Autorooter worm attacks Windows RPC flaw

The US Department of Homeland Security's concerns that hackers were preparing viruses to take advantage of a recently discovered flaw in Windows have been vindicated, with the arrival of the Autorooter worm. The almost inevitable sequence of events - from a vulnerability being identified to exploits for it entering widespread use - have been squashed into a couple of weeks. Just two weeks following Microsoft's warning of a Windows vulnerability in the handling of the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) protocol - which allow programs running on one computer to run code on another - Kaspersky Labs has flagged the arrival of the 'Autorooter' Internet worm, which attacks vulnerable Windows NT, 2000 and XP systems. ...more

New vulnerability in IE uncovered

A security researcher has discovered a new vulnerability in Internet Explorer 6. Specially crafted HTML tags built into a web page can cause IE to crash. In a security notification, Michal Zalewski writes 'This might not come as a surprise, but there appears to be a *very* interesting and apparently very much exploitable overflow in Microsoft Internet Explorer'. ...more

Pixar caught in dodgy derivative scandal

Pixar has been dragged into the controversy surrounding Apple and the granting of stock options by the news that it too awarded options to senior executives when share prices were at a low point. In December 2000 creative director John Lasseter was granted an option to buy one million shares at $26.50 per share, just 13 cents above the year's low, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). ...more

04-08-2001 Essential news of the week

Brought neatly together and presented on a plate, here is a roundup of some of the week's main news stories from the world of IT. Linux takes a hit from Dell The anti-trust show goes on, not back a scene Code Red Internet worm update Online telecom advice for small businesses< Intel's successor to PCI WAP's second coming Ericsson's T39 gives the UK its first Bluetooth phone Broadband Internet for rural areas near Smaller, faster and upwardly mobile Intel chips UK tax-payers subsidising AOL, claims Freeserve Oftel reviews control on BT prices Palm's lifeline splits in two Don't forget, we welcome your comments. Just click on a story and go for the 'Comments' link on the right-hand side of the screen. ...more

Minnesota takes on Microsoft over anti-trust allegations

Minnesota is the latest state to tussle with Microsoft over allegations of anti-trust behaviour. The company is accused of inflating prices for its Windows software by means of predatory practices. The Minnesotan plaintiffs in this latest case are seeking damages of up to $425 million, according to Reuters. ...more