Zero-day Word flaw used in attack

A new, yet-to-be-fixed, security hole in Microsoft Word exposes computer users to cyber attack, Symantec has warned.

CNet reports that would-be intruders already have attempted to compromise PCs at a Japanese government entity by exploiting the flaw. In response, Symantec has raised its ThreatCon to level two, which means an outbreak is expected.

Microsoft is readying a security update for Word that repairs this vulnerability, a company representative said in an e-mailed statement. The fix is scheduled to be released as part of the 13 June security updates, or sooner, if warranted, the representative said.

Samsung has become the first company out of the gate with an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), dubbed the Q1. The device, which is based on Microsoft`s UMPC specifications and long-awaited Origami research, bears some similarities to tablet PCs, but it`s smaller and lighter, reports ABC News.

The Samsung Q1 comes with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, a 7-inch diagonal display, WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB and RJ-45 connections, and it weighs 771g.

The display`s native resolution is 800-by-480, but a scaling button allows it to be increased to 800-by-600 or 1 024-by-600. The Q1 comes with a 40GB hard drive and 512MB of memory. A thin full-size keyboard can be used instead of the touch panel or a stylus.

A tit-for-tat legal battle broke out between Apple and Creative last week over technology used in the companies` rival digital music players, reports the Financial Times.

Singapore-based Creative filed a suit against Apple claiming the iPod maker had infringed on its so-called "Zen" patent relating to hierarchical categorisation of music - menus used to choose and play music - and sought to stop sales of some models of Apple`s iconic handheld digital player.

Apple immediately countersued, and claimed that Creative had infringed no less than four of its patents for the display and interface. Creative responded that Apple had never mentioned these issues in discussions concerning Creative`s claims.