Acrobat flaw causes concern

Security experts are warning that a security weakness in Adobe's Acrobat Reader software could result in an increase in Web attacks, reports ZDNet.

According to the report, the plugin allows arbitrary JavaScript code to run on the client side. This means that until the flaw is fixed, any Web site hosting a .pdf file could be manipulated to run an exploit. Symantec and VeriSign iDefense say an attacker could construct seemingly trusted links and add malicious JavaScript code that will run once the link is clicked.

Adobe says users can mitigate the new threat by upgrading to the latest version of its reader software, released last month. The company says it is also working on updates to previous versions to fix the problem.

New technology will soon enable car passengers to check e-mail, surf the Web, game or communicate via any Wi-Fi-enabled device, reports Businessweek.com.

The report says a planned new wireless service from Autonet Mobile in the US will turn any car into a WiFi hotspot. The service is specifically designed to work on 95% of US roads, regardless of driving conditions or location. It works using dynamic automatic session management between wireless networks.

Autonet Mobile says its portable device can plug into a cigarette lighter or standard wall plug. This means users can move between the car and a house or hotel, extending the usability of the service beyond the car.

LG Electronics has announced plans to be the first to sell a DVD player that can be used for both competing high-definition DVD formats.

MercuryNews.com says the first dual-format high-def player will play discs in the HD DVD format, which is backed by a consortium headed by Toshiba, as well as the rival Blu-ray format, backed by a group led by Sony. The LG unit is to be unveiled at next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The two DVD formats have been battling for market share since being introduced last year. LG says it expects its dual-format player to end the confusion and inconvenience of incompatible competing formats.

The Dutch capital of Amsterdam is the latest high-profile public organisation to evaluate the potential of open-source software.

The city is expected to spend almost $394 000 in 2007 evaluating Linux on the desktop. New.com says Amsterdam is eager to reduce its dependence on monopoly suppliers.

Outside the Netherlands, several of Europe's largest cities are evaluating Linux. Vienna has begun switching to Red Hat and Munich has transferred 100 users to Debian Linux

British Telecom (BT) says it will connect the 10 millionth customer to its broadband network in the UK this week, reports BBC News

The report says connection is likely to be for a customer of one of more than 200 companies that offer their own-brand services via BT lines. BT Retail is thought to have about three million customers for its own broadband service.

According to the BBC, broadband has very quickly become the favourite way of going online in the UK, with more than 69% of net users with broadband connections. The continuing growth in UK broadband numbers is thought to be the result of an expansion of the network into rural areas and lower prices due to stiff competition.