Experts say Internet voting unsafe

Computer science advisors say the US government should scrap an Internet voting system planned by the Pentagon because it is vulnerable to attack from hackers. They say no such voting system should be attempted until the infrastructure is redesigned or a major security breakthrough is made.

The Defence Department`s Secure Electronic Registration and Voting Experiment is aimed at enabling military personnel and other US citizens located overseas to vote online for some elections this year.

Reuters reports the Pentagon has no intention of shutting down the program despite warnings from an advisory panel that electronic votes could be vulnerable to the kind of cyber attacks that have already hit various banks and online businesses.

"Security is enhanced, procedures are in place. I don`t know them all and I wouldn`t share them if I did," said Defence Department spokesman Glenn Flood.

Intel says it will take a two-step approach to providing software for Linux to take advantage of Intel`s Centrino chips, first releasing a proprietary driver before offering an open source version.

CNet reports the move means Intel is working to ensure Linux support is equal to that of Microsoft`s Windows, which has had full support since Centrino`s launch in March last year.

Until now, Linux has been able to use only the Pentium M processor and an accompanying chipset, but not take advantage of the distinguishing wireless networking component.

RedHat plans an expansion into China, which CNet reports could include a partnership with China`s Red Flag Linux.

RedHat says China is a vast market, but because cultural, economic and governmental barriers make it a difficult market to enter, RedHat has been in talks with Beijing-based Red Flag Linux.

Reports say the move marks increased concentration on international sales for the US-based RedHat and follows the opening of a sales and marketing centre in India.

Business application software provider, Siebel Systems, has signed an agreement to acquire hosted call centre solutions company, Ineto Services.

Siebel plans to combine the customer relationship management (CRM) services of its CRM OnDemand division with Ineto`s call centre services. Siebel says this will enable companies of any size to deploy a call centre at a fraction of traditional costs.

Toshiba has announced a chip package for mobile phones that can hold up to nine chips, increasing current packages by three chips.

CNet reports the new chip packages will give manufacturers greater flexibility when building handhelds.

The multichip package measures only 1.4mm high but can hold a variety of chips, including NAND flash for storing data, NOR flash for storing code, and other types of memory.