The News, thursday 12/20/01

[VWguy]

Russian Hacker Has a Party

Programmers and cyber-rights activists throw a party celebrating the release of Russian programmer Dmitri Sklyarov, who expresses surprise at all the attention. Jeffrey Benner reports from San Francisco.
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,49272,00.html


HP, Compaq Defend Merger Plan

Hewlett-Packard and Compaq officials go on the offensive, issuing a long statement justifying the need to go forward with their proposed merger.
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,49283,00.html


Microsoft Issues Windows XP Fix

The company offers a free fix five weeks after an independent hacker discovers a serious flaw in the newest version of Windows that allows hackers to steal or destroy files or implant rogue software.
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,49301,00.html


Dark Worlds 'Discovery' Retracted

Visions of a galaxy filled with planets cast out from systems by bullying bigger planets spurred excitement when published in June. But Nature retracts the article because the author goofed. By Erik Baard.
http://www.wired.com/news/technology...,49264,00.html

Xerox wins Palm handwriting case
By Drew Cullen
Posted: 20/12/2001 at 21:23 GMT

Xerox has established in court that it is the inventor of Graffiti handwriting technology used in Palm devices. The next step is to establish damages which, considering the numbers of Palms sold, will run into several million dollars. And that's if the court works out the fees on a royalty basis.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/23481.html


ADSL from Freeserve below £30 a month
By Tim Richardson
Posted: 20/12/2001 at 14:37 GMT

The UK's biggest ISP is offering ADSL for less than £30 a month to help prove that low cost broadband will stoke-up demand.
Trialling the wires-only DIY installation service, Freeserve is offering the service at just £29.99 a month. Punters also have to buy a modem from Freeserve for £99.99.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/23475.html


Tax AOL now, says Freeserve
By Tim Richardson
Posted: 19/12/2001 at 14:45 GMT

A tax loophole that exempts AOL from paying VAT in the UK could about to be closed.
A new European Directive that is scheduled to be ratified in February would mean that non-European Union businesses offering digital services in the EU would now be liable to pay Value Added Tax (VAT).
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/23462.html


Bill Strengthens Internet Criminal Sentencing

By Staff, Newsbytes
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A.,
20 Dec 2001, 4:48 PM CST

A new bill introduced this month in the House of Representatives would give judges greater power to apply tough sentences to online criminals.
The bill, H.R. 3482 - the Cyber Security Enhancement Act of 2001 - was introduced by House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., and Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and would give judges additional factors to consider in sentencing cybercriminals.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/173162.html

CERT Warns Of Deadly Security Hole In Internet Explorer

By - Brian Krebs, Newsbytes
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A.,
20 Dec 2001, 2:38 PM CST

A government-funded computer security team is warning users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser to patch a flaw that could allow attackers to upload and execute malicious programs on the victim's PC.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/173157.html

Congressional Opinion Varies On AT&T-Comcast Deal

By Brian Krebs and Robert MacMillan, Newsbytes
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A.,
20 Dec 2001, 12:33 PM CST

Some of them like it and some of them don't, but among members of Congress asked about the proposed AT&T-Comcast merger, the prevalent reaction so far is no reaction.
The earliest responses from several lawmakers who were willing to comment suggest that feelings are split over the merger, which would create a cable television and Internet service behemoth fit to rival AOL Time Warner.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/173149.html

Intruder Breaks Into Optus' Australian Network

By Adam Creed, Newsbytes
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA,
20 Dec 2001, 5:21 AM CST

Optus, one of Australia's biggest Internet service providers (ISPs), reported its Internet network had been breached early this morning by an as-yet unknown intruder.
Both Optus and the police will investigate the intrusion, Optus said in a media statement today. The company said it has seen no evidence that customer records databases have been hacked.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/173131.html

Argentine President Resigns Amid Riots

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — President Fernando De la Rua submitted his resignation Thursday, a high-ranking official said, as his government crumbled amid deadly rioting and looting sparked by anger over Argentina's deepening economic crisis.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,41237,00.html


Hackers Find Serious Flaw in Microsoft's Windows XP

A Microsoft official acknowledged that the risk to consumers was unprecedented because the glitches allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet.

Microsoft made available on its Web site a free fix for both home and professional editions of Windows XP and forcefully urged consumers to install it immediately.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,41282,00.html


Some D.C. workers get anthrax vaccinations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Doctors injected four dozen people Thursday with the anthrax vaccine, as thousands began weighing the government's first printed list of the pros and cons of the experimental inoculations. It's a tough decision — the required consent forms for the shots warn that the vaccine can cause side effects. And because it has never been used after exposure to anthrax, there's no guarantee the vaccine will help anyone who relapses. One health department, in the nation's capital, advised against the vaccinations, saying two months of antibiotic treatment already prescribed to people exposed to anthrax during the mail attacks this fall was enough.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/...-20-postal.htm

Five injured in failed arrest raid on Hamas leader

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Intensifying a crackdown on Islamic militants, Palestinian police exchanged fire with supporters of a fugitive Hamas leader outside his hideout during a failed arrest raid Thursday. Three officers and two bystanders were wounded.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2...mas-arrest.htm

Game glorifies a life of crime

Grand Theft Auto III: It has been banned in Australia, but, says Ron Luessen, owner of Famcom Games in Washington state: "I am surprised I haven't heard more bad comments."

In the violent world of video games, blood and guns rarely raise an eyebrow anymore. But this holiday season, a heavily promoted game called Grand Theft Auto III may be testing the limits of interactive entertainment
http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/t...fies-crime.htm