Users of Microsoft's Internet server software ought to be a little more worried
today.
In the wee small hours of this morning, a hacker (or hackers) attacked the
Microsoft NZ website, replacing the homepage with some of their own
rather pointed comments about the security of Microsoft's products.
The culprit was allegedly "Prime Suspectz" and the regular home-page
was replaced
with one that said "oh!! what's happened! Another Micro$oft was hacked?"
"The vulnerability is completely teorical [sic]"
The hack leaves further egg on the face of Microsoft, who suffered a similar
breach of security related to their Microsoft.com site just a few months
ago.
After all -- if Microsoft can't keep it's own websites secure when running
its own software -- what chance do regular users have?
Microsoft was unable to comment on the hack this morning when contacted by
Aardvark, but said that it would be making a statement about noon.
Would you like a coke to go with that egg sir?
Microsoft's Official Response
About That Technology Grant
As I mentioned some time ago, I've decided to apply for an R&D
technology grant
to help fund further R&D of my line of jet engines.
This week I contacted one of the agents listed on the website and registered
my details. In the next day or so I will meet with the agent, whose role it
is to help with drafting and submission of the application.
I was informed that those applications which focus more on research than
development are more likely to get assistance. The scheme is not designed
for simply commercialising existing ideas or research.
So far so good...
Except -- who was the idiot who decided that critical documents such as the
"Evaluation Guidelines" and the printable "Application Form" should be
provided only in MS Word format???
I think most regular readers are already aware of my disgust at using a
proprietary format which is capable of carrying evil macro viruses.
What's wrong with Adobe Acrobat -- a format which has become the industry
standard for portable documents and which represents a far lesser security
risk to those downloading such material?
Software? Forget It
I've received correspondence from another reader who also contacted an
agent to apply for one of these grants to help fund a software development
project.
The agent advised him that he might as well forget it -- software development
wasn't likely to receive funding.
I wonder if the INCIS and Terralink fiascos have created a knee-jerk fear
of the risks associated with all software projects within government circles?
Or maybe it's just as the agent said -- "they're focusing on the 'R' rather
than the 'D' with these schemes.
The Weekly Trickles Out
This week's edition of the Weekly has started trickling out. It will probably
take a day or so before they're all sent but they're on their way.
As always, your feedback is welcomed and...
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Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it
now!
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