TyCamTech.com

Security researchers have stumbled upon a new piece of ransomware that blocks an infected computer from accessing the Internet until a fee is paid via SMS (text message).

According CA researcher Zarestel Ferrer, the ransomware file is bundled with a program called uFast Download Manager.  Once a machine is infected, a message is posted in Russian (see image above) demanding a ransom under the guise of activating the uFast Download Manager application.

Basically, what that says in English is:

Internet access is blocked due to violation of the
license agreement schedules of uFast Download Manager
You must activate your copy 
Get a registration code by sending an SMS with the following
code fw0004199 to number 7122
In response you will receive an activation message.
Enter the activation message received from the SMS response  ________

CA is offering a code generator so that if you get infected you can just generate a code rather than "meet their demands", so to speak. The best advice however is to never download that uFast Download Manager in the first place.

You can read more at http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/archive/2009/11/30/ransomware-blocks-internet-access.aspx.

[Source ZDNet]

Apparently some very hush hush secret closed door meetings have been taking place between Microsoft and some game developers on the plans for the new Natal system.

Youtube has come a very long way from having blotchy pixelated web cam videos of people with their HQ option, their 3D option and now... 1080p! I have one question though, if you can't put content that violates copyrights, how much 1080p stuff is out there?