100webspace.com, a free web hosting service decided to block all users from Israel citing users from Israel are abusing their service.

In a post published in 100webspace’s forum, one user from Israel was asking why he can not register for the free service, and getting the message “We do not accept signups from your country”. The response from the site admin was that 1000webspace.com had decided not to allowing people from certain countries/IP ranges to sign up, due to abuse of their services.

One post in the forum said “For a host that has banned racist things on its servers, that is the most racist policy I have ever seen in my life�?.

Unwilling to withstand the criticism the site’s admin locked the thread and prevented other users from expressing their opinion on the subject.

And on a personal note, I too think this is a poor judgment call on behalf of 100webspaces.com. Blocking an entire country just because some people abusing their service. And if to quote qw3rty who said “Why not block the United States? It would really cut down on abusers.�? This decision really leaves a bad taste as for using 100webspaces.com‘s services.

Apple has lowered the price of its iPod Battery Replacement Program from US$99 to $59, plus $6.95 shipping. The service offers owners of out-of-warranty iPods with the ability to replace their music players with another with a better battery.

Apple replaces the out-of-warranty iPod, at its discretion, with another unit that may be new, used or refurbished. Apple offers the service to users whose iPods hold an electrical charge that has diminished since they first bought their system — a frequent complaint of early iPod users.

Source: playlistmag.com

With headlines about the compromise of hundreds of thousands of credit card numbers at CardSystems Solutions Inc. still fresh, the industry is implementing long-awaited data security rules for merchants and card processors.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard mandates IT security best practices such as firewalls and anti-virus software, as well as data encryption for online merchants. The standard has already prompted a wave of security audits and updates among credit card processors, online merchants and service providers. But some industry insiders warn that enforcing the regulations among thousands of small merchants will be a challenge.

Source: eWeek

After criticism that Microsoft changed Claria’s (former known as Gator) rating on its spyware software, Microsoft released an open letter explaining their decision.

This week we received some questions around Microsoft’s classification of Claria software in our Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta). We wanted to take this opportunity to clear up any misconceptions and explain our current policies and practices.

As you may know, the analysis of software is based on a single set of objective criteria, which can be found on our web site: Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): Analysis approach and categories.

Microsoft offers all software companies the opportunity to request a review of how Microsoft classifies their products through our vendor dispute process. In January, Claria filed a request for Microsoft to reevaluate some of its products. Upon review of their software against our criteria, we determined that continued detection of Claria’s products was indeed appropriate. We also decided that adjustments should be made to the classification of Claria software in order to be fair and consistent with how Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) handles similar software from other vendors. At the end of March, we communicated to Claria the result of our analysis through our standard process.

We take software analysis for Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) very seriously and handle all vendor requests in the same manner. All software is reviewed under the same objective criteria, detection policies, and analysis process. Absolutely no exceptions were made for Claria. Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) continues to notify our users when Claria software is found on a computer, and it offers our users the option to remove the software if they desire.

Read the full letter here

Motorola will launch its iTunes mobile phone in the UK next month, a UK press report has claimed.

According to yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph, Motorola will unveil the handset at the V Festival, a music event which takes place on 20-21 August at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffs.

Source: The Register