MySQL under attack from bot

The world's most popular open source database is under attack from a bot. The UDF worm - so-called because it uses a User Defined Function that allows developers to build their own customised functions is spreading rapidly on instances of MySQL running on Windows. The worm is exploiting security vulnerabilities on Windows to propagate. ...more

New Xbox 360 owners reporting faults with console

The huge hype behind the Xbox 360 launch is paying off with shortages of the new Microsoft console reported across the US. The much trailed Microsoft console launched across the US on Tuesday with near riots reported as gamers struggled to get their hands on the new machine. However the launch has not been without its teething problems, with a number of new owners reporting unexplained crashes of the machine which do not appear to be related to any particular game. ...more

Quark licenses cross-platform installations

Quark has continued the liberalisation of its licensing terms for QuarkXPress by permitting a single licence to be used on both Mac OS X and Windows machines. Until now, a licence could be used to install the application on two machines - nominally a desktop and portable - but they had to be running on the same platform. Last month Quark introduced a License Transfer feature that lets users deactivate and activate the software themselves, so that licences can be moved from one machine to another without the need to call Quark Technical Support. ...more

AMD falls back into the red

As expected, AMD plunged back into the red in the final quarter of 2004 despite a rise of 29 per cent in processor sales. The company reported a net loss of $30 million compared with a profit of $43.2 million for same quarter in 2003. ...more

Judge orders Microsoft to pay $520bn over Eolas patent infringement

A judge has ruled that Microsoft should indeed pay $520bn over the Eolas patent dispute. He also ordered Microsoft to pay $45mn in interest. He has confirmed the verdict of the trial back in August last year, when a jury found in favour of Eolas. ...more