Windows Advantage Lawsuits Are Genuine
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), the online system that makes sure your copy
of Windows ain't stolen, is the
subject
of two lawsuits claiming the tool is an invasion of privacy. The system
is tied to automatic security updates, and thus not all users know their machines
are being checked. The lawsuits actually claim WGA is spyware. It can't be --
my beta of Windows Defender hasn't blocked it!
Barracuda Bit by Security Flaw
The Barracuda
spam firewall has a flaw that could let a hacker take over the firewall
itself, and then use the privileges gained to control attached computers. So
far, the company hasn't released a patch, but hopefully there will be one soon.
New Wireless Hacks
Black Hatters showed a
new rootkit that can invade a Mac (or PC) via its wireless card and root
around the machine even when it's not connected to the 'Net -- all it needs
is for the wireless card to be active. The rootkit can control files, modify,
delete, create and read them. Wow, it does everything Windows does!
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Mac Attack: the Second Wave
Apple's move to the Intel processor family is now complete as the company
this week announced
a new line of dual-core desktops. These machines are top shelf, replacing
the sturdy G5 line, and starting at $2,500. That may seem like a lot, but to
get a PC to run high-end graphics like these puppies do would cost almost as
much.
Bigger news is the sneak preview of Leopard, the next Mac OS due in the spring.
Leopard has Boot Camp built right in (not beta this time). I'm sure my boys
will be begging for new Macs come this spring. Sorry fellas, Dad gets his first!
About the Author
Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.