software

Microsoft has revealed that it is now one step closer to releasing the next edition of its very popular Office software suite, 'Office 15' to the general public. The Redmond software giant recently noted that the highly-anticipated office suite has ... now entered the "technical preview state," which is only available to a select number of beta testers. It's suggested that the public beta edition of the suite will likely be available for release this summer. The focus of Office 15, like the previously released Office 365, is on improving the suite's cloud computing capabilities. Such ... (view more)

Security software company Symantec has sent out a warning about what it believes to be the largest-ever malware campaign launched against Android smartphone owners. Called "Android.Counterclank," the malware was discovered hidden within 13 different ... apps (smartphone applications) released by three different publishers. Of the enticing titles, "Sexy Girls Puzzle" and "Counter Strike Ground Force" were among the most prolific in duping from one to five million people into downloading the infected software through Google's legitimate app marketplace. (Source: computerworld. ... (view more)

Security firm Symantec is urging all Windows users to disable "PCAnywhere" (a remote-control software program) on their systems immediately. The concern to disable the product dates back to 2006, when Symantec's PCAnywhere source code was stolen, ... but has never appeared in the open until now. Symantec says users running old versions of PCAnywhere could have their systems easily hijacked. A security bulletin on their site says that even the latest edition of PCAnywhere (version 12.5) is "at an increased security threat," and have urged customers to disable the software and ... (view more)

Microsoft has confirmed it will release a PC version of its Kinect hands-free motion control system on February 1, 2012. The new hardware offering will be expensive. Kinect was first offered for the Xbox 360 video game console in late 2010. It was ... Microsoft's effort to counter the Nintendo Wii system, which allows players to control on-screen action by moving a handheld device rather than a traditional controller. Microsoft One-Ups Wii Controllers with Kinect The motion-oriented controls of the Wii made games more accessible to casual players, while adding more realism to the game. Players ... (view more)

Microsoft has issued a warning about a new form of malware that locks users out of their computers. Dubbed 'ransomware,' the malicious software demands immediate financial compensation from its victims in order to get their machines working again. ... Generally, the scam is presented with a genuine-appearing on-screen message that implies the website they were trying to visit was secretly linked to illicit images of children, and that the user has already been identified as if searching for such material. A different but similar version of the scam suggests that the user has been identified as ... (view more)

Windows 8 is said to include a new 'app store', where users can browse and install software for their PCs and mobile devices through Microsoft. The news is welcomed by many, as the apps will be under strict regulations. Microsoft, however, will ... retain the ability to delete or remove software programs ("apps") that it deems necessary. The ability to remotely delete software on whim, critics say, gives too much power to Microsoft. Microsoft Offers "Try Before You Buy" Software developers using Microsoft's new app store will be able to offer trial copies of their software ... (view more)

A US Senator is demanding answers from a company accused of producing smartphone spyware . The firm, Carrier IQ, denies the accusation, and claims its software is designed solely for tracking service faults on the portable phones. The software ... appears to be installed without consumer knowledge or permission on millions of the handsets. It's usually installed in rootkit form , before the customer takes possession, and is difficult for ordinary users to discover or delete. Officially, the software is intended to track activity on the phone and report back to cellular networks. When faults are ... (view more)

The controversial Wikileaks site has published documents that appear to show national governments using malicious software to carry out surveillance. The documents flesh out claims by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that private companies are ... profiting by selling the software to governments. Wikileaks has published a total of 287 files used by 160 commercial firms. It says this is only part of a larger collection that will be published, going forward. The most worrying aspect of the products detailed is that they are intentionally designed to bypass the type of security software available to ... (view more)

The creators of a recently-discovered form of malware (malicious software) have reportedly used stolen government ID to make the bogus software appear legitimate when presented on Windows PCs. Once the malware is installed, it can steal personal ... information, such as passwords or banking information, or download other malware programs to the PC. The malware is spread via infected PDF (portable document format) files that exploit a bug in the outdated Adobe Reader 8. (Source: computerworld.com ) The incident involves a code signing certificate, similar to the authentication systems for secure ... (view more)

A Lithuanian software company has created a new Kinect-based, motion-activated user interface that lets people manipulate and manage their bank accounts with a flick of the wrist. Microsoft released its Kinect software developer kit free for ... download last June, allowing developers to create Windows-based applications that can interact with Kinect hardware. Since the kit release, literally thousands of applications have popped up, taking advantage of the Kinect camera- and microphone-based input. Banking does have to be among the most surprising applications, however. A New Spin on "Casual ... (view more)