Java flaw opens computers for attacks

Posted by Jim Bernstein

Oracle’s latest Java update 1.7 for Java 7 has a security hole that can be exploited from various operating systems and web browsers. These attacks install the Poison Ivy Remote Access Trojan and Windows, Linux and Mac computers running Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Chrome are at risk. These attacks are supposedly coming from China and will install a remote administration Trojan that connects to a command and control server located in Singapore. The Trojan will allow the execution of arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without user interaction.

So far the attacks have not been too widespread and Oracle has not come up with a fix and there may not be one soon enough. Oracle releases its patches quarterly and the next one is not due until October. Many security analysts are recommending turning of Java until the problems is resolved and only using it in must have cases on sites you trust. You can also go to Java’s website and click the Do I have Java? link to see what version you have. If you have an older version be sure not to update until the next version is out.

19 million people still don’t have broadband Internet

 Posted by Jim Bernstein

There has been a new report released that states that 19 million people, or 6% of the population live in areas where broadband internet access is still not available. This is an improvement over last year’s estimate of 26 million people.

Out of the 19 million, 14.5 million people live in rural areas where high speed internet access and cable internet access isn’t available yet because the technology hasn’t been put in place. In fact, the FCC is trying to speed up the process to get high speed internet to these places sooner than later. They also raised their definition of high speed internet to 4 Mbps.

There are also millions of people who have access to broadband internet but choose not to subscribe to it. In 2010 the FCC estimated this number at 100 million Americans.

“Metro” out, “Windows 8” in

Posted by David Bernstein

If you have been following the development of Microsoft’s new operating system called Windows 8 or even tried out the developer preview then I’m sure you have heard the term “Metro” used to describe its new interface. Metro is what Microsoft used to describe the tile based interface that is geared more towards tablets and touchscreens than PCs. Some people liked the name while others didn’t.

It turns out that it may not matter since apparently Microsoft is dropping the Metro name altogether and just sticking with Windows 8 to describe the new look. Some say they will be using terms such as “Windows 8 Interface”, “Windows 8 design” and “Windows 8 apps” in place of Metro. These new names will apply to the PC and smartphone\tablet versions of the new operating system. This change is most likely because of an apparent dispute with a German company called Metro Group which owns the term Metro. Microsoft is trying to play it down that the Metro term was only used for development purposes but we doubt that.