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New Internet Explorer weakness already exploited in attacks

A previously unknown security hole in Internet Explorer 7, 8 and 9 is being actively exploited to deliver a back door trojan known as "Poison Ivy," researchers warned.

Security blogger Eric Romang, who uncovered the vulnerability this weekend, wrote on his blog yesterday:

I can confirm, the zero-day season is really not over yet. Less than three weeks after the discovery of the Java SE 7 0day, aka CVE-2012-4681, potentially used by the Nitro gang in targeted attacks, a potential Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and 8 zero-day is actually exploited in the wild. Romang found an attack that … Read more

Facebook uses peer pressure to bring out the vote

Facebook may be wielding the power of the polls with peer pressure. According to a new study, when users see that their friends have voted, they're far more likely to go vote themselves.

Titled "A 61-million-person experiment in social influence and political mobilization," the study examines the influence of Facebook friends on voting behaviors. It looks specifically at the U.S. elections in 2010 and concludes that the social network's "get out the vote" message brought more than 300,000 more voters to the polls.

"Our study suggests that social influence may be … Read more

Experts: Google's 'Aurora' hackers still at it years later

The hackers behind the cyberespionage attacks on Google and more than 30 other companies three years ago are still going strong and seem to have a steady stream of weapons in their arsenal in the form of rare unpatched vulnerabilities known as zero-days, Symantec researchers said today.

The group has used exploits for four zero-day vulnerabilities in attacks over the past few months against targets across a variety of industries, including energy, aeronautics, and financial, and particularly manufacturers of components sold to defense contractors, the security provider said in a blog post.

"This group is focused on wholesale theft … Read more

Y Combinator's stars shine at Demo Day

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Twice a year, Sand Hill Road, the most important hub for venture capitalists in the world, empties out for a day. But it's not vacation that pulls away all the VCs -- it's Y Combinator Demo Day.

At the Computer History Museum here today, the heart of the tech investing universe came together once again to see, up close and personal, what the 74 companies in the summer class of Y Combinator have been working on all summer.

As is the case with any demo day, there were plenty of misses. But given Y Combinator'… Read more

Y Combinator founder: Startup funding could get scarce

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- The future for startup funding is "getting more unpredictable."

That's what Y Combinator founder Paul Graham said today, theorizing that because there are so many more young companies getting off the ground these days, venture capitalists may well have a much harder time predicting winners than in the past.

It makes sense. Startups can get going today for as little as a few hundred thousand dollars, so there are many more of them. "But the funnel at the top is the same," Graham said during the Y Combinator Demo Day. "… Read more

The 404 1,114: Where we'll take the cash, thanks (podcast)

- Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Instagram just lost $300 million, here's why.

- Angry Birds and Green Day partner for new Facebook game.

- Get your financial questions answered on Jill's podcast, Jill on Money!

- Follow Jill Schlesinger on Twitter.

Bathroom break video: Game of Thrones theme song, as performed by a cat.… Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day: The secrets of perfection

If you ever have a mystery image you need identified, Phil Yao's your man.

For the last nine weeks, I ran CNET's Picture of the Day challenge, posting a new photograph each day and tasking readers with writing in and guessing what they thought it was. I offered one weekly prize for people who got at least one right answer, and a grand prize -- a complete GoPro camera package -- for the person that got the most right throughout.

And may I tip my hat to Yao: over the nine weeks -- 63 mystery photos in all … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/12: What is this?

Update (Wednesday, 2:18 p.m PT): The answer to Sunday's challenge -- which 45 people got right -- is Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Animation, in Burbank, Calif., as seen from near the Hollywood sign. My apologies for not publishing the answer sooner. Thanks to everyone who played today, and throughout this year's contest, and to all, please come back next year for the Road Trip 2013 Picture of the Day challenge.

Welcome to the final day of the Road Trip 2012 Picture of the Day contest. This is your last chance to win some cool … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/11: What is this?

Update (Saturday, 7:55 p.m PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 154 people got right -- is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back Sunday for the final Road Trip 2012 Picture of the Day challenge.

Welcome to the final weekend of the Road Trip 2012 Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

For the last eight-plus weeks, I've posted a new photograph from my various travels every … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/10: What is this?

Update (Saturday, 1:45 a.m. PT): The answer to Friday's challenge -- which 33 people got right -- is the former Boron Air Force Station, north of Kramer Junction, Calif. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back for the final two challenges this weekend.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it … Read more