The Mac OS isn't immune to user stupidity:

The iServices.A Trojan horse is an attack being distributed via BitTorrent, where it's disguised as a bootleg copy of the new iWork 09. Once installed, the malware takes administrator access and connects to remote servers over the Internet, where it can be given additional instructions as the author commands, from installing additional malware to stealing information off the Mac in question. The malware creator can also take complete remote control of any compromised machine.

The takeaway lesson - pay for your software!

One patch to kick off the year from Microsoft:

Critical:

• Vulnerabilities in SMB Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958687)
  This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities and one publicly disclosed vulnerability in Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB) Protocol. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect networks from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter. Best practices recommend that systems that are connected to the Internet have a minimal number of ports exposed.

I know that it can take some courage to open those post-holiday credit card statements, but it's a really good idea to do so! Why? Well, you need to be on the lookout for any charges that might have been made by scammers - even small charges could be a sign that more are about to be made.

Security experts advise consumers to keep a close eye on their bank and credit card statements, and for good reason: Small, unauthorized charges often are the first sign that thieves have made off with your account number and are getting ready to sell it to other crooks or use it to rack up thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases.

It's one thing spending your own money, it's quite another to let fraudsters get away with spending it!

Question: How do I convert my DRM-free iTunes Plus music into MP3?

The other day Apple announced that it was making about 80% of the iTunes store DRM free, with the remaining 20% to follow shortly. DRM-free iTunes means that in theory you should be able move your music to other computers and devices easily ...

But ... iTunes Plus DRM-free music comes in .m4a format which is based on the MPEG-4 part 14 standard. Problem is, far more devices don't recognize what to do with .m4a than do (and its video sibling, .m4v). MP3 is a far more popular format.

So, can you convert .m4a files into.mp3 files? Yes you can, and you can do it all from within iTunes! Here's how:

1. Click on Edit > Preferences. From the General tab click on Import Settings ... button.
2. Change the Import Using drop down box to MP3 Encoder.
3. From the Settings drop down box select Custom ... and choose a Stereo Bit Rate of 256Kbps.
4. Click OK, OK and OK.
5. Now find a file that you want to convert, right-click on it and select Create MP3 Version and an MP3 copy will be created.

That's all there is to it!

Dying to get your hands on the Beta 1 on Windows 7? Your wait is nearly over! Microsoft will make a public beta available Friday!

A select number of beta testers got their hands on code last night, while TechNet and MSDN subscribers can get their hands on it today. Unfortunately everyone else will have to wait until Friday.

I'll post download links when it goes live.