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Gmail exploit may allow attackers to forward e-mail

Updated November 24 at 10:10 a.m. PST: Adds comment from Google representative.

A Gmail security vulnerability may allow an attacker to set up filters on users' e-mail accounts without their knowledge, according to a proof of concept posted Sunday at the blog Geek Condition.

In a post, Geek Condition's "Brandon" writes that the vulnerability has caused some people to lose their domain names registered through GoDaddy.com.

Without posting the full exploit, Brandon explains that it relies on obtaining the variables that represent the username and "at":

When you create a filter in … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 858: Opportunistic Net-connecting Deer

So we talked about a lot of serious news today including the Justin.tv suicide, the new Google wiki search, and the unauthorized access of Barack Obama's Verizon calling records. But really, Rafe's description of Net-connected Deer is what I'll remember about this episode. How about you?

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 858

19-year-old Commits Suicide on Justin.tv http://newteevee.com/2008/11/20/19-year-old-commits-suicide-on-justintv/ http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10104716-93.html

SearchWiki: Make search your own http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/searchwiki-make-search-your-own.html http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/google_to_turn_search_into_wik.php http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081120-roll-your-own-search-results-with-googles-new-searchwiki.html… Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: When live, online video goes too far

The drama surrounding the 19-year-old who overdosed on pills live on the Justin.TV Internet broadcasting service took more than 12 hours to unfold Wednesday night. How does something like this happen? CNET News' Greg Sandoval talks about the effect this could have on the live Web video community, and what could have prevented it.

Also on today's podcast: Apple issues a hefty iPhone update, Google calculates how long it will take to make the U.S. energy independent, and the economy forces some companies to scale back their CES plans.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's … Read more

Google crunches numbers on clean-energy policy

In just over 20 years, the U.S. could wean itself from coal and oil for electricity generation and nearly halve its gasoline consumption, according to an analysis done by energy experts at Google.

The search giant's Google.org philanthropy on Thursday released updated numbers and policy recommendations on how the U.S. could dramatically change its energy consumption by 2030.

According to its Clean Energy by 2030 Web site:

Google's proposal will benefit the U.S. by increasing energy security, protecting the environment, creating new jobs, and helping to create the conditions for long-term prosperity. Some of … Read more

Google adds OAuth to widget mashups

Google has adopted OAuth, an open Web authentication standard for controlling privacy, for its widget platform, Google Gadgets.

If a user has personal information stored on one Web site, OAuth provides a mechanism for him or her to authorize that Web site to share the data with another Web site or widget. It also makes it possible to do this without the first site having to reveal the user's identity to the second site.

Google announced in June that it was to adopt OAuth for sharing data through its Google Data application programming interface. The company on Tuesday said … Read more

Google attempts to save marriages around the world

Sometimes even the best product creators have to accept that their inventions may have negative effects far beyond their entertainment value.

So, perhaps, deeply evangelical and conservative supporters everywhere will be raising hallelujahs aloft at the news that Google is closing down Lively, its virtual world experience.

Naturally the company has offered the usual public speaking about concentrating on other businesses and accepting that not every bet will work out.

However, there may be a deeper and more moral core to this decision.

Surely no one has been left unmoved by the Second Life divorce scandal.

Here we had a … Read more

iPhone OS 2.2 released: Google Street View; Safari More Stable; Podcast Downloads; more

Apple has released iPhone OS 2.2. Among the listed improvements:

Enhancements to Maps:

Google Street View public transit and walking directions display address of dropped pins share location via email

Enhancements to Mail

resolve isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email improved formatting of wide HTML email

Other Enhancements

Improved stability and performance of Safari Podcasts are now available for download in the iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular networks) Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops Improved sound quality of visual voicemail messages Pressing the Home button from any Home screen takes you the first Home screen … Read more

Microsoft: Not all information can be free

A top Microsoft lawyer made the case on Thursday that sites like Google News are making money while the folks creating that digital content aren't able to make a living.

Google News, said Thomas C. Rubin, makes $100 million a year, while the newspapers that power its content are having to cut staff in record numbers.

"Clearly this can't be the future for publishing," Rubin said, according to his prepared remarks delivered to the UK Association of Online Publishers. Rubin is Microsoft's chief counsel for intellectual property strategy.

It's somewhat curious though, since Microsoft … Read more

AOL Sync beta launched for Outlook, phones

It's been a busy two days for AOL Mail. On Wednesday, AOL launched a beefier version of the AOL Mail gadget for iGoogle. On Thursday, AOL won a few more fans with the introduction of its beta feature AOL Sync.

AOL Mail for iGoogle improves upon the previous gadget by replacing the preview-only capability with functionality that lets you compose, reply, and fully manage your in-box from the iGoogle page.

AOL Sync beta, launched today, targets mobile and desktop users with the ability to sync their AOL address book and calendar in real time to Microsoft Outlook, the iPhone, … Read more

Yahoo shares hit $8 range

Yahoo fell into a new dollar range on Thursday, pushed into the high $8 a share bracket as the broader markets took a beating.

Yahoo closed at $8.95 a share, down 2 percent, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average cratered 444.99 points to close at 7,552.29.

For Yahoo, its shares have not traded at this point since February 2003, while the S&P 500, which fell 6.71 percent to 752.44, has not seen these levels since 2002.

The markets reacted late in the session as signs pointed to a delay in moving a … Read more