Microsoft has just released vulnerability data collected from its Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT), Bing, Windows Live Hotmail, Forefront and Defender during the first half of this year.

There are few surprises, but there is a wealth of data that delivers the current state of computer security and vulnerabilities over 168 pages.

According to the report, java remains the most dangerous platform for security exploits as Microsoft detected more than 6 million cases during the first month of the year. Operating system exploits made a huge jump to more than 5 million due to a Windows shortcut flaw that was discovered in July of last year and heavily exploited by attackers. HTML and JavaScript exploits are next in line, followed by document reader exploits and Flash vulnerabilities. Microso said that Flash vulnerabilities are still uncommon, but increased substantially (more than 40x) from the first to the second quarter of the year.

Windows XP SP3 remains the most vulnerable OS among the currently still-supported Microsoft operating systems. The data released show that 10.9 of every 1000 Windows XP SP3 (32-bit) were infected during the first half of the year. In comparison, the number dropped to 8.8 for Vista SP1 32-bit (6.7 for 64-bit), to 5.7 for Vista SP2 (4.4 for 64-bit) to 4.0 for Windows 7 RTM (2.7 for 64-bit) and to 1.8 for Windows 7 SP1 (1.1 for 64-bit).

Malware is most commonly distributed via adware with a share near 24 percent, followed by “unwanted” software (20 percent) and trojans (18 percent), worms (12 percent) and trojan downloaders (10 percent). Spyware has become insignificant as a malware transportation vehicle.

Microsoft detected most of the malware infections in the U.S. (10.5 million in Q2). Brazil was second with 3.7 million and France third with 2.7 million compromised Windows systems.

Microsoft’s Security Intelligence Report v11 can be downloaded from Microsoft’s website.

SOURCE via Microsoft

You can unpack your suitcase and drop that custody suit, because Microsoft has heard your Windows 8 complaints, and it’s willing to change its ways. Yesterday, in a lengthy post on its Building Windows 8 blog, the company acknowledged that it’s received plenty of feedback since unleashing a developer preview of the OS last month, and pledged to respond with a number changes. For starters, apps displayed within the Windows 8 App Screen can now be organized into groups, rather than alphabetical arrangements (see image above). Apps will also be displayed at a higher density, thereby cramming more content within the same space. Enterprise users, meanwhile, will be able to customize their companies’ Start screens and unify them across networks, though there’s still no word on whether administrators will be able to opt out of the software’s tiled interface in favour of the more Windows 7-esque Desktop app — one of the most highly requested features. These are just two of many, relatively granular changes that Microsoft is implementing to help users maximize the efficiency of its new Start screen, and they likely won’t be the last. To dig into the nitty gritty, check out the full post, at the source link below.

SOURCE via Microsoft

Apple’s iCloud may have only just launched but according to rumors reported by the LA Times and Wall Street Journal, it’s already negotiating with Hollywood to add movies to the service (funny how things have changed in five years.) The timing is particularly curious because Apple, along with Disney, is one of the notable holdouts from the movie studio-backed Ultraviolet scheme with similar buy once / stream anywhere aspirations that just hit the streets this week. However, according to “people familiar with the matter” it could allow Ultraviolet access on iThings via app, while also bringing its usual media lock-in magic by also throwing in streaming copies of any flicks purchased on iTunes, but only on its own hardware. Recently activated streaming of purchased TV shows to the Apple TV shows the cloud’s potential, but we’ll have to wait for deals to be signed before that North Carolina datacentre puts Hollywood’s best on its to-do list.

SOURCE via Wall Street Journal

You may have already been able to get a Windows Phone device in India without too much trouble, albeit unofficially, but Microsoft has only just now made things fully official — complete with Windows Phone Marketplace, voice recognition support, and a trio of Mango devices. That includes just the HTC Radar initially, which will be available this week for the local equivalent of $490, while the Samsung Omnia W and Acer Allegro (believed to be the same as the W4) are set to follow sometime in November. Of the three, the Allegro is said to be the cheapest of the lot, and there’s also some reports that it will launch in Europe for €299 (or roughly $400) off-contract.

SOURCE via Wall Street Journal

Western Digital said on Monday that it’s facing a weak December due to the Thailand floods. According to the company, rising water penetrated the Bang Pa-in Industrial Park’s “flood defenses” over the weekend and entered WD’s manufacturing facilities, submerging some of the equipment.

To make matters worse, water infiltrated the location of the company’s other manufacturing plant in Thailand, Navanakorn Industrial Park, on Monday morning. So far there’s no indication that the water has entered the facilities, and the company currently reports that all employees in Thailand remain safe.

“The company now expects that the flooding of its Thailand facilities, combined with flood damage to the company’s supply chain in Thailand, will have significant impact on the company’s overall operations and its ability to meet customer demand for its products in the December quarter,” WD said on Monday.

WD’s other facilities in Malaysia, Singapore and the U.S. are fully operational. The hard drive manufacturer said that further updates on the Thailand situation will be provided during its investment community conference call on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.

Western Digital is just one of many affected by the floods in Thailand including Seagate, chip makers ON Semiconductor and Microsemi Corp. Analysts predict that the predicted supply constraints may have a significant impact on the broader computer industry, leading to higher prices and a shorter list of components later this year or early next year.

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Looking for a new 3D-capable monitor? ViewSonic announced on Monday the V3D231 23-inch LED-lit LCD monitor with an ultra-fast 2ms video response time, a native 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution and a 20,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. However it doesn’t come cheap, costing over three hundred bucks at participating local retailers.

“The V3D231 is the perfect 3D monitor for consumers in search of hi-def entertainment in a true 3D format,” said Erik Willey, LCD monitor and PC product marketing manager, ViewSonic. “Due to its Frame Patterned Retarder technology, the V3D231 enables consumers to view amazing 3D images without the need for expensive 3D glasses.”

According to the company, the display comes packed with a pair of (nerdy) polarized glasses and a pair of clip-on polarized lenses. It also offers integrated SRS Premium Sound, VGA, DVI-D and HDMI 1.4a inputs, and the TriDef 3D software suite for converting and viewing 2D PC images “in life-like 3D.”

“By putting polarized 3D glasses and access to 3D content in consumers’ hands, ViewSonic is broadening the reach of 3D entertainment for 3D gaming, movies and education at a competitive price point,” Willey added.

The V3D231 comes with ViewSonic’s “strongest pixel performance guarantee” and 3-year limited warranty. It’s available now across North America for $349.

SOURCE via Marketwire

HP and Dell are reportedly eying Windows 8 as the platform of choice to stay out of the fiercely-competitive Android market. Meanwhile, Motorola quietly launches a XOOM “family edition” tablet exclusively at Best Buy.

Unnamed industry sources report that both HP and Dell are planning to re-enter the tablet market using Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system. These devices are expected to launch during Q3 2012, possibly even during the back-to-school season in late August to early September.

HP’s reason for using Windows 8 is fairly obvious. The company clearly stated just last month that although it discontinued producing tablets with Palm’s webOS platform, it had no intentions to back out of the tablet sector. But its reasoning in not focusing on the highly-popular Android “Honeycomb” OS may simply be due to market saturation.

According to the sources, not only has Amazon triggered a pricing war with the launch of its Kindle Fire Android-based tablet, but has also pushed tablet vendors into seeking out alternative platforms in order to stay out of the fierce competition. Sources even point to Motorola’s XOOM Family Edition tablet now sold exclusively through Best Buy as a fierce contender, a 10.1-inch tablet with 16 GB of internal storage for just $379 USD.

Motorola revealed the Best Buy exclusive on Friday, a kid-friendly Android 3.1-powered tablet packed with $40 worth of software including the award-winning Kid Mode app by Zoodles that helps kids have fun learning while keeping the device (and their eyes) safe. The tablet also includes Motorola’s own MotoPack, QuickOffice Pro HD and MotoPrint for when the kids go to bed and the parents need to catch up on work.

“Tablets continue to generate excitement and we are thrilled to be able to offer the Motorola XOOM Family Edition to Best Buy customers,” said Scott Wallace, senior director of tablet merchandising at Best Buy. “We think these devices are great for kids and families, and offer something for everyone. At Best Buy, we’ve long stood for choice and are delighted that the new XOOM Family Edition will be part of our selection.”

As for system specs, the tablet sports a dual-core Tegra 2 SoC clocked at 1 GHz, a 10.1-inch HS IPS HD screen (1280 x 800), a 5MP rear-facing camera with a built-in flash, a front -facing 1.3MP video webcam, 16 GB of internal storage, 1 GB of RAM, a microSD card slot for expanding up to 32 GB of extra storage, GPS, Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, a battery life of up to 10 hours, HDMI output and more.

Industry sources say that, despite HP and Dell looking at Windows 8 as an alternative tablet OS, Asus and Acer plan to continue to offer Android devices. Lenovo will also use Android, but for its business-use ThinkPad tablets. Dell will reportedly use Windows 8 as the platform for its own business-related tablet offerings.

SOURCE via DigiTimes