Web Headlines

Headlines from around the Web for Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008
Compiled by Melanie Bender

IT Spending Rising Despite Recession Fears

CIO Insight

According to the Gartner 2008 CIO Agenda study, the average worldwide IT budget increase after weighting is expected to go up 3.3 percent, a slight increase from 3 percent in 2007. IT spending will rise 3.3 percent in the United States, 3 percent in Europe and 4.5 percent in the Asia/Pacific region. The survey was conducted by Gartner Executive Programs, a membership organization for CIOs.

Symantec Identifies First Real Case of 'Drive-By Pharming'

NetworkWorld

The theory is now a reality. Symantec reported Tuesday that drive-by pharming, in which a hacker changes the DNS settings on a customer’s broadband router or wireless access point and directs the link to a fraudulent Web site, has been observed in a case involving a Mexican bank.

State AG Says IDs Wouldn't Break Law

The Houston Chronicle

A special driver's license or personal identification card making it easier for U.S. citizens to cross the Texas-Mexico border wouldn't violate federal law, provided it was approved by the secretary of the Homeland Security Department, the state AG ruled Jan. 22. Such a license also would have to meet certain technological requirements, such as being machine readable and tamper-proof.

Audit Lists Five Most Overlooked Open Source Vulnerabilities

InformationWeek

Palamida, a vulnerability audit and software risk management company, says it's identified the five vulnerabilities most frequently overlooked by users in their open source code. The Palamida list reflects known vulnerabilities that have been aired and fixed by their parent projects but are still encountered in the user base, such as businesses and government agencies.

Md. Governor to Look at Computer Tax Impact

The Baltimore Sun

Gov. Martin O'Malley, speaking before an unhappy audience affected by a tax on computer services, pledged yesterday to work with them to "mitigate whatever possible downsides" might come with the tax that was passed in November's special session. More than 100 people attended the Tech Council of Maryland dinner in Annapolis, and nearly all of their hands went up when O'Malley asked how many opposed an extension of the sales tax to computer services.

D.C. 311 Call Center Launches Amid Qualms

The Washington Post

District officials launched an expanded 311 call center Jan. 22 aimed at making customer service more efficient. But the new system angered a key D.C. Council member who warned that it could slow the city's response to emergencies.

Illinois Centralizes Job Searching at One Site

The Chicago Sun-Times

Through the site at www.work.illinois.gov, users can find and apply for as many as 500 jobs at 45 state government agencies. Previously those interested in applying for state jobs could apply online at separate state agency sites and through a Department of Central Management Services site where job postings could be sporadic.

Security Report Reveals Cyber Criminals Targeting Macs

Government Technology

Experts note that malware for Macs has been seen before, but until recently, organized criminal gangs have not felt the need to target Mac users when there are so many more poorly protected Windows PCs available. However, late 2007 saw Mac malware not just being written by researchers demonstrating vulnerabilities or showing off to their peers, but by financially-motivated hackers.

DOD Must Fix Product Security Evaluation Process, Officials Say

Federal Computer Week

The Defense Department’s process for evaluating products to ensure they meet the agency’s information technology security requirements is broken. But senior DOD leaders say a fix is on the way.

TSA’s Passenger Screening System Criticized as Duplicative of CBP’s Border Program

Government Computer News

The long-awaited plan for a new information technology system to match airline passengers against government watch lists faces problems stemming from its high cost and overlap with existing systems, government and industry sources say.