Microsoft makes ten new patches

Microsoft has released ten new security patches, six of which it identifies as critical. The patches cover flaws in Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003 for 32 And 64 bit processors, as well as Office applications for both PC and Apple systems and XML core services. In total the patch pack fixes 26 vulnerabilities, the most Microsoft have ever released in a single month. ...more

RIAA eyes satellite broadcasters

The US industry music pressure group the RIAA is sizing up a new target in its bid to prevent people listening to copyright material for free. It is now said to be in discussions with the US satellite radio broadcasters. At issue, according to the RIAA, the satellite broadcasters are providing music for free by allowing their subscribers to listen, record and play back ad-free radio stations. ...more

Norwich sets UK broadband first

Norwich is to be the first UK city with its own dedicated high-speed broadband network. A system that will cover the city centre, business parks and Norwich Airport could be up and running in 2004. By using existing installations such as sewers, river beds and spare ducting, the project is expected to save some 60 to 70 per cent on schemes that involve digging up the roads, and is designed to provide small and medium-sized businesses - who might be put off by the high cost of leased lines - with affordable broadband access. ...more

UK firms warned of e-business dangers

US IT consultancy AMS (American Management Systems) has warned that 75 per cent of European businesses are not setting appropriate targets for their e-business models. A survey of 131 large European corporations, conducted by research firm Ipsos-RSL, found that half had not even planned a strategy for their e-business investments, and more than 80 per cent viewed their projects as failures. However, 85 per cent recognised that an effective e-business strategy played a crucial role in giving their company a competitive edge. ...more

Bagle-U infects thousands on day one

The mass-mailing Bagle worm twists again, with yet another variant spreading rapidly. According to email security company MessageLabs, the threat of Bagle-U is rated as 'High' - it reports intercepting 6,000 copies already, on the first day of its detection. Infected email will have a blank subject line and no body content, but will have a randomly named . ...more