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| | | March 9, 2003
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Sunday, March 9, 2003 |
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Windows overhaul publicly leaked
Early in the week, news broke across the wires of a leaked version of the next big Windows release, code-named "Longhorn." Although the circulated version was not officially posted by Microsoft, the company confirmed its authenticity.
The leaked Longhorn build clearly demonstrated a major overhaul of the Windows operating environment was in the works. Expected to be launched in the end of 2004 or even in 2005, Longhorn will be offering a completely new way of storing information. The new file system, Windows Future Storage (WinFS), will be based on SQL Server technology and is still under heavy development. The leaked Windows version also provided vastly enhanced search capabilities and batch of new features, enabling better and user-specific organization. Reports also indicated that Longhorn will include a renovated, 3D video-based interface.
More from: CNET News.com | IDG.net
Sendmail security flaw casts sound concerns
Internet's most widespread e-mail server application turned chillingly dangerous after Internet Security Systems (ISS), a U.S.-based security management solutions provider, released on Monday details of a recently discovered security vulnerability in the Sendmail Mail Transfer Agent (MTA). A buffer overflow vulnerability could reportedly be exploited by an e-mail message with a specifically malformed header. As a result, attackers may gain complete access to the server, running the Sendmail application.
ISS worked in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which for the first time exerted the full capabilities of various federal agencies to protect U.S. government infrastructure and to notify key companies, affected by the discovery of the flaw. On Monday, corporations across the IT spectrum mobilized to patch Sendmail's security hole.
But just hours after the announcement a Polish hacker group posted exploit code to a security mailing list. The group, which calls itself Last Stage of Delirium, characterized the posting as a proof-of-concept code with no harmful intentions. The announcement once again spurred debates on the pertinence of publicly revealing details about security vulnerabilities, which subsequently may have a staggering effect as the Slammer worm recently proved.
The enormous scope and the severity of the flaw also triggered concerns about the swift and adequate response on part of system administrators, who ultimately bear the responsibility of applying all necessary security updates.
More from: CNET News.com 1 2 3 | InfoWorld | ISS | Reuters | Washington Post | Wired News
SCO Group files a billion-dollar suit against IBM
SCO Group, the owner of the intellectual rights over the UNIX operating environment, has filed a suit against the world's biggest computing company IBM, seeking at least one billion dollars. The claim alleges that IBM has engaged in "misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, unfair competition and breach of contract." In addition, SCO has also issued an ultimatum to Big Blue, giving the computer giant 100 days to meet various demands or face revocation of IBM's license to use UNIX technology in the AIX OS.
The lawsuit angered developers from across the open-source community and triggered harsh criticism towards SCO. Many analysts noted that the group's claim has probably resulted out of exasperation that SCO was unable to turn its solutions into a profitable business in a marketplace environment.
More from: CNET News.com | IDG.net | InternetNews.com | The Register | Wired News
Company News
 Antivirus vendor and Internet security software firm Trend Micro entered the anti-spam race by announcing its new Spam Prevention Service. Partnering with U.S.-based spam protection services company Postini, Trend Micro launched a solution aiming to stop junk mail at the most important location -- the Internet gateway.
Google, the Internet's most popular search destination, unveiled a new advertising program committed to delivering targeted advertising on the company's partner web sites. As a result, sites using Google's search technology, such as America Online and The Washington Post, will be providing more ad space for advertisers, looking for strictly targeted campaigns, which are likely to yield more results.
eBay announced it will shut down Half.com, a web site selling used books, CDs, videos and other items at a fixed price, in late 2004.
Microsoft is expected to officially launch on Monday the second beta version of its Office 2003 suite. A public preview to several thousand beta testers and companies is likely to be offered.
AOL offered an early version of AOL Communicator, a software application specifically designed for professional users, seeking more advanced tools in dealing with e-mail messages.
In Other News...
Unidentified hackers broke into a database of the University of Texas at Austin, stealing the names, e-mail addresses and Social Security numbers of more than 55,000 current and formers students and employees. University officials reported close cooperation with various law enforcement agencies.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether the installation of pornography filters at public library computers violates the freedom of speech. The American Library Association argued on Wednesday that the blocking measure should be declared unconstitutional, while the U.S. government implied that providing unfiltered access will violate the Children's Internet Protection Act.
The White House has asked the owner of WhiteHouse.org, a satirical web site lampooning U.S. government policies, to remove collage pictures and untrue statements about the wife of U.S. vice president Dick Cheney. Freedom of speech activists were quick to criticize the move.
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