Microsoft Corporation has released a patch to its Internet Explorer Web browser to fix a security issue in the way the browser handles VML (Vector Markup Language) graphics; the patch is available immediately via Microsoft Update, Windows Update, and Window’s Autoupdate feature.
The VML flaw was discovered by Sunbelt Software, and was swiftly finding ground among porn sites; a successful use of the exploit could let an attacker take over a Windows machine. Although Microsoft says the number of attacks launched via the bug was low, the risk the bug posed to customers prompted Microsoft to release the patch “out of band,” two weeks ahead of its normal security update releases. “This one affected many different platforms in many scenarios that are considered by customers to be common usage. While the attacks we saw were very limited, our decision to go out of band on this release was really around the risk in combination with the attacks,” said Microsoft engineers on the company’s security update blog.
Microsoft recommends users undo any previosuly implemented workarounds designed to protect their systems from the VML flaw before applying Microsoft’s update. If users don’t undo changes to their VGX.DLL installation, the update may not install successfully.
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.