It seems Microsoft discovered its Xbox 360 could scratch discs before it went on sale in 2005, and even got as far as considering three possible solutions to the problem, the Seattle Tech Report revealed today.
The characteristic circular scratches can occur whenever the orientation of the console -- which is designed to be used in either a horizontal or vertical position -- is changed while the drive is spinning. Johnson filed his suit after his console scratched three store-bought game discs, and is seeking $50,000 in punitive damages.
Testimony obtained from a Microsoft program manager indicates that Microsoft became aware of the problem months before the 360's launch when retail demonstration consoles malfunctioned. The company examined three solutions: strengthening the magnets that hold the discs in place, slowing the rotational speed of the discs, and installing rubber bumpers to cushion the discs, but rejected them all. Installing the bumpers could have cost as little as $0.50 per console, the suit claims.
It's not the first time Microsoft has come under fire for alleged foreknowledge of Xbox 360 hardware issues, either. Back in September, an expose penned by VentureBeat writer Dean Takahashi claimed systemic failures in Microsoft's design and quality assurance processes lead to the Xbox 360's now-infamous overheating "Red Ring of Death" failures.
Showing posts with label microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label microsoft. Show all posts
Friday, December 19, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Internet Explorer security alert: Microsoft to issue software fix
Microsoft is rushing out a software update for its Internet Explorer web browser, after security experts warned that millions of computer users could have their PCs ‘hijacked’ by hackers.
The security ‘patch’, which will be made available later today, will close the loophole in Internet Explorer 7 that enables cyber criminals to gain access to a PC by directing users to infected websites. According to security firm Trend Micro, around 10,000 websites, mostly in China, have already been affected, and there is potential for malicious hackers elsewhere in the world to take advantage of the flaw.
“When the patch is released, people should run, not walk, to get it installed,” said Paul Ferguson, a researcher with Trend Micro. “This vulnerability is being actively exploited by cyber criminals and getting worse every day.”
It is estimated that about 0.2 per cent of Internet Explorer users had already visited one of the websites designed to exploit the security flaw. Internet Explorer is used by around 70 per cent of web users, meaning that millions of people could potentially be targeted by hackers.
Microsoft said a team of engineers had been working “around the clock” to fix the loophole.
“Obviously when you are talking about a customer base of over one billion people, any amount of vulnerability is too much,” said John Curran, head of Microsoft’s Windows commercial business group in the UK. “Any type of infection is going to see a large number of people affected by it.” It is thought that the security flaw was exposed by accident, after a Chinese security firm, Knowsec, released details of the loophole believing Microsoft had already issued a software fix to resolve it.
As a result, the websites corrupted by the hackers are mostly Chinese, and have been programmed to steal passwords for computer games which can be sold for money on the black market, but researchers at Trend Micro have warned cyber criminals elsewhere will be quick to capitalise on the flaw.
Security experts have recommended that Internet Explorer users install a different web browser, such as Firefox or Google Chrome, until the Microsoft patch is available.
The security ‘patch’, which will be made available later today, will close the loophole in Internet Explorer 7 that enables cyber criminals to gain access to a PC by directing users to infected websites. According to security firm Trend Micro, around 10,000 websites, mostly in China, have already been affected, and there is potential for malicious hackers elsewhere in the world to take advantage of the flaw.
“When the patch is released, people should run, not walk, to get it installed,” said Paul Ferguson, a researcher with Trend Micro. “This vulnerability is being actively exploited by cyber criminals and getting worse every day.”
It is estimated that about 0.2 per cent of Internet Explorer users had already visited one of the websites designed to exploit the security flaw. Internet Explorer is used by around 70 per cent of web users, meaning that millions of people could potentially be targeted by hackers.
Microsoft said a team of engineers had been working “around the clock” to fix the loophole.
“Obviously when you are talking about a customer base of over one billion people, any amount of vulnerability is too much,” said John Curran, head of Microsoft’s Windows commercial business group in the UK. “Any type of infection is going to see a large number of people affected by it.” It is thought that the security flaw was exposed by accident, after a Chinese security firm, Knowsec, released details of the loophole believing Microsoft had already issued a software fix to resolve it.
As a result, the websites corrupted by the hackers are mostly Chinese, and have been programmed to steal passwords for computer games which can be sold for money on the black market, but researchers at Trend Micro have warned cyber criminals elsewhere will be quick to capitalise on the flaw.
Security experts have recommended that Internet Explorer users install a different web browser, such as Firefox or Google Chrome, until the Microsoft patch is available.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Serious flaw in Internet Explorer not fixed yet
If you use Internet Explorer you might want to read this.
Users of all current versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser might be vulnerable to having their computers hijacked because of a serious security hole in the software that had yet to be fixed Monday.
The flaw lets criminals commandeer victims' machines merely by tricking them into visiting Web sites tainted with malicious programming code. As many as 10,000 sites have been compromised since last week to exploit the browser flaw, according to antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc.
The sites are mostly Chinese and have been serving up programs that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold for money on the black market. However, the hole is such that it could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals for more serious mayhem — that's a big fear right now," Paul Ferguson, a Trend Micro security researcher, said Monday.
"Zero-day" vulnerabilities like this are security holes that haven't been repaired by the software makers. They're a gold mine for criminals because users have few ways to fight off attacks.
The latest vulnerability is noteworthy because Internet Explorer is the default browser for most of the world's computers. Also, while Microsoft says it has detected attacks only against version 7 of Internet Explorer, which is the most widely used edition, the company warned that other versions are also potentially vulnerable.
Microsoft said it is investigating the flaw and is considering fixing it through an emergency software patch outside of its normal monthly updates, but declined further comment. The company is telling users to employ a series of complicated workarounds to minimize the threat.
Many security experts, meanwhile, are urging Internet Explorer users to use another browser until a patch is released.
Users of all current versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser might be vulnerable to having their computers hijacked because of a serious security hole in the software that had yet to be fixed Monday.
The flaw lets criminals commandeer victims' machines merely by tricking them into visiting Web sites tainted with malicious programming code. As many as 10,000 sites have been compromised since last week to exploit the browser flaw, according to antivirus software maker Trend Micro Inc.
The sites are mostly Chinese and have been serving up programs that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold for money on the black market. However, the hole is such that it could be "adopted by more financially motivated criminals for more serious mayhem — that's a big fear right now," Paul Ferguson, a Trend Micro security researcher, said Monday.
"Zero-day" vulnerabilities like this are security holes that haven't been repaired by the software makers. They're a gold mine for criminals because users have few ways to fight off attacks.
The latest vulnerability is noteworthy because Internet Explorer is the default browser for most of the world's computers. Also, while Microsoft says it has detected attacks only against version 7 of Internet Explorer, which is the most widely used edition, the company warned that other versions are also potentially vulnerable.
Microsoft said it is investigating the flaw and is considering fixing it through an emergency software patch outside of its normal monthly updates, but declined further comment. The company is telling users to employ a series of complicated workarounds to minimize the threat.
Many security experts, meanwhile, are urging Internet Explorer users to use another browser until a patch is released.
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