Trojan Hits Skype Users

A trojan horse has plagued Skype users, in the same why in which they are spread through instant-messaging applications. The trojan is received when the user receives a chat message saying "check up this" which is a link to the executable "file_01.exe". Once the machine is infected the trojan will then send the same message to everyone on the user's contact list. Therefore, spreading very easily around the net. In order to remain secure keep an eye out for what chat messages you receive and be timid to click on links in your Skype messages even if they are from your contacts. [C|NET News.com]

Microsoft Crashes PS3 Launch in France

Microsoft managed to spoil Sony's PS3 launch in France. With what you may ask?...a boat with giant Xbox 360 posters. This is quite ingenious, great work Microsoft. I can't wait to hear Sony's response!! [TechEBlog]

Bill Gates to Recieve His Long Awaiting Harvard Degree

Bill Gates, having had to drop out of Harvard during his junior year to work full-time at Microsoft has never received his Harvard degree. His decision is seen as a good one by many, considering that Microsoft flourished.

Gates will finally receive his well deserved degree from Harvard when he speaks at Harvard's commencement ceremony in June. Every person who speaks at the commencement ceremony will receive a honorary Harvard degree. The Honorary Degrees are given for different subjects, but Harvard doesn't release whom will receive the degree for each subject.

Although, Bill is already quite successful he will finally get the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Given that Bill will be stepping-down from his daily duties at Microsoft, this will truly give him a great departure. [Network World]

Adobe Launches Apollo

Today, Adobe has launched their first developer preview version of the Apollo toolset. This toolset will allow web developers to create desktop apps which can interact with any web page on the net.

If you have yet to hear about Apollo, it is a cross-platform runtime library. Apollo will allow for developers to create apps by the means of HTML, JavaScript, and Flash. This would allow for apps to be installed on machines simply buy clicking a download link, then installing to the users desktop. After the install the user can then access the program simply by clicking on the icon on their desktop.

The advantage of this new runtime library tech which Apollo brings is that the application can be ran without internet access. The applications can also connect to web sites adding interactivity, with the user's own PC, and other PCs.

Perhaps, the greatest aspect of this is that Adobe is giving away the runtime free of charge. Meaning more third-party software may come to be seen in the realm of PCs and mobile devices. This new technology differs from its competition because it works on multiple platforms, unlike Microsoft's Windows Presentation Foundation software. Apollo may have a great effect on third-party software as well as for commercial software such as Adobe's "Online Photoshop". All in all, this is a great innovation in software and I can't wait to see what is to come, and I'm sure you'll be as impressed as I.
[Ars Technica]

Windows Vista SideShow Demonstration at CeBIT

To all of you awaiting the Windows Vista's new SideShow tech here's a demonstration showing some of the functions. In the demo "ShinyMedia" shows off SideShow on an ASUS W5FE notebook which features an external display, with an four-way directional pad, its own power button, and a menu button. Enjoy the clip!!! [TechEBlog]

AMD Mobilizes Xbox 360 Graphics

Today, at the Game Developer's Conference (GDC) AMD announced a new suite of developing tools for their new handheld gaming tech. Which might mean a new portable gaming device from Microsoft might be in the near future. Who wouldn't like to take their 360 graphics on the go? Hint, hint Microsoft we want a portable!!

Now for the tech aspect of the whole thing. The Suite announced today will include Rendermonkey 1.7, a shader tool that will allow game developers write graphics code for a variety of devices that can support the OpenVG 1.0, OpenGL 2.0, and Unified Shader Architecture technologies. In fact ATI's (now AMD) Unified Shader Architecture was one of the major selling points of Microsoft's Xbox 360. AMD's Imageon Processor line, which they announced last month, is literally a "GPU" for portable devices, and would certainly do the job, both in aspects of performance and price.

If the incredible gaming experience of the Xbox 360 can be pertained successfully with AMD's new technologies, we will certainly see a drastic move in the portable gaming realm. Giving the gamer the convenience of portability without the sacrifice of performance, truly bring a long awaited change to to portable gaming.[Ars Technica]

Microsoft's New VoIP Service: Be a Beta-Tester

Microsoft, yesterday at the VoiceCon trade show in Orlando, Florida announced their vision on Voice-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) with their new software. Their new service is being called: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Communicator 2007. The entire public is being invited to join the beta program to assist Microsoft in dishing out the bugs. Microsoft expects millions to test the new software, and believe that in just three years about 100 million people will make calls through Microsoft Office apps.

The Communicator program, Microsoft says, is to be embedded into Microsoft Office apps making it an very user friendly experience for business coworkers to collaborate while dealing with important business documents. For example the software will feature "Click-to-Call" functions which will allow users to connect and talk by just simply clicking on the persons name in Microsoft Office apps. Some other features that the software will include are instant messaging and videoconferencing, which are included in other VoIP software currently available such as, Skype and Vonage.

Any users who are interested in beta-testing Microsoft's new VoIP software, just fill out the form on Microsoft's Website. I'll also be checking this out so I'll keep you guys posted.[LAPTOP]
Beta-Testing Sign-up Page

MPAA Plagued with Yet Another AACS Key Extraction

The MPAA, is plagued once more by the "cracking" of their beloved AACS. This weekend a way in which AACS keys could be extracted from PowerDVD was found. Also this weekend marks the release of AnyDVD 6.1.2.9 which adds Blu-Ray support. From the looks of it i seen no end of the attack on AACS. As can be seen if you mess with the consumers fair-use rights you are in for a heck of a battle. So get ripping and express your fair-use rights as you so choose. [Engadget]

Microsoft Patches Xbox 360

Microsoft released a patch for their Xbox 360 today to fix a security vulnerability that could allow 360 users to install their own software including operating system such as a various Linux distribution. The updated fixes a problem in Microsoft's tamper protection mechanism. Microsoft confirmed the issue on Friday but they have not stated that the fix is a "security fix". The update was released by the means of Xbox Live silently today. Games which are coming out after February 20 will ship with the fix on the game disc. How cool would it be to install a Linux disro on your 360, oh why don't they just let the users play a little? [C|NET News.com]

FoxTrot Makes a Funny About BitTorrent vs. RIAA

Today while scrolling through Engadget i came across this comic strip. I found it to be quite funny, now who doesn't love some good old bashing on the RIAA? Enjoy!! [FoxTrot]

Mac Wi-Fi Hijack Demonstration Puts a Sour Taste in Apples Mouth

In an interview with the people at News.com David Maynor talks about his experience with Apple on the topic of the Wifi Hack that both Jon Ellch reviled:
David Maynor, chief technology officer at Errata Security, at Black Hat on Wednesday finally broke the deadly silence on the issue of the Mac Wifi Hack. The controversy began last summer at the Black Hat Conference when David Maynor and "Jonny Cache" Jon Ellch demonstrated a vulnerability on the Mac by sending malformed network traffic to it, causing him to have complete control of the computer. After the presentation havoc began when the Apple Community and the Mac maker criticized both Maynor and Ellch for the release of the vulnerability. The Mac creator even when to the extent of pressuring Maynor to post a blog entry on the SystemWorks website stating that Macs were not flawed. Maynor plans to release the code used to execute the attack soon.

Then, about two months later what do you know Apple released, Mac OS X 10.4.8, which fixed the vulnerability that was found by Maynor and Ellch.
Maynor stated on Wednesday that:

"The vulnerability that was being exploited was now patched," Maynor said. "Apple released some security patches to address stuff I actually pointed them to and they claimed had nothing to do with me."

A bit after Apple released the security patches which fixed the vulnerability Maynor set to demonstrate the hack at the ToorCon hacker event in San Diego. But this event was pulled because Apple threatend to sue SystemWorks.

Maynor stated:

"I do not feel comfortable keeping relations with the company and will not report future findings to them."

Clearly, Apple is taking the credit for his findings while threating Maynor and Ellch for finding the vulnerabilities. Come on Apple, their job is to find security vulnerabilities and they found them, and in doing so allowed you to created a more secure operating system. As far as I'm concerned this is very unprofessional and immature of Apple, Apple give credit where credit is due![C|NET News.com]