Comment: Venerable viruses become outdated by new threats

UK security specialist Sophos has released its top ten virus for the first half of the year, and the message is clear: ignore it. Made up in the main of Netsky, Zafi and Sober variants, a good number of the ten most virulent viruses have been around more than a year. And while they continue to be a perennial pestilence clogging up bandwidth and inboxes, they don't paint an accurate picture of the true battle going on. ...more

The future is 64-bit and imminent claims Gates

Gates predicts that within two years the move to 64bit computing will pretty much be done In his keynote at yesterdays' Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2004 conference Microsoft's Chief Software Architect Bill Gates said: 'between now and the end of 2005, we'll go from having very few 64-bit chips out there to virtually 100 percent what AMD ships, and the majority of what Intel ships within less than two years will be 64-bit capable chips.' Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems, he said, is on track for a fourth quarter 2004 release. 64-bit editions of other Windows versions, such as Tablet PC and Media Center will also be available. ...more

Panasonic plans Blu-Ray player for September

Japanese consumer electronics giant Panasonic has announced that it expects to introduce its first Blu-Ray DVD player, the DMP-BD10, in September. Although pricing has not been finalised, the company says it expects to start selling the new machines at under $1,500 in the US. The company says that it will also be introducing a high definition television set at the same time to accompany the DMP-BD10. ...more

Mobile phone porn blocked by operators

UK network operators have announced a code for minor mobile users. The six UK operators have agreed to put in place controls that restrict access to adult content available via mobile phones for those under 18. MP Stephen Timms, Communications Minister, said: 'This Code of Practice is an excellent example of the responsible self regulation we are keen to encourage among the mobile operators to address issues relating to new types of content now available on mobile handsets. ...more

Sophos beefs up Anti-Virus

Security firm Sophos is upgrading its endpoint security solution with application control features. The upgrade allows enterprises to block applications such as peer-to-peer, VoIP and instant messaging clients full stop, or on a per user or per group basis. No software needs to be installed, as the upgrade consists of adding signature files for the various applications in the same way as signature files for new viruses are added. ...more