windows malware infected over 9 million PCs

A malicious worm targeting the Windows operating system is "skyrocketing" and indications are that the infections could "get worse," according to security software vendor F-Secure.
The worm, known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido, is spreading through improperly configured computer networks, USB and other memory sticks as well as Windows PCs without the latest security updates.F-Secure said that the principal target of the malware are corporate Windows servers that have not been patched properly with the latest security updates.The anti-virus and software security company said that an estimate 8.9 million machines were infected with the virus, but other security experts estimate that the number could be much higher than that. A senior technology consultant with anti-virus company Sophos, said in an interview, with UK's BBC news that (he outbreak was "of a scale they had not seen for some time."Microsoft said that the malware has already infected many computers across the world, with machines in China, Brazil, Russia and India having the most number of victims. The worm is believed to be capable of cracking computers with weak passwords, but is able to infect computers through memory sticks without needing to break any password protection.It infects machines by searching for "services.exe," a core Windows file, and attaching itself to that file. After creating a DLL library file with a random name, it runs itself as a service on the machine, creates a web server and downloads files from the hacker's web site. While most malware download from a limited number of hacker websites, Conficker, according to F-Secure, generates hundreds of domain names a day, making it hard to track down the site used to download the hackers' files and shut it down.

what is OVI?

LAUNCHED last November, ovi by Nokia is the telecommunication giant's latest platform for file and media sharing.Ovi combines the computer, mobile device and online environment into an easy-to-use, consistent and complete experience. Just download Ovi to your mobile internet-compatible Nokia mobile device to begin sharing.On the website Ovi.com, now being offered as a public beta, the programme helps sync and manage user's personal information online. It offers free functionality for synching your calendar, contacts, notes and tasks between a Nokia mobile phone and the website.
Ovi.com users can now create an online backup of their important information, which they can access andedit anytime when connected to the internet. This helps to safeguard user personal information in case their device is lost or stolen.
Users can also use the website to discover Nokia services in media sharing, maps, music and games, and connect with them while browsing the Net on a Nokia mobile device.
For those who want to share their images or videos with friends, they can use a Flickr media stream to upload and create their own media archive, users can also back up the contents of their Nokia device and drag-and-drop photos and videos to Share on Ovi, a service that helps manage their personal media.For those who want to store files and information from their Nokia mobile device to their computer, there is the Nokia Ovi Suite for PC application.
Another helpful service is Files on Ovi, which allows users to access remote PC files.anytime, from any browser-enabled mobile phone or computer. Even if the computer is offline, users can access the files in their private, secure Anytime Files storage.
if users are away from their computer but need to send a file urgently, Files on Ovi allows them to email a link to the PC files to one or more people. Even large files can be accessed, without having to download them to your mobile phone or having them clog up the recipient's inbox.' Recipients can view the files stored on users PCs and choose to download them directly to their own PCs.
in order to ensure secure access, the link is password-protected, and the user can decide who can access files and folders and how long the link is active.
Ovi is accessible to owners of the Nokia N96, N95, N95 8GB, N85, N82, N81, N79, N78, N76, N73, N71. N66, the Nokia 6220 Classic, 6210 Navigator and 5320 XPressMusic.

Rise of the netbook

As more of what we do moves online, why not design a simple notebook computer that's intended primarily to gel us there?
That's the idea behind the net book, and the success of early models from makers including Asus and Dell suggest that 2009 will see this category of computer gaining widespread attention. The appeal of net books is obvious: they're about half the size, and half the weight, of a typical all-purpose notebook computer. They focus on what matters to working online: a decent keyboard and a nice- screen, fast wireless Internet connectivity, and enough local storage- in the form of a solid state disk - to store the essentials. Gone are the CD/DVD, power hungry screens, and traditional hard drives. The result: a notebook that's a joy to carry. pleasant In use. and that gets vein online to check your e-mail, write documents, or surf the Internet This year will no doubt be all about saving money for many, and the tech products that w ill excite us next year will justify their place in our lives by providing an obvious return on investment They'll help us In save time, money, and lo do more with less. What more could we ask for?

online apple store take off

In 2009, you'll be tempted to move more of your real work online. The Internet is quickly becoming not just a place for research and Leisure but also the platform on which all business documents can be created and, more importantly, shared.
Google Docs - with its very capable and free online wind processor, spread-sheet, and presentation program - has led the way. But Think free Office and Zoho (below) represent significant competition. Even Microsoft has announced plans to move its office suite of productivity tools to an online format. All of this is part of a movement that's being widely referred to as "cloud computing", which essentially refers in software and applications being delivered to you over the Internet. With "always on" internet connections becoming increasingly common, the case for working and storing documents online is compelling. You no longer have the concern over where your documents are stored, since they're ,AL-ways available from any computer connected to the Internet. And because you're working online, you have the ability to collaborate with others, no matter where they're located, to this point, the main obstacle that online app vendors have to overcome is reluctance among users.
Wild all of the big players in the industry moving lo online applications, expect to have your reluctance challenged in 2009.

SSDs threaten hard drives

Solid slide disks (SSDs) are faster, cooler more durable quieter, and use less power i Man traditional hard drives. So what's not to like?
capacity and cost Current SSDs top out at around 128 GB, and they cost almost 10 times more per gigabyte than the hard drives that are in most people's PCs today
When demand is there and it is with SSDs - cost will come down. Expect SSDs to complete seriously for your attention in 2009, especially if you're looking for notebook
computer storage-, where capacity needs are often tower than for desktop PCs. A 64 GB SSD would provide all the storage that most notebook users need.
Sure, a traditional hard drive of the same capacity is a lot cheaper, but when it comes lo speed and having the peace of mind that your hard drive won't decide to die in the blink of an eye, a bit of extra cost is worthwhile many.
Today's major hard drive makers -Seagate, Hitachi, Western Digital, Sam sung aren't going lo like the shift to SSI )s because the companies well positioned to move in this market are chip makers, mil disk makers. But the Seagates of the world are starting to play now. as well, which should add yet more downward pressure to SSD prices.

Canon EOS 1000D boasts sharp

THE Canon EOS 1000D boasts sharp 10.1 megapixel images, life-like coiour, a wealth of camera functions while being highly compatible with the full range of Canon lenses & Speedlites.
Canon's new addition is a force in driving down the barriers towards the adoption of high performance cameras and systems, by reducing costs, boosting capabilities, while improving ease of use.
The EOS 1000D is the best-value platform for young enthusiasts who are passionate in exploring the art and craft of professional pho-tography. Specifications include a single- piece 10.1 megapixel APS-c size CMOS sensor, DIGIC III image processor offers life-like, natural colour processing at high speed, noise reduction for high ISO speeds & long exposure and 2.5-inch live-view LCD.

HP Touch Smart personal computer (PC)

REQUIRING only a power cord for set up, the HP Touch Smart personal computer (PC) combines a 22-inch diagonal, high-definition wide screen display with a powerful, energy-efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor in a single, integrated design.While providing all the capabilities of a traditional PC, selected models also offer an array of entertainment features, including a TV tuner for watching and recording TV shows, a built-in DVD burner and integrated premium stereo speakers.A low-profile wireless keyboard, wireless mouse and integrated WLAN offer a truly clutter-free, wireless experience; and the PC's adjustable screen tilts up and down for maximum viewing comfort. The HP Ambient Light lets people set mood lighting and see the keyboard in the dark.

Stay organized SONY Ericsson

SONY Ericsson has added a new line, the G series, which starts with the Symbian UIQ based G900.This candy bar handset sports a 2.4" QVGA touch screen, and comes with 160MB of internal memory and a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card slot. The Opera web browser comes pre-installed and the Sony Ericsson jf G900 also fea-''JF' tures FM radio, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo and support for Sony Ericsson's Play Now music store. The touch display allows for handwriting recognition, and users can easily create persona! Notes and save them as stickier, on the handset's home screen.The Sony Ericsson G900 candy bar is available in dark red or dark brown color schemes.

Picture perfect Samsung

DESIGNED for mobile multimedia, Samsung innovates provides devout tech addicts with the most innovative 24/7 multimedia entertainment features.
it also offers a fun, easy to use experience for those who want to get the most out of their mobile phones.
With the 8-megapixel camera, pre-embedded 3D games, high speed data connections and much
more other features will help users gain the true benefits of mobile entertainment.
Also, supporting a wide range of video player formats including DivX, WMV, Real Player and MPEG4, users can enjoy an exciting pocket cinema experience.
its external dual speakers and 3D surround sound supported by DNSe 2.0 make every video clip and movie more realistic than ever.