Only a third of IT managers block access to music download sites, even though almost two-thirds perceive such Web sites to affect productivity and pose a possible security threat. IM applications were also marked out by 53 percent of IT managers as being a danger to the company, while social networking sites rated 48 percent and Web-based email clocked up 46 percent.
Computing.co.UK article
The IT manager at Vienna, Virginia-based C2 Technologies was frustrated. So many employees were downloading viruses that the company’s networks slowed to a crawl. One of the likely sources of the viruses was the company’s IM system. It was impossible to determine out who was IM’ing relatives in Thailand and who was IM’ing a client about a project. So the IT manager did what he figured was the next best thing: He brought the IM sytem down.
bMighty.com article by Naomi Grossman
The newest generation of employees connects with friends on Facebook and shares YouTube videos on lunch breaks or throughout the working day. Email is being supplemented with real-time conversations enabled through instant messaging (IM) and Web-based applications such as blogs, wikis and Webmail. However, as Web 2.0 created new opportunities for peer-to-peer and enterprise-to-customer interaction, it also opened doors for hackers to launch new and varied attacks.
SC Magazine
Presensoft Inc, a leading provider of security solutions for public IM communications, announced the launch of Presensoft Instant Response, a new product designed to aid in emergency alert notification, as a direct-to-desktop application. Presensoft Instant Response is the first and only emergency management system designed for IM, and includes a delay-free spam bypassing feature that ensures instant delivery of urgent notifications. Alerts can also be authenticated with Presensoft IM Caller ID to ensure that the right message is sent to the right user, at the right time.
Marketwire News
Akonix Systems, Inc warns that its IM Security Center researchers tracked 22 malicious code attacks over instant messaging (IM) networks. Although the number of monthly IM threats decreased from September, Akonix forecasts this is the calm before the storm as businesses implement unified communications platforms in 2008.
Instant Messaging Planet
Microsoft released its latest software update for Office 2004 for Mac. And Microsoft is to kill off MSN Messenger for Mac, replacing the IM software with a new product. The company plans to ditch its existing IM solution for Mac to develop and deliver a more advanced client.
PC Advisor News
After spending two years developing and improving it, Microsoft finally launched Windows Live, its official package of free desktop programs for email, IM, blogging and sharing photos.
News Headlines Story
Congress enacted the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) in 1994 to allow law enforcement the ability to intercept newer forms of digital technology, such as cell phones, and thus keep pace with criminals who use them.
There is no question that traditional phone service, like land lines, comes within the purview of CALEA (Pub. L. No. 103-414, 108 Stat. 4279). The question is does the act apply to a company like Skype, whose product is based on computers and Internet access without the use of a phone?
The purpose of CALEA and the nature of Skype, a software program that allows digital transfer of the human voice through the Internet, renders the law applicable to such software.
With the right software, the human voice can be converted into digital packets of data and sent through the Internet to connected computers. This development has led to the use of such services as: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), T-Mobile's Hotspot at Home service, as well as Skype.
CALEA recognizes that to remain an effective and efficient weapon against crime, terrorism law enforcement must have the capability to intercept, when appropriate and authorized, these newer means of digital communication. Yet the law does not represent a weakening of wiretap requirements, but merely a means to compel public communication providers to make their digital communication systems accessible to law enforcement when necessary to uncover criminal activity.
Over the past decade, with the Internet's explosion into almost everyone's life, more changes are expected on how people communicate, making implementation of CALEA imperative to reach its legislative goal. Thus under the act, phone companies must allow access by law enforcement to phone communications, whether land line or cell. CALEA's standards, therefore, apply to common carriers, facilities-based broadband Internet access providers and VoIP services.
More on the prospects of tapping Skype communications at Law.com
Allen Scott, general manager at communications developer NeuStar NGM, believes that mobile instant messaging (IM) is the way forward as it allows consumers to do so much more with their phones.
"Next-generation messaging will act as an easy-to-use communications tool and control point for users," he said.
"Mobile IM acts as a plug-in to other applications and services such as social networking, music sharing and dating.
"This is partly because of the awareness many users have of PC-based IM, and partly because of the viral nature of the service.
"But mostly it is because users already understand the benefits of messaging and recognise that mobile IM takes SMS to a new level with the added benefit of presence information."
Full Story on SMS declining revenues and the texting market at VNUNET.com
Qnective Inc. (OTCBB:QNTV), through its Qporter subsidiary, has launched a beta version of the Qporter messenger service in German speaking Europe, starting with a limited launch last month in Switzerland.
Qporter's software communication tool combines the benefits of instant messaging with "push to talk" capability as well as VoIP while enabling the exchange of multimedia files, voice clips, pictures and Giganticons. Qporter enables the user to communicate at home from a desktop computer and on the road via a cell phone. Unlike SMS and MMS, the Qporter service is free of charge and the software is available to download from the company's website (www.qporter.com). Sending messages, photos and videos is free among Qporter users. The only costs incurred are service provider connection and data transfer fees. For more information, please visit: www.qporter.com
Primenews Wire
You probably heard a lot about a new Internet phenomenon called Web 2.0 – an unfortunately misleading name not for a new version of the Web, but for an evolution in the way people use it as a highly dynamic, connected and interactive environment for distributing and sharing information. The use of these new online content technologies is significant, and it is growing rapidly. For example, over the next 12 months, use of IM or chat applications will grow by over 10 percent, corporate use of wikis and RSS / Atom feeds will double and corporate blogging will almost triple.
DestinationCRM article
The list of problems with the firewall bundled with Mac OS X Leopard operating system is growing.
Not only is Leopard's firewall deactivated upon installation it also trips up Skype and online gaming applications. Both German security news service Heise and security blogger Rich Mogull encountered the problem, the latest in a series each has discovered with the firewall.
The Register
Joost, the global TV distribution network backed by Skype cofounder Niklas Zennström, has signed up instant messaging web site meebo to provide IM functionality for Joost users.
Joost connects content owners with a global audience and claims to offer more than 15,000 shows across 250 channels. “Participation in community activities has emerged as one of the most significant trends in consumer behaviour,” said Mike Volpi, CEO of Joost. “By offering our viewers a robust channel chat option, they can chat with people interested in the same shows and subjects – and ultimately customise and enrich their entertainment experiences.”
Meebo claims that at internal survey of its users showed 25 percent of them using IM while watching TV. Seth Sternberg, CEO and co-founder of meebo, said: "there’s a lot more we can be doing to connect people who share a common passion around a specific show or genre.”
IT Wire for story
Symantec Corp announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vontu, the leader in data loss prevention solutions, for $350 million, which will be paid in cash and assumed options. Vontu data monitoring and prevention solutions stop confidential data from being sent outside the organization through email, Web or instant messaging (IM).
eBiz news
Posts
All Comments
