Software

Hackers have released attack code that exploits a critical vulnerability in Microsoft's Word software -- the third such bug to be disclosed in the past week.

Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) is strengthening ties with Microsoft Corp. to provide a broadened portfolio of business software products to the enterprise market while delivering a competitive blow to rival IBM Corp.

Microsoft released an update to Windows Vista that will shut down unauthorized versions of the OS that allow users to skip the product's activation system.

Microsoft has won agreement with PC makers to add a fundamental change at the BIOS level to improve security in Windows Vista.

North American customers who purchase certain Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) PCs can begin signing up Wednesday for free upgrades to Windows Vista once it is available on Jan. 30.

Microsoft has rolled out its monthly security updates for December, patching critical flaws in Internet Explorer, Windows Media Format and the Visual Studio 2005 development software. However, no fixes were provided for two Microsoft Word flaws that have been used in a small number of attacks over the past week.

As we gaze toward the vista of 2007 (pun intended) we find our e-mail inbox inundated with IT predictions for the new year from analysts, vendors and consultants. To those predictions we add our own prognostications. Here is our forecast for the top IT trends in the year ahead.

A new IDC report on the impact of Windows Vista on the industry claims Microsoft Corp.'s business partners stand to benefit more financially from the new operating system than Microsoft itself will in 2007. According to the report for every one U.S. dollar Microsoft makes on Vista in 2007, Microsoft partners that offer software, hardware and services related to Vista will make $18.