Server 2003 Key leaked...
Windows key leak threatens mass piracy. A key code for installing Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 leaks onto the Internet, a loss that could lead to rampant piracy of the software. [CNET News.com]

Obviously one of the requirements for working at Microsoft isn't signing a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement).

 

Upgrade your Apache server now...

Apache urges update ahead of DoS risk alert.
Details of the problem, discovered by security outfit iDefense, are to be made available later today. [The Register]

Wow! Somebody who actually know's to warn then send the disclose the details of the problem before it can be exploited. How refreshing. You think Microsoft is listening?

 

A sneaky little monster...
What's the word on C-Dilla?. A friend on one of my lists wrote:

...found some nasty stuff on C-Dilla - installed as a copy protection tool with Turbo Tax, seemed to cause some nasty stuff on my system running as a system service in Win2000. Searches on various forums turned up some news on it in game software with the claim that it's used as spyware to document and send data ion music and copyrighted material downloads, and that it disables CD-R software from burning copy protected material or copying copyrighted disks...

Since it's tax time I just installed TurboTax on my PC. I had used it on my Mac in the past, but I was having trouble downloading the software (or even ordering it) and I'm still chary of doing my return via the website, so I ran over to Emeryville to pick up a copy of the software at Circuit City, and naturally they only had the Windows version. OK, I've got both machines and as long as I add a .tax extension to the data files from last year's returns over on my Mac, everything should be hunky dory. But a little poking around does show a hidden C-Dilla directory and I don't remember reading anything about that when installing Turbotax, so I deleted it. My friend also said

Claim is it installs to a hidden system sector on disks and is a pain or impossible to remove. About to reboot and see if that's true and it persists and comes back. Sounds like it's made by the folks who brought us Macrovision, the stuff that makes video get nasty when dubbed.

So, did I fail to delete it, I wonder? Or if it's gone now and it's used by Intuit for copy protection, will this inhibit my tax-filing? [Radio Free Blogistan]

Lovely. Now I'll have to go looking on my wife's computer to see what nastly little pest installed with TurboTax. If indeed I find it and further research reveals it to be spyware I will be sure to no longer do my taxes with Intuit.

 

Straight from the horses mouth...
Former hacker warns lawmakers about dangers to personal financial information
Kevin Mitnick, whose federal probation on hacking charges ended in January, said businesses need to better protect their computers from newly discovered security flaws and train employees to spot the tricks of identity thieves. [SignOnSanDiego] 

XML...
WHAT IS XML?. Here's some background on XML or extensible markup language. Office 2003 is supposed to be rich with features for using... [Rodent Regatta]

You know, I really like XML. I was having the damnest time trying to explain to Dane why the other day. That's the thing about smart friends, deep theoretical and philosophical discussions. Somewhat heated at times too but in the end, they're still your friends.

 

Waiting by the mailbox...
Waiting on my copy of MS Office Beta 2003. Dane got his 2 weeks ago and says it's got some pretty cool crap in it. 

Interesting...
Posted: Keep Off Company Network. A court appeal by an ex-Intel employee hinges on whether his e-mails to ex-colleagues constitute trespass. One court has upheld the company position that it does; now the California Supreme Court has to decide. By Ryan Singel. [Wired News] 

Improved 802.11 security for WindowsXP...
Windows XP download boosts 802.11 security.
Microsoft released Monday (March 31) for download a free patch that adds Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) to both consumer and business versions of its Windows XP operating system. WPA offers an interim boost in security for 802.11 networks while the 802.11i standards effort continues its work.

WPA uses two 128-bit keys for authentication and those keys can be dynamically generated. Existing 802.11 security only uses one static key. [Hack the Planet]

 

XP could slow your system...
Windows XP SP1 glitch could slow systems
Because of changes made in SP1 to Windows XP's memory management system, programs that affect large blocks of memory may take up to ten times longer to load on a system running SP1 than on one without, Microsoft said. The company detailed the problem on its support Web site in a recently posted Knowledge Base article, "Programs Run Slower After You Install Windows XP SP-1" (article #815411). [InfoWorld]