Internet Explorer users are (yet again) at risk

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Will Internet Explorer ever be safe to use?

Once again, users of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser are at risk. Microsoft recently discovered a vulnerability that could allow a user to turn your system in to a fileserver for your private documents.

Most versions of Internet Explorer are affected. Microsoft has said that any system with a version of Internet Explorer lacking “Protected Mode” is at risk. The user is also at risk if “Protected Mode” has been disabled.

Microsoft are yet to release a fix for this vulnerability. They have said that they are unaware of any hacker currently making use of this potentially disastrous hack.

It’s looking as if Microsoft will (at the earliest) release a patch for this problem next Tuesday (the second Tuesday of each month is the day Microsoft usually release their regular patches and updates). However, I doubt they’ll release an update that soon.

Having not used Internet Explorer in a long time, I would suggest you move away from IE as soon as possible if you can. Try something like Google Chrome or Firefox.

Browser market share outlook: January 2010

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Chrome: Get lost Firefox, you’ve had your turn!

Sorry it’s a little late this month! I’ve been a bit carried away over the last couple of days and forgot about it. Anyway, here’s this month’s outlook, with thanks to HitsLink.

This month has been a month very similar to last month. Internet Explorer and Firefox have continued to loose market share, and Chrome and Safari have both gained market share.

Interestingly, Opera has lost a very small amount of market share this month (0.02%). However, a trend like this is frequent – Opera has a few months of gaining market share and then looses a tiny amount in one month.

Chrome is one of the highlights this month, as it has gained over 0.5% market share this month. It has recently been gaining many more users – perhaps because of it’s recent incorporation of “addons” and it’s new bookmark sync feature.

Opera Mini continues to gain market share – which proves that mobile browsing is continuing to rise.

So there you have – January’s market share for the month. It’ll be back next month!

Office 2010 is now in release candidate, public copy not available (yet)

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Microsoft is already handing out the release candidate to a select group of testers.

Microsoft has given a select group of testers access to the latest build of the Microsoft Office 2010 suite – the release candidate.

Sadly, at present, the release candidate isn’t available for public download. However, I would think that Microsoft will probably give it to TechNet customers in a few days (or weeks), and then once that’s done everyone else will probably get it shortly after.

This new release candidate would show that Microsoft is really trying hard to reach it’s target of RTM (release to manufacturer) by June 2010. It’s only February and they would appear to be reaching their final stages.

I have to say that I think the beta was very successful – I am yet to find any bugs or hold-backs. I’ve been using the beta since launch day and haven’t had a problem with it yet.

Update: Thanks to Sebastian (see comments) who has informed me that the RC will not go out on public release. It’s a shame, but many thanks for that information.

iPhone/iPod Touch OS 3.1.3 firmware released

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It’s not 3.2, but it’s something…

This appears to be a minor update from Apple, but it has a few important fixes. Wikipedia quotes the following:

  • Improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS
  • Resolves issue where third-party apps would not launch in some instances
  • Fixes bug that may cause an app to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard
  • Fixes security bugs in webkit and recovery mode

Sadly, I won’t be able to download the update for the time being as my iPod Touch is out for repair for the second time!! Very annoying. I shall be complaining to Apple!

Anyway, head over to iTunes and see for yourself whether it is any good!

Microsoft starting bi-hourly shutdowns for the Windows 7 Release Candidate next month

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Time’s almost up for the testers…

If you’re still one of the few using the Windows 7 Release Candidate, you’ll be interested to know that Microsoft are [finally] starting the bi-hourly shutdowns next month. It means that from March 1st, you’re computer will automatically shut down every 2 hours. Three months after that (1st June), you’ll loose use of the release candidate altogether.

So, now’s the time to be making decisions. You either need to buy a copy of Windows 7 (which I seriously recommend you do if you have previously used Windows) or change your operating system.