Trial Version, and More DanceEvolution DLC from KONAMI

Konami Digital Entertainment has released a further wave of free DLC for its Xbox 360 Kinect title DanceEvolution.

Following December’s DLC, the new update will offer users new costumes and Gold members will be offered a free demo, showcasing three songs within the game’s ‘Free’ mode and a tutorial mode. For those users who do not have a Kinect unit connected, this will play as a video trailer. Silver members will be able to download the demo in one week’s time.

Additionally, paid content is available with a special costume selling at 160 Microsoft points.

DanceEvolution is an immersive music title where the player is challenged with matching a series of full-body routines. The sensor of the Kinect unit is used to gauge the player’s timing and positioning, with exact matches gaining huge scores for the user.

Melbourne and Amsterdam, 19 January 2011 — Failure to properly log out of shared PCs is one of the most common causes of security breaches.

Is your work or home computer accessible to others? Do you leave your PC on when you leave your desk? Do you leave Facebook or other social networking pages open on your PC when you’re not there? Can work colleagues or other people access your work PC? Can family members or visitors access your home computer?

Do you ever log in to public PCs? Maybe you sometimes use an Internet cafe, the business centre at a hotel or airport, the bank of shared PCs at a conference, or take advantage of free Internet access at a public library?

Maybe you’re still a student and use school PCs, or friends’ PCs, regularly?

Lloyd Borrett, Security Evangelist at AVG (AU/NZ), says “If any of these scenarios applies to you, then it’s vitally important that you make it an ingrained habit to log out. Oh, and wait for the confirmation that you are logged out.

“Any PC you share, or any shared PC you use, is at an increased risk for viruses, spyware, key loggers, worms, Trojans, rootkits or any other malicious software (malware).

“It’s possible that the shared PCs you use have fallen victim to cyber criminals, which means they could steal your passwords or even bank account details and other personal information. When using these PCs you’re also deciding to trust the administrator, or the last person to use the computer before you. And if you don’t log out, you’re going to need to trust the next person to use the PC as well.”

Home or Office PCs – Log In, Log Out 

In an ideal world, you should always log out before you leave your desk. But, of course, most of us don’t live in that world. So what can you do to help protect your precious data?

1. Set up a password-protected screensaver to activate after some period of inactivity, in case you forget to log out, so the PC will effectively do it for you. You will have to re-enter your log in credentials to unlock the screensaver and regain access to the PC, but that’s safer than leaving it accessible to anyone passing by. 
2. Always log off from any online email accounts or social media applications like Facebook and Twitter when you leave your PC. Otherwise it is possible for anyone to send spam messages or masquerade as you using your own accounts. 
3. Set up password protected user accounts, and make sure the user account you use most of the time doesn’t have administrator rights. 
4. Make sure your passwords are secure 8 or 12 character long ones (and don’t keep them on a Post-It note on your desk!
5. But most importantly, log off religiously.

Shared PC Accounts – Log In, Log Out 

Today many of us use a mountain of web-based ‘in the cloud’ services for email, chatting, social networking, community and support forums, online shopping and banking, online gaming etc. Most of these services require us to log in using a username and password as identification. However, many also provide a “Remember me” option, and we’re lazy enough to use them.

Typically this feature will use browser cookies to save your username and password so that you won’t need to remember them next time you log in. Of course some browsers also have their own “Save password” or “auto-complete” feature, which remembers usernames and passwords.

The problem is that the use of these features on shared PCs often makes us vulnerable. We are now putting our trust in the next person to use the PC.

“A few weeks ago a friend used my netbook PC to check his Gmail account,” recalled Borrett. “A short time later I went to check my Gmail account, but found that the PC was still logged in to his Gmail account. He was horrified when I showed him how I could now read his email and if I wanted to, send email pretending to be him.” 

Protect Yourself — Always Log Out

When you log into PCs that are not your own, follow these five simple security tips:

1. Make sure you log out of any user account, web service or program you are logged in to. 
2. Use the Windows logo key+L key to at least lock the PC you’re using if you have to move away from it. 
3. Don’t use someone else’s computer to log in to one of your web-based accounts which contains sensitive data and don’t do online banking or online shopping. Always use your own PC for these sensitive activities. 
4. When using a shared PC, you should never check a “Remember me” box. If it’s already selected by default, remember to uncheck it. 
5. If you get an auto-complete pop-up while logging in to any account on a shared PC, read it carefully and be sure to click the “No” option. 

Some web services like Facebook also let you check to see if you’re logged into your account on a different computer and remotely log out if this is so. For Facebook, click on the “Account” tab in the upper right-hand corner of your profile page, click on “Account Settings” in the drop-down menu and view the new information about account activity under the “Account Security” area.

Borrett says, “It’s quite simple really, just log out of anything you log in to. Lock the PC if you’re not using it. And don’t use those seemingly helpful “Remember me”, “Save password” options on shared PCs.” 

AVG (AU/NZ) has a comprehensive range of security tips on its web site at http://www.avg.com.au/resources/security-tips/. To see Lloyd talking about Log On, Log Off, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuUa_Wtp_9c. For more video tips from AVG (AU/NZ), see http://www.youtube.com/user/avgaunz.

BenQ says ‘I do’ to Australia’s premiere multi-gaming organisation, Team Immunity marking their debut into Gaming Monitors

Australia’s number one eSports team, ‘Team Immunity’ have scored a major sponsorship deal with BenQ, one of the world’s leading consumer electronics brands specialising in the manufacture of premium visual technology products.

Australia’s premiere multi-gaming eSports team, Team Immunity currently compete in Counter-Strike 1.6, Call of Duty 4, Counter-Strike Source, Warcraft 3 and Starcraft and are responsible for putting Australian eSports on the map. They will partner with BenQ Australia specifically to launch BenQ’s first ever LED Monitor designed for gaming – the XL2410T.

Designed in consultation with two international Counter-Strike players of ledendary status – Emil “HeatoN” Christensen and Abdisamad “SpawN” Mohamed along with well known gaming manufacturer, Zowie Gear, the BenQ XL2410T was released in Australia in December 2010.

Team Immunity and BenQ have been in cahoots for some time, with Team Immunity choosing BenQ’s display monitors above competitive brands to showcase their events to the wider public at the 2009 Electronic Games and Entertainment Expo held in Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Buildings.

Said Tony Trubridge, Managing Director of Team Immunity, “We look forward to showcasing the gaming performance of BenQ screens in 2011 and beyond, whilst increasing the status and viability of professional gaming in Australia and around the world.

“In particular,” he continued, “BenQ’s latest LED backlit LCD monitors have impressed the gaming fraternity with intense visual clarity and overall superior gaming performance. BenQ’s partnership with Team Immunity brings an influential presence to the world of eSports,” said Trubridge, “and will serve to showcase the capabilities of the new 120Hz to its appropriate target market.”

Ends…

Wednesday 19th January 2011 – SEGA® of Australia today announced details of the Limited Edition of Conduit 2™, the epic science fiction shooter exclusively for the Nintendo Wii™. The Conduit 2 Limited Edition features the 44-page “The Art of the Game” Conduit 2 art book and two unlockable items: a new armor skin and an enhanced ASE search device. In addition, a premium Agent Ford figurine is also offered to those who pre-order the Limited Edition from specialist gaming retailers nationwide. Conduit 2 is set to be released on 17th March 2011 in Australia and 18th March for New Zealand.

The Conduit 2 Limited Edition Package features:

· 44-page art book featuring a rich selection of concept art and design development insights into Conduit 2’s science fiction world, weapons, and enemies.

· The “Eye of Ra” device is an enhanced in-game “All Seeing Eye” (A.S.E.) device that captures Conduit 2’s hidden secrets in twice the speed.

· The “Gold Destroyer Armor” multiplayer skin based on the lead character’s primary armor.

· A premium figurine of lead character Agent Ford for all pre-orders from specialist gaming retailers.

Conduit 2 will be released for the Nintendo Wii and will be available nationwide on 17th March 2011.

For more information about the game please visit www.sega.com/games/conduit-2.

The iPad has changed the publishing landscape – forever. We are thrilled to announce that FILMINK, Australia’s longest-running and best loved consumer movie magazine, has taken the leap into the digital future with the FILMINK app – the world’s first movie magazine designed specifically for the iPad.

It doesn’t matter whether the reader is in Barbados or somewhere in the vicinity of the back o’ Bourke, if they have an iPad, they will be able to get FILMINK Magazine by simply tapping into Apple’s popular App Store.

This initiative takes FILMINK into a fresh market – it brings the brand into the pockets of the country that the printed magazine can’t reach. At the same time, the FILMINK app flies out of Australia and into the global marketplace. Now FILMINK can speak to film fans everywhere.

Movies and mobile devices. It’s the ideal marriage. And with the iPad market growing by the day, there are increasing numbers of users hungry for engaging content, and there’s more and more tablet devices for consumers to choose from – devices that FILMINK plans to find a home on.

The FILMINK app will have everything you already know and love about the magazine yet it will break out of the confines of the printed page.

Now it moves. Now you can interact with it. Now you can immerse yourself in it. When you read a feature about an upcoming movie, the FILMINK app will be able to take you behind-the-scenes with a video. When you read a movie review, you’ll also be able to watch the trailer.

The FILMINK app will include all the printed magazine’s regular features but with enhanced and often exclusive content, including videos, interactive photo galleries and sound bites. It will follow the successful launches of other iconic print magazines that have entered the app world – titles like Vanity Fair, Wired and The New Yorker.

Early in the development phase, FILMINK approached Adobe and a partnership was born. Screen Australia has also supported the venture through their innovative Research & Publication Partnership Program.

“We are incredibly excited to be launching the app,” says FILMINK’s publisher and founder, Dov Kornits. “This is the future of publishing and that’s why we’re onboard with this now. It’s a greener way to publish and we envision that the app will build on our existing loyal readership and take in untapped layers of new readers who are looking for more from a magazine.

“And like digital publishing itself, the FILMINK app will grow and evolve.”

The FILMINK app will be available from Apple’s App Store from February, 2011.

A commercial promoting the app, starring an Australian film & TV personality, will screen on SBS TV, the French Film Festival, the Australian Film Festival, the Tropfest live event in and virally in March.

– More To Come As Charity Event Continues This Week. –

AUSTRALIA – January 19, 2011: Australian players of the free to play massive multiplayer online game, Runes of Magic have helped raise nearly $2,000 to donate to victims of the Queensland Floods by purchasing special charity mounts made available by the games publishers, Frogster and N3V Games.

Frogster and N3V Games last week announced that they would donate 50% of all purchases made on special in-game items to the Queensland Premiers Flood Relief Appeal.

The special charity event kicked off at 12am on Saturday January 15 and will finish at midnight on Sunday January 23rd. Players enthusiastically took up the offer to do their bit by purchasing 272 mounts over the weekend period and a total of 326 mounts have been bought so far.

Players of Runes of Magic can do their bit to help the victims of the flood by buying the Star Mount (permanent) or Flame Mount (permanent) for their in-game character. The mounts cost 225 in-game diamonds and Frogster and N3V Games will donate 50% for each mount sold to the Queensland Premiers Flood Relief Appeal.

The Background:
ARCHER The Complete First Season arrives on DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on March 2nd, 2011. Fox 8’s original animated half-hour comedy series premiered 14 January, 2010. The show is set at the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a spy agency where espionage and global crises are merely opportunities for its highly trained employees to confuse, undermine, betray and royally screw each other. TIME Magazine’s James Poniewozik wrote “If you want your action parody and office sitcom all in one, Archer may well be the spy you’ll love.” Of course, he loves mother (aka The Boss) so we’re suspicious of his motives.

The Facts:
• Season 1 DVD release date: March 2nd, 2011
• Exclusive DVD extras including un-aired ARCHER pilot, Archersaurus, “Making Of” production shorts, deleted scenes, The Making Of Archer, Art Direction The Making Of Archer, Illustration The Making Of Archer
• Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.78.1

Additional Intelligence Obtained:
The series features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin (Family Guy) as suave master spy “Sterling Archer,” whose less-than masculine code name is “Duchess”; Jessica Walter (Arrested Development) as his domineering mother and boss, “Malory Archer”; Aisha Tyler (24, Friends) as his ex-girlfriend, “Agent Lana Kane”; George Coe as his aging-but-loyal butler, “Woodhouse”; Chris Parnell (30 Rock, SNL) as ISIS comptroller and Lana’s new love interest, “Cyril Figgis”; Judy Greer (27 Dresses, Marmaduke) as Malory’s lovesick secretary, “Cheryl”; and Amber Nash as “Pam,” the director of human resources for ISIS. ARCHER was created by Adam Reed and Floyd County Productions and is executive produced by Reed and Matthew Thompson.

Acronis launches Global Disaster Recovery Index ranking IT managers’ confidence levels in backup and disaster recovery

Sydney, 18 January 2011 – Acronis, a leading provider of easy-to-use backup and recovery solutions for physical, virtual and cloud environments, today launched the industry’s first Global Disaster Recovery Index, a barometer which measures IT managers’ confidence in their backup and recovery operations.

The survey of over 3,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) conducted by the Ponemon Institute revealed that while attitudes towards backup and recovery differ widely around the world, businesses everywhere want a single backup and recovery solution for physical, virtual and cloud environments. The vast majority (68%) of IT managers agree that their greatest challenge in a hybrid environment is moving data between the three environments, yet the average business currently uses at least two or three separate backup solutions making disaster recovery (DR) more complicated.

The survey also highlighted that many IT managers are failing to back up their virtual environments as often as their physical counterparts. Despite an expected 50% global increase in deployment of virtual production servers in 2011, over half (55%) of organisations claim they either do not back up, or do not know if they back up, their virtual servers as often as their physical servers. In addition, over half (56%) of companies are using different solutions for both their physical and virtual backups.

The Acronis Global Disaster Recovery Index

To create the Index, each country was ranked based on its average responses from 11 questions about their confidence in backup and DR readiness, capabilities and practices. Questions covered technology, resources, procedures and executive buy-in. Key findings include:

Very confident: Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland

This group of countries has the best boardroom buy-in, controls, procedures and documented policies for their backup and DR operations. As a result they have the highest confidence that they can recover quickly in the event of system downtime, more than 50% more confident than the average.

Confident: Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan

This group has the best qualified staff in place to execute backup and DR operations in the wake of a serious incident. Surprisingly they are the most likely to use separate backup solutions for physical and virtual environments (67%, 66% and 70% of organisations respectively).

The Middle Ground: Norway and Sweden

Swedish and Norwegian businesses spend a lot more of their overall IT budget on backup and DR than any other country surveyed (16% and 17% respectively). However, they are the least likely to embrace cloud computing. While most countries will average an 87% increase in cloud-based IT over the next 12 months, Sweden and Norway’s use of the cloud will grow little more than 20% during the same period.

The laggards: UK, Australia and the United States

Businesses in the UK, Australia and the US all scored poorly on their confidence in their ability to avoid downtime in the event of a serious incident (27%/44%/38%). When it comes to successfully recovering from a serious incident, the Australians were the least confident. Just 22% of Australian businesses felt that they would be able to recover quickly in the event of downtime, compared to a global average of 50%.

Room to grow: France and Italy

These countries are the most likely to admit that they do not have an offsite backup and DR strategy (41%/45%) and the least likely to be able to recover quickly from downtime. They spend the lowest percentage of overall IT budget of all countries surveyed at 5% and 4% respectively. Server virtualisation adoption rates are also among the lowest. However, French and Italian businesses expect to see their use of cloud grow by 23% and 350% respectively over the next 12 months.

 Low confidence        Neutral       Very confident

“It’s not surprising that IT managers across the world differ so much with regards to their attitudes towards backup and DR,” said Jason Donahue, CEO of Acronis. “However, it is clear that what SMBs are looking for, regardless of location, is one reliable, easy-to-use solution which spans physical, virtual and cloud platforms. By launching this Index, we hope businesses will benefit from comparing their backup practices against national and global benchmarks.”

The survey was conducted by the Ponemon Institute across 13 countries in October 2010. Over 3,000 IT practitioners were surveyed in small- to mid-market organisations with no more than 1,000 seats (no more than 500 seats in Asia Pacific). Details of how the index was calculated and where each country appears can be found here: http://promo.acronis.com/anz-dr-index-t1.html.

About Acronis

Acronis is a leading provider of easy-to-use backup, recovery and security solutions for physical, virtual and cloud environments. Its patented disk imaging technology enables corporations, SMBs and consumers to protect their digital assets. With Acronis’ disaster recovery, deployment and migration software, users protect their digital information, maintain business continuity and reduce downtime. Acronis software is sold in more than 90 countries and is available in 14 languages. For additional information, please visit www.acronis.com.au. Follow Acronis on Twitter: http://twitter.com/acronis.

The Art of Interrogation: New L.A. Noire Screens

There’s plenty of car chases and shootouts in L.A. Noire, but it’s how the game creates gameplay out of human interactions that makes it truly groundbreaking. Observing a suspect, analyzing their behavior and knowing when to believe or doubt them – or when to confront them with the evidence you’ve collected – is the real test of your skill as a detective. Asking the wrong questions could cost you precious time or clues, and falsely accusing a suspect could cause them to clam up completely, depriving you of a precious source of information.MotionScan is the technology that makes this gameplay possible, but it’s up to you to make the most of every opportunity. Here are three new screens straight from the interrogation room.