Loading...

Hackers using Skype to attack Windows PCs

Thursday, October 11, 2012 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , , , // No comments:


Free internet-calling service Skype is being used by hackers to distribute a 'worm' that infects users Windows PCs. 

 On clicking an instant message saying "lol is this your new profile pic?" users are unwittingly downloading a file containing a Trojan horse malware file. 

 This opens a backdoor allowing hackers to hijack infected PCs and recruit them into a "botnet army". 

 Users can be locked out of their machines and held to ransom, the BBC reports. 

 According to the report, Skype said in a statement that they 'are aware of this malicious activity and are working quickly to mitigate its impact.' 

 "We strongly recommend upgrading to the newest Skype version and applying updated security features on your computer," the firm said in a statement. 

 "Additionally, following links - even when from your contacts - that look strange or are unexpected is not advisable," it added.

Google Street View Is Now Available on the Google Maps Webapp

Thursday, October 4, 2012 // by Saurabh // Labels: , , // No comments:


Google has added the Street View feature to its Google Maps webapp, giving the already robust mapping system a nice on the ground viewpoint for wherever you're going.
To access Street View, type in the address you're looking for into Google Maps on your mobile browser, and click the person icon in the bottom right corner. You'll drop down into the traditional Street View and you can swipe to look around. If you've been missing the Street View feature on iOS 6, this is nice to have around to get a better idea of where you're going, and it makes the Google Maps webapp that much more useful.

 Google Maps

Intel-powered ultrabooks a major flop: Research

// by Saurabh // Labels: , , , // No comments:


Ultrabooks -- those sleek, lightweight laptop computers that were supposed to fire up PC sales -- are not catching on with consumers, a new survey shows. 

 The research firm IHS iSuppli on Monday slashed its forecast in half for the ultrabooks, saying high prices and ineffective marketing have culminated in a failure to lure buyers away from other hot-selling mobile gadgets. 

 The survey showed 10.3 million ultrabooks will ship worldwide in 2012, down from the previous forecast issued earlier this year of 22 million units. More than half of the shipments for the year are expected in the fourth quarter. 

 For next year, iSuppli cut its forecast to 44 million from a prior estimate of 61 million. 

 "So far, the PC industry has failed to create the kind of buzz and excitement among consumers that is required to propel ultrabooks into the mainstream," IHS analyst Craig Stice said. 

"This is especially a problem amid all the hype surrounding media tablets and smartphones. When combined with other factors, including prohibitively high pricing, this means that ultrabook sales will not meet expectations in 2012." 

 The latest report said that to fire up sales, prices need to come down from the $1,000 range to around $600. 

 It said if ultrabooks using the new Windows 8 operating system come close to the $600-$700 range next year, while adding in an new features such as touchscreen, a good chance exists for strong sales in 2013. Otherwise, consumers may opt for other devices. 

 "With the economy languishing, ultrabook sellers may have trouble finding buyers at the current pricing, especially with fierce competition from new mobile computing gadgets such as the iPhone 5, Kindle Fire HD and forthcoming Microsoft Surface" tablet, Stice said. 

 IHS said that despite the challenges, ultrabook sales will rise to 95 million by 2016. 

 The ultrabook is a term for a lightweight notebook computer coined by Intel. But ISH said Intel's "stringent" definitions are prompting some manufacturers to shun the term and call the PCs, "ultrathins," instead.

 Source: The Times Of India

Popular Posts

Advertisement