Samsung Installs Keylogger on Its Laptops

PC maker Samsung is in the centre of a security storm after it installed keylogging software onto laptops to let it know what its punters were doing.

A network security expert Mohamed Hassan, who is the founder of NetSec Consulting was stunned to discover keylogging software on two different models of Samsung portable computers, which he purchased.

He then called Samsung to log the incident with Samsung Support Staff. Initially Samsung support staff denied that the spy software was there.

First Samsung changed its story by referring the author to claiming that "all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware."

When Hassan, said this was unacceptable point, he was routed to some other Support personal, who confirmed that Samsung knowingly put this software on the laptop to, as he put it, "monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used."

It could cause huge problems for Samsung. Not only is spying on your customers probably illegal, but will also result in decline in its potential customers. The existence of key-loggers inside laptops

This keylogger which is found is named Starkeylogger. Many might be thinking over what a keylogger is. For the moment , keeping aside all the if an buts, what organizations and individuals with Samsung systems should back up the important data(if any) and then format the system.Theinvestif\gation has been launched by Samsung for this case.

Until it is cleared up, it is unlikely that any one will want to buy a Samsung product.

Network World confirmed the news.

Manage, Share, and Discover Books with Shelfari

I'm an avid reader. And the older I get, the harder it becomes for me to remember every book I've read. At the same time, I want to get recommendations from sources other than Amazon: friends, people who share my tastes, etc.

Shelfari is a free service that lets you build a virtual bookshelf of stuff you've read, see what your friends are reading, discover popular titles in specfic genres, and join discussion groups.

In other words, at the risk of overusing the metaphor, it's kind of like Facebook for bibliophiles.

After signing up for Shelfari, you can browse or search its library to find books to add to your virtual shelf. For any book you choose, you have the option of rating, tagging, and/or reviewing it. You can also mark it as something you've read, are reading, or are planning to read. All this requires just a few easy clicks.

Shelfari is also heavy on community features, stuff like which books got the highest ratings and most comments for the day, members who added the same books as you, and group categories ranging from Authors & Writing to World Literature & Culture.

Of course, Shelfari is by no means the only book-lovers site of its kind. Another popular destination is Goodreads, though I find that site's interface much less intuitive and attractive.

I do wish Shelfari offered some kind of integration with Facebook and/or Twitter. Even so, it's a great destination for anyone who loves books. If you want to "friend" me on the service, look for user justrick.

Syncables 360 Premium Keeps Data Synced on PCs, Macs, and Smartphones

When you have multiple computers and smartphones that you use regularly, making sure that the right file is on the right device at the right time--and in sync with all other devices--can seem to be an impossible task. Syncables 360 Premium ($50, buy-only) aims to make it a simple, automatic one, and adds some nice extras as well.

Syncables 360 Premium syncs multiple computers, but they'll need to be on the same network or use USB as a go-between; it can't synchronize over the Internet.

Syncables 360 Premium automatically synchronizes files and folders among multiple computers and devices, including PCs, Macs, Linux computers, and Blackberry and Windows Mobile smartphones. You can do it over a network or via a USB cable.

It's simple to use and set up, and it presents all of your syncing options in a pleasing, well-thought out interface. Syncables 360 Premium does more than just basic synchronization. It also migrates data between computers, previews media files, backs up files to a USB drive or external hard drive, and lets you share media on social networking sites such as Facebook and Flickr.

Syncables 360 Premium joins the throng in an increasingly crowded market niche. Notable syncing tools competitors include SugarSync and the beta of the newest version of Windows Live Sync. In one way, the free versions of both SugarSync and Windows Live Sync are superior to Syncables 360 Premium, because both of those free services don't just synchronize folders between computers--they also back up the files to 2GB of free online storage (more storage is available for a fee). So if you only want file synchronization, you'd be better off with one of those free services.

Syncables 360 Premium has one more drawback as well, and it's a major one: It won't synchronize over the Internet. You can only do it via a direct connection such as a cable, or over a home or business network.

But Syncables 360 Premium offers plenty of tools those pieces of software don't offer, such as media previewing, synchronizing contacts, data migration, and the ability to easily share photos on social networking sites including Flickr and Facebook. So if you need those features, and don't need the ability to synchronize over the Internet, Syncables 360 Premium is worth it. Otherwise, you'd be better off with a free solution.

Note that Syncables 360 Premium works with three computers. If you need to synchronize more than that, you can buy the Syncables 360 Home Network version, which can sync up to five computers, for $70.