Windows Shell/User (MSN & OneCare Too)

Microsoft to offer Windows Vista online - Yahoo! News

Microsoft Corp. will make its new Windows Vista operating system available for sale and download online, marking a new step for the software company, which has previously sold Windows only on packaged discs or pre-loaded on computers.

Source: Microsoft to offer Windows Vista online - Yahoo! News

I think this is a smart move, since people have busy lives. I have been able to obtain corporate software electronically instead of waiting for the CD to come in for Symantec/Vertas and GFI. (Note, most retail stores do not sell corporate licensing that you can go in and buy and walk out. Also, too this brings in the mileage and time of an employee to but the product.)

BetaNews | TiVo Fast Forward Popup Ads Return

Customers of the DVR service TiVo began reporting over the weekend that the fast forward ads which appear during commercial breaks have reappeared. The ads appeared last in March 2005, when the company was testing new ways to generate money from the service.

Source: BetaNews | TiVo Fast Forward Popup Ads Return

Ok, so people pay for the box most times, and pay for the service, and now they want to show ads to paying customers? If any DVR did that I paid for I would cancel my service and go with Windows Media Center or another software PVR.

For Sale: Phishing Kit - Security News Analysis

RSA this week said it has discovered what it calls the Universal Man-in-the-Middle Phishing Kit, an all-in-one package that provides the raw materials to launch sophisticated phishing exploits that appear to be operating on legitimate Websites.

Source: Dark Reading - Desktop Security - For Sale: Phishing Kit - Security News Analysis

This is what is worse than exploits and such. People who make it easy for the average person to do.

Dark Reading - Host security - Microsoft: Home Server Sports Serious Security - Security

JANUARY 10, 2007 | Microsoft's upcoming Windows Home Server software will include security features taken from its enterprise-grade Windows Server 2003 software, but will not work as a central distributor for patches to PCs on the home network, a Microsoft executive said Wednesday.

Source: Dark Reading - Host security - Microsoft: Home Server Sports Serious Security - Security

The one comment I have about this wonderful product, I hope to be able to beta test is, instead of being behind the router, why not have it be the firewall with a Home based ISA 2006 Firewall? Have two NIC's one for the Internet and one for the home LAN. The home LAN NIC gets plugged into a switch.

Another one I thought of is, why not have built in WSUS for Home Server, and update the AU client on the PC if WSUS is not available, go to Microsoft's servers for updates? Or connect over the net to the HS to check and install updates?

Dark Reading - Desktop Security - Spam Sets Record, Accounts for 94 Percent of Email - Security

JANUARY 10, 2007 | The volume of spam rocketed in December to account for a record 94% of all Internet-sent e-mail during the month, a message security company said Wednesday.

Source: Dark Reading - Desktop Security - Spam Sets Record, Accounts for 94 Percent of Email - Security