Microsoft gets security pros to vet new operating system
Las Vegas – After suffering embarrassing security exploits over the past several years, Microsoft Corp. is trying a new tactic: inviting some of the world’s best-known computer experts to try to poke holes in Vista, the next generation of its Windows operating system.
Microsoft made a test version of Vista available to about 3,000 security professionals Thursday as it detailed the steps it has taken to fortify the product against attacks that can compromise bank account numbers and other sensitive information.
Microsoft has faced blistering criticism for security holes that have led to network outages and business disruptions for its customers. After being accused of not putting enough resources into shoring up its products, the software maker is trying to convince outsiders that it has changed.
“They’re going directly to the bear in the bear’s lair,” says Jon Callas, chief technology officer at PGP Corp., which makes encryption software and other security products.
Due early next year, Vista is the first product to be designed from scratch under a Microsoft program dubbed “secure development life cycle,” which represents a sea change in the company’s approach to bringing out new products. Instead of placing the addition of new features at the top of engineers’ priority list, Microsoft now requires them to first consider how code might be misused.
DENVER
Aspen lift tickets $82; Vail’s may top that
A single-day lift ticket purchased on the spot during peak season will cost $82 at the Aspen Skiing Co.’s four resorts this season, but the company insists it won’t be the highest in the nation.
Vail Resort, whose $81 ticket was the highest in the nation last year, had tickets on its website that worked out to $83 a day for the period of Dec. 23 to Jan. 6, though Vail spokeswoman Jen Brown said that price had not been finalized.
DENVER
Southwest Airlines adds nonstop routes
Southwest Airlines will start nonstop flights from Denver to Orlando, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Nashville, Tenn., today as part of an expansion of its schedule to a total of 32 daily flights from Denver International Airport.
The airline will hold a short “airport concert” at DIA today at 3 p.m. on Concourse C. From Denver, it will have one daily flight to Nashville, one to Orlando and four to Kansas City. Southwest resumed Denver flights in January.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
Executive represents SBA at minority week
David Phelps, president of Merlin International Inc., a Greenwood Village-based federal information-technology consulting firm, will be the Small Business Administration Region 8’s representative for the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year.
The national winner will be selected from the 10 regional representatives during the National Minority Enterprise Development Week, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 in Washington.
DENVER
Qwest ups placement of debt securities
Qwest said Thursday that it has placed $600 million in debt securities, more than the previously announced $500 million.
The proceeds will be used to pay down existing debt and for other general corporate expenses. The eight-year notes have an interest rate of 7.5 percent. Qwest had previously stated that it would issue $500 million.
DENVER
Sears appliance techs vote to join IBEW
Sears appliance technicians in Colorado and Wyoming on Wednesday voted 91-65 to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68.
The vote had a 90 percent turnout. IBEW claims 750,000 members nationwide.
WASHINGTON
More flights delayed or canceled in June
A greater share of airline flights were delayed in June than a year earlier, according to Department of Transportation data released Thursday.
The on-time arrival rate of 20 reporting carriers fell to 72.8 percent in June, down from 75.2 percent a year ago and 78.3 percent in May. The airlines also had a higher rate of cancellations.
Denver International Airport ranked seventh among major airports in the nation for on-time arrival performance in June.
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands
Royal Philips to sell semiconductor stake
Royal Philips Electronics announced Thursday it has agreed to sell an 80.1 percent stake in its semiconductor unit to a private- equity consortium for 6.4 billion euros, or about $8.2 billion.
The group made up of U.S.-based private-equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Silver Lake Partners, along with Dutch-based AlpInvest Partners NV, will buy the stake.
NEW YORK
Brut trading system fined for bad reports
The National Association of Securities Dealers hit Brut LLC, a trading system owned by Nasdaq, with a $2.2 million fine for publishing inaccurate trade reports and other violations.
The NASD, a big Wall Street regulator, said Thursday that from October 2001 through July 2005, Brut’s trade-execution reports contained “critical errors.” Brut’s reports didn’t include the full size of certain orders.
SAN JOSE, Calif.
Apple, automakers team on iPod gear
In the latest boost to its dominance in portable music players, Apple Computer Inc. is teaming with General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. to integrate the iPod into car audio systems.
The new alliances mean the iconic audio gadget will now be compatible with more than 70 percent of the 2007 model vehicles sold in the United States, Apple said Thursday.
LONDON
Bank of England raises interest rates
The Bank of England raised interest rates a quarter of a percentage point to 4.75 percent Thursday, citing persistently high inflation, as it made a largely unexpected move that changed the cost of borrowing for the first time in a year.
The European and Danish central banks followed suit in moves that were expected, but wary investors sent markets lower as the moves raised fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve would do the same next week.
MEXICO CITY
Wal-Mart Mexico seeks banking license
The Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has filed for a retail banking license with local regulators, the latest retailer to enter the financial services realm in Mexico in recent years.
