Hackers crack Windows 7 activation

Microsoft only just released final code for Windows 7 to manufacturers and the company is already facing a security risk, reports CNet.

The Windows Genuine Advantage antipiracy system in the Windows 7 Ultimate release to manufacturers has reportedly been compromised by some Chinese hackers, according to a variety of Chinese forums, and first reported by Neowin.com.

This means the user can fully activate the software offline without connecting to Microsoft's activation server.

The government has formally backed a proposed House of Commons e-petitioning system designed to enhance public engagement with Parliament, says Computing.co.uk.

Deputy Commons leader Barbara Keeley said ministers' sole concern over earlier proposals from the Commons Procedure Committee - which included built-in safeguards ensuring the involvement of MPs in the process - had been the £4 million price tag.

In a formal government response to the Procedure Committee report, Keeley said the new Modernisation Committee proposed by prime minister Gordon Brown would "consider how members of the public might be able to initiate debates and proceedings in the House".

On the eve of the Black Hat security conference, malicious hackers posted a 29 000-line file detailing embarrassing attacks that took complete control of servers and Web sites run by several high-profile security researchers, including Dan Kaminsky and Kevin Mitnick, reports The Register.

The file posted on security mailing lists claimed to have obtained more than four years' worth of data from Kaminsky and, as proof, it offered a smattering of e-mails, instant messages and other communications that laid out sensitive research work and intimate personal conversations.

It also revealed multiple passwords Kaminsky used and back-end configurations for Kaminsky's Web site, which was yanked offline on Tuesday afternoon and remained down at the time of writing almost 24 hours later.

A tenant who used the micro-blogging service, Twitter, to complain about mould in her Chicago apartment is being sued, says the BBC. Horizon Group Management filed a lawsuit that accused Amanda Bonnen of defaming the company with her tweet.

She sent out a message that said: "Who said sleeping in a mouldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon realty thinks it's okay.”

"The statements are obviously false, and it's our intention to prove that," said Horizon's Jeffrey Michael. "We're a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organisation."