Microsoft announced seven new security updates for Windows, including two that address “critical” vulnerabilities. Separately, Microsoft has made available a tool to clean systems affected by the Download.Ject exploit.

The latest mass-mailing worm, Atak, hides by going to sleep when it suspects that antivirus software is trying to detect it. Atak was first discovered Monday, although antivirus companies do not expect it to cause much damage. They say it will be a nuisance because it can generate a large amount of spam.

This innovative patent, no. 6,587,846, introduces the newly proposed concept of the Ten Ethical Laws of Robotics, a system that radically expands upon previous ethical-robotic systems. As implied in its title, this patent represents the first AI system incorporating ethical/motivational terms: enabling a computer to reason and speak ethically, serving in roles specifying sound human judgment.

A group of media and technology companies, including Microsoft and Walt Disney, have agreed in principle to allow consumers to make legal backup copies of next-generation video discs and share their content on portable devices. The announcement, released late on Tuesday, marks a shift in the way the movie industry has reacted to the threat of online piracy of its films.

PalmSource and SyChip announced SyChip’s entry into the Palm OS Ready Program, delivering integrated Wi-Fi connectivity solutions to Palm OS licensees. SyChip joins existing Palm OS Ready partners ATI, Intel, M-Systems, Motorola, NVIDIA, Samsung Semiconductor and Texas Instruments.

Notebook component recalls from Dell and Hewlett-Packard have left some wondering whether defective products made by cost-conscious manufacturers are putting users at risk.

SCOTTeVEST, makers of tech-friendly, multi-pocket, low-profile clothing have now added pants to their range of offerings. The Hidden Cargo Pants look like a pair of standard khakis, but feature 14 hidden pockets and compartments with SCOTTeVEST’s unique “No Bulge” layered pocket design. Unfortunately, the largest size they come in is a 40. [Note to SCOTTeVEST, large people would like to wear these too.-Ed.]

Security company Symantec has acquired antispam specialist TurnTide for $28 million. TurnTide which was spun off only six months ago from ePrivacy Group, a privacy protection consultancy, has 20 employees, and sells a router-based technology that filters out unwanted email and viruses at the edge of corporate networks.

Seidio has announced the launch of its new retractable version of the 2 in 1 Headset for Treo 600. The headset is a hands free device that also doubles as a set of headphones and comes with a microphone, one touch button and in-line music and phone volume control.

Full Mesh Networks, a Managed Security Services Provider specializing in WiFi and Bluetooth security, announced immediate availability of the first fully managed service offering that provides an instantly deployable, commercial-grade, secure Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) to enterprise customers. Scalable plans range from the all-inclusive, which includes all hardware, to a la carte options.