Microsoft issues eight critical patches

The Washingtonpost.com reports that Microsoft has released software patches to cover 16 security flaws, half of which it deemed critical, in all versions of the Windows operating system.

One of the flaws involves the "server message block" service enabled by default in every version of Windows that allows users to share files on a network. Attackers could potentially exploit the weakness over the Internet without any action by the user, but only if a computer was not already protected by firewall software.

The patches show that hackers are increasingly looking for ways to bypass automatic computer network defences, say security industry experts. Half of the vulnerabilities require action by a user, such as clicking a link in an e-mail or attached word-processing document, before attackers could gain control of a computer.

Microsoft also issued a bundle of six fixes for vulnerabilities in its Internet Explorer Web browser.

The number of Indian subscribers for landline and mobile phone services is soaring, putting the country on track to have 250 million users by 2007, reports AFP.

Mobile and landline connections reached 93 million users, or almost one in every 10 Indians, in the first three quarters (April to December) of the current fiscal year ending 31 March.

Nearly 90% of the 16.4 million new customers recorded in the period were mobile phone subscribers.

Czech company Jablotron has started manufacturing extra-large cellular phones for elderly customers, reports AP.

The company says it noticed older people sometimes have difficulties using small cellphones. The new phone is the size of a traditional desk phone used for fixed lines.

So far, Jablotron has received more than 100 000 orders for the new device and about 7 000 phones have already been delivered to an unspecified international mobile phone operator.