by certifiedbug on March 21, 2008
in News
Following China’s crackdown on protests in Lhasa by Tibetan activists, and a blackout of YouTube and Google News within the country, a new twist on events brings us to Internet security.
Apprantly Groups supporting freedom of Tibet are being targeted by technically advanced malware attacks.
Asia Free Press news report:
AFP received an email Tuesday from someone claiming to be in Denmark, who had attached a file they said were pictures of Tibetans shot by the Chinese army. When AFP tried to open the attachment, a virus warning appeared.
Students For A Free Tibet
Analysis by F-Secure Labs: Targeted malware attacks against pro-Tibet groups
by certifiedbug on March 17, 2008
in News
My last post on this item was May 31, 2007, the month Soloway was arrested. Several months later, after pleading guilty to fraud and tax evasion charges, Soloway is due to be sentenced 20 June, 2008.
The notorious spammer has previously been found guilty of sending spam in several civil cases, Microsoft won a $7.8m judgement against him back in 2005, but he’s always avoided paying fines.
According to his lawyers, the only assets are a collection of two dozens pairs of expensive sunglasses valued at more than $3,700, 27 pairs of shoes, and clothing worth about $14,200.
Seattle Times
by certifiedbug on February 26, 2008
in News
After removal of what government officials deemed a “blasphemous” video clip, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has lifted the ban on YouTube, owned by Google, Inc.
CNN.com
by certifiedbug on February 25, 2008
in News
In an effort to block video-sharing website “YouTube”, Pakistan first ordered ISPs to block the site, followed by a more specific BGP route announcement for the block of IP addresses that YouTube uses.
This resulted in YouTube traffic being routed to Pakistan and creating a YouTube blackout for two hours.
According to reports from the BBC, the blackout was probably connected to Pakistan Telecom and ISP (Internet Service Provider) PCCW.
PCCW found it necessary to shut down Pakistan’s Internet access while working out the finer details.
BBC News
Update to Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista to manufacturing (RTM) release
In my blog post on the subject, I noted that we were going to make SP1 available to customers in stages to make sure we delivered a great experience. As I explained, one reason for this is that we are working through an issue with a small set of hardware devices that may not function properly after the Windows Vista-based PC they are installed on is updated to SP1. This is an issue with the way the device drivers were re-installed during the SP1 update process, not with the drivers themselves — these drivers worked on Windows Vista RTM and they work on Windows Vista SP1. For new PCs with Windows Vista SP1 pre-installed, this is not an issue.
We are working with the manufacturers of these devices to get the drivers and their install programs updated, and also working on other solutions we can use to ensure a smooth customer experience when updating to SP1 over Windows Update.
My blog post also noted that when beta testers encountered this issue, the problem was typically corrected by simply uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. This type of issue can be addressed by our more technical customers since they are comfortable reinstalling drivers. While most people think that it’s smart that we are releasing SP1 in stages, some people asked why we haven’t made SP1 available to technical customers sooner.
We’ve heard the feedback and I want to update you on our plans and progress for making SP1 available to our beta participants, our Volume Licensing customers, and our MSDN/TechNet Plus subscribers:
- Late Friday we made SP1 RTM available to individuals and companies who participated in the SP1 beta program
- At the end of this week we will be making the English version of Windows Vista SP1 available to Volume Licensing customers. Other languages will follow soon after
- Later this month, SP1 will be available to MSDN and TechNet Plus subscribers
Windows Vista Team Blog
Announcement at the Windows Vista Team Blog
Here’s the timing for SP1 availability for current Windows Vista users:
- In mid-March, we will release Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Update (in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese) and to the download center on microsoft.com. Customers who visit Windows Update can choose to install Service Pack 1. If Windows Update determines that the system has one of the drivers we know to be problematic, then Windows Update will not offer SP1. Since we know that some customers may want to update to SP1 anyhow, the download center will allow anyone who wants to install SP1 to do so.
- In mid-April, we will begin delivering Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista customers who have chosen to have updates downloaded automatically. That said, any system that Windows Update determines has a driver known to not update successfully will not get SP1 automatically. As updates for these drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update, which will unblock these systems from getting Service Pack 1. The result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience.
- The remaining languages will RTM in April.
PressPass
REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 1, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) today announced that it has made a proposal to the Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) Board of Directors to acquire all the outstanding shares of Yahoo! common stock for per share consideration of $31 representing a total equity value of approximately $44.6 billion. Microsoft’s proposal would allow the Yahoo! shareholders to elect to receive cash or a fixed number of shares of Microsoft common stock, with the total consideration payable to Yahoo! shareholders consisting of one-half cash and one-half Microsoft common stock. The offer represents a 62 percent premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock on Jan. 31, 2008.
Update: Sunday, May 4, 2008
Microsoft yanks Yahoo bid
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer may get second bite at Yahoo!
Anti-spyware program by Patrick Kolla and Team Spybot.
Spybot-S&D 1.5 has quite a lot of advantages over version 1.4: improved compatibility, more effective detections and new functions. Between all the positive feedback we received, there were also some things that needed to be improved: the immunization sometimes needed to be applied twice before sticking, many users wanted the file shredder back, and it was impossible to remove entries from the user blacklist in the Internet Explorer plugin. But first of all, we apologize for the long starting time of Spybot-S&D 1.5.1 to all users. This item has been fixed now in this new version 1.5.2.
We are convinced that you will work with the best Spybot ever: Spybot-S&D 1.5.2 has all advantages, but no handicaps over all previous versions!
Throughout the next days our partners and ourselves will provide you with version 1.5.2. This version will also be available through the integrated update within the next days.
Spybot-S&D Home Page
Windows Vista Team Blog:
Today the Windows Live team announces the final release of the Windows Live suite of applications and web services designed to enhance the Windows user experience. Consumers can now download the full Windows Live suite at once or pick and choose their favorite apps and services.
Why Windows Live on this blog? Simply put, the two product platforms are now linked more than ever before.
PressPass:
Q&A: Chris Jones, corporate vice president, Windows Live Experience Program Management, discusses how Windows Live will help consumers more easily and safely communicate and share online.
Windows Live
