MANILA, Philippines -- The online world has just become as violent as our real world, or potentially so.

Of course, the cyber-world is never a stranger to cloak-and-dagger things. The Internet, after all, has always been as wild as the Wild West of old, or any night in Casablanca. So I have been told.

The Pentagon announced last week that all options — including military action — would be on the table if the United States were to be at the receiving end of a cyber-attack. This means the world's lone superpower sees an Internet attack against its vital installations, such as electric grids and subways, as an act of war.

And the country has pledged to act accordingly.

Seen in this light, I think the U.S. Department of Defense's guidelines for responding to a cyber-attack is logical and justifiable. After all, every country has the right and moral obligation to defend itself against any act inimical to its existence and the safety of its citizens.

Potential trouble is it is rather difficult, sometimes impossible, to determine the exact origin of cyber-attacks. Hackers have this innate talent, seemingly, to cover their tracks well.

Also, how can anyone determine whether an attack was government-sponsored or not?

Android's Lead in U.S. Market

Nielsen's latest data has revealed that Android accounts for 36% of the U.S. smartphone market, beating the iPhone, which has 26%, and BlackBerry, which comes in with 23%.

Microsoft's Windows Mobile took the fourth place, with its 9-percent share.

Hmm. This makes Microsoft's eventual market leadership much closer to a "shock and awe" level. That is, should some market research firms' predictions come to pass.

WiFi-Free from Globe

Globe, the country's second largest mobile service provider, and soon, the only David of an opposition to an ever-growing Goliath of the PLDT-Smart-Digitel conglomeration, recently launched its My SuperSurf Plan allows subscribers to stay online and connected without the need for a WiFi hotspot.

This means Globe subscribers can always update their FB status, post pictures, or view online videos.

Unfortunately, the plan is only for postpaid subscribers. So, prepaid consumers, there is one more reason for you to consider going postpaid.

Asus Padfone

Asus recently introduced the Padfone, a device that combines a smartphone and a tablet computer.

It seems like the computer company has developed a liking for coming up with hybrid electronic devices and gadgets. First, it impressed us with the Eee Pad Transformer, a tablet computer that transforms itself into a netbook. And now, we have the Padfone, a smart tablet-phone.

I won't be surprised should the company finally release a smartphone with a built-in massage machine.

That's all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.