Talking on Google

Google has launched an instant message and Web-based phone calling system, reports CNN.

Google Talk is seeking to elbow its way in among four instant messaging Web communities with more than 10 million users each, ranging from AOL, Yahoo, Microsoft and Skype.

"This is a missing piece in Google`s larger strategy as they emerge to become a bigger Internet media player," says Greg Sterling, an analyst with the Kelsey Group who has been briefed by the company on its Google Talk strategy.

A trial version, initially only in English, can be found at http://www.google.com/talk/ but users need to have a Google Gmail account.

Security experts have warned of a new MSN messenger worm that often addresses people in their own tongue as it hunts for new victims, reports CNET.

The worm, dubbed Kelvir.HI, tailors the language of its attack message to the compromised system, says David Jaros, director of product marketing at security vendor Akonix Systems.

"It appears to check which language the Windows client is configured to use. This is the first time that we have seen a worm that checks the system settings and then sends a specific message."

The worm is a variant of the Kelvir pest that first surfaced in February.

The Plug and Play vulnerability that led to last week`s Zotob blitz on Windows 2000 machines poses a major risk to some Windows XP systems, Microsoft has confirmed.

PCs running Windows XP or Windows XP SP1 in certain non-default configurations are open to Zotob-style attack, reports InformationWeek.

Originally, Microsoft said all Windows XP machines, including those running the first service pack, were immune from remote attack, and were only vulnerable if the attacker had valid log-on credentials.

However, this is apparently not true. Debby Fry Wilson, director of Microsoft`s Security Response Centre, said in a blog entry: "We are now aware of a very narrow and limited case on Windows XP SP1 whereby an unauthenticated attack might be possible."

"We strongly encourage system administrators to patch all systems that are vulnerable to the Microsoft Windows Plug and Plug Buffer Overflow Vulnerability, including all Windows XP systems," the company advised.