MS readies iPod rival

Microsoft will start selling a digital music and video player to compete with Apple`s iPod by Christmas, reports News.Com.

The company has planned a feature on the device to enable the wireless downloading of music and videos.

According to industry sources, Microsoft has been touting the new player to record companies in recent weeks, as well as an integrated media software application similar to iTunes.

Internet service providers (ISPs) in the UK fear the threat of disrupted service posed by zombie PCs sending out floods of spam, The Register reports.

A survey by security firm StreamShield Networks indicates the proliferation of networks of virus-infected PCs under the control of hackers is a key business issue for 95% of ISPs who responded to questionnaires.

The survey also found most ISPs recognised customers would be prepared to pay a premium for security filtering services.

Security threats to PCs running the Microsoft Windows operating system have increased so much that Sophos has recommended computer users consider using a Mac, reports BBC News.

Microsoft says the coming Vista version of Windows will be the most secure yet, but Sophos says the 10 most common kinds of malicious software all target PCs running Windows, while none are capable of infecting the Mac OS X operating system from Apple Computer.

The report says one of the reasons for fewer viruses and worms on Mac systems is that the smaller user base for the computer is less of an attractive target for hackers.