apple computer has named former nec executive dale fuller to run its powerbook unit. fuller, former vice president of nec’s laptop operation, will become vice president and cheap timberland boots general manager of the apple portables unit effective sept. 30. for the full story, see apple hires exec for laptops in the business section.
however, microsoft officials expressed concern, saying it is hard to defend against once a user has consented to download code from the net.
“clearly their software is doing something a tad aggressive,” said rob price, a group program manager for internet security at microsoft.”[with authenticode], users are making a one-time trust decision, this is a persistent trust decision.”
microsoft argued that explorer provides better security than netscape communications’ navigator, which does not currently allow digital signatures on plug-ins. in cheap timberland boots explorer, users are warned before downloading code even if the program does not contain a digital signature, though the source of the program is not identified.
in contrast to plug-in software and activex controls, java applets are prevented from damaging a user’s computer through built-in restrictions in the java virtual machine.
“java is the model for dynamic executable content on the net,” said eric greenberg, group security manager timberland waterproof boots at netscape.