The Great Security Caper
 HOUSTON,
TX -- Something is happening in the city
of Houston. One of the town's best-known technology companies
has been hit with a crime. Research data from Evans
Business Solutions has been stolen and passed to their fiercest
competitor, Santa Clara-based Extar Systems. The result: their new
breakthrough product has been relegated to second fiddle as Extar
announces its own identical product, beating Evans to the punch.
Who committed
this dastardly crime? Police are investigating, and it
could have been an inside job, a business partner, or a hacker. They
need your help to uncover clues and unmask the perpetrator. If you
can point the finger at the right person, you
could win a brand new Apple iPod. Watch for clues on this website and in Bytware print and web ads.
At the end of the year you can submit your accusation.
Get
started by meeting the suspects and reading
the rules of the game.
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Extar Systems Upstages Evans Business
Solutions
 CHICAGO,
IL --
Santa Clara-based technology firm Extar Systems has taken the wind out of
the highly anticipated new product announcement by Houston-based Evans Business
Solutions.
Widely believed to be the first product of
its kind, Evans has been working for more than two
years on a next-generation accounting solution that promises to revolutionize
the world of online commerce. Technology experts are on record as saying
that "there
is no current comparable product under development." This was to have been
a captive audience for Evans and a boon to the Houston
economy.
Experts and Evans itself were taken by surprise
when Extar president Jim Tarskan announced a new product with nearly identical
features [to the upcoming Evans release] at the annual EXcomp Technology Show.
Questions are flying as to how the company kept development
so secret. Evans Business Solutions spokesman Daniel Thompson said that an
internal data leak is the likely explanation.
Houston
authorities are investigating a possible criminal act at the Evans
headquarters.
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Security Experts Say Flash Drives Risky
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Not
since the introduction of the PDA has a device taken
root and liberated the masses in the way that the latest
generation of portable USB memory storage has. Known
by a variety of names including "flash
drives," "jump
drives," and "mini drives," these tiny sticks with
USB plugs can be attached to keychains and hold anywhere
from 128MB to 1GB of data.
Computer publications praise
their portability, and busy office workers love the ease
with which they can now shuttle files back and forth
between office and home. But while they might be objects of affection
for the tech savvy, security experts warn that they could pose a
very serious problem to businesses already struggling with security
holes and virus attacks.
Manufacturers claim that the warnings are an overreaction,
but anti-virus vendors confirm that the danger is real.
Kyle Proctor of popular AV vendor Pandemix21 said that "flash
drives are just as likely as floppy disks or user-burned
CDs to carry viruses from one computer to another. They
are to the 21st century what the floppy was to the '80s and '90s."
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Other Front Page Stories
Connection Made Between Evans Executive and Extar
Evans Business Solutions Chief Security Officer Peter Evans has been linked to Extar Systems in a discovery that police say may be a turning point in the case. :: View full story.
Area Companies Report Strangers Snooping Around
Several companies in the Houston area have reported incidents of probing by hackers in recent weeks. IT managers at several local organizations say that hackers seem to be focusing on specific targets, looking for weaknesses to exploit. :: View full story.
Brookside Village Briefcase Cleared by Law Enforcement
Police announced today that the mysterious briefcase found recently outside the Brookside Village post office has been thoroughly examined and appears to be nothing more than an old piece of luggage that someone tossed out. :: View full story.
Extar Systems Upstages Evans Business Solutions
Santa Clara-based technology firm Extar Systems takes the wind out of the highly anticipated product announcement by Evans Business Solutions. :: View full story.
Security Experts Say Flash Drives Risky
Known by a variety of names including "flash drives," "jump drives," and "mini drives," portable USB memory storage devices make transporting data easy, but not without security risks. :: View full story.
Other Current Story Highlights...
Evans/Extar Case Rocks Stocks
The ongoing investigation into the data theft scandal involving software developers Evans Business Solutions and Extar Systems is beginning to show real impact on investors.
View full story.
Look Out Papa Smurf! '80s Makes Comeback with a Vengeance
Proving that history is doomed to repeat itself and that some things just never go completely go out of style, the toys of the '80s are back. :: View full story.
Evans's Diane Webber to File Huge Tax Return
Reports leaked to the media indicate that Diane Webber, controller of local software company Evans Business Solutions, will be filing a personal tax return that shows an abnormally large jump in income during 2004, possibly linked to Extar. :: View full story.
Kate Hoffman Arrives in San Francisco
IT superstar Kate Hoffman, recently applauded for her quick thinking in a crisis situation at Evans Business Solutions, arrived today in San Francisco, shadowed by undercover agents from the Houston police department. :: View full story.
DOT Heeds Mandate from the People: Lark Lanes on America's Highways
The U.S. Department of Transportation unveiled plans today for the nationwide implementation of "Lark Lanes" on the nation's interstate system, giving seniors on scooters their own express lane. :: View full story.
Major League Baseball Hit with Mascot Steroids Scandal
Just when it looked like it couldn't get any worse for fans of America's pastime, Major League Baseball was again rocked by scandal today when Congress subpoenaed Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster. :: View full story.
Slash Again in Evans Spotlight
Famed hacker and virus author "Slash," who was once a prime suspect in the Evans Business Solutions data theft case, is again under close scrutiny by Houston police.
View full story.
Previous Story Highlights...
Kate Hoffman: IT Superwoman Saves the Day at Evans
IT Manager saves local software developer Evans Business Solutions from chaos across the company's international network. :: View full story.
Police Investigate Evidence Found at Evans Offices
Local law enforcement officials are investigating a piece of evidence uncovered earlier this week in the main computer facilities of Evans Business Solutions. :: View full story.
Matt Williams Questioned by Police in L.A.
L.A. city law enforcement officials last night took local waiter and aspiring actor Matt Williams into custody for questioning in connection with the Evans Business Solutions data theft case. :: View full story.
Health Insurance Providers Consider New Approach: Appendage Insurance
Health insurance providers are considering a new "a la carte" style of coverage that would require individuals to anticipate which parts of their body might become injured down the road. :: View full story.
Is Jelly Belly on your Breath?
The candy maker is considering a new approach to marry the consumers lack of time for breakfast with the desire for a sugar rush. :: View full story.
Bytware and IBM Ink Anti-Virus Distribution Agreement
Bytware, Inc. and IBM signed an agreement this week allowing Bytware's StandGuard Anti-Virus for iSeries to be shipped with all distributions of IBM's eServer iSeries new operating system, i5/OS V5R3 (OS/400 Version 5 Release 3). :: View full story.
Alarm Clock Maker Unveils Shocking New Product
One Japanese company aims to turn "snooze slapping" into a constant revenue stream using a shocking new method. :: View full story.
PETA Plans Focus on Nature with New "Animal-Friendly" Football League
Rumor in the sports world is that PETA is forming a new football league to compete with the NFL, complete with animal-friendly mascots. :: View full story.
Lollapalooza Out, Carbapalooza In
The waning music festival Lollapalooza finally ran out of steam this week as organizers cancelled the entire upcoming summer concert season. But a new festival is ready to step into the empty shoes. :: View full story.
Extar Stock on the Rise
Extar Systems, the California-based software company announced that it has enjoyed a steady rise in stock value since the launch of its new product. :: View full story.
Arrest made in Evans Data Theft Case
Houston police sergeant Raymond Edwards announced in a press conference yesterday evening that an arrest has been made in the data theft case currently under investigation at local software company Evans Business Solutions. :: View full story.
Precious Metal Investors Get Gas, Rejoice
Investors looking to diversify and add stability to their portfolios have long latched on to gold. Now they are abandoning the precious metal in favor of something with even more value: gasoline. :: View full story.
Mydoom.F Strikes iSeries Shops
A new variant of the Mydoom worm recently made its way around the Internet, and this particularly nasty worm caused a great deal of damage to users—including iSeries shops—thanks to its ability to delete files. :: View full story.
Apple iPod to go to Grand Prize Winner
Bytware, Inc., world leader in iSeries monitoring, security, and notification solutions and sponsor of the Great Security Caper of 2004 mystery contest , announced today that an Apple iPod will go to the Grand Prize Winner in the contest. :: View full story.
Area Security Executive Probed in Theft Case
Officers from the Houston police department along with federal agents seized documents this morning from the office of Evans Business Solutions Chief Security Officer, Peter Evans. The seizure comes several weeks after the reported theft of company trade secrets. :: View full story.
After Ted, Other Airlines Consider Offshoots
With the initial positive reaction to United Airlines' new low-cost carrier, "Ted," other airlines are considering similar moves. :: View full story.
Automatic Picture Shaker a Godsend for Polaroid Fans
For decades users of Polaroid's instant camera technology have been shaking their snapshots. Common belief holds that this action helps the photo develop. Now that the popular musical group Outkast has encouraged millions to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," the activity has become the latest craze. :: View full story.
New Reality TV Show to Feature iSeries Operators and Programmers
Programming executives at Aoba Entertainment announced today that they are developing a new reality TV show that will feature iSeries operators and programmers, pitting IT professionals against each other to see who can respond the quickest and most effectively to crisis situations. :: View full story.
Zodiac Zone: Your Horoscope from Madame Gertrude and her Psychic Llama
Don't just sit around waiting for things to happen...
find out what the future holds with your personal
horoscope from Madame Gertrude and her Psychic Llama.
Take a look at the stars now!
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