VOIP is next hacker target

Malicious hackers are turning their attention to the technology behind Internet phone calls, reports the BBC.

The biannual Symantec Threat Report identified voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) systems as a technology starting to interest hi-tech criminals.

The report indicated that within 18 months, VOIP would start to be used as a significant attack vector.

As well as prompting new attacks, VOIP could also resurrect some old hacking techniques, warned the report.

Virus writers have developed a worm that spoofs the behaviour of Internet search engine Google, varying the results displayed to suit the requirements of hackers, reports the Channel Register.

P2Load-A modifies the host`s file on the infected PCs by replacing the original with a file downloaded from a remote Web site under the control of hackers.

When users run a search, the results are normally shown correctly, but the sponsored links are different.

The changes in behaviour happen because users are getting their results from a hacker-controlled Web site based in Germany.

Cisco Systems is readying a new Web conferencing program for medium-sized companies and has agreed to license technology from Macromedia as part of the effort, reports CNET.

Cisco plans to release the software, called CiscoMeetingPlace Express, by the end of the year, the company said.

The firm will deliver audio and Web conferencing capabilities and incorporate Macromedia`s Web conferencing program, Breeze, the companies said.

Sun Microsystems overhauled part of its server computer line with new UltraSparc IV+ microprocessors, seeking to regain some ground lost in the high-end server market to rivals IBM and HP, reports CNET.

Sun said its new Sun Fire V490, V890, E2900, E4900 and E6900 servers are powered by UltraSparac IV+ processors with a clock speed of 1.5GHz and run Sun`s latest version of its Unix operating system, Solaris 10. The servers will also run earlier versions of Solaris.

The servers should help fill a gap until high-end servers arrive on the market in 2006 and are the result of collaboration between Sun and Fujitsu, analysts said. Those servers have been dubbed the Advanced Product Line (APL).

"This sort of fills in a gap until the APL systems become available," said analyst Gordon Haff of market research firm Illuminata.

"It`s a good upgrade for people who are already in the Sparc-Solaris camp."