Computerworld Gregg Keizer News

Avira antivirus upgrade wreaks 'catastrophic' havoc on Windows PCs

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:54:00 GMT

German security firm Avira yesterday issued a service pack for its antivirus software that crippled an unknown number of Windows machines, with one customer calling the gaffe "catastrophic" to his company.

Mac clone maker Psystar saga ends as Supreme Court denies appeal

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The four-year-old saga of Psystar, a Florida Mac clone maker that was crushed by Apple, ended Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear its appeal of a lower court decision.

Microsoft to charge $15 for Windows 8 upgrade deal

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Microsoft plans to charge users who buy a new Windows 7 PC $14.99 for an upgrade to Windows 8. The upgrade program is expected to kick off alongside the delivery of Windows 8 Release Preview in June.

Consumer love for mobile sparks discontent with Microsoft's software

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:39:00 GMT

Satisfaction with Microsoft's software slipped last year, part of an industrywide downturn driven by U.S. consumer discontent with traditional PC programs, a national survey said today.

Apple ships first Leopard security update in nearly a year

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:47:00 GMT

Apple on Monday issued its first security-related update for OS X 10.5, or Leopard, in nearly a year, to disable long-outdated versions of Adobe's Flash Player.

EU-Microsoft browser deal requires ballot screen in Windows 8

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:19:00 GMT

Microsoft declined to comment when asked whether it believed it's required to offer a ballot screen in Windows 8 to European users for selecting rival browsers in the new operating system's desktop mode.

MacBook Pro refreshes may be imminent, say reports

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:41:00 GMT

Hints that Apple will soon refresh its iMac desktop and MacBook Pro laptop lines accumulated today as several Mac-centric blogs revealed new details gleaned from the Web and unnamed sources.

Senate to look at Mozilla's browser competition allegations

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee plans to look into accusations by Mozilla that Microsoft is restricting access to important programming tools for browsers that will run in Windows RT.

Adobe backpedals, will now patch software for free

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:47:00 GMT

After being pummeled by customers and security experts for telling users to spend hundreds of dollars on upgrades because it wasn't going to patch critical bugs in older versions of its software, Adobe has reversed course.

Adobe: Pay upgrade price to patch critical bugs

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:35:00 GMT

Adobe has told users of its Creative Suite, which includes the company's premier products like Photoshop and Illustrator, to spend $375 to upgrade if they want patches for eight critical vulnerabilities.

Microsoft preps Windows 8 upgrade deal for early June debut, says report

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:52:00 GMT

Microsoft will reportedly kick off a Windows 8 upgrade program for buyers of Windows 7 PCs in early June.

Mozilla on new browser brouhaha: Microsoft, Apple different cases

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:46:00 GMT

Two wrongs don't make a right, Mozilla's chief counsel said Thursday when asked why his company hasn't lambasted Apple, as it did Microsoft, for blocking rival browsers from its mobile operating system.

Adobe's security chief praises Apple for Flash-crippling move

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:17:00 GMT

Adobe's head of security is applauding Apple's move to block outdated versions of his company's Flash Player.

Apple patches 36 bugs in OS X, fixes encryption password goof

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:01:00 GMT

Apple on Wednesday patched 36 vulnerabilities in Mac OS X, most of them critical, plugging a hole that revealed passwords used to encrypt folders with an older version of FileVault.

Mozilla accuses Microsoft of anticompetitive behavior with Windows RT

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:24:00 GMT

Mozilla yesterday accused Microsoft of withholding APIs necessary to build a competitive browser for Windows RT, and said the behavior "may have antitrust implications."

Apple patches Safari, blocks outdated Flash Player

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:09:00 GMT

Apple on Wednesday patched four security vulnerabilities in Safari and blocked outdated versions of Adobe's Flash Player from running in its browser.

Is Apple's OS X Mountain Lion on early-release track?

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:57:00 GMT

Apple may release OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion earlier than expected, according to a report by a popular blog and clues found within the release dates of the three developer previews of the new operating system.

Apple's e-store satisfaction score jumps, thumps Microsoft's

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:15:00 GMT

Apple's online store scored the highest satisfaction rating of any computer-related company, and handily beat rival Microsoft, a consumer pollster said today.

Microsoft pitches SkyDrive over iCloud to Mac Office users

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:39:00 GMT

Microsoft is pitching its SkyDrive online storage service to Office for Mac users, calling Apple's iCloud offering "not enough" for collaboration, file sharing and anywhere-access to documents.

Apple patches Google 'Pwnium' bug with iOS 5.1.1 update

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:33:00 GMT

Apple today shipped iOS 5.1.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch owners that dealt with connectivity issues on the tablet, fixed bugs in AirPlay's video playback and patched four vulnerabilities in the mobile operating system.

Half of all Macs will lack access to security updates by summer

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:50:00 GMT

Unless Apple changes its security update practice, nearly half of all Mac users will be adrift without patches sometime this summer.

Adobe preps silent Flash updates for Macs

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Adobe last week released a new beta of Flash Player that includes silent updates for Macs

Apple wants iphone5.com domain handed over

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:35:00 GMT

Apple is disputing ownership of the iphone5.com domain, sparking speculation that the company will use the long-rumored name for its next smartphone.

Google raises bug bounties to $20,000

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Google has dramatically raised the bounties it pays independent researchers for reporting bugs in its core websites, services and online applications.

Android malware used to mask online fraud, says expert

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:08:00 GMT

Android malware being automatically distributed from hacked websites looks like it's being used to mask online purchases, and could be part of a fraud gang's new push into mobile, researchers said today.

Adobe patches new Flash zero-day bug with emergency update

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:19:00 GMT

Adobe today warned that hackers are exploiting a critical vulnerability in its popular Flash Player program, and issued an emergency update to patch the bug.

Microsoft boots Chinese firm for leaking Windows exploit

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:39:00 GMT

Microsoft identified a Chinese security partner as the source of a leak last March in its highly restricted vulnerability information-sharing program.

Bloggers plead for Windows Live Writer's life

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:08:00 GMT

A Windows developer, upset at the likely demise of Windows Live Writer as part of Microsoft's move to retire the Live brand, has launched an online petition drive to save the tool.

iPad share of tablet market jumps as Kindle Fire slumps

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:23:00 GMT

Apple's iPad reclaimed a larger share of the global tablet market last month, in part because of a more-serious-than-expected slump in sales of the hot Kindle Fire in the first quarter, IDC analysts said today.

Microsoft plans big May patch slate for next week

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Microsoft today said it would ship seven security updates next week, three critical, to patch 23 bugs in Windows, Office and its Silverlight and .Net development platforms.

Nook deal lets Microsoft integrate e-bookstore with its software, services

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:38:00 GMT

Barnes & Noble will distribute its free Nook Metro app through Microsoft's Windows Store, putting to rest talk of Microsoft embedding the program in Windows 8.

IE 'silent' upgrade helps put newest browser on Windows

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Microsoft's decision late last year to switch on 'silent' upgrades for Internet Explorer (IE) has moved some Windows users to newer versions, but has had little, if any, impact on the oldest editions, IE6 and IE7, according to usage statistics.

Mozilla ponders major Firefox UI refresh

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:47:00 GMT

Mozilla is working on a revamp of Firefox to synchronize its various versions -- desktop, tablet, phone and Windows 8 Metro -- into a single visual style, according to documents posted by members of its UI design team.

Iran admits expanded cyberattacks, claims it's identified hackers

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:19:00 GMT

The Iranian government acknowledged today that authorities have found evidence of recent cyberattacks against several agencies, according to reports by state-sponsored media outlets.

IE on a rebound, browser share data shows

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:21:00 GMT

Microsoft's Internet Explorer in April again gained usage share, the third time in the year's first four months, to stay well above the 50% mark and remain the world's top browser, a Web analytics company said today.

Microsoft mute on Nook app's bundling with Windows 8

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:37:00 GMT

Microsoft on Monday declined to say whether Barnes and Noble's Nook app for Metro will be embedded into Windows 8 or Windows RT.

Slow uptake of Windows 8 preview hints at lack of interest

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Windows users appear half as interested in trying out the new Windows 8 as they did three years ago when they jumped at the chance to test drive Windows 7, data shows.

Snow Leopard users most prone to Flashback infection

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:41:00 GMT

Of the Macs that have been infected by the Flashback malware, nearly two-thirds are running OS X 10.6, better known as Snow Leopard, a Russian antivirus company said.

Does the iPad cannibalize Apple's laptops?

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:31:00 GMT

Is Apple cutting the MacBook's throat with the iPad? Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to think so, and analysts agree.

New iPad owners pay big 'halo' dividends for Apple

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:47:00 GMT

The iPad is giving Apple entree to millions of customers who have never purchased one of company's products before, a research firm said today.

Mozilla to kill Firefox 3.6 by auto-upgrading old browser

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:37:00 GMT

Mozilla will give Firefox 3.6 the coup de grace next month by automatically upgrading users of that 2010 browser to Firefox 12.

Microsoft re-releases Office for Mac 2011 upgrade after fixing bugs

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:59:00 GMT

Microsoft yesterday re-released Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 (SP2) after fixing a bug that wormed into the original update.

'Obstinate' Conficker worm infests millions of PCs years later

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:33:00 GMT

The long-suppressed Conficker botnet is still actively infecting millions of new machines, giving Windows enterprise users a two-and-a-half-year headache.

Macs contribute record-low 13% to Apple's revenue

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:17:00 GMT

The Mac's contribution to Apple's bottom line fell to an all-time low last quarter, according to data from the company.

Update: Apple's WWDC sells out in 2 hours

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:24:00 GMT

Apple today announced that its annual developers conference would run June 11-15 in San Francisco -- and inside of two hours, the event had sold out.

iPhone sales boom pushes Apple to first-quarter records

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:46:00 GMT

Apple on Tuesday announced record first-quarter revenue on the back of soaring iPhone sales, with an assist from the iPad.

Mozilla delivers silent updating with Firefox 12 release

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:16:00 GMT

Mozilla today released Firefox 12, patching 14 security bugs in the browser and moving it one step closer to matching rival Chrome in silent updating.

New, sneakier Flashback malware infects Macs

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 GMT

A new, sneakier variant of the Flashback malware has been uncovered by the French security firm Intego.

Microsoft slates Windows 8 'release preview' for early June

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:16:00 GMT

Microsoft's top Windows executive today said that the company will ship an almost-complete version of Windows 8 the first week of June.

Google boosts Web bug bounties to $20,000

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:17:00 GMT

Google today dramatically raised the bounties it pays independent researchers for reporting bugs in its core websites, services and online applications.