An interesting Twitter message started making the rounds yesterday, and we received a few from our friends over at the Newsplex.  The message read “haha. This you???? http://tr.im/PyJZ“, after following the link we were met with a phishing redirect to MySpace.com, and all of the horror that entails.

While the actual risk over having your twitter or MySpace page hacked is relatively low, the true concern lies in other software downloads that are often recommended to friends or mass mailed to buddy lists.  Most malware in todays world consists of either software applications which attempt to convince you to spend money/enter credit card information, or a much less noticeable piece of software, called a Bot.  Bots are simply servers, residing on your computer, which query for commands handed out by a central website or IRC channel.  With massive infections, such as the Conficker Botnet having roughly 10,000,000 estimated PCs under its control, these networks can be utilized for everything from Spam to Denial Of Service attacks (which haven’t made mainstream news for some time).  At it’s peak, the Conficker network was able to send roughly 10 billion pieces of spam e-mail each day, and botnet system like it are the actual culprit behind most of the spam seen in e-mail boxes constantly.

The most effective way to avoid potential infections is to team an up to date anti virus application with the latest browser of your choice, and the knowledge to review your address bar location (as shown above, it certainly doesn’t read MySpace.com) before submitting information.  For a free anti virus/anti spyware application, check out the recent release of Microsoft Security Essentials which has met with solid reviews (4.5/5 stars being awarded on CNET).  [Info]

Charlottesville City Police tased an apparently inebriated and handcuffed suspect Saturday (November 28), while he attempted to flee on foot from the Scott Stadium area.  The Newsplex was nearby and caught the “escape” from the back of police vehicle, the short chase by five officers, and the eventual use of a taser to stop the individual.

While tasers are an excellent alternative to the use of a firearm, and while we have no formal training, nor were we on site to assess the suspects danger level to himself or others, we know that these devices DO carry the possibility of long term, and occasionally, fatal effects, some even here in Virginia.  [Photo Credits]

The two bank robberies last week were quickly responded to by local & regional police, culminating with the arrests of Joseph C. Breeden & Garland Thomas Carr over the weekend.

Breeden, a Charlottesville resident, entered the Pantops BB&T Friday, demanded cash, and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount.  A cellphone and/or bag owned by Breeden is rumored to have been discovered near the crime scene, and lead police to arrest the father of two.  The Newsplex posted a story on this Saturday, noting that while his friends considered him to be “very calm, funny, friendly, reflective. Not your profile for your average bank robber.”, his Facebook page, and it’s contents related to the Halloween time frame, were indicative of a ‘Darker Side’.  Specifically pointing out the quiz related to ‘Which Crime Are You’ and his results pointing toward murder, and video content, including his enjoyment of a video clip Jim Carrey – Dracula meets Wanda.

Carr, the individual charged with the Wachovia robbery, was arrested in Richmond with assistance from the ATF & RCP.  While the original reports indicated that he merely passed a note to the bank teller, and did not display a weapon, he is accused of entering the bank on the corner of 10th and High Street with the intent to commit larceny, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, robbery, and four counts of forgery.

Both are being held at the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Jail pending bond hearings.

An author named “cville journalist” sends in the following:

While I applaude the newsplex’s effort to improve their product I cannot help be be amazed by an ongoing practice of their’s that violates a core value of journalistic ethics: Using Beth Duffy to front those “vacation” commercials for a travel company.

Having a primary news anchor shilling for a client is inexcusable.

It’s not just my opinion. Five minutes of Googling the matter offers up plenty of support for why this practice is wrong:

Al Tompkins with the Poynter Institute writes:

Journalists are in the business of telling news, not selling products.

Stations should insure that journalistic merit and public service, not commercial interests, drive special projects.

Stations should establish guidelines for news anchors and reporters delivering public service messages, ensuring that the messages are of legitimate public interest, not colored by commercial tie-ins.

What policy does your station have for commercials that feature individuals who are current or former journalists even if those journalists did not formerly work at your station or network? How can you clarify that someone is paying this person to participate in this announcement?

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