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Computers, iPod, iPhone

Apple Announces New iPhone 3GS, Revises MacBook Pros (and More!)


Today was the start of Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC), and today's keynote started off the week-long event with a bang. There were so many announcements that we could easily spend all day sharing every minute detail of the upgrades and new products in the Apple family. We'll leave the nitty-gritty stuff to someone else, so here's a quick recap of everything you need to know about Apple's latest announcements:

Faster and Cheaper Portables
  • Upgraded 15-inch MacBook Pro: The new 15-incher uses the same uni-body construction and non-removable battery as the 17 inch MacBook Pro Apple announced in January. The Pro line gets an SD card slot (finally, a way to capture our images without lugging around camera wires), but at the expense of the ExpressCard slot (this means you will lose the ability to add devices, like an internal 3G data card, to your laptop). On the plus side, the Pro line is getting a $300 price cut -- the 15-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,699.
  • Aluminum MacBook is now the 13-inch MacBook Pro: The sleeker looking MacBook will become a member of the Pro line and get a boost in specs with more RAM and a faster processor (more multi-tasking, better video performance, overall faster computing). The 13-inch MacBook Pro also gains an SD card slot, and gets a price cut to $1,199, down $100 from it's October 2008 launch.
  • MacBook Air: The Air is also getting a spec boost, but, more importantly, is seeing a drastic price cut to the tune of $700. The base model with a hard disk (as opposed to the fancy solid state drive) will now start at $1,499.


Read more →

Computers, Google

Google's Chrome Browser Vulnerable to Hackers

Google's Chrome Already CompromisedWhen Google's new browser Chrome launched by surprise yesterday, many fans of the famously "do no evil" search company rushed to download it. Who wouldn't be wooed by its clean looks, fast performance, and pledges of security? So far, we think the browser delivers on the first two -- but we're not so sure on that last one. Word is hitting the Web that Chrome is vulnerable to a Safari-related security issue that Apple has already fixed, but Google has (apparently) not.

The exploit lets a hacker automatically download an executable malware file to the user's computer. It's then up to the user to actually click on the file to run it, but with a little encouragement (as shown in the proof-of-concept), that's not difficult to do. Should you avoid Chrome? Not necessarily, but if you're going to use it, use a typical common sense while online and don't go crazy opening any file you like. The Internet's still a dangerous place, you know. [From: ZDNet]

Computers

Hackers Target Safari and Firefox Browsers

Hackers Going on Safari, Hunting FirefoxIt's long been held that Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) browser was far and away the least secure browser available. Anyone who thought otherwise only had to look at the long and constant IE security bulletins to see what could be perceived as a glaring hole in the thing. But it seems as though maybe those updates are at least partially due only to commonality, as the increasing popularity of Firefox and Safari is putting those browsers under fire.

Firefox has released two updates to Firefox over the past six weeks, fixing five critical security holes that could let attackers access a user's browsing history -- not exactly life threatening stuff here, but still disconcerting. Apple's Safari is rather more compromised, since it allows attackers to completely take over your computer, and rather less fixed, as no updates to solve the problem are available.

These attacks and compromised levels of security are held to be due to those browsers' new-found popularity. IE, on the other hand, which has seen its usage wane in recent months, had no security vulnerabilities to report in the last month, meaning hackers may be getting tired of beating up on the thing. So which browser is most secure? Our money's still on Firefox, but IE is clearly not a bad choice either. [Source: Washington Post]

Computers

MacBook Air Hacked In Under Two Minutes

MacBook Air Hacked in Under Two Minutes

If there's one thing Apple users love to taunt Windows users about, it's security. Mac owners giddily flaunt their lack of virus scanners and lack of worries in front of their PC comrades, whose machines look comparatively bloated with virus scanners, firewalls, and daily patch updates to fix the exploit du jour. Bad news for those Mac users, then, as a recent hacking competition showed that the new MacBook Air is able to be completely compromised in under two minutes.

The hacker in question, Charlie Miller, achieved this feat as part of a hacking competition called PWN 2 OWN. Miller hosted a malicious Web page privately, accessed it from the MacBook Air, and then, within two minutes, was able to take full control of the machine remotely and make it do his bidding.The culprit here is apparently an undiscovered flaw in the Mac Web browser Safari, which has shown to be somewhat lacking in the security department on both the iPhone and on Windows.

Charlie won $10,000 for his troubles, and he got to keep the laptop, but as part of the deal, he was also required to keep secret about the details of exploit, so hopefully there's little chance of it getting into the wild and taking over Macs around the world.

Still, we'd recommend steering clear of Safari -- and perhaps not being so smug.

From Engadget

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Computers, eBay, iPhone

PayPal to Customers - Don't Use Safari

PayPal to Customers - Don't Use Safari
As more people switch to Mac and pick up iPhones, the Apple-built web browser Safari is becoming more and more popular. Though it still only makes up 4.5 percent of the web browser market, that is still a significant number of people who should take heed of PayPal's warning: Use another browser.

The online payment company is strongly suggesting that users visit the site with a different browser, be it IE7, IE8, Firefox, or Opera, since Safari (and its Firefox-based Mac cousin Camino) lack anti-phishing features. PayPal is a popular target for phishers who want to steal your login information, and then of course your money and possibly identity.

Modern versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera all warn you when you visit a suspicious web site, and IE7 and 8 as well as the upcoming Firefox 3 all support Extended Validation for extra protection from fraudulent sites.

The best way to protect yourself from phishers is to pay attention to small details yourself. Double check that E-mail address. Does the URL look suspicious? are there any cosmetic differences between the page you meant to visit and the one you're on now? While only you can make sure you never fall victim to these scams, a little help can't hurt.

From Slashdot

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Cell Phones, iPhone

New iPhone Software Update from Apple

iPhone Updated to 1.0.1
Apple is wasting little time popping out those iPhone updates. 1.0.1 went out yesterday to much undeserved fan-fair. The update seems to be almost entirely Safari-related security fixes, and not many of them, based on the change log.

No new features, no stability updates mentioned, but still, plugging those security holes is better than nothing. Engadget seems to think that Safari feels more stable. What about you, our iPhone using readers? Is Apple hiding stability updates in iPhone 1.0.1?

From Engadget

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Computers, iPhone

iPhone's Web Browser Vulnerable to Hacker Attacks

Browser Bug Gives Hackers Full iPhone ControlReseachers at Independent Security Evaluators, a Baltimore-based group of security consultants, have found a bug that reputedly has the potential to allow hackers to take complete control of your iPhone. The problem lies in Safari, the Web browser installed on the phone and (currently) the only means for iPhone users to run non-Apple certified applications like Jive Talk. Apple has indicated that the iPhone's inability to download and install applications was set-up for the sake of security, but right now it doesn't look like that strategy is doing anything to ward off threats.

According to the researchers, the Safari bug could allow a hacker to do everything from peruse your call history to snoop your text messages or even extract your e-mail passwords. It's a serious flaw and one that Apple has no fix for at the moment. What makes it even more troubling is that this bug may also apply to PC- and Mac-based versions of Safari as well. The researchers have created a Web site containing more information about the hack at exploitingiphone.com, and they also plan to discuss it at the Blackhat security conference in two weeks' time.

So, with-it iPhone owner, what can you do? The safest option is to stop using Safari altogether, but then you would be avoiding what is surely one of the coolest, smoothest, and most innovative of all the iPhone's features? So, other than waiting for Apple to get off its duff and delivers a fix, you should use the typical precautions you'd use when surfing the Internet, which is to avoid shady Web sites when you're surfing with Safari on your iPhone. For your home machine, maybe it's time to think about another browser ... ?


From Engadget

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Computers

Safari for Windows Contains Trojan Horse

Safari For WindowsAs we reported yesterday, Apple released its Safari Web browser for the Windows XP and Vista operating systems. Within hours of that release, users not only found bugs, but they also discovered some Windows-like security risks within the browser code. Among the "bugs" is Trojan horse code that could allow a remote computer to execute operating-system-level commands on another computer. This code could potentially allow a not-so-nice person to install and delete files, as well as use key trackers to capture your passwords.

Of course, Safari for Windows is only in beta (test) format right now, but the Internet community is ablaze with Apple vs. Microsoft banter (lightly put). That said, Safari is worth a try, as it includes some cool features like drag-able tabs, resize-able text-entry fields, and versatile search.

No, Apple is not out to get you. Just be careful out there, Switcheroos.

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Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams

    Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
    When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.

     

    Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
    In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.

     

    Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
    Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.

     

    Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
    Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.

     

    17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
    When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.

     

    Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
    Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."

     

    Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
    Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?

     

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

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    Denon AVR-4306 (black)
    Incredibly well-featured 7.1-channel receiver; excellent sound quality; three HDMI inputs; converts analog video to HDMI output; upconverts analog video to 720p/1080i HD resolution; iPod and USB MP3 player connectivity; Internet radio and MP3/WMA streaming audio via built-in Ethernet port; XM Satellite Radio compatible; touch-screen remote; multizone, multisource operation; browser-based control via home network; accurate autocalibration routine. Full Review

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    KEF KHT3005 (black)
    The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review

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    Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
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    The Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger successfully delivers emergency power to your cell phone. It's easy to use and comes with a couple of surprising features. Full Review

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    Compact and stylish; impressive battery life; solid audio quality; sharp color screen; built-in camera; USB ready; affordable. Full Review

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    Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review

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    Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review

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    Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review

  • Desktop Reviews

    8.5 out of 10

    Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
    A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review

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    Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
    One of the fastest PCs we've tested; a PCI Express RAID card helps media encoding performance; typically immaculate Velocity Micro assembly; strong, three-year warranty. Full Review

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    Dell Studio Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 750GB HDD, 6GB)
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