2005 | Archive | ComputerWeekly.com

December 22, 2005 22Dec2005 News

Gaining access using application and operating system attacks

In this excerpt from Chapter 7 of Counter Hack Reloaded: A Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Attacks and Effective Defenses, Second Edition, authors Ed Skoudis and Tom Liston explain how security professionals can use exploit frameworks to their ... Continue Reading

December 21, 2005 21Dec2005 News

Sony struggles to regain trust

The company is trying to mend a reputation bruised over its antipiracy practices. One advocate for online civil liberties explains why redemption is a long way off. Continue Reading

December 20, 2005 20Dec2005 News

Guidance turns investigative tools on itself

The forensics software firm says it was compromised by hackers in November. It's just one in a growing list of companies admitting to recent attacks or lax security. Continue Reading

December 19, 2005 19Dec2005 News

Sober worm code cracked

Security firm F-Secure says it has cracked the code used by the Sober worm, potentially blocking the worm from receiving updates. Continue Reading

December 18, 2005 18Dec2005 News

Trio of trouble: Malcode targets Windows, IM users

AV firms warn IT shops to guard against Dasher, Bagle and Banbra. Dasher targets a Windows flaw patched in October, while Banbra spreads through IM. Continue Reading

December 16, 2005 16Dec2005 News

Oracle profits slump but new licences up

Oracle has posted a drop in its second quarter net profits but it says new licence revenues are up. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Flaws reported in Trend Micro ServerProtect

Storage and security managers should be wary of vulnerabilities in the AV product that could enable a denial-of-service and malicious code execution. Workarounds are available. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Hospital ditches EMC Centera for long-term archiving

UHCS in Augusta, Ga., is replacing its Centera archiving system from EMC with IBM's GMAS product after performance, reliability and cost issues forced it to seek alternatives. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Roundup: 2005's 'curious malicious code'

These viruses, worms and Trojans sometimes escaped our notice. But it didn't get past one antivirus vendor, who rounded up some of the year's stranger offerings from the underground. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

UK firms overlook service delivery

Only 48% of companies have a well-defined IT service management process in place, according to independent research from service management company Tertio SMS. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Another PC maker joins £60 laptop project

One of the world’s biggest laptop PC manufacturers has signed up to the $100 (£60) laptop project to give computing access to the poor in developing countries. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Exploit code for Firefox flaw appears on internet

Exploit code that can use older versions of the open-source Firefox browser to remotely take over users’ PC has appeared on the internet. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Female BCS membership increases

Women IT specialists are getting increasing support from the BCS after big growth in female membership of the society. Continue Reading

December 14, 2005 14Dec2005 News

Quality testing tools could aid developers

Developers building high-quality software could benefit from two new application quality testing tools from Compuware. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 In Depth

A closer look at fixed mobile convergence

You don't have to put fixed mobile convergence on your holiday shopping list just yet, according to our wireless expert. But now is the time to determine how the technology can benefit you -- so you can shop smart later. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 News

Research firm's IP phones go wireless

The British Market Research Bureau, part of the Millward Brown Group, will this month extend its IP telephony system to support wireless telephony. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 News

Capgemini helps its staff diversify

Thousands of staff at IT services company Capgemini have been given the opportunity to learn new skills that could help them change careers. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 News

Top female IT students scoop awards

Schoolgirls from Dundee and Cardiff triumphed at this year's Axios A Star Awards for the brightest female IT students in the UK. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 News

Microsoft to change security settings for IE7

Microsoft has unveiled several changes in the way its upcoming Internet Explorer 7 browser will classify websites for security, to reduce the chances of users falling victim to malicious code. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 News

Mobile data security boosted by self-destruct texts

A service offering secure self-destruct mobile text messages has been launched in the UK. Continue Reading

December 13, 2005 13Dec2005 News

Microsoft starts beta of Windows Live Messenger with VoIP

Microsoft has started beta testing a Windows Live Messenger service that includes features such as voice over IP. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

New global body aims to bridge business continuity planning gap

A new global organisation was set up this month to bridge the gap between IT, business staff and company boards on incident response planning in large organisations. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Successes, delays and cost fears for NHS plan

The world's largest civil IT project is bound to have ups and downs. In 2005 this proved the case for the £6.2bn NHS national programme for IT (NPfIT). Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Costs could rise as ERP suppliers look to SOA

The big software story of the year was the completion of Oracle's purchases of PeopleSoft and JD Edwards in January, and its surprise acquisition of CRM market leader Siebel in September, which it bought for £3.24bn. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Step 3: What good are your findings?

Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Titan Rain shows need for better training

SANS says the Chinese-based attacks demonstrate the growing sophistication of hackers, and the need for IT admins who can articulate the dangers to execs. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Keys to finalizing your Active Directory migration

When you migrate from Windows NT domains to Windows Active Directory domains, there are many aspects of the migration that can remain unfinished. Expert Derek Melber runs dows the list of areas that should be checked to avoid security gaps in your ... Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Two Windows patches coming, IE fix uncertain

It remains to be seen whether the software giant on Dec. 13 will address an outstanding Internet Explorer issue that is currently the target of a malicious Trojan. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

China overtakes US in ICT exports market

China has overtaken the US as the world’s biggest supplier of information and communication technology (ICT). Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Northgate head office crippled by oil depot blast

The head office of Northgate Information Solutions, the software and outsourcing firm, has been seriously damaged by Sunday’s wave of massive explosions at the Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead. Continue Reading

December 12, 2005 12Dec2005 News

Experts: Encryption not a security cure-all

Encrypting data offers some protection, but secure applications require much more than cryptography. Experts weigh in on your security options. Continue Reading

December 09, 2005 09Dec2005 News

BEA and Mercury offer joint testing solution

BEA Systems and Mercury Interactive have created a software bundle to help developers and quality assurance testers prepare applications for commercial roll out. Continue Reading

December 09, 2005 09Dec2005 News

Voice over IP wobbles over security

A sceptical 43% of the 100 European IT directors are worried about security according to a survey by Viatel. Despite their concerns, two-thirds of respondents believe the potential for 50% cost savings and added functionality of Voice over IP (VOIP)... Continue Reading

December 09, 2005 09Dec2005 News

TLC not SLA is secret to outsourcing success

Outsourcing based on mutual trust rather than punitive service level agreements can create 20% to 40% difference on performance indicators such as service, quality and cost, according to research from LogicaCMG and Warwick Business School. Continue Reading

December 09, 2005 09Dec2005 News

Tibco shores up SOA offering

Tibco Software has released its latest web platforms to allow users to move towards service-orientated architectures (SOAs). Continue Reading

December 08, 2005 08Dec2005 News

IP cloaking becoming a business necessity

Just by browsing your competitor's Web site, you might be giving away your company's most guarded secrets. Experts offer advice for countering the subterfuge and keeping secrets safe. Continue Reading

December 08, 2005 08Dec2005 News

Sex is still top of the domain names

Sex.eu was the most sought after domain name using the new European Union TLD (top-level domain), after registrations started yesterday. Continue Reading

December 07, 2005 07Dec2005 News

Security pros gain ground in the board room

Executives are paying more attention to their IT security managers and taking more responsibility for online threats against their companies, according to a new study. Continue Reading

December 06, 2005 06Dec2005 News

CIO Watercooler: New jobs, free Windows and Weaselboy

Who's getting the best CIO jobs? Check out the latest roundup of IT news you should know. Continue Reading

December 06, 2005 06Dec2005 News

Cybersecurity policy takes cooperation, trust, experts say

At the Infosecurity confab, experts explain why sharing information -- even when it's embarrassing -- is vital to securing not only corporations, but also the national infrastructure. Continue Reading

December 06, 2005 06Dec2005 News

Microsoft makes changes to IE after patent battle

Microsoft is developing Internet Explorer code changes that allow the browser to avoid using technology patented by Eolas, which is involved in a long-running legal dispute with the Redmond giant. Continue Reading

December 06, 2005 06Dec2005 News

Cisco confirms OpenSSL flaws

Cisco Systems has issued a security advisory over the potential vulnerabilities in using the OpenSSL open-source data encryption software with some of its products. Continue Reading

December 05, 2005 05Dec2005 In Depth

Sarbanes-Oxley compliance can reduce audit costs and bring business benefits

The 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, passed by US Congress to clean up corporate America's financial reporting, is casting a long shadow over UK IT directors. Continue Reading

December 05, 2005 05Dec2005 News

SAP strengthens retail software range with Khimetrics acquisition

Enterprise software firm SAP is bolstering its retail business applications with pricing and product demand analysis following its acquisition last month of retail management software specialist Khimetrics. Continue Reading

December 05, 2005 05Dec2005 News

Government could not cope with new pensions IT, warn insurers

Savings industry experts concerned over state's track record with massive IT projects. Continue Reading

December 05, 2005 05Dec2005 News

Hacker posts image on Foreign Office website

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office website was defaced by a hacker last week, raising questions about the department's security procedures. Continue Reading

December 05, 2005 05Dec2005 In Depth

How to build practical applications of grid computing in a business environment

The level of understanding of grid computing as an idea has matured to the level where users are now able to understand the different types of grid computing that are available to them. Continue Reading

December 02, 2005 02Dec2005 News

Computacenter customers face uncertainty as founders seek buy-out

Customers of Computacenter, one of the UK's largest IT equipment and service providers, face a period of uncertainty as the company's founders look intent on buying out the company and taking it private. Continue Reading

December 02, 2005 02Dec2005 News

Top suppliers introduce SOA ease-of-use standard

Top software suppliers have joined forces to make it easier for users to develop applications within service-oriented architecture (SOA) environments. Continue Reading

December 02, 2005 02Dec2005 News

EU domain name launch set for next week

EU companies and public bodies can register an .eu domain name from next week. Continue Reading

December 02, 2005 02Dec2005 News

First successful patient system roll-out for London NHS

NHS contractor BT Capital Care Alliance and software supplier IDX have successfully rolled out a new patient administration system at Queen Mary’s Sidcup NHS Trust. Continue Reading

November 30, 2005 30Nov2005 News

Out-of-cycle IE patch may be imminent

Microsoft may release a critical Internet Explorer fix before the next Patch Tuesday, amid reports that malicious code is targeting a memory corruption flaw. Continue Reading

November 30, 2005 30Nov2005 News

Red tape and pressure cause bad decisions

Four out of 10 senior managers say they have made a bad decision in the last six months, according to research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Continue Reading

November 30, 2005 30Nov2005 News

Now Google hits security hurdle

After Microsoft, Yahoo and Skype, Google has become the latest household name to find its security under question after having to patch its Google Base content-hosting service to prevent attackers stealing sensitive information from users. Continue Reading

November 30, 2005 30Nov2005 News

Scam FBI email carries Sober virus

A mass email, purportedly from law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit, is circulating, carrying with it an attachment containing the Sober virus. Continue Reading

November 30, 2005 30Nov2005 News

Sans Top 20 spots major security shift

The Sans Top 20, the annual publication of critical security vulnerabilities, has highlighted a major shift in attacks from web servers and mail systems towards new application-borne threats. Continue Reading

November 29, 2005 29Nov2005 In Depth

Spyware Learning Guide

This guide is a compilation of resources that explain what spyware is, how it attacks and most importantly what you can to do to win the war on spyware. Continue Reading

November 29, 2005 29Nov2005 News

By the numbers: The new SOX breakdown

SOX spending for 2006 is expected to be on par with last year but it's not quite dÉjÀ vu all over again. More dough will go to technology. Continue Reading

November 29, 2005 29Nov2005 News

Debenhams secures remote access

The Debenhams department store group has adopted a new remote access product to give employees and partners secure access to its network. Continue Reading