These popular websites offer security tools to fight spyware, the fastest-growing online threat that infects almost 90% of web-connected computers.

Comcast (CMCSA), the nation's largest cable company, filed documents with the federal government Thursday arguing that its proposed merger with storied entertainment giant NBC Universal will benefit the public. But that claim was immediately denounced by critics, including one consumer advocacy group that called the cable giant's argument "positively Orwellian."

Continue reading Comcast Labelled 'Orwellian' After Saying NBC Deal Will Benefit Public

Comcast Labelled 'Orwellian' After Saying NBC Deal Will Benefit Public originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:45:00.

Filed Under: General Electric , Comcast

At first blush, Casey Johnson and Ruth Lilly, who died within days of each other around the new year, could hardly have been more different. Johnson (pictured), who died at 30, was a party animal who lived her life in the public eye, most recently as the fiancée of D-list celebrity Tila Tequila. Lilly, 94, made her biggest waves not on with clubbing but philanthropy -- most famously with her $200 million donation in 2002 to the Poetry Foundation, a bequest so eye-popping that the controversy surrounding it hasn't yet died down.

Continue reading Casey Johnson and Ruth Lilly: A Tale of Two Heiresses, Tax Loopholes, and Tequila

Casey Johnson and Ruth Lilly: A Tale of Two Heiresses, Tax Loopholes, and Tequila originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:00:00.

Filed Under: Economy, People, Media, Taxes

It happens all the time: An author/musician/actor dies, and sales of his most famous book/album/film immediately go through the roof. In the case of J.D. Salinger's passing Thursday, we were able to quantify and track the "death effect" in real time thanks to the sales rank feature on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

Continue reading J.D. Salinger's Death Sparks e-Run on 'Catcher in the Rye'

J.D. Salinger's Death Sparks e-Run on 'Catcher in the Rye' originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:45:00.

Filed Under: People, Media, Amazon.com Inc.

Fueled by the surging popularity of its Kindle reader, effective holiday discounts and free shipping, which we skeptics used to argue would bleed the Seattle-based company dry, online retailer Amazon (AMZN) posted better-than-expected results on Thursday. Net income soared 71% to $384 million, or 85 cents per share, versus net income of $225 million, or 52 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue increased 42% to $9.52 billion in the fourth quarter. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg forecast profit of 72 cents on $9.04 billion in revenue.

Continue reading Amazon Books Better-Than-Expected Quarterly Profit

Amazon Books Better-Than-Expected Quarterly Profit originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:15:00.

Filed Under: Amazon.com Inc.

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin (LMT), which makes weapons including F-16 fighter jets and Trident missiles, posted higher fourth-quarter earnings of $827 million, or $2.17 per share, topping Wall Street's expectations. The results surpassed the $823 million, or $2.05 per share, the company earned a year ago and beat estimates of $1.99 per share. The earnings per share results, however, were boosted by a share buyback.

Continue reading Lockheed Martin Profits Fly Past Wall Street Estimates

Lockheed Martin Profits Fly Past Wall Street Estimates originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:30:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Earnings

As tributes flow in for J.D Salinger, who died Wednesday, so do whispers about one of the greatest mysteries of Salinger's strange career: Why did the reclusive author of The Catcher in the Rye, the bible to generations of disaffected teenage readers, stop publishing more than 45 years ago? And are there publishable manuscripts waiting in the wings?

Continue reading Will J.D. Salinger's Manuscripts Be Published?

Will J.D. Salinger's Manuscripts Be Published? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:16:00.

Filed Under: People, Media

Microsoft (MSFT), the world's-largest software company, posted a 60% jump in earnings on record revenue, powered by strong sales of its latest operating system, Windows 7. The results are further evidence of a recovery in consumer-tech spending that began during the holiday season. Still, the company said it has yet to see an increase in business tech spending.

Continue reading Microsoft Earnings Jump 60% on 'Exceptional' Windows 7 Sales

Microsoft Earnings Jump 60% on 'Exceptional' Windows 7 Sales originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:15:00.

Filed Under: Microsoft

What type of content will get an commercial banned from the Super Bowl? As domain name registrar Go Daddy discovered, one answer apparently involves mixing an effeminate ex-football player and lingerie.

Continue reading Go Daddy's 'Lola' Ad Too Hot (or Too Flaming) for the Super Bowl

Go Daddy's 'Lola' Ad Too Hot (or Too Flaming) for the Super Bowl originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:49:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Media

With the Super Bowl just days away, CBS suddenly has a very awkward situation on its hands -- and it's exactly what the network deserves.

Continue reading Will a Gay Dating Site's Super Bowl Ad Shame CBS?

Will a Gay Dating Site's Super Bowl Ad Shame CBS? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:40:00.

Filed Under: Media