Articles by Matthew Beale

Netscape Communications, a subsidiary of America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), is launching an initiative to bring a higher level of security to e-commerce patrons who use its Web browser Users of Netscape Communicator version 4.61 can now surf their way to the SmartUpdate service and obtain a significant encryption capability upgrade. The update consi...

This week, a coalition of networking solution providers teamed up with Neal Nelson & Associates to produce a network stress test based on the increasingly popular Linux operating system (OS) A joint statement disclosed that Cabletron Systems (NYSE: CS), Xylan an Alcatel Company (NYSE: ALA) and FORE Systems are utilizing Nelson's test labs to "evalu...

AXA Placement Innovation, the investment fund of AXA, has added fuel to the open-source operating system (OS) movement by completing an equity investment in Linux vendor MandrakeSoft "We believe that MandrakeSoft is poised to be a dominant player in the emerging but potentially huge Linux market," commented Peter Bieliczky of the AXA Investment Man...

With less than 129 days until the highly anticipated new millennium, Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq: RHAT) has announced that its Linux operating system (OS) package won't shut down or otherwise adversely affect users due to a Y2K computer glitch The Durham, North Carolina-based developer and provider of Linux open-source solutions for users disclosed that ...

According to a poll conducted by Jupiter Communications, almost two-thirds of online consumers are unlikely to trust an e-commerce Web site, despite privacy and security-related policy disclosures While there does not appear to be a clear consensus as to the reasons for such consumer skepticism, experts point to the media as a likely culprit. "The ...

Ireland's Ulster Bank announced this week that Baltimore Technologies (London: BLM), a provider of e-commerce and enterprise security solutions, will be tapped to guarantee the confidentiality and integrity of Internet transactions for its new online banking service Anytime Internet banking service will implement Baltimore Technologies' UniCERT, a ...

This week, Compaq Computer Corp. and SuSE Holding AG issued several announcements that could solidify the burgeoning partnership of Linux-based corporate solutions and the world of e-commerce Compaq plans to certify their server and workstations through the SuSE Linux distribution package. The computer manufacturer, which has been working with the ...

Q What kinds of products or services do you sell at NECX Direct? A We're an online reseller of computer products. We really cover the spectrum of technology products from servers, desktops and notebooks, all the way down to cables, diskettes and paper for your Laser printer. All the products that you would expect from a full reseller, including pr...

Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) senior vice president Sean Maloney, in a keynote address at LinuxWorld in San Jose, demonstrated how Intel's advanced Merced processor -- otherwise known as the IA-64 -- would work running on Linux in order to advance cost-effective and powerful solutions available to companies engaged in e-commerce "We are working hard w...

Antagonistic forces could be listening in on your network and intercepting sensitive personal communications, according to a security advisory issued recently by independent online security firm and think tank L0pht Heavy Industries A hacker -- or cracker, in currently correct terms -- can essentially sit in between a user and an end host, in what ...

Online advertising firm 24/7 Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: TFSM) this week expanded its European division, announcing 24/7 Suomi, a new Finland-based operation that will advance online marketing and e-commerce in the region The new operation will provide e-commerce and direct marketing opportunities, along with online advertising and sponsorship. Resources ...

Magic Software Enterprises (Nasdaq: MGIC) announced that it has become a player in the field of Linux-based e-commerce solutions, debuting its eMerchant product for the increasingly popular open-source operating system (OS) at the LinuxWorld Expo in San Jose last week Jack Dunietz, CEO of Magic Enterprises, made the announcement at a press conferen...

Fueled by a surge in threats to the security and integrity of e-commerce and other Web sites, the Worldwide market for Internet security software will reach $4.4 billion (US$) by the end of 1999, according to an International Data Corp. (IDC) report released this week The report -- "Internet Security Software: 1999 Worldwide Markets and Trends" -- ...

WebTrends Corp. (Nasdaq: WEBT) recently announced that its Security Analyzer product has been updated, enabling it to run security vulnerability tests to address a significant Microsoft Office security hole discovered last month The vulnerability could "allow hackers to execute malicious and potentially destructive programs" on a wide range of syst...

Applix, Inc., through its e-commerce site, has added to the momentum and thrust of the open-source movement, with the release of a new version of its Office Suite for Linux The latest version -- Applixware Office Suite 4.4.2 -- features several productivity components, including Data, Graphics, Mail, Presents, Spreadsheets and Words. "It also incor...

Q Can you tell our readers about the background of your company's involvement with Linux and the open-source movement? A MacMillan has been in what I call the computer book-publishing world since 1983. About 6 or 7 years ago, we formed a group called Macmillan Digital Publishing, and that company was focused on taking a position in the software world, building software products for all types of personal productivity, desktop applications, Palm Pilot add-ons, Office 2000 add-ons, and so on...

iCorps Technologies launched an array of Linux-related services this week. The services are aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses and will provide applications development, consulting, installation and support "Linux is a low-cost, stable and secure operating system (OS) that's exploding with growth and being supported by more and more leading ...

Silicon Valley-based Mindcraft, an independent testing organization, released results from a series of performance tests they ran pitting the underdog Linux operating system (OS) against its arch-rival and nemesis, Windows NT. On the surface, the winner would appear to be NT Mindcraft was subject to a barrage of criticism from the Linux community r...

A recent report issued by Rockbridge Associates, Inc. -- intended to measure consumer acceptance and confidence in various technologies -- has revealed a reluctance among many consumers to embrace e-commerce, based partially on concerns over security issues. "E-commerce creates considerable concern in the minds of the public," commented Charles Co...

In an environment charged with a major China espionage scandal, and electronic attacks on the official Web sites of the White House, the Senate, and the FBI, the issue of online security remains a critical one E-commerce sites aren't being spared from recent waves of security breaches, though they could be doing more to immunize themselves, accordi...