Michael's Insight

FBI nabs another cable modem hacker

FBI Arrests Another Cable Modem Hacker [Broadband Reports]

The FBI has arrested another cable modem hacker that was selling modified cable modems to users that enabled them to steal broadband service from their cable provider. Mathew Delorey, who operated a web site called Massmodz, was arrested this week on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy. Delorey's site sold modified cable modems which were marketed in posts on Craigslist. Delorey was caught when he sold two hacked modems to an FBI agent that posed as a customer. 

The hacked modems sold by Delorey and others allow users to either steal broadband service by spoofing another legitimate user's cable modem MAC address or provide the user of the hacked modem access to uncapped broadband speeds. In October of last year, the author of a book on cable modem hacking was arrested on charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting computer intrusion and wire fraud.

Rather than facing the prospect of decades in federal prison like Delorey and other hackers, it's it's a lot easier and cheaper to simply upgrade and pay for your broadband speed legitimately. Network management tools can quickly identify and track hacked modems. The chances of getting caught are high and just not worth the risk. 

Comcast planning IPv6 trials

Comcast Gets Its IPv6 On [Light Reading - The Bauminator]

The addressing protocol currently used by most systems on the Internet - IPv4 - has the possibility of assigning unique IP addresses to 4,294,967,296 connected systems. Unfortunately due to a large number of those addresses being reserved for private networks and multicast systems and the rapidly growing number of systems connected to the public Internet, the number of IPv4 addresses will run out in the near future. The only way additional systems can continue to connect to the Internet is the adoption of a new IP addressing system - IPv6.

IPv6 addresses use a 128-bit addressing system, unlike the 32-bit system of IPv4. The total addresses available using IPv6 is a really large number - on the order of a number the size of 34 followed by 37 zeros. That's enough IP addresses to last a long time into the future. In order to enable IPv6 addressing, ISPs must go through a conversion process from IPv4 to IPv6. Comcast, the largest cable broadband provider in the U.S. has announced its plans for an IPv6 conversion for its customers.

In the past week, Comcast announced four planned IPv6 trials for 2010, including the conversion of its business customers to IPv6 beginning in the third quarter of this year. 

It's expected that many other ISPs will be following suit with their own IPv6 conversions. Several estimates place the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses during 2010 or 2011.

Net neutrality advocates misconstrue reasonable network management practices

Could P2P blocking be legalized by new net neutrality rules? [Ars Technica]

The Federal Communications Commission is in the process of considering whether to adopt a set of rules that would impose regulations on how Internet providers manage the traffic on their networks. Because network bandwidth is a finite resource, ISPs employ various management techniques to ensure that all users are receiving the quality Internet experience that they expect. Should the FCC choose to adopt so-called network neutrality rules, the federal government might find themselves in the position of having to decide how providers manage their networks. 

With a draft of the proposed rules released to the public - network neutrality advocates are calling foul, according to this post from Ars Technica. Apparently even the ability for ISPs to reasonably manage their network - based on a clause in the draft rules - doesn't go far enough in the view of the Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF).

Unfortunately if groups like the Electronic Freedom Foundation got their way with network neutrality regulations, freedom would be the last thing that many ISP users would experience.

Reasonable network management serves the purpose of allowing all users to have fair access to the network resources. Without it, a small minority of users would dominate the use of shared resources, degrading the Internet experience of nearly all network users. 

As the FCC considers these rules, it's important that they remain focused on the facts about reasonable network management and the critical result it provides to Internet users rather than the overblown rhetoric of net neutrality groups like the EFF.

Is iPad lack of Flash support an AT&T network management technique?

Talking the IPad, Kids, Making Money and Video [Blog Maverick]

Mark Cuban makes a good point about the lack of Adobe Flash integration on Apple's iPad. Flash, which drives nearly all online video sites, hasn't been included on any of the first three models of the iPhone and is also notably absent from the iPad. In the past, Apple has cited difficulties with the integration of Flash with its iPhone operating system. Without Flash integration, users surfing the web from their iPhone, and now the iPad, lose much of the rich Flash content on the web - including many streaming video web sites.

Cuban believes that the lack of Flash isn't a software problem related to the iPhone OS, but a hardware issue related to the fragility of AT&T's wireless network - the exclusive wireless provider for the iPhone and iPad users that choose to pay extra for a model that includes mobile connectivity. Apple has had three years to figure out how to put Flash support into the iPhone, but hasn't. Maybe it's related to the fact that if iPhone and iPad users had Flash they could begin streaming videos via AT&T's network, consuming much more bandwidth than they do now - additional bandwidth that AT&T's wireless network just isn't able to deliver. Cuban likens Apple's gatekeeper status on Flash to a pre-emptive network management on behalf of Apple.

And even though Apple listened to their customers and will provide an AT&T-free model of the iPad, those users will be subject to the same absence of Flash from the device, even though they're able to use broadband connections via wi-fi that will be more than capable of supporting the demand for streaming video.

Apple's standard iPad will be AT&T-free

Get Ready for the iPad to Change the Way You Watch Video [NewTeeVee]

Apple's impressive announcement of their new tablet computer earlier today was the focus of attention for technology enthusiasts worldwide. Indeed, several of our top-tier tech geeks at Insight are already on the wait list, unabashedly joyful about Apple's newest product. 

Apple CEO Steve Jobs described the first generation of the iPad at a major product announcement event yesterday and it appears that Apple has developed a remarkable device. The iPad looks to be a larger and more powerful version of the iPod Touch, with the capability to be a mobile media center - for reading e-books magazines and newspapers, listening to music, watching movies or using applications developed for the device's 9.7 inch screen.

Interestingly, it appears that Apple took a careful look at the complaints many users had about the iPhone's operation on AT&T's wireless network. One survey conducted by online retailer Retrevo prior to the iPad's announcement indicated that fully one-third of potential iPad buyers would pass on the device if it required a connection to AT&T's network. Apple's response to these complaints was clear in yesterday's announcement - the company is making the base model of the iPad completely AT&T-free -- offering no cellular connection at all.

Instead, the iPad comes standard with wi-fi connectivity, allowing users to take advantage of their existing broadband provider's reliable and speedy service with a wireless connection. However, if you want a cellular alternative where wi-fi isn't available, an option for wi-fi plus an AT&T connection will be available shortly after the base model comes to market in March.  Apple is also working on a myriad of accessories for the iPad ranging from a physical keyboard to a number of adapters that will allow users to connect other devices to the iPad.

I marvel at how Apple has come back from the brink of extinction, little more than a decade ago, to become one of the world's most successful and innovative companies of the 21st century. 

Could 3D television create demand for conversion technology change?

Will 3D Push the Industry to MPEG-4? [Media Experiences 2 Go]

 It's an interesting question that is posed by Motorola's Media Experiences to Go blog. Will the development of 3D television be a game changer for digital television compression technology? MPEG-2 is a compression technology developed in the mid-90's that is currently widely used for digital television transmissions, including digital cable. MPEG-2 is good enough for 3D television at 1080p at 24 frames per second, but when it comes to true-resolution 3D, MPEG-4, a newer compression standard, is better.

Changing to MPEG-4 compression technology would require equipment changes on both the distribution end and the consumer end of the 3D television experience. Any consideration of changes would be based on 3D technology becoming a hit among consumers to the degree that there is significant interest in higher resolution 3D. Based on the Engadget podcast linked in their post, Motorola VP Bob Wilson believes that 3D will become the catalyst for an industry change to MPEG-4.

With the first 3D televisions hitting store shelves this year and programmers like ESPN and Discovery Networks planning their first 3D channels, there will soon be an opportunity to see whether 3D becomes the hit that high definition has been among consumers.  It remains to be seen if 3D will become perfected enough to generate huge consumer demand though and ditching the need wear glasses to watch it is, in my view, critical to mainstreaming 3D.  We'll be watching the developments closely.

Hackers used spear-phishing in Google attack

Report: Attackers sent Google workers IMs from 'friends' [CNET News]

As computer forensics experts continue to dissect the December hacking attack against Google and other U.S. companies, additional levels of the hackers' sophistication are being revealed. The attack was perpetrated against a flaw in the Internet Explorer browser that allowed hackers to take control of a user's computer. In order to take advantage of the browser vulnerability, the hackers relied upon phishing emails and web sites that encouraged a user to click on a malicious link.

Britain's Financial Times is now reporting that the hackers chose their victims' systems after careful research about them on social networking web sites. The hackers conducted reconnaissance on the victims' friends, using their research to create phishing attempts that the victims were likely to respond to by clicking on the malicious link. Using simple psychology that a person would be more likely to trust an email from someone that appeared to be an acquaintance, hackers were able to exploit that trust.

Computer scientists call this type of attack spear-phishing - using online research to create a front that tricks an otherwise careful user into giving a hacker access to their system. It success against a tech giant like Google shouts for the need for users to increase their vigilance - even if it means asking questions about emails and web sites from sources that appear to be trusted. 

Paid content on YouTube not taking off

YouTube Users Pass on Paying for Movies [NewTeeVee]

Who said selling television programming is easy? 

A few days ago, I posted on YouTube’s plans to bring several independent movies from the Sundance Film Festival to online viewers for a $4 rental fee. NewTeeVee reports that viewers haven’t shown much interest in paying to watch the five films now available.

As of Monday, all five films had been rented a total of less than 1,500 times. Keeping in mind that YouTube has a monthly U.S. audience in excess of 100 million viewers, that’s a very small conversion rate for YouTube’s first experiment with paid content. Running the numbers, NewTeeVee estimates that YouTube has generated less than $6,000 with movie rentals.

Considering the amount of promotion YouTube put into this test, including a featured banner at the top of the site’s home page, it would be hard to characterize it as anything but back to the drawing board time for YouTube’s paid content efforts.

Is cricket on YouTube the beginning of free online streaming sports?

Death Of TV One Step Closer -- YouTube Signs Live Sports Broadcasting Deal [Silicon Alley Insider]

Henry Blodget of the Silicon Alley Insider becomes the latest journalist to declare that traditional television's death is imminent in the wake of a new online video content deal. In a post, Blodget indicates that the last reason anyone would want cable television - access to live sporting events - is now on its way out thanks to the fact that YouTube has inked a deal with the Indian Premier League to carry every cricket match from that country live streaming to the Internet.

Forget Monday Night Football on ESPN, it's free online cricket matches that will cause millions of Americans to decide that their sports viewing preferences have radically changed in light of the value proposition that this new agreement holds for them. I've seen many journalists and bloggers who have cheered the possibility of free video content online replacing traditional television, but Blodget's post is one of the more absurd.

Here's the rub.  If live sports finds its way into people's homes by streaming it over the Internet, one should not assume it's going to be free.  In fact, based on all of my experiences with the owners of sports rights, I'd bet the ranch that it won't be.  So then, it simply becomes what is the best way to deliver those events so the rights owners can maximize the revenue potential.  So far, I haven't found one who is seeking to move to an a-la-carte strategy.  Just ask ESPN, Fox Sports, the NFL, MLB, and everyone else who owns sports rights and only allows distributors to carry their programming if it is packaged in a big tier of service with lots of other channels. 

And then there is this specific example.  I take nothing away from the game of cricket, as I'm sure it has many devoted followers, but I doubt cricket is the type of sporting event that Blodget claims he maintains a cable subscription to watch. And he's in good company with the vast majority of Americans who won't be cutting the cord anytime soon in favor of online cricket viewing.

Unfortunately for Blodget, Google and YouTube's deal with the Indian Premier League doesn't include viewing rights in the U.S. And, while there are paid subscription models for online sports video - like Major League Baseball's streaming service, the idea that the online platform could support a revenue model for free viewing of sporting events like NBA, NFL, NHL and NCAA games is a pipe dream at this time.

I love streaming video.  It adds so many possibilities to the viewing options of consumers and it makes our highly efficient high-speed broadband networks even more attractive to consumers.  But the existence of streaming video doesn't mean the imminent death of conventional television.  When television appeared in people's homes, pundits declared it would be the death of radio.  Sixty years later ... you know the story.

Twittering from space now a reality

The International Space Station Gets Internet Access [Broadband Reports]

 With a budget the size of NASA's you might think that getting the Internet in space would be easy. Right?

Apparently not. Just last week the space agency announced that astronauts on board the International Space Station finally have access to the Internet for personal use. With the connection, astronaut TJ Creamer is now tweeting from space.

But the new connection is not without its faults. Connected via a satellite relay to an Earth-located broadband connected computer, Creamer tells Twitter followers that he has lots of requests for pictures from space, but "due 2 limited bandwidth" he can't send photos across his Internet connection and users can check Earth-located servers for pictures that have already been taken on NASA missions. 

Nonetheless, the ability to have a conversation with an astronaut orbiting the Earth via Twitter has proved to be quite popular. Creamer has amassed over 25,000 followers since his Twitter account went live last week.

Americans average 23 minutes per day on Facebook

comScore: In 2009 Facebook Doubled In Size [All Facebook]

 Americans spend, on average, over 23 minutes each day using Facebook. That's the latest data point from web statistics tracking firm comScore, in a report that shows Facebook has doubled over the past year in overall U.S. web traffic. In December 2008, the site recorded over 54 million unique visitors over the month. In December 2009, that number surpassed 111 million uniques, representing over 27 billion minutes spent updating and viewing the social networking site.

Overall, Facebook is the fourth most visited web site in the U.S. - up from the eleventh most visited in 2008. Of all time spent online by Americans, 7 percent is spent on Facebook. This article points out that Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has predicted that Facebook users will double the amount of information they share each year, increasing the site's traffic, year over year. For 2009, that trend appeared to hold true.

Supreme Court recognizes changes in technology in recent ruling

Blogs, YouTube prompt campaign finance ruling [CNET News]

Much has been made in political circles about this week's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that invalidated portions of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform act, but overlooked by most of the mainstream press was the historical nature of the ruling with respect to technology. This article from CNET observes that this Supreme Court opinion was the very first to include the words "blog" and the video sharing site "YouTube."

Technology was referenced in the majority opinion by Justice Anthony Kennedy to describe the changing media environment with respect to political campaigns. In the past, if someone wanted to put their political views in front of voters, they might buy television advertising or purchase an ad in a newspaper. While both of these activities are still one way of reaching out to voters, others, such as posting on a blog or uploading a video to YouTube, have quickly become more mainstream. 

In his opinion, Justice Kennedy said:

"Rapid changes in technology--and the creative dynamic inherent in the concept of free expression--counsel against upholding a law that restricts political speech in certain media or by certain speakers. Today, 30-second television ads may be the most effective way to convey a political message. Soon, however, it may be that Internet sources, such as blogs and social-networking Web sites, will provide citizens with significant information about political candidates and issues."

While I'm sure that opinions on this ruling run the entire gamut, it is noteworthy that the highest court in the land is considering the implications of technology and how it is used in making important decisions about the law.

AT&T's network could be a drag on Apple's new product

AT&T Is an Apple Tablet Dealbreaker [Mashable] 

There's been a lot of excitement building about Apple's planned announcement next week of their "latest creation."  Most speculation about the announcement centers on rumors about a tablet computer that the company may be releasing.

Online electronics retailer Retrevo asked 500 of their customers what their most wanted features would be and which features would prevent them from buying the hypothetical Apple tablet.  

As they say on the old game show, Family Feud, "The survey says!!" --

Second only to long battery life, 40% say 3G is a must.  With that in mind, guess what the second highest drag on the product was...

Sorry AT&T.  Any exclusive association with the wireless giant's network would be a major drag on sales.

Retrevo's survey indicated that fully one-third of customers would not purchase an Apple tablet if it relied exclusively on AT&T for Internet connectivity. Many reports indicate that Apple iPhone users have been very disappointed in AT&T's network reliability. AT&T is the exclusive wireless provider for the iPhone in the U.S, and it appears that it's reputation among many iPhone users is spilling over to Apple's newest product.

Apple will announce their new product next Wednesday in San Francisco.  Can't wait.

Hulu plans to implement paid subscriptions

Hulu Looking At $5 Monthly Subscription Fee For Older Episodes [Silicon Alley Insider]

Hulu is owned by big content companies and it looks like they're hoping to apply their highly successful dual-revenue-stream model to the online portal they've created. 

Some older content on Hulu will no longer be free for online viewers, based on a subscription plan that the long-form streaming site is reportedly working on. For $5 a month, Hulu plans to offer subscribers access to older episodes of some shows. Viewers still can watch the most recent five episodes along with the ads but the older ones will only be available to customers who pay. 

Hulu's content partners, most notably News Corporation, have been rumbling about a paid content model for several months. With other online subscription-based viewing options like Comcast's Xfinity becoming available for any broadband customer, it looks like Hulu is trying to beef-up its library to compete.

If professionally produced video content is going to thrive online, a site like Hulu is compelled to develop a business model that compensates the content creators. If this report is true, Hulu is taking the first step toward that model.  I'm not suggesting that this isn't a preview of TV viewing in the future but, at least for now, research consistently indicates that most people still prefer to kick back on their couch surf away. 

In any case, if the Internet becomes central in the distribution of high quality television, cable's high capacity digital broadband networks are designed to deliver countless crystal clear signals to whatever device your heart desires.

YouTube adding paid content

YouTube Debuts Movie Rentals [Mashable]

 Google's online video site YouTube is moving into the paid content sphere, with an announcement that users can pay to watch a selection of five independent feature films from the Sundance Film Festival. It has been rumored for a while that Google is at work on deals with Hollywood movie studios to bring their films to YouTube in an effort to create a rival for iTunes. This announcement, though limited, gives a grain of credence to that rumor as it announces plans Google has to continue rolling out other pay-to-view videos.

To rent one of the five titles currently on the site, users are required to key in payment information to a Google Checkout account that is charged by clicking on a link to view the video.

Google's announcement about additional content appears to indicate that feature films from Hollywood won't be among the next paid content added to YouTube, saying that their content partners include the health and education sectors. While there's going to be an audience for educational video, it looks like it will still be a while before mainstream Hollywood gets on board. 

Microsoft patching Internet Explorer security flaw

Microsoft to release patch for IE hole on Thursday [CNET News]

Good news for users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser. Since the news broke about the Internet Explorer vulnerability that allowed hackers to attack Google and the fact that the same exploit could be used against other users, Microsoft has been at work patching the flaw that allows hackers to take control of a user's computer. In order to accomplish an attack using the flaw, hackers fooled users into clicking on links in phishing emails and web pages. 

This week, the company plans to release a patch that will eliminate the browser's vulnerability on this issue.

Normally Microsoft releases patches once per month, but due to the use of the security hole in an attack and the possibility it might spur other hacking attempts, the decision was made to release the patch earlier than the scheduled February update. To get the update, Internet Explorer users - the flaw impacts versions 6, 7 and 8 - should make sure their automatic Windows updates are enabled.

Xbox users may be getting ESPN360 content

ESPN streaming coming to Xbox 360? [EngadgetHD]

ESPN's broadband network for live sports programming - ESPN360 - could be coming to users of the Xbox 360 with Xbox Live service. Currently, the service is available to broadband customers of ISPs that have forged an agreement with ESPN for the service which includes Insight Broadband customers. If Microsoft is successful in creating a similar agreement with ESPN and Disney, XBox 360 users would be able to watch ESPN360 on the television connected to the Xbox, regardless of which company provides their broadband service.

This move would be a natural extension of other recent moves by game console manufacturers to bring streaming video content to their platforms. Recently, the Nintendo Wii became the last of the big three gaming consoles to receive the capability to stream content from the Netflix library. So far, these streaming services have generally required an additional subscription to watch the content. There's no word yet on whether ESPN360 on Xbox 360 would involve a subscription.

FCC may be considering white space for national broadband plan

Receive Between the Lines: FCC Mulls Signal "White Space" as Part of National Broadband Plan [Scientific American]

The FCC continues to put the finishing touches on the national broadband plan, which is now expected to be announced in March. Scientific American has published an article about the possibility that so called "white space" wireless broadband may be part of the broadband effort. White space broadband advocates have proposed that after broadcast television's digital transition, there are areas in the electromagnetic spectrum between the frequencies that broadcasters use that could be utilized for wireless broadband Internet. Because these frequencies travel for long distances, access points for white space broadband potentially serve a large area.

However, this article astutely points out that there are significant interference issues that white space devices must overcome, and the technical solutions aren't foolproof at this time. While the FCC is in the process for the creation of an online database of television broadcast antennas and others that use this part of the spectrum to allow white space devices to avoid interference, how is a white space device supposed to access an online database without the potential of unintentionally creating interference as it connects to the Internet to collect its bearings?  White space's plan B involves using sensing technology to determine which frequencies a white space device should avoid. But these sensing technologies aren't yet foolproof.

Because prototype white space devices have shown they can interfere with cable television, based on the FCC's own engineering tests, it's important that all the kinks in this technology are worked out before it makes the final cut for the national broadband plan.White space broadband may hold tremendous promise, but it has not yet demonstrated that it's ready to be a major plank in the nation's broadband policy.

Network error plagues AT&T users

Weird AT&T Glitch Allowed Users To Access Other People's Facebook Account [Associated Press/Silicon Alley Insider]

The Associated Press reported over the weekend about a significant problem facing users of AT&T's wireless network. A routing error has caused an unknown number of AT&T customers connecting to other AT&T customers' Facebook pages - rather than their own. If you're accessing Facebook via an AT&T wireless device, there's a chance you will gain access to the Facebook account of a complete stranger. And at the same time, there may be a complete stranger also connected to the AT&T network looking at your Facebook account. 

According to this report, the routing errors appear to be confined to AT&T's mobile network and users attempting to access Facebook. But even though the glitch is currently limited to Facebook, more sensitive web pages could also be potentially be impacted. Imagine the problems that could be caused by the wires crossing on a site containing sensitive financial data.

Essentially, this error is the result of the routing infrastructure at AT&T, connecting a user's requested web page to another user's request. It's a very serious error, and there's little indication in this report about what caused it. For their part, an AT&T spokesman is quoted in the article indicating that the problem was related to an error on AT&T's network and that the error was being fixed.

I'll keep an eye out for additional reporting on this serious network glitch.

Second round of broadband stimulus begins

Found: Missing Broadband Stimulus Funds! [GigaOM]

The two government agencies managing the federal broadband stimulus announced on Friday their plans to start the awards process on the remaining $4.6 billion in funds dedicated to expanding broadband access in the economic stimulus act. These funds were part of a total of $7.2 billion allocated in the stimulus act, which was passed last February by Congress and signed by President Obama. Applications for the first half of funds were accepted last fall by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Both agencies are in the process of making awards from the first set of applications, but the powers that be have decided to start the application process for the second round at the same time. This time, instead of a joint application for funds for both agencies, the RUS and NTIA will have two separate applications. Applications for the second round are due before March 15th, and all broadband stimulus awards are set to be made by September 30th.

This program holds the hope of providing broadband access to Americans that live in areas that aren't currently economical to build broadband infrastructure using private risk capital. It's important that as decision-makers award these funds that areas currently without broadband receive the highest priority for broadband stimulus projects.

Studios looking additional dollars for streaming rights on Netflix

Bad News for Netflix: Disney Wants More for Streaming Wall-E [NewTeeVee]

 Netflix streaming library may lose some titles in coming years due to studios pulling those titles from the Starz partnership with Netflix. According to NeeTeeVee and Bloomberg, Disney wants additional consideration for its titles that are on the Netflix streaming platform via Starz. Netflix has a deal with Starz that provides around 1,000 movie titles. Disney is also looking at the possibility of creating its own streaming service that could compete with Netflix. 

The NewTeeVee post contemplates that Disney is not the only studio that may be looking for more when it comes to titles that appear on Netflix's streaming service. 

Currently, Starz has a distribution deal with Disney that runs through 2012. Any changes that may happen in the Netflix lineup with regard to Disney titles would likely happen after the current deal expires.

Internet Explorer security flaw source of Google attacks

McAfee Says Microsoft Flaw Was a Factor in Cyberattacks [New York Times]

Earlier this week, Google announced plans to change its search operation in China - either to discontinue its practices of censoring search results for Google.cn or withdraw from China entirely - after the company revealed that it had been attacked in December by hackers attempting to gain access to the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights proponents. Today, the security company McAfee has revealed that the attacks in question were the result of a security flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser - version 6, 7 and 8.

According to McAfee, the attacks were based upon a phishing scheme, with a link coming from a trusted source - either in a web page or an email. Once clicked on, the link installed a backdoor that allowed hackers to steal data from the compromised system.

For Microsoft's part, it has confirmed the security flaw McAfee documented in Internet Explorer 6 but not versions 7 and 8. Microsoft continues to investigate the vulnerability. 

In the meantime, users should remain vigilant toward email and web pages that appear to come from a trusted source which include hyperlinks. Make sure you know where the hyperlink goes before clicking. If the vulnerability is limited to Internet Explorer 6, it might be a good time to upgrade or consider switching to a different browser.

Comcast taking Xfinity to broadband subscribers nationwide

Comcast to Expand 'Xfinity' to DSL Subs [Light Reading]

 Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, launched its Fancast Xfinity TV product last month. Xfinity currently provides online programming to customers of Comcast's video and broadband products. However, in six to eight months, Comcast plans to offer access to Xfinity to customers of other broadband providers, including customers of telephone companies.

Xfinity programming includes shows from several cable channels, including Starz, TBS and AMC. Comcast customers using the service are required to have a specialized Xfinity application running on their computer that authenticates their status as a current customer. Once they have authenticated, they can stream programming via any broadband connection. That means a Comcast customer can use Xfinity while they're away from home. Presumably, there will be some authentication process for non-Comcast customers once Xfinity goes nationwide.

Comcast is also planning a mobile version of Xfinity that will allow users to watch programming on handheld devices. The mobile version is also expected sometime in 2010.

Cuban: Internet a long way from cable replacement

Think the Internet Will Replace Cable ? Read this first [blog maverick]

Mark Cuban has a good post up today about the real reason that over-the-top Internet television as a complete replacement for traditional TV won't be happening anytime soon. It's just not technically feasible yet for even the largest video streaming enterprises to stream live video to the size of audiences that now rely on cable television for their news, sports, weather and entertainment.

Add on top of the technical limitations of live streaming the enormous expense of streaming Internet video to a large audience and there's not currently much incentive for content producers to consider the Internet as a replacement, Cuban says. Bandwidth for live video comes at a premium because of the amount needed for a large group of viewers. 

These encumbrances won't necessarily exist in the future, but for now they're show stoppers for streaming online TV as a replacement for the way we currently think of television. There are several companies, like Boxee for instance, that claim the Internet's streaming video can replace the wide variety of programming available on a cable channel lineup. The truth is, the online content options are still limited and it will be years before enough cost-effective bandwidth exists for live streaming content is as economical a model as today's multichannel video providers.

Netflix brings video content to the Nintendo Wii

Netflix Streaming Coming To The Wii This Spring [Silicon Alley Insider]

 Netflix's streaming catalog is coming to the Nintendo Wii this spring. The popular gaming console was the last to the party, with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 already supporting streaming Netflix video content via a broadband connection. Currently there are 26 million Wii users in the U.S., more than the Xbox 360 or the PS3.

In order to stream videos using a Wii, users must be a Netflix subscriber and also order a DVD from Netflix that plays in the console, called an "instant-streaming" disc. Alas, since the Wii only supports standard definition video, streaming Netflix videos are limited to SD as well unlike the Xbox 360 and PS3 which support high definition content.

I've mentioned before that my experience with the Netflix streaming catalog via the Roku box as well as on my new Samsung Blu-Ray player is rather limited, with only about 12,000 video titles. While that may sound like a lot, it still pales in comparison to the company's 100,000 title DVD library.