Global crackdown on Net crime

More than 100 people have been arrested in the largest global crackdown to date on identity theft, hacking and other Internet-based crimes, reports Reuters.

US Attorney General John Ashcroft said the arrests followed a three-month investigation into a range of crimes from reselling co-workers` Social Security numbers to disabling Web sites.

"The common thread here is the Internet," he told a news conference. "We do not believe the Internet to be off base for law enforcement. We will be there with as much intensity and presence as we can muster."

The crackdown, dubbed "Operation Web Snare", involved 150 000 victims who lost more than $215 million, Ashcroft said, adding that 53 people had already been convicted.

Intel has upgraded the wireless networking capabilities of its Centrino line of notebook computer chips to allow broader network access with improved security. According to Reuters, Intel has also developed new software to allow easier user configuration and troubleshooting.

Centrino-based notebook computers can currently connect to the two most popular versions of WiFi, known as 802.11b and 802.11g. The chip introduced yesterday can also connect to 802.11a networks, which are far less common but have advantages for both speed and interference avoidance.

The chip includes support for 802.11i wireless security technology, which Intel said offers corporate users the best protection for securing information flowing across wireless networks from hackers.

IBM plans to buy content management maker Venetica, reports CNET news.com. The acquisition will be the 18^th IBM has made since 2001.

Venetica`s products will be integrated into IBM`s information integration portfolio within IBM`s DB2-branded data management division. Venetica, based in Charlotte, sells software for accessing content repositories that store business documents, images and Web pages.

Mobile phone giants Nokia and Vodafone have teamed up to simplify Java cellphone software, reports IHT.

The project aims to make it easier to use programs across a wide variety of mobile phones. While Java initially seemed to promise "write once, run anywhere" functionality, the reality is that developers must make adjustments to cope with different screen sizes and other specifications, adding up to 40% to the cost of initial software development.

They say the initiative has the backing of other mobile phone companies.