Tech Bytes

Your cursor might be tracking you

Richard Smith, a security expert from Massachusetts, has found Comet Systems Inc. freeware cursor software to be tracking computer users. The software tracks the serial number of the user's computer and sends it to the company. The software also tracks the Web sites the user visits.

The company does not inform the user that the tracking will be done. Comet claims the information sent back is not used in determining anything about the individual user, including name and e-mail. Comet spokesman Ben Austin said, "We don't know your gender, your age or anything except you're a Web browser visiting sites."

Comet has published an explanation of its practices on its Internet site, http://www.cometsystems.com. (CNN)

Gates donates money for AIDS fight

Microsoft President Bill Gates has donated $3 million to help fight AIDS and HIV in South Africa. Gates signed a $3 million grant that will provide money over three years. The grant will fund centers in nine communities in South Africa that provide family information, counseling and medical services. (ZDNET)

Internet holiday shopping increasing

With the holiday shopping season officially kicking off last week, it looks like malls are not the only place getting swarmed by consumers. On Monday, several Web sites reported online shopping sales for the post-Thanksgiving shopping period had increased dramatically over last year's results.

America Online reported that its online sales had nearly tripled during Thanksgiving week this year compared to a year ago, as nearly 4 million purchases were made. Also, Yahoo reported that online transactions on the notorious day after Thanksgiving went up 400 percent. (CNET)

AMD speeds up

AMD has released its newest processor chip in time for the holiday season.

The new AMD Anthalon chip will run at 750 megahertz. This makes the Anthalon chip the fastest chip available during the holiday season. The next closest chip, which is made by Intel, runs at 700 MHz.

Look for Compaq, IBM and other computer companies to have new models featuring the chip available on store shelves soon. (ZDNET)