.Net's security OK--but could be better
Microsoft appears to be doing a better job of making its .Net Web services products secure, at least compared with some of its past efforts. But .Net could be more secure still, says security consultant H.D. Moore. At the top of Moore's list of suggested improvements: documentation. Moore says .Net gives system administrators a number of ways to protect Web apps from outside meddlers, for example. But the instructions on how to do so are often misleading. "It doesn't make a difference how secure products are initially, but how you program them, that counts," Moore said at the CanSecWest security conference in Vancouver. "Developers are being told the wrong things to do in a lot of situations." Microsoft says it's aware of Moore's suggestions, and will look into the weakness he's pointed out.
Go to the full story by Robert Lemos.

Are ISP's Headed for Extinction?
Why dial-up ISPs are heading for extinction If plenty of people still want dial-up service, then why are so many ISPs going out of business? Because, says guest columnist John Brumage, Napster and other peer-to-peer apps make it impossible for dial-up providers to make money. Read the full story | AnchorDesk Home

Gaping security hole found in Netscape, Mozilla browsers
Internet Explorer isn't the only Web browser with security holes. Israeli software firm GreyMagic Software has discovered a flaw in Netscape and Mozilla browsers that could give a malicious user access to your hard drive. The problem is similar to an IE vulnerability Microsoft patched in February, but Netscape's is more serious. Whereas in IE an attacker must know the name of a file on your PC to access it, the Mozilla bug allows a malicious user to browse your drive. The flaw affects Mozilla versions 0.9.7 to 0.9.9, and Netscape versions 6.1 and higher. The Mozilla 1.0 release candidate is not at risk.
Go to the full story by Matthew Broersma.

Mozilla: A real alternative to Internet Explorer
Tired of Internet Explorer? Mozilla, the Netscape-backed open-source browser, could be a viable option. Though the final version is not out yet, ZDNet's reviews teams got their hands on the official Release Candidate 1 and found it runs nearly as fast as Internet Explorer 6. And, unlike any other browser, including IE, Mozilla runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux OSes. The best feature for programmer types: the ability to customize. If you come up with a feature you want to add, or find one you hate, you can tweak the source code and send it to Mozilla.org. RC1 still has a few bugs--it won't work correctly if Netscape 6.2.2. is also installed on your machine, for example--but so far it looks like a promising tool, especially for those who want to tinker under their browser's hood.
Go to the full story by Rex Baldazo.

The incredible shrinking Internet
Special Report: Ten years ago, the Net seemed limitless. Who would have imagined the number of Internet addresses soaring to more than 100 million? IPv6, the newest version of the basic communications protocol, can stretch that limit to a nearly unfathomable number. Still, despite the urging of key players such as Microsoft and Nokia, the industry is relatively sanguine about the current protocol. But with the rise of mobile computing, the need for new addresses could skyrocket. What do you think--does IPv6 have the potential to change the way you do business?
See our special report

CNET's Bandwidth Meter
Want to know how your connection to the Web stacks up? This service will run a quick test to compare your connection to those of DSL, cable modems, and more. It's as easy as one, two, three.

Mozilla 1.0 Release Candidate 1
Mozilla's first official release comes out swinging; this open-source browser looks fast and lean. But can the Thrilla from Mozilla defeat current champs, IE and Netscape? Is it time to score one for the little guy? Based on our peek at Release Candidate 1, well, read on to find out. In Software
A C|Net.com report

Here comes Mozilla--finally
After three long years, the first beta release of Mozilla, the open-source version of the Netscape Web browser, is set to appear in the next few days. It's the first release aimed at a broad audience; previous releases have all been targeted at the developer community. Mozilla's development process has been slow largely due to the nature of open-source projects, where individual programmers across the globe suggest and implement fixes on their own. Still, it's an exciting time for Netscape devotees. Though the browser has lost some fans to the up-and-coming Opera, AOL has hinted it might start bundling Netscape, instead of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, in its free-service CDs.
Go to the full story by Matthew Broersma.

Why Web services will kill HTTP--eventually
by - LARRY SELTZER

HTTP has been the foundation of the Web since the beginning. But it won't cut it for complex peer-to-peer apps and Web services. So is HTTP dead? Not yet, says Larry, but in time something better will rise up to take its place Click here to read the full story | AnchorDesk

How spyware might help us share files
You won't find many people filling online bulletin boards with flowery praise for spyware. While not quite illegal, spyware is consistently annoying, ethically suspect, and often privacy-infringing. That said, spyware makers might have stumbled onto a better way for us to share files. MP3 Insider Eliot Van Buskirk has the details.

How to trace hackers
>I have a firewall in place. Now I get warned about eight times
>a session that the same person is hacking my system. Is there
>any place I can find out the actual locations and identities of
>these malicious hackers, and is there any place I can report
>them, turn in their remote addresses, and, get them busted?
>--Joy

Symantec has just updated its site to include a free listing of IP addresses. Symantec security check will geographically trace the origin of the potential hacker. As for reporting the suspect, you can generally send a note to abuse@[thehacker'sdomain].com to notify hackers' service providers of the problem. If the hacker has his or her own service, you can attempt to contact the local police where the hacker lives. However, many hackers operate abroad, and not every country is equipped to deal with Internet crime. Even if the address is domestic, local authorities often lack the resources to pursue these attackers. Finally, IP addressses can be spoofed; the address your firewall identifies may not be the ultimate source of the attack. In any case, keep using your firewall.

Cybercrime and punishment
Is hacking worth life imprisonment? That's what a new bill in Congress proposes. But Associate Editor Robert Vamosi says such stringent measures won't put an end to cybercrime; they'll just increase the number of nonviolent criminals behind bars.

Music site Morpheus locks out users
StreamCast Networks' Morpheus--a file-swapping service that many have said would be impossible for courts to shut down--shut out most of its users Tuesday, citing "technical problems." Computer users trying to log on to the service were greeted with a message telling them to upgrade their software to connect, although no newer version of the software was available. The outage immediately sparked a huge increase in traffic on alternative file-swapping services, such as Gnutella.
A C|Net.com Report | Read Full Story

W3C retreats from royalty policy
An Internet standards body has retreated from a proposal that would have allowed companies to claim patent rights and demand royalties for technologies used in its standards. The World Wide Web Consortium works with developers, software makers and others to come up with standards for the Web. Generally those standards either use publicly available technology or get the agreement of patent holders not to enforce their patents.
A C|Net.com Report | Read Full Story

Internet running out of room?
The European Commission says we must work harder to shift infrastructure to Internet Protocol version 6 to make room for the flood of wireless devices crowding the Net.
Read full story | A C|Net.com Report

  An interview with Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee
As the United States marks the 10th anniversary of its first Web page, CNET News.com is publishing a series of interviews examining the changes wrought by this breakthrough invention's past--and its future. This week, Tim Berners-Lee assesses the future of his seminal invention and cautions about the dangers of not letting it remain an independent, impartial medium.

Web's glass half full
Looking past the dot-com debacle, Webby Awards impresario Tiffany Shlain says more people are using the Web than ever.
Read Full Story

Bin Laden tape plays to Net audience The tape of Osama bin Laden talking about the terrorist attacks is drawing interest online despite its poor audio and video quality. Watch Video

• U.S. plans new raids on file swappers
• House postpones broadband vote
• Napster, record industry back in court
• Court: U.S. law trumps domain decisions
• Sex offender addresses remain off Web

Net gently weeps for Beatle Harrison
Fans crowded online message boards and chat rooms Friday to express their sadness over the death of former Beatle George Harrison. Harrison, 58, died Thursday in Los Angeles after a prolonged struggle with cancer. Harrison wrote some of the Beatles' best-known songs, including "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and infused Eastern mysticism into the band's music and trend-setting attitude.
November 30, 2001, 12:05 p.m. PT | Read Full Story

Rumor Mill: Dot-com drama or Internet idiocy?
In the interest of variety, the Rumor Mill occasionally departs from its format of rumors, lies and innuendo to indulge in that fourth journalistic vice, criticism.
November 2, 2001 | Read Full Story

Cell phone owners pay price for spam The growing number of U.S. cell phone owners sending each other short text messages are experiencing a rather dubious side effect: wireless spam. Spam on wireless devices isn't just an annoyance like the unsolicited e-mails sent to personal computers. Wireless spam, in the form of 160-character text messages, costs the cell phone users money. Most carriers, like AT&T Wireless and Sprint, charge a few pennies to both send a short message and receive one. November 2, 2001, 4:00 a.m. PT | Read Full Story

Site Unseen: A prize-winning Web site Business 2.0 The Nobel E-Museum chronicles a legion of past laureates. November 2, 2001 | Read Full Story Cable rate hikes at AT&T Broadband NextWave licensing deal cresting EchoStar-Hughes deal faces FCC scrutiny

WED OCT 31, 2001  David Coursey The new ICQ is better than ever...and available now! ICQ is the first Internet instant messaging program many of us used, and in many ways, it's still the best. Even if you use another (or, like me, several) instant messaging networks, the new version of the venerable ICQ has some interesting tricks up its sleeve. Join me as I take a tour of its latest, greatest features.

Back from the dead: Online shopping Business 2.0 Despite the slumped economy and an atmosphere of uncertainty, the forecast is actually bright for holiday online retail sales. October 30, 2001 | Read Full Story When the Web was young Business 2.0 The Internet Archive Wayback Machine satisfies a thirst for nostalgia, in addition to offering serious research on the Web's early days. October 30, 2001 | Read Full Story

CIAC: XP Error Reporting Bad for Privacy
The Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability (CIAC) has advised against using the error reporting technology included in Office XP, Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, and Windows XP. Based upon its own internal testing, the agency concluded that potentially sensitive and private information can be divulged along with a memory dump that is passed along to Microsoft. Initially, CIAC reported that default product settings automatically prompted users to submit error reports, but the bulletin has since been updated to reflect the fact that Microsoft's default selection is "don't send."

Microsoft belatedly opens access to MSN
After being shut out of one of the most popular sites on the Internet last week, many non-Microsoft browsers on Monday were finally able to access the software giant's MSN.com page. As first reported by CNET News.com, some Mozilla and Opera users were enraged Thursday when they could not reach the upgraded MSN site. Instead, they were given the option of downloading a version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer. That same day, Microsoft buckled to protests and said it would open its site to other browsers.
October 29, 2001, 12:05 p.m. PT | Read Full Story

The Bo's Eye view: Seems the freedom to innovate is a Microsoft Patent.

CIAC: XP Error Reporting Bad for Privacy
The Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability (CIAC) has advised against using the error reporting technology included in Office XP, Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, and Windows XP. Based upon its own internal testing, the agency concluded that potentially sensitive and private information can be divulged along with a memory dump that is passed along to Microsoft. Initially, CIAC reported that default product settings automatically prompted users to submit error reports, but the bulletin has since been updated to reflect the fact that Microsoft's default selection is "don't send."

U.S. ceases probe of AOL labor practices
The Labor Department has decided not to further investigate charges that AOL Time Warner unfairly used volunteers at its Internet unit. "We decided not to pursue the case from an enforcement angle due to the limited resources here at the Labor Department," said Stuart Roy, a spokesman for the government agency.
October 29, 2001, 8:10 a.m. PT | Read Full Story

eBay sees Taiwan, China in its future
While the world has hit the brakes on expansion, eBay has set its eyes on Asia. The San Jose, Calif.-based online auction company, which last week launched eBay Singapore, also plans to extend its reach into Taiwan and/or China, according to a company executive.
October 29, 2001, 10:20 a.m. PT | Read Full Story

Microsoft drawn into new browser war
As Microsoft takes the wrapper off its new desktop operating system and plunges into its .Net initiative, the software giant faces renewed battles deep within conquered territory: Web browsers. Signs of the challenge came just days before the launch of Windows XP, when Yahoo released an upgrade to its service that effectively hijacks Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.
October 26, 2001, 4:00 a.m. PT | Read Full Story

Net Clicks

• Oracle unit beefs up Net software
• Report: Qualcomm's anti-hijack setup
• Microsoft backpedals on MSN browser block

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Version Dec 7 Copyright (C) 2001 Larry Blaisdell
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