Abney and Associates Apple opening new Tokyo store - Apsense

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TOKYO – Apple Inc. plans to open a store in Tokyo’s upscale Omotesando shopping district as early as March, adding its first outlet in the city in years as Japan’s economy recovers, according to a person familiar with the plan.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by February, the person said, asking not to be identified because they aren’t authorized to speak for Apple. The store would be Apple’s first opening in Tokyo since August 2005, according to the company’s website, which is advertising jobs for a new store in the city.

Takashi Takebayashi, a spokesman in Tokyo for Apple, didn’t immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. The iPad-maker’s first store in Tokyo in almost a decade is under construction as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveils the third prong of his strategy to boost economic growth that has already included fiscal stimulus and monetary policy.

“For Apple, the Japanese market is appealing in terms of quantity and price,” said Satoru Kikuchi, an analyst at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. “There is a room to expand tablet sales and a possibility the Japanese market expands if Apple’s mobile carrier partners increase.”

NTT DoCoMo, Japan’s largest wireless carrier, would consider carrying the iPhone if it can limit the handset’s share of sales to less than 30 percent of the company’s total, Chief Financial Officer Kazuto Tsubouchi said Aug. 8. The Japanese carrier’s online store, called market, offers music, videos and games and competes with Apple’s iTunes store.

Prime Minister Abe has promised to loosen business regulations and increase government support to help the country’s industry as part of the “third arrow” plan, following fiscal and monetary stimulus. Consumer prices rose in June, and the world’s third-biggest economy expanded at an annualized 2.6 percent in the three months through June 30.

The land costs about $164 million and a completed store with Apple as tenant would value the property at around $254 million, said Seth Sulkin, a representative director at Tokyo real estate and asset manager Pacifica Capital KK.

Sulkin was Apple’s real estate adviser for all seven of the company’s previous stores in Japan.

“Apple wants the best real estate they can get,” said Sulkin. “They are particular about size and shape. If they have to wait to get the real estate, they would.”

Ransomware Computer Virus Poses Financial Threat to Computer Users- Instructables

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ransomware-Computer-Virus-Poses-Financial-Threat-t-1/

abney and associates, Ransomware Computer Virus Poses Financial Threat to Computer Users

Over recent years, computer and broadband related technology has come a long way. This has resulted in both consumers and individuals becoming increasingly reliant on their PCs and other internet enabled devices. However, while this advanced technology has provided commercial and residential users with far greater ease and convenience in a huge number of ways, it has also given rise to the growing breed of crime known as cyber-crime.

Used for everything from extorting money and obtaining information through to the out-and-out sabotage of systems, cyber-crime has become a huge problem in the United States and in other countries around the world. In a recent warning, federal authorities in the United States have urged users to be vigilant as a result of another virus that is current doing the rounds with the intention of obtaining money from unsuspecting users.

According to authorities, the 'ransomeware' computer virus is duping users into handing over their cash by locking their computer systems and displaying a warning message. The contents of the message are designed to lead users into thinking that the warning is from the Department of Justice or the courts. Users are told via the message that they have to make a payment or they could be prosecuted. However, officials have confirmed that government departments do not send out messages of this nature and the computer is locked by a virus that has been set up by cyber criminals looking to extort money from the public.

Dan Steiner, Security Expert from Online Virus Repair advised that making a payment in response to the message will not result in the user's computer being unlocked by the criminals. He said:

Computers affected by this virus will remain frozen until the user makes arrangements to have the virus removed. Those affected by the virus should refrain from making what is essentially a ransom payment, even if they are desperate to regain control of their computer, as paying will make no difference to anything other than their bank balances.

This is one in a long line of computer viruses that cyber-criminals are using to target both individuals and businesses. A similar virus was reported late last year, where users were receiving similar messages demanding payment and threatening prosecution. The U.S Justice Department has set up a hotline for those who want to obtain more information as well as those who have already fallen victim to this scam and wish to report it.

Over recent weeks, reports have highlighted how this virus has been gaining popularity, affecting computer users on a global basis. Authorities are hoping that raising awareness about the scam will help to stop more people falling victim to it.