Hi, readers! Now, I want to talk about Swimmies badge makes a comeback. Please feel free to read and enjoy it!

The Swimmies badge, once a limited-time SXSW badge, has made a comeback. New unlocks started appearing today with new text that suggests you can earn the badge with five checkins “near the water:”

Hey now! That’s your 5th check-in near the water. Let’s hope this isn’t followed-up by unlocking our “Unlucky Shark Attack” badge.

It looks like this badge will be available worldwide, so it should be a fun one for everyone to try to unlock.

/Spotted via Matters of Grey’s Foursquare Badge List

Hi, readers! Now, I want to talk about Foursquare for iPhone v1.9.2 arrives with SSL support. Please feel free to read and enjoy it!

An update to the foursquare iPhone app is now available in the app store. v1.9.2 brings “SSL support” and “API updates.”

Adding SSL support solves a potential security issue that has existed since foursquare’s first app: passwords were sent in clear text without any encryption. If a hacker had access to any routers between you and foursquare, or if you were connected to public WiFi where someone was intercepting HTTP requests, your password could potentially have been compromised.

With SSL, passwords are sent over HTTPS in encrypted format, so they’re only readable by the end server.

This is a common problem that affects a number of products, including foursquare rival Gowalla. They say they’ll be releasing a new client soon that fixes the issue.

Although this problem has existed since last year, no one had called any attention to it until Martin Kou noticed it and blogged about it on August 22. The story hit Slashdot and other tech news sites. That evening foursquare responded with a post on their blog saying an update would be available shortly.

It’s not clear exactly what the “API Updates” include. There are no visible changes to the app.

You should update the app as soon as possible to prevent any possibly security issues.

UPDATE: The Android app has been updated with SSL support, as well. A WebOS update will be available tomorrow later this week (see Geoff’s comment below) and a BlackBerry update next week.

Hi, readers! Now, I want to talk about University of Oregon uses foursquare to introduce students to campus. Please feel free to read and enjoy it!

The University of Oregon has come up with a novel use of foursquare to introduce students to campus during Welcome Week. As part of the “Grand Tour,” the Oregon Duck has left tips around campus that will highlight some features of campus that students may not know about, like this one at Johnson Hall:

If you’ve seen the movie Animal House, you’ve seen the interior of UO President Lariviere’s office! This 1978 comedy classic was filmed on the UO Campus.

Students who friend the Oregon Duck and check in at all 10 locations with tips on Friday, September 24 can show their checkin history to redeem a real-life InDUCKted badge. The badge is good for 20% on Oregon Ducks sportswear at the Duck Store.

This is a fun, inexpensive way for colleges to use foursquare that shows off some of the interesting capabilities of the tips platform.

Hi, readers! Now, I want to talk about A story told in foursquare badges. Please feel free to read and enjoy it!

Hi, readers! Now, I want to talk about MTV and foursquare reward users for getting an STD test. Please feel free to read and enjoy it!

Foursquare and MTV are pairing up to launch a new badge that rewards users for getting an STD test during the month of September, according to the Associated Press. Users who unlock the badge are eligible to win a trip for two to NY to see a taping of MTV’s 10 on Top, a show that counts down the most talked about young celebrities of the moment.

Every year there are more than 19 million cases of STDs in the US. By age 25, one in two sexually active people will contract an STD. Many show no signs or symptoms, so the only way to properly diagnose them is with an STD test. Many STDs are treatable and even curable. You can find your nearest STD testing center here or by texting your zip code to GYTNOW (498669).

MTV’s GYT (Get Yourself Talking, Get Yourself Tested) project aims to get young people communicating with their partners, friends and health care providers openly and to encourage them to get tested and treated in an effort to lower the incidence of STDs. It’s presented by MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Planned Parenthood.

It’s unclear exactly how you unlock the badge, but hopefully there will be a special shout involved to make sure no one inadvertently unlocks it and makes it a public part of their foursquare profile. MTV promises to post more information about the badge and sweepstakes tomorrow.

What do you think of badges like this that help inspire social consciousness?

UPDATE: Mashable reports that the badge will be unlocked by shouting GYT after checking in at a testing center.

/Spotted via Yahoo’s Starting Points Blog