Software : Google criticised by Microsoft over Windows 8.1 security hole disclosure

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Google criticised by Microsoft over Windows 8.1 security hole disclosure Posted: Google's decision to release a security vulnerability about Windows 8.1 has ruffled a few feathers at Microsoft it seems as its senior director of Microsoft Security Response Center, Chris Betz, has issued a statement, one that barely hides the company's irritation. Microsoft was irked by the fact that Google decided unilaterally to release information about a vulnerability in Windows 8.1, two days before a planned fix despite Microsoft's request to postpone that. Betz added that "Although following through keeps to Google's announced timeline for disclosure, the decision feels less like principles and more like a "gotcha", with customers the ones who may suffer as a result." The disclosure was part of Google's Project Zero security initiative that allows companies a full 90-days deadline to close the vulnerabilities before revealing them online. The vulnerability, a weakness in Windows 8.1 login mechanism could be used by the attacker to take over the target machine and may well have required a complex solution, which might explain why it took so long for Microsoft to solve. Check out our resource page on Microsoft's Windows 10

Download of the day: MozBackup Posted: If you're a Mozilla user, you'll want to keep your settings and bookmarks backed up to avoid disaster. Make sure you do it with MozBackup. Why you need it As we said on Friday in our article on Personal Backup, keeping your data safely backed up is of paramount importance, as you never know when disaster might strike. But you shouldn't just limit your backing up to your photos and documents – keeping your browser bookmarks and settings copied can save you headaches down the line. That's where MozBackup comes in. It can create backups of your Firefox bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, passwords, cache and more and is completely free – even for commercial use. Should you suffer a catastrophe with Firefox, MozBackup can easily restore all your backed up settings so you can resume normal service with minimal disruption. So regardless of whether you want to reinstall Firefox, your computer dies or you want to upgrade your version of Windows, you know your important browser data will be waiting for you on the other side. But that's not all MozBackup can do. It's compatible with a range of other Mozilla products and programs that are based on Mozilla software, including Thunderbird, Sunbird, Flock, Postbox, SeaMonkey, Mozilla Suite, Spicebird, Songbird, Netscape and Wyzo. That makes it an invaluable part of any Mozilla fan's toolkit, something that you'll be glad you had in the event that anything goes wrong. Key features Works on: PC Versions: Free Backup: Back up all your settings and bookmarks to ensure complete peace of mind Restore: Should the worst happen, MozBackup can restore your backed up settings and put things back to the way they were before disaster struck Highly compatible: MozBackup isn't just for Firefox – it works with a range of other Mozilla apps, as well as software based on Mozilla programs You'll also like Firefox Thunderbird Google Chrome Opera Safari

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