Microsoft issues patch for 20 year old bug
A bug which has existed in Microsoft Windows for two decades has finally been tackled this week. The Unicorn bug is a major security weakness in the software that was discovered by IBM and first appeared in Windows 95. The bug allows hackers to take control of any computer remotely. Typically they would access the system and install and run malicious code that will log keystrokes allowing them to steal passwords. This week Microsoft has issued a security patch and all PC users are advised to ensure that they have installed the latest updates.
Global executives fail to see the long-term risk of data breach
Information security is low down on the list of risks to the business, according to a new report. The Risk:Value report from NTT Com Security is based on a survey of 800 senior business decision-makers (not in an IT role) in countries including Australia, Hong Kong, UK and US and is designed to determine the level of risk in large organisations and the value that senior executives place on data and information security. Nearly two-thirds of respondents believe they will suffer a cyber attack but less than 10 per cent rank it as the greatest risk to their business. Competitors stealing market share, lack of employee skills and declining profits are higher on the agenda. While that may be understandable, the report shows that around 60 per cent of executives are well aware of the possibility of reputational damage and loss of customer confidence, although many are not sure of the potential financial damage that could follow a data breach.
US-China climate change deal raises questions
A significant deal announced yesterday shows that China and the US are prepared to work together to tackle climate change but questions are already being asked. China’s president has pledged that his country’s CO2 emissions will ‘peak’ in 2030 and then stay steady or start to drop, but many are asking if that goes far enough given the risks we are facing. Many scientists say that 2030 is too late to start reducing emission levels and are calling for it to be revised to 2025 at the latest. There are also questions about other countries in the region especially Australia. The Abbott government has ruled out adding climate change to the agenda of the G20 meeting in Brisbane and Australia’s proposed targets on emissions fall short of the Chinese deal.
