D Monday, January 18, 2010 News Microsoft browser on blacklist THE German government has warned web users to find an alternative browser to Internet Explorer to protect security. The warning from the Federal Office for Information Security comes after Microsoft admitted IE was the weak link in recent attacks on Googles systems. Microsoft rejected the warning, saying the browsers increased security setting would prevent any serious risk. However, German authorities say this would not make IE safe. Thomas Baumgaertner, a spokesman for Microsoft in Germany, said the software giant did not agree with the warning, saying: There is no threat to the general user, consequently we do not support this warning. Microsoft traditionally releases a security update once a month. Developers for the firm are trying to fix the problem immediately but face having to do so in different versions of the browser while avoiding the creation of more loopholes. Wanted: Students for shock and saw A THEME park has been criticised for hiring hard-up students to take part in trials involving electric shocks. Thorpe Park in Surrey in the UK is offering 50 (56.50) for students to test a new horror attraction called SAW Alive. They have to agree to be put through a series of punishing psychological tests and be given a range of electric shocks. The theme park said the tests were not suitable for anyone with a heart condition or of a nervous disposition. But critics have accused the park of exploitation. 2,000 leg of ham is worlds priciest THE worlds most expensive ham has gone on sale with its own DNA certificate as proof of authenticity. The 7kg leg of Iberico ham, which costs 1,800 (2,000) at Selfridges food hall in London, comes from specially selected pigs, which roam fields feeding on acorns and roots to give the ham its flavour. It is salted and cured for three years before going on sale in a hand-made wooden box wrapped in an apron made by one of Spains most exclusive tailors. See whos on the bench picture beside them. Facebook is always putting up these posts saying your privacy is our most important concern. Then you go on and see that people are duplicating your account, he said. Technology blogger Damien Mulley said pretending to be some- one else was very easy on Face- book, and happens with celebrities and politicians all the time. Facebook does have people in- vestigating that all the time, he said. They are usually shut down quite quickly. He said each entry can be report- ed to Facebook administrators; the more people who report it, the higher its priority. There are thousands of profiles created and status updates every minute, there is no way of moderat- ing them all beforehand, he said. Although it appeared that in Mr Gantlys case the perpetrator was merely trying to wind him up, Mr Mulley said motives can be much more sinister. What people do is create a fake profile of a pretty young blonde and send friend requests to stupid young fellas, who accept her. The creator then has access to all the information the victim shares, which can include location, date of birth, address, and other data, which can be used for fraudulent activity. By Ross McDonagh Henrys handball led to Facebook profile hijackings WHAT starts with F, wears blue and white, and antagonises Irish people over their controversial World Cup exit? You guessed it: Facebook. Users of the social networking site are having their identities sto- len by other users who simply copy their profile details and use them to set up new false profiles. Dubliner David Gantly revealed how his identity was hijacked dur- ing the Thierry Henry handball de- bate. Someone had actually dupli- cated my site. They had taken my picture and my name and began typing stuff, he said. Someone is copying my details and I dont like that. I dont know if this is a French guy, but his Eng- lish is terrible. It says: I am an idiot; I am a stupid Irishman, lots of comments that come up with my Hand of gaul: But the pain goes on New call over Islamic veil THE head of French President Nicolas Sarkozys party says he wants a law to ensure Muslim women who wear face- covering veils do not acquire French nationality. Xavier Bertrand, head of the conservative UMP party, says the full veil is a prison for women and will make no one believe a woman wearing it wants to integrate. France is moving closer to banning such veils. UMP lawmakers have already filed legislation to ban it and a parliamentary committee studying the issue turns in its report on the veil later this month. Mr Bertrand said for him it has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with gender equality. Brad Pitt, his son Maddox Jolie-Pitt and actress Patricia Clarkson sit on the bench on the sidelines during warm-ups prior to the New Orleans Saints hosting the Arizona Cardinals. The divisional American football play-off game was held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Picture: Getty index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html