Update: Browser makers question Microsoft-EU ballot plan
Microsoft's rivals will ask European antitrust regulators to modify the ballot screen designed to give Windows users the chance to ditch Internet Explorer (IE) and choose another browser. Read more...

Federal data-protection law inches forward

TSMC court win a major blow to China's biggest chip maker

TSMC court win a major blow to China's biggest chip maker

N.Y. attorney general files antitrust lawsuit against Intel

FBI warns of $100M cyber-threat to small business

AT&T sues Verizon over TV ads

Software shields online banking on infected PCs

Cable modem hacker busted by feds

Opinion: Red Flags Rule deadline delayed again, now June 1

More Standards and Legal Issues Stories

PeerBlock Helps You Surf the Web in Secret
They're lurking out there--sleazy spyware companies, unscrupulous advertisers, and just people you don't want looking at what your computer is doing. PeerBlock (free), an open source program, offers part of a solution--low level blocking of packets coming from, or going to, a long list of hosts.

TSMC court win a major blow to China's biggest chip maker
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) has won a major victory over China's biggest chip maker in a court case that could have wide ranging implications for the loser.

Practical identity protection you can use
Is it Christmas already? I'm beginning to receive informative e-mails about evil hackers who want to steal my identity during the dangerous (and ever lengthening) holiday season. As usual the advice ranges from lame to impossible.

Microsoft and EU settle, phishing scams, busts
Capping our list of top IT news stories this week, Microsoft and the European Commission reached accord on the ongoing antitrust case against the company. While this will free up some room in future top-news lists, we expect that we'll continue to have no end of bad news related to phishing scams, of which there was plenty this week as well. Thankfully, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison added some levity to the mix, though his brand of joking undoubtedly fell flat at Salesforce.com.

NotAwesome Firefox Add-On Hides History
Enough people loved Firefox's history and bookmark searching location bar that the name "AwesomeBar" caught on. While this tool is great for productivity, its omniscience is a serious privacy concern. Don't let your boss see that you've been looking for a new career on job search Web sites. You can clear your history, and completely exclude bookmarks from displaying in the bar, but why waste such a useful feature just to hide a few URLs? NotAwesome is a simple, free add-on that allows you to selectively hide bookmarks from the incriminating gaze of the AwesomeBar.

Trouble With Default Settings at Online Stores
As an Amazon Prime member, I pay a yearly lump sum that entitles me to free two-day shipping for my many Amazon purchases. But six months ago, I noticed that small shipping charges were appearing on my bill at checkout; free two-day shipping was no longer the default choice on my purchases. Instead, a check mark ap­­peared next to the option for paid overnight delivery.

Protect your privacy on Facebook and Twitter
Here's how to safeguard your identity and your personal data in the age of the social Web.

Protect Your Legal Rights When Sharing IT Services
In a cross-organization IT shared services arrangement, two or more companies partner to provide the shared technology infrastructure or services. While there are several benefits to such agreements, there are risks that need to be understood and addressed. One of the most significant risks relates to the ownership and protection of intellectual property (IP).

Silliest 'wiretapping' charges ever recorded
Chi Quang Truong, 46, is being charged by police in Natick, Mass., with "unlawful wiretapping and possessing a device for wiretapping," according to a story in The MetroWest Daily News. If you're thinking foreign spy or industrial espionage, think again. … Try an irate customer who kicked up a fuss at a car dealer's service department.

Internet Security Trends 2009: An Interim Update
The effects of cybercrime are far reaching. It would be a difficult task to find someone who has never been affected by malicious Internet activity, or who does not at the very least know someone who has been negatively impacted by cybercriminals. Advances in Internet technology and services continue to open up innumerable opportunities for learning, networking and increasing productivity. However, malware authors, spammers and phishers are also rapidly adopting new and varied attack vectors. If the Internet is to become a safer place, it is imperative to understand the trends and developments taking place in the Internet threat landscape and maintain online security best practices.

Editors' Picks

The updated iMac now offers a screen resolution that's higher than HD. The Droid comes with Android 2.0, the slimmest QWERTY slider, a 3.7-in. display and Verizon's network. Is the iPhone in trouble? Didn't think hardware this tiny could be tweaked? Think again. We explore five ways to turn netbooks up to 11. Abundant spectrum resources and an engaged research community are drawing wireless experimenters back into a hobby that many had forgotten.

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