CA offers anti-virus for Vista

CA is offering a free beta version of eTrust EZ Antivirus for Windows Vista beta 2 users that can be downloaded from CA`s Web site for a one-year trial, reports PC World.

CA says it is working to ensure its security products work well with Vista components. However, the article questions how much additional security protection Vista users will want from companies like CA, considering Vista will include Windows Defender anti-spyware and a two-way firewall.

Although there are no real-world Vista security threats, a proof-of-concept virus exploiting a command shell vulnerability has already been published ahead of Vista`s release set for early next year for the consumer market.

Microsoft has detailed a new image format at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle that News.Com says is aimed at replacing the JPEG format.

The new Windows Media Photo format, which has been developed in consultation with printer makers and digital camera makers, will be supported in Windows Vista and will also be made available for Windows XP.

Digital cameras typically use 6:1 compression; however, Microsoft claims Windows Media Photo will offer better pictures at double that level to offer faster printing and reduce storage requirements.

Skype has warned of a flaw in its popular VOIP client software that enables hackers to steal files from anyone on their contact list, reports The Register.

According to the report, the security bug stems from an error within the parsing of the parameters passed by the URL handler. This flaw enables hackers to inject commands within a maliciously crafted Skype URL that initiates transfer of a file from a Skype user without requiring consent.

However, the bug is not easy to exploit and requires the existence of a trust relationship between the two parties, restricting the scope for mischief. The bug also affects only Skype for Windows and not other versions of the software.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have created a small `seeing machine` that allows blind or visually impaired people to visit the Internet, see faces and more, reports M&C News.

The machine, which uses light-emitting diodes to project an image directly onto the retina of an eye, is the result of 10 years` research in collaboration with more than 30 scientists, students and eye doctors.