What's New in IT

• Online child abuse images warning
  BBC NEWS 2009-02-24
  Children's charities have expressed "serious concerns" many UK households still have access to images showing child sex abuse via their computers.
  The government had asked all internet service providers (ISPs) to block illegal websites by the end of 2007.
  But firms providing 5% of broadband connections have still failed to act.
  One of them, Zen Internet, said in a statement: "We have not yet implemented the IWF's recommended system because we have concerns over its effectiveness."
  It is understood other ISPs have cited the cost of blocking the illegal material as a reason not to participate in the scheme.
  
  “ This is a battle over the merits of self-regulation versus legislation ”
  Rory Cellan-Jones
  
  But the NSPCC's Zoe Hilton said: "Allowing this loophole helps feed the appalling trade in images featuring real children being seriously sexually assaulted."
  The blocked websites come from a list supplied by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), but some smaller providers refuse to use the list. Read More »

• Clock ticking on worm attack code
  BBC NEWS 2009-01-21
  Experts are warning that hackers have yet to activate the payload of the Conficker virus.
  The worm is spreading through low security networks, memory sticks, and PCs without current security updates.
  The malicious program - also known as Downadup or Kido - was first discovered in October 2008.
  Although the spread of the worm appears to be levelling off, there are fears someone could easily take control of any and all of the 9.5m infected PCs.
  Speaking to the BBC, F-Secure's chief research officer, Mikko Hypponen, said there was still a real risk to users.
  "Total infections appear to be peaking. That said, a full count is hard, because we also don't know how many machines are being cleaned. But we estimate there are still more than 9m infected PCs world wide.
  "It is scary thinking about how much control they [a hacker] could have over all these computers. They would have access to millions of machines with full administrator rights.
  "But they haven't done that yet, maybe they're scared. That's good news. But there is also the scenario that someone else figures out how to activate this worm. That is a worrying prospect." Read More »

• Three million hit by Windows worm
  BBC News 2009-01-18
  A worm that spreads through low security networks, memory sticks, and PCs without the latest security updates is posing a growing threat to users.
  The malicious program, known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido was first discovered in October 2008.
  Although Microsoft released a patch, it has gone on to infect 3.5m machines.
  Experts warn this figure could be far higher and say users should have up-to-date anti-virus software and install Microsoft's MS08-067 patch.
  According to Microsoft, the worm works by searching for a Windows executable file called "services.exe" and then becomes part of that code.
  It then copies itself into the Windows system folder as a random file of a type known as a "dll". It gives itself a 5-8 character name, such as piftoc.dll, and then modifies the Registry, which lists key Windows settings, to run the infected dll file as a service.
  Once the worm is up and running, it creates an HTTP server, resets a machine's System Restore point (making it far harder to recover the infected system) and then downloads files from the hacker's web site.
  Most malware uses one of a handful of sites to download files from, making them fairly easy to locate, target, and shut down. Read More »

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• CAN Infotech kicks off
  nepalnews.com 2009-01-14
  CAN Infotech, the annual IT fair, kicked off in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the six-day event at Bhrikutimandap.
  More than 115 companies are showcasing various IT related services and products in this 15th edition of CAN Infotech, organiser Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) said. There are altogether 223 stalls along 15 pavilions exhibiting a host of products like laptop computer, LCD monitor, I-pod, pen-drive and hoofer, among others.
  Similarly, renowned international IT brands like Logitech, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo and IMB are also showcasing their wide range of products in CAN Infotech 2009.
  Apart from several related ministries and agencies, this year's CAN Infotech is also supported by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in addition to an international organisation ASOCIO. Read More »

• Windows 7 now 'available to all'
  BBC NEWS 2009-01-13
  The latest Windows release will be available to everyone after a surge in demand crashed the Microsoft website on 9 January, the original release date.
  In response, the company has lifted a planned limit on the number of copies of the Windows 7 Beta available for download.
  Microsoft delayed the launch by one day to add "more infrastructure and servers" to cope with demand.
  The unlimited download will last for two weeks, according to Microsoft.
  Microsoft had initially planned to restrict downloads of the software to 2.5m copies, but now says that unlimited copies will be available until 24 January.
  After that, the limit will be reinstated, though it looks likely to be surpassed by then.
  Laurence Painell, product manager at Microsoft, said that it had removed the download limit so that Windows 7 would be available to "a much wider audience". Read More »