Hackers target freshly uncovered Internet Explorer hole

Hackers target freshly uncovered Internet Explorer hole

March 9, 2010 Enlarge

An attendee tries an interactive display at the Microsoft booth at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, in January 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Microsoft on Tuesday warned that hackers are targeting a freshly-uncovered weakness in some earlier versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser software.

Microsoft on Tuesday warned that hackers are targeting a freshly-uncovered weakness in some earlier versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser software.

Microsoft said it is investigating a hole that cyber attackers are taking advantage of in IE 6 and IE 7.

"At this time, we are aware of targeted attacks attempting to use this vulnerability," Microsoft said in an advisory posted along with a routine release of patches for Windows and Office software.

"We will continue to monitor the threat environment and update this advisory if this situation changes."

Hackers could use the flaw to remotely seize control of computers. The new IE 8 Web browser and an old IE 5 version are not affected, according to the US software colossus.

The warning came less than two months after Microsoft released a patch for an IE 6 software hole through which China-based cyber spies attacked Google and other firms.

No matter which Web browser people use, upgrading to the most current version promises to increase protection against hackers.

(c) 2010 AFP

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Economists raise 2010 growth outlook for Singapore to 6.5%

Economists raise 2010 growth outlook for Singapore to 6.5%
By Desmond Wong | Posted: 10 March 2010 1229 hrs

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	Video Economists raise 2010 growth outlook for Singapore to 6.5%

 

SINGAPORE: Economists have upped their growth outlook for Singapore as the city-state's key industries continue to rebound from last year's recession, according to a central bank poll.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore's survey of 20 private-sector economists showed they expected average growth of 6.5 per cent this year, higher than the previous forecast of 5.5 per cent in December.

The economists also raised their outlook for the island-state's major industries including manufacturing, which is now predicted to expand an annual 9.7 per cent this year - higher than the previous forecast of 6.3 per cent.

Wholesale and retail trade is seen growing 8.4 per cent instead of 7.0 per cent while construction is tipped to expand 8.9 per cent, from a previous projection of 7.1 per cent.

The government in February upgraded its 2010 economic growth outlook to 4.5-6.5 per cent from 3.0-5.0 per cent.

Singapore's economy contracted 2.0 per cent last year due to the global economic downturn. But it has managed to pull out of recession and rebounded strongly.

Improving global trade and continued consumption by major Asian markets like China spurred a rapid recovery in the beginning of this year.

Song Seng Wun, regional economist at CIMB-GK Research, said: "We see a very strong start to the year for the manufacturing sector, led by the pharmaceuticals sector, as well as a firmer contribution from the tech sector itself. So, collectively it looks like we're off to a very strong start for the year, and for the first quarter. Indeed the first-half performance may lift the overall figures for the full year itself."

Private-sector economists surveyed by the central bank said they expected GDP growth of 9.5 per cent for the first quarter.

Sector-wise, they said the long-term prospects for the financial services sector remain strong although it is expected to lag behind the others in the first quarter.

David Cohen, director of Asian economic forecasting at Action Economics, said: "Those numbers can fluctuate quarter on quarter, and as far as the financial services, the outlook is still bright in the long term. The fact that the stock market has bounced back nicely from a year ago should help support investment activity."

As for 2011, GDP growth estimates for Singapore came in at 5.5 percent. Experts said the lower expectation is the result of the inventory restocking cycle being over, and concerns over the pace of recovery in the more developed OECD economies.

- CNA/yb/ir

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Luxury condominium at West Coast sells out all 100 units reserved for opening sale

Luxury condominium at West Coast sells out all 100 units reserved for opening sale
By Ryan Huang | Posted: 12 March 2010 2155 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The luxury seafront condominium The Vision at the West Coast has received good response.

All of the 100 units allocated for its first phase of sale on the opening day of its private preview have been sold.

Prices for the two-bedroom to four-bedroom units range from around S$1,000 to S$1,2000 per square foot.

All the penthouse units have also been snapped up fetching S$3.6 million each.

The 99-year leasehold condominium by Hong Kong developer Cheung Kong offers a rare mix of strata terraces and 281 apartments.

Nearly half of the 14 strata terrace units were sold with the highest going for S$3.2 million.

Cheung Kong said that over 60 per cent of the buyers were home upgraders while the remaining were long-term investors in the property leasing market.

In view of the strong demand, it will be release 20 specially selected units for sale this weekend on a first-come-first-served basis.

These will comprise two-bedroom to four-bedroom units. 

- CNA/vm 
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