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Security Bites 117: How 'Clickjacking' attacks hide behind the mouse

Criminals may have found a way to get you to click on malware without you even knowing. Worse, they might also be able to open the microphone or Webcam on your PC to eavesdrop.

Called Clickjacking, the process allows the attacker to trick you the user into clicking on something only briefly visible on the screen. While it's mostly a problem for the browser makers, it also affects Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, and Sun's Java.

Although clickjacking, which may contain up to half dozen specific vulnerabilities, has been around for years, it has recently come to the attention … Read more

HP launches its first 13-inch laptop, Pavilion dv3500t

If 12 is too small and 14 too big, HP now has a laptop to sell you. With the Pavilion dv3500t, the company has slotted a 13-inch model into its already crowded laptop lineup. The dv3500t features a choice of four Intel Core 2 Duo processors (up to the T9400), up to 8GB of RAM, a 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics card, and up to a 400GB hard drive. The 13.3-inch display features a 1280x800 resolution, and an LED-backlit display is offered for an added $100, which HP indicates will shave nearly a half pound off the system'… Read more

Is that really a Toshiba Satellite?

Every once in a while, a technology company will develop a product outside of its traditional product line, just to meet consumer demands. (For an example, see Intel's Dual-Core Pentium chip.)

So it is with the new Toshiba Satellite E105, which, at least appearance-wise, sticks out among Satellites. The laptop's light color and flat edges make it look like an NR or CR series Sony Vaio. And its backlit keyboard certainly calls to mind the MacBook Pro. But Toshiba has added a few elements--such as a two-year warranty and 5.5-hour battery life--to make the Satellite E105 stand … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: What the financial crisis means to tech start-ups

Tech start-ups are at high risk during this financial crisis since they can't get credit and venture capital money is drying up. Webware editor Rafe Needleman offers some words of encouragement and advice for staying afloat during these rough times.

Apple is rumored to soon be releasing its 2.2 software update for the iPhone. According to Apple sources, expect this one to include a refit of Safari to read better on the handheld and an update to the App Store. Searching for applications by category is rumored to get easier, and Apple will supposedly only let people who … Read more

Playing Iron Man for a day

SAN FRANCISCO--On Tuesday, the DVD version of the mega-hit film Iron Man will be released, and to celebrate, the visual effects superstars at Industrial Light & Magic decided to show off just a little bit more magic behind the movie.

Back in April, ILM invited me and a couple of my colleagues to their fantastic facilities here for a look at the technology behind the famous suit used in Iron Man. Recently, they invited us back to see how the seamless animation in some of the film's scenes--such as one famous shot involving the throwing of an Audi--was produced.

In particular, they wanted to give us the inside scoop on the motion-capture technology used to create a number of the film's scenes, a technology that is increasingly being used today that allows directors to see, in real time, while the actors are acting, what animated sequences will look like.

That's why we--myself, CNET reporter Kara Tsuboi, and a cameraman--spent several hours on an ILM image capture stage last week: So that Tsuboi could don a motion-capture suit and we could all see how footage of her would translate instantly into an animated Iron Man scene.

The idea is that George Lucas--who owns the effects studio--wants to give filmmakers advanced technological tools that provide them with flexibility and efficiency. And so he staffs ILM with the kinds of people who can make that happen.

"We understand the entire process," said ILM digital supervisor Michael Sanders, "from writing code to animating creatures to even shooting live elements. So we know each layer in the process. We understand the vision of the key creatives and understand" what the actors are going to do.

The technology used at ILM--and elsewhere, as well--allows directors to mix real filmmaking and virtual spaces, but with full camera control, depth of field, tracking, and panning. The upshot? A filmmaker can have an entire digital set created, then have an actor perform on the image capture stage wearing the motion-capture suit, and see, as the filming is happening, how the actor's character looks superimposed on the digital background. … Read more

AtomicView processes media quickly

If you have a lot of media to browse through, no matter what viewer you use, it's bound to take some time. Whatever the project may be--from picking the best shots from a pro photo shoot to getting the most action-packed movie clips from a birthday party--you need a good way to browse, compare, and sort through your media quickly. The obvious choices on your Mac are iPhoto or iMovie, but if you're looking for a different way to sort through several media file-types with added unique features, check out AtomicView.

AtomicView offers a sparse, but intuitive interface … Read more

Light My Fire Spork saves you from using three utensils

I honestly have no idea why this is called the Light My Fire Spork, but the concept is certainly one that makes sense to those who pay attention to kitchen appliances. Combine this with that, and there you go. That is, of course, unless you choose to combine this with that, along with some other thing. It seems to be true that most combination appliances prefer to combine only two things. (Which for some strange reason, most tend to include toasters into the mix). This crazy gizmo merges three, and not a one of them requires a power outlet.

The … Read more

The 404 159: Where Justin burns down the 404 studio

On today's show: In Jeff's absence, Justin takes over the studio and all hell breaks loose. Natali Del Conte rushes in to save the day! Wilson sits back and laughs, and we discuss a few stories about free Olympic condoms, annoying neighbors, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, and lost light sabers.

When Jeff's away, the SPig will play! That's right, Jeff's on vacation in Atlantic City, New Jersey, gambling his salary away, so I decide to take up the reins and jump into the hot seat! And trust me, you don't want … Read more

LED maker Lamina acquired by Lighting Science

Is the nascent LED market already going through a consolidation phase?

Lamina Lighting, a seven-year-old LED lighting company, on Tuesday said that it is selling its assets to Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), which makes customized LED lighting fixtures.

Lighting Science Group is paying $4.5 million in cash for Lamina's assets, but the total could go up another $10.5 million based on Lamina's sales in 2009. LSG will take out a $20 million line of credit to finance the deal.

Lamina itself has raised at least $16 million, including a round in 2005 and one last … Read more