NET FILTERS BLOCK KEY INFO
Net filters can block teens' access to key sexual health information unless they are configured at the least restrictive setting, according to a study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. "Filters can strike a good balance between protecting kids from pornography while still giving them access to online health information, but only if they're configured carefully," said Vicky Rideout, Kaiser Family Foundation vice president. The study tested the six most commonly used filters at the "least," "intermediate," and "most" restrictive settings. It found at the most restrictive setting, filters blocked just 3 percent more pornographic content, compared to the least restrictive setting, while also incorrectly blocking 24 percent of health sites -- with information on issues such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and birth control -- compared to just 1.4 percent of incorrectly filtered information on the least restrictive setting. With 70 percent of 15 to 17 year olds turning to the Internet for health information -- including 40 percent for information on sexual health -- filters set at the most restrictive setting could be a major issue. "The Internet has the potential to revolutionize access to health care information and service," said Dr. Caroline Richardson, study co-author and lecturer at the University of Michigan Medical School. "It's important to ensure that filters don't interfere with that potential."
E-TAILERS WILL LOSE $500 MILLION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Online retailers in the United States will lose nearly $500 million due to fraud and lost sales this holiday season, technology research firm Gartner Inc. reported Wednesday. According to findings from an October Internet survey of 25 leading online U.S. retailers, Gartner estimates $160 million will be lost due to fraud and $315 million will be lost in sales due to suspect transactions. Even as retailers work to curb fraud in Internet transactions, the fraud rate has remained constant at 1 percent since mid-2000, said Avivah Litan, vice president and research director for Gartner. "E-tailers report that fraud attacks are becoming more sophisticated, frequent, and menacing in nature," Litan said. Online companies, many of whom claim insufficient support from credit card issuers, will have to rely on their own resources to combat the problem. "Major online fraud loses are not going away," she said. "So while it may be a merry season for the sales department, the risk management department will be working double overtime."
FLIRTING IN CYBERSPACE
More than half of single office workers flirt in cyberspace using Instant Messaging technology, a study by the independent online dating service Lavalife has found. According to a survey of 4,100 of its members between Nov. 25 and Nov. 28, Lavalife found 54 percent of men and 52 percent of women reported flirting over IM. The company pointed to the technology as a safe distraction from increasing pressures at work. "With all the stress and job insecurity around, IMs are a safe and momentary distraction that take less time than the average coffee break," Lavalife quoted relationship expert Gilda Carle as saying. "The social dynamic of Instant Messaging and office flirting creates a new dimension in the way people interact and search for ways to meet people," said Lavalife chief executive Peter Housley. "IM is a great technological tool that enables people to reach out and facilitate relationships."
INTERNET BREEDS 'HYPER-SHOPPERS'
The Internet has spawned a new segment of U.S. consumers, one that uses all available media channels -- including the Internet, television, and print -- to maximize their purchasing decisions, according to the American Interactive Consumer Survey by the Dieringer Research Group. "'Hyper-shoppers' are consumers who really understand how best to use the Internet for shopping," said Andrew Richardson, a senior analyst at Dierenger. Hyper-shoppers are defined as consumers who spend at least $500 online and $500 or more offline after first getting information from the Internet. They are educated, three-fifths male, report an average household income of $66,100 and average five years online experience, according to Dieringer. About 90 of hyper-shoppers use search engines for shopping information, 77 percent check retailer and manufacturer Web sites, and 66 percent use articles in print media. The findings, from an online survey of 4,000 Americans, points to the continued efficacy of Internet advertising, despite the online advertising drop off since the dot-com bubble burst, Richardson said.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES ...
Web company C I Host has launched "e-Memories on the Web," a new service that allows customers to create online photo albums with pictures, movies and sound. Customers can create their sites using digital cameras and color scanners, and the product includes photo filters that allow the photos to be manipulated, including turning color photos to black and white, flipping and rotating them, and embossing. The service includes unlimited space for photos, an unlimited number of albums and categories and a Web-based administration program. Consumers also can add sound clips for the site or for individual pictures. The service costs $49.00 for the first six months and $7.95 a month after, and is available at cihost.com. "This is a fantastic product that will help families all over the world stay connected," said C I Host chief executive officer Christopher Faulkner.
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