ICT

U.S. tells computer users to disable Java software

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is advising people to temporarily disable the Java software on their computers to avoid potential hacking attacks. The recommendation came in an advisory issued late Thursday, following

up on concerns raised by computer security experts. Experts believe hackers have found a flaw in Java's coding that

creates an opening for criminal activity and other high-tech mischief. CNET's Topher Kessler writes:

"The malware has currently been seen attacking Windows, Linux and Unix systems, and while so far has not focused on OS X, may be able to do so given OS X is largely similar to Unix and Java is cross-platform. Even though the exploit has not been seen in OS X, Apple has taken steps to block it by issuing an update to its built-in XProtect system to block the current version of the Java 7 runtime and require users install an as of yet unreleased version of the Java runtime. Luckily with the latest versions of Java, users who need to keep it active can change a couple o f settings to help secure their systems. Go to the Java Control Panel that is installed along with the runtime, and in the Security section uncheck the option to "Enable Java content in the browser," which will disable the browser plug-in. This will prevent the inadvertent execution of exploits that may be stumbled upon when browsing the Web, and is a recommended setting for most people to do. If you need to see a Java applet on the Web, then you can always temporarily re-enable the plug-in.

The second setting is to increase the security level of the Java runtime, which can also be done in the same Security section of the Java Control Panel. The default security level is Medium, but you can increase this to High or Very High.

"At the High level, Java will prompt you for approval before running any unsigned Java code, and at the Very High level all Java code will require such approval, regardless of whether or not it is signed." Java is a widely used technical language that allows computer programmers to write a wide variety of Internet applications and other software programs that can run on just about any computer's operating system. Oracle Corp. bought Java as part of a $7.3 billion acquisition of the software's creator, Sun Microsystems, in 2010. Oracle, which is based in Redwood Shores, Calif, had no immediate comment late Friday. WASHINGTON (CBS)

Taiwan TSMC's 2012 sales up 18.5%

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world's leading contract chip maker, said Thursday sales rose 18.5 percent last year, with analysts citing demand for mobile devices as a major factor.

Sales in 2012 came in at Tw$506.2 billion ($17.5 billion), compared with Tw$427.1 billion in 2011, the company said in a statement.

"Demand for mobile phones abroad, including in China, was very strong last year," Amily Chen of the Taipei-based industry consultancy Topology Research Institute told AFP.

TSMC itself did not provide explanations for the growth, but in a statement released in October, the company hailed strong wafer demand for mobile computing applications as a factor boosting business in the third quarter.

Analysts expected TSMC's advanced technologies to continue to give it an edge and drive growth in 2013 as well.

However, Chen said TSMC's prices for high-end products would be somewhat eroded as rivals South Korean tech giant Samsung and Abu Dhabi-headquartered Global Foundries pushed aggressively to supply more advanced products.

Early this month Taiwan's Commercial Times said TSMC would start making microchips in the first quarter this year for Apple as the US tech giant reduces manufacturing contracts with its rival Samsung.

AFP

Intel's paper-thin tablet display

Intel, Queen's University from Canada and the British company Plastic Logic joined hands to develop a paper-thin display for tablets. Called PaperTab, it is a 10.7-inch plastic display that feels like paper and can be folded as well as dropped without any damage.

PaperTab runs on second-generation Intel Core i5 processor and several of these displays can be joined with each other to create a larger screen.

A single app can be used on each display and users can read large documents by bending the screen. Capable of storing thousands of

documents at a time, PaperTab can also be used to send emails.

- THE TIMES OF INDIA