MasterCard upgrades authorisation platform
MasterCard has upgraded its global authorisation processing
platform, designed to simplify the approval of credit card
transactions. The upgrades - due to be in operation by late 2007,
and fully rolled out by late 2009 - will allow banks around the
world to process MasterCard authorisations through a single, common
interface, making the process simpler and faster.
Intel to launch quad-core processors later this
year
Intel is bringing forward the launch of its faster, quad-core
server and desktop processors. They will come out in machines this
winter, rather than the first half of next year. The quad-core
chips consist of two dual-core chips joined together, but with each
package plugging into a single processor socket. AMD is expected to
launch its first quad-core chips in mid-2007, but its offering will
see all the cores fixed onto a single slice of silicon, potentially
improving performance.
Oracle patches 60 software vulnerabilities
Oracle has patched more than 60 security vulnerabilities in its
software products as part of a quarterly patching cycle. About 30
of the bugs could be used by remote attackers to exploit a user's
system, Oracle said. The company urged users to patch their systems
as soon as possible.
Half of IT spend 'does not make money for
business'
Eighty-five per cent of UK companies are investing more than
half of their IT budgets in activities that fail to make money for
the business, according to a study by Coleman Parkes Research, on
behalf of Citrix. In addition, 6% of firms are investing up to 80%
of their IT spend to meet compliance needs.
Microsoft fixes glitches in security patch
Microsoft has ironed out two glitches in one of the security
patches it issued earlier this month, after users reported problems
with it. Security bulletin MS06-034 was designed to prevent remote
attackers from commandeering web servers. But after installing the
patch, some users found they were being repeatedly asked to install
it via Microsoft's update delivery tools.
LCH.Clearnet pulls plug on IT integration
project
Clearing house LCH.Clearnet has abandoned its Generic Clearing
Systems project to build a single integrated IT platform. It will
write off £32m of development costs. The project began in 2004
after the merger of London Clearing House and Clearnet.
Novell launches SuSE Linux Enterprise 10
Novell has released its SuSE Linux Enterprise 10 operating
system after a delay to sort out technical glitches. SuSE Linux
Enterprise Server is designed to offer an open standards platform
for server workloads, said Novell.
Man-in-the-middle scam targets bank
customers
Fraudsters are using a new technique to beat two-factor
authentication systems and break into online bank accounts,
security firm Netcraft has warned. The "man-in-the-middle"
technique - luring users into filling in an electronic form to
intercept single-use passwords - had been used on Citibank
customers, said Netcraft.
Cancer Research saves £2.5m with web
auctions
Cancer Research UK, has saved more than £2.5m in a year through
e-procurement using online auctions. Cancer Research made 30%
savings with its first online auction, held to procure office
supplies, then saved 20% on IT hardware and software purchases.
National Lottery operator names new IT
director
Camelot Group has promoted director of IT services Neil Kellar
to IT director. Kellar will replace Tim Newing, who is leaving to
become easyJet's IT director on 1 August.
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