Security

Congratulations, Microsoft. The Redmond-based company has finally released their much-anticipated new browser, Internet Explorer 7, for Windows XP. And certainly, it's reason for Big M to to be ecstatic -- except for the fact that the new Internet ... software has already failed its first security test. Internet Explorer 7 rolled out Wednesday, October 18. Beta tests of the browser were generally good, with testers and even the competition, Mozilla, admitting that Microsoft had truly developed a wonderful new way to surf the web. The browser improves on some of the qualities that had led to ... (view more)

The wait is over. Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), an enhanced version of the Microsoft's popular browser system, is now available for download on the company's website. Dean Hachamovitch, General Manager of Microsoft's Internet Explorer team, promises a ... new and improved browser. "We listened carefully to our customers, and are delivering a safer browser that makes the tasks they do everyday much easier." Internet Explorer 7 reduces exposure against both phishing and malicious software attacks; Microsoft has fortified the browser and is offering users more complete information and support with ... (view more)

In the tech world, conventional sentiment has always been that Mozilla's Firefox browser is safer and more secure than Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). Now, antivirus and security company Symantec (Norton) is strongly challenging that notion. A ... recent study by Symantec indicates that 25 confirmed security holes were discovered in Firefox during the first half of 2005 -- "the most of any browser studied," according to the authors of the research. Out of those 25 security defects, 18 were identified as high-risk. Internet Explorer, on the other hand, contained 8 high-level security risks out ... (view more)

Remember McGruff? He's that salty old cartoon dog who vowed to "take a bite out of crime." Now he's chomping away at a different set of criminals: online predators and other cyberspace menaces. Here's a frightening statistic from the McGruff ... Network: 70 percent of children under the age of 14 have been contacted by deviant individuals over the Internet that have only one thing on their mind. (Source: pcmag.com ) ByteCrime.org has been established to "teach millions of consumers how to identify, report, and protect themselves against Cyber Crime" and "combat the growing plague of computer ... (view more)

In recent months, it seems corporate entities have held the upper hand in the great war between big business and underground hackers. The best example of this shift in power has been in the music industry, where conglomerates of major names (i.e. ... Sony) and protectorate groups (International Federation of Phonographic Industries) have been routinely "cleaning up" the once lawless peer-to-peer landscape. However, the hackers have finally struck back, releasing two separate programs to whittle away at the digital rights management (DRM) systems put in place by Microsoft and Apple. Microsoft and ... (view more)

It seems that AOL can't turn around these days without stepping into some sort of controversy. Bad news , more bad news , and customer service tactics reminiscent of the Mafia have plagued the company in recent months. The latest fiasco: The most ... recent version of AOL 9.0 is now being tagged as "badware" (malware) by StopBadware.org. The malware-prevention website is a joint project between Harvard Law School and Oxford University. (Source: betanews.com ) StopBadware.org posted this notice about the latest incarnation of AOL 9.0: "In our preliminary findings, we find that AOL 9.0 (free ... (view more)

Just yesterday, we reported on the recent judicial attack on pirates and hackers in the technology world. For those profiting off of the industry's power-players by ripping off their software, there is, evidently a price to pay. Ditto for those ... breaking into secure computers. Still, the recent crackdown is not deterring the world's hackers, as major communications provider AT ... (view more)

One of the ways that the spyware and Trojan makers get spyware on your computer is to trick you into installing it. Just recently, I was deleting some spam on a forum I administer, I came across something that caught my eye. I was offered a video to ... watch, but I was told I had to install something to see it. I then decided to get my test computer ready, and installed the codec that I was told that I needed. Subsequently, the installed file brought spyware onto my computer. Shortly after that, I began to get pop up ads. One of those pop ups had a new program that I had not heard of before, ... (view more)

For those like myself who use Yahoo's online mail service everyday, the recent announcement that a security leak has been rectified is welcome news. A few problems have arisen this summer, including a Javascript flaw featuring the Yammaner worm with ... the ability to attack all versions of Yahoo web-based mail except for the most recent (Summer 2006) version of the program. News of the threat was first reported in mid-June, but the most serious attacks appear to be from threats arising earlier this month. Emerging in Late July, Yahoo mail users were susceptible to an attacker with the potential ... (view more)

For those not already aware, the Blackberry is the definitive palm pilot. Developed by the Canadian company Research In Motion, the Blackberry features a mini keyboard and the ability to send and receive both calls and emails as well as store ... important dates. It essentially has the power to ruin any vacation -- no matter where you are -- for any businessman (or woman). ;-) However, recent discoveries might make the Blackberry a hacker's dream, too. Developed by Praetorian Global consultant Jesse D'Aguanno, the hacking program BBProxy has the power to exploit the link between an average ... (view more)