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08 March 2006

Mac survives new hack contest

By Matthew Broersma, Techworld

A new "hack my Mac" challenge has shown that Apple's Mac OS X might not be such a pushover after all, after the challenger's Mac Mini survived a sustained barrage of attacks for the duration of the contest.

Dave Schroeder, an Apple systems engineer at the University of Wisconsin, launched the contest following publicity around an earlier contest, which he regarded as misleading.

The earlier contest, initiated by a Swedish Mac enthusiast, gave user-level accounts to anyone wanting one, allowing a much deeper level of access to the system than would be typical on a real Mac server - much less a consumer system, Schroeder said.

An attacker called "gwerdna" gained root access to the Swedish Mac about two hours after that contest began, and said the system took about half an hour to crack.

Schroeder's PowerPC Mac Mini was running a fully-patched Mac OS X 10.4.5 with two local accounts and SSH and HTTP open in their default configurations. This might be a fairly typical set-up for a server, but "most users of Mac OS X in a consumer or desktop setting will never even enable any of these services at all," Schroeder noted on his Web site.

The SSH service enables remote users to execute commands on a networked computer via the SSH protocol.

Interest was far greater than Schroeder had expected, with traffic to the Mac hitting 30 Mbit/s at one point, he said. Most of the traffic was made up of exploit scripts, SSH dictionary attacks and port scans from tools such as Nessus, Schroeder said.

Overall, the site received almost half a million requests, with 4,000 login attempts via SSH. There were two periods of denial-of-service, but the Mac didn't crash during them, he said.

Indeed, the Mac hadn't been successfully penetrated by the time Schroeder ended the contest on Tuesday night, after 38 hours. Schroeder said the contest shows that, while not perfect, OS X is relatively secure—or at least, is unlikely to fall over when an attacker sneezes on it.

"The general architecture and design philosophy of Mac OS X, in addition to usage of open source components for most network-accessible services that receive intense peer scrutiny from the community, make Mac OS X a very secure operating system," Schroeder said.

He said Apple has become much more responsive to security concerns in recent months, noting that Apple was quick to patch a recent, highly serious bug in the Safari browser.

While the OS X kernel may, as gwerdna claimed, be riddled with unpatched security flaws, attackers typically wouldn't have the opportunity to exploit those flaws without local access to the system - as was granted in the Swedish contest, Schroeder said.

"While local privilege escalation exploits can certainly be dangerous... this isn't very informative with regard to the general security of a Mac OS X machine sitting on the Internet," he said on the Web site.

To the outside world, the only parts of those machines that would be likely to be exposed would be the Apache Web server and SSH, Schroeder said.

Source: TechWorld

March 03, 2006

Motorola combining government, network units

(Reuters) — Motorola Inc., the world's No. 2 cell-phone maker, said on Friday it is combining its network equipment business with its government and corporate unit in a bid to cut costs and win new business.

The network unit sells equipment that runs mobile phone networks, a segment that analysts say has become cutthroat because of too many suppliers. The other business sells wireless gear to government and large business clients.

Motorola did not give details about how the combination would help with costs, but said it plans to provide information on the reorganization and related expenses at a later date.

One analyst said the move appeared to make sense but that it was still unclear how much savings it would produce.

"I believe it makes sense because it eliminates the duplicative research and development between the two divisions," said Oppenheimer analyst Lawrence Harris.

"The technologies and the pursuits of the two divisions have been coming closer together because the government unit has been pursuing bids to sell network equipment to public safety agencies and state governments," he said, noting that they previously focused more on selling walkie-talkie radios.

Motorola's shares were down 19 cents at $22.01 on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.

Greg Brown, president of the government and enterprise business, will run the combined unit and Adrian Nemcek, who ran the network unit for five years and has worked at Motorola for about 36 years, is retiring from the company.

In the fourth quarter, government and enterprise clients represented 17 percent of Motorola's revenue, and the unit increased sales by about 8 percent from the year-earlier period.

The networks business contributed about 14 of fourth-quarter revenue but fell 4 percent from a year earlier.

Motorola said it would stop reporting both segments as separate units after the current quarter.

The government and enterprise unit has roughly 19,000 employees worldwide, while about 13,000 of Motorola's 69,000 employees work in the networks business, according to Motorola spokesman Jeff Madsen.

Source: Chicago Business

Q&A: Microsoft Unveils Details for Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers

Introduced at CeBIT, the new mobile PC form factor, formerly code named “Origami,” provides full Windows functionality with an enhanced touch screen, pen and keyboard input.

HANNOVER, Germany, March 9, 2006 – Microsoft today unveiled details for Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs), a new category of mobile computing devices that features small, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs coupled with the full functionality of a Microsoft Windows-based PC and a choice of input options, including enhanced touch-screen capabilities. The debut of UMPCs here at CeBIT, the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions, follows Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates’ call in 2005 for the computer industry to develop a new category of PCs that are less expensive, lighter and more functional. PressPass asked Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows Mobile Platforms Division, to discuss UMPCs and explain how these new devices are different from other mobile computers.

PressPass: What are Ultra-Mobile PCs?

Mitchell: UMPCs are a new category of mobile PCs designed to support our increasing mobile lifestyles. They support mobile-tuned user interface features such as touch, pen and dedicated buttons as well as keyboards for convenient access to Windows-based applications on-the-go. The extremely mobile nature of these devices, together with the richness of Windows PC technology, combine to create a powerful platform for mobile communications, entertainment, gaming and new scenarios such as location-based services as well. The "Origami" project is really our first step toward achieving a big vision. We believe that UMPCs will eventually become as indispensable and ubiquitous as mobile phones are today. We are working toward that goal with a sequence of advances in hardware and software. Our next step along the roadmap will take place in the Windows Vista release timeframe. But today’s UMPCs are a great choice for all those situations when you’re on the go, but need to keep informed, entertained and connected via the full functionality of a Windows PC

PressPass: Can you briefly describe the technology behind UMPCs?

Using the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows XP on the Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile PC. The software optimizes the touch screen user interface for UMPCs to simplify navigation and ease-of-use while on the go. Redmond, Wash., March 7, 2006

Mitchell: UMPCs combine the power of the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system and other innovative new technologies from Microsoft and its partners, making them more mobile and simpler to use than previous mobile computers. For example, the new, pre-installed Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows XP software optimizes the touch screen user interface for UMPCs to simplify navigation and ease-of-use while on the go. The Touch Pack’s customizable Program Launcher organizes software programs into categories, and uses large buttons and icons to make it easy to find and open your favorite applications. The Touch Pack also includes a thumb-based, on-screen keyboard that’s touch-optimized for easy text input. It also helps improve a user’s portable media experience with the inclusion of the new Brilliant Black for Windows Media Player skin. Touch Pack software also helps keep you entertained with the introduction of Microsoft Sudoku, a highly entertaining touch and ink enabled game. While the first generation of UMPCs will run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, future models will run on Windows Vista.

Although hardware designs will vary by manufacturer, UMPCs will all feature small, lightweight designs that are optimized for mobility and ease of input. According to current baseline physical specifications, Windows-based UMPC devices will weigh less than 2 pounds (.9 kilo), with a 7-inch (17.8 centimeters) screen size that offers the user a choice of text input methods. The touch-enhanced display can be used as an on-screen QWERTY keyboard (called dial keys) to navigate, or users can employ a stylus to input handwritten information. They can also input content with a traditional keyboard, linked either by USB port or wireless Bluetooth connectivity. UMPC devices will have a battery life of two and a half hours or more, and feature 30-60 GB hard drive for storage, with Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium M or VIA C7-M processors. Some devices may include additional built-in features such as GPS, a webcam, fingerprint reader, digital TV tuners, and compact flash and SD card readers. UMPCs can be connected through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet networks. Some UMPCs will be able to connect via wide-area networking.

Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President, Windows Mobile Platforms Division

PressPass: Why has Microsoft created the UMPC category?

Mitchell: Microsoft has researched the development of highly mobile, small form-factor PCs for a number of years because they are so well suited to addressing the evolving needs of consumers, whose lives are increasingly mobile. We began this work over a decade ago with some of the pioneering Windows CE efforts that I helped create. As people use PCs to stay in touch, work together, manage music, store pictures and build customer relationships, they need the freedom and flexibility that smaller, more lightweight PC designs such as the UMPC offer. Increasingly, people need to perform these activities from wherever they are, and more and more, these locations extend beyond work and home.

Additionally, the enhanced functionality and mobility of the UMPC category is made possible by specific technology advances in both hardware and software. Microsoft developed the concept for this type of UMPC based on our own research, combined with key new developments by industry partners. These developments include new low-power, high-performance processors, extended battery life and enhancements to Tablet PC software such as the Touch Pack interface tools. While Microsoft will continue to provide leadership in the development of this category, the creation and continued evolution of UMPCs will happen through a broad collaboration between Microsoft, Intel and a wide range of OEMs, ODMs, IHVs and ISVs. We’re excited to have such industry-wide commitment for this new category as it evolves and provides new value to a wide range of users.

PressPass: How does a UMPC differ from other notebook PCs and other mobile computers currently on the market?

Otto Berkes, general manager of Microsoft’s Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC) Division, shows the Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile PC. UMPC is a new category of mobile computing devices that features small, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs coupled with the full functionality of a Windows PC and includes enhanced touch-screen capabilities. Redmond, Wash., March 7, 2006

Mitchell: A UMPC is smaller, lighter and far more portable than most other fully-functional PCs. UMPCs are also the first to feature our Windows Touch Pack software that optimizes the touch screen user interface for smaller form factors to simplify navigation and ease-of-use while on the go It can be used in a hand-held mode of operation rather than on a desk top, and can be used in places and situations where notebook PCs can’t. It also has a more flexible set of interaction and input methods, including a touch screen, stylus and hardware controls. A UMPC can easily be synchronized with a non-mobile, larger, primary PC at home or work, making it easy to take music, movies, photos, and Office documents on the go. The UMPC is also different from other small Windows XP-based PCs like the OQO and the Fujitsu LifeBook P1500D, which are designed for enterprise environments.

PressPass: What is the price of a UMPC and when will they be available?

Mitchell: Pricing will be determined by our OEM partners. We anticipate pricing in the US$599-$999 price-range. Part of our objective in creating the original reference design for the UMPC category was to engineer a platform that’s both very compact and, through careful component choice, possible to sell for $500 MSRP. A number of OEMs will launch UMPCs in multiple markets in 2006. Using Intel processors, we anticipate UMPCs from Founder and Samsung in the second quarter of 2006, with a model debuting from Asus shortly thereafter. Models using the VIA processor are expected to arrive from TabletKiosk and PaceBlade Japan, also in the second quarter of 2006.

PressPass: How is Microsoft supporting developer efforts related to the UMPC?

Mitchell: Because the UMPC runs the Windows XP operating system, software developers who already target Windows XP will be able to utilize existing Windows development knowledge when building UMPC-optimized applications. Some software developers will fine-tune their existing programs for a smaller screen size and touch input. Microsoft’s premier Mobile PC Developer Center, http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobilepc, will contain user interface (UI) design guidelines, technical articles, sample code, tools and utilities to help developers build first-class mobilized software applications for UMPC as well as other types of mobile PCs. We expect to announce ISV software designed for UMPC in the coming months.

Source: Microsoft

Balsillie's RIM Settles BlackBerry Dispute

David M. Ewalt, 03.03.06, 5:47 PM ET

Jim Balsille

New York—A protracted legal dispute over Research In Motion's BlackBerry service has come to an end, with RIM agreeing to pay patent holding company NTP a $612.5 million settlement.

It's good news for BlackBerry users, who had been facing the threat of a shutdown of the service, but something of a bittersweet victory for RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie.

The agreement ends a lawsuit from Virginia-based NTP, which alleged that RIM's BlackBerry wireless e-mail service infringed upon their patents. In 2003, a U.S. District Court ruled in NTP's favor, awarding $210 million in damages. It also granted an injunction banning BlackBerry sales and service in the U.S., but put it on hold pending appeal. Ever since, the case has lurched through various courts and appeals; last spring, it even looked like RIM and NTP had reached a $450 million settlement, but the deal fell apart.

This new agreement, made public Friday afternoon, amounts to a full and final settlement of all claims against RIM, as well as a perpetual, fully-paid up license for the disputed patents. All terms of the agreement have been finalized and the litigation against RIM has been dismissed by a court order. The agreement eliminates the need for any further court proceedings or decisions relating to damages or injunctive relief.

It came despite aggressive statements made by Balsillie last week: he repeatedly denounced NTP's patent claims and accused the company of being disingenuous in its settlement offers.

Nonetheless, the payout is in many ways a victory for Research In Motion (nasdaq: RIMM - news - people ), which had been facing the threat of a network shutdown. On Feb. 24, a U.S. judge concluded hearings on whether to shut down the company's BlackBerry service. A ruling--and potentially, a shutdown—could have been issued at any moment since. By settling with NTP, RIM has eliminated the possibility of suffering that heavy blow.

Source: Forbes.com

THE FCC INDEPENDENT PANEL REVIEWING THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE KATRINA ON COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

First from the left: Bruce Deer, president of SkyTel and the American Association of Paging Carriers.
Second from the left: Vince Kelly president of USA Mobility. (Jackson, Mississippi, March 6, 2006.)

Well, that's all for this week folks. Let's hope that all this interest in improving the reliability of emergency communications results in a new focus on the Wireless Text Messaging that Paging Technology can provide better than any other medium.

With best regards, K9IQY	Brad Dye Wireless Messaging Consultant P.O. Box 266 Fairfield, IL 62837 USA
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