Archive
Browse the full archive of Computer Weekly online content - see our most recent articles listed below, or browse by year of publication.
2005 Stories
-
December 23, 2005
23Dec2005
News
Student developers' chance to win $125,000 of prizes
Microsoft calls for student developers to represent the UK in 4th annual Imagine Cup Continue Reading
-
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
Compliance gets more expensive for IT budgets
New study shows IT spending has increased in order to keep pace with the growing demands of Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations. Analysts predict that this may lead to the canceling of other projects. 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 21, 2005
21Dec2005
News
XP gets US government security rating
The US government has given some versions of Microsoft’s Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems the highly regarded Common Criteria security certification rating. Continue Reading
-
December 21, 2005
21Dec2005
News
Hackers crack X-Box software
Microsoft’s operating systems aren’t the only products from the company to suffer hacker attacks. Now its new Xbox 360 games console is under threat after hackers claimed to have cracked their way into the software that runs the machine. Continue Reading
-
December 21, 2005
21Dec2005
News
Firms worry over clash between policies and compliance
Company security specialists are struggling to manage the demands of meeting regulatory accountability for data security while at the same time keeping businesses running with the help of numerous business partners. Continue Reading
-
December 21, 2005
21Dec2005
News
EU data to be stored for two years
European telecoms companies and ISPs will have to keep their data stored for two years to meet security regulations after EU politicians and legislators voted for the increase in data retention. Continue Reading
-
December 21, 2005
21Dec2005
News
New Dasher worm targets Windows 2000
A new worm has emerged, which targets Windows 2000 systems. It is based on an exploit for a recently patched bug in Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator. 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 20, 2005
20Dec2005
News
Symantec shuts down discussion groups
One user has started a new, independent forum in response, saying IT professionals need a place to find support for problems related to the AV giant's products. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Free tool helps secure Terminal Services
New freeware offered by software developer 2X improves security for Terminal Services. The tool secures remote Web servers by verifying IP addresses. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Dell recalls faulty batteries
PC supplier, Dell is recalling batteries from selected notebook computers, after receiving reports that some are at risk of over heating, and could pose a fire risk. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
New open source software standard unites suppliers
Seven US universities and four suppliers have agreed common standards for developing open source software. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Microsoft to boost project management offering with UMT technology
Microsoft has unveiled plans to acquire the software and intellectual property of the development arm of UMT, which provides project and portfolio management technology alongside consulting services. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Microsoft, IBM and SAP drop joint project
Microsoft, IBM and SAP, are to discontinue the UDDI Business Registry (UBR) project, created to test UDDI specifications and products, in January. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
In Depth
Case study - Datacentre consolidation at Ernst and Young
As Ernst & Young has grown, so have the demands on its data resources. In order to remain the effective outfit that it is, the firm consolidated its datacentres Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Suppliers and retailers split on delay to electronic waste scheme
Retailers are disappointed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has indefinitely postponed the introduction of a scheme for safely disposing of electronic waste. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Sun unveils Linux software for Solaris after year-long wait
Sun Microsystems has finally released software which lets the latest version of its Solaris operating system run Linux applications. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Microsoft patch hits Internet Explorer 7
Users who are testing the latest version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, IE7 have complained of problems after downloading last week’s critical internet explorer patch. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
HBOS to boost training efficiency with Enlight deal
HBOS has signed an agreement with Enlight to use its IT Rollout and Training product across the bank’s entire group of companies. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Global Services Company cuts datacentre's servers
Mercer Human Resource Consulting, a global provider of HR and financial services, has gone live with a state-of-the-art European data centre at an ex-Ministry of Defence site 40 miles north of London. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
IXEurope expands London datacentre footprint
IXEurope, Europe's fastest growing specialist datacentre services group, has acquired a new site to convert into a datacentre in London to accommodate strong growth from the corporate market. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
HP goes to AMD for server blades
HP has made an addition to its server blade portfoilio with the introduction of a high-performance blade PC based on AMD64 technology. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
IBM names server blade magnificent seven
There are seven big advantages of deploying blade servers, says IBM’s BladeCenter and xSeries Servers division. 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 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Spyware still on the increase
The latest threat management report from antivirus firm Sophos presents a worrying, but not entirely unexpected, picture on the state of spyware, with companies seeing a dramatic increase in infections throughout 2005. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
Going, going, gone: a Microsoft vulnerability
There have been a few extraordinary sales on eBay, but you probably wouldn’t have expected to see a Microsoft software vulnerability on the auction site. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
More Microsoft patches this week
Microsoft is planning two new software security fixes – one of which is said to be critical – in the latest batch of security updates. Continue Reading
-
December 19, 2005
19Dec2005
News
IT security professionals move on up
Information security professionals are now more highly regarded, and are moving up the corporate ladder towards the board, according to a survey by analyst firm IDC. 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
Visto sues Microsoft over wireless e-mail patents
Visto Corporation is suing Microsoft for allegedly infringing its patents covering wireless e-mail and other applications. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Swiss government chooses Suse Linux
The Swiss federal government is to standardise its IT infrastructure on Novell’s Suse Linux server platform. 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 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Adobe sheds jobs after Macromedia takeover
Adobe Systems is making 10% of its staff redundant following its £2bn acquisition of Macromedia. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Government delays WEEE recycling directive again
The government has admitted that it is unable to make the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive (WEEE) law. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
BUPA adopts .net-based web services
BUPA has awarded Edenbrook a two-year £5m contract to develop new Microsoft .net-based systems to support its private healthcare business. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Watmore leaves government CIO role
Government CIO Ian Watmore is to leave his job on 9 January 2006 to become head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Microsoft security patches conflict with system settings
Microsoft’s latest security updates conflict with some systems’ security settings by overwriting a previously installed file. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Visto signs licensing deal with NTP
Visto has signed a deal with NTP to license the wireless push e-mail technology that is the subject of legal action between NTP and Blackberry maker Research in Motion. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Windows platforms achieve government security accreditation
A number of Microsoft Windows platform products have achieved high security levels in the Common Criteria IT assurance scheme. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Adobe moves to regular patching cycle
Adobe is following the lead set by Microsoft and Oracle and plans to start issuing patches for its expanded product suite as part of a set cycle. Continue Reading
-
December 16, 2005
16Dec2005
News
Microsoft sues users for selling on discounted products
Microsoft is suing nine people for selling on discounted copies of its software. Continue Reading
-
December 15, 2005
15Dec2005
News
European parliament votes for two-year data retention
The European Parliament has voted make ISPs and telephone companies keep internet and phone data for between six months and two years, to aid law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism and serious crime. Continue Reading
-
December 15, 2005
15Dec2005
News
BMW signs pioneering deal with Intel
BMW has signed a multi-million pound technology, marketing and sponsorship partnership with Intel in which the carmaker will standardise its IT infrastructure on Intel-based systems. Continue Reading
-
December 15, 2005
15Dec2005
News
Microsoft Releases Exchange 12 Beta 1
Microsoft has started beta testing the next version of its e-mail server system, Exchange 12. 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
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
BCS disability charity and RNIB offer website access accreditation
A scheme that accredits websites as usable by disabled people has been launched by BCS charity AbilityNet and the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB). Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Your shout: Data security and offshore outsourcing
Readers' views on the week's news Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Herts SMEs benefit from IT work placements
Small and medium-sized businesses in Hertfordshire are offering work placements to students on IT foundation degrees as part of a programme to help firms fill IT vacancies and give students practical experience. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
In Depth
SIP can revolutionise telephony networks but must overcome interoperability issues
Back in the days of circuit-switched networks, when the only type of electronic communication you would undertake was a telephone call, it was much easier for one device to connect to another. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Storage software market jumps 10%
The worldwide storage software market grew 10% year-on-year to be worth $2.1bn (£1.24bn) in the third quarter of 2005. 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
App dev revs up in 2006
Research from managed hosting supplier Globix suggests application development will top the 2006 IT budget at 20.7% of spend, even outstripping investment in network security. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Relationships key to outsourcing success
A commanding 83% of the 150 delegates surveyed at the National Outsourcing Association (NOA) Summit regarded the relationship with their outsource supplier as more important than performance or meeting service level agreements (16%). Only 1% thought... Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
CIOs struggle to shake off techie image
Some 68% of business executives don’t know how to measure the value of IT and rely on their CIO to translate the benefits for them, according to a survey by portfolio management company UMT. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
IBM gives start-ups access to 40,000 patents
IBM is giving start-up companies access to more than 40,000 of its technology patents through a new licensing programme. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Car-tracking wireless tags to be trialled in London congestion zone
Transport for London (TfL) is extending the trial of car-tracking tags for its Congestion Charge road system. 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
Microsoft patches critical IE flaws
Microsoft has patched a number of serious security flaws in its Windows operating system, which mainly relate to holes in the company’s Internet Explorer browser. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Independent police complaints body links systems to all UK forces via XML data feed
Analysing data on complaints lets IPCC track cases and spot trends 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 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Oil disaster crashes public sector systems
Hosted police and council IT systems have been crippled by the oil depot fire at Buncefield. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
American Express and Ariba offer joint electronic payment system
American Express and Ariba have joined forces to launch a complete on-line procurement and payment system for enterprises and their suppliers. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Holway identifies 'destructive technologies'
The battle for ownership of the "webtop" will be a key theme for the IT sector in the next year or so, IT industry analyst Richard Holway told delegates at a charity event organised by the Prince's Trust Technology Leadership Group earlier this ... Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
European Commission called on to investigate proposed .com deal
The European Commission is being asked to investigate a proposed domain names contract between international registry body Icann and .com registrar VeriSign over allegations that it is anti-competitive. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
News
Cisco warns of flaws in OpenSSL software
Cisco Systems has issued a security advisory over the potential vulnerabilities in using OpenSSL open source data encryption software with some of its products. Continue Reading
-
December 14, 2005
14Dec2005
In Depth
The revolution on the desktop
The humble desktop PC is changing radically, in a way that promises to make the hardware more secure, enable easier PC management and provide internet users with sophisticated graphical user interfaces. 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
In Depth
Next move: How can I branch out beyond open source?
The question: How can I branch out beyond open source? 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
Council contact centre improves service level
A new contact centre has meant fewer abandoned service calls and a better service for Lancaster City Council and its citizens. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Use of Wi-Fi up but concerns over hotspot cost and security remain
Sales of Wi-Fi-enabled devices have increased 64% this year and will exceed 120 million units before the year is out, according to research firm In-Stat. But analysts said many organisations are still wary of the technology. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Infrastructure managers moving from consolidation to automation
European IT infrastructure decision makers will next year shift their focus away from consolidation and look to infrastructure automation and managing storage more efficiently, according to a report from analyst firm Forrester Research. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Finance and IT services offer highest salaries
The computer services and finance industries pay the highest average salaries to IT professionals, according to the latest Kew Associates benchmarking study. 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
In Depth
Apacs brings its IT projects in on time
We have had a great year at Apacs, with most of our projects coming in on time. Some of these will carry over into next year, but none that were time-critical, writes Sue Yoe, director, IT and office services at the Association for Payment Clearing ... Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
IT directors forced to wait on MiFID draft
The European Commission has pushed back the publication of the final draft of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) to January, having originally timetabled a pre-Christmas release. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Yahoo releases new widget delivery system
Yahoo has launched a new version of its widget engine, the web portal's platform for running mini-desktop applications. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Wireless groups work together to improve performance
Several wireless networking trade groups are joining forces to improve data networking speeds and reduce interference between their technologies. 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
Microsoft and SAP to release Mendocino next week
Some companies will be able to start testing the Mendocino data integration package from SAP and Microsoft next week. 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
SanDisk wins flash patent ruling
The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by digital media manufacturers to throw out a patent infringement lawsuit brought by flash data storage card manufacturer SanDisk. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Mozilla issues security advisory for Firefox 1.5
The Mozilla Foundation has issued a security advisory to address concerns about a potential flaw in its new open-source Firefox 1.5 browser which could cause a buffer overflow error. 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 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Vonage launches Wi-Fi phone
Vonage is this week launching a Wi-Fi phone that subscribers to its voice over IP service can use to make phone calls using wireless hot spots in public spaces. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
GPs could be paid to use new national IT systems
Health officials want to pay GP practices to use new national systems, as part of efforts to counter flagging enthusiasm among some doctors towards the NHS national programme for IT. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Beware Christmas data theft dangers, warn police
Police, security experts and lawyers are warning IT departments to be on their guard against corporate data theft as companies wind down their operations over the Christmas holidays. Continue Reading
-
December 13, 2005
13Dec2005
News
Report slams City watchdog's IT as expensive and badly managed
An independent report has slammed the IT operations of City watchdog the Financial Services Authority as expensive, lacking direction and badly managed. Continue Reading
-
December 12, 2005
12Dec2005
News
Bank of East Asia to replace core system in UK
The UK operation of Bank of East Asia is preparing to replace its core banking system. The bank will also undertake a hardware upgrade to accommodate the new system. Continue Reading
-
December 12, 2005
12Dec2005
News
Stock exchange offers web service for SMEs
The London Stock Exchange has developed a hosted web service to give firms with a small market capitalisation and those listed on the alternative investment market a cost-effective online investor relations presence. Continue Reading
-
December 12, 2005
12Dec2005
News
Show me the IT, minister tells insurers
The government is to consider adopting a private sector IT system for the proposed National Pension Savings Scheme, and has invited insurers to put together detailed proposals by February. Continue Reading
-
December 12, 2005
12Dec2005
News
Recent contracts awarded December 2005
Recent contracts awarded Continue Reading
-
December 12, 2005
12Dec2005
News
News in brief
Short takes from this week's news Continue Reading