Stories by: Andrew Brandt

Ah, youth. Ready to take on the world, today's generation of dynamic, tech-immersed youngsters have grown up alongside the Internet. Firsthand, and sometimes single-handedly, they have advanced some of today's hottest technology trends, from peer-to-peer networking, to massively multiplayer online games, to social networks and instant messaging. And along the way, a small, sociopathic number of them have behaved very, very badly.

By now you've heard about Windows rootkits--tools malware authors use to hide their evil creations from our antivirus or antispyware software. Because rootkits often hide dangerous viruses, Trojan horses, or spyware, detecting them is important.

Much has been made of recent patent applications--such as one involving emoticons on cell phones--that seem a far cry from real breakthroughs like the lightbulb. And while many of the weakest patent applications are eventually rejected, some experts believe that an overworked and underfunded U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is issuing more and more patents that never should have passed their first review.

By now, you've probably heard the news that Sony, the media giant, has been quietly installing hidden software on PCs, when people buy music albums published by Sony BMG Music, and try to play them on their computers. The software, called Extended Copy Protection (or XCP) uses rootkit techniques similar to those used by viruses, Trojan horse programs, and spyware to hide the fact that it is installed from the user.

News that a nine-year-old encryption method -- one that underlies the protection of virtually all secure online communications -- appears to have been cracked by a team of three Chinese researchers has spurred encryption experts around the world to issue a call to action.

When the University of Calgary announced plans last week to offer a course that includes instruction on writing computer viruses, officials expected the antivirus industry to support the move--designed to help educate future virus fighters. Instead, industry leaders have roundly criticized the plan.

If you enjoy publicising your life to the world then you will love to meet the Axis 2100 Webcam. The device, which contains a Linux-based server chip, does not require a computer to capture images and display them on the Internet.