"storm" worm

The 'Storm' worm that affected many Internet users in January has
reappeared in a new variant through a widespread spam campaign on starting
on Thursday 12th April; the Internet Storm Center reported detecting at
least 20,000 infections today.

In the Spam email, the Worm pretends to be a "Patch for the 'New worm' that
is going around....". The subjects of the email are shown in the references
shown below.

The malware is hidden in an encrypted zip file which means that it's much
more difficult for antivirus software to detect the malicious code. If a
user activates the file, the machine is then infected with the malware and
it tries to connect to a peer-to-peer network where it can upload data,
including personal information from the infected computer. It also can
download additional malware onto the infected system. As a result, the
infected computer may then become a 'zombie' machine on a botnet, which can
be used to send spam and launch other attacks. The malware also searches
the computer's hard drive for e-mail addresses and replicates itself by
sending e-mails to them.

A Firewall that monitors outgoing traffic may detect abnormal activity if
your machine is compromised (the Windows built-in Firewall only detects and
manages incoming traffic, but packages like Zone Alarm detect malicious
traffic in both directions) and some anti-virus systems may be able to
detect the signature of the attack before it can be activated.
Be vigilant and avoid activating any incoming email containing an
attachment you are not expecting or which offers to 'fix' a Worm problem on
your computer.

Have you got the goods?

When you go to see a band, a singer, a magician, or any performance, the bigger the name, the more resources they have to apply to the show.

Now, any one can dazzle you with lights and flash and special effects. And boy, some of the big names certainly do that. I've seen many a performance brilliantly choreographed and synchronized with giant monitors, fog effects, and strobe lights. (And FYI, I've seen a lot of bands and other live performers!) But I have to say; the level of stagecraft that I see now days ever from smaller acts is quite outstanding.

I know I am not the only person that walks away totally impressed. You just have to listen to people in the interval.

So how does this apply to us?

I talk a lot about the power of great marketing. In the "90 Day Market for Business System For Magicians" I cover a huge variety of strategies to help you clarify and effectively deliver our own unique marketing messages. Without a doubt, the skill most often overlooked by magicians is becoming a strong marketer and proficient businessperson.

Without those skills, you are wasting your time completely. The hours that you have spent perfecting your technical skills will be completely irrelevant as nobody but you and your family will ever see them.

But as you grow in your skills as a marketer, also strive to continuously grow in your skills as a professional performer and not just a technician. Make sure that you truly do make good on the promises you make in your sales letters and telephone calls. If you promise to make the kids laugh during little Johnny's birthday party, you'd better go the extra mile necessary to keep those kids falling over and convulsing with laughter! If you have said, “people will talk about your performance” make sure that every guest at the wedding comments on your brilliance to the bride and groom.

Over-promise and then OVER-DELIVER!

When you've got ALL the goods -- the ability to deliver an outstanding marketing message, the business skills to run your affairs along with the ability to blow away your audience with a great act and amazing magic – then you've laid the foundation for unstoppable success.

Anything less is just preparing to accept defeat!