IN THE NEWS
[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”4369″ align=”left” size=”Small 150 width”] Poison Ivy Trojan Exploits IE Flaw
Within the last week or so, researchers revealed a security hole in Microsoft Internet Explorer that can allow the takeover of a PC that happens to visit a site rigged to take advantage of the flaw. Dubbed a zero-day vulnerability, the hack, according to researchers, is being used by the Nitro Crime gang to install the Poison Ivy Trojan. The flaw affects hundreds of millions of users and includes IE 6-9 and systems running Win7 and earlier.
Microsoft has now issued an urgent emergency patch to replace some awkward workarounds they had first suggested.
Warning: If your system is not set for automatic updates, you will want to take action sooner rather than later or, perhaps, switch browsers until you have.
Top Tech Trends: Caution Baby Genius at Work
So what’s down the pike? While there may be some surprises, it’s likely that the trends we’re experiencing right now will solidify. But there may be a few twists.
Forbes believes that tablets are gonna’ get cheap – not just less expensive – but really cheap: like under $20. If this prediction materializes, it means tablets, phablets (mobile units in one form or another) will become as common as baby food. This kind of universal adoption will have huge global implications for education, business mobility, communications; literally all facets of our daily world — learning, communicating, interacting, buying, selling, — well you get the point. Forbes also thinks (and most agree) in the next year there will continue to be strong moves in mobile payments, Wearable computing, IT computing in the cloud, Software as a Service, and stronger TV to Internet integration.
On a more technical level, top infrastructure trends and issues as outlined by Gartner and published in Networking World are intriguing as well. Among them:
Out in the weeds? Google offline maps might save your bacon.
A tip from WorldStart: A recent update (for Android 2.2 and up) includes a feature which offers the ability to download maps into a mobile device. These maps (up to a 10 mile radius) can then be viewed without a data signal. Also, with GPS enabled, your location and orientation will be displayed (orientation is available if your device is equipped with a compass). However, a data connection will still be necessary for a satellite view, or to get directions. You can go to Google Maps and test the offline and download capabilities, or to WorldStart to see a walk-thru.
This might be particularly helpful if you’re being sent out on a snipe hunt with the requisite paper bag.
W3C Plans To Deliver HTML 5.0 by 4th Quarter 2014
The Worldwide Web Consortium has developed a plan that would see the HTML 5 Specs delivered as a Candidate Recommendation by the end of 2014. HTML 5.0 would be followed by HTML 5.1 by the end of 2016 according to the new initiative. HTML 5.0 would include only those features that are specified as stable and implemented in real browsers. In tandem, a draft of HTML 5.1 will be developed and include the HTML 5.0 Candidate Recommendation, plus all the unstable features that were excluded. The concept is to continue this process. The effort is part of an overall plan to break down a complete finished standard into more manageable and cohesive parts.