X

Flame malware grills Mideast computers

<b>week in review</b> Massive virus targets systems in Iran, Windows 8 inches closer to launch. Also: A peek at iPhone 5?

Steven Musil Night Editor / News
Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. He's been hooked on tech since learning BASIC in the late '70s. When not cleaning up after his daughter and son, Steven can be found pedaling around the San Francisco Bay Area. Before joining CNET in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers.
Expertise I have more than 30 years' experience in journalism in the heart of the Silicon Valley.
Steven Musil
3 min read

week in review A massive and complex virus has been discovered to be lurking in the Middle East, stealing data from targeted systems.

The malware -- dubbed Flame -- is designed to steal information about targeted systems and stored files as well as computer display contents and audio conversations. The malware appears to be state-sponsored, but experts are not sure what country is behind it.

Iran was the central target for the virus, but it also impacted machines in the West Bank, Syria, and other Middle East countries, as well as Sudan. And although some media reports have linked Israel to the attack, the country has denied all involvement.
•  Flame virus could attack other nations
•  Behind the 'Flame' malware spying on Mideast computers (FAQ)
•  Meet the little box that could stop Flame and Stuxnet

More headlines

Judge says 37 Oracle APIs are not copyrightable

In a ruling in the Oracle vs. Google case, a San Francisco district court judge says 37 of Oracle's APIs are not copyrightable.

Microsoft reveals Windows 8 upgrade path -- and $15 fee

Planning on buying a new Windows 7 computer before Windows 8 comes out? Microsoft has a low-cost deal to get you to upgrade to Windows 8 when it comes out later this year.
•  Windows 8 due 'for the holidays,' but will biz bite?
•  Where to get the Windows 8 Release Preview

U.N. takeover of the Internet must be stopped, U.S. warns

A U.N. summit later this year in Dubai could lead to a new international regime of censorship, taxes, and surveillance, warn Democrats, Republicans, the Internet Society, and father of the Internet Vint Cerf.

Photos of purported iPhone 5 leak onto the Web

A host of new photos have emerged from two sources who claim the devices in the pictures are actually Apple's next-generation iPhone.
•  Latest iPhone 5 leak teases more RAM, map tweaks
•  That pesky taller iPhone 5 screen pops up on video
•  Yep, Apple owns iPhone5.com now

Is this the beginning of the end for RIM?

Just when you thought it couldn't get bleaker for RIM, the company hires bankers, hinting at a potential sale.
•  RIM to post Q1 operating loss, hires banks for 'strategic review'
•  RIM may write off its inventory, report says
•  The numbers behind RIM's impending collapse
•  RIM loses another senior executive

White House prepares to convene anti-botnet summit

At an event in Washington, D.C., industry representatives will announce plans to fight back against botnets, which have become the Internet's leading security threat.

Here's the chart that explains Facebook's IPO mess

Facebook and its bankers were in a bind when pricing shares because the stock had already traded so high on the private market.
•  If Facebook dies (and it might), its killer will be born mobile
•  Facebook's Saverin: 'No hard feelings' against Zuckerberg

If Facebook wants Opera, the price just went up

The Norwegian browser's stock popped today on rumors of a possible acquisition. Buying Opera would be costly but could give Facebook better control over its destiny.
•  Facebook chooses Opera over Chrome for recommended browser

Tim Cook: 'I've never really felt the weight of trying to be Steve'

"Steve's legacy will always be in the DNA of the company, of bringing in the best people," Cook said. "I wouldn't get overly focused on who does what piece."
•  Cook: Steve Jobs was a notorious flip-flopper
•  Cook hints at additional Siri features coming soon
•  Cook sizes up TV prospects for Apple

Foxconn working conditions slammed by workers rights group

Hardware giant still forcing its factory workers to toil under difficult conditions, according to a new report.
•  Apple wants to make products in U.S., but that's not so easy

SpaceX Dragon's quest to the space station (pictures)

See all photos

SpaceX cargo ship returns to Earth after historic mission

Closing out a historic test flight, a privately developed cargo ship plunges back to Earth, completing an on-target splashdown to close out the first commercial visit to the space station.

Also of note
•  Twitter usage doubled since late 2010, Pew study finds
•  Facebook's traffic from Google and Bing takes a nosedive