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Facebook changes your password on purpose?

Users targeted in the latest email scam – only to receive dropped malware

SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – March 19, 2010 – Facebook users have been caught up in a Trojan-spreading scheme this week: in the form of e-mails notifying Facebook users that the passwords to their accounts have been changed due to security reasons. The recipients of this fake notification are prompted to open an attached .zip file in order to find out their new allocated password.

Instead of a new password, the zip file hides Trojan.Dropper.Oficla.G. As its name suggests, this piece of malware contains malicious or potentially unwanted software which it ‘drops’ and installs on the system. Frequently, the dropper installs a backdoor which allows remote, covert access to the infected system. This backdoor may then be used by cybercriminals to upload and install additional malicious or potentially unwanted software on the system.

According to the BitDefender Monitoring Systems the distribution of the spam messages carrying this piece of malware started on the evening of March 17^th, 2010. Since then, spam ‘waves’ have reached significant proportions, in some cases more than 200 spam messages being sent out in 30 minutes.

Moreover, the infection rates reflected by the BitDefender Real-Time Virus Reporting System indicate the beginning of a massive spreading of Trojan.Dropper.Oficla.G. Although this phenomenon has just begun, it seems that it’s just a matter of time before the cybercriminals have control of a huge number of systems.

Infection rates are expected to boom because the social engineering behind this mechanism proves to be efficient. Facebook is a highly popular social network and accessing it for discussions or for its popular applications has become a daily habit for very many people. No matter why people access the social network, the e-mail informing them about the alleged password change is likely to drive them towards the same result: open the file to take a look inside and ultimately… get infected.

In order to stay safe, BitDefender recommends you never open attachments coming from unknown contacts. They also suggest people install and update a complete antimalware software solution.

Massively Multiplayer Online Tank Action Game is developed employing  BigWorld Technology 

London (18^th March 2010) – Wargaming.net announces the company is using the BigWorld Technology suite for developing its brand-new free-to-play MMO game WORLD OF TANKS. The software is a really efficient and advanced tool for designing a sweeping massively multiplayer online game, and allows focusing on core issues of the game, such as captivating and realistic gameplay and top-notch graphics and visual effects.

BigWorld Technology fully satisfies the highest requirements of the intensive development process providing a set of tools necessary to produce an ace-high MMOG with fast-paced battles featuring various modes, historic mini-campaigns, tourneys and epic Clan Wars on a global map.

“We had been considering several technologies before starting developing our new team-based Panzer MMO game”, says Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. “However, it turned out that BigWorld is the only ready-to-use and complete solution for the specific needs of this project.”

“World of Tanks breaks new ground”, said John De Margheriti, CEO of BigWorld. “It is a fantastic example of great team-based MMO gameplay, featuring authentic tank models, strong RTS elements and tremendously fun action gameplay. We are very excited by how much fun playing World of Tanks will be”.

To find out more about the new Tank MMO community, please visit the official Forum of the game.

For more information on WORLD OF TANKS, visit www.worldoftanks.com. 

About World of Tanks

World of Tanks is the first and only team-based massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with other steel cowboys all over the world. Your arsenal includes more than 150 armored vehicles from America, Germany, and the Soviet Union, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.

A flexible system of authentic vehicle upgrade and development allows you to try any of the vehicles and weapons in the game. Whether you prefer to exhaust your foes with fast and maneuverable light tanks, make deep breaches in enemy lines with all-purpose medium tanks, use the force of giant tanks to eliminate opposing armored forces, or become a heavy sniper with long-range howitzers, each unit type has its own advantages and can be extremely effective when operated by a true tank ace.

But being a great tank commander alone isn’t enough to win! In World of Tanks, it’s all about teamwork. Victory is achieved by combining your combat skills with those of the other members of your team, each playing their own role on the battlefield. Just add your favorite strategy to build your own iron empire and manifest the indisputable authority of the tank! Feel the TANK POWER!

Key Features:

•       Action-packed 30-vs-30 PvP Tank battles

•       Mixture of Action, Strategy, Simulation and MMORPG genres

•       150 Vehicles, thousands of upgrades

•       Unprecedented global Clan Wars

About Wargaming.net

Wargaming.net is a UK-based strategy game specialist. Its 140-strong development team is located in Belarus. Starting from 1998, the company has shipped 13 titles, including acclaimed Massive Assault series, Order of War RTS published by Square Enix and three add-ons for Blitzkrieg II. Wargaming.net’s Operation Bagration RTS was awarded the Best Strategy Game of 2008 at Russian Game Developers Conference (KRI). At KRI 2009 Wargaming.net was named The Best Developer Company from ex-USSR. Currently the company is finalizing World of Tanks MMO action game and is working on unannounced MMO strategy project. Visit www.wargaming.net for more information.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd
BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. With a direct local presence in the USA, China, Japan and Europe, BigWorld licenses its middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world to build successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds. For more information and links to currently released or in production titles, visit www.bigworldtech.com

BigWorld Blog
blog.bigworldtech.com

GROUNDBREAKING ONLINE CO-OP IN NEW ACTION RPG ODYSSEY 

Sydney, Australia – March 19, 2010 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces today that The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, an epic multiplayer action/RPG video game based on the renowned novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, is set to launch on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows® in 2011.

Developed in association with Middle-earth Enterprises, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North explores both original and familiar narrative elements as Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment holds the rights to develop video games based on both the literary and motion picture content from The Lord of the Rings. Breaking new ground as a mature RPG video game set in Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North advances the RPG paradigm through innovative online, interdependent co-op play for up to three players who form their own Fellowship to fight Sauron’s forces in the North.

“With The Lord of the Rings: War in the North we are taking a mature approach to the widely celebrated property with authentic portrayals of battles and all new storylines,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Utilizing the award-winning and passionate development team at Snowblind Studios, we are looking to evolve the RPG experience and deliver The Lord of the Rings game fans have been waiting for.”

“In The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Snowblind will deliver an action RPG for core gamers featuring authentic narrative and environmental locations from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original The Lord of the Rings,” said Ryan Geithman, Founder and Studio Head of Snowblind Studios. “This game is a natural evolution of the acclaimed RPG gameplay that Snowblind has consistently delivered over the past years.  Players and fans will experience an innovative approach to online co-op gameplay, woven throughout every facet of the game in a way that only Snowblind can deliver.”

In The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, players can become the heroes in the great battle of the North as part of the epic War of the Ring. Exploring unseen lands, story elements and characters from Middle-earth as well as elements familiar from past feature films, gamers will experience extensive character customization and development, expansive co-op gameplay options and upgradeable weapons, skills and special abilities.

For more information about The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, please visit www.warinthenorth.com .

International Cricket 2010™ bowls in with new innovations and enhancements to set the new standard in authentic cricket gaming 

SYDNEY, 19^th March 2010 - Complete with all new ‘Action Cam’ that will take gamers right onto the pitch and into the heat of battle, Codemasters®  today in partnership with NAMCO BANDAI Partners Australia New Zealand announced International Cricket 2010™, coming Spring 2010 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®.

International Cricket 2010 is set to continue Codemasters 15 year association with world class cricket and follows last summer’s Number One best seller Ashes Cricket 2009. Produced by Codemasters and developed by Trickstar Games, the Australian developer with a team pedigree that includes Ashes Cricket 2009 and the Brian Lara series, IC 2010 steps up to the crease with a range of innovations and enhancements to set the new standard in authentic cricket gaming. 

The new Action Cam will immerse players in all the on-pitch drama, intensity and excitement of fiercely competitive international cricket. Supplementing traditional broadcast views, players can now feel the satisfaction of smashing home 90mph+ deliveries and experience the thrill of thundering down the track to bowl from Action Cam’s new on-field perspectives.

A key addition to the range of fielding, bowling and batting improvements is the new ‘Power Stick’. Giving batsmen 360° analogue power and direction control, Power Stick enables the widest selection of shots, from pushing quick singles to gaps in the field to risky shots and everything in between.

Officially licensed by the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia to feature official players, stadia and kits, International Cricket 2010 can be enjoyed in a wide range of game modes including new instant tournaments. A comprehensive player editor enables gamers to put themselves into the game and the squad editor allows players to edit the player name, appearance, team and attributes of all athletes. Gamers can compete as any of the expanded roster of 16 nations at an improved selection of 21 stadia around the world, including the SCG and MCG.

“With a focus on taking gamers into the action like never before, International Cricket 2010 will deliver the most authentic cricket gaming yet,” said John Szoke, Producer, Codemasters. “Codemasters enjoys an unrivalled heritage in producing cricket games, and International Cricket 2010 will build on this success with a range of innovative gameplay features and enhancements.”

 “We’re delighted to partner with Codemasters to develop the next leap forward in cricket gaming,” said Tony Parkes, Studio Director, Trickstar games. “Our passionate team of industry veterans, which includes development talent who have worked on the Brian Lara series and Ashes 2009, is determined to deliver the most immersive and intuitive cricket experience for all fans of the sport.”

Complete with local and online multiplayer, International Cricket 2010 launches Spring 2010 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3. For the latest news and screens, visit www.codemasters.com/cricket. 

GET RIGHT ON THE PITCH AS CODEMASTERS® ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL CRICKET 2010™

International Cricket 2010™ bowls in with new innovations and enhancements to set the new standard in authentic cricket gaming

SYDNEY, 19^th March 2010 - Complete with all new ‘Action Cam’ that will take gamers right onto the pitch and into the heat of battle, Codemasters®  today in partnership with NAMCO BANDAI Partners Australia New Zealand announced International Cricket 2010™, coming Spring 2010 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®.

International Cricket 2010 is set to continue Codemasters 15 year association with world class cricket and follows last summer’s Number One best seller Ashes Cricket 2009. Produced by Codemasters and developed by Trickstar Games, the Australian developer with a team pedigree that includes Ashes Cricket 2009 and the Brian Lara series, IC 2010 steps up to the crease with a range of innovations and enhancements to set the new standard in authentic cricket gaming.

The new Action Cam will immerse players in all the on-pitch drama, intensity and excitement of fiercely competitive international cricket. Supplementing traditional broadcast views, players can now feel the satisfaction of smashing home 90mph+ deliveries and experience the thrill of thundering down the track to bowl from Action Cam’s new on-field perspectives.

A key addition to the range of fielding, bowling and batting improvements is the new ‘Power Stick’. Giving batsmen 360° analogue power and direction control, Power Stick enables the widest selection of shots, from pushing quick singles to gaps in the field to risky shots and everything in between.

Officially licensed by the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia to feature official players, stadia and kits, International Cricket 2010 can be enjoyed in a wide range of game modes including new instant tournaments. A comprehensive player editor enables gamers to put themselves into the game and the squad editor allows players to edit the player name, appearance, team and attributes of all athletes. Gamers can compete as any of the expanded roster of 16 nations at an improved selection of 21 stadia around the world, including the SCG and MCG.

“With a focus on taking gamers into the action like never before, International Cricket 2010 will deliver the most authentic cricket gaming yet,” said John Szoke, Producer, Codemasters. “Codemasters enjoys an unrivalled heritage in producing cricket games, and International Cricket 2010 will build on this success with a range of innovative gameplay features and enhancements.”

 “We’re delighted to partner with Codemasters to develop the next leap forward in cricket gaming,” said Tony Parkes, Studio Director, Trickstar games. “Our passionate team of industry veterans, which includes development talent who have worked on the Brian Lara series and Ashes 2009, is determined to deliver the most immersive and intuitive cricket experience for all fans of the sport.”

Complete with local and online multiplayer, International Cricket 2010 launches Spring 2010 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3. For the latest news and screens, visit www.codemasters.com/cricket.

ustralia’s Muslim Cameleers: Pioneers of the Inland 1860s – 1930s

This exhibition reveals the remarkable contribution that Australia’s first Muslim community, from Afghanistan and British India, made to the exploration and settlement of Australia’s arid interior. Cameleers assisted all major expeditions into Australia’s uncharted interior starting with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860 and have contributed significantly to Australia’s economic and cultural development. Exhibits include fascinating photographs, camel saddles, historic clothing, textiles and original documents.

Date: Until 19 September 2010

Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia

This exhibition explores how the Kurdish culture has survived through adversity, invasion, and division of the Kurds’ traditional lands. Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia examines the traditions at the core of the Kurdish culture that have enabled it to survive, and which Kurds proudly maintain in Australia today. A variety of objects will be on display, including traditional costumes, instruments, hand-made carpets, hand-woven crafts and pewter ware.

Date: Until 25 September 2010

School holiday program

Become a Customs Detective at the Immigration Museum these school holidays, and choose your own adventure. Grab a special adventure booklet, make your own detective badge and snoop your way around the Museum – following clues and answering riddles, in the footsteps of famous Customs Detectives from early Melbourne.

Date: March 27 until April 11 2010

Ethiopian Festival

Celebrate the rich culture of the Ethiopian community in Victoria at this one day festival. Come along and experience Ethiopian music, dance performances, special talks and film screenings. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and fashion show, taste Ethiopian cuisine and take part in an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Date: 11am – 4pm, Sunday 18 April 2009

Talking Faiths

This exhibition documents a project involving young people exploring interfaith issues through a multicultural perspective. Encompassing students from a range of faith-based and secular Government schools, Talking Faiths features multimedia representations and photographs of the student project and artworks developed by the students as part of their conversations. This exhibition is a part of the Parliament of the World’s Religions 2009 cultural program.

Date: Until 28 May 2010

Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne.  Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE. More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum

Madman proudly presents the highly-anticipated DVD & Blu-Ray release of 9 – available April 10…
From visionary filmmakers Tim Burton (ALICE IN WONDERLAND) and Timur Bekmambetov (WANTED), and Academy Award®-nominated director Shane Acker, comes a visually stunning and hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic animated epic.

In the final days of humanity, a dedicated scientist gives the spark of life to nine of his creations. The world has since turned into a decimated landscape of machines and spare parts, but this group of nine has survived and find that if they band together, their small community might just be able to change the course of history.

Featuring the voice talents of Elijah Wood (LORD OF THE RINGS), John C. Reilly (WALK HARD), Jennifer Connelly (HULK), Martin Landau (ED WOOD) and Crispin Glover (BACK TO THE FUTURE), 9 is a thrilling, suspenseful journey through an incredible CG-animated world, filled with danger, but equally – hope where there appears to be none.

9 features a host of special features on DVD & Blu-Ray – including: Audio Commentary, 3 Featurettes, Deleted Scenes and the original 9 animated short (with audio commentary).

Over 100 Original Mixes Now Available For Virtual DJs and Their Friends to Spin, Scratch and Battle

Sydney, Australia. March 18th 2010 – Two of the biggest artists in music, JAY-Z and Eminem, are mixing it up again with Activision Publishing Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) DJ Hero™ – the #1 new videogame intellectual property of 2009 – by dropping their rhymes in exclusive mixes available for download beginning today on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack delivers three standout hits from each legend, including JAY-Z’s “Can I Get A…” mixed with Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” driving the total number of one-of-a-kind mixes available for fans to spin, scratch and battle into triple digits.

“From sold out concerts to #1 albums to double digit Grammy Awards, JAY-Z and Eminem define what it means to be a successful artist,” said Jamie Jackson, Creative Director, FreeStyleGames. “The DJ Hero soundtrack is an expanding collection of chart-topping hit music – mixed in an all-new way – that can only be experienced in our game, and with the addition of the JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack, players and their friends can not only experience, but interact with over 100 unique mixes.”

The JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack features the following exclusive mash-ups:

“Shake That” by Eminem Mixed With “Show Me What You Got” by JAY-Z

“Without Me” by Eminem Mixed With “Encore” by JAY-Z

“Can I Get A…” by JAY-Z Mixed With “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

The JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack is available now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 for 640 Microsoft Points. The Mix Pack will be available on the PlayStation®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on March 25, 2010 for $12.95. All mixes will be released as downloadable singles for Wii™ on March 25, 2010 for 300 Wii Points each.

The DJ Hero Extended Mix Pack 01, featuring two party rockin’ grooves: 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige “All Of Me” mixed with Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga” and “DARE” by Gorillaz vs. Public Enemy’s “Can’t Truss It;” and the David Guetta Mix Pack 01 containing remixes of his hot tracks “When Love Takes Over” featuring Kelly Rowland, the chart-topping “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon and “On The Dance Floor” featuring will.i.am and apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas; are available now. For information on how to connect your console and access DJ Hero downloadable content, please visit: http://www.djhero.com/support/.

The #1 new videogame intellectual property by revenue in the U.S. and Europe for calendar 2009, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and GfK, DJ Hero delivers an all-new interactive music experience that allows players to not only experience, but hear music in an all-new way. Featuring mixes created by DJ AM, Cut Chemist, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, J. Period, DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip and more, spinning over 100 individual songs, highlighted in 93 unique never-before-released mixes that blend genres of music, including hip-hop, pop, rock and dance, DJ Hero delivers the most diverse and international collection of music ever assembled in a music game by incorporating anthems from legendary artists. Created exclusively for DJ Hero, the turntable controller immerses fans into DJ culture and a sea of music as they utilise and master various DJ techniques including scratching, crossfading and sampling, while leaving room for creative expression with a variety of effects and player chosen samples and scratches, transforming a face in the crowd into the life of the party.

The DJ Hero Renegade Edition includes a copy of the game, a premium Renegade turntable controller, hardshell turntable carrying case that converts to a performance-ready DJ stand, and an exclusive JAY-Z and Eminem 2-CD pack featuring “best of” and new, unreleased material.

Available now, DJ Hero was developed by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. For more information about DJ Hero, please visit djhero.com, facebook.com/djhero and twitter.com/djhero.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

LEGION

YouTube Trailer link is: http://www.youtube.com/user/SonyPicturesAUS

Synopsis:

When God loses faith in Mankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the Apocalypse. Archangel Michael (Paul Bettany) is our only hope of survival as he attempts to protect a group of strangers, one of whom is pregnant with humanity’s savior, from an army of terrifying demons.   

The supernatural action thriller Legion, from debut feature director and visual effects master Scott Stewart, stars Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind), Dennis Quaid (The Day After Tomorrow), Kate Walsh (TV’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Private Practice’), Tyrese Gibson (Transformers) and Willa Holland (TV’s The OC).  

Cast: Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, Adrianne Palicki, Charles S. Dutton, Jon Tenney, Kevin Durand, Willa Holland, Kate Walsh and Denis Quaid
Genre: Action
Director: Scott Stewart

www.one80project.com.au