Microsoft boo-boo allows Army computer attack
 This seems the exact wrong time for a U.S. Army server to have been compromised. Unfortunately, a newly discovered security hole in Windows 2000 has allowed just that, said TruSecure Corp. on Monday. The Herndon, Va.-based security firm said that the attack occurred last week, but no critical information was accessed. The Army Network Command center has not commented. The hole appears in Windows 2000 when used with Microsoft’s web browser software. Microsoft has released a patch for the problem. The attack of the Army machine used a “buffer overflow,” in which the attacker overwhelms the target with too much information and in the aftermath is able to creep in. The victimized machine was cleansed, but the attacker launched another attack later. TruSecure dubbed the attack extremely sophisticated, especially since it had been crafted before Microsoft even revealed the vulnerability to the public.

RIAA's threat: We know who's downloading
Last month the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gave Forbes 1000 companies a guide on to how to cut out copyright abuse at work. After that fair warning, the RIAA has entered attack mode. This week the group sent letters to 300 U.S. companies that it alleges have allowed acts of privacy and copyright infringement on company computers. The RIAA threatened possible fines for the offenses. Roughly 35 percent of the letters were sent to tech firms. Twenty percent went to medical-related firms, and another 20 percent went to manufacturing companies. The RIAA would not say exactly which companies received the letter. It warns that the RIAA has evidence of specific instances of employees using file-sharing companies Kazaa or iMesh to download pirated songs or movies. The RIAA blames internet piracy for a 9 percent falloff in CD sales last year. It is currently battling Kazaa in court.

NetRatings hauls NPD Group into court
Meanwhile, NetRatings has begun a court battle of its own. The company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the NPD Group Monday, alleging that NPD computer use tracking methodology infringes on NetRatings’ patent. The company, which distributes net rankings information under the name Nielsen//NetRatings, seeks a permanent injunction against NPD as well as monetary damages for past infringement. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court of Delaware. NPD, a privately held market research firm, pioneered the technology used for the original Media Metrix before the measurement business became Jupiter Media Metrix two years ago. (ComScore Networks now owns Media Metrix.) At one point, Jupiter brought a patent suit against NetRatings. The suit was later discarded.

Expedia's new war policy: Yeah, you can cancel
Cancellation penalties will be waived and full refunds will be given to Expedia customers who decide not to travel should the United States go to war or raise its security level to red. Expedia says that customers must contact the company within two weeks of such a development in order to avoid penalties. The cancellation forgiveness extends to hotel stays, car rentals and change fees. Individual airline and cruise company policies will determine Expedia’s policy on those tickets. Several air carriers already have said they will be flexible with change fees. Expedia did say that Ticketmaster event tickets, cancellation waivers and trip insurance are nonrefundable. The country moved to orange alert Monday.

For the very poor, cheap, no-hassle broadband
Coming soon to major cities, the net for the needy. The United Way is sponsoring a project to build wireless high-speed internet antennas in poor neighborhoods where residents can’t even afford phones, much less internet service. The project will debut in West Philadelphia and, if it’s successful, may expand to other cities. The antenna will deliver a $5 to $10 per month broadband connection to anyone within a certain distance who owns the necessary computer equipment. That’s cheaper than most dial-up services. The United Way will give away about 100 computers and wireless internet adapter cards to get families started. Several other charity groups also have considered or initiated such plans. Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and other large cities offer high-speed internet-equipped public housing courtesy of local charities. Advocates of such services say that the poor are more in need of some internet services, such as job listings, day care options and education information, than any other group. The United Way will spend about $250,000 to get the project running.

March 19, 2003© 2003 Media Life


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