This Week in Security
Spyware/Malware/Phishing/Virus/etc:
Safer Networking, the maker of Spybot-S&D, has been battling with Symantec for a year and a half over Symantec's Norton products, leading to an ultimatum calling for Symantec to leave the Anti-Spyware Coalition, or Safer Networking will depart.
The anti-spam group Spamhaus Project warned more junk e-mail could be on the way as it prepares to lose its domain name thanks to a company it has accused of sending spam.
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2006/10/10/tech-spamhaus.html
UK police are attempting to reach thousands of Brits who have become victims of malware-powered ID theft scam.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/11/id_theft/
Computers in the US have been the staging point for a dramatic increase in criminal attacks against PCs in Britain.
A September decision by a federal court may mean more spam hitting inboxes, an analyst said Wednesday.
http://www.techweb.com/wire/security/193200666
Internet experts are worried that a court decision against antispam blacklister The Spamhaus Project Ltd. could trigger a "constitutional crisis" for the Internet.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9004111
The personal information — including some credit card and bank account numbers — of about 70,000 people who gave money to Brock University has been stolen from the school's computers by a hacker.
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2006/10/12/tech-brock.html
Security & Legal:
Early on the morning of Oct. 10, reports started circulating that German police had arrested a man they accused of being Osama bin Laden's Webmaster. It was at that moment that I realized how different a war this is and how the Internet—and particularly its multimedia-friendly Web component— truly has changed all.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2028610,00.asp
Microsoft:
A large part of the appeal of blogging is its simplicity. Setting up an account at one of the large blogging services like Blogger.com is as untaxing as filling in a few fields in an online form. As uncomplicated as blogging can be, however, once the bloom fades on its novelty, it can become a chore. You've got to log into your host, navigate menus, write in a rudimentary editor and maybe even fuss with some HTML. Prolific bloggers usually skirt those annoyances by using an offline editor. There are several decent ones out there for Windows users. And now there's another. (PS: I’ve tried it and it works VERY well! JG)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/ZZ7BZmg6b3rCup/Microsofts-Free-Editor-Makes-Blogging-Simple.xhtml
Microsoft published 10 patches as part of its regular Patch Tuesday update cycle yesterday, but many users are experiencing problems getting hold of the software updates because of delays involving Microsoft's Windows Update delivery mechanism.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/11/october_patch_tuesday/
Microsoft Corp. yesterday defended itself against accusations that its new antipiracy plan in Windows Vista will create more spyware.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9004019
Microsoft will end support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and SP1a on Tuesday, leaving people no option but to upgrade to Service Pack 2 if they wish to continue to receive crucial components, including security software.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6123975.html
Business:
Google announced today that it would acquire YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock compensation. YouTube will continue to operate independently. Google Video will continue to operate separately.
http://googlewatch.eweek.com/blogs/google_watch/archive/2006/10/09/13777.aspx
While thousands wait for service from its struggling TalkTalk broadband service, Carphone Warehouse has snatched 2.1 million new customers by buying AOL UK.
http://www.techworld.com/mobility/news/index.cfm?newsID=7076&pagtype=all
Misc/Humour:
The Maker of canned pork, Hormel Foods has lost a trademark battle over the word spam.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35055
Sick of spam? Have another drink...of it.
