Internet Explorer security threat

Today Microsoft released an emergency software patch to combat a critical flaw in Internet Explorer that puts millions of computers all over the globe at risk of being hijacked.

The flaw is of particular concern as unlike other virus programs or trojans it does not require the user to click a link or download a file to activate. The nature of the vulnerability means this malicious program hides from your virus protection software and then loads by stealth.

If your computer becomes infected, you open a backdoor for hackers to steal personal data and install Trojans.

Don’t panic however, Microsoft Australia has described the threat to local computers as quite small.

“Locally, the threat is quite small and few Australian customers have been impacted by this,” said Stuart Strathdee of Microsoft.

Most computers with infections have occurred in mainland China.

Microsoft has advised users to go to http://www.microsoft.com.au/security

to download the latest Internet Explorer patch.

Windows Update Steps

Apple Out Of Macworld After 2009

Visiting Macworld last year for the first time I was amazed at how much of the event was based around the Apple stand and the keynote from Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple. This was unlike an event such as CES which is full of thousands of vendors in all manner of different tech categories. One vendor could pull out and I would still be there with bells on.

However now that Apple are pulling out of Macworld I think that 2009 will be my last visit to San Francisco to attend the event. I would also be hedging my bets that it will not be too long before the vendors who buy stands to show off their stuff at Macworld, start looking around for another trade show where they will get even more exposure. Somewhere such as CES perhaps?

I’ll again be in the USA in early January to cover both the CES in Las Vegas and Macworld in San Francisco for Channel 9’s Today Show. If you have heard of anything that will be at either event that you think will be of particular interest, please shoot me a note and post a comment.

Mobile Phones This Christmas – (Up-Dated)

I am amazed by all the value in the stores right now for anyone in the market for a new mobile phone, looking to change plans or looking to give a mobile phone gift this Christmas. This morning on Today, Karl and looked at some of the options out there for you.

Samsung Omnia – Smart Phone – RRP $849

Touch screens and intuitive interfaces
Windows Mobile 6.1 interface that syncs easily with your PC
5 Megapixel camera
32 GB of memory stores over 8000 songs, or 23 DVD quality movies, or 12,000 5 full res pictures
Blu tooth modem for your laptop
DLNA built in

Vodafone Internet Cap Plan $69

Pay just $69 for 24 months and get:
A massive $340 credit + 250 MB of included data a month to use on talk, data TXT, PXT and more.

Receive a bonus of Unlimited Free Weekends- calls to any Vodafone mobile within Australia from Friday midnight to Sunday midnight are completely free

Nokia 6210 Navigator – RRP $629
Nokia Stockists – (02) 9429 9000
Features:
– 3G with HSDPA Network
– 3.15 MP Auto focus / Video / Flash Camera
– Hands free Speaker
– SMS / MMS / Email
– 240 x 320 pixels (2.4 inches)
– FM Radio (stereo)
– MP3/AAC/MPEG4 player
– Slider Phone
– You can keep your old number
– Office Applications
– A-GPS function
– Digital compass

Yes Optus Cap Plan $49 – Pay just $49 for 24 months and get:
$300 credit for talk, data and text + Yes time

Samsung 3100 – RRP $49
– FM radio with recording feature
– MP3 ringtones
– Speakerphone
– Compact
– User friendly- perfect ‘first mobile phone’
– available as prepaid on the Virgin network
Virgin Post-Paid Free to V Caps
On a $30 pre-paid cap you receive $140 worth of national and international calls, text and photos plus free calls and text to Virgin mobiles
Check your spending on-line

Yes Optus Timeless $119 Plan – 1300 300 937

– Unlimited Standard voice calls to any network within Australia – local, national and GSM mobiles
– Unlimited National Video Calls
– Unlimited Standard National text to any networks
– Unlimited National MMS
– Choose from the Starter or Classic Mobile Internet Packs
– Starter Pack: $4.95 – 25MB Classic Pack: $9.95 – 200MB
– 35c/MB for 12 or 24 month contract customers. 50c/MB for Month to Month
‘yes’ International Call Rates
– Flagfall (per call): 27c
– National: Unlimited
– International:50c/SMS
– National: Unlimited
– International: 75c/MMS
– Deposit: Free
– Retrieval: 30c per 30 seconds