DVD copy protection fails

A loose-knit coalition of hackers around the world has defeated the anti-piracy software protecting several high-resolution movies in the HD-DVD format, reports CNet.

The hackers then began distributing copies of the films - starting with Universal Pictures' Serenity - using BitTorrent, a popular file-sharing tool.

The move could send the technology companies behind the new wave of advanced DVDs scrambling back to the drawing board to improve their copy protection, and prompt Hollywood studios to rethink their alliances in the war between the HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats.

Oracle has released 51 new security fixes for flaws across its database and application server products, as well as its collaboration software and e-business suites, reports Computerworld.

Of these, 26 fixes addressed flaws in the company's database products, including 10 that the company said could be remotely exploited without the need for a username or a password. Oracle typically assigns its highest severity ratings to such flaws.

Today's Critical Patch Update from Oracle also contained 12 fixes for vulnerabilities in its Application Server software, eight of which were rated "critical" because they can be remotely exploited without any user authentication.

The winners of SA's first e-commerce awards have been announced, reports Tectonic.

Judges made their final selection from a list of nominees tallied by Jump Shopping from almost 10 000 votes from the public. Kalahari.net was crowned the best e-commerce store as well as taking four more of the 19 award categories.

Newcomer eDreams was the dark horse of the event, walking away with three awards for best sports and outdoor store, best kids and baby store, as well as best electronic store.

Seagate has launched a faster class of 2.5-inch hard drives, reports ZDNet.

The drives are part of the effort to get smaller devices to replace the 3.5-inch drives that prevail in much of the server market.

Seagate's new Savvio 15K spins at 15 000 revolutions per minute, which means data can be found and retrieved faster than with preceding 10 000rpm 2.5-inch models.