Hewlett-Packard bucks technology gloom

Computer giant Hewlett-Packard surprised many analysts yesterday with better than expected results by announcing improved figures across its main business units of Imaging, Personal Systems and Enterprise. The company reported a revenue increase of 9 per cent over the previous quarter quarter - $18.0bn, compared to $16. ...more

DRAM makers keep fingers crossed for better prices

Unwilling to see their losses jump higher, DRAM makers are tolerating higher inventory levels as they keep their fingers crossed for a better pricing environment in the second half, sources said. While global contract prices for DRAM show no signs of recovery, the price of 256Mbit DDR has seen temporary support at $3, as several leading DRAM makers maintain a bias towards holding inventory rather than selling at a loss. However, DRAM prices are unlikely to recover in the near term due to the traditional second-quarter weakness in the IT sector and the potential repercussions of SARS on IT demand, market participants said. ...more

Phishers turn malicious

Phishers are becoming more sophisticated in their attacks. The new techniques no longer require users to enter their own information but instead use keyboard loggers to acquire personal data. The latest report from the AntiPhishing Working Group says that there have been in the past few months a steep rise in incidents where code is designed to log keystrokes when a connection is made to a target website. ...more

Microsoft to call for suspension of anti-trust penalties

Microsoft will ask the EU's second highest court to suspend the imposition of anti-trust penalties which include a €500mn fine and a requirement to unbundle Media Player from the Windows operating system. The company will file the request to the Court of First Instance 'in the coming days' said spokesman Tom Brookes. 'We believe we have a strong case for suspension,' he said. ...more

University threatens car security by cracking RFID code chip

A team at Johns Hopkins University says it has cracked the security system designed to prevent car theft or buy petrol in the US. The graduate team says that it is able to crack the RFID code chip built into the electronic car key and produce a duplicate it. The chips are produced by Texas Instruments and are claimed to have been instrumental in reducing car theft in the US as the car won't start without the recognising the chip. ...more