Virus alert
MSN messenger users should heed caution to a new virus known as the SMB Worm or Worm.Win32.Smbmsn.163840. The worm is spread through the MSN messenger client as an SMB.EXE file attachment. If a user accepts the attachment, the worm will send itself to everyone on their contact list. For instructions for manual repair or learn more at www.globalhauri.com/html/notice/notice_read.html?uid=286.
MSN Live online events
Oct. 6: Actress Candice DeLong chats at 11 p.m. Go to www.lifetimetv.com/community/chat/cdelong_artist.html.
Net buzzz
* On Oct. 1, AOL launched their new AOL Latino service, a Spanish-languaged version of its 9.0 Optimized service. The AOL Latino service is not merely a translated version, it is fully emerged into the Latino community. AOL hired Hispanics to forsee the operations and combined the service with Spanish portals and partners from the Latin community to provide content specifically geared to the Spanish-speaking community. Learn more at http://media.aoltimewarner.com/media/press_view.cfm?release_num=55253440 or visit AOL Latino online at www.aola.com.
* Several vulnerabilities have been found in OpenSSL forcing the OpenSSL Project to release new versions of its Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols. All versions of OpenSSL to 0.9.6j and 0.9.7b and all versions of SSLeay are affected by the flaws. Learn more at www.openssl.org/news/secadv_20030930.txt.
* Microsoft issues a take-down notice to Lindows.com for their MSfreePC.com site. Microsoft claims the use of digital signatures is against the agreement made in the anti-trust settlement. Read more at www.lindows.com/lindows_news_pressreleases_archives.php?id=71. Read Lindows.com's response to the notice at www.lindows.com/lindows_news_pressreleases_archives.php?id=72.
* The new version of the Napster file-trading service will be launched Thursday. The new service's corporate head is Roxio, a leading CD and DVD software company. The service will charge users for the opportunity to download music via individual or monthly subscriptions. Learn more at http://news.com.com/2110-1027-5085316.html?tag=nefd_hed.
Sites to see
* Infomine: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections at http://infomine.ucr.edu is a librarian-built virtual library divided into a dozen topics and geared towards teachers, students and researchers at a college level.
Other live events
Oct. 7: Violinist Joshua Bell will chat live online with fans at 1 p.m. on USA Today.com. Go to www.usatoday.com/community/chat/chatsked.htm.
Oct. 9: Singer Shelby Lynne chats at 7 p.m. Go to http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/shelbylynne_2003.
E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail-mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
