The recent release of Google Chrome to the World Wide Web (WWW) has created a big hoo-haa as a lot of users have rushed to download and try out the new application (for free). According to Google,

“…Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier…”

However, what users do not realise is that each Google Chrome installation contains a unique ID, thereby each computer has a unique “thumbprint” to identify the user. Even if two systems are installing from the same setup file, the identity is different, due to its underlying hidden algorithm that is obscured from users’ knowledge. Don’t forget, Google is exceptionally clever in data collection.

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Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 some time back and it is still making some progress in the browser market to seize back the loyalty from those who have joined the Firefox community, or even Google Chrome. There are several enhanced features, which the Internet Explorer developer team has put together for this browser version.

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Two days after Mozilla officially launched Firefox 3, openSUSE follow suits by launching openSUSE 11.0 GM. This latest release includes more than 200 new features that are specific to openSUSE, an installer that has been completely re-designed to suit the needs and enhancement of users’ experience, faster packages management to speed up operation at the back end and several other fixes and updates.

…The 11.0 release of openSUSE includes more than 200 new features specific to openSUSE, a redesigned installer that makes openSUSE even easier to install, faster package management thanks to major updates in the ZYpp stack, and KDE 4, GNOME 2.22, Compiz Fusion, and much more…

openSUSE is now available for immediate download from its website:

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About two days ago, WordPress has released the security fix for WordPress 2.5 version. This release contains several bug fixes and performance enhancement. It is highly recommended for users who are using the latest major release of 2.5 milestone to upgrade immediately, as the initial public release has a security vulnerability.

The entire 2.5.1 release has over 70 fixes and performance enhancement. Some of which are as follow:

• * Performance improvements for the Dashboard, Write Post, and Edit Comments pages.
• * Better performance for those who have many categories
• * Media Uploader fixes
• * An upgrade to TinyMCE 3.0.7
• * Widget Administration fixes
• * Various usability improvements
• * Layout fixes for IE

Personally, I am happy to see the media uploader issue being fixed, as it has been quite an annoying issue for me for a period of time.

A complete new security solution aimed at securing database has been released by Symantec. Known as Symantec Database Security (SDS) 3.0, the software comes with new capabilities to curb the loss of sensitive information or intellectual property stored in databases.

Some of the new features include intruder identification, real-time transaction policy alerts and integration with Symantec Security Information Manager (SSIM). SDS prevents fraud and leakage of sensitive data due to faulty practices and oversights, while addressing growing auditing, compliance, and regulatory requirements for secure data access.

This software supports a variety of database software, such as Microsoft SQL, Oracle and IBM DB2.

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WordPress 2.3.1 was released in less than 24 hours ago. According to Ryan, this version contains all the bug fix and security fix for the 2.3 series of WordPress.

Some of these fixes include:

• * Tagging support for Windows Live Writer
• * Fixes for a login bug that affected those with a Blog Address different than their WordPress Address
• * Faster taxonomy database queries, especially tag intersection queries
• * Link importer fixes

If you are using 2.3 series, it is highly recommended that users upgrade to this version, as Janek Vind found that a XSS problem can be exploited if the php setup has register_globals enabled.

Download WordPress Here
WordPress 2.3.1

This is exception for Opera web browser lovers; Opera 9.5 Beta is now available for download. It has been a long time since Opera released the alpha version, and this beta version is definitely more than welcome for all.

This release fixes several hundred of bugs, whilst improving website rendering at the same time. Furthermore, the stability and usability has also being tweaked for great scalability.

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Drupal 6.0 Beta 2 was release last week, after some rigorous testing and correction made to fix existing bugs and security issues. One of the most notable change is that the long time favourite Drupal.module has not being moved out of the Drupal package. Instead, it will be made available as the contributed Site network module. This approach has helped to improve security in Drupal 6, and support a wider solution for distributed authentication in the form of the OpenID standard.

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The next update to Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.8 is now available for download. Following this release, there are a couple of security fixes. Among the release, also includes Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) support for Macintosh.

• - URIs with invalid %-encoding mishandled by Windows
• - XPCNativeWrapper pollution using Script object
• - Possible file stealing through sftp protocol
• - XUL pages can hide the window titlebar
• - File input focus stealing vulnerability
• - Browser digest authentication request splitting
• - onUnload Tailgating
• - Crashes with evidence of memory corruption (rv:1.8.1.8)

It is highly advised that Mozilla Firefox users upgrade to the latest version of Firefox as soon as possible.

Adobe Acrobat, one of the most-used software, is said to be vulnerable to attacks, as according to Adobe Systems Inc. last Wednesday. It was mentioned that versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat software could allow malicious programs to gain access to the PC without the user’s knowledge. With such potential capability, it is possible that some hackers can take control of the machine and used it to steal confidential data.

The vulnerability is known to affect computers running on Microsoft Windows XP and Internet Explorer 7 web browser. The fix might not be available until the end of October 2007. During this period of time, it is best that user monitor their computer closely.

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