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

Google Targets Amazon with Price Cuts for Compute Engine The cloud wars continue. This week, Google has opened up its cloud-based Compute Engine, added greater performance, and dropped pricing to better compete with Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and others.   BlackBerry: Rumors of Our Death Greatly Exaggerated Former Sybase CEO John Chen, who is now BlackBerry's interim chief executive, says BlackBerry is returning to its roots, refocusing on delivering devices and services to business users.   IDC Forecasts Record 10% Decline in PC Market for Year More bad news for the PC industry. IDC is predicting worldwide shipments will fall 10 percent in 2013, marking the most severe yearly contraction on record. And declines are expected to continue next year.

Mobile Technology Spotlight

Should the YotaPhone Worry Apple? Should Apple and Samsung be worried? A Russian company is trying to one up them both in the smartphone market with something called the YotaPhone, a dual-screen device that's always on.   Cyber Monday Clicked With Records Sales The day widely regarded as the Super Bowl of online sales ca-chinged its way to a record day for retailers, and marked a shift in shopping preferences as smartphones and tablets drove nearly a third of traffic.   BlackBerry: Rumors of Our Death Greatly Exaggerated Former Sybase CEO John Chen, who is now BlackBerry's interim chief executive, says BlackBerry is returning to its roots, refocusing on delivering devices and services to business users.

Enterprise Technology Spotlight

Google Targets Amazon with Price Cuts for Compute Engine The cloud wars continue. This week, Google has opened up its cloud-based Compute Engine, added greater performance, and dropped pricing to better compete with Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and others.   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.   BlackBerry Executive Shakeup Continues The executive shakeup at ailing BlackBerry isn’t over yet. As part of an “ongoing reorganization,” the handset maker announced two more departures, a C-suite switch up and a board resignation.