Carlo Orlando

What's worse than downloading fake antivirus software and paying to "clean" your system of a virus that never existed in the first place? How about being locked out of your PC and having your files held for a $79.95 ransom? Malware Peddlers Up the ... Ante with Ransomware In the past, malware peddlers cashed in after coaxing innocent people into purchasing fake software they don't need. In an effort to spike profits, however, malware scammers are now upping the ante by infecting PCs and demanding users pay a set ransom to retrieve their files and documents. All it takes is 1 wrong click ... (view more)

Apparently, throwing a Windows 7 party in honor of the new Microsoft operating system is not enough. The Fox network has recently announced an exclusive one-night partnership with Microsoft featuring the ever-controversial grown-up cartoon, "Family ... Guy". The idea for the partnership was instigated by Microsoft in the hopes of generating more interest in Windows 7. Special to Air in November The partnership will not be evident during the 9 p.m. Family Guy timeslot, however. Rather, a special half-hour television special, with the working title "Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's ... (view more)

With Windows 7 on the verge of public release, Microsoft is already in the initial planning stages for its replacement: Windows 8. 128-Bit Architecture The rumor was acknowledged by Microsoft employee Robert Morgan, who confirmed that not only did ... his employer have a name for the "new" newest operating system, but that plans have begun for proposed features as well. Among those ideas being bounced around for Win8 is a platform which is set to support a 128-bit architecture. Morgan announced, via his LinkedIn profile that he has been part of several "research and development ... (view more)

The next wave of Patch Tuesday remedies will see a total of thirteen bug patches shipped out for immediate repairs. Among the thirteen, Microsoft ranked eight of the patches marked "critical." (Source: theregister.co.uk ) The purpose of the patches ... is to reduce the number of flaws in the coming weeks. However, the latest offering is set to mend 34 vulnerabilities, making this the largest number of security holes ever recorded by Microsoft, edging out the previous Patch Tuesday record of 31 fixes this past June. Microsoft Makes Public Aware The exact details for the planned fix have ... (view more)

It seems as if the massive phishing campaign reported yesterday was not specific to Hotmail.com as was initially believed. According to a report by the BBC, many Gmail and Yahoo Mail accounts have also been compromised. (Source: computerworld.com ) ... While the source of the latest attacks has not been determined, many are pointing to the same bug that claimed at least 10,000 passwords from Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail. Microsoft, Google Prompt Password Reset Microsoft has done their part in blocking all known hijacked Hotmail accounts and created tools to help users who had lost control of ... (view more)

With the release of Windows 7 mere weeks away, Microsoft and House Party are helping their chosen hosts plan their launch parties with an instructional tutorial. Oddly enough, the video is getting plenty of attention -- but for all the wrong ... reasons. Unfortunately, the "celebration concept" comes off looking much tackier than anyone could have ever anticipated. Windows 7 Party Details The idea of throwing a party where the honored guest is an operating system did seem very peculiar from the start. People in 12 countries, including the U.S., India and Mexico were able to apply for the role of ... (view more)

Don't Fall Prey to the IRS Email Scam! Download our Top 10 PC Security Essentials Tech Report at the end of this article, or click to here to visit our Top 10 Tech Reports self-serve kiosk, now! Playing on the natural reservations people have about ... tax collectors, the latest scareware offering from hackers is not only devious and misleading, but is now being recognized as the single most virus-based spam delivered in the world. Hackers often reinvent themselves when seeking new and effective tactics in the hopes of getting more people to download malware and other forms of computer infections ... (view more)

A new approach to computer security could see an army of "ants" summoned to rid the online world of worms, bugs and other pestilent e-vermin. Interestingly enough, these "virtual ants" will work as an important defense against most forms of malware ... , but it is the manner in which they operate that earn them their insect namesake. In actuality, the virtual ants are computer programs designed to roam around a given network in search of anomalies. The idea to use the ant-like hierarchy came from a senior research scientist Glenn Fink, at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, ... (view more)

While the odds of Microsoft forming a corporate partnership with Google are slim-to-none, their respective software is proving just that. According to Computerworld, Internet Explorer 8 running with Google Chrome Frame plug-in runs 9.6 times faster ... than IE8 on its own. Chrome Frame was released earlier this week and is an open source plug-in that seamlessly brings Google Chrome's open web technologies and high-performance JavaScript engine to Internet Explorer. (Source: google.com ) Kind Gesture or Smear Campaign? Instead of taking the high road and leaving the "helpful plug-in" as a kind ... (view more)

Rumors have it that Microsoft is developing a new PC concept described as being "tablet-sized" and loaded with many touch-sensitive features. Although the new product is reported to be in the "late prototype" stage of development, insiders believe ... that Microsoft is looking to attempt to attain status for their product early within the market, keeping with Windows 7 Touch technology in mind. Tablet PC to be Named 'Courier' The device resembles a booklet and is rumored to be named 'Courier.' The new PC concept boasts dual 7-inch screens that are touch sensitive and can be used in conjunction ... (view more)