On November 18,2008 Microsoft has announced that, they are planning to offer a new consumer security offering focused on core anti-malware protection. This solution will be offer to consumers at no charge. Code-named “Morro,” this streamlined solution will be available in the second half of 2009 and will provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans. This new solution will be developed in such a way that it will use less computing resources and ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios. Microsoft also announced that it will discontinue retail sales of its Windows Live OneCare subscription service effective June 30, 2009.

Read more…

Share

On November 13, 2008 Lenovo announced ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive. These new hard drives help mobile customers to protect their data in an easy to use manner. ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drives are available in 160GB and 320 GB versions connected with keyboard to allows hard drive users to enter their password to get access to data. ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive meets the 128-bit advanced encryption security standard that make sure that your sensitive data is secure and real-time encryption means users don’t have to wait for the “lag time” that typically accompanies encrypted drives. The hard drive features full-disk encryption for up to ten unique user ID’s and one administrator, making it an ideal tool for ThinkPad notebook PC users on-the-go or collaborating at work. Additionally, the self-powered hard drive eliminates the hassle of keeping up with power cords, and a convenient built-in USB cable makes transferring data simple and stores in the hard drive’s housing when not in use.

Read more…

Share

Spammers are now using Reputation hijacking. Spammers sending requests for joining Yahoo Groups, When users click on the join Yahoo Group link they will be directed to a Yahoo Group page but they also get an ad that is there for serving the malware. If you join this group you will get a gift mail and most importantly your email is a part of yahoo group that is being run by a spammer. So be careful before joining to any yahoo groups that comes in the form of invitation.

Here’s the HTML code they’re using (for fun, see if you can spot the mistake they made).

Source : Clever new spam ruse

Share

On November 5,2008 Microsoft show it’s upcoming version of windows operating system that is windows 7 to it’s hardware partners at Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2008. Microsoft has showed some of the new improvements and innovations to hardware to partners to create a new experience of hardware for windows users. Microsoft has showed some of the new features in Windows 7 that optimize how customers interact with Windows PCs, manage devices, access broadband and engage with wireless experiences, providing new opportunities for partners to improve their customers’ experience. The following features in particular were highlighted:

• Devices and Printers: To make it easier for customers to interact with all the devices on their Windows PC, Microsoft has created a new feature in Windows 7 called Devices and Printers. Devices and Printers provides a single place for customers to interact with devices, browse files or manage settings. Devices can be connected to the PC using USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, with simple wizards that simply the setup process.
• Device Stage: Device Stage enables hardware manufactures to create an even richer user experience, especially for more specialized devices such as cell phones, multifunction printers and digital cameras. Device Stage is designed to help Windows 7 customers take advantage of advanced features for devices. For mobile phones, portable media players, cameras and printers connected to a Windows 7 PC, Device Stage provides information on the device status and runs common tasks in a single window customized by the device manufacturer.
• Mobile broadband: Windows 7 delivers a simpler and more reliable way to connect to the Internet using wireless modems. The process is similar to connecting to any other wireless network, and is done using the View Available Networks feature. A consistent experience for customers and a common infrastructure for partners enables lower support, maintenance, deployment and management costs, and allows partners to focus on higher-value services rather than basic connectivity development.
• Windows Touch: Controlling the computer by touching the screen is a core part of the Windows 7 experience, with visual feedback provided for tap and double-tap gestures. The Start menu, Windows Taskbar and Windows Explorer are touch-ready. Windows 7 also introduces support for multitouch technology, which enables customers to control what happens on the screen in new ways by zooming in, zooming out and rotating images with their fingers.

Microsoft also announced early industry support for Device Stage from partners including Brother, Epson, HP, Motorola, Nikon, Sansa, Canon and Sony. Microsoft demonstrated Canon’s SD990 digital camera and a Nokia N95 smartphone to show how Device Stage makes it easier for people to use multifunction devices and makes it easier for hardware companies to package custom applications and services as part of the user experience.

Yoshiyuki Suzuki, senior general manager of the Office Imaging Products Planning Center at Canon, Said

Canon and Microsoft share a history of working together, responding to customer needs through each company’s outstanding technologies and products, We look forward to further developing our relationship with Microsoft as we lay the groundwork for high-performance Windows 7-compatible Canon products.

Eero Kukko, head of S60 Platform Marketing at Nokia, Said

We have been working closely with Microsoft to help ensure compatibility and seamless connectivity between our leading smartphone software S60 on Symbian OS and Windows 7

John Crandall, director of Strategic Alliances for the HP Imaging and Printing Group, Said

For the past year, HP has been working closely with Microsoft to ensure maximum reliability, compatibility and an enhanced user experience for our imaging and printing products with the Windows 7 operating system

Source: Microsoft Introduces Windows 7 to Hardware Partners

Share

Microsoft has released the pre beta version of its latest Windows Operating system in their annual professional Developer Conference, which was open to only those developers who attended the Microsoft Professional Developer Conference 2008. But unfortunately hits the torrent websites [According to CNET]. Download pre beta version of windows 7 from these torrents websites may make your computer venerable for computer attacks. Attacker may use this pre beta build to spread spam, viruses and other malicious software. So, if you don’t get the chance to evaluate the pre beta version of Next Version of Windows Operating system, please wait for public beta of Windows 7.

Share

Is Windows7 will be a complete new operating system or just a modified version of Windows Vista? Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows7 is will be develop on top of the Windows Vista. Windows7 use the same architecture of Windows Vista. Microsoft is trying to build Windiws7 in such way that it won’t require any hardware to run and Windows7 is also enable applications and devices work properly with this new release of Windows that are working with previous version of Windows.

Microsoft is not creating any new Kernel for Windows7. The idea behind is that Microsoft has inverted a huge amount of money to develop a new Kernel architecture for Windows Vista. Windows has a very solid foundation as compare to previous versions of Windows operating system. Windows Vista Kernel has different subsystems like Graphics, Audio and Storage. Windows Server2008 and Windows Vista SP1 developed on top of same kernel and subsystem. As we can expect Microsoft will refine or modify some kernel modules for Windows7.

Windows7 may not have same compatibility issues that windows Vista has over the period of time.  Windows will be a transition operating system from Windows Vista. Microsoft is trying to develop Windows7 in such way that, transition process from Windows Vista to Windows7 is smooth and less painful for Windows users.

Share