Adobe Patches ‘PWN To OWN’ Bug in Flash Player

Adobe Systems Tuesday plugged the Flash Player hole used by a hacker two weeks ago to take down a Windows Vista machine and claim a $5,000 prize in the “PWN To OWN” exploit challenge.

Adobe’s update to Flash Player — the popular program and browser plug-in used to view online content — patched seven vulnerabilities, including several that could be used by attackers to hijack machines running the flawed software. Among the seven was the one used to break into a Fujitsu notebook during the hacker contest sponsored by 3Com’s TippingPoint, which operates a bug bounty program called Zero Day Initiative.

Last week, Adobe claimed it had known about the Flash bug before it was used by Shane Macaulay of Security Objectives to hack one of the laptops up for grabs at CanSecWest, and would add a fix for it to a previously scheduled update this month.

Adobe had announced the April update about four weeks ago, but had left the timeline vague, saying only that it would refresh Flash sometime during the month.

The majority of the patches applied to Flash Player quashed bugs in how the software handled .swf files, the proprietary Shockwave Flash format. One of the .swf vulnerabilities had been reported to Adobe back in December 2007 by Google researcher Rich Cannings, who pointed out the format could be used to launch cross-site scripting attacks, which are commonly deployed by identity thieves and phishers.

Earlier, Adobe had issued updates to its Web developer tools that crank out .swf files, and told Web operators and site designers to make changes to their pages before it released yesterday’s end-user update. If they didn’t get rid of the older .swf files, they risked users being unable to access Flash content on their sites, Adobe warned.

Canon Rolls Out a Portfolio of Next Generation Products

Canon India announced the launch of 23 next generation digital camera and camcorder products of its camera division. The launch also introduced technologies in sync with the youth trends and lifestyle of today.

At the launch Canon unveiled products from Canon’s Imaging Communication Products division which included 8 Digital Compact Cameras, 12 Digital Video Camcorders, 1 Digital SLR and 2 Selphy printers.

The first revolutionary technology introduced is the “Flash Memory” in the new Canon HF10 dual flash camcorder. This technology offers dual advantage to the customer and makes it possible to reduce the size of device and make it a compact stylish package. Battery life is extended with the use of flash memory, as less power is required to operate the camcorder as compared to other storage media types.

The camcorders have other interesting features like quick start to offer ease and convenience to the customers. With the user-friendly and compact HF series camcorders, users can enjoy upto 6 hours of high-quality HD video footage (using Long Play mode)  and a 16GB internal flash memory is offered by HF10. Flash memory storage allows HF10 to be designed in a compact and lightweight form factor that fits comfortably in the user’s hands. Flash memory also offers the advantages of fast read and write speeds for storing video recordings.

With the launch of the dual flash camcorder, Canon claims it to be the only company offering all formats of video camera offering including High definition, Cassette, DVD and now flash with HF10. The range also includes features of advanced zoom which is the highest in the industry at 45x in a compact body.

The camcorders also come with additional features like Instant Focus, Video light , a new user interface and search function in the review mode and are other features which have been introduced. Canon Digital camcorders currently contribute 10% to the camera division turnover and this new launch is expected to increase this contribution to 20% by Dec 2008.

Canon also unveiled their new digital compact camera products with the  latest technology on face select and track, motion detection  and AF ”point” zoom. In face select and track, the main subject always stays within the frame and the camera tracks the subject. In Motion Detection, the camera ensures clear pictures even if the subject moves.
This is achieved due to automatic adjustment of setting. AF Point Zoom technology enables the user to review one main subject within a wide frame pre and post shooting. The new launch includes Selphy printers with more lifestyle look with curvature which offer more options for creative printing.

The digital camera now comes in new body colours, robe design axiz and different curves and shapes. In the D-SLR portfolio, there is a new feature of ‘live view’ alongwith higher megapixel. The EOS 450 D features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2 megapixel CMOS Sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer.

Transcend Unveils 32GB Flash Drive in India

Transcend announced the launch of its latest high-capacity USB flash drive – the 32GB JetFlash V60 in India. It’s the first brand selling 32GB pen drives with in India.

About the size of an AA battery (61mm x 18.6mm x 9.8mm), the JetFalsh V60 is small and light enough to be taken anywhere. With its 32GB memory capacity, users can easily store their personal files, music, digital photos, and even full-length HDTV movies.

The 32GB JetFalsh V60 is also equipped with some useful software tools designed for computer users. The JetFlash elite software suite can be installed to run directly from the JetFlash drive when you plug it in, and includes seven time-saving data management functions, including: Website AutoLogin, PC-Lock, Mobile Favorites, Secret-Zip encryption, Mobile E-mail, DataBackup and Online Update.

Priced at Rs. Rs. 7,300, the JetFlash V60 also supports Windows 98SE / Me / 2000 / XP / Vista, Mac and Linux and comes with a 3 year warranty.

Kingston Introduces DataTraveler 110

Kingston is expanding its line of USB flash drives with the introduction of the DataTraveler 110 (DT110) model. The drives are designed for ultra-fast read/write speeds on lower price points, the DT110 drive is available in capacities up to 8GB.

The DT110 features a capless, retractable USB connector for ease-of-use and safe housing. It is available in different colors according to its capacity: purple (1GB), blue (2GB), red (4GB) and green (8GB) and these are priced at Rs. 625, Rs. 925, Rs. 1595 and Rs. 3425, respectively.

The drives are designed to be compliant to hi-speed USB 2.0 specifications. These are compatible to various operating systems including Windows Vista, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP (SP1 and SP2), Mac OS 10.2x and higher and Linux (2.6 and higher).

The DT110 drives can operate at the temperature of 32º F to 140 º F and can be stored at -4º F to 185º F. These support plug and play technology and are backed by a five-year warranty and free technical support. Windows Vista ReadyBoost is not supported on these drives.

The Kingston DT110 drives are distributed in India by Avnet India, HCL, Ingram Micro, Kobian Electronics and Transtek Infoways.