Bob Francis

Worms and viruses are increasingly sprouting wings, taking to the air, and nesting in wireless phones, PDAs, and other devices. If none of these assailants have found their way into your users' devices and data, then it's likely no more than a matter of time until they do. But there are steps IT can take now to help protect against this new breed of airborne virus. Antivirus vendors have spotted what they consider to be the first virus that propagates via the Mobile Messaging Service. CommWarrior.A, in fact, is striking mobile phones with Symbian Series 60 software.

Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have gotten the word: IT managers are tired of constantly plugging security holes in their networks. As a result, the two technology giants have hatched an agreement to develop and promote interoperability between their network access technologies.

Several companies will be making product announcements at this week's Computer Security Institute (CSI) show in Washington, but the show opens on an eye-opening note with a new study indicating network attacks are on the increase.

Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have gotten the word: IT managers are tired of constantly plugging security holes in their networks. As a result, the two technology giants have hatched an agreement to develop and promote interoperability between their network access technologies.

Tasman Networks Inc. has introduced a new entry-level WAN access router and security device.

Dell Inc. has upgraded its PowerConnect line with the addition of the PowerConnect 5324, a 24-port managed gigabit Layer 2 switch.

IBM Corp. is offering a scaled-down version of its TotalStorage NAS Gateway designed for departments and small businesses that want a lower priced disaster recovery system.

Sun Microsystems Inc. will integrate drivers for S2io Technologies Inc.'s Xframe 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter into the Solaris operating system for Sparc, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. Opteron, and Intel Corp. Xeon servers.