Clever e-mail scam: Someone bought this in your name

An e-mail message purporting to be from PayPal warns the recipient that their PayPal account has automatically sent money to any unfamiliar person. But if the person clicks on "Cancel Transaction," that's when the real problems begin. (Click on the image above to see the complete "phishing" e-mail.)
[ Photo: J. Fox ]

I've been getting e-mail phishing scams for several years and thought I'd seen it all. But this week I received an e-mail that wasn't the usual "We're doing a security check and need your password" scam.

The e-mail appears to come from PayPal, a popular institution often imitated by scammers. What's unusual is that it seems to be a confirmation of a purchase, for more than $400, paid from my PayPal account. There's even a realistic-looking transaction, including the name and address of the person whom you're supposed to assume made the purchase.

I picked this up as a scam fairly quickly because I've trained myself to recognize such cons. But I suspect that a consumer fearful that their PayPal account had been incorrectly charged would hastily follow the scam's instructions to click on the “CANCEL TRANSACTION” link to sign into their account.

If that link were still active (it wasn't when I tried it), doing that would give the criminals the information they need to immediately access the account and drain its funds. (Based on our most recent State of the Net Survey, we estimate that, over the past two years, about 7 million American consumers gave such phishers personal information and that, nationally, phishers stole nearly half a billion dollars from online consumers.)

Here's how to avoid becoming a cybervictim:

Waterproof cameras: A tidal wave of new models

[ Photo courtesy of h-angele]

Last week, Pentax introduced a new underwater camera. This week yet another camera maker, AgfaPhoto, did the same. If you add those to the waterproof cameras in our Ratings and ones we're currently testing, that makes at least eight waterproof point-and-shoots to choose from.

Here's a brief rundown on each (models below with links can be found in our Ratings, available to subscribers):

• 12-megapixel Olympus Stylus Tough-8000, $370, (3.6x optical zoom, wide angle). Manufacturer claims: Waterproof (to a depth of 33 feet) and shockproof (can withstand a 6 1/2-foot fall). Includes a 2.7-inch LCD.


• 10-megapixel Olympus Stylus Tough-6000, $270, (3.6x optical zoom, wide angle). Manufacturer claims: Waterproof (to a depth of 10 feet) and shockproof (can withstand a 5-foot fall). Includes a 2.7-inch LCD.


• 10-megapixel Olympus Stylus 550WP, $200, (3x optical zoom). Manufacturer claims: Waterproof (to a depth of 10 feet). Includes a 2.5-inch LCD.


• 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot D10, $330, (3x optical zoom). Manufacturer claims: Waterproof (to a depth of 33 feet) and shockproof (can withstand a 4-foot fall). Includes a 2.5-inch LCD.

Digital cameras for traveling

[ Photo courtesy of woodleywonderworks/Flickr. ]

When I was younger, I enjoyed flipping through National Geographic and Life magazines for their amazing travel images. It might be an unforgettable portrait of a woman from Afghanistan or maybe a wolf in a barren landscape. If you like to shoot photos when you travel, here are some models to consider.

All are very good overall, but vary in response speed and other aspects, which we don't cover here. To see how they fared in our tests, check our point-and-shoot Ratings (information is available to Consumer Reports.org subscribers only):

• Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
  This superzoom has plenty of features; two that one feature that stands out for travelers are is its long, 20x optical zoom with wide-angle capability and ability to shoot high-def video. [UPDATE: As some of our readers have pointed out, the SX10S does not have the ability to shoot high-def video. However, the more expensive Canon Powershot SX1 IS does have the ability to shoot HD video. –Ed.]


• Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR
  This subcompact has a very flexible sensor that can automatically adapt to ambient lighting or a particular scene. So, if you're in the Uffizi gallery in Florence, it might switch to a low-light setting. But if you're strolling across the Ponte Vecchio on a sunny day, it might use a dynamic range setting.

iPhone 3G S: Too hot for its own good

This message appears when an iPhone 3G or 3GS becomes too hot.
[ Photo courtesy of Apple ]

PC World, Wired, and other media outlets have reported that the new iPhone 3G S models have been running a little hot—hot enough to turn their white plastic cases brown, according to Wired  .
.
Apple Support has acknowledged an overheating problem with both the 3G S and 3G phones, when they "run certain applications in hot conditions or direct sunlight for long periods of time, such as GPS tracking in a car on a sunny day or listening to music while in direct sunlight."

This problem may be limited to specific lots of phones, as such problems have not turned up during our tests, which are still ongoing.

Besides feeling hot, symptoms of an iPhone suffering from heat exhaustion may include a dimming display and a weak cellular signal. The most-obvious sign is an on-screen message "iPhone needs to cool before you can use it" (see image at right).

We'll keep you posted as the story unfolds. In the meantime, please let us know if you've experienced an overheating problem with your phone. —Mike Gikas

Firefox 3.5 Ready for Download

The latest version of Mozilla's Firefox browser debuted yesterday.

Just released yesterday, Mozilla’s latest version of its Firefox browser for Mac and Windows is full of new features, from enhanced privacy to new video standards. We haven’t formally reviewed Firefox 3.5, but here are a few features that we think are interesting:

Private browsing mode. Enabling this feature is supposed to remove any trace of the Web sites you visit while in this mode. No cookies, history, or any other trace of your visit is saved. Other browsers, such as Internet Explorer 8 and Google Chrome, also have this option.

Location-aware browsing. This one seems like the opposite of private browsing. It tells Firefox where you are so it can provide more-targeted information. Fortunately, you can turn it off at will.

Open video and audio. No more plug-ins necessary for viewing video and listening to audio online.

Speed. Mozilla says Firefox 3.5 is twice as fast as Firefox 3, and 10 times faster than Firefox 2.

You can download the new browser here. —Donna Tapellini

In the CR test labs: New Blu-ray players

The latest batch of Blu-ray players are in our labs now. Check back in a few weeks for updated Ratings.

Things are once again cooking in CR’s DVD test labs, where we’re putting 11 new high-def Blu-ray players through their paces. All the new players we’re testing are BD-Live models that can access extra online content from the movie-studio’s servers, or download firmware updates from the manufacturer when new features are available.

Some of the models also offer access to additional Web-based content, such as movies from Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand, videos from YouTube, or streaming music from services such as Pandora.

These models will be part of the latest Blu-ray player Ratings (available to subscribers), which should be posted in a few weeks.

Here are some comments on the models currently being tested:

JVC XV-BP1: JVC’s first Blu-ray player can play back high-def AVCHD video files shot with a camcorder, and can internally decode DolbyTrueHD and DTS-HD Master lossless audio formats.

Dell and HP offer free Windows 7 upgrades—if you’re careful

HP and Dell both plan to give free Windows 7 upgrades to qualifying customers who purchase systems before the official release on October 22.

If you buy a new computer from Dell or HP in the next few months (or bought one since June 26), there’s a good chance you’re eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it becomes available in October. If you’re still shopping for a PC, be careful which version of Vista or XP you buy with it, because your choice will impact the Windows 7 version you’re eligible for; in some cases, you won’t even be able to upgrade free.

To get a free upgrade from Dell, you must buy an eligible system between June 26 and December 31, 2009. Get the system with Vista Home Premium 32-bit and you’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit when it’s available.

But if you buy a PC with Windows XP (because you want to skip Vista altogether), make sure you get the version that Dell calls Windows Vista Business Bonus –Windows XP Professional Downgrade. That will get you a free Windows 7 Professional later. If you get XP without that official downgrade, you’ll have to pay for any upgrade to Windows 7 later. Also avoid Vista Home Basic and Vista Starter Edition; neither of those qualify for the free upgrade.

HP’s program is similar to Dell’s. You must buy an eligible system until January 31, 2010; it needs Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate (or the official XP Downgrade).

Other manufacturers are offering similar programs. —Donna Tapellini

iPhone 3G S tops new smart phone Ratings, edging out Palm Pre

The iPhone 3G S tops our new smart-phone Ratings (available to subscribers), with strong performance in everything but voice quality, an area in which few phones score well. It's not a runaway winner, though. A number of other phones ranked close to the iPhone, including the Palm Pre, which turned in a fine performance, as we expected from our head-to-head review of these two highly publicized rivals.

The phones vary significantly in how they achieve their high scores. The iPhone 3G S edged out high-scoring competitors such as the Palm Pre and BlackBerry Storm thanks to a superior display, reinforced by top-notch multimedia, navigation, Web browsing, and battery life. However, the Pre, the Storm, and other BlackBerry models bested the iPhone in messaging, and the Pre, with its new deck-of-cards handling of multiple applications, is a superior multitasker.

To better display those differences, we recently added more attributes to our Ratings and put more emphasis on the display, ease of navigation, and multimedia and messaging prowess. In turn, we've somewhat reduced the contribution of talk time (as reflected in our battery life results) and voice quality, in part to reflect the growing importance of non-voice use of smart phones.

LCD TVs: Lower prices, new features help fuel sales despite a slow economy

While the on-going recession has taken its toll on sales of any number of consumer products, LCD TVs have so far bucked the trend by continuing to sell well. In fact, according to Austin-based market research firm DisplaySearch, for the first three months of the year LCD TV shipments in North America were 26 percent higher percent higher than they were a year ago. (Note: DisplaySearch upped its shipment numbers from 23 million to 26 million units since the release, above, was released.)

Why are LCD TVs continuing to sell so well? Certainly the transition to all-digital TV broadcasts has helped, as many consumers have opted to replace older analog sets with newer models with built-in digital tuners. Others may have decided to forgo an expensive vacation in favor of a new big-screen TV and more time with the family at home. But lower prices, better performance, and compelling new features are all certainly playing a role in LCD TV sales continuing to rise despite the economic downturn.

As we report in the August issue of Consumer Reports, LCD TVs aren’t just cheaper—they’re also getting incrementally better, so much so that 21 of the 25 sets in our Select Ratings in the issue are recommended. They’re also adding new features, such as access to Internet content, that go beyond the traditional TV viewing experience. Sets are also sporting slimmer and more stylish designs.

Vizio XVT LCDs have high-end features

Vizio VF551XVT 1080p LCD TV
Click to enlarge.
[ Photo courtesy of Vizio. ]

Vizio, a company whose low prices have helped make it a top-selling brand of LCD TVs, is coming out with a new series of 1080p HDTVs offering step-up features, such as 240Hz technology and LED backlights, at prices well below those of more established brands.

In July, we’ll see the first Vizio sets (“240Hz SPS”) that combine 120Hz refresh rates with a scanning (flashing) backlight to produce a 240Hz effect—the same process used by models from LG and Toshiba.This fall, Vizio will offer its first TVs with LED backlights: 47- and 55-inch XVT-series "TruLED" models.

The company is also introducing its first VIA (Vizio Internet Apps) Internet-enabled models, which use Yahoo's widget platform to access online content from various providers, including movie services from Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, and Vudu. Also in the pipeline are two new slim-line models—in 32- and 37-inch screen sizes—that are just 2.5 inches deep.

Vizio's new TVs use full-array LED backlights with local dimming, bucking the recent trend toward edge-lit LEDs from companies such as Samsung. Vizio executives told us that for larger-sized screens, full-array LEDs offer better brightness uniformity and viewing angle. The company also said its LED backlights can be completely turned off, which could improve black-level performance. In our tests, we’ve found that models with full-array backlights offered better black-level performance than edge-lit sets, although a halo effect may be visible at times. The company said it will likely use edge-lit LEDs in smaller screens later this year.

Windows 7 upgrade on sale for as low as $50

Online retailers have begun selling the retail upgrade version of Windows 7 at prices far lower than Microsoft’s announced prices. At Amazon, BestBuy, and CompUSA, you can pre-order the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade for $49.99, while the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade runs $99.99.

Those prices are far below Microsoft’s published estimated prices for these upgrades: $119.99 and $199.99 respectively.

BestBuy says these lowball prices are available from now through July 11, while supplies last, and limits quantities to three per customer. Amazon also limits quantities to three per customer. CompUSA’s site says “Hurry, quantities are limited.”

Garmin introduces new Dakota handheld hiking GPS

Garmin expands its handheld hiking device range with the Dakota 10 and Dakota 20.

A month after Garmin introduced its range-topping Oregon 550 with a built-in digital camera, it expands its handheld hiking device range at the entry-level with the all-new Dakota 10 ($300) and Dakota 20 ($350).

The Dakota is a shrunk-down version of the touchscreen Oregon units, with a 2.6-inch screen, compared to 3 inch. It weighs about the same, promises longer battery life, and has more internal memory. The overall size is smaller than the older, pocket-friendly eTrex models.

Dakota can store up to 1,000 waypoints and 50 routes. It comes preloaded with a worldwide basemap and is compatible with Garmin City Navigator NT for turn-by-turn directions on city streets. Other maps can be added, as well, including Blue Chart g2 for marine charting, and TOPO U.S. 24K and 100K map software.

Designed to be geocache friendly (GPS-based “treasure” hunting), the Dakota synchs easily with Geocaching.com and can store all information needed to find caches, with a premium membership.

The Dakota 20 adds a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, a microSD card slot for increased mapping and memory storage, and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity for sharing your waypoints with compatible Garmin devices.

The Dakota should appeal most to those adventurous types interested in a modern handheld, though put off the price premium for a Colorado or Oregon.

See our expanded Dakota preview, handheld hiking GPS buying advice, and Ratings. —Jeff Bartlett

Also, see our portable automotive GPS navigation systems Ratings and buying advice, watch our video guide, and browse our GPS First Looks. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

Your digital camera: Avoid these common goofs

When it comes to caring for your camera, are you a fastidious photographer or a slipshod shutterbug? Our survey of 8,250 ConsumerReports.org subscribers by the Consumer Reports National Research Center revealed that many failed to make the best use of their newest point-and-shoot:

66% didn’t regularly clean the camera’s lens. Clean the lens before each use, which minimizes the risk of focusing problems and blurry areas on pictures.

28% cleaned the lens with a shirtsleeve, household tissue, or canned air. Clean your lens gently with a microfiber lens cloth and lens-cleaning fluid so that you don’t scratch or otherwise damage the surface. (You should clean your flat-panel TV the same way.)

45% left photos in the camera for at least a month. Photo files should be copied to a backup device, such as a hard drive, soon after they are captured. That reduces the risk of theft or deletion. (It may be possible to retrieve accidentally deleted images, but don’t count on it.)

39% didn’t know whether the camera had scene modes, image stabilization, face detection, or burst mode. Check the manual for features you might be unaware of that make shooting easier and can improve your photos. If you find some new features, play around with them.

13% disposed of a camera in the trash (of those who got rid of a camera). If possible, sell your camera or give it away. For recycling options, contact the manufacturer or check for a program near you at www.eiae.org. Also visit Consumer Reports GreenerChoices.org for a host of information on recycling electronics. —Nick Mandle

Microsoft announces Windows 7 upgrade program and pricing

Microsoft has unveiled some details on the upgrade and retail pricing of Windows 7, the new version of Windows that’s due for release this October.

If you’re planning to buy a computer with Vista soon, there’s a good chance the upgrade program will cover you: it’s in effect from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010. But pricing and options depend on when you order a new PC (or a retail copy of Windows 7) and, in the case of a new computer, the brand and model.

Bottom line: If you’re buying a new computer with Vista, check directly with the manufacturer to find out if they support the upgrade program and what the upgrade to Windows 7 will cost you.

Microsoft has posted Windows 7 retail pricing on their Windows Blog.

The site estimates these retail prices:

Tips for better DTV reception

[ Photo courtesy of Mykl Roventine ]

Evidently the DTV transition on June 12 didn’t disrupt life as we know it, judging by most reports we’ve seen. But two weeks into it, we’re still hearing from consumers who are having problems getting some of the digital channels available in their market. Here’s some advice from the FCC, which has been tracking problems presented to their experts at support centers or via the toll-free help line (1-888-CALL-FCC), which is still in operation.

Many stations changed their frequency on June 12, but the old frequency might still be stored in the memory of your digital converter box or digital TV—even if you rescanned after the transition. To clear the memory, you need to run a “double rescan,” in effect, rebooting the system to wipe the slate clean.

The problem could also lie with your antenna. You might need to relocate or adjust the one you have or get a different type. As the FCC points out, one of the most popular spots for indoor antennas–on top of the TV– may not be the best spot. A location higher up or near a window, and away from electronic equipment, may provide better reception. You’ll find many useful pointers in the FCC’s factsheets on antennas and reception. —Eileen McCooey

Pentax's Optio W80: An underwater camera with HD video and long zoom

Pentax claims its Optio W80 point-and-shoot digital camera is waterproof to depths of 16-feet and survives falls from a height of 3-feet. The camera will be available in July. Click to enlarge.
[ Photo courtesy of Pentax. ]

The burgeoning waterproof camera market has yet to cool off this summer. Pentax has just announced a new model, the 12 megapixel Optio W80, $300, which records HD video (720p at 30 frames per second). It's not the first with this feature—Panasonic has made that claim. But the W80 is $100 cheaper than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1. (Digital camera model Ratings information is available to Consumer Reports subscribers only.)

The new Pentax will include a 5x zoom, more than most other waterproof models. Like the TS1 and a couple of other waterproof cameras, the W80 also has wide-angle capability, letting you fit more fish, or mermaids, in your shot.

Pentax claims the W80 will be shockproof, able to withstand a 3-foot fall, and operable at a depth of 16 feet. Both exceed the specs for a number of waterproof cameras, although the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 (available to subscribers) is supposed to be able to withstand a drop of 6 feet and operate at a depth of 33 feet. (For more information, see: Abuse this camera? We test the Olympus Stylus Tough 6000, available to subscribers, from the July 2009 issue.)

The Optio W80 will be available in July, in red, blue and gray. —Terry Sullivan

GPS: When it’s time to turn it off

[ Photo courtesy of Jimmy_Joe]

I have long resisted using my car’s built-in GPS navigation system since, as a proverbial proud male, I like to think I know where I’m going. However, last weekend, a trip to Boston, the labyrinthine-road capital of the U.S., convinced me to swallow my pride and give the GPS a try.

I waited until I reached Beantown before enabling the system’s route guidance, after which it quickly lulled me into a blissful state of mindless dependence on its calm female voice. Cambridge to Jamaica Plain? No sweat. Brookline to Faneuil Hall? A breeze.

Handy as the device was for much of the trip, I later found times I would have been better off disregarding or even disabling it. For example, consider two drives I made from my hotel’s Cambridge neighborhood to Jamaica Plain: The first time, the GPS led me there in no time flat. But the next day, departing from nearly the same spot, it sent me on a wicked long route. The difference? Before the second trip, I was parked on the opposite side of the street, facing the opposite direction. Apparently, the GPS’s routing ruled out having me make a minor U-turn, which would have made the shorter route possible. By the time I realized I was on a longer route, it was too late to turn back.

Later that day, heading for a deli in Brookline, I found the town’s main street closed for a local event. As I struggled to find an alternate route, the GPS kept trying to steer me back to the street that was closed. As our Ratings of GPS systems (available to subscribers) show, some models can alert you to changing traffic conditions or let you sidestep certain streets. I don’t know if my new car’s built-in navigation system has those features, but I wasn’t going to hunt for them when I was just minutes from my lunch spot.

iPhone 3G S vs. Palm Pre: A video shootout

They're the two hottest smartphones of the year. The iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre emphasize multimedia capabilities and are centered on versatile touchscreens that are among the best we've ever tested. Both even cost the same: $199 with a two-year contract (though there's a more capacious iPhone that costs $299.)

Both are also fine performers that we expect to formally recommend next week, once we've fully completed our tests and added them to our smart phone Ratings. (Both Consumer Reports Ratings and Recommendations are available to subscribers.)

Meantime, here's a Western-themed video shootout, in which phone-slingers Mike Gikas (at the iPhone end of the saloon) and Paul Eng (representing the Palm Gang) settle their differences.

Mike fires with the iPhone's new Voice Control feature, which allows you to dial numbers and even search for music by speaking to the phone. He also singles out the camera on the 3G S, which offers features lacking from past iPhones, like auto-focus and the ability to shoot videos, and adds nice video-editing and tap-to-focus capabilities.

New printers Ratings: Something for everyone

We’ve just posted our latest Ratings of 72 printers.

Do you need a regular inkjet or an all-in-one? A multifunction laser or a regular model that does nothing but print, and does it quickly? Or perhaps all you require is a portable snapshot printer. Whatever your needs, we’ve got recommended models for you: Four regular inkjets or lasers, four all-in-ones, and a couple of great snapshot printers.

All the lasers print excellent text; some are quite a bit faster than others. With many of the inkjets, you can print very good to excellent photos for 35 cents apiece, or less. Check out our Ratings to find the model that best suits your needs and budget. —Donna Tapellini

Buzzword: Blogola

You’ve likely heard of the “payola” schemes of early broadcast radio, where local radio stations would receive money from record labels for giving certain artists’ songs preferential air time. Now you may hear a lot more about so-called “blogola,” which some say is the Internet-era equivalent.

The term describes the acceptance by some blogs of free products or services, or other gifts and remunerations, from companies looking for a positive review of their offerings. It’s controversial enough to have now attracted the attention of the Federal Trade Commission.

The AP reports that the federal agency is looking to implement a set of guidelines to combat blogola and enhance transparency in the blogosphere. Unlike journalists who work for news organizations that have a set of ethical standards, many bloggers, who are often self-employed, have no official obligation, and many do not disclose gifts and perks they receive.

Some of the highest-profile cases of blogola have involved technology blogs. In 2006, Microsoft, AMD, and PR firm Edelman were criticized when it was revealed they had sent Acer laptops pre-loaded with Vista to prominent bloggers, hoping for a review of the then-new operating system.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know how Consumer Reports operates: No blogola or payola here. For the record, our policy is to accept no gifts—including free products or trips—from any manufacturer. (We will sometimes make exceptions for modest items provided to all media, such as food at news conferences or thumb drives that contain product information.) Neither do we run ads, as you may have noticed on ConsumerReports.org or in our magazine.

What do you think of the FTC’s initiative? Is it a necessary move, or, as Caroline McCarthy at CNet has questioned, will the attempt to regulate the diverse and crowded blogosphere be like “herding cats?” —Nick K. Mandle

Update: For another take on the FTC's plan for bloggers, check out Jeff Blyskal's post on the Consumer Reports Money Blog.