Conficker virus has little effect

The malicious Conficker Internet worm was programmed to step up its attacks yesterday, but computer security experts appeared correct in their predictions that the effects would be muted. The worm takes control of unsuspecting PCs running Microsoft's Windows. Security companies have been largely successful at blocking infected machines from communicating with whoever programmed it.

UPMC, West Penn group seeks class-action status

Hourly workers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and West Penn Allegheny Health System filed for class-action lawsuit status yesterday, saying the region's two largest health systems did not pay them for the hours they've worked. More than 500 current and former employees have joined the lawsuits. "We are aware of the suit and we are going to vigorously defend the claims," said UPMC spokesman Paul Wood. West Penn Allegheny officials declined comment. On Tuesday, the same law firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of two former Pittsburgh Mercy Health System nurses with similar claims.

Local software company reports fourth-quarter loss

Shadyside-based podscasting and speech technology company Wizzard Software reported losses of $1.8 million for its fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31, compared with losses of $3.2 million for the year-ago period. Taking dividend payments and other expenses into consideration, the quarterly losses were $3.8 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with $3.4 million, or 8 cents per share, a year ago.

PNC to hire 250 financial advisers

PNC Financial Services Group expects to hire 250 additional financial advisers by the end of next year at its bank branches, spokesman Fred Solomon said yesterday. PNC currently employs between 400 and 450 advisers, he said. The idea is to boost the number of consultants at former National City branches, which PNC acquired Dec. 31.

Also in business ...

A Washington state jury has ruled in favor of FedEx in a case in which drivers, whom the company called independent contractors, had sued claiming they should have had the same benefits as employees. ... Allcare Dental & Dentures agreed to pay $135,000 in restitution and penalties to settle charges that it failed to honor advertised discounts and did not fully disclose terms of its financing offers, the state Attorney General's office said yesterday. ...Pittsburgh Glass Works, the automotive glass maker 40 percent owned by PPG Industries, said it reorganized and streamlined its management and salaried work force. The company wouldn't say whether anyone was laid off.