Web group tackles spyware

A large non-profit Internet safety group has launched a safety campaign aimed at helping consumers ward off spyware threats, MSNBC reports.

Spyware is software that can allow remote access to PCs and also hampers PC performance.

In conjunction with computer maker Dell, the Internet Education Foundation published video tutorials and tips for Internet users on its Web site to keep spyware off computers and detect any spyware already installed. It also directs visitors to dozens of free and commercial tools to easily remove spyware from a PC.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which filed its first federal court case last week over spyware, praised the new campaign, and FTC commissioner Jon Leibowitz called spyware a "growing and pernicious problem", promising the agency will act against those who distribute it.

The consumer electronics arm of the Virgin Group has introduced a new 5GB hard-disk portable music player.

The Virgin Player, which has 20% more storage capacity than the Apple iPod mini, will allow users to store around 1 000 songs. The device is compatible with Virgin`s online music store, as well as the Windows Media Audio or MP3 formats.

Virgin also sides with music providers such as Napster and RealNetwork`s Rhapsody, which believe online subscription services will one day become more lucrative than the basic pay-per-download model, reports National Nine News.

The player will be available for $250 (R1 650) at the end of October.

Starbucks customers will now be able to burn CDs or listen to digital music while they drink their coffee, following the launch of its first music bar, OnlyPunjab reports.

In a partnership with HP, the coffee franchise will allow customers to create personalised CD compilations and burn full-length albums from a library of 150 000 songs, says Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz.

"The Hear Music media bar demonstrates another highly strategic extension of our brand as we continue moving towards our goal of transforming the way music is discovered and acquired."

The self-service offering will allow consumers to burn a custom CD at $9 (R60) for the first seven songs, and $1 (R6.50) for each additional song.

Microsoft has released details of its Xbox holiday bundle in the hopes of tempting further buyers for the Christmas shopping rush.

The bundle will include the console, a two-month free trial coupon for Xbox Live, and two Live-enabled sports titles: EA Sports` NCAA Football 2005 and Microsoft`s Game Studios` Top Spin.

The bundle will retail for the current Xbox price of $149.99 (around R1 000). According to Gamespot, Top Spin is the older of the two games, but features one thing that NCAA Football will never have: Anna Kournikova.

The offer will be available from the end of October.