I upgraded one of my network file servers, yesterday. I replaced a hard disk that was setting off occasional error notices, and, while while I was at it, I replaced the current operating system (Mandrake Community 10.1) with Knoppix 3.7. Knoppix is the Linux distribution that I use in class to demonstrate how simple Linux is to use, because Knoppix is a fully-functional operating system with common applications that can boot from a single CD. So, with the bootable CD, I can quickly convert any computer to Linux without the risk of deleting any existing files from the Windows operating system.
Starting today, many users of new, unregistered copies of Microsoft Windows will have to make a phone call in order to activate the software's license. In a move to curb piracy of its flagship operating system, Microsoft has disabled the Internet activation alternative, now requiring these users to orally confirm their use of the product.
It was only a month ago that Microsoft Corp. announced its free antispyware application; however, malware has already been detected by an antivirus company, Sophos PLC, that will disable Microsoft's program and delete all files in the program's installation directory. The malware, known as BankAsh-A, not only deletes all of the Microsoft antispyware files, it then goes on to install
The Globus Consortium, founded by Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, and Sun Microsystems, announced today plans to design and market commercial grid-computing software applications. The consortium will promote technical standards to make grid computing a viable option for businesses. With a quarter million dollar investment from each company, the organization is sufficiently funded to begin operations. Other contributing participants include Nortel Networks,
Panda Software, a respected vendor of antivirus software applications within the technical community, has named a Trojan, Downloader.GK, as the most malicious virus of 2004. Even though Downloader.GK isn't technically a virus, an application that independently distributes itself, the program has caused the most damage to users' computers, according to data collected by Panda Software's ActiveScan process. Until now, the
A report of Internet-related activities, published by Stanford University in 2000, asked 4,000 respondents to select among a list of 17 online activities. The results were not surprising. An updated report is forthcoming next week. By far, e-mail is the most common online activity, an activity of 90 percent of all users; however, e-mail isn't the principal reason most folk
Symantec Corp., manufacturer of the popular Norton series of antivirus products, yesterday warned customers of a multiple critical holes in Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system. The security holes make the Windows systems vulnerable to remote attack. Following postings to the Bugtraq mailing list, a respected source of timely security information, Symantec security managers also detailed the heap overflow vulnerabilities of