eWeek - RSS Feeds

WhiteHat Report Finds Web Site Security Vulnerabilities Persist

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:54:56 -0400

WhiteHat Security's latest report on Web site security shows cross-site scripting remains the most common Web site vulnerability. But cross-site forgery requests also made WhiteHat's list of top 10 Web site security flaws. On a positive note, the majority of the vulnerabilities discovered by WhiteHat were remediated.
- WhiteHat Security's latest report on Web site vulnerabilities has found the Internet in slightly better shape emphasis on slightly. In the fifth installment of the quot;WhiteHat Website Security Statistics Report, quot; the company has found that 82 percent of the 687 Web sites assessed by the ...

Aptana Mixes AJAX, Python with Pydev IDE Buy

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:34:03 -0400

Aptana, maker of Web development and cloud computing tools, has acquired the Pydev IDE for Python development. The Eclipse-based Pydev tools suite supports Google App Engine development.
- Aptana is bringing its brand of AJAX-style development to the Python community by acquiring the Pydev suite of Python development tools. Aptana's acquisition of the Eclipse-based IDE (integrated development environment) for Python also is a boon for developers integrating Web development with cl...

Corrupt File Brought Down FAA's Antiquated IT System

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:06:23 -0400

The Federal Aviation Administration's flight plan IT network, which went down for about 2.5 hours Aug. 26 and fouled up the takeoff plans of thousands of travelers in more than 40 airports across the country, is back up and running. But for how much longer? The antiquated system consists of two 20-year-old redundant mainframe configurations one in Georgia, one in Utah that apparently are hanging on for dear life.
- The Federal Aviation Administration's flight plan IT network, which went down for about 2.5 hours Aug. 26 and fouled up the takeoff plans of thousands of travelers in more than 40 airports across the country, was back up and running Aug. 27. IT staff were still troubleshooting it today in Ham...

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is Here

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:14:39 -0400

Microsoft released on Aug. 27 a second test version of Internet Explorer 8, delivering a feature-complete upgrade to the world's most widely used Web browser. The world's largest software maker said the latest version -- beta 2 -- of Internet Explorer, which has a market share of about 75 percent, comes with new features to enhance privacy, ease-of-use, and security. Microsoft first released a test -- or beta 1 -- version of IE 8 in March, but that was aimed at letting Web developers take a first look at the new browser. This latest version is aimed at a broader consumer audience.
- SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp released on Wednesday a second test version of Internet Explorer 8, delivering a feature-complete upgrade to the world's most widely used Web browser. The world's largest software maker said the latest version -- beta 2 -- of Internet Explorer, which has a ma...

eWeek Newsbreak, Aug. 25, 2008

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:48:05 -0400

Googles being good to the Earth through its Google.org philanthropic arm. The organization pledged $10.25 million in recently to support Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), a breakthrough technology doesnt look for geothermal energy, but makes it. The traditional geothermal approach relies on finding naturally occurring pockets of steam and hot water. The EGS process replicates these conditions by fracturing hot rock, circulating water through the system, and using the resulting steam to produce electricity in a conventional turbine; Palm released the Palm Treo Pro last week, a new handset which Palm hopes can save the brand as it faces challenges from RIMs Blackberry line and the Apple iPhone, not to mention the Google Android phones due in November and Linux based LiMo phones. Early reviews claim the device competes on functionality, but not price. It will be sold in the U.S. in September for $549 and in Europe free or up to $589, based on the carrier. The Palm Treo Pro boasts a tactile QWERTY keyboard, a hardware Wi-Fi switch, turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth support for stereo music headsets; and Ericsson and STMicroelectronics have agreed to join their wireless chip and software businesses to create a joint venture that will supply four of the world's top five mobile phone and smart phone makers. The new company, announced last week, will bring together the Mobile Platforms unit of Ericsson and STMicros ST-NXP wireless division. Ericsson is the world's biggest mobile telecoms equipment maker and ST-NXP is the third-largest maker of wireless chips globally. The new company should present a new challenge for wireless market leaders Qualcomm and Texas Instruments.
- Video Content....

Apple iPhone Passcode Bypass Made Public

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:08:09 -0400

The passcode feature on the latest version of Apple's iPhone can be bypassed in a few simple steps. Apple issued a fix for the issue when it released iPhone v1.1.3 back in January. While iPhone users wait for another fix, information about an easy workaround has been made available.
- The passcode feature on the latest version of Apples iPhone can be bypassed, potentially allowing an unauthorized person to access data on the device if it is lost or stolen. The issue was posted to a MacRumors.com discussion forum and affects iPhone 2.02. Users can lock the iPhone with a four-d...

BroadSoft Boosts VOIP with App Server from Genband

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:30:25 -0400

BroadSoft buys Genband's application server business to boost its VOIP enterprise applications. While Skype focuses primarily on bringing VOIP to more than 300 million consumers, BroadSoft sells its apps to telcos such as Verizon and Sprint. BroadSoft's buy comes a month after BT bought VOIP provider Ribbit for $105 million.
- Enterprise VOIP specialist BroadSoft Aug. 27 acquired the M6 Communication Applications Server and the product's associated customer base from IP gateway supplier Genband. Financial terms of the deal were not revealed, but BroadSoft said the purchase will help bring its BroadWorks voice over IP a...

The New Treos

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:52:34 -0400

With its latest two devices #8211;the Treo 800w for the Sprint network and the unlocked, 3G Treo Pro for GSM providers #8211;Palm has rejoined the modern smart phone community, packing in features such as 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, 3G connectivity and integrated GPS found in most current-generation smart phones. Palm is aiming both devices at corporate customers #8211;both run Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and will work out of the box with Microsoft #8217;s back-end mobile management systems #8211;but the Palm Treo in particular, with its surprisingly sleek and attractive form factor, could be a big hit with consumers as well.
- Read Andrew Garcia's review of the Treo 800w. by Andrew Garcia Both devices feature a 320-by-320-pixel TFT touch screen. The screen is recessed on the Treo 800w, but flush with the bezel on the Treo Pro. The Treo Pro (0.53 inches, 4.69 ounces) is noticeably thinner and lighter than the T...

Cisco Buys PostPath to Compete with Microsoft Exchange

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:27:33 -0400

UPDATED: Cisco Systems acquired PostPath, a Microsoft Exchange e-mail storage competitor, and heads down the path of a big-time co-opetition to handle enterprise e-mail against a longtime partner, Microsoft. PostPath uses augmented open-source software and an optional appliance that plugs directly into a data center to offer a lower-cost, in-the-cloud e-mail server alternative to Microsoft Exchange. Exchange has long been known as one of the most complicated business software packages that IT personnel handle.
- Cisco Systems is heading into a big-time quot;co-opetition quot; to handle enterprise e-mail against a longtime partner, Microsoft, thanks to the Aug. 27 acquisition of privately held PostPath. Cisco will pay a total of $215 million for PostPath and expects to close the deal in Cisco's first quar...

Review: Motorola U9 Linux Mobile Phone Is Fashionable and Functional

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:24:58 -0400

Review: The Motorola U9, part of the mobile phone makers LiMo Phone line, impresses with a strong signal, good voice quality, a decent camera and MP3 player plus Java support. Linux Devices' Henry Kingman takes the Motorola U9 Linux Mobile phone through its paces.
- The Motorola U9, part of the mobile phone makers LiMo (Linux Mobile) Phone line, with its quot;mesmerizing quot; external OLED display, strong radio, and small, finger-friendly form factor could make the U9 a top seller. 1\:* There are some glitches with Motorola U9's USB connecti...

Gartner, Warns of Weak Cell Phone Market as Nokia, Sony Report Slowdown

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:42:57 -0400

Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi says a weakening global economy will stunt cell phone market sales in 2008. Indeed, cell phone sales in this key region for phone makers like Nokia and Sony Ericsson fell 16 percent year-over-year in the first quarter and 8 percent in the second quarter. No mention how the slowdown will impact Apple's highly touted iPhone.
- HELSINKI - A weakening global economy will blunt cell phone market sales growth this year, research firm Gartner said on Wednesday. Gartner said it expects market growth to slow to 11 percent from 16 percent last year, while in U.S. dollar terms growth would slow to 9 percent from 11 percent. T...

Private Browsing and the Enterprise

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:34:33 -0400

In an enterprise, privacy is good in moderation. But new hyperprivacy features need IT's control.
- The rumors were right: Internet Explorer 8 will have new privacy features akin to those in Apple Safari. What role should they play in the enterprise? InPrivate Browsing ( quot;Private Browsing quot; was already taken by Apple) lets the user control whether or not IE saves potentially privacy-rel...

Attackers Targeting Linux Infrastructures with Rootkit to Steal SSH Keys

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:06:43 -0400

U.S.-CERT is warning of attacks targeting Linux-based infrastructures using compromised SSH keys. After access is gained to the system, local kernel exploits are used to gain root access. A rootkit is then installed to steal more SSH keys. The attack could be related to a flaw affecting Debian-based encryption keys discovered earlier this year.
- Hackers are launching attacks against Linux-based computing infrastructures using compromised SSH [Secure Shell] keys and installing rootkits, according to a warning by the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team. According to US-CERT, the attack uses stolen SSH keys to access a system and then loc...

Klausner Sues Google, Verizon over Voice Mail

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:36:20 -0400

Klausner Technologies files a voice mail patent lawsuit against Google Verizon Communications, LG Electronics, Comverse Technology, Citrix Systems and Embarq in U.S. District Court in Tyler, Texas. Judah Klausner claims infringements on patents in various countries for visual voice mail. Klausner previously sued and won settlements from Time Warner's AOL and Vonage.
- SAN FRANCISCO Emboldened by settlements with Apple Inc and AT amp;T Inc, inventor Judah Klausner filed a voicemail patent lawsuit on Tuesday against Google Inc, Verizon Communications Inc and others. The inventor's company, Klausner Technologies Inc, also named as defendants LG Electronics Inc,...

Database Vendors Take a Page from Google for Data Analytics

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:26:34 -0400

Greenplum and Aster Data Systems will support MapReduce, a technique pioneered by Google to analyze large data sets. Both Aster Data Systems and Greenplum, which competes with companies such as Oracle and Netezza in the data warehousing space, believe MapReduce will improve analytics for large data sets.
- Aster Data Systems and data warehousing vendor Greenplum have added support for Google's MapReduce framework in the name of data analytics for enterprises. The move by Greenplum comes as Aster Data Systems unveiled In-Database MapReduce, which is available now for evaluation. quot;Traditiona...