SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 03-27-2008 Part II
Abstract: 1. Microsoft Prepares 'Albany' to Compete with Google Docs and Apps, 2. Spammers Exploit Google Calendar Email Meeting Invitations, 3. Comcast, BitTorrent To Work Together On Network Traffic
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
10:09 pm on Mar. 27, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Thursday March 27, 2008
Microsoft Prepares 'Albany' to Compete with Google Docs and Apps
Microsoft has confirmed it is testing a new product called Albany, sometimes known as ValueBox, a new package of low end productivity software and hosted services. In an effort to better compete with Google Docs, Google Apps and other free online applications from competitors, and without undercutting its own office software business by offering its products free, Microsoft will most likely combine Office, Office Live Workspaces hosted service, Windows Live OneCare security service and the Windows Live suite of services in one package.
Spammers Exploit Google Calendar Email Meeting Invitations
Spammers have discovered a new way to attack computer users, this time through the Google Calendar system which spammers have used as a deceptive front by sending meeting invitations to circumvent spam filters. Unlike typical spam messages that include attachments or images and which are normally caught by spam filters, the new delivery mechanism includes header information that automatically updates a persons Google Calendar system, with links and attachments tied to the invitation. Spammers are using alerts to draw increased attention to the spam message, which the recipient is more likely to accept. Internet Security company Trend Micro is warning all businesses and end users to demonstrate extra caution when receiving unexpected meeting invitations and other unexpected email.
Comcast, BitTorrent To Work Together On Network Traffic
Cable provider Comcast and file sharing company BitTorrent, which have previously been at odds with one another, will collaborate to find ways for BitTorrents technology to run more smoothly over Comcast’s broadband network. In the past, Comcast has slowed BitTorrent traffic during peak times but has pledged to find new ways to manage its traffic, including slowing traffic for those users who consume the most bandwidth. The rapid growth of Internet traffic has become an issue for some service providers, so the attempt by BitTorrent to work to optimize its software to run more effectively over Comcast’s network should come as a relief, eliminating some of the congestion allegedly caused by BitTorrent traffic.
10:09 pm on Mar. 27, 2008 (utc 0)