Attacks against non-Windows operating systems – particularly Linux – are growing quickly, according to a Kaspersky Lab report.
Although the figures are infinitesimally small compared to the depressingly regular onslaught of nasty beasties targeting Windows users, Linux malware figures more than doubled in 2005 (up to 863 from the previous year’s 422).
The report, posted by Konstantin Sapronov on the Viruslist.com Website, also noted that other Unix-based systems were experiencing similar rises in attacks.
The increase in malware is seen as a result of the growing popularity of alternative platforms.
“Slowly but surely Linux is being chosen over Windows not only for servers, but also for desktops,” explained Sapronov.
“Mac OS X’s (stock) may also rise. Since Apple has switched to Intel processors, Macintosh is rapidly gaining popularity,” he added.
The report notes that with Apple’s OS X kernel being based on FreeBSD, the experience of creating malware for that platform may also be applied to create OS X malware in the future.
The author points to the two “proof of concept worms for OS X” (below) as evidence for errors in the system architecture, adding that “OS X may be fertile soil for security researchers.”
Those Mac bugs
Posted up late last week by independent researcher Tom Ferris, ‘proof of concept’ code has been revealed that could be used to crash applications or even run unauthorised code on Apple machines.
The code takes advantage of bugs in the Safari browser and the Mac OS X operating system, with Ferris highlighting exploiting a total of seven bugs.
Posting on his Security-protocols.com blog, Ferris said that Apple had been made aware of the bugs and plans to fix them in “the next security release.”
Writing in his blog, Ferris commented, “There [seem] to be some problems with the claimed solid-as-a-rock Unix OS Getting Safari to crash in many different spots is trivial, as where Firefox is very tough.”
The SANS Institute’s Internet Storm Center rated the severity of Ferris’s bugs as “highly critical,” warning that there are currently no patches or workarounds available for the majority of these vulnerabilities.
Apple had declined to comment as we went to press.
Feedburner are claiming that there are now more podcasts than radio stations in the world.
A clearly excited Klau switched to hyperbolic: “Back in 2000, the DVD format, just 3 years old at the time, was declared the most successful product launch in consumer electronics history, outselling the VCR five to one.”
We must have all suffered this nightmare scenario.
Well, worry no more, because thanks to those clever folks at Brando, you can now own a USB mouse that packs both a thermometer and a laser pointer.
Whip that puppy out at a corporate meeting and you’ll be the cock o’the walk!
Their Website gives no indication as to the power of the pointer, but the illustration seems to suggest it can blast its mighty beam all of, err, a couple of feet, at best.
Nikon has scooped up three prizes at the 2006 TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) awards, with Canon, Panasonic, Samsung, Ricoh, Epson, Lexar and Olympus all getting the opportunity to make tearful speeches on the podium.
The D50 is a great stepping stone for amateurs looking to snap high quality pics without spending a fortune.
With that kind of resolution, images can be blown up to enormo-size without fear of pesky artifacts appearing, and the full frame sensor means that the focal lengths of Canon EF lenses remain consistent.
The world\\’s first digital compact camera to deliver ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution, the F30 can serve up sharp images in low light and comes with a slew of scene modes to get you started.
Other category winners:
Ever growing hordes of people are using their phones to access the Web according to a study by market research firm Ipsos Insight.
The UK came in at second place, with 29 per cent of Brits using their mobile dog’n’bone in the rub-a-dub, sherbet dab and Colonel Gadaffi to get on the, err, Sportsman’s Bet*.
With the recent introduction of more generous data tariffs in the UK (like T-Mobiles unlimited Web’n’Walk deal), mobile surfing usage is tipped to soar, with operators looking to bolt on revenue-attracting mobile services, like search or map functions.
In the world of online commerce, uptime is money, so it was surprising to see a new report by WatchMouse showing that 57% of the FTSE 100 websites were offering availability below industry standards
With an uptime of 99.9% seen as the industry standard (minimum acceptable level), there were fourteen sites which achieved perfect 100% availability, while the worst two performers couldn’t even muster 91% availability (Scottish Power with 90.78% and United Utilities with a lamentable 81.53%).
Dell has released a beast of a notebook, with its dual-core processor, groovy glowing lights and ramped-up video RAM aiming the XPS M1710 squarely at mobile gamers.
The Metallic Black M1710 weighs in at a wallet-draining $2,600 and comes with Intel’s Core Duo T2400 processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, 256MB GeForce Go 7900 GS graphics and a 60GB hard drive.
Both notebooks feature Microsoft’s Windows Media Center Edition operating system, and system upgrades can expand storage to 120 of GB hard drive space and up to 4 GB of 667MHz DDR2 memory.
There’s also built in Wi-Fi, high definition integrated stereo with two 2 watt per channel main speakers and a 5 watt, class D subwoofer with bass reflex port.
The XPS M1710 is estimated to ship in the second week of May. EK/EU delivery and prices to be announced.
If there’s one thing we’ve always thought that’s been missing when we’ve been grooving to our MP3 files, it’s an egg-shaped device that changes colour to the music.
If you’re rocking out at home, the lights go up to 11 for Hip Pop or dance music, while if you’re in the mood to get down with your laydee, the LEDs will glow all soft and romantic as you slip on some sweet-talking tunes from the love lothario himself, Chris ‘look out ladies’ DeBurgh.
The player supports MP3 and WMA format music files and also comes with a line-in connector for non-USB audio devices, such as CD players and cassette recorders.
In February, we reported how 
Blogging has now become such a significant part of some 
Pesky blog spammers have been generating an increasing level of noise with their nefarious activities throughout 2006, but the level of genuine, original content still greatly outweighs the fake and/or regurgitated content churned out on splogs.
After being bowled over by Ricoh’s GR Digital camera (so good we went out and bought the thing), we were keen to review their new consumer-based point’n’shooter, the Caplio R4.
A large and bright 2.5″ LCD 253k pixels screen dominates the rear of the camera, with a familiar four way controller/OK button supplemented by a zoom rocker switch.
That mighty lens
Exposure options
Twisting trapezoids
Quick to start up (just over a second), the Ricoh proved to be a speedy performer with fast focusing and a near instantaneous shutter response guaranteeing that we got the shot.
Considering the price range and feature set, we were also pleased with the picture quality – exposures were generally spot on and focusing was consistently good throughout.
By 800 ISO we were entering arctic snowstorm territory, but the results were still easily usable for 6″ x 4″ prints (after a bit of cleaning up with noise-reduction programs like Noise Ninja).