Network Security Spotlight

Win XP, Server 2003 Zero-Day Exploits Use Adobe Reader Microsoft is investigating reports of a zero-day vulnerability in a kernel component of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, accessed using older versions of Adobe Reader.   Akamai Wards Off DDoS Attacks with Prolexic Buy In a move to beef up its security, Akamai Technologies is betting $307 million on Prolexic, an acquisition that could help better protect its customers from distributed denial of service attacks.   Tech Giants Fight To Thwart Government Spying Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter are engaged in a costly tech arms race, with their businesses and cultures at stake. Not against one another, mind you, but a common foe: the NSA.

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

Cisco, HP Among Winners in Slowing Server Market Although the PC market is declining, the server industry is still posting gains, albeit slight ones. In the third quarter of 2013 worldwide server shipments grew 1.9 percent year-over-year, according to Gartner.   Here Comes the New USB Plug Time to get ready for a new USB plug. The new connector for USB 3.1 will be reversible, so a user can insert it with either side on the top, and it may be the only connector needed for many devices.   Google Targets Amazon with Price Cuts for Compute Engine The cloud wars continue. Google has opened up its cloud-based Compute Engine, added greater performance, and dropped pricing to better compete with Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and others.