September 16, 2005 12:09 PM PDT

This week in security

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Security researchers claimed that they have found ways to exploit a serious bug in Firefox and Mozilla Web browsers, a sign that attacks could be on the way.

The issue, which could let attackers secretly run malicious software on PCs, was disclosed on Thursday by security researcher Tom Ferris. The Mozilla Foundation, which distributes and coordinates the development of the Firefox and Mozilla browsers, responded swiftly and released a temporary fix last Friday.

The problem also affects the latest Netscape Web browser, according to security experts. Netscape, a division of Time Warner's America Online subsidiary, is investigating the issue, a company representative said Tuesday.

Mozilla on Wednesday said it plans to "shortly" release new versions of its Firefox and Mozilla Web browsers to address the security bug as well as several additional flaws.

Also in security news, a Massachusetts teenager who admitted to accessing T-Mobile USA's internal systems and posting data from Paris Hilton's cell phone on the Web will serve 11 months in a juvenile facility.

The teenager pleaded guilty last week to a series of hacking incidents, the theft of personal information, and making bomb threats to high schools in Florida and Massachusetts, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney for the district of Massachusetts.

All crimes took place over a 15-month period, beginning in March 2004. Victims suffered a total of about $1 million in damages.

 

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