Virus Strikes...Mobile Phones
A new virus has been identified, and is still "in the wild" as many anti-virus organizations would put it. This virus is not another Outlook worm, nor is it a backdoor trojan, and it's not even a computer destroying killer virus. What it is, is a cellular phone virus. Dubbed "Timofonica," this new virus carries a payload that creates computerized phone calls coming into the infected phone. It specifically targets Europe's GSM mobile phone standard, and is believed to originate from Spain. The harmless payload converts a simple text message into a voice translated telephone call to random numbers it generates. The most harm this virus does is use your a few of your alloted minutes in an annoying phone call, and spread itself to other phones via the SMS gate.
MSDN Subscibers to Receive Windows ME
As a special shipment in the second week of July MSDN subscribers will receive the final version of Microsoft Windows ME, the final operating system upgrade to the Windows 9x kernel. Windows Millennium Edition is the consumer version of Windows, and was shipped to MSDN subscribers at the end of May. Read about Windows ME on BetaNews, or visit Microsoft MSDN for more information.
SOAP Toolkit for Visual Studio 6.0
The SOAP Toolkit for Visual Studio 6.0 is now available from the Microsoft Developers Network Web site. The Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) allows developers to easily create Web services for any site using the toolkit extension for Visual Studio. SOAP uses XML to link applications together with a common communications protocol. Developers can easily convert current applications without rewriting the entire program in XML, as well as utilize several other add-ons to the Visual Studio suite. Chris Atkinson, vice president for Windows DNA and Web Services at Microsoft told the press, "the SOAP Toolkit helps developers experience the easy integration promised by Web Services and expands the capabilities of the Windows DNA 2000 platform for next-generation Web solutions." Visit Microsoft for more information.
Napster to Sue for Copyright Violation?
UPDATE - In what seems like a self-destructive effort, Napster may indeed sue its long-time friend in the band named Offspring. Last week the rock group began selling Napster merchandise from their Web site without the company's permission. Napster itself is in court at the moment for copyright infringement of bands such as Offspring, and allowing the illegal distribution of their trademark, that being their music.
The Register has the scoop on what may be happening in the case, as Napster would not comment on the possibility of litigation. In the wake of all the claims against Napster, it may be best if they leave copyright lawsuits against their own company out of the courtroom until the trial in which it is currently defending itself blows over.
Gnutella Affected by Worm
Gnutella, the newest of the file-sharing programs used by people to swap MP3s and other media, has been struck with a virus of its own. The worm, dubbed VBS_Gnutellaworm by Trend Micro, has an array of 23 different names it can be transferred under, and carries a nondestructive payload. It simply copies itself into the Gnutella directory on the affected computers hard drive, and proceeds to use the .ini file to upload itself to other users and then modifies the database to include itself in the users downloadable files. The following string is found in the virus code, "If I was a naughty boy, I could use scripting to get name, email, whatever file I want." For more information about VBS_Gnutellaworm, visit Trend Micro.
Dreamcast to Your Mobile Phone...Sort of
In an announcement today, Sega Enterprises announced a partnership with electronics bigshot Motorola to bring Dreamcast technologies to your cellular phone. The jointly developed software will allow users to connect to the Internet, download games, video images, and other media from the net, the gaming company told reporters today. It is expected to be available in the Spring of next year, and will bring Motorola a few steps closer to catching the cellphone giant Nokia in market share.
FastMessage – Anonymous E-Mail
Web-based e-mail, and electronic mail in general, has always been easy to steal and trace. Just by viewing the extended header of messages you receive you can figure out the IP address from where the message was sent. Many netizens wish that certain e-mails could be sent anonymously. With a new site called FastMessage, based in the United Kingdom, anyone can send a message to anyone in the world without the person knowing whom it is from. No registration is required, and you can manually enter the From name and address, CC people, BCC people, and even send attachments. This will keep those private e-mails private without much effort. Check out FastMessage for more information and to try it out. The site is currently being beta tested.
And They're Off - AMD's Thunderbird
Today is the day that AMD seriously impacted the neverending race to make the best processors on the market. Premiering 15 processors in total, with 12 of them being the new Thunderbird series, AMD has raised the bar for Chipzilla in this ongoing battle. Consumers can purchase the new AMD in 6 speed ranges, the fastest topping out a 1GHz.
The AMD Duron, also launched today, is set to make waves in the kiddy pool of processors, taking aim at drowning the Intel Celeron and its market share. Intel last week slashed prices for most of their processors, in efforts to muffle the uproar of AMD's announcement today. Visit the AMD Web site for more information.
Nvidia and 3dfx Poo Flinging Contest Heats Up
Leaked drivers, delays in shipping due to hardware failures, all part of the recent round of poo-flinging done between Nvidia and 3dfx in the battle of "who's graphic card is the best". British tech news site The Register has posted all the details of the fight in a rather lengthy expose on the situation. Nvidia's Dianne Vanasse reportedly responded to the Voodoo5 situation in an e-mail also sent to several hardware sites on the net. Senior public relations manager for 3dfx was quick to respond, publicly, to the argument posed by Vanasee. Read more about it at The Register.
Making Your Drivers 64-bit
Microsoft has posted a tutorial on porting your drivers to 64-bit to support the 64-bit operating system currently being developed on the Redmond campus. The tutorial, which you can download the help, or view it on the Web, includes white papers on the project and links to more information on the 64-bit version of Windows. Visit Microsoft for more information.
PlayStation2 as an Internet Appliance
Next year Sony will begin licensing PlayStation2 technology to various corporations who desire to build the technology into existing technologies such as cable boxes and computer parts. This move suggests that Sony wants to begin pushing itself into the market for Internet connectivity, possibly making the PlayStation2 the number on entertainment device used to connect to the Internet. Visit Sony PlaySation Web site for more information about the PlaySation2 and their latest announcement.
Top 10 Security Threats List
The System Administration, Networking and Security Institute has published the top ten Internet security risks. The list includes software exploits that hackers most often use to breach security systems and gain access to critical data. One of the top risks, the institute says, are vulnerable versions of BIND, the popular DNS directory service that allows malicious users to locate names without knowing the IP address. Right behind BIND was CGI programs. For more information and to read the list visit the SANS Web site.
Metallicster - The Net for Napster Users
An interesting project is currently underway to create a new file sharing system that cannot be touched by groups such as the RIAA or Metallica. The project is in the early design stages, and according to the Web site, is inspired by the recent legal actions taken against Napster and its users. The two developers of the program, dubbed "Metallicster," want to show that "information wants to be free, and that there is always a way to distribute information."
The protocol in Metallicster is similar to Gnutella in that no central server is required to share files. This idea of distributed networking makes it impossible to stop distribution of any type of file. In Napsters case, it is possible to block certain files from being traded, as shown by the entire Metallica ordeal. If legal pressures forced Napster to shut down its servers all together, the entire network is dead. With Metallicster, each and every computer running the client would need to be shut down in order to stop the network.
Thunderbird Revs Up for Monday
Advanced Micro Devices is set to open its fabrication facility in Germany on Monday, and roll out its latest and greatest processor, the Thunderbird. Moving at speeds ranging from 750MHz to 1GHz and more, the Thunderbird will make new waves in the processor battle between AMD and chip giant Intel. The debute of this chip comes just days after Intel announced price drops on all of its processors, some as much as 44 percent. Read more about Thunderbird on BetaNews or visit AMD for more information.
Fans Dispute - Get Reconnected
Napster has announced that exactly 29,085 registered users of its service will be allowed to reconnect to the servers. After submitting counter arguments to the company that they did not violate copyright rules involved with Metallica, Napster considered each case and made their final decision. Those who believe they did not violate copyright rules were submitted in a list of names to the band, who in turn has 10 days to pursue legal action under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act if the band proves they are lying. Visit Napster.com for more information.
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