Border Security System Under Fire; Citigroup Stores Still Suffering in Aftermath of Terror Alert; X-Rated Spam Sizzles in Summer

Border Security System Under Fire

The US-VISIT program, a computer system that tries to identify terrorists and criminals from among millions of foreign visitors, has come under fire because its components cannot easily exchange information, according to one critic. The Los Angeles Times reports that the program, U.S. Visitor and Imiigrant Status Indicator Technology (IS-VISIT), which is now deployed at airports and seaports is now to be phased in at major land border crossings late this year. According to the story, the government has spent $700 million on the technology and could spend another $10 billion over the next decade. Rep. Jim Turner (D-Texas) said that an investigation by his staff showed that some databases are not fully compatible and that the system is not an effective anti-terrorism tool.

For more details, read the full article in the Los Angeles Times.

Citigroup Stores Still Suffering in Aftermath of Terror Alert

The stores and restaurants in the Citigroup building have seen a precipitous drop in business since the terror alert issued in early August. According to a report in The New York Times, the atrium of the building has been closed to the public for two weeks, cutting off a major source of business for the merchants. For instance, Eastside Photo would develop 150 rolls of film on a typical Monday. Yesterday, it had 15 orders. According to an executive with Boston Properties, the company that manages the Citigroup Center, said the atrium would be opening in a matter of days.

For more details, read the full article in The New York Times.

X-Rated Spam Sizzles in Summer

The Register reports that the amount of pornographic spam sent to consumers has risen 350 percent since June. According to data from Clearswift, an e-mail security company, the surge in pornographic spam is akin to an increase last year. Overall, pornographic spam accounts for only about 5 percent of all spam. Financial spam is the leader, making up 39 percent of spam messages.

For more details, read the full article in The Register.