Intel cranks up Celeron speeds

Intel has raised the bar on its low cost Celeron offering by introducing two new versions at 2.3 and 2.4GHz. ...more

Via locks up its StrongBox virtual drives

Via has thrown down the gauntlet to hackers with a $5,000 reward for the first successful breach of its new StrongBox technology. StrongBox is Via's real-time encryption technology that allows a user to create virtual drives of up to 4GB, and as many as 10. Using the Padlock hardware encryption enabled in its C7 processors, it applies government-standard algorithms SHA-1 and AES to lock down data when either the user decides to lock a StrongBox drive or the device is shut down. ...more

New offensive against 'piracy'

'Anti-piracy' bodies have reached agreement on a set of principles designed to co-ordinate action to prevent the 'illegal' copying of music and computer software. The Business Software Alliance (BSA), Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have issued seven joint policy principles. Some of the principles seem harmless enough. ...more

FBI investigates a case of cyber-extortion

The FBI is investigating a case of online extortion after hackers went ahead and published credit card details on the Internet after a demand for money wasn't met. The company involved, the Los Angeles-based Creditcards.com, manages online credit card transactions on behalf of other companies. ...more

Waiter, waiter, there's no wire in my soup

A restaurant in Israel has enlisted the help of wireless waiters in a bid to improve customer service. The clientele, who mostly work in Herzilaya (Israel's silicon valley), will now be able to give their orders via a wireless handheld computer. The LAN system has been developed by Symbol Technologies to speed up the ordering process and eliminate mistakes. ...more