Simpler roaming
Wi-Fi users should now be able to use Wi-Fi hotspots in 150 countries worldwide and make low-cost voice calls from 20 countries using a single pre-paid account with just one Pin. The service, called Simplifi, is aimed at business travellers, and combines access to the networks of IDT Telecom, iPass, Connect Spot and HotSpot Hotel. Simplifi covers almost 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, and iPass also includes dial-up, broadband and ISDN services. A retail card is also planned. www.idt-simplifi.com
Crime patterns
The emergency services in Sussex have launched a website that shows where and when crimes, accidents and other emergencies take place. Crime And Disorder Data Information Exchange (Caddie), which opened last week, maps the number of incidents by electoral ward, to avoid disclosing individual events, but can be viewed by month and by type of crime or incident. Tim Hemsley, project manager for Sussex Crime and Disorder Partnerships, says the data will be several weeks old and not specific enough to help criminals. "Sussex police works on reacting within 12 hours. We're looking at long-term trends and preventative measures." He says estate agents and insurers already take account of such data, so house prices should not be affected. www.caddie.gov.uk
Securing Windows
A strategic partnership to bring strong authentication to Windows' sign-on was announced by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates at RSA Security's annual conference in San Francisco this week. Gates said that the two companies have made it easier to integrate RSA's SecureID tokens as a replacement for the normal password access to Windows. SecureID uses a server to generate a new password for every user every minute. The current password is held on a token carried by the user and is combined with a Pin to allow access. Gates said the new two-stage sign-on will prevent password breaches and eliminate calls to helpdesks about forgotten passwords. www.rsasecurity.com
.Net advance
The Microsoft.net platform is "gaining ground [in the UK], especially in strategic applications", according to a survey of senior IT and project managers in more than 200 private and public sector organisations conducted by Charteris plc. More than 35% of those interviewed were either using it already or planning to use it. However, about half of the organisations using .Net said a lack of skilled resources was a major challenge. Copies of the survey report are available free from jennie.cochrane@charteris.com.
Tag choker
RSA Security is taking steps to neutralise the demonised Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. Privacy groups and consumers have expressed concerns that this new wireless tagging technology will allow products to be tracked long after the point of sale. The RSA Blocker Tag, a technology in development, could overcome these fears by choking the RFID signal. The Blocker could be attached to the tracking RFID to block or confuse its signal and make it unreadable after the product is sold. www.rsasecurity.com/go/rfid
Digital shots
Hewlett-Packard Labs showed two of its digital immunological technologies at this week's RSA conference. Digital immunology aims to develop a digital equivalent to the biological immune system to fight hackers and viruses. HP's Virus Throttling tackles malware that spreads by email. Worms can send thousands of emails per second. The throttling system detects this and reduces the flow until a remedy can be found. The second defence, Active Countermeasures, innoculates the system by running a constantly updated penetration test to check for known vulnerabilities as they are discovered. www.hpl.hp.com/research/ssrc/security/id/corporate
Mobile Linux
Linux is now available for laptops based on the Intel Centrino wireless architecture with the release of Lindows.com Laptop Edition. The company claims this will bring down the cost of Centrino laptops, though the likely saving will only be around £25, the approximate difference between pre-installed Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and Lindows. However, it offers Linux adopters the ability to deploy implementations across servers, desktops and wireless laptops. Lindows.com is battling with Microsoft over the company name, which the Seattle company thinks is too close to Windows. www.lindows.com/lindowsos_laptop.php
