News


Consortium Launches IT Service Modeling Spec

A group of industry leaders this week announced a new draft specification aimed at simplifying IT administration across heterogeneous networked environments.

Researchers: ‘Systemic' Wireless Vulnerability Affects Macs, PCs

Some computers with wireless Internet capabilities are vulnerable to attacks that could expose passwords, bank account details and other sensitive information even if the machines aren't actually online, researchers said in Las Vegas Wednesday.

AOL Content, E-Mail Now Free

Taking its most expansive efforts yet to deal with its long, steady decline in subscribers, AOL is giving away e-mail accounts along with software previously available only to customers who paid as much as $26 a month.

Microsoft's New Voice Recognition Software Suffers Public Glitch

Microsoft Corp. was hoping new voice-recognition software would impress an auditorium full of financial analysts, but a glitch turned the demonstration into a bit of an embarrassment.

Get Yer Red-Hot Compute Cluster Servers Right Here

As expected, Microsoft announced this week customer availability of its first entry into high-performance computing circles.

Microsoft: Norwegian Reporter Faked Gates Interview

Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday a Norwegian journalist fabricated an interview with Bill Gates.

Fiber Optic Contractor Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Gov't

A military contractor that manufactures fiber optic connectors for Army communication systems and Patriot missile launchers pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges Wednesday, admitting it submitted falsified product tests to the Defense Department.

Microsoft Reorg Continues

Microsoft continued its management reorganization this week as it moved to realign responsibilities within its operating systems group to reflect newly minted Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie's growing influence.

St. Bernard Software Wants Bigger Bite of Security Mart

An unusual merger is adding loads of cash to St. Bernard Software's coffer, which will be used to build new products and buy up security vendors, said company CEO John Jones in an interview this week.

IBM Expands Lineup of AMD-Based Servers

International Business Machines Corp. picked one of the hottest days of the year, when many Americans are living with the threat of power outages, to unveil a line of computer servers that are designed to consume less juice than comparable machines.

BlackHat, DefCon Pranks Underlie Larger Security Message

The middle-aged G-men who wear crisp suits and consort with teenage hackers sporting purple hair can make the two conferences that will converge in Las Vegas this week look like a scene from a science-fiction movie.

Microsoft Recalls Small Business Server 2003 R2

Microsoft has recalled Small Business Server 2003 Release 2 from manufacturing last week after the company discovered some of the files were not the most up-to-date.

Flaws in McAfee Security Programs May Expose Data, Researchers Say

Consumer versions of McAfee Inc.'s leading software for securing PCs is susceptible to a flaw that can expose passwords and other sensitive information stored on personal computers, researchers said Monday.

Office 2007 Beta 2? That'll Be a Buck Fifty

Microsoft said this week that downloads of Office 2007 Beta 2 have been so popular it has decided to start charging for them.

Microsoft Hands Documents Over to EU

Microsoft Corp. has given the European Union more documents in response to a 2004 antitrust order, but regulators said they do not know yet whether the company will avoid additional fines.

Microsoft: No Quick Payoff on iPod Rival

Microsoft's plans to offer an iPod competitor could take up to five years of investment, but the spending is worth it in part because it will help the software maker's broader entertainment agenda, a company executive said Thursday.

Programmer Stole, Sold Sentry Insurance Customer Data, Company Says

Personal information on 72 worker's compensation claimants was stolen from Sentry Insurance and later sold over the Internet, the company said.

China Cracks Down on Foreign Internet Investors

China is trying to tighten control over foreign investors in Internet ventures in a crackdown that a state newspaper said Friday could see some companies stripped of operating licenses.

Ozzie: 'Live' Not Risky for Microsoft

While industry observers have viewed Microsoft's Windows and Office Live initiative as risky business, newly installed Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie on Thursday said it is much closer to a natural evolution given the company's capabilities and heritage as a software platforms company.

Microsoft: IE7 To Be High Priority Automatic Update

Microsoft quietly announced this week that it will distribute Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP as a high priority update via Automatic Updates when the new browser version is complete.