Microsoft warns of new critical flaw in Windows

Microsoft has admitted there is another 'critical' flaw in Windows which could allow a hacker to take control of a vulnerable machine. The flaw is the result of an unchecked buffer in the ASN.1 Library in many versions of Windows. ...more

CIA agents find themselves Googled

The Chicago Tribune [reg required] says that Internet searches have revealed private and personal details of thousands of CIA operatives. The paper conceded to the CIA's request not to publish either its findings or the methods it used. But it says the searches it conducted through free and paid-for online databases turned up a 'virtual directory' of 2,653 CIA staff, 50 internal agency phone numbers and the sites of two dozen secret facilities across the US. ...more

Linux is now mainstream, report claims

'Linux is now mainstream,' claims IDC in its latest review of the Linux marketplace. While traditional indications of the Linux installed base relies heavily on shipments of new hardware running Linux, in this study, IDC has included installations on existing hardware and cases where the OS is installed alongside other platforms. It found that in many instances the number of software licences sold is actually higher than the figure for hardware shipments because of this. ...more

IBM to shed thousands of European jobs

IBM has announced it is to shed between 10,000 and 13,000 jobs worldwide, with the majority of the cuts planned for Europe. IBM was one of a number of technology companies to report gloomy quarterly financial figures back in April, and to help reduce overheads it is going to axe a pan-European management layer. The company is now looking to create a number of smaller local operating units in Europe, with the emphasis on direct client contact. ...more

Samsung ups combo speed

Samsung Electronics will launch the world's first 52x CD-RW and DVD combo drive in both South Korea and overseas by the end of this month. The SW-352 drive offers 16x DVD-ROM, 52x CD-R, 24x CD-RW and 52x CD-ROM capabilities, enabling it to play all currently available optical media. It can also record and edit MP3 files, video and high-capacity games. ...more