Today we’ll start with the bad, then the ugly. (sorry, not much good worth mentioning today.)

Two new Viruses are around for Windows users to worry about, Bagle-AT and Zafi-C. The former managed to get though several mail server Virus filters before the patterns were updated to block it, so if you get any mail with subjects claiming to be a joke, be suspicious. If you are not protected, now might be a good time to head over to tips.littlehosting.com and have a read.

Gmail users should note that a flaw in the Google mailing system can be used to gain total control over a users mailbox. Google are apparently looking into it.

Lastly is the ugly general interest story. Recently I mentioned a government report detailing policy on Open Source software like Linux in the UK government. It turns out that they (the UK Office of Government Commerce) has just fallen for the Microsoft meta data trap, their Open Source report was considerably more “pro OSS” then the final cut turned out to be. For example the phrase “Linux would appear to offer numerous strengths in terms of security” became “There is no definitive answer on the relative security merits of open or closed-source software.” Apparently the changes were made “to tone down expectations of the good people of England.” But these are people who have long been Microsoft Windows users, I’d imagine that their expectations are pretty low already.

Regards

Franki

This article was posted on Saturday, October 30th, 2004 at 11:12 am