NetFlash: Still no word from ET

You might be running SETI @ Home on your computer to help out with the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. But as Network World’s Phil Hochmuth found out, looking for the aliens is only part of the attraction to the massive grid-computing project. The rest is really about competition. Still no word from ET http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/081604setiathome.html?net

You might be running SETI @ Home on your computer to help out with the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. But as Network World’s Phil Hochmuth found out, looking for the aliens is only part of the attraction to the massive grid-computing project. The rest is really about competition.

Still no word from ET

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/081604setiathome.html?net

Microsoft fixes XP SP2 patching flaw

Turns out the software that was supposed to distribute the latest Windows XP patch needed to be patched itself. Microsoft had assured companies that the software would install Windows XP Service Pack 2 on end user desktops without any intervention by the end users. But users had to intervene.

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0819mspatch.html?net

New worm uses IM to lure victims

A new version of the worm that spread from infected Microsoft Internet Information Services Web servers in June has been identified and is using instant messages and infected Web sites in Russia, Uruguay and the U.S. to spread itself, according to one security company.

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0819newworm.html?net

Nortel to lay off 10% of staff

Nortel will cut 10% of its workforce, or around 3,500 jobs, to reduce costs. The cuts will mainly affect middle management, President and CEO Bill Owens said Thursday.

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0819nortel10.html?net

Network World Fusion Radio: Phishing attacks

Everyone has gotten suspicious-looking e-mail allegedly from eBay or Citibank urgently asking them to log in and update their account information. These messages even provide a handy link. Phishing is its name and stealing your financial information is the game. The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) hopes to squash the practice by educating the consumers and the companies targeted by phishers. Joining the program to discuss the issue is Jeff Ready, vice president of marketing at Tumbleweed Communications, one of the founding companies in the APWG.

https://www.nwfusion.com/research/2004/0819radio.html?net

Today on Layer 8, where we’re gunning for S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night:

Olympic athletes banned from blogging; rogue engineers on the loose; technology’s role in post-disaster cleanup; and Apple has another battery problem; all this today and more at your home for not-just-networking news.

https://www.nwfusion.com/weblogs/layer8/?net

This week’s top 5 stories so far:

1. On the lookout for spyware

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/081604spyware.html?net

2. Windows users put on defensive by SP2

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/081604xpsp.html?net

3. Fed up hospitals defy patching rules

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/080904patchfights.html?net

4. FDA reads riot act to device makers

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/081604fdapatch.html?net

5. NetRatings: Broadband users a majority in U.S.

https://www.nwfusion.com/nlnetflash520