Microsoft to offer free security

In a surprise move, Microsoft has announced it will offer a free anti-virus and security solution from the second half of next year.

It will stop selling OneCare, its all-in-one security and PC management service, from the end of June 2009.

The new software, code-named Morro, will be a no-frills program suited to smaller and less powerful computers.

The software will be free to download and will support Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

The move comes as sales of the OneCare subscription service are flagging - reportedly because the anti-virus marketplace is already flooded with big-name players such as Symantec and McAfee.

Since its launch in May 2006, OneCare has garnered less than 2% of the security software market share.

In a statement, Microsoft said that Morro would be designed specifically to be a small-footprint program that uses fewer system resources. This, it said, would be ideal for users with low-bandwidth connections or computers without much processing power.

That will be of particular interest to consumers buying comparatively low-powered "netbook" computers.

Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management in the online services division at Microsoft, said: "This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware."

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WEBSPACE

QIK.COM www.qik.com

Have you been at a family event, like a wedding or birthday party, and thought to yourself: I wish so-and-so could be here? Well, now they can, as long as you have a mobile videophone.

It is really simple to sign up to this ingenious website. Just pop your mobile number in, and everything you need to stream live video to the net, will be sent to your phone.

It is still fairly new so the list of supported phones is modest but growing. Check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for more information.

If your phone works, you can start streaming video straight away to the qik site, or even direct it to a Twitter account.

Capture all those magical moments and send them out live on the internet to your loved ones around the world. Streams are recorded and stored in your profile section so you can look at them time and again.

But do remember that others can watch them too, unless you choose to make them private.

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BALLROOMDANCERS.COM (www.ballroomdancers.com)

Ballroom dancing is enjoying a bit of a renaissance in the UK just now, thanks to televisions shows like Strictly Come Dancing, where celebrities battle it out on the dance floor. If you want to waltz your way through life, or do a little foxtrot after work, take a look at BallroomDancers.com.

This website is stuffed to the seams with videos stepping you, quite literally, through the moves. Use the navigation panel on the left to open the dance styles.

Each dance has an overview of the foot placings, a text description of both the male and female role in the dance, and then a video to help you piece it all together.

Once you click the video icon, you will need to choose between a Flash or Quicktime player before watching the no-nonsense films. Watch them again and again until you get the hang of it.

The website is simple and easy to navigate, and without many frills, so you will have to save the artistic impressions for the dance floor.

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EYE ON EARTH (www.eyeonearth.eu)"

A visit to www.eyeonearth.eu is a must if you are planning on taking a beach trip to anywhere in the EU. It will help you find your way to the cleanest spots in Europe.

Made by the European Environment Agency (EEA), the website allows users to check the EU water quality ratings for over 21,000 swimming spots in beaches, rivers and lakes around Europe.

It is laid out in a familiar click and zoom map style, so it is really easy to find the watery spot you are heading to marked on the map. You can switch between a graphical and satellite image version of the map by clicking between Road and Ariel.

The flags on the map represent either the EEA rating, or a user vote. See the key on the left for the options.

Once you zoom right in, you will see a tiny satellite picture of the location together with an option to leave your own vote.

As time goes by, this site should build into a really nice resource for beach lovers everywhere looking for a clean and safe spot to swim.

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SYMMETRY EXPLORER (http://symmetry.sytes.org)

At symmetry.sytes.org you can take the images from any web page and creating a symmetrical work of art.

The website uses an image searcher, so query a keyword or phrase of your choosing, to enjoy a selection of symmetrical images. Try clicking some of their suggested links if you lack inspiration.

These images can make a work of art out of the most unlikely objects. Click the link under the pair of pictures to see the original source image.

The only thing the website lacks is a link to go back and try another search. You will have to use the back button on your browser or enter the address again. But that is just a minor distraction from what is a fascinating journey.

Experts sound scam threat warning

Experts are warning of an increase in the number of fake anti-virus websites.

Hackers are tricking people with a false warning, saying that the computer is infected with a Trojan and getting users to buy a fake anti-virus product.

A number of sites were closed last year when authorities in the US took action to stop sellers of "scareware".

But despite the closures, the number of sites continues to grow, with one expert saying it was "the biggest threat facing computer users today".

Matthew Woolley, chairman of the Independent Trade Association of Computer Specialists, which represents independent computer retail and repair shops across Britain, said hackers were playing on people's fear.

"At my repair shop in Lincoln alone, we've had more than 300 users in the past six months come in with a computer infected with fake anti-virus software.

"This week, we've seen fake AVG anti-virus that was so good, one of my engineers was convinced that it was the real thing," said Mr Woolley.

"If we can't tell, what hope is there for Joe Public?"

Hackers have been employing more sophisticated tricks to dupe users into buying their fake software.

In early February, 2009, hackers put fake parking tickets on cars with a URL directing them to "view pictures with information about your parking preferences" that in reality downloaded a Trojan that then prompted the user to install fake anti-virus software.

And last weekend, a Facebook application that spread virally among users caused an error message for Facebook users.

Although the application and message were themselves harmless, searching the error message "Error Check System" in Google came up with a number of websites that claimed to have information on the supposed threat, but were really designed to perform a fake anti-virus scan of your computer.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant with anti-virus firm Sophos, told the BBC that it was not known if the two were linked.

"This application automatically sent itself to all your friends, saying there was a problem.

"People panicked and did what most of us would do and put the term into Google to see what it was.


"Although Google has now addressed this, over the weekend, the first three or four links would take them to a dodgy site that would tell them that they were infected with a virus. It's rather a strange coincidence".

Hackers have also created fake reviews to trick users into buying fake anti-virus software. Websites from popular IT magazines are cloned, hosted on a hacker's website, and then pages created to look like an official review.

One, claiming to come from legitimate security firm Symantec had, in reality, nothing to do with the firm. Neither was the "review" written by the claimed author.

Speaking to the BBC, Tim Danton, editor of PC Pro magazine, said it was a growing problem.

"It doesn't take any expertise to copy a website and make it look realistic.

"What we have to rely on is that the public is aware enough to look not only at the logos but at the domain and URL. People need to download from reputable sites and if users are unsure, then tools like McAfee site advisor can help," he said.

"The fight between the bad guys making fake-anti virus software and the good guys trying to warn the public about their activities is a constant one. Trouble is, at the moment, the bad guys are winning".

But clicking on a rogue link does not mean you automatically become infected. Having up to date anti-virus software will prevent most infections and many web browsers also warn of possible hostile activity.

Cliff Evans, head of security and privacy for Microsoft in the UK, told the BBC that there were a number of measures users could take to keep themselves safe.

"If you keep your firewall turned on and have your anti-virus software up to date, you should be fairly well protected. The phishing filters on Internet Explorer 7 or 8 should also help.

"If users do have any kind of infection, Microsoft run a free online scanner at www.safety.live.com and there is also a free support line for anyone who has virus concerns, on 0870 6010100"