Netscape's Internet software contains flaw that jeopardizes security of data

Article Abstract:

Two graduate students from the Univ of California at Berkeley discovered a massive and potentially disastrous security breach in Netscape Communications Corp's Netscape Navigator World Wide Web access software, which could help retard the adoption of the Internet as a medium for commerce. Netscape uses a 128-key encryption scheme to provide security for electronic data such as credit card numbers. The technology relies on randomly determined numbers for the key. The students, Ian Goldberg and David Wagner, targetted the random number generation system rather than the actual key. They were able to determine the secret to the random number generator in two days, which gave them the ability to determine the key at any time. The students posted their discovery on an Internet mailing list. The discovery could have a chilling effect on efforts to make the Internet a medium for electronic commerce, and it may harm Netscape's reputation as well.

Database Mgmt Software Pkgs (Micro), Product information, Design and construction, Database access software, DBMS software, Netscape Communications Corp., NSCP, Database searching, Online searching, Product Description Specification, Product Defect Failure, Netscape Navigator (Web browser)

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Big players back Java Internet venture fund

Article Abstract:

Some of the biggest companies in the computer industry are investing in a fund that will provide financing for the development of Java-based Internet software. The $100 million Java Fund will be administered by venture capitalist Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers. This is the largest endorsement of a single technology in the history of the computer industry. Java is a programming language that facilitates the development of multimedia applications and works with all operating systems. Many observers believe Java may help end Microsoft's control in the software industry, but the Java Fund is not intended to combat Microsoft's Internet efforts. It is designed to aid start-up companies in the development of Internet software. The fund's investors include IBM, Compaq, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems and Netscape.

Computer Language Software ex Military, Computer industry, Internet, Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Programming languages, Investments, Management issue, Venture capital, Multimedia systems, Java (Programming language), Java, Multimedia Technology, Start-Up Financing

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Lucent introduces an operating system that can run on variety of networks

Article Abstract:

Lucent Technologies introduces Inferno, a network operating system designed to significantly enhance the communications capabilities between devices based on separate platforms. The Inferno package includes a basic operating system as well as programming utilities for the creation of modules that connect programs originally developed for disparate platforms. Lucent will market Inferno in competition with Microsoft's Windows platform and Sun Microsystems's Java programming language, and the company anticipates spending significant revenue in support of Inferno. Analysts are impressed with the technology behind Inferno that allows the operating system to run on just 1MB, but stress that Lucent must make developers aware of the differences between it and Java.

Networking Software Pkgs, Product introduction, Product Announcement, Lucent Technologies Inc., Network software, Network operating systems, Network operating system, Networking software product introduction, Lucent Technologies Inferno (Network operating system)

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