Facebook kicks Google off top spot

Facebook has become the most visited Web site in the US, the first time Google has not held the top spot since 2007, says Computing.co.uk.

According to Internet monitor Hitwise, in the week ending 13 March, Facebook accounted for 7.07% of Web visits, compared with Google's 7.03%.

“The market share of visits to Facebook.com increased by 185% last week, compared with the same week in 2009, while visits to Google.com increased by 9% during the same time frame,” said Heather Dougherty, research director at Hitwise, in a blog posting.

Transaction security firm Trusteer has introduced a remote forensics service designed to allow banks to diagnose if a client's PC has been infected with malware, following incidents of suspected fraud, reveals The Register.

The Flashlight service is designed to allow strains of malware to be quickly identified, without having to physically examine a possibly compromised computer. The service can also be used to collect samples, identify cyber crime command servers and block further attacks.

Mickey Boodaei, Trusteer's chief executive, came to London to unveil the service and present a session on financial malware at the e-crime congress on Tuesday. Early trials with the technology have revealed that 90% to 95% of cyber crime attacks blamed on banking Trojans in the UK can be traced back to one of three malware families: Zeus, Silon (a UK-specific strain of Trojan) and Yaludle.

Legislation to tackle Internet piracy, including bans for illegal file-sharers, has been passed by the Lords, writes the BBC.

The Digital Economy Bill is now expected to be rushed through the Commons before the general election.

Peers had earlier rejected a bid by ministers to include wide-ranging powers over future online piracy law.

A jury in Texas ruled against Microsoft yesterday in a patent infringement case and awarded plaintiff VirnetX $105.75 million, reports CNet.

Scotts Valley, California-based VirnetX sued Microsoft in February 2007, alleging the software giant had infringed on two VirnetX patents related to virtual private network technology.

The jury in US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas found that Microsoft wilfully infringed on the patents, according to a statement from the firm of McKool Smith, which represented VirnetX.