A new preview version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, with tabbed browsing, an integrated search box, and RSS support -all features long taken for granted by Firefox users -is now available.

The flurry of security issues involving Apple's Mac OS X over the past few days once again hammers home the fact that no technology platform is invulnerable to attacks, whatever the perception might otherwise be, security analysts said.

If you use a Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB mobile phone, you may want to disable the Bluetooth function, the French Security Incident Response Team (FrSIRT) warned this week, saying a security vulnerability potentially puts the phones at risk to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack.

The Nyxem worm, also known by the names Kama Sutra, MyWife and Blackdoom, was set to activate a dangerous payload Feb. 3 that would wipe out files held in infected desktop computers. However, as the day moves forward hour by hour across the globe, security experts say they see few signs yet of widespread Nyxem damage.

Oracle Corp. and a security researcher are trading heated barbs over a vulnerability in the company's software that has gone unpatched since it was discovered in October.

As part of its monthly security updates, Microsoft Corp. Tuesday released patches for two critical vulnerabilities in its products. The more serious of the two flaws is a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange Server products.

Users of the Windows OS should install an unofficial security patch now, without waiting for Microsoft Corp. to make its move, security researchers at The SANS Institute's Internet Storm Center (ISC) advised on Sunday.