The rise of the rootkit threat

Security company McAfee has highlighted the pitched battle between the security community and virus writing networks in its charting of the rise of rootkit threats. Rootkits have boasted a high profile ever since Sony's ill-fated attempt at copy-protection stumbled when it was found to contain insecure rootkit technology that compromised the system upon which it was installed. While it may have been the first time most of the public had heard of the term - which refers to code working at a low level, interacting directly with the operating system and invisible to the user and other applications, including many security software - the infamy of the incident also took the fancy of virus writers the world over: rootkits are now big business on the virus underground. ...more

UN body promises greater recognition for open source licencing

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is promising greater recognition of Free and Open Source software licensing in a bid to balance the needs of copyright owners and the public. A group of Non-Governmental Organisations led by the Consumer Project on Technology (CPTech) successfully lobbied WIPO in its 'Geneva Declaration', resulting in a 'development agenda' that includes alternatives such as the GPL. CPTech's director, James Love, said: 'For years, WIPO has pushed to expand the scope and level of intellectual property rights and told developing countries that this would help their development. ...more

And also today (12-June-2001), for the record...

Here, in brief, are some of the day's other stories. eBay expands The online auctioneer eBay is launching eBay "stores". The idea is for eBay sellers to have their own shops on the site. ...more

Next-gen PDA chip

Motorola's DragonBall MX1 processor, developed under the ARM architecture required by the fifth incarnation of the Palm OS, is the first mobile chip to be certified for the software. While Palm-based handhelds pre-PalmOS generally ran DragonBalls at 66Mhz, the MX1 will rocket along at 200Mhz and is optimised for integrating peripherals, multimedia and power-management. It also boasts efficient MP3 and MPEG4 processing as well as support for wireless technologies and so is also aiming at other mobile products including tablets and phones with 2. ...more

Treo hits the UK high street

Start communicating. The UK enjoys its first chance to get its collective hands on Handspring's Treo 180 and 180g communicator products today, courtesy of mmO2, exclusive licensee of the new Handspring PDA/phone for the UK. Only available with a contract to the BT Cellnet network, the Treo will set you back a cool ?299 including VAT. ...more