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Looks like Apple are set to make a fortune from replacement batteries then. I have to say the iPhone is great device as a mobile computer but not so great as a mobile phone, so many contacts I have have swapped to iPhone and wished they had not. this fact alone prevents me from dipping into the Apple mobile world.

I agree with your article 100%, perhaps another solution is to boot from CD or Flash drive into a LIVE version of Linux and just use the Browser in that OS for online banking. I have friends now who do this on my advice, the new LIVE linux cd's/flash-drives are pretty user friendly so users with just Microsoft desktop experience can easily launch the web browser

Very true, i agree strongly with your commnets, in fact i go bit further with my workstation than most to protect my data, i have an encrypted data store in my home directory, so even if my linux workstation is compromised, my data is still safe. However as you know not many people go to these lengths. However of course the compromising of someones computer is not just for data theft, installation of malware/kelogging applications can get the information you do not generally have stored like your PIN or online banking credentials. Thanks for the comments on my post.

Given the way that applications are delivered on facebook, i think that the security concerns of users would make facebook an inappropriate choice of platform. At least ZOPA was designed from the ground up for its purpose. Facebook has a track record of being lax when dealing with users privacy, hence i think this very fact would act as a barrier for most users to use facebook for any sort of currency operations.

this functionality is supported under google mail anyway, go to 'settings' then 'labs' then enable the appropriate option called "Authentication icon for verified senders".  its experimental but works well, its limited to paypal and ebay emails presently

the amount of friends and family PC's that i have had have to rescue from rootkits or BOT's is reaching new heights. 

I fix the issue, normally via a format, re-install and data restore then attempt to prevent re-infection via the install an anti virus/spyware/firewall, RUBOTTED warning system and secunia software exploit information tools , however the BOT's get around all the protection i put on XP and Vista and i end up with a secondary case to deal with.

I myself run Linux at home and have no such problems, however i also run a Virtualised XP install which also has no issues, may be because it only browse well known websites and nothing of a suspect nature when using XP. I have converted 1 contact to Linux and she is delighted with a Linux desktop, mainly as she uses the PC for email, browsing and home office tasks.

Perhaps the 'dark cloud' spread could be halted by three things 1) more careful browsing via user education 2) adoption of an alternative operating system 3) a universal and open system of logging a PC's state when infected by a BOT/Rootkit.

the adoption of another OS only stops the surge for a while, as hackers would turn their attention to Linux, which does have expoits that could give unauthorised access, anyone updating their linux installs daily will understand that fact.

let's not forget the open outcry system is also open to abuse by the floor traders.......somewhat of a double edged sword.

very true chris, blackberries are a addiction, however i took the bold step of only enabling personal email on my own blackberry, I actually opted out of the company blackberry scheme on joining and i simply ask any mailers to txt me on my mobile, this really acts as a strong filter for urgent enquires. I work long hours anyway, i dont want to extend my day further and i find the TXT option means i only get bothered in real emergencies.

Great article, the 'walk in and plug in' culture is a nightmare for security admins, more products like Trend Micro's 'RUBOTTED' or more widespread use of Linux netbooks may be seen in the future to help prevent this 'werelaptop' curse.....Silver Bullets for the in house security team.

I use linux at home and am free from major virus worries, however unix users wont forget the the morris worm that was spread amoung UNIX systems in 1988

http://snowplow.org/tom/worm/worm.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_worm