Security vendors face Microsoft tipping point

Microsoft's announcement last week that it is to include its antivirus engine free within its upcoming Antigen product may mark a turning point in the security industry. Since Microsoft has been consistently in the spotlight over security issues with its products, it has thrown a lot of muscle behind wrestling the problem. So much so, that it is fast becoming the antivirus industry that is the first point of attack for virus writers. ...more

Visions of Vista versions surface

Speculation is circling the Internet over the versions of Windows Vista to be released by Microsoft. The story originated from a temporary posting by Microsoft of a Windows Vista help page. Eagle-eyed Microsoft watchers noted that it detailed six core Vista versions, along with two 'N' editions (Media Player-less versions - to conform with the European anti-trust settlement). ...more

Mimail resurfaces to go 'phishing'

The latest incarnation of Mimail uses the very best components of other Mimails: a mass-mailing, PayPal spoofing, sensitive-info scanning super worm. Mmdload-A, as Sophos is calling it, or small.cz, as Kaspersky names it, arrives as an email with the subject line 'PAYPAL. ...more

Disney pays $7.4bn for Pixar

Walt Disney has agreed to pay $7.4bn in stock to aquire Pixar Animation. As we reported yesterday Pixar CEO Steve Jobs will join Disney's board of directors while his colleague John Lasseter becomes chief creative officer of the animation studios. ...more

UK Patent Office hones definition of patentability

The UK Patent Office is homing in on what might be a successful definition of the patentability of software with the publication of the results of many months touring the country running workshops. The exercise was to garner opinion over the controversial term 'technical contribution' within the draft legislation around the Computer Implemented Inventions (CII) Directive, upon which the patentability or otherwise of software hangs. The workshops enjoyed a reasonable turnout at something like 55 per cent - although this might be considered low given the strength of feeling over the issue. ...more