Red Alert over rampant Internet worm

Internet may collapse, warns security organisations and US government. A fast-moving, mutating Internet worm is threatening to render the Net useless within the next two to three days. A joint warning has been sent out by Microsoft, CERT, SANS, ISS and the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC), warning that immediate action must be taken by systems administrators. ...more

IBM announces 'double-gate' transistor

IBM has announced the development of an alternative type of transistor that could double the speed of conventional ones. A transistor is essentially an electrical switch that contains a gate that controls current flow. As these components become increasingly smaller in order to increase the speed, the gates become less efficient at switching. ...more

UK games chart: FIFA 07 is number one

The long summer logjam, with Cars dominating the charts, has well and truly broken up as the autumn big-hitters begin to arrive. The Ronaldinho-fronted EA football game FIFA 07 (DS, GBA, GC, Mob, PC, PS2, PSP, Xb, Xb360) scores an early lead by going straight in at number one, in this week's ELSPA Games Chart, with Eidos's regime-changing Just Cause (PC, PS2, X360, Xb) and EA's Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 holding number two and three. Other new entries include Square Enix's Disney-based Kingdom Hearts II (PS2), straight in at number five, and the much-trumpeted Company of Heroes (PC), the real-time WWII strategy game from THQ, going in at number seven. ...more

Misleading apps gathering for Christmas security threat

If you're looking for a Christmas present for a computer-using friend, beware of the host of misleading security applications around warning of infected systems and promising a clean up, at a price. Antispyware company Sunbelt software is picking up new sites, designed to dupe users into downloading and paying for software that is ineffective as a security tool and often a threat in itself. For example, it spotted four toward the end of November, another on 1 December, six more on 6 December, six again 12 December, and another three yesterday. ...more

OFT demands better deals for IT consumers

Twelve UK computer sellers have agreed to withdraw what the Office of Fair Trading considers 'unfair terms' for customers. In particular, Micro Anvika has agreed to revise unfair terms in its consumer contract and abide by distance selling regulations, following a complaint by the company's local Trading Standards Department. John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said: 'Terms in contracts must be both clear and fair, and consumers must not be denied the extra rights they have if they buy by mail order or on the Net. ...more