Video calling on Skype has been hit or miss over the years, but with some back-end changes in Skype for Windows 4.2, the company readies its VoIP client for high definition.
Without providing much detail, Skype noted in a blog post that when high-def Webcams pop onto the market, Skype’s update "includes almost everything you’ll need" to place HD video calls.
Read More @ CNET Download Blog
In the coming months Microsoft will be ending support—including security updates—for a number of important products. If you’ve avoided updating so far, you might want to get moving.
The first event will be April 13, 2010 (like all end-of-support days, a patch tuesday), when support will end for 2 important configurations: Windows Vista with no service packs (a.k.a. Vista RTM and Vista SP0), and Windows XP SP2. If you are running these versions after that April 13 you will no longer receive updates or support. In each case, the answer is obvious: Apply the latest service pack (SP2 for Vista, SP3 for XP). Better yet, if you’re running XP, go get a new PC running a secure operating system, such as Windows 7.
On July 13, 2010, Windows 2000 in all service packs will reach the end of it’s "Extended Support Phase," meaning no updates anymore. It’s not in any of the announcements, but I presume that this implies the end of all support for Internet Explorer 5, currently only supported on Windows 2000.
On the same July date, all editions of Windows Server 2003 will be moving from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase. This won’t matter to many, perhaps most users, but it signals the end of "no charge" support and Microsoft will no longer be providing new non-security hotfixes. So you’ll need to open a paid support case in order to get support from Microsoft.
Looking to get out of Win2K Town before the bell rings? Check out the Windows 2000 End-of-Support Solution Center.
[ Source: PC Mag ]
Nearly 5,000 people have signed an online petition urging government departments to dump Internet Explorer 6 (IE6).
IE6 contains well known security flaws but is still being used extensively in Whitehall, including at the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department of Health and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The security problems of using the outdated browser were highlighted when it was revealed that Chinese hackers recently exploited a flaw in IE6 in an attempt to infiltrate the corporate systems of Google, Adobe and several other firms.
Government use of IE6 is also a problem because companies building web sites have to include support for the browser so that the departments can view their sites.
"IE6 ‘end of life’ was extended to 2014 by governments and business not ready or willing to upgrade," says the petition posted by Dan Frydman from Inigo Media, a company that builds web sites.
One of Windows 7’s most talked about features gets finalized.
Windows 7 is shaping up to be a dynamic release. With many aggressive pricing options such as cheaper OEM prices and student discounts, the new release aims to please.
When debating what version to buy, one of the most compelling features of the Professional and Ultimates versions is Windows XP Mode. XP Mode runs using Microsoft’s Virtual PC software, but unlike many virtual machines, it blends unobtrusively into your desktop, with XP-compatibility Windows happily living alongside Windows 7 windows, with no obtrusive differences.
Microsoft made an exciting announcement yesterday — the Windows XP Mode has finally hit RTM (Windows 7 hit RTM several weeks ago.). The finalized version close resembles the Windows XP Mode Release Candidate, which aired in August.
For business users, XP Mode provides an innovative way to remove the headache of software compatibility. With it, virtually any software that can run on Windows XP, can run within Windows 7.
For home users, the new feature is equally exciting, giving many their first taste of the benefits of virtualization. Not only can it help them save on software costs, by running older versions of Office software or other programs, it can also allow them to play games that would run within Windows XP, but had trouble running within Windows Vista. For fans of PC gaming, this is a welcome feature.
The virtual machine also helps to protect computers from online attackers when running. Many attacks exploit virtualization features as a foothold to launch attacks from. When XP Mode is running, its much harder to launch such attacks, though its still strongly recommended that you run security software, such as Microsoft’s free Security Essentials inside both the virtual machine and Windows 7.
The final release of XP Mode, will arrive concurrently with the release of Windows 7 on October 22. It will be available for download from the Microsoft Download Center for users with Professional or Ultimate editions of Windows 7.
Source: Daily Tech
Microsoft has issued a status report on the recently-announced SMBv2 network vulnerability in Windows in their Security Research and Defense blog.
Reliable exploit code for the vulnerability has been released by Immunity Inc to their customers. That one and other exploits may be available elsewhere.
Many Vista users are protected in their configurations by the Windows Firewall or other firewalls they may be running. If you have the firewall on and explicitly share a folder or printer then you lose that protection, unless you have also set the "Public" firewall setting. Network firewalls, perhaps at a router, may also provide some protection. IPS products may also block specific exploits with appropriate signatures. For instance, Symantec has a signature for it in Norton Internet Security and their other products with IPS.
Microsoft provide an easy link in the status report linked to above through which you can disable the vulnerable SMBv2 network protocol, mitigating the vulnerability in all cases, and another link to re-enable it.
