Consumer Minute: Banks, TV, cigars

In consumer news today:

Online Banking
Attempts to hack into online banking accounts are on the rise. New hacking programs, or “Trojan horses,“ wait on your hard drive until they can crack your online banking account. 

They’re different from “phishing” accounts that try to trick you into logging onto a fake banking site and then stealing your information. 

You can get the Trojan horses by clicking onto a link embedded on a greeting card or video.  As always it’s a good idea to avoid opening any email attachments you’re not expecting, or anything from people you don’t know.

US Airways
Passengers on US Airways flights can drink for free again.  The airline is resuming its complimentary soft drink service starting March 1 because US Airways was the only carrier to charge $2 for soft drinks and that put them at a disadvantage. It’ll still cost you $7 for a pillow & blanket, however.

Neilsen Ratings
Nielsen, the company that monitors TV viewing habits, says Americans watched more TV than ever in the fourth quarter of 2008. In fact, the average was five more hours per month, than over the same time period in 2007.
Americans watched more recorded TV by using things like Tivo, DVRs, and the “start over” features offered by some cable systems.  Customers also watched TV over the Internet and on cell phones and other hand-held devices.

Cigars
Sales of Cuban cigars dropped three-percent to $390 million in 2008.  The 3-percent drop is being blamed on the world financial crisis and the spread of anti-smoking laws. The falling sales reflected a decline in the market for luxury products as global economic worries keep people from purchasing expensive items.