Survey: IT pros split on allowing end users to download, install software

In their efforts to keep malware off their networks, some IT and security pros restrict end users’ rights to install apps on company machines, and the majority restrict the individual applications that are allowed on the network, a survey says.

Companies are essentially split on whether to allow users to install applications — 51% yes, 49% no, according to a survey of 765 professionals by security vendor Bit9.

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NASA: International Space Station could be evacuated

NASA is warning that astronauts may be forced to temporarily abandon the International Space Station (ISS) if a recent space freighter crash prevents Russia from ferrying a fresh crew to the station.

As TG Daily previously reported, a Russian freighter bound for the ISS disintegrated over Siberia after failing to separate from the third stage of its Soyuz-U carrier rocket on August 24th. 

Subsequently, Moscow grounded all Soyuz rockets until scientists are able to determine the cause of the rocket anomaly.

Unfortunately, Russia’s Soyuz is currently the only rocket available to transport astronauts to and from the station.

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Razer unveils the Blade Gaming Laptop

Last summer, at E3 2011 in Los Angeles, Razer unveiled their specially made keyboard designed to play Biowares Star Wars: The Old Republic. Now, in Seattle, PaxPrime 2011 was the place where Razer unveiled their Blade.

The Razer Blade is a 17.3-inch gaming laptop that has a fast Intel Core i7 processor and high performance NVIDIA GeForce graphic processor designed from a lightweight aluminum chassis.

The Blade also has a Switchblade User Interface, which has a has 10 adaptive tactile keys. Each one has the ability to be a tiny screen in and of itself.

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VMworld: Silver Peak offers WAN optimization for free

At VMworld this week Silver Peak Systems is introducing a free version of its WAN optimization software for virtual environments as well as an upgrade to its flagship virtual WAN appliance designed for data centers.

The free VX Express (VX-X) software is limited compared to paid versions of Silver Peak products. It only supports connecting one site to one other site, has no management platform and is ineligible for maintenance, the company says.

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New Windows worm spreads by attacking weak passwords

A new Windows worm is working its way through company networks by taking advantage of weak passwords, security researchers said over the weekend.

The worm, dubbed “Morto” by Microsoft and Helsinki-based F-Secure, has been circulating since at least last week, when company administrators noticed systems generating large numbers of unexplained connections to the Internet.

According to Microsoft, Morto is the culprit.

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