Researchers crack biometric security with Play-Doh

Using fake fingerprints, researchers in New York State have managed to break nearly all the biometric identification systems they tested. Headed by Clarkson University associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Stephanie C Schuckers, they used fake fingers made by taking casts of live fingers and using the molds to create copies in Play-Doh. The 60 fake fingers were then tested and were successfully authenticated by the combination of the fingerprint readers and their accompanying software in nine out of every ten attempts. ...more

Top ten viruses for September 2000

Yes pop-pickers, it's time for the September rundown of computer viruses that are making life difficult for the average computer user. This list has been compiled, surprisingly enough, by anti-virus software company Sophos and is an ongoing monthly roundup. The table lists the Kakworm virus as the most persistent offender (haven't we all been infected by that little fellow?) followed by LoveLetter and Apology. ...more

Worldwide cable modem market grew 19 per cent in 3Q

Vendors will start to see even more intense competition for the low-end, simple-functionality modems Worldwide cable modem market shipments totaled more than three million units in the third quarter of 2002, up by 19.4 per cent from 2.5 million units a year earlier, according to Dataquest, a unit of Gartner. ...more

Sub-?1000 LCD projector ready for June

Epson is to launch a ?999 inc. VAT projector in June. Digital projectors have been verging towards crossing the ?1,000 barrier for a couple of months now, but it looks like Epson has finally cracked it with the EMP-S1. ...more

Panasonic unites Blu-ray with DVD and CD formats

Panasonic, a leading backer of the Blu-ray high definition DVD format, has unveiled a new chipset that will enable optical disc drives to play and record DVDs and CDs as well as Blu-ray (BD) discs. The chipset is the first to combine support for multiple DVD (RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD+RW) and all CD formats with BD, something that has been considered necessary if PC makers are to be convinced to begin supplying BD drives with computers. The chipset comprises two chips: a front-end processor for analog processing such as servo control and laser power control, and a optical disc controller for signal processing as digital lead channel. ...more