SECURITY... 

• [!] Trojan programs exploiting the latest Windows vulnerability - Kaspersky Lab has detected a range of Trojan programs (classified as Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Agent.acd) which exploit the Windows Meta File vulnerability. This vulnerability is rated highly critical, and so far, no patch has been issued. The WMF vulnerability is present in computers running Microsoft Windows XP with SP1 and SP2, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP0 and SP1. The vulnerability can be exploited when viewing infected sites with Internet Explorer, Firefox (if certain other conditions are met), or when previewing *.wmf format files with Windows Explorer.
• 'Leaked' MSN Messenger 8 Beta Really A Trojan - Helsinki-based F-Secure told users to ignore instant messages with the subject head "MSN Messenger 8 Working BETA" that go on to claim that "Messenger 8 BETA has been leaked!"  The message, which refers to an alternate name for the upcoming Live Messenger, also sports a link. Users who click on the link, then download and run the executable, are in reality installing the Virkel.f Trojan.  Virkel.f adds the compromised machine to a botnet, from which the hacker can update the Trojan with additional malicious code, to make the PC into a spam zombie or along with others, launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack on Web sites.
• Two New Trojans Stalk Spanish Net Users -  The first Trojan, named Nabload.U, downloads a second Trojan if a user clicks on a Spanish-language instant message in Messenger while also displaying two URLs that download a configuration file. The message appears to be from a personal contact, according to a Panda news release. Then, the Trojan Banker.BSX opens port 1106 and waits to capture login and password information if the user visits any of 10 different Spanish banking sites. The login and password information is subsequently forwarded to an e-mail address, Panda says.

OFF-TOPIC

• Europe’s satellite navigation venture launches - The first test satellite of the Galileo constellation blasts off - the civilian project will rival the military-run US and Russian systems.
• 25 most interesting webcams of 2005 - check it out! (PR)
• The Top 10 Craziest Science Stuff you didn't know - You can Hypnotize Chickens, You can have an erection once dead, Gay bomb...etc :)

TECHNOLOGY...

• Pioneer BRD-101A Blu-ray burner Announced -  Pioneer just officially announced their DRC-101A Blu-ray burner.This OEM-targeted burner/player is capable of hitting up both DVD+R/RWs and Blu-ray's beefier 25GB next gen optical format.
• Microsoft may "encourage" support for HD-DVD - According to the EE Times, the Vole is using its operating-system clout to bundle HD-DVD within Vista, the company's next-generation OS. Microsoft is also offering  "coupons" (that is, cash incentives)  to system vendors or retailers if they agree to support HD-DVD.
• What can we expect from Microsoft in 2006 - Bink.nu has published its list of the software we can expect from the giant during 2006. In related news, The Microsoft Watch has a top 10 list of the biggest Microsoft surprises of the year.
• PC World names top 50 gadgets of the past 50 years - PC World has released its compilation of the 50 greatest gadgets of the past 50 years.

SOFTWARE...

• Firefox Gets File Sharing Extension - Created by British-American-Czech software developer Matthew Gertner, the AllPeers extension uses a taskpanel approach rather than a dialogue box.
• µTorrent 1.3.1-beta build 380 - Torrent (download) is an efficient and feature rich BitTorrent client for Windows sporting a very small footprint. It was designed to use as little cpu, memory and space as possible while offering all the functionality expected from advanced clients..
• Maxthon v1.5.2 build 21 - Maxthon (MyIE2) (download combo / standard) is a powerful web browser with a highly customizable interface. It is based on the Internet Explorer engine (your most likely current web browser) which means that what works in IE, works the same in Maxthon but with many additional efficient features.
• MediaMonkey 2.5.1.933 RC4 - MediaMonkey is an easy-to-use music manager and media jukebox for serious music collectors and iPod users. It catalogs your CDs, OGG, WMA, MPC, FLAC, APE, WAV and MP3 audio files
• Nero posted 7.0.1.4b - Nero released after version 7.0.1.4 now version 7.0.1.4b. No new Release notes at the moment.
• IrfanView 3.98  - IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative freeware (for non-commercial use) graphic viewer for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003.
• PSPad 4.5.0 Build 2175 - PSPad editor (freeware) is my favourite programmer editor.
• PCI Latency Tool 3.1 v2 - Utility to set PCI Latency and possibly prevent game stutter or improve FPS.
• Realtek AC97 Driver v3.81 - This driver supports all ALC series audio chipsets from ALC101 up to ALC861. It is used as onboard sound on many motherboards. Chips covered include ALC101/201/202/203/250/650/653/655/658/850/861.
• NGO ATI Optimized Driver v1.5.13 - The NGO ATI Optimized Driver is a tweaked version of the ATI Catalyst driver. The main purpose is to satisfy the users with better performance and image quality. The Driver has support for all Radeon cards.