Archive

2005 Stories

• 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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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 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 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

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Monitoring tool helps Yorkshire get more clicks

  Yorkshire Building Society has replaced its web-business management software to better track the effectiveness of its online marketing campaigns and website user experience. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  IBM to integrate XML based eForms with Workplace -- and more tech news briefs

  Brief takes from this week's technology news. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Next move: How do I get a job with no experience?

  The question: How do I get a job with no experience? Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  The work of the World Wide Web Consortium

  The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the global organisation founded and run by inventor of the web Tim Berners-Lee. It aims to ensure that the web is available and accessible to everyone, regardless of their hardware, software, network ... Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Bureaucracy hinders IT decisions, survey shows

  More than half of senior IT managers have been forced to make a decision against their better judgement in the past six months, reflecting inadequacies in the decision making processes within their organisations. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Awards mark outstanding contribution

  Two BCS awards that recognise outstanding contributions to IT are open for nominations. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Who owns and administers the internet's addresses?

  Given that IPv4 addresses are a finite resource, we can expect concerns over their distribution to increase in the coming years. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Step 3: Setting up the certificate authority

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Step 6: Configuring wireless clients

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Step 2: Server placement

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Dutch firm takes on Icann with alternative Domain System

  A Dutch firm has introduced a domain registration service that gives businesses and organisations more flexibility over the domain names they use. Continue Reading

• November 28, 2005 28Nov2005 News

  Cut IT skills shortage by closing gender gap, say female IT professionals

  Leading female IT professionals have warned that UK businesses and the government have a moral and competitive responsibility to address the looming IT skills shortage by bridging the gender gap in the IT industry. Continue Reading

• November 25, 2005 25Nov2005 News

  BASF offers SAP HR as a service

  BASF IT Services has signed a five-year partnership deal with SAP that will allow it to offer SAP software licences as part of a complete human resources services package. Continue Reading

• November 25, 2005 25Nov2005 News

  Sober worm infects one in eight e-mails

  As many as one in eight of all e-mails are now infected with the Sober worm, security experts have warned. Continue Reading

• November 24, 2005 24Nov2005 News

  Outsourcing works better when based on trust, survey finds

  Organisations that develop their firm’s outsourcing relationships based upon mutual trust rather than relying on punitive service level agreements and penalties will benefit from a “trust dividend” worth as much as 40% of the total value of a ... Continue Reading

• November 24, 2005 24Nov2005 News

  Sloppy handheld habits continue to plague users

  A third of professionals using mobile devices such as PDAs and smartphones are failing to use passwords or any other security protection, and even store their PIN numbers, passwords and other corporate information on the devices. Continue Reading

• November 23, 2005 23Nov2005 News

  Lloyds TSB increases reliance on India for IT services

  Lloyds TSB has announced a new multi-million pound business process outsourcing (BPO) deal with Xansa, which will see an increased amount of the bank’s IT services sourced from India. Continue Reading

• November 22, 2005 22Nov2005 News

  Influential survey says security 'set back by 6 years'

  Update: The SANS Top 20 vulnerability list for 2005 shows the bad guys attacking flawed apps and paying more attention to network holes. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Linux grows stronger with kernel update

  Linux has moved closer to maturity as a robust datacentre platform, with the release of a major refresh of the kernel software. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Sainsbury's banks on insourcing

  Supermarket chain Sainsbury's expects bottom-line benefits within two years from cost savings arising from the decision to drop its outsourcing contract with Accenture. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Ikea to provide online order tracking facility

  Furniture retailer Ikea is preparing to go live with a system that will allow its customers to track orders online. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Banks face new compliance hurdle

  IT directors in the financial services sector received a wake-up call yesterday from the Financial Services Authority about new regulations that are likely to have a greater impact on business than Basel 2 or Sarbanes-Oxley. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Wireless security: Public Wi-Fi could open security holes

  A Michigan county is working to give everyone within its borders wireless Internet access. But when it comes to security, users are on their own. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Microsoft solves mobile synchronisation flaw

  Microsoft has updated its handheld synchronisation software to address a glitch that prevented users mirroring data with a desktop. Continue Reading

• November 21, 2005 21Nov2005 News

  Microsoft releases Windows update Firefox plug-in

  Microsoft has released a plug-in for the rival open-source Firefox browser to allow users to validate their Windows-based systems prior to downloading software updates from the company. Continue Reading

• November 20, 2005 20Nov2005 News

  Wireless security crucial to railway safety

  A transportation firm uses wireless technology to keep the trains running on time. But securing mobile devices isn't easy when they're spread across the globe. Continue Reading

• November 18, 2005 18Nov2005 News

  Microsoft warns of new Windows denial-of-service flaw

  Exploit code has been published on the internet that can take advantage of security flaws in Windows XP SP1 and all versions of Windows 2000, Microsoft has warned. Continue Reading

• November 18, 2005 18Nov2005 News

  Greenpeace slams PC suppliers over toxic materials

  Environmental group Greenpeace has accused US computer firms of dragging their heels in ending the use of toxic chemicals in their products. Continue Reading

• November 17, 2005 17Nov2005 News

  Copy protection software creates virus havoc

  Sony is to stop making CDs that use specialist copy protection software after a hacker hid a virus in the software with the potential to cause havoc on users’ PCs. Continue Reading

• November 16, 2005 16Nov2005 News

  Step 3: GnuPG and WinPT: Setup

  Continue Reading

• November 16, 2005 16Nov2005 News

  Step 2: Public keypairs

  Continue Reading

• November 16, 2005 16Nov2005 News

  Wireless security: Companies deal with software updates

  A health care provider found it could use wireless technology to dramatically boost patient care. But first it had to figure out how to deploy security updates over a wireless network. Continue Reading

• November 16, 2005 16Nov2005 News

  Step 4: Encrypting e-mail in WinPT

  Continue Reading

• November 16, 2005 16Nov2005 News

  Citrix Buys Teros to Bolster Application Security

  Citrix Systems is acquiring application security company Teros to bolster the security of customers running its Web-based application delivery programmes. Continue Reading

• November 15, 2005 15Nov2005 News

  Tokyo exchange executives take pay cuts after crash

  Senior executives at the Tokyo Stock Exchange are to get temporary pay cuts of between 10% and 50%, following a systems failure that shut down Tokyo trading for four-and-a-half hours on 1 November. Continue Reading

• November 15, 2005 15Nov2005 News

  Google makes web analytics free

  Google is making its hosted web analytics service free to use, to enable more firms to track the effectiveness of their online marketing campaigns Continue Reading

• November 15, 2005 15Nov2005 News

  Gates to unveil supercomputing strategy

  Microsoft chief software architect Bill Gates will use this week’s supercomputing show in Seattle, Washington, to explain how the company will enter the supercomputing market. Continue Reading

• November 14, 2005 14Nov2005 News

  Disruptive technologies create need for new architectures

  Disruptive technologies are eroding the traditional structure of the IT supplier industry. They will also require user organisations to implement new IT architectures to keep pace with technology developments, according to Gartner. Continue Reading

• November 14, 2005 14Nov2005 News

  M&S to save £10m on supply chain

  Marks & Spencer is on target to save £10m from the cost of its supply chain IT systems, according to the company's group finance director Ian Dyson. Continue Reading

• November 14, 2005 14Nov2005 News

  Esure uses SOA to launch new brand in six months

  HBOS-owned insurer esure has used its recently developed service oriented architecture (SOA) to speedily bring to market a new insurance brand aimed at female drivers. Continue Reading

• November 14, 2005 14Nov2005 News

  IT chiefs want to stay in the sector despite stress

  Although many financial services IT directors are under pressure and display symptoms of stress, most want to stay in IT. Continue Reading