Real Networks has just released patches for a critical security flaw within Real Player. This flaw could allow someone to run malicious software on computers with unpatched software. Most major versions of Real ONE and Real Player are affected. You can check to see if you need this update by:
Opening the software
Click on Tools | [...]
Google has introduced a service in which you can view and manage your Google search history. A login is required, so you can bring up your search history from any computer.
Called My Search History, this service is in beta. In addition to seeing a listing of the searches you’ve done, you can see them in [...]
Symantec is incorporating spyware into its Internet security offerings. They have released a free beta version of Norton Internet Security 2005 Antispyware Version. This download will be available until June 1st and is available only to Windows 2000 and XP users. The full version should be available in May for approximately $80.
[from eWeek]
Adobe (pdf) is purchasing Macromedia (web software heavy into multimedia, e.g., Flash and Shockwave). According to Wired News, one of the things Adobe hopes to do is to create audio and video documents and images compatible with handheld devices.
[from CNET News.com, Wired News]
A number of browsers now have updates available:
Opera 8.0
Firefox 1.0.3
Mozilla Suite 1.7
Would you like to see what you web site would look like if it was attacked by Martians, dinosaurs, worms or mold? Netdisaster will “do unto” any website you choose. Prepare to waste some time here.
[from LibrarianinBlack.net]
. . . if you click through to the first result. Apparently, when you use Google as your search engine and Firefox as your browser, Google automatically downloads the top search result when it downloads the initial citation list. If you click on the first result, you see it immediately.
Yahoo is providing a free web site (5 pages) for small businesses that list their business in Yahoo! Local. There is no charge for the listing under Yahoo! Local. I couldn’t find a definition of “small business,” but if you know of any that need a web presence, this might do it for them.
From CNET News.com:
A federal grand jury has indicted six companies and five individuals on charges of defrauding the E-Rate program . . .
The activities described in this indictment occurred in school districts in California, Arkansas, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Companies names include Howe Electric, Sema4, Digital Connect Communications, Expedition Networks, ADJ [...]
A CNET News.com article reminds us that Microsoft does not send email messages to you with links to update your software. If you followed the link in the current spate of email messages, you would have downloaded a Trojan Horse.
Remember — check for Microsoft updates via their web site:
Windows — http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Office — http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/
