Microsoft

Microsoft have just finished distributing an internal Beta 1 escrow build to internal beta testers. "Atlanta" is the code-name for Microsoft's rehashed GIANT Software Anti-Spyware. In a memo internally, the company looks clear to distribute the software this coming Thursday calling it "new, it's fresh, and it's all good".

Encouraging employees to install the Beta is one of the many ways Microsoft tests Beta products internally. It's not clear whether the release this Thursday will be a public beta or a private external beta.

Some folks seem to think Microsoft was humbled by its legal and technology challenges in 2004. But I disagree. I don't see a kinder or gentler Microsoft emerging in 2005. More transparent, maybe. Down for the count? Heck, no!

l33tdawg: "Microsoft is disappointed that Xfocus took actions that could put computer users at risk..." Blah blah blah -- they're just pissed off yet another vuln was discovered and that they weren't told about it and given 6 - 8 months to patch it before agreeing to allow any release of any information. Boo hoo! :P

Microsoft Corp. on Monday chided a private research outfit for releasing proof-of-concept code for three potentially serious flaws in the Windows operating system, warning that irresponsible disclosure was not in the best interest of consumers.

Hi, I'm Martin Taylor. Welcome to the third installment of TechNet Radio. I'm the General Manager of our Platform Strategy, and in today's broadcast we'll be having an open dialogue on the comparative differences between Linux and Windows. After the broadcast is over, you can also listen to this in a streaming format, you can download the full transcript, and also you can have links to more information on the topics that we'll be discussing.

MSN's Hotmail service, which has almost 200 million users worldwide, has dumped McAfee as its antivirus partner in favor of rival Trend Micro.

According to Microsoft, e-mails and attachments sent or received by any of Hotmail's 187 million Web mail customers will be scanned in real time by Trend Micro's antivirus software beginning Monday.

Slowly but surely, Microsoft is rolling out the hosted services for small-business customers that CEO Steve Ballmer outlined vaguely this summer.

Microsoft Corp. disclosed plans Thursday to offer frustrated users of its Windows software new tools within 30 days to remove spyware programs secretly running on computers. But it might cost extra in coming months.

In a shift from past practice, the world's largest software manufacturer said it may charge consumers for future versions of the new protective technology, which Microsoft acquired by buying a small New York software firm. Terms of the sale of Giant Company Software Inc. weren't disclosed.

Paul (from greyhats) has discovered a vulnerability in Internet Explorer, which can be exploited by malicious people to conduct cross-site scripting attacks.

The vulnerability is caused due to an error in the DHTML Edit ActiveX control when handling the "execScript()" function in certain situations. This can be exploited to execute arbitrary script code in a user's browser session in context of an arbitrary site.

Microsoft released a "critical" fix on Thursday for a security issue left unresolved by the Windows XP Service Pack 2.

The configuration change closed a hole in the Windows firewall settings that could open up PCs to attack if the machines had been set to share files or a printer with the local network, said Gary Schare, director of product management for Windows.

"The changes we made in Service Pack 2 were better than before, but they could be narrowed even further," he said. "We told people (in September) that we would issue a software update and now we have."

Microsoft today announced that it will beef up Windows security after buying Giant Company Software, a developer of anti-spyware and internet security offerings.

The Redmond firm will use intellectual property and technology from the acquisition to develop tools that will give "near-term relief" to Windows users by enhancing defences against spyware and other deceptive software.