Microsoft

Microsoft has struck a blow against cybercriminals, thanks to a major takedown of servers being used to steal login information and passwords from computers around the world. Experts say the move could place a huge restraint on what is considered ... one of the world's most advanced cybercrime schemes. On Monday, Microsoft revealed that its special cybercrime investigation division had executed both legal and technical maneuvers to reduce the number of computers capable of spreading Zeus. This is important because Zeus is malicious software designed to infect innocent users' computers and steal ... (view more)

Microsoft is pursuing a new patent that could lead to television viewers paying subscription fees, based on what and how they choose to watch. Under Microsoft's new system, called "Control-Based Content Pricing", the whole TV sponsorship model could ... see a major overhaul. The technology could conceivably turn available television channel selections into an "a la carte menu". The theory behind Control-Based Content Pricing could lead to highly targeted advertising and media content (TV programs) designed specifically for the individual viewer. Watch What You Want, Pay For What You Watch To ... (view more)

Microsoft has teamed with West Coast Customs to unveil a one-of-a-kind 1967 Mustang GT, made even better with several of the software giant's most popular tech offerings, including an Xbox 360 and a pair of Kinect peripherals. West Coast Customs ... (WCC) has made a name for itself by customizing cars on the MTV show "Pimp My Ride". In most of those episodes, host Xzibit (a popular rapper) surprises a teen with an offer to repair and drastically upgrade their broken-down jalopies. West Coast Customs then takes over and does the work. Microsoft Goes "Inside West Coast Customs" Recently, ... (view more)

A new report suggests that Microsoft will send its first shipment of the retail version of its highly-anticipated Windows 8 operating system (OS) in October, 2012. This schedule would give the Redmond-based software giant a chance to market its new ... operating system during the holiday shopping season, and would allow hardware makers like Dell to package the OS with their upcoming PCs. The rumor is reported by Bloomberg News, which bases the story on up-to-the-minute reports that Microsoft will release its final version of Windows 8 to manufacturers during the summer of 2012. Historically, this ... (view more)

Microsoft suffered a significant security setback last weekend, with a guideline for fixing a major software vulnerability being leaked to a Chinese hacking website. The guideline is known as a "proof-of-concept" code, and is essentially an outline ... of how hackers might exploit a specific security flaw. In this case, the guideline was related to a recently patched Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) issue. If exploited, the flaw it covers could allow hackers to infiltrate a remote computer system. Prior to issuing the patch, Microsoft had rated the RDP flaw "critical," its highest security rating. ... (view more)

Microsoft has released additional details about its upcoming Internet Explorer 10 web browser. Once again, it appears users familiar with touchscreen devices are those most likely to enjoy the changes. Microsoft has revealed that Internet Explorer ... 10 is designed for the new Metro interface. Of the two different ways to use Windows 8, Metro is the one involving larger "tile" icons and a cleaner screen with less clutter, both of which are most helpful with touchscreens. Metro also lets users install or remove new software approved by Microsoft in a simple manner, much the same as today's ... (view more)

Microsoft says it has fixed only one 'critical' security flaw this Patch Tuesday. However, it appears to be a highly significant vulnerability. For those not familiar with the terminology, 'critical' vulnerabilities are those rated to be most in ... need of addressing. Flaw Could Allow Remote Code Execution The 'critical' security flaw is a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Every version of Windows is reportedly left vulnerable by the problem. So long as the vulnerability remains unpatched, Microsoft says, a hacker who is able to convince a computer ... (view more)

While fewer and fewer folks are continuing to employ Microsoft's aging Windows XP, according to a new report from industry analyst firm, Net Applications, more and more people are using Apple's Mac OS X operating system (OS). Net Applications ... compiles its reports on OS usage by using data gleaned from 160 million web users visiting 40,000 distinct Internet sites. The research firm's new study finds that Windows XP's market share slipped nearly two percentage points in the last month, down to 45.4 per cent. That marks the decade-old operating system's most significant decline in months, and ... (view more)

The company behind a service that allows access to Windows 7 on an iPad has run into a major problem: Microsoft says the service isn't properly licensed. The service is from a company named OnLive and works in a slightly complex manner. The user ... doesn't actually have Windows on their portable device, but rather uses the Internet to access a copy running on a remote computer operated by the company. (Source: infopackets.com ) iPad Users Access Microsoft Office, Adobe Flash Users of the basic service are able to access Microsoft Office to create documents and can save up to 2GB of documents to ... (view more)

Major PC maker Hewlett-Packard (better known as HP) is reportedly working on a number of tablet computers and hybrid devices based on the upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS) from Microsoft. A recent presentation by the company's chief executive ... officer (CEO) suggests such gadgets could be available by the 2012 holiday season, or even sooner. During a recent earnings conference call, HP CEO Meg Whitman made reference to her company's plans to soon unveil Windows 8 tablets and related devices. The following day, she elaborated on this point, adding that HP would most likely use both the ... (view more)