startups

Twitter Explains Recent Phishing Attack

Yesterday, we wrote that Twitter asked some users to reset their password as a security measure. We suspected that the reason was a phishing attack on Twitter, and now Twitter has officially confirmed it, with a bit of background.

Recently, Twitter admins discovered a surge of followers to some suspicious accounts, decided to investigate, and discovered that a number of accounts were compromised through an intricate attack involving torrent-related sites and forums. Here’s Twitter’s explanation of what went down:

“It appears that for a number of years, a person has been creating torrent sites that require a login and password as well as creating forums set up for torrent site usage and then selling these purportedly well-crafted sites and forums to other people innocently looking to start a download site of their very own. However, these sites came with a little extra - security exploits and backdoors throughout the system. This person then waited for the forums and sites to get popular and then used those exploits to get access to the username, email address, and password of every person who had signed up. Additional exploits to gain admin root on forums that weren`t created by this person also appear to have been utilized; in some instances, the exploit involved redirecting attempts to access the forums to another site that would request log-in information. This information was then used to attempt to gain access to third party sites like Twitter. We haven`t identified all of the forums involved (nor is it likely that we`ll be able to, since we don`t have any connection with them), but as a general rule, if you`ve signed up for a torrent forum or torrent site built by a third party, you should probably change your password there.”

Well, folks, I guess it all boils down to the same old advice: never use the same email/password combination on multiple sites.

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Reviews: Twitter

Tags: hack, security, torrent, twitter

Gowalla Prepares To Roll Out On BlackBerry

The check-in arms race continues to heat up. Foursquare has been working fast to secure its place on not only the iPhone, but also Android, Palm Pre, BlackBerry, and most recently, Windows Mobile. But rival Gowalla is working hard to get onto the other platforms as well. Recently, they launched a version that works on Android phones through the web browser - and a similar method is bringing it to BlackBerry phones as well.

While it’s not quite live yet, it will be “very soon,” founder Josh Williams tweeted today. He also noted that he’s currently using it, and it seems to work well. When it’s live, BlackBerry users will just have to direct their browser to m.gowalla.com.

The mobile web version that Android uses takes advantage of the HTML5 elements of WebKit built into Android’s browser, which includes the ability to access location information in certain smartphones. The BlackBerry implementation isn’t quite as seamless, and requires a newer model of the device, we’re told. For it to work, users have to turn on their location in the browser settings, apparently.

Gowalla has said that they’re working on a native application for all the major mobile platforms, but in the short term, this mobile web version makes sense. Perhaps third party developers can use their soon-to-be-released API to speed the process along.

Stephen Colbert: Blippy Is More Exciting Than Going Through Old Receipts

Normally, it takes quite a bit of time before a startup gets any sort of mainstream spotlight. That’s not the case with Blippy.

Tonight, the controversial social credit card data aggregator was featured on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report. As you might imagine, host Stephen Colbert ripped into the service’s ability to show everyday purchases at places such as Wendy’s.

Humor aside, this appearance is a huge win for Blippy, which recently raised its first round of funding, and is now signing deals with retailers.

Will Colbert Nation embrace Blippy? Sadly, YouTube is apparently smart enough to know that the Colbert Report is something they shouldn’t allow you to embed, so I’ll have to link to it — here.

Update: And YouTube has now completely removed the video. Wow, they’re good.

What Is This Mysterious Facebook Music App?

Facebook Music may not exist, but you may have it installed anyway. Right now if you log into the site and go to Facebook’s “Edit Applications” screen, you’ll probably encounter a new application at the top of the list: Music. And it’s pretty clear that this isn’t just some third party app; the application links to Facebook.com/music, which is the same format used by other official Facebook applications, including photos (Facebook.com/photos) and events (Facebook.com/events). But the application doesn’t work at all - clicking it just brings you to your Facebook News Feed.

Update: Facebook has now removed the application. We’re still waiting on a full explanation.

We reached out to Facebook about the mysterious application. They’ve directed us to a Facebook Music Player app that appears on some Facebook Pages, and say that there may be a bug that’s showing some Pages apps on the editapps.php page (they’re looking into the issue). They also say that the Facebook.com/music site may be related to a now-defunct site that was launched at SXSW a few years ago (it wasn’t a streaming music service). That may well be the case, but the Pages music player application has a different Application ID than this new one does - it doesn’t look like they’re the same thing. Still, Facebook’s spokesperson was pretty clear that there was no new Facebook Music app, stating, “We have no plans to launch a music service on Facebook.”

Facebook long considered launching a free music service, and previously engaged in talks with multiple different streaming services to power the site.  Obviously those didn’t pan out, and in light of Facebook’s promotion of third party apps and pages, they may have decided to ditch the idea entirely.

It’s worth pointing out that one of Facebook’s most popular music applications is iLike, which was recently acquired by MySpace. Facebook and MySpace may not be butting heads as much any more (MySpace has shifted its focus to the ’socialization of content’ rather than networking with friends) but given their history it’s an interesting arrangement.

Thanks to Will Hankinson for the tip.

jQuery MultiSelect Plugin with ThemeRoller Support

jQuery MultiSelect Plugin was intended to re-factor Cory LaViska`s MultiSelect implementation, but it quickly turned into a complete re-write with a focus on speed and ThemeRoller support. This plugin turns an ordinary HTML select control into an elegant drop down list of checkboxes.

jQuery MultiSelect Plugin is compatible with jQuery 1.4.0+ and all themes from jQuery UI 1.7+. It is known to work in Firefox 2+, IE 6+, Chrome Beta/4, Safari 4 and Opera 10.

Requirements: jQuery Framework
Demo: http://www.erichynds.com/examples/jquery-multiselect…
License: MIT, GPL License

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Pixmac: Stock Photos, Royalty Free Pictures and Images

Green Plug raises a second round for green power charging

Green Plug said today it has raised a second round of funding for its environmentally-friendly electrical power charging technology.

The San Ramon, Calif.-based company did not disclose the size of the round, which was led by Herald Investments UK, Killik & Co., and Peninsula Venture Partners. Green Plug did say that the pre-money valuation for the second round was significantly higher than the company’s first round in January, 2008.

Green Plug will use the money to further its ambitious cause of creating smart power charging for electric-powered goods. With Green Plug adapters, you can charge your cell phone and multiple devices using a single wired connection to an electric plug. The adapters have built-in processors and are smart enough to know what is the best time of day to charge the devices so that you incur the lowest electrical costs.

The funding comes after the company recently struck a deal with Imagination Technologies Group, which owns a stake in Green Plug. Imagination will license its Meta processor for use in Green Plug’s power supply technology. Imagination will in turn offer a processor core that others can use to implement Green Plug’s technology in their various consumer electronics devices. Pure, an Internet radio division of Imagination Technologies, will use Green Plug’s technology for a smart power adapter accessory.

Green Plug’s chief executive is Frank Paniagua, who says that consumer electronics products that use Green Plug power adapters will improve their energy efficiency. Paniagua says that more than 2 billion dumb power supplies were shipped last year, wasting a lot of the planet’s resources.

Facebook readies a big change for games

Facebook is readying the launch of its Game Dashboard interface and other changes that will affect the way gamers experience and interact with games on the social network.

In FarmVille, Zynga has begun asking players if they will accept emails from the game, since, with the launch of the Game Dashboard, Facebook is eliminating some ways players will get information from the game, even as it creates others. Meanwhile, Zynga also warned that some players are having troubles posting feeds and clicking on feed links to FarmVille. Zynga said it is working with Facebook to resolve the problem. The glitch doesn’t seem to affect playing the game. But it may put a damper on spreading the good word about your accomplishments or needs in the game. FarmVille thrives on such communication, which helps it spread in a viral fashion.

A little glitch in FarmVille is no laughing matter. There is a lot at stake. FarmVille has 76 million monthly active users, a big chunk of Zynga’s total 230 million monthly active users on Facebook, according to AppData.

INOX Snaps Up 43% In Fame India For Rs 66Cr

The multiplex segment is witnessing blockbuster deal action. Theatre chain INOX Leisure has announced the acquisition of promoters' stake in rival multiplex chain Fame India. In a statement to the BSE, INOX said, it has acquired 43.28% stake in Fame, through bulk deals, for Rs 66.48 crore in cash. The deal would make INOX one of the largest theatre chain in the country with combined strength of 55 multiplexes and 204 screens.

The deal values Fame India at Rs 153.6 crore, a little higher than its prevailing market capitalisation of around Rs 150 crore. INOX added that it will now come out with an open offer for another 20% stake, for which it may end up shelling out another Rs 30 crore.

The deal comes in the backdrop of PVR-DT Cinemas merger, which is expected to be completed later this month after delays. Under the deal, PVR Ltd was acquiring 26 screens operated by the DLF subsidiary in a Rs 60-crore stock-cum-cash deal. This deal is expected to take PVR's capacity to 134 screens. The multiplex segment continues to be lead by Anil Ambani’s BIG Cinemas with over 240 screens in India. With intense competition among the theatre chains, specially in metros, the consolidation comes as a natural development.

Incidentally INOX, in which Reliance Capital owns as much as 9% stake, has been in the thick of rumours that Big Cinemas is eyeing to acquire it way back in 2007. However, there was no further development on that account. While Reliance Capital, the financial arm of Reliance ADAG which also owns Big Cinemas had at that time raised its holding from 7% to 9%, it didnt pursue the strategic acquisition.

Fame's subsidiaries include Shringar Films (film distribution business), Big Picture Hospitality Services (food business JV) and Headstrong Films (film production JV). The company also had a debt Rs 80 crore, which would have prevented INOX paying much of a premium for the acquisition.

Gujarat Flourochemicals (GFL), the parent firm of INOX, has funded the entire transaction through a shareholder loan. This would be the second acquisition by INOX. In 2006, it acquired Calcutta Cinema Private Ltd which ran business under the “89 Cinemas” brand.

The share price of INOX shot up by nearly 20% after the announcement to reach Rs 92 in the morning before coming down to Rs 86 levels. The shares of Fame India were down by 2.4%, trading at Rs 42.9. For FY09, Fame India reported revenues of Rs 138 crore and while INOX had a turnover of Rs 225 crore for the same period.

Enam Securities was the investment banker and Khaitan & Co was the legal advisor to INOX. Fame India was advised by Yes Bank as the investment banker and Naik Naik & Co as legal advisor.
 

Fwix Launches Mobile City Apps To Provide You Local News On The Go

As you’ve probably realized, local news is undergoing a massive transformation. The rapid demise of “old media” has resulted in fewer local publications, and it’s likely that in a few months your local paper may no longer exist. As “new media” takes over, users will be faced with a plethora of choices to consume local news. This is great news for most (no pun intended), but it comes at a price: the vast network of local blogs and news sites is difficult to navigate and peruse. Enter Fwix, a real-time local news aggregator that automatically curates news from a multitude of sources and delivers them to you via their website, Fwix.com. Fwix, which has seen over 100% monthly growth from November to December, is now bringing their solution to mobile.

Read the rest of this entry at MobileCrunch >>

Facebook co-founder`s Asana gives a peek at Lunascript

Asana, the workplace productivity startup from Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, just released a sneak peek at the new programming system underlying its product, called Lunascript.

It’s an in-house programming language, named after Moskovitz’ cat, that the company claims will cut 90 percent of the time needed to code rich web applications. (You can check out a video here.) Asana co-founder Justin Rosenstein explained to us when we covered Asana’s $9 million round of funding that programming for the web requires a lot of rote and repetitive grunt work:

“We’ve been continually frustrated by how long it takes to write software, and by a nagging feeling that in some deep sense we’ve been writing the same code over and over,” the company said today. “Even when using the latest and greatest frameworks and disciplines, writing fast, highly interacting web applications involves a lot of accidental complexity.”

Lunascript eliminates the need to write separate code to help the server figure out which values need to be sent to the client. The server actually simulates the user interface. The compiler can produce a functioning web application that handles both the client-side JavaScript, and the server-side SQL.

Start a virtual company by sharing ownership in a domain name

With Sitepie you can share ownership in an internet domain name. By sharing the ownership of a domain name, you and the other owners can develop a website without having the hassle of starting a real company.

Mpire Drops Widgetbucks, Switches Strategy to Be All About Optimizing and Verifying Online Ads

Gregory T. Huang wrote:

It has certainly been a busy week in the online advertising sector. On Monday, Bellevue, WA-based BlueKai announced it had raised $21 million in Series C funding in its effort to help transform how companies use customer data to design ad campaigns. And Seattle-based ad technology startup AdReady has formed a partnership with Internet radio service Pandora, based in Oakland, CA, to help the company design and sell advertising to small and medium sized businesses.

Not to be outdone, Seattle-based Mpire is announcing today a major update to its relatively new ad-optimization technology, called AdXpose. The basic idea is to make online ad campaigns perform more effectively, while protecting brands from fraud and from appearing next to inappropriate content such as porn. The latest features of AdXpose include the ability to set smart, real-time alerts for when ads don`t appear where they should (geographically or demographically, say), and preemptive "blocking" that stops ads from being served when the placement violates the terms of the advertising contract.

But Mpire is about more than just its latest product offering. It has bigger ambitions beyond AdXpose, and has reinvented itself as of late. I recently got an in-depth tour of the company`s new focus and strategy. In the process, I learned a lot about the online advertising world—and where Mpire`s real opportunities are.

When I spoke with Mpire last April, then-CEO Matt Hulett had just begun to sell AdXpose to online publishers and advertisers. Back then, Mpire was known for its flagship advertising network, Widgetbucks. Hulett left the company in August to become an executive at RealGames. Since then, Mpire has focused solely on technology for optimizing ads and helping its customers—ad agencies, ad networks, publishers—monitor how their ads are performing.

Mpire`s chief revenue officer, Kirby Winfield, sums it up pretty succinctly. "We are AdXpose. Widgetbucks is on life support," he says. "Now it`s about [ad] verification and optimization. We want to …Next Page »

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