Monday's Tech Tidbits

A new week with new news. America's first passenger flight occurred on this day in 1919, flying from New York to Atlantic City. Four years later the first intercontinental non-stop flew from New York to San Diego. In 1965 the Today Show is broadcast from Early Bird, marking the first use of satellite TV. Happy 76th Birthday to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.

1. Sasser sucks. The Sasser worm which emerged Friday spreads over networks by taking advantage of a security hole in Windows, but it's so poorly written that it's barely spreading at all. At least so far - but it's early in the week yet. Microsoft has patched the flaw in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) that allows the worm in - it's hotfix 835732. If you're up-to-date with Windows Update, or you're using a firewall or broadband router, you're safe.
2. eEye Digital Security - the same folks who discovered Sasser, have found a flaw in Apple's Quicktime player that could allow a trojan horse to attack Mac OS X. A malformed .MOV file could allow a hacker to execute code on your system. No exploits have been seen and Apple pushed a patch through its System Update on Friday.
3. Well that's a relief. SCO has backed off its claims that Linux is unconstitutional. I had no idea our founding fathers knew about the GPL.
4. Wal-Mart has announced it will use RFID tags throughout its stores, but California State Senator, Debra Bowen of Redondo Beach (who is increasingly taking the lead on these tech issues), has offered a state bill setting privacy standards for RFID devices in stores and libraries. The bill, which bans the use of RFID to track people as they shop or after they leave the store, passed the State Senate on Thursday. It will be heard next month in the State Assembly.