Conficker, IBM-Sun Redux, Italy Quakes

Security researchers have found that the Conficker worm has been updated to make it harder to fight, and it is also aiming to invade more PCs (3 million to 12 million not being enough, obviously). While security vendors work to fend off the worm, analysts say that Sun is not likely to fend off other suitors now that it has rejected IBM. A major earthquake in central Italy underscored once again how important mobile communications and the Internet are in helping survivors appeal for help and in getting out information.

1. Conficker, Internet's No. 1 threat, gets update: Conficker has been altered to make it stronger and the worm is also trying to invade more systems. Thus far, it has infected at least 3 million PCs worldwide and perhaps as many as 12 million, creating an enormous botnet and a serious security concern.

2. Collapse of IBM-Sun deal could leave Sun without a suitor, analysts say: Sun might have blown its best shot at being acquired when it rebuffed an offer from IBM that it deemed too low, analysts say.

3. After a year of bad blood, Microsoft, Yahoo talking again: Microsoft and Yahoo are once again exploring a possible business deal, according to a Wall Street Journal blog posting. The two companies are supposedly considering a search and advertising partnership. These talks come nearly a year after Microsoft's efforts to buy Yahoo ended in naught.

4. Quake has Italians reaching to YouTube, mobile services and Italian earthquake spotlights early warning systems: After a magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked central Italy Monday, survivors turned to mobile devices to make emergency contact, and those in the region as well as outside of it turned to Facebook and YouTube for appeals for help and information. Seismologist Giampaolo Giuliani had posted a video warning on YouTube last week, predicting that an earthquake with a magnitude of at least 4.0 was imminent. He took down the video after authorities criticized him for creating panic. The earthquake was centered at L'Aquila, the region's capital, and left thousands homeless and injured, with the death toll at at least 275 by week's end. The quake sparked discussions about the need for early warning systems.