Free Windows XP update improves security of private and public WiFi networks

Microsoft has beefed up the security of Windows XP's wireless connections as a free update to Service Pack 2. As well as making it easier to connect to wireless hotspots, Microsoft says it has now added support for WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) - said to be the highest level of standard wireless security currently available. The move is driven by the requirements of US government and other security conscious organisations for improved security within WiFi networks. ...more

Lightweight Flybook touches down in the UK

Currently billed as the lightest tablet PC available, the 1.2kg Flybook A330i has just touched down in the UK. In fairness, part of the reason it is so light is because it is physically small, as opposed to having used particularly light components. ...more

Sober epidemic reveals strength of its botnet origins

The Sober epidemic may be a testament to the size of the botnet used to spam it out, rather than any indication of actual infection levels, according to antivirus experts Kaspersky labs. Many security companies, including Kaspersky, noted high levels of Sober-infected email traffic in the 'epidemic' that kicked off 2 May. Sophos said that about 80 per cent of virus reports were Sober-related and that infected mails accounted for nearly 5 per cent of all traffic. ...more

RealNetworks sues Microsoft

RealNetworks is to sue Microsoft Corporation for violations under the US antitrust laws. The company alleges that Microsoft has illegally used its monopoly power to restrict competition, limit consumer choice and attempt to monopolize the growing field of digital media. The complaint alleges that Microsoft has abused its monopoly power, resulting in substantial lost revenue and business. ...more

When the going gets tough, Microsoft steps up spending

Microsoft is to invest 5,000 jobs and $1bn of spending on R&D as it seeks to boost its .Net Web services strategy, stage 2 of which is now on the horizon. Bill Gates has revealed that Microsoft will be investing an extra $900m in R&D in the coming fiscal year, increasing its spending on new hardware and software technologies by 20 per cent, to $5. ...more