google

Google is reportedly implementing a feature similar to the Facebook "Like" button and will incorporate it into their popular search engine. The new social search feature, called the "+1 Experiment," allows users to recommend a certain link or ... website to their family and friends. Google has big plans to compile all of the information concerning +1 activity in order to provide users with a more favorable experience when using their services. Users Encouraged to Join Experiment Participation in the +1 venture is not automatic, and those interested will have to take an extra minute or ... (view more)

Google is reportedly testing a streaming music service. It doesn't necessarily mean a public launch is imminent, however; the company would still have to reach an agreement with record labels, which may be complicated by the nature of the service. ... Google Music wouldn't be a download service in the same way as the iTunes store. Indeed, it's possible it wouldn't necessarily involve buying music at all. Streaming Music Across Devices a Possibility The idea is to provide a legal way for users to stream music from one device to another. While precise details are under wraps, it appears there would ... (view more)

To the surprise of many, Microsoft finished well in a recent World's Most Ethical Companies award list, recently unveiled by the Ethisphere Institute. Ethisphere is a think tank whose mandate is to improve standards for business ethics. It looked at ... 110 different companies, some being nominated by the Institute and others applying for nomination. A number of the firms included in the list are from the software industry, including Adobe, Microsoft, Symantec, Teradata Corp and Salesforce.com. Hitachi Data Systems was a winner in the computer hardware category, with other notable mentions ... (view more)

Security firm Symantec says it's found a new and very fake Google "security program" designed to install malware on Google Android smartphones. Called the Android Market Security Tool, the fake software is actually a repackaged Google-built tool ... with origins in the Far East. Symantec discovered the fake tool last Wednesday. It actually imitates a program of the same name released by Google last week and was found in Chinese markets not sanctioned by the search giant. (Source: symantec.com ) Fake Security Software a Clever Ploy by Malware Designers Symantec says it's all a very ... (view more)

For the third year in a row, Google's Chrome web browser has put in an impressive performance at the Pwn2Own hacking challenge. Indeed, after two days nobody had even attempted to breach the browser's security, despite an increased reward of $5,000. ... The contest involves hackers attempting to exploit security loopholes on the four major web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari) to win a $15,000 prize, along with the computer used for the challenge -- hence the contest name. Contestants are allowed to give judges a website address to visit, simulating the process of a web ... (view more)

Google has restored access to email for around 40,000 customers whose accounts were mistakenly wiped clean this past Sunday. It says the delay in sorting the problem was because it had to restore from a physical back-up. The problem began on Sunday ... afternoon when some customers found either they were unable to access their Gmail accounts, or that the accounts appeared as if they were open. That is to say, there were no messages whatsoever in the archive, except for a welcome message from Google. Google said it was working on the problem and noted that in cases where users were unable to log- ... (view more)

Reports suggest that Microsoft is planning to invest a vast amount of their resources in helping to make the Bing search engine a more "personalized experience" for its users. The new direction is further proof that Microsoft is serious in ... challenging Google's stranglehold on the search engine market. Memory Recollection and Geographic Location The "personalized experience" is centered around two concepts: memory recollection and geographic location. The memory recollection feature benefits those that search for similar results on multiple occasions. If an individual types in "car dealerships ... (view more)

Elite hackers and ethical computer security enthusiasts are preparing themselves for the Pwn2Own competition, which challenges participants to break through security of popular software programs (such as web browsers). Once software is breached, it ... is referred to as an "exploit", in which hackers are then able to gain access to other areas of the computer's operating system without restrictions. It's these types of attacks which occur on web sites frequently, where visitors become instantly infected just by visiting a malicious website containing an unknown exploit (also referred to ... (view more)

Google claims that Microsoft (via the Bing search engine) has been copying search results and presenting them as their own. The accusation comes after Google hosted a "sting" operation that caught Microsoft in the act of "borrowing" Google-hosted ... data. The covert plan saw the implementation of 100 obscure queries (that served as decoys) within Google search algorithms. For example, Google named one particular code "mbzrygiys" and linked it to smartphone maker Research in Motion (RIM). Interestingly enough, this same code (and a few others) appeared in Bing search results, proving that the ... (view more)

According to a recent report from the Associated Press, it appears Google is planning to make 2011 a very busy year for its Human Resources department. Rumors suggest the search giant will break previous hiring records in 2011 by signing on an ... estimated 6,200 new workers. The Associated Press report builds on recruiting-based blog posts made by Google on its web site. The search company is looking for talented people for a variety of different positions. Google Looking for "Top Talent" "We're looking for top talent -- across the board and around the globe -- and we'll hire as many ... (view more)