Nightly Tech Reading - tech
(hx) 04:37 AM CEST - Oct,04 2002
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- Microsoft Issues Windows Security Warning - Microsoft on Wednesday
warned of security flaws in Windows that could allow intruders to take
control of PCs. To take advantage of the flaw in HTML Help, the
intruder would execute code that's either in a Web page or was sent to the
user as HTML mail. The flaw affects systems running Windows XP, 2000, NT 4.0
(and NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition), ME, 98, (and Windows 98 Second Edition).
The second flaw affects the Windows implementations of Zip compression.
Intruders need to send users a Zip file written to take advantage of the
security hole, and then convince the users to open the file. The Zip bug
affects Windows 98 with PLUS! Pack, ME, and XP
download paches
- New Details Covering The Opasoft Worm -
Distinguishing "Opasoft" is the way it spreads over the Internet. The worm
scans the global network and determines which computers are running Windows
95/98/ME and on which to attempt to gain access to drive C. Next, "Opasoft"
goes through access passwords to these resources and if it is successful in
gaining access it promptly infects victim machines with copies of itself. To
search infected computers "Opasoft" uses communications ports (137 and 139)
accepted in Windows networks for exchanging data. It is precisely this fact
that these ports are targeted for hacker attack. This together with the
circumstance that so many users and system administrators do not follow secure
policies for computer resources, predetermined the rapid spread of the Opasoft
worm.
- Microsoft to upgrade Exchange, Outlook -The company
will
announce plans to add new features to the Web-based version of the Outlook
e-mail program that will make it as comprehensive as the regular PC version.
- US trials biometric driving licences - The state of Connecticut is
introducing over-the-counter
biometric driving
licences. Implemented by integrator Viisage, the system uses a PC-based
'image-capture workstation' which records the driver's facial image. The
systems will be installed at Department of Motor Vehicle offices across the
state, and will cope with 800,000 applications a year. Printers will laminate
the licences in a one-step process that produces dual-sided multi-colour cards
in as little as 30 seconds. The cards will include security features such as
holograms to combat identity fraud and ensure that the correct people are
renewing the licences.
- What's a W? Sony shows the U.S. - The Japanese company plans to
unveil its popular Vaio W all-in-one desktop--previously available only in
Japan--to consumers in the United States, according to sources. The machine
joins Sony's new lineup of multimedia-oriented Vaio desktops. The Vaio W
is a small PC that incorporates a keyboard that flips up to create more desk
space, covering half of the W's 15-inch, horizontally mounted screen. The
portion of the screen that remains visible can display either a clock or a
music menu. Similar to Gateway's new Profile 4, the Vaio W's internal
components, such as its processor, are mounted behind the screen.
- UD researchers develop revolutionary computer interface technology -
University of Delaware researchers have developed
a revolutionary computer interface technology that promises to put the
bite on the traditional mouse and mechanical keyboard. Elias and Wayne
Westerman, UD visiting assistant professor of electrical and computer
engineering, have been working on the new interface for about five years and
are now marketing their iGesture product through a company called FingerWorks.
The FingerWorks name fits because the technology uses a touch pad and a range
of finger motions to communicate commands and keys to the computer. To open a
file, you rotate your hand as if opening a jar; to zoom or de-zoom, you expand
or contract your hand.
- Microsoft zaps Xbox-hacking chipmaker -
The company appears to have shut down one of the largest distributors of
"mod chips"--add-ons that allow Xbox and other video game consoles to play
pirated games.
- Black hole outburst looks 'faster than light' - Resembling cannon
shots from a ship at night, one toward shore and the other away, two X-ray
jets streaming from
a black hole have been observed during their entire trajectories for the
first time.
- Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox 3 -
The
Creative Jukebox 3 is clearly being targeted at the audiophile market as
well as the casual jogger who likes listening to tracks while they exercise.
With a Signal to Noise Ratio of >98dB on the line-out (>96dB on headphones), a
frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz, and a Total Harmonic Distortion of...
- Socket A Upgrade Potential: Tips, Tricks, and Overclocking - Ever
since AMD launched the Socket A platform in the spring of 2000, its been
touted as a platform choice that gives customers an open upgrade path months
or even years down the road. Given the recent release of AMD's 2800+ and its
increased FSB, we've decided to
take a
look at the major Socket A chipsets that've been released since the launch
of the original Thunderbird, and what CPU's they officially (and unofficially)
may support.
- Developer of DEAMON Tools: forget about 1:1
backups - The developer of DEAMON Tools has
posted
information on CDFreaks forum regarding the latest SecuROM versions. Here
is a bit: Latest version of
Securom
CANNOT be copied on usual media just like other protections of this
style (CDCOPS etc.). PERIOD. Forget about 1:1 copy in a traditional way! The
glass master used to produce original SecuROM disc has unsteady physical
parameters along the spiral track containing data sectors. Securom loader
verifies these parameters and checks that they are indeed changing along the
track which is not the case on your '1:1' copy. You cannot copy it on usual
media because usual CD-R/RW has consistant chacteristics all over the disc
(track pitch etc) and its parameters are different than parameters of the
master.
- New Microsoft Patches -
Cumulative Patch for SQL Server /
Unchecked Buffer in Windows Help Facility /
Unchecked Buffer in File Decompression
- DrvImagerXP 2.0 -
DrvImagerXP creates and restores drive images of FAT32 and NTFS partitions
for the Windows2000/XP operating systems.
- Cool Desk v.3.86 -
Cool Desk is a virtual
desktop manager. Ever wish to have several screens on your computer? Cool Desk
creates up to 9 virtual desktops and allows you to have different windows in
each of them. The desktop manager window has a skinnable interface and allows
you to switch from one desktop to another with a single mouse click. You can
easily minimize, maximize, close, move from one desktop to another and even
drop windows to the system tray area (near the clock) using the dockable
Windows manager
- 2xExplorer v1.4.1.12 -
Freeware 2xExplorer
is an easy to use yet very potent and extremely efficient alternative to the
standard windows Explorer. It combines the user-friendliness of the latter
with the increased efficiency and advanced features of good-old dual-pane file
managers like Norton Commander. It is a package that will appeal to the power
user, yet its similarity with Explorer will ensure that less experienced users
will not be driven away either.
- DVD Region-Free 1.11 - You don't need to flash any firmware which
is dangerous or unavailable.
DVD Region-Free
also disables region check for popular software-based DVD players such as
PowerDVD, WinDVD and CinePlayer. Other features include Region-Free for RCE
DVDs, Macrovision-Free, Operation-Free and run self at DVD players startup
automatically.
- Fraps 1.9 -
Fraps is a
tool that lets you monitor current framerates in a corner of the screen for
programs using DirectX or OpenGL technology. It also allows you to easily take
screenshots of games, make movies of gameplay, and manually determine the
average framerate between two points.
- Lite-On CD-RW Firmware - LiteOn have released some new CD-RW
Firmware updates for the following drives: Lite-On LTR-48246S (
48X/24X/48X ), Lite-On LTR-48126S ( 48X/12X/48X ), Lite-On LTR-48125W (
48X/12X/48X ).
- Xabre Performance drivers v3.06.55 - Sillicon Integrated Systems
has released a new Performance
drivers
version 3.06.55 (WinXP/2k/ME/98) for the Xabre 80/200/400 video
chips/cards.
- Official NVIDIA Detonator Drivers 40.72 (BETA) - NVIDIA have
updated their video card drivers to version 40.72 (Win9x/ME
~
WinXP/2000).
- HyperSnap-DX 5.00 Beta 4 -
HyperSnap-DX 5
is a screen capture and image editing tool for MS Windows. It captures screens
from standard desktop programs and even those hard-to-grab DirectX, Direct3D,
3Dfx Voodoo and Glide mode games. This new version adds a new "Free Hand"
capture method, available on "Capture" menu.
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Updated:12:40 AM CEST Jun,21
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