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TECH UPDATE
64-bit Windows beta released
Microsoft now has a public beta download of its Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems aimed at Opteron-based systems. Microsoft says a final version will be delivered in the second half of 2004.
There are a few kinds of applications that will not work with the OS: apps with 16-bit installers, such as Great Plains 7.5 and Solomon 5.5 Business Solutions; those with 32-bit kernel-mode drivers, like Microsoft Exchange Server 2003; and applications that rely on the .NET Framework. But the firm envisions that most 32-bit applications will be available in the 64-bit environment by the end of the year.
However, there is a range of compatible applications, such as the AMD 64-bit beta version of Computer Associates’ eTrust Anti-Virus software. Others include Baan’s iBaan CRM 4.21, IBM’s WebSphere Application Server, J.D. Edwards’ ERP 8.0 and SAP’s R/3 4.7, to name a few.
‘Doomjuice’ worm emerges .
A new worm dubbed ‘Doomjuice’ targeting Microsoft’s website emerged on internet on Monday, which security experts said slowed parts of the software maker’s home page.
Doomjuice, which some are describing as a variant of the MyDoom worm, spreads via email systems already infected with the first version, which became the fastest-spreading virus ever when it was unleashed on internet at the end of January.
“It’s only looking for machines that are compromised by MyDoom A or B,” said Vincent Gullotto, vice president of the anti-virus emergency response team at Network Associates Inc. He said it was not spreading as rapidly as the initial MyDoom worms.
Doomjuice, which experts said was most likely created by the same author as MyDoom, is designed to flood Microsoft’s web site for request for data in an effort to bring it down, an attack known as a distributed denial of service.
Lightest ThinkPad launched
IBM is pushing the envelope in mobile computing by scaling down even more its popular ThinkPad X product line while at the same time adding new functionality. Within the next few weeks, the company says, it will roll out its lightest and thinnest notebook computer ever.
The new model, the ThinkPad X40, weighs 2.7lb — 14oz less than the current X31.
The X40 incorporates file-recovery technology for the first time, allowing users to access the system should Microsoft’s Windows XP crash.
IE’s vulnerability gets patched
Microsoft has released a series of follow-on fixes to its internet Explorer patch of last week that allow websites and companies to continue to use the XMLHTTP control for authentication.
Lately, Microsoft rolled out a patch for IE to plug a hole that could allow an attacker to “spoof” a URL by disguising a malicious site as a legitimate address showing in the web browser’s address bar.
After the patch debuted, reports quickly began surfacing of users who were unable to access corporate sites or some of those on the web.
The trouble, which didn’t affect all users, stemmed from an inability to access URLs in the format of
The update, which Microsoft characterized as “critical” on its website, is composed of three separate downloads: Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 2, Service Pack 3, and Service Pack 4.
Oracle 10g database ready
Oracle’s newest 10g database, which it has touted since its unveiling in September, is now generally available, the vendor has said. Oracle also says it’s cutting the price by 17 per cent or more for its entry-level database for small and midsize businesses.
Oracle has also began shipping the 10g release of its Enterprise Manager software with new grid-control capabilities. — Sci-tech World Report
