Following the devastating cyber-attack on Mat Honan's digital life, Amazon changes its policy and fixes the security hole by no longer allowing people to call Amazon and change account settings like credit cards and e-mail addresses. Previously, Amazon's phone policy essentially allowed hackers to use social engineering tricks on support representatives to learn sensitive information about targets like Honan. Read more here - http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/08/amazon-fixes-security-flaw-hackers-used-against-wireds-mat-honan/
Cloud Computing elements such as, guest operating systems, physical platforms and others are easily associated with one party (provider or customer) being responsible for both management and security but what about responsibilities when elements overlap boundaries between the provider and the customer? Cloud Computing has brought about new challenges and most importantly, a distributed control environment. Although, some argue that this is not a new concept at all however, the complexity, current regulations and laws, and the fast changing requirements makes today's Cloud Computing unique! Read more here - http://www.itinfomag.com/cloud-computing/shared-responsibility-of-cloud-computing/
Microsoft will be launching its Visual Studio 2012 this September at a virtual event – exactly on September 12, 2012 at 9:30 am PDT. Learn about the new features and experience how it integrates best practices that accelerate development and deployment. The keynote speakers of the virtual launch event are S. Somasegar and Jason Zander - Corporate VPs, and Brian Harry - Technical Fellow, all from Microsoft Corporation. Save the date and register here - http://www.visualstudiolaunch.com/vs2012vle/splash
The limitation in physical flexibility of portable devices can be defeated thanks to a super-thin and flexible battery invented by Korean scientists. The battery which seems to be commercially viable, can lead to gadgets that can be folded away into your pocket. The battery remains one of the largest single parts of any portable device but this lithium-ion battery is razor-thin and retains its voltage even while being bent. A folding battery would be a big step toward bendable gadgets. Read more here - http://mashable.com/2012/08/06/flexible-battery/
The beta version of Microsoft's Attack Surface Analyzer is now replaced with version 1. Microsoft's SDL team releases version 1.0 of the tool as a continuation of its effort to provide tools that hardened the stability and security of Windows environments. The tool helps software developers, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and IT Professionals understand changes in Windows systems' attack surface resulting from the installation of new applications. The tool is available for both 32 & 64 bit systems and a stand-alone wizard to help guide users through the scanning and analysis process; a command-line version supports automation and older versions of Windows, and assists IT professionals as they integrate the tool with existing enterprise management tools. The Attack Surface Analyzer enables developers to view changes in the attack surface resulting from the introduction of their code on to the Windows platform and IT Professionals to assess the aggregate attack surface change by the installation of an organization's line of business applications. Download Attack Surface Analyzer 1.0 from here - http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sdl/archive/2012/08/02/attack-surface-analyzer-1-0-released.aspx