airlines beforehand deciding to restrict their services to day flights to ensure safety of their passengers while at least one airline has suspended operations fully.

The recommendation to close the airport at night had apparently come from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which some analysts said could be due to the fact that it had less confidence of security for passenger aircraft flying in and out at night. However it is unlikely that CAA proposed the move without having a consultation with the defence authorities. It is ironic that the country’s intelligence establishment got to know about LTTE’s air power as way back as early 2004 and three years hence the nation is seeing only knee-jerk and amateurish reactions as well as lot of finger pointing at others.

The closure of the only international airport according to many analysts was a big set back as it seriously affects the country’s image globally as well as a severe blow to investor and business confidence. The adverse publicity globally has spread like wild fire. Unfortunately Sri Lanka also got bad press as the Fortune magazine’s South East Asian Correspondent was in Colombo when the third air raid and indiscriminate firing by troops on the ground took place resulting in an article titled “ The flying tigers of Tamil Eelam buzz Sri Lanka” getting wide publicity.

The move, be it temporary or a longer phenomenon, has also dealt a severe blow to Colombo’s efforts to position itself as an attractive air hub in South Asia. The move will also make Colombo the first airport if not among a handful to be closed at night on security reasons. Some international airports don’t operate at night to ensure its citizens are spared of noise pollution.

A CEO of a top conglomerate however noted that the closure was the best move provided it was temporary. “It is better to be safe than sorry and the closure is a wise move given the current realities,” he said. It was pointed out that since defence authorities are currently unable to manage the LTTE air threat confidently and securely, implications of a passenger aircraft being mistakenly hit by air defence fire from the ground could be disastrous with long term consequences.

“At present security must take precedence but we hope the defence authorities would get their act together sooner than later and come up with a successful mechanism to counter the serious air threat from the LTTE. In that context we expect the closure of the airport at night would be temporary. A permanent arrangement however would seriously impact the country and the economy at large,” the CEO emphasized.

It is learnt that the Government is busy to secure a Three Dimensional (3D) radar system that could track the altitude of an enemy aircraft as opposed to the 2D equipment, which reportedly need to be rebooted after every eight hours. More sophisticated fighter jets for the Air Force are also on the cards.

This CEO however dismissed the BIA closure derailing the country’s efforts to position itself as an air hub. “We haven’t tapped that potential for a long time and I don’t think the closure has a major impact. There are several other long standing issues that need to be addressed if the country is serious about becoming a true air hub for the South Asian region,” he added. It was also pointed out that more Indians were using Colombo as a hub to connect to rest of the world largely due to pricing and lack of air services, two factors which would soon disappear in tandem with the rapid boom in aviation industry in India.

An international transport expert who is also attached to a different conglomerate said the closure of the airport was purely reactive rather than making a proactive stance to deal with the LTTE air threat. “What we are telling the world is that Sri Lanka doesn’t have the right infrastructure and the defence expertise to counter an air attack by a terrorist group,” he added. This move certainly will have a spill over effect on other sectors such as shipping, insurance and the country’s overall risk profile and rating.

It was also pointed out that the closure, even though temporary, will be a setback to past and future efforts to position Sri Lanka as a sea and air hub in South Asia and the Middle East. “Even with certain inherent weaknesses we have been positioning Colombo as a 24-hour-open-gateway to the rest of the world. From May 10 we will be telling a different story to the world,” he added.

Aviation industry experts said that the closure of the airport was amateurish and it was far from a professional and confident approach to the LTTE air threat. He said that the closure only helps LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran’s cause rather than negating it. “With the mere use of a few single-engine aircraft and targeting some select installations the LTTE has demonstrated it could virtually shut down Sri Lanka’s only international airport. The closure of airport is perhaps is what LTTE expected eventually,” he opined adding that the amateurish ways of responding to the threat does not speak well of the country’s defence capabilities.

It was also pointed out that the chaos on April 29 morning could have been avoided had the defence authorities didn’t issue directions to armed personnel to fire indiscriminately. It was claimed that some soldiers even used their AK 47s to fire to the air at random.

This expert questioned the timing of the closure as well. “What assurances the authorities have that the LTTE won’t mount an air raid just before 10.30 pm and just after 4.30 am,” he queried.

UP Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters that the state government today conveyed to the Centre that guidelines were not followed in proposing allotment of land to ADAG for a multi-product SEZ in Noida. The site identified for the project, he said, is not contiguous which is a basic requirement for allotment.

The SEZ was proposed to be developed on 1,200 acres.

Singh said that a three-member committee headed by the Principal Secretary (Finance) found that the land proposed to be allotted was not contiguous. “There exists a road in the middle of the land,” he said.

The Mayawati cabinet, which held its second meeting today, also set up a high-level committee under the Industrial Development Commissioner to re-evaluate every proposal of the previous Mulayam government on SEZs and High-Tech City projects.

Singh said that land deals for SEZs would henceforth take place directly between the investor and the farmer to avoid a “Singur-like situation”.

Unfazed by the decision, the ADAG said it was confident of resolving any issue through talks, reports PTI.

“We look forward to discussing the matter with the Uttar Pradesh government and resolve any issue,” an ADAG spokesperson said. “We have won the Noida SEZ on a transparent and competitive basis. This is one of the most important projects for the development of the state,” he said.

The Mayawati government’s decision is the first instance of a state government trying to revoke in-principle approval granted to an SEZ project.

While there are three notified SEZs in UP, eight projects have formal approvals and 10, including the ADAG SEZ, have in-principle approval.

When contacted, Commerce Ministry officials said they were yet to receive an official communique from the UP government on the SEZ matter. But officials said the state government was within its right to review clearances for SEZs with in-principle approvals.

If the Mayawati government decides to revisit the three notified SEZs and eight projects which have formal approval on the basis of the Industrial Development Commissioner’s report expected in two weeks, there may be trouble.

Under the SEZ Act, a project only gets formal approval after all land has been acquired and all other formalities fulfilled at the state and Centre level.

“Once the project has formal approval, even if the state government wants to revoke clearances granted earlier, it cannot. The only way out would be litigation,” an official said. The ten SEZs with in-principle approvals include 3 IT SEZs and a 3287-hectare multi-product Purva SEZ at Bhadoi.