FBI worms its way into criminal communications

When is a virus, not a virus? When it's written by the FBI. Reuters reports that an FBI spokesman has confirmed that the US government is working on a project, codenamed Magic Lantern, that will log the key-strokes made on infected machines and enable the FBI to track communications made using it. Remember the recent W32. ...more

MIT warns of potential security loophole with VoIP

A group of communications experts is warning of a potential security loophole in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications. Researchers at the Communications Research Network (CRN) believe VoIP could give Internet-based criminals a better way of covering their Internet Protocol tracks. The Communications Research Network is funded jointly by the intellectual heavyweights Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which means the wider security industry will take note. ...more

Apple slashes PowerBook prices

Apple has slashed the price of its high-end PowerBook by an impressive ?450. The 500MHz model, formerly priced at ?2,349, is now available from the Apple Store for ?1,899, while many dealers are selling the product for as little as ?1,849. The price cut means that the 500MHz PowerBook is now only ?200 more expensive than its entry-level counterpart. ...more

The French turn to pre-loaded Linux for high-spec PCs

A major European retailer is offering high-spec PCs with Linux preloaded. While the traditional selling point of desktop Linux systems is that they are cheap, Planete Saturn will offer a 3GHz Intel Pentium 4-based desktop for 499 euros, on the back of keen sales of lower spec models introduced in July. Indeed the company says that previous models have sold out. ...more

Microsoft offers enterprises time out patch for IE's Eolas legal tweak

Microsoft has confirmed that it is going ahead with the scheduled 'update' of Internet Explorer that will bring the browser into compliance with the Eolas ruling. However, the company says that it will also issue a 'compatibility patch' (deployed like a hotfix) that allows customers to turn off the change until the 2 June security update cycle The delay has apparently been made at the request of Enterprise customers who have their own ActiveX controls built into their systems and need extra time to resolve compatibility issues. However, Microsoft is strongly advising customers not to deploy the compatibility patch unless they absolutely have to. ...more