Neowin.net

"When I was playing with the xda II on weekend I've tested more or less every functionality and application. One of them was for sure MSN Messenger, it notifies you to imediatly download an updated messenger update. However, if you follow the links provided there you get the following information:

MSN Messenger Security Update for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs and Smartphones

The MSN Messenger Security Update is part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative, which aims to provide customers with improved security and greater privacy protection. As part of this update, all .NET Messenger Service clients will be required to upgrade to compliant versions of Messenger service client software by October 15, 2003. Microsoft is developing updates for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs and Smartphones."

Download: Download MSN Messenger PPC Update
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News source: Ppcw.net

The unit's mission was to look at IT security in the field and provide computer forensic capability to search for hidden files, emails and erased information on the hard drives of seized computer equipment.

Pringle, whose day job is as a senior security consultant for consultancy Boldon James, said the unit recovered around 5,500 items of media and 2.2TB of data. It has since handed over all ongoing case files to the US-led Iraq Survey Group.

During the operation, said Major Pringle, the unit "discovered a lot less use of the internet and email systems than we expected, due to sanctions and a culture of distrusting distributed information.

"A lot of computers were glorified typewriters, but we did discover some personally owned high-end machines owned by senior Iraqis."

He added that the unit also found "evidence of companies trying to beat sanctions".

The software, EnCase Version 4 from US-based Guidance Software, was able to search for key words in Arabic. The hardware had to "withstand desert conditions of extreme heat, sand and wind".

Apart from "taking more sunscreen", Pringle said the unit would do some things differently in the event of a similar operation, but that "85 to 90 per cent of the task we got right.

"We applied similar principles towards a commercial IT project, but you can't plan for everything. Next time we'd be more prepared for older media."

Pringle also underlined the army's ongoing need for better communications systems.

"We were with a US outfit because we were part of the coalition, but secure communications back to the UK would have helped," he said.