In keeping with trends in ‘social engineering’ – internet security parlance for hackers’ attempts to play on human psychology or interest in particular events – this time too cyberspace is full of malicious email. Some of these entice you to click on innocuous links that install malware, which then steals your data, or sniffs out personal information such as bank/credit card details.

Symantec, a leading internet security firm, warns that this time around, spammers are also optimising their fake websites. Hapless net users mistake these sites for original FIFA websites and end up paying for content or stuff that does not exist. Malicious activity on the web is known to be significantly high in countries, where new internet bandwidth is made available. South Africa’s new tech infrastructure, and the huge interest that the FIFA events generate, creates a “perfect storm” for cyber criminals, says Shantanu Ghosh, Vice President, India Product Operations, Symantec. 

So, if you click on a colourful file attached to a cleverly-worded email from the “Canada Lottery — Soccer World Cup 2010 Promotional Draw,” for instance, be prepared to get sucked into an elaborate scam, involving your financial details, accounts and your computer. The Symantec also warns against falling for “promotional offers” from hotels in South Africa, that even throw in a free ticket for one of the matches.

Don’t be shocked if an iconic football player suddenly begins to ‘follow’ you on Twitter. Symantec came across a fake Beckham account, an indigenous attempt by an online retailer to push sales. “The credibility of the fake account is bolstered by other fraudulent accounts linking back to it and by cross following legitimate Twitter accounts, which probably have been hacked earlier. These are a vehicle for spam advertising and even link to infected sites,” Mr. Ghosh said.

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Are You Doing This Ab Exercise Wrong? 

Diego Milito was the hero for the Nerazzurri as the Argentine striker scored his 22nd league goal of the season in the second half to move Jose Mourinho’s side on to 82 points, two clear of nearest chasers AS Roma, who beat Chievo 2-0.

Roma’s only hope of overhauling Inter was if the defending champions had drawn at Siena as Roma boast a draw and a win in direct clashes.

Inter president Massimo Moratti celebrated his 65th birthday lifting the club’s 18th title after winning the Italian Cup and remaining on course for a memorable treble when they tackle Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on Saturday in Madrid.

Siena were far from mere sparring partners and threatened on six minutes with a wide drive from Swede Albin Ekdal after having the better of Douglas Maicon.

The Inter fans filling the Artemio Franchi warmed up to the growing pressure from the champions, who nearly went ahead on 13 minutes when Mario Balotelli volleyed narrowly wide before Milito also missed a shot and nodded from close range into the hands of Gianluca Curci.

The former Roma goalkeeper punched away a Marco Materazzi header, saw a great volley from Balotelli come off the bar and after the break parried a drive from Milito over the bar before finally being beaten by the Argentine on 57 minutes.

Compatriot captain Javier Zanetti set Milito up for one of his devastating breaks into the area that this time left Curci no chance.

Inter’s Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar had to deflect a nasty drive from Massimo Maccarone and caused a last thrill with two minutes left when he fumbled a cross that no Siena player was close enough to pounce on.

Although they missed out on the title, Roma had little problems against Chievo in Verona, where captain Francesco Totti came close on a couple of occasions and hit the post before drives from his Montenegro striking partner Mirko Vucinic and Daniele De Rossi sealed the win in the first half.

Sampdoria beat Napoli 1-0 to retain the fourth available Champions League berth, AC Milan are third after drubbing Juventus 3-0 on Saturday, when Lazio beat Udinese 3-1.

The only goal from Udinese came from league top striker Antonio Di Natale, who with 29 goals left behind Milito, on 22, while Sampdoria’s Giampaolo Pazzini and Palermo’s Fabrizio Miccoli trail on 19.

Palermo won 2-1 at relegated Atalanta, Bari won 2-0 against Fiorentina, Catania also edged 10-man Genoa 1-0, Cagliari and Bologna drew 1-1 and Parma hammered relegated Livorno 4-1.   Source

People took to the streets after the match in all major cities of the country including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta and expressed their joy in their own peculiar manner. 

They distributed sweets and danced to the beat of drums to celebrate the much-needed victory. While some people resorted to aerial firing, others set off fireworks lighting up the night sky.

They also sang national songs and chanted slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. Large screens were installed in all major cities for people to watch the match.

Theses were the scenes witnessed not only in Pakistan but also in every corner of the world wherever Pakistanis are living. Whether it would be streets of US or grounds of Britain, Pakistani flag flying high conveying the message of peace and expressed that Pakistani nation is a peace loving nation and fond of healthy activities.

Pakistan captain Younus Khan believes that Pakistan will be crowned World Twenty20 champions. He says that they now have the right mixture of experience and youth to see them through.

Pakistan were runners-up to their bitter rivals India at the 2007 World Twenty20 tournament. This time, cricket lovers cannot see them contest again for the title as Indians have been knocked out of the tournament after being defeated by the West Indies and England in their Super Eights matches.

What do you think? Who will be the new champions of Twenty20 cricket?