A program called Aimster allows AIM users to search for files on AOL, the Microsoft Network, and Gnutella, Salon.com reports.

A CNET story: “Despite efforts to shore up computer security, the Environmental Protection Agency is still an open target for hackers, according to congressional investigators.

“A report released today by the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, found that the agency’s system continues to be ‘riddled with security weaknesses’ that could allow hackers to tamper with data, view sensitive information or attack other agencies using the EPA system.”

The National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Computer Security Center announce the 23rd National Information Systems Security Conference Oct. 16 to 19 at the Baltimore (Md.) Convention Center. Conference overview: “… The National Information Systems Security Conference brings together information security and technology professionals from industry, academia, and government; provokes debate, dialogue, and action on major information security issues for today and tomorrow …”

ZDNet reports: “If you believe Oracle Corp., the self-proclaimed king of the enterprise Linux realm, Linux is already well entrenched in corporate America. But other Linux backers, such as IBM Corp. and VA Linux Systems Inc., are more conservative in their claims as to where Linux is installed today — and by whom — and where it might be installed tomorrow.”

Nasdaq rose 29 points — 0.8 percent — to 3,789 Friday while the Nasdaq 100 Index added 49 points, or 1.4 percent, to 3,644, reports CBS Marketwatch.

The wireless company reported larger than expected fourth quarter losses. Reuters reports: “The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company reported an operating loss of $7.67 million, wider than the $3.75 million loss from the year-ago quarter.”

MicroSoft Corp. on Friday announced a controversial change to its telephone-support package offered to consumers of its operating system and software.

Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta is
making Internet access for the poor and minorities a top priority.

Anti-virus software developer Sophos has been accused of spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt over the safety of Linux systems by UK pro-open source organisation NetProject.

LynuxWorks is ready to roll out the most recent version of its Linux-based operating system, and the first since its merger with
ISD Corp. late last month.