Current Newsletter

Windows Vista (also referred to as WinVI ) is Microsoft 's next version of its Windows operating system , superseding Windows XP . It was previously known by its codename Longhorn (see the other Microsoft codenames ). The name " Vista " was unveiled on July 22 , 2005 . Longhorn Server , the successor of Windows Server 2003 is yet to be named. Windows Vista will carry the version number 6.0 ( Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 being Windows NT versions 5.0, 5.1 and 5.2, respectively). According to sources, the scheduled release date for Windows Vista is July 23 , 2006 .

Windows Vista has several planned new features such as an entirely new user-interface called Aero , improved searching technology dubbed Search, and an XML specification designed for document formats and similar in many ways to Adobe 's PDF entitled XPS . Windows Vista also has an entirely new development API , WinFX , along with several other key technologies. In addition, current speculation points to several different editions of Windows Vista being released, including starter, home , and professional editions . The new operating system had several previously scheduled features that are currently not planned to go into the operating system such as WinFS and the new command shell MSH . System requirements of the new software are also higher than previous versions of Windows.

Tip of the Month

Use CTRL-Enter when surfing the Web:

If you use Internet Explorer to surf the Web, we've got a great tip for you. The next time you have to type in a Web site address, just enter the domain name, then do a control-enter by holding down the control key and hit enter. For example, instead of typing http://www.google.com, just type in “google” all by itself, nothing else, then do a control enter. Internet Explorer will automagically add the http://www in the beginning and the dotcom at the end. Try it!

What's in the News

A Standardized Linux Desktop?
More Bits From Windows Vista
FBI Raid Closes Spam Operation
Is your printer spying on you?
Packet analysis beats off hackers
Microsoft said security problems caused Vista delay
ID card debates need reframing
Security pros win out in office politics
Say hello to the Skype Trojan
KamaSutra Virus Febuary 3, 2006

Recent Virus, Security and Privacy News

Virus:

Hackers jailed over global virus
news.bbc.co.uk -- Two hackers have been jailed for helping to create a virus that infected thousands of computers worldwide. 

Security:

Bug spotted in Symantec antivirus
news.zdnet.com -- A serious security flaw in part of Symantec's antivirus products puts enterprise systems running the software at risk of intrusion.

Slew of Windows patches coming
news.com.com -- As part of its monthly patching cycle, Microsoft on Tuesday plans to release eight security alerts for flaws in the Windows operating system.

Flaw found in Kaspersky antivirus
beta.news.com.com -- A "critical" flaw in Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software could let an attacker commandeer systems that use the products, a security researcher warned Monday.

Privacy:

Phishers plant fake Google toolbar
itnews.com.au -- Phishers are flooding IM and IRC with messages that lead to a download of a bogus Google toolbar. Phishers are playing off Google's brand name, a security researcher said Wednesday, by flooding IM and IRC with messages that lead to a download of a bogus Google toolbar whose sole purpose is to steal credit card information.

SpreadFirefox.com Shut Down After Security Breach
news.yahoo.com -- The Mozilla Foundation has temporarily pulled the plug on its SpreadFirefox.com marketing site after a hacker break-in put user accounts at risk.