Security updates from MS

Security updates from Microsoft:
Microsoft released security updates exclusively for MS-Office this Tuesday. These include a fix for the bug in Excel that was being exploited by attackers ever since the related virus code was posted on net. There were four security updates released for Excel, Outlook, Office 2000 and Office's web. Although MS releases security patches for Windows or Internet Explorer every month, the recent updates are considered special as they exclusively focus on Office. Between 2006 and 2007, the number of attacks on Office were doubled. Malicious entities are looking toward Office as a vector for delivering malicious code.

The trust that business organizations had in MS is in decline these days. Considering the fact that Bill Gates is stepping down in June this year, these are tough times for Microsoft.

Say yes to wide screen displays:
A study found that wide screen displays boost employee productivity and achieve a production gains of 76 extra work days a year per worker. The study also found out that wide screen displays realize an annual cost savings of around $8500 per staff member working on an annual salary of around $32500. Other interesting findings are:-

1. Large wide screen or dual-monitor configurations are better suited for work that involves multiple documents or applications.

2. 24-inch wide screen displays are better suited for text editing than both single standard format (17-inch and 19-inch) and dual standard format (17-inch and 19-inch) monitor configurations.

3. Dual-wide screen configurations in 22-inches or larger are better for spreadsheet editing than single wide screen or standard format displays.

If my employers listen to this and give me a 24-inch screen, then I can chat and blog from a dual monitor configurated screen.
[See point 1. Blogging and Chatting come under multiple applications;)]

Ah, I'd love that.

Companies ban social networking sites:
A survey condusted in UK found that nearly 20% of UK companies have blocked social networking sites like Orkut, Myspace, Facebook, etc due to various reasons. These reasons include reduction in employee productivity and malware. These sites accounted for nearly 47% of usage of employee work time and companies feel that they are reducing the concentration and work levels of their employees.

The survey also found that the usage of Gmail increased (this may be attributed to the cracked CAPTCHA of Gmail). But still Yahoo leads the way with 90% of spam generated from its accounts.

I was just wondering if the companies can allow social networking sites as well as install 24-inch screens. Social networking sites decrease productivity and wide screens increase productivity. It all evens out in the end (w.r.f this topic and the above one). My little grey cells must have been excited up there today.

Snippets:

• SanDisk introduced Sansa Fuze MP3 player, a competitor to iPod Nano.
• Microsoft to introduce 60GB XBox360 instead of the current 20GB model, by the end of June.
• Sluggish sales prompt Wal-Mart to remove $199 gPC (a Linux based PC) from its shelves.
• Security researchers say that a previously patched IE 6 bug can still be exploited (Ah!! bugs, bugs and bugs from Windows. Sometimes I wonder whether MS develops software or bugs)
  
• Hackers claim that they unlocked the Apple iPhone 2.0 software.
• Younger online shoppers are more likely to fall for scams and identity theft.
• Mozilla releases Firefox 3 Beta 4.
• A warning is issued that some security access cards that use RFID technology are vulenarble to hack attacks. RFID-Hack Hits 1 Billion Digital Access Cards Worldwide.