related link: EU to Require Microsoft to Offer Competitors’ Browsers With Windows

The European Commission and Microsoft appear to finally be on the verge of resolving an antitrust dispute over Windows 7’s browser

Microsoft has long packaged its Internet Explorer browser with Windows.  The bundling has given Microsoft’s browser a dominant position in the marketplace, despite promising alternatives including Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome.  That cozy position could soon change, though, thanks to action by Europe’s antitrust watchdog and business regulatory body, the European Commission.

The EC demanded Microsoft offer a ballot selection screen to allow users to pick their browser of choice with Windows 7.  Microsoft at first refused, saying it would not include IE 8 in European copies of Windows 7.  In the end, though, Microsoft came around andagreed to a ballot screen.

The EC had some minor complaints about Microsoft’s first proposal — mainly its lack of information to users about what the browsers were to help them make their selection.  Under the new proposal, which the EC calls much “improved” users could find out information on what a browser is from the ballot screen.  They would also have access to additional information about each browser they could install, to help them make their decision.

Under the new proposal, the balloting system would work for five years after purchase on any new install.  Windows 7 and all future versions of Windows would implement this scheme.

EC showed Microsoft some love, with a regulator stating, “The commission’s concern has been that PC users should have an effective and unbiased choice between Internet Explorer and competing Web browsers to ensure competition on the merits and to allow consumers to benefit from technical development and innovation both on the Web-browser market and on related markets, such as Web-based applications.”

Brad Smith, general counsel of Microsoft stated that his company was “pleased by today’s decisions.”

Microsoft and Europe have had a rocky relationship, with Microsoft fined 899 million euros ($1.35 billion) in 2008 for antitrust violations.  Brad Smith says that situation has greatly turned around, though.  He gave Europe some love back, stating, “It’s heartening to see the much better relationship that exists today.”

Source: DailyTech

Threat Type: Malicious Web Site / Malicious Code

Websense Security Labs™ Threatseeker™ Network has detected that a large compromise of legitimate Web sites is currently taking place around the globe. Thousands of legitimate Web sites have been discovered to be injected with malicious Javascript, obfuscated code that leads to an active exploit site. The active exploit site uses a name similar to the legitimate Google Analytics domain (google-analytics.com), which provides statistical services to Web sites.

This mass injection attack does not seem related to Gumblar. The location of the injection, as well as the decoded code itself, seem to indicate a new, unrelated, mass injection campaign.

Screeenshot of injected code in an injected site:

The exploit site is laden with various attacks. After successful exploitation, a malicious file is run on the exploited computer. The executed malware file has a very low AV detection rate.

Source: Websense

Anyone tried Google Pack?

Google Pack is:
- Software specifically selected by Google
- Always free – no trial versions or spyware
- Ready to use in just a few clicks

It includes Google Softwares and other softwares recommended by Google as essential software to make your PC safe, secure and ready to go. Below are the softwares ready for use included in the Google Pack.

Google Chrome Web Browser
* Make browsing the web faster, safer, and easier
* Experience fewer browser crashes

Google Earth
* Zoom from space to street level — tour the world
* Find maps, driving directions, hotels, restaurants, and more

Google Toolbar
* Search from any web page and autofill forms
* Block annoying pop-ups

Google Desktop
* Find all your email, files, web history, and more
* Get all your personalized info in one place with Sidebar

Google Photos Screensaver
* Display photos from your PC and photo sharing sites
* Watch cinematic slideshows

Google Talk
* Connect with your friends via IM or free voice calls
* Send and receive files and voice messages easily and quickly

Norton Security Scan
* Detects and eliminates viruses and internet worms
* Free detection updates and scheduled scanning

Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
* Detects and removes spyware, adware, trojans and keyloggers
* Includes Smart Updates and scheduling to protect your PC

Picasa
* Find, edit, and share your photos in seconds
* Easily remove red eye and fix photos

Adobe Reader
* View, print, and search PDF files via a redesigned interface
* Secure your documents and collaborate via online, real-time meetings

Skype
* Make free voice and video calls to anyone else on Skype
* Call landlines and mobile phones at pretty low rates

RealPlayer
* Play popular media formats, organize music and videos
* Transfer music to iPod and other portable media players

Firefox with Google Toolbar
* Browse the web quickly and securely
* Switch between pages quickly with tabbed browsing

Download Google Pack at http://pack.google.com

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