Microsoft Plans to Create Real-Time Threat Feeds

Microsoft has announced it will be creating a real-time feed that it and its partners can use to evaluate threats and build better defences against threats.

So far Microsoft has begun internal beta tests. Microsoft collects infected nodes with the Kelihos bot and then shares it with partners such as ISPs, private organizations, government agencies, and CERTs.

A report on Kaspersky Labs explains, “Microsoft collects the data by leveraging its huge Internet infrastructure, including a load-balanced, 80gb/second global network, to swallow botnets whole -- pointing botnet infected hosts to addresses that Microsoft controls, capturing their activity and effectively taking them offline.”

Microsoft hasn't said when this threat feed will be released.

This idea Microsoft has is interesting. If all companies were to unite and share this kind of data, threats could be controlled effectively.

Microsoft Plans Silent Updates for Internet Explorer

Microsoft has announced that it will implement automatic updates for Internet Explorer. These silent updates will push users to update to IE8 or IE9 instead of using IE6 or IE7.

This update however will not completely force users to update. Enterprises will have the option to opt out, users who already opted out will not be forced to update. Once opt out they won't be updated.

These silent updates won't completely make everyone update. It will just help users update to newer versions of Internet Explorer.

Microsoft needs to scrap IE6 and IE7. These versions are much to old. Even HTML5 doesn't work correctly with these versions. I hope Microsoft realizes it needs to help IE users which have fallen behind.

Get a Free Windows Phone - Microsoft Uses Androids Problems

Microsoft is offering five free Windows Phones to five Android users that have the worst malware stories.

This deal is to promote the Windows Phone while Android is dealing with malicious apps on its store. In other words Microsoft is using another companies problem to its advantage.

This deal was announced on Twitter by Microsoft's Windows Phone promoter, Ben Rudolph. It was then shared on Microsoft's official Twitter feed.

Microsoft has done this in the the past when webOS was being discontinued. Microsoft offered free Windows Phones to webOS developers.

This style of marketing is genius but dark. Using another companies problems to your advantage is a smart idea. But the public might not be too happy with your deal. Some Twitter users complained about the deal saying it was a harsh way to promote the Windows Phone.

Apple's Mac App Store Reaches 100 Million App Downloads

Apple's Mac App Store has reached 100 million app downloads since the app store opened 11 months ago.

The Mac App Store opened in January and since then it has reached 100 million app downloads. The Mac App Store is an online store to purchase apps for Macs which are running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or higher.

Apple hasn't announced how many apps are available in its Mac App Store. It has however announced the iOS App Store's app count no problem which has over 500 000 apps available. Apple has only claimed the Mac App Store has "thousands" of apps available to you.

The Mac Apps Store has interested competitors to follow suit. Microsoft plans to create its own app store called Windows Store in 2012. The Window Store will offer apps to Windows 8 users when it is released to the public next year.

PC app stores are the future of computing. You will probably eventually see app stores on most devices.

Bill Gates has Helped Steve Jobs with the Mac

Now you may assume Bill Gates would instead insult Steve Jobs like Jobs did in the past. But no, Gates never said anything negative towards Jobs. Gates just said he helped create the Mac.

In a recent interview on ABC Gates simply explained this.

"Well, Steve and I worked together, creating the Mac. We (Microsoft) had more people on it, did the key software for it."


"So, over the course of the 30 years we worked together, you know, he said a lot of very nice things about me and he said a lot of tough things. I mean, he faced several times at Apple the fact that their products were so premium priced they literally might not stay in the marketplace. So, the fact that we were succeeding with high-volume products, including a range of prices, because of the way we worked with multiple companies, its tough.

"At various times, he felt beleaguered. He felt like he was the good guy and we were the bad guys. You know, very understandable. I respect Steve, we got to work together. We spurred each other on, even as competitors. None of that bothers me at all."

In this interview Gates did not insult or criticize Jobs. He was mannered and got his point across.

Now Gates did in fact help Apple. Apple did go under years back and Microsoft invested in Apple when Apple was going under.

So Microsoft has helped Apple greatly in the long run. Microsoft may have to do it again though. Apple isn't looking the best in sales recently and may not bounce back.