* Microsoft set to patch IE, Windows, Office next week * Researchers seek to save VoIP from security threats * San Francisco picks Google, Earthlink for Wi-Fi plan * Scientists build high-energy batteries using viruses * Weekend Edition * Update: Cisco phases out 1700, 2600 and 3700 series routers * Today on Layer 8 Microsoft set to patch IE, Windows, Office next weekMicrosoft is set to release five security patches for its products next Tuesday, including a highly anticipated Internet Explorer fix that will address a bug that hackers have been exploiting over the past two weeks. Along with the critical IE patch, Microsoft will repair three other issues in its Windows operating system, as well as an unspecified problem in Office that is rated moderate. Click here for more.Researchers seek to save VoIP from security threatsWith VoIP starting to live up to some of the hype, university researchers are looking to ensure that the technology’s momentum in corporate and residential markets won’t be ruined by myriad security threats. Click here for more. San Francisco picks Google, Earthlink for Wi-Fi planGoogle has come another step closer in its quest to become a Wi-Fi wireless LAN service provider in San Francisco. Click here for more. Scientists build high-energy batteries using virusesScientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S. have figured out a way to use viruses to build ultrathin lithium-ion batteries that pack three times the normal energy level for their weight and size, they said this week. Click here for more.Weekend EditionRemember to visit NetworkWorld.com Friday through Sunday for the Weekend Edition, where you’ll find the latest cartoon; this week’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; the best of Layer 8; hot discussion topics and more.Update: Cisco phases out 1700, 2600 and 3700 series routersCisco is retiring three of its multi-service router platforms, including the 2600 – one of the most widely deployed WAN products for enterprise branches and mid-size businesses. Click here for details. Today on Layer 8, now heading for Amen Corner:How to really get attention for your site; Dell defends outsourcing; MSN search croaks for a bit; and McDonald’s new online venture; all this today and more at your home for not-just-networking news.For news updated throughout the day, go to Network World’s NetFlash news page. Related content news analysis Western Digital keeps HDDs relevant with major capacity boost Western Digital and rival Seagate are finding new ways to pack data onto disk platters, keeping them relevant in the age of solid-state drives (SSD). By Andy Patrizio Dec 06, 2023 4 mins Enterprise Storage Data Center news analysis Global network outage report and internet health check Cisco subsidiary ThousandEyes, which tracks internet and cloud traffic, provides Network World with weekly updates on the performance of ISPs, cloud service providers, and UCaaS providers. By Ann Bednarz and Tim Greene Dec 06, 2023 286 mins Networking news analysis Cisco uncorks AI-based security assistant to streamline enterprise protection With Cisco AI Assistant for Security, enterprises can use natural language to discover policies and get rule recommendations, identify misconfigured policies, and simplify complex workflows. By Michael Cooney Dec 06, 2023 3 mins Firewalls Generative AI Network Security news Nvidia’s new chips for China to be compliant with US curbs: Jensen Huang Nvidia’s AI-focused H20 GPUs bypass US restrictions on China’s silicon access, including limits on-chip performance and density. By Anirban Ghoshal Dec 06, 2023 3 mins CPUs and Processors Technology Industry Podcasts Videos Resources Events NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe