IM a Worm
Instant messaging has long been a bane of my computing existence. I never know
how to end an IM conversation, my kids have somehow blocked me from talking
to them over IM, and I blame IM for infecting my kid’s computers with
all kinds of nasties. Akonix Systems feels my pain and is hard at work identifying
malware that spread via IM. This week the company discovered a doozy -- a worm
that disguises itself as a holiday greeting and then opens several backdoors
that let hackers wreak havoc with your PC. If you see:
This AIM user has sent you a Greetings Card, to open it visit:
http://g{BLOCKED}aol.com/index.pd?source=christmastheme?my_christmas_card.COM
Don’t click!
Details on this worm and other IM worms can be found here.
IBM and OpenDoc
IBM has been out for Microsoft blood ever since OS/2 lost every bit of its meager
market share to Windows. Still seeking revenge a decade after the fact, IBM
is pitching Linux against Windows. Sensing a little weakness, IBM is also pushing
the OpenDoc file format as an alternative to Office formats and will use
OpenDoc in the Workplace Managed Client.
Old timers may have noticed that the industry has recycled the name. A decade
ago it was the name given to an object-oriented software development scheme
(also aimed at unseating Microsoft) that was backed by, you guessed it, IBM.
Two Microsoft CIOs in One
Microsoft has a brand new CIO. No, Ron Markezich didn’t leave or get promoted.
He’s still CIO but now
has help from co-CIO Stuart Scott. It’s a pretty cool concept. Markezich
runs IT infrastructure, the network, servers, desktop environments and the roll
out of Web services. Meanwhile, Scott rules over the automation of business
processes, which he mastered in his years at GE. This could well be an interesting
new model for IT.
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NetIQ Sells Off Marshal Line
A group of NetIQ managers is buying out the NetIQ Marshal line of products,
which includes WebMarshal, MailMarshal, as well as NetIQ’s Firewall suite
and a reporting tool. The new company built upon these products is called Marshal
and will be based in the U.K. NetIQ will use the cash and the freed-up attention
to push its Knowledge-Based Service Assurance plans, known as KBSA. KBSA is
designed to reduce risks to IT systems, ensure compliance, and maintain security
and availability -- all of which means your shop can meet internal service objectives.
Find out more about Knowledge-Based Service Assurance here.
To learn more about the buy out, go here.
About the Author
Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.