Virus Writers boost productivity

Virus hunter Sophos has said that it detected 3,855 new viruses in the first half of 2003 - up 17 per cent on the equivalent period last year. However, only a handful cause serious problems in the wild. The biggest nuisances in the last six months have been Bugbear in both its variants and SoBig with three variants. ...more

Epson gives digital cameras a PC mask

Epson has announced two new cameras that incorporate a processor, enabling them to act as a computer and print directly to an Epson printer. The PhotoPC Engine utilised in the new PhotoPC L-200 and L-300 digital cameras establishes a host client relationship with Epson printers so that the cameras can talk directly through a USB wire. The L-200 and L-300 cameras house a 2megapixel and 3megapixel CCD respectively and offer 3x optical zoom and Epson's PIM (Print Image Matching) II technology to help ensure the final print accurately reflects the original image. ...more

Job losses in Ireland as Shinko Microelectronics closes

Around 340 jobs may be on the line as Fujitsu and Shinko Electric Industries look to close the Shinko Microelectronics semi-conductor factory sometime in November. The controlling companies are to begin talks with trade union officials about the closure of the Irish plant, which manufactures flash memory and SAW filters for mobile phones, and they will help find new jobs for the employees. The companies blame the sharp downturn in the semi-conductor market and slack orders for the decision and had previously tried to find a buyer for the fab without success. ...more

Cryptography break threatens digital signatures

Researchers in the field of cryptography have been successfully breaking the hash functions that are used to secure the privacy of electronic communications, threatening the integrity of digital signatures, according to a report on Slashdot. Details from the Crypto 2004 conference indicate that one Antoine Joux has broken the hash function used within the SHA-0 algorithm, and there are rumours that somebody is about to announce a partial break of the SHA-1, which is one of most popular cryptographic hash functions (CHF). As well as potentially undermining secure email web connections, such breakthroughs threaten the integrity of digital signatures. ...more

3G live within the UK

It didn't win the race to be the world's first 3G network - DoCoMo took the honours in Tokyo - but the UK competitor has finally gone live. Manx Telecom - a subsidiary of the formerly BT-owned mmO2 - has switched on a 'fully operational' third-generation (3G) mobile network in the Isle of Man. Its purpose is to serve as a test bed - within the relatively small, hilly island - for a variety of user trials. ...more