Microsoft, RIM grow on app developers: Survey

Mobile software developers remain fixated on Apple and on Google's Android as the prime targets of their toil, but Microsoft and Research In Motion are making inroads as tablet offerings multiply.

The iPhone, which boasts more than 300,000 third-party applications, or apps, retains the attention of 92 percent of developers, according to a survey released on Tuesday by research firm IDC and app platform Appcelerator.

The survey of more than 2,200 developers found many expect to produce more apps for more platforms with more complexity.

"Cloud connectivity, location and social will define the experiences of most applications this year and going forward," said Appcelerator's Scott Schwarzhoff in an interview.

"Respondents said 'last year I was kicking the tyres, this year I really am ramping up my efforts'," he added.

Developer intent is a useful indicator of broader interest in a platform, as consumers are drawn to devices that can perform specific tasks such as checking news or stock prices, tracking how far you've run or finding nearby restaurants.

Apple's iPad tablet and Android phones -- which are made by a number of handset makers including HTC , Samsung and Motorola Mobility -- tied for the next biggest share of developer attention, with 87 percent saying they are very interested in each platform.

IPS officer lodges FIR against Facebook for maligning Mahatma

An IPS officer has lodged an FIR against social networking site Facebook for allegedly maligning the image of Mahatma Gandhi through an online group.

Amitabh Thakur, an IPS officer of UP cadre, has lodged the FIR against Facebook and others at Gomti Nagar police station here for allegedly portraying Gandhi in a wrong manner and spreading hatred, police sources said here.

In his complaint, Thakur alleged that abuses and dirty words have been used against Gandhi in the "I hate Gandi group" on the social networking site.

He claimed the words and abuses were of such nature that they are wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot.

The FIR has been lodged under section 153 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of communities and other grounds), 153 A (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration), 153 B (public nuisance), 290 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 504 (criminal intimidation) 506 and 66 A IT Act (using Information Technology for these purposes).

Other than Facebook, those who have been named in the FIR are those who have been running the group including Rahul Devgan, Gaurab Banerjee, Rohan Shinde, Shikshit Kumar, Gadadhar Ghoshal, Deven Tandan and Vignesh NV .

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Security apps boost Apple as BlackBerry alternative

A slew of small security software developers are helping Apple's iPhone gain a foothold within corporations that were once the exclusive domain of Research In Motion's BlackBerry.

The shift reflects efforts by some companies to accommodate the preference of many employees for Apple's iconic smartphone, a trend that has led software makers to develop programs to deliver secure email and other data over the iPhone.

To be sure, the status of BlackBerry's security features as the industry standard is not under threat. But the new programs could mean that many employees may no longer have to carry a company-sponsored BlackBerry in addition to their store-bought iPhones.

One company that is experimenting is Deutsche Bank. In conjunction with California-based software maker Good Technology, the German bank is delivering corporate email to some employees in a trial that its internal analyst said was "overwhelmingly positive" despite some minor flaws.

"You're seeing consumers, or employees, bring their iPhones in to IT managers and 'say make this work,'" Deutsche's Chris Whitmore said by telephone.

Good and other security specialists like MobileIron and NetHawk are developing programs that can provide the extra assurances required by financial services and healthcare providers, which require airtight communications.

"What they're very good at doing is going into an enterprise where they're very concerned about security and say we're going to beef up the iPhone and iPad because they're not very secure," analyst Jack Gold of J.Gold Associates said, referring to Good Technologies.

Firefox to develop "Do Not Track" privacy tool

Firefox, the world's second most popular browser, is developing more tools to help protect Web surfers' privacy.

The browser will give users the opportunity to block advertisers from collecting information about them. Firefox's parent company, Mozilla Inc., made the announcement in a blog post.

Alex Fowler, Mozilla's technology and privacy officer, says the "Do Not Track" tool will be the first in a series of steps designed to guard privacy. He writes, "When the feature is enabled and users turn it on, websites will be told by Firefox that a user would like to opt-out of online behavior advertising."

The next version of Microsoft Corp's Internet Explorer browser will include a similar feature, though people will have to create or find their own lists of sites they want to block.

Disclaimer: All information on this news has been compiled from their respective official websites or through public domain sites and leading newspapers. Although, we have taken reasonable efforts to provide you with accurate information, but we assumes no responsibility for the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of the Information and would advise you to verify it from the official product provider. We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. If you would like to advertise on our site please contact us

Beware of attack tool kits from malicious websites: Symantec

The latest threat to internet users from hackers is tool kits from malicious websites that attack computers with software programmes, says global security solutions provider Symantec Corporation . Its global intelligence network has detected 240,000 attack tool kits across 200 countries.

"Attack tool kits are software programmes that infect networked computers when unsuspecting users surf malicious websites created by cyber criminals," Symantec India vice-president Shantanu Ghosh told IANS here, citing a Symantec study.

The ease with which tool kits are accessible has drawn even traditional criminals without expertise into cybercrime, fuelling a self-sustaining, profitable and organised global economy, the study by the US-based company's security technology and response unit pointed out.

"A techie who develops the kit customises the publicly available exploit code and incorporates it into the kit for setting up a malicious website, which attacks computers when viewed," Ghosh explained.

The Symantec global intelligence network, which identifies cyber threats, takes action and prevents impact, detected 240,000 attack tool kits across 200 countries worldwide in a recent survey.

"As cyber attacks have become more profitable, tool kits have become popular with newer versions. These kits are sold on a subscription-based model with updates and support services," Ghosh noted.