Week in review: Skynet here we come!
Microsoft has trouble with XP and SQL, HMRC staff are snoops, bloggers speak up on elections and robots learn to carry mugs.

PC makers flout XP end date
Dell and other manufacturers are telling Vista-phobic buyers to exercise their "downgrade rights" to keep the older Microsoft operating system.
No Microsoft decision yet on Yahoo bid
Microsoft has failed to reach a decision about its next step in its stand-off with Yahoo over its billion dollar takeover bid.
Microsoft denies fault for massive SQL attack
The company insists that there were no vulnerabilities specific to Windows which could have allowed a massive database attack affecting over half a million web pages.
IT pros get political ahead of London's mayoral election
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Research into the political leanings of leading UK bloggers and internet forum posters shows an opinion poll-defying sub-trend among the net-savvy.
HMRC staff fired for looking at sensitive data
Hundreds of staff at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have been disciplined - and others fired - for accessing private or sensitive data without permission.
Robots butlers in ten years
Earlier this week, Intel showcased a set of innovations in its robotics research from its labs in Seattle and Pittsburgh, showing the current limitations - as well as the potential - of such technology.
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Should AI PCs be part of your next hardware refresh?
AI PCs are fast becoming a business staple and a surefire way to future-proof your business
By Bobby Hellard
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Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiatives
News Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
By Daniel Todd
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250,000 stolen MySQL databases auctioned on the dark web
News Hackers are thought to have obtained 7TB of stolen data using the PLEASE_READ_ME ransomware campaign
By Sabina Weston
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How does a SQL injection attack work?
In-depth Understanding one of the simplest, yet most effective, methods of cyber attack
By Adam Shepherd
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SQL injection flaw fixed by Drupal
News The makers of the open source content management system have fixed troublesome flaw
By Clare Hopping
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Oxford University teaches robots to keep secrets
News Humanoid robots present new security problems, it is claimed.
By Jane McCallion
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SQL and DDOS attacks remain priority for hackers
News Sensitive data increasingly being gleamed from social networks and through the practice of 'E-whoring', notes Imperva.
By Alexandra Velasco
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MySQL hit by irony attack
News MySQL.com gets hit by an SQL injection attack, and hackers leak some disconcertingly weak passwords onto the net.
By Tom Brewster
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Robocops a reality by 2084?
News A researcher has said robotic policemen will hit the streets within the next 75 years.
By Stuart Turton
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Microsoft denies fault for massive SQL attack
News The company insists that there were no vulnerabilities specific to Windows which could have allowed a massive database attack affecting over half a million web pages.
By Asavin Wattanajantra