Microsoft finds malware on ‘new’ products

PCs and laptops may already be infected with malware before you even get them home. That’s according to a recent announcement by Microsoft and discussed in a recent article in The Independent. As part of their investigations, Microsoft researchers bought products from various ‘PC malls’ in different Chinese cities and found that 20 per cent of them were infected with malware. Although it is not thought the products bought from ‘unsecure supply chains’ will affect Western supplies of physical products, the malware could still cause problems if the software is downloaded. Researchers found counterfeit copies of Microsoft Windows and malware that could allow cybercriminals to remotely control cameras, record keystrokes and gather personal data. The main malware involved is known as Nitol Botnet which the company has been investigating by many different means. Find out more about the technical reach of the malware by reading the full article at http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/microsoft-admits-millions-of-computers-could-be-infected-with-malware-before-theyre-even-out-of-the-box-8139437.html

Quantum chip from University of Bristol

An international research team based at the University of Bristol are to reveal details this week of their latest development – a new quantum chip. Quantum technology manipulates photons of light within circuits rather than traditional chips using electrical current. This step means the possibility of ultra-fast computing and much smaller devices although quantum chips could still be produced in exiting silicon manufacturing facilities. In the short term, its first applications may be in situations where online security is important. Jeremy O’Brien, physics professor at Bristol, quoted in the full article in the Financial Times, estimated that “quantum processors could be integrated with conventional microelectronic circuits within three to five years.” The Bristol based team included engineers and scientists from Toshiba, Nokia and Oclaro from the U.K. The team’s work is to be revealed at the British Science Festival in Aberdeen this week. For more details on this step change in chip design  read the full article here  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1410dc2c-f383-11e1-b3a2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz25ORTj4UI