Computer Misuse Act crumbles as DoS attacker walks free

The venerable Computer Misuse Act (CMA) crumbled on Tuesday as a teenager accused of sending millions of emails to a former employer walked free. District Judge Kenneth Grant of Wimbledon Magistrates Court ruled that the sending of some five million emails in order to take down an email server did not constitute unauthorised access or modification of computer systems, with which he was charged. The Judge concluded that this set the precedent that Denial Of Service attacks of this nature did not contravene the CMA, which, now 15 years old, was never concieved to deal with this type of threat. ...more

Intel's future is 3D

Higher processor performance, with greater power efficiency, is promised by Intel's research in transistor design. As opposed to traditional 'flat' transistors, Intel suggests a future for a 3D design. Transistors, of course, are the mini On-Off switches that are combined to build microprocessors. ...more

DoCoMo offers 3G Compact Flash card

NTT DoCoMo has announced it will offer a Compact Flash card that contains a 3G radio, giving access to the company's third-generation FOMA service to handheld and desktop computers. The card - P2402 - will enable videophone and other wireless data services offered on FOMA at speeds of up to 384Kbits/sec downstream and 64Kbits/sec upstream. It will allow connections to other FOMA handsets and ISDN fixed-line videophones. ...more

BBC, Apple scoop top Web awards

The BBC has emerged triumphant in the 2004 Webby awards, which are the closest thing to online Oscars. It was back in April that the nominations for the 2004 Webbys were announced - BBC, Apple lead Web award nominations - and now the winners have been decided. After its five nominations, the BBC received three awards. ...more

Epson takes warranties to the streets

High street repair centres Epson is to offer support for a range of its products through outlets on the high street. 32 high street IT shops throughout the UK now have dedicated 'Express Centres' with Epson-trained staff aiming to fix your printer (if it's still under warranty) within 15 minutes or offer you a replacement. Epson printers come with a one-year warranty. ...more