There are a lot of freeware applications availaible for S60 phones and my favourite is ofcourse FExplorer. I see that I'm so dependent on it as it lets me tweak my phone. It is a must for an advanced user. One can also manually remove malware (if he knows how to do that) and do lots more. But for newbies, it can be dangerous as it exposes the system files and one wrong move can damage the phone. Don't know why people recommend it to them just like that.

Many users are not even aware of all freewares availaible. Here is a great list of such applications for them - http://www.simonjudge.com/s60freeware.html .

A new variant of Pbstealer has been created. Unlike Pbstealer.A, this second version also steals Notes in the phone. The working of this variant is same as the original except stealing Notes.

Information about this variant is not yet published on any Anti-Virus website.

Working:

2. As soon as the installation completes, it executes itself and the following screen appears. And in the backgorund, it copies all the Contacts and Notes and saves them in a text file named 'PHONEBOOK.TXT'. This text file is created in C:\System\Mail folder.

3. While the victim waits as advised, the Trojan continuously tries to send 'PHONEBOOK.TXT' to the first Bluetooth enabled device it finds. After a while, a message appears saying Done!!! Press OK to exit.

4. Now, the text file accepted by the target phone contains all Contacts as well as Notes.

                                                       


Removal:

1. Open FExplorer.
2. Go to C:\System\Mail.
3. Delete the file named 'PHONEBOOK.TXT'.
4. Go to Application manager.
5. Select PBExplorer and remove it.

Write-up by Me.

Pbstealer.A is a Trojan horse that infects Series 60 phones. It appears to be a software for compacting phone contacts database and comes in a SIS file named 'pbexplorer.sis'. When installed, it executes itself and sends all the contacts in the phonebook as a text file to another device via bluetooth. That means it doesn't spread itself and only steals the contacts.

Nintendo announced that there will be a parental system feature in the upcoming Nintendo Revolution gaming console, reports PC World.

The system will work with the age-rating already assigned to video games in many markets and allow parents to set the new console, code-named Revolution, to only play games with certain ratings. To work the rating data will need to be recorded into data on the game disc.

In the U.S., six ratings levels are defined by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). They are EC (early childhood); E (everyone); E10+ (everyone 10 years of age and older); T (teen); M (mature) and A (adult).

Microsoft has unveiled details of the Xbox Live Marketplace Content that will be available to Xbox 360 owners from the moment the console launches in Europe on December 2.

There will be more than 400 items of downloadable content available, including free playable demos of FIFA 06, Kameo, King Kong, NBA Live 06 and Need for Speed Most Wanted, plus a wide range of game trailers, pictures and desktop themes.

As well as free content, the Xbox Live Marketplace will offer premium content which can be bought with Microsoft Points. These can be purchased via the Xbox Live Dashboard or from game retailers.

Read more at GamesIndustry.biz.

This so called "trick" has been discussed several times and will give a good laugh to you.

1. Go to Google.
2. Type the word "failure" (without the quotes) in the search box.
3. Now, click on the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.

In case you are not aware of the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, it takes you straight to the most relevant website found for your query.

Now, many people don't know that this is a Google Bombing tactic which is explained in this old article. Nice information.

PlayStation 3 topped the UK poll as the most anticipated next-generation gaming console, reports GamesIndustry.biz.

With just weeks to go until the Xbox 360 hits European shelves, a survey has revealed that UK gamers are most looking forward to the arrival of the PlayStation 3.

The survey, which was conducted by research firm XTN Data in September, found that of the 1000 respondents questioned, 32 per cent were planning to buy a PS3, while 27 per cent said they would purchase an Xbox 360. The survey did not ask respondents for their opinion on Nintendo's Revolution console.

Major U.S mobile operators will adopt a content rating system for video, music, pictures and games that they sell to their customers, reports PC World.

The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), which includes all the major U.S. mobile operators, unveiled the voluntary pledge on Tuesday. In the first phase of the commitment, the companies will classify the content they deliver in at least two categories -

1. Generally Accessible Carrier Content, to be available to all users.

2. Restricted Carrier Content, accessible only to users over 18 or with a parent or guardian's authorization.

Only items provided by carriers would be covered; content provided by end users or accessed via the public Internet would not be classified under those rules, according to guidelines published by the CTIA.

Microsoft gave an official name to its software for protecting computer users against spyware. The software, which has been known as Windows AntiSpyware Beta 1, will be called Windows Defender when the finished version becomes available next year, a Microsoft spokesperson said Tuesday.

Product Features

Windows Defender will employ the same detection technology used in Microsoft's antivirus engine, improving the spyware detection capabilities. The software will also protect users against rootkits and keystroke loggers.

Windows Defender will also sport an updated user interface, and enterprise customers will be able to receive updates to Defender through Windows Server Update Services.

Windows Defender will be part of Windows Vista, Microsoft's latest operating system scheduled for release next year. It will also be available to users of Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, according to the spokesperson.

Users will be able to disable it and use spyware software from a different vendor if they choose. Windows Security Center, which alerts users if they aren't running an antispyware program, will recognize third-party antispyware software, she said.

Source : PC World

A new version of the popular file manager for Series 60 phones named 'FExplorer' has been released. As mentioned at the official site, here are the updates in the new version 1.15 -

1. In a search, if a directory is found, the right key enters into this folder.

2 .The full path of the files is displayed while browsing the inbox, process and tasks.

3. A check (with a message) is now performed before copying or moving files to ensure there is free space enough on the destination drive.

4. In the 'tools menu', added a function to directly call the bluetooth manager.
added a progress dialog with the name of the file being copied.

5. In the hex viewer, the keys '3' and '9' can be used as page-up, page-down.

6. In the hex viewer, when in full screen mode, the file is displayed on 8 bytes, the ascii characters are displayed at the top, line per line.

7. In the hex viewer, with small files, corrected a bug to avoid FE to panic and exit when going down 'too deeply' in the text.

8. Added a function in the 'edit' menu to invert the selection of the current directory - marked files and dir become un-marked and un-marked become marked.

9. It is now possible to mark folders (like the files) and copy/cut/paste them with the files.

10. Added the latest phones in the phone type list (3230,6680,6681,6682,N70,N90).

11. Added, in the 'tools' menu, an option to dump (into a log file placed in the root) a list of *all* the installed applications with their UID and their path; this file can then be sended to the pc via bluetooth, infrared.

12. When displaying the full path in the 'small scrolling windows (key : [2])', the [1] key copies the full path and filename into the clipboard to be used in the notepad, ....

13. After a 'compress memory', the new -free memory- value is displayed in the navigation pane (ie: the screen is refreshed).

14. Fixed the bug to avoid to use 2 times the 'NO' key on exit.

15. The attributes of a file can now be modified.

16. It is now possible to save the screenshots either in the phone memory or in the MMC.

FExplorer can be downloaded at http://www.gosymbian.com.