Kaspersky anti-virus update knocks PCs offline

Computer security firm Kaspersky Lab made a major blunder with its latest anti-virus update, which blocked Windows XP users from accessing the internet.

 

The update fiasco knocked one of the largest groups of computer users off the web and made it extremely difficult to fix the problem, since further updates to the code could not be downloaded.

 

Kaspersky issued a hotfix within two hours, but many people could not connect to download it. The company told them to roll back their system to before the previous update or to disable its anti-virus software so that they could reconnect to the internet again. They then had to manually download the update before re-enabling the software.

 

 

The only problem is that without the internet many users will be unaware of the possible workarounds, and may be forced to bring their computers to repair shops to figure out what the problem is, incurring unnecessary costs and eating up valuable work time.

 

It is not clear what, if any, compensation the firm plans to give to users.

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Bitcoins for Pizza service set up

The virtual currency Bitcoins can now be used to buy a pizza, thanks to a new service that acts as a middleman for conversion of Bitcoins into US dollars.

 

The service, Pizza for Coins, allows users to spend their virtual cash on pizzas from Dominos. For those who prefer Pizza Hut or Papa John's, orders for them will be coming soon.

 

There are some drawbacks to ordering in this way, however. The cost of a pizza will go up, with all orders tacking on an additional conversion fee of 0.09 bitcoins ($2.35), making each order more expensive compared to ordering directly from the fast food outlets. The creators of the service hope to eventually decrease the fee and even make it cheaper to buy pizzas with Bitcoins.

 

Another drawback is that the conversion process makes it take longer before an order is delivered, with some taking as much as 80 minutes. Fast food it is not, it seems.

 

 

Bitcoins were invented in 2009 as an experimental “crypto-currency,” employing cryptography and a peer-to-peer network for a very unorthodox approach to money. There is no central authority, and there is a hard limit to how many bitcoins are allowed in circulation. 

 

The currency is seen as an attractive alternative to traditional banking, especially by those who might want to avoid connections between their real life and what they are purchasing. However, it can also leave a public trail, and the digital nature means it is liable to cyber attacks, with millions of dollars worth stolen in various incidents.

 

Bitcoins are considered the most widely used virtual currency in the world. Each coin is worth roughly $26, and there is an estimated $200 million worth of the digital dosh in circulation.

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He did it! Felix Baumgartner breaks sound barrier...without a plane

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner has made a record-breaking leap from the edge of space, landing safely in the New Mexico desert after freefalling from more than 39 kilometres above the Earth.

The 43-year-old floated down to Earth on a red and white parachute canopy, which he had opened after reaching an unofficial speed of 1137km/h in freefall.

The skydiver's blood could have boiled if there were the slightest tear or crack in his pressurized spacesuit-like outfit, due to instant depressurization at the extreme altitude.

Mission control erupted in cheers as Baumgartner made a near-perfect jump from a capsule hoisted aloft by a giant helium-filled balloon to an altitude of 128,097 feet (39.043km).

Baumgartner broke the sound barrier during his jump, but he did not set a new record for the longest freefall, a mission spokeswoman said.

The Austrian achieved the fastest ever freefall speed during the four minutes and 19 seconds of descent, spokeswoman Sarah Anderson said.

 Leap of faith... Photo:Reuters
 

He was bidding to break records set over 50 years ago by Joseph Kittinger, now a retired US Air Force colonel who made a freefall jump from 102,800 feet (31,333 metres) in 1960. Kittinger was part of Baumgartner's back-up team.

Citing preliminary figures, she said the whole jump lasted nine minutes and three seconds, including four minutes and 44 seconds after he deployed his parachute to float down to earth in the New Mexico desert.

Baumgartner had hoped to be in freefall for more than five minutes before opening his chute, and had also expected to jump from a lower altitude - 120,000 feet. But the balloon went higher than expected.

The reason for the shorter than expected freefall was not immediately clear, although live commentary during the unprecedented leap suggested he opened his parachute at an altitude above the 5000-feet level announced in advance.

Baumgartner had taken more than two hours to get up to the jump altitude.

The Red Bull Stratos mission was the second attempt for the skydiver after an initial bid last week was aborted at the last minute due to winds.

The biggest risk Baumgartner faced was spinning out of control, which could exert G forces and make him lose consciousness. A controlled dive from the capsule was essential, putting him in a head-down position to increase speed.

More gruesomely, the skydiver's blood could have boiled if there were the slightest tear or crack in his pressurized spacesuit-like outfit, due to instant depressurization at the extreme altitude.

   
On top of the world! Photo: Red Bull
 

Temperatures of -68 degrees could also have had unpredictable consequences if his suit somehow failed.

The leap went off flawlessly, though there was a minor problem as the capsule ascended: a heater failed on Baumgartner's helmet faceplate, meaning it was becoming fogged up when he exhaled.

After considering the options they decided to go ahead with the jump.

Baumgartner's 100-strong back-up team included retired US Air Force colonel Kittinger.

"Let the guardian angel take care of you," Kittinger told Baumgartner shortly before he leapt into the void.

The giant balloon - which holds 30 million cubic feet of helium - was needed to carry the Red Bull Stratos capsule, which weighs nearly 1300kg, to the stratosphere.

It is made of near transparent polyethylene strips even thinner than a dry-cleaner bag, which are heat-sealed together. Very thin material is necessary to save weight.

The Austrian had been training for five years for the jump. He holds several previous records, notably with spectacular base jumps from the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

                

Job done... Baumgartner celebrates after landing. Photo: AFP

Speaking before the launch, Baumgartner said he would be proud to be the first person to break the speed of sound in freefall.

"But really, I know that part of this entire experience will help make the next pressure suit safer for space tourists and aviators," the jumper pointed out.

Sunday's launch coincided with the 65th anniversary of American pilot Chuck Yeager breaking the speed of sound.

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