One-third of IT pros admit to snooping on co-workers
As many as a third of all senior IT professionals use their administrative passwords and other privileges to "snoop around the network" looking into employees' confidential material, say newly released survey results.
Conducted by Cyber-Ark Software as part of its annual look at "Trust, Security and Passwords," the study also suggests that IT pros -- typically working in companies of 1,000 or more -- are peering at confidential information such as salaries, personal e-mails, and merger and acquisition plans. They could also be sneaking peeks at confidential data long after they've quit their jobs and gone elsewhere.
Mac OS X Trojan reported in the wild
At least two Mac-focused security firms warned late this week of a Trojan horse that takes advantage of flaws in remote management software in Mac OS X to run code on the affected computer.
As with most Mac flaws, the user must first download and open the file in order for it to take effect. Once it is opened, the Trojan -- dubbed "AppleScript.THT" -- adds itself to the login process and can perform a variety of functions, including keystroke logging.
Last.fm enters the iPhone realm through the back door
The firm responsible for building the database upon which the Last.fm Internet radio service is built, has created software to enable iPhone users to use Last.fm -- if they want to risk it.
Even though the iPhone has obvious ties to its iPod roots, the availability of streaming music for the device has still has remained something of a mystery. NPR has a streaming news service, and Pandora has brought its Pandora Everywhere Platform can be used on the iPhone, but very few other alternatives are available to users.
Microsoft re-issues one security fix for a Bluetooth hole
For an undisclosed reason, there continued to be a vulnerability in Windows XP's built-in protocol stack for Bluetooth, even after a patch released a week ago Tuesday was supposed to have addressed the problem.
Last week's round of Patch Tuesday updates from Microsoft included what had been described as a critical fix, over and above what the company had just released in Windows XP Service Pack 3, that addressed a potential problem with how the operating system's internal Bluetooth protocol stack responds to requests for certain services.
Sprint CEO: Baltimore first to get WiMAX
Dan Hesse told attendees of a communications trade show Wednesday that its much hyped 4G data network will see its first commercial deployment in September in Baltimore.
Sprint's Xohm WiMAX technology aims to provide data rates well above what current 3G technologies provide. In tests, Sprint's network is able to transfer data at rates of 2-4 Mbps, roughly the same as the average DSL line.
Ask.com agrees with Google's critics, issues new privacy safeguards
Number 5 search engine Ask.com has issued an open letter agreeing with the sentiments of privacy buffs while also rolling out new user privacy safeguards for its own platform.
As previously reported, a letter sent to Google in early June by a privacy coalition that includes the Electronic Privacy Center and the Electronic Frontier Foundation contends that "Google's reluctance to post a link to its privacy [policy] on its home page is alarming."
New mobile search service for Sprint uses photos as criteria
A new search service available for Sprint Wireless users claims to be able to retrieve information about anything they can take a picture of.
After users send a photo to m@thrrum.com, the Thrrum MMS Search will send search results back to their phone that pertain to what's in the picture, especially if that picture contains something textual. 23half also designed the service so users can take pictures of book covers, product labels, printed material, and train schedules; the system can respond with extended information about what it finds.
French bill would ban Internet use for illegal downloaders
France's Cultural Minister Christine Albanel introduced a bill to discourage the consumption of pirated media, under the threat of revoking the perpetrator's Internet access. Yesterday, that bill was approved by the Council of Ministers.
In addition to establishing the creation of a new state agency to be called HADOPI (High Authority for Copyright Protection and Dissemination of Works on the Internet), the "key measure" of Albanel's project is the three-strikes policy (or riposte graduée, lit. "gradual response") it will impose upon illegal downloaders.
Compromise FISA bill in US House could lead to telco immunity
A new draft of foreign intelligence legislation to be debated tomorrow could give the President what he's been seeking: acknowledgment of his authority to declare US telcos immune from prosecution for aiding anti-terrorism investigations.
Multiple news sources in Washington are reporting that a deal has been worked out between House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D - Md.) and the White House, on compromise language for legislation regarding a hardening of federal law regarding warrantless surveillance. Though drafts of this compromise language have yet to be made public, it's widely believed that a mechanism may be put in place for US telecommunications companies to eventually be granted immunity for having cooperated with the White House in anti-terrorism investigations since 9/11/2001, which may have been contrary to US law at the time.
Microsoft gives three-year reprieve to MSN Music users
Bowing to end user pressure, Microsoft has admitted a change of heart with regard to a decision it announced in April, to discontinue authorization for music downloaded through its old MSN Music service.
Those who downloaded music through that service will now have three more years -- instead of a little over two more months -- to get license keys for authorizing their music downloads, or authorizing new computers and devices for playing that music.
HP's printer division faces changes
During a Webcast to employees yesterday, Hewlett-Packard's print division chief Vyomesh Joshi announced that the division will soon undergo restructuring to consolidate five business units into three.
The parts of the company which will will feel these "disruptive" changes, according to spokespeople, will include the LaserJet and Commercial Printer units, and the inkjet (DeskJet) and consumer supplies units, which will become two new units of the company.
Landrush for new Yahoo Mail addresses begins at 3 pm ET
Australians will have choice of three carriers for iPhone
Sprint Nextel tries again to hang onto some 800 MHz spectrum
Late Tuesday, Sprint Nextel filed for an extension in its relinquishment of portions of the 800 MHz spectrum which will be used for public safety purposes.
The FCC's original plan for rebranding the 800 MHz spectrum dates back to 2004, when the Commission initiated practices to "remedy the interference problem" in this band occurring between Cellular architecture systems and "high-site non-cellular systems" used by public safety agencies (19 F.C.C.R. 14,969, 14,972).
OpenSUSE 11.0 final release now underway
Download OpenSUSE 11.0 GM from FileForum now.
One of the closest-knit of the many Linux communities is trumpeting the public release of its latest distribution, whose functional and graphical features may give it some powerful value propositions compared to Windows Vista.
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