Unfixed Skype Bug Reveals Users' Locations, Downloads

Microsoft admits that months after the discovery it is still working to fix a Skype vulnerability that could reveal a user’s location and download habits. As of Jan. 12, the vulnerability remained and Microsoft, which owns Skype, offered no timetable for a fix.

‘We are developing a solution to this issue in peer-to-peer networks,” says Dave Forstrom, director at
Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group.
‘Our highest priority is protecting our customers and we continue to monitor the security landscape.’
The flaw, which was discovered last year and has been public knowledge since October, “could potentially disclose the identities, locations and even digital files of the hundreds of millions of users of these systems,” according to a team of researchers from the United States, France and Germany.
Basically, Skype will reveal the IP address of a called party before the call is connected, allowing the data to be used to identify the user. Commercial geo-location services can then place the user’s location on a map and BitTorrent will reveal downloads, as will other sites.
The research teams says a ‘sophisticated high school-age hacker’ might use the IP addresses revealed by Skype to track users and some of their habits.
Skype is reportedly the world’s largest provider of international calling services, with 170 million regular users who together place an estimated 20 percent of all international telephone calls.
To demonstrate the potential severity of these security vulnerabilities, the researchers tracked the Skype accounts of about 20 volunteers as well as 10,000 random users over a two-week period, using techniques that neither harmed nor disrupted the service, utilized any requests for which the service was not designed nor interfered with users. User data was anonymized for protection.

What Can Skype Users Do?
Not much, although Keith Ross, the NYU-Poly professor who led the research, told The New York Times that not using your real name or something like it as your Skype user name offers some protection to being tracked, since it makes it harder to link the IP address to a specific person.
He also suggested users leave Skype turned off except when they are placing or receiving a call. This, however, would make Skype much less useful as a telephone replacement for many of its users.

Check Out The Logitech outs C920 HD webcam

If you were impressed by Logitech's C910 back in June, you may want to take a gander at the newly unveiled HD Pro 920. While it's the first webcam to offer 1080p video chatting with the latest version of Skype, the C920 can also capture 1080p video while offering 720p for Windows Live Messenger. You'll be able to upload your full-HD clips and 15MP shots at warp speed at the hands of H.264 advanced compression technology -- making those YouTube uploads that much faster. Internally, the C920 implements Logitech's Fluid Crystal Technology, Carl Zeiss optics and a 20-step autofocus. For audio capture, two mics are position on either side of the shooter for stereo recording. If you're looking to snag one, it'll set you back $100 starting this month. But for now, peep the gallery below and all the details in the PR after the break.

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

Press Release

Logitech Unveils Full-HD Webcam for 1080p Video Calling
New Device Delivers Dazzling, Crystal-Clear Video Calling on Skype

FREMONT, Calif. - Jan. 5, 2012 - Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today unveiled the Logitech® HD Pro Webcam C920, making it easier than ever to capture full-HD 1080p video that's faster and smoother and performs well on more computers. The device offers breathtaking quality, allowing friends and loved ones to see and hear the real you.

"People are increasingly relying on video calling to maintain far flung connections," said Todd Walker, brand manager at Logitech. "Whether chatting with friends, family or co-workers, they want to be seen at their best through a sharp, high-quality image. The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 can provide just that as the first webcam to offer 1080p video calling, thanks to our collaboration with Skype."

The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 captures full-HD 1080p video for connecting with friends using Skype® or in HD 720p for Windows Live™ Messenger. Thanks to H.264 advanced compression technology, you can upload full-HD 1080p video clips or 15MP photos quickly and with one click to Facebook, Twitter™ or YouTube™ (account required). To enjoy 1080p HD video calling you'll need to download the latest version of Skype, Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows.

Logitech Fluid Crystal™ Technology is what sets a Logitech webcam apart. In addition to smoother video motion without annoying choppiness, you get sharper pictures, richer colors and clearer sound – so your loved ones will literally see and hear more of you – even if you don't have the newest computer on the market. The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 also features Carl Zeiss optics and a premium 20-step autofocus, Logitech's smoothest, most responsive autofocus yet. And because being heard is just as important as being seen, two mics positioned on either side of the webcam capture natural stereo audio.

The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 will also be offered to business customers, delivering an enhanced experience for videoconferencing and unified communications.

Pricing and Availability
The Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in January 2012 for a suggested retail price of $99.99. For more information please visit www.logitech.com.

Tech : Skype 5.5 for Windows now available, complete with deeper Facebook integration

 

The beta version has been available for over a month, but those that prefer to play things safe can now download the final version of Skype 5.5 for Windows (and Windows only, at the moment). According to Skype, that version includes a number of additional updates based on user feedback, but the standout feature remains the deep Facebook integration, which will let you call and IM your friends, update your status, and engage in other Facebook-related activities. Skype is also promising "enhanced video call reliability," and it's made yet more design changes that promise to "improve your overall Skype experience.

Tech : Skype for iPad leaked in promo video

If you've lost sleep over the lack of a dedicated Skype app for your iPad, you can rest easy tonight knowing somewhere out there it does exist -- or at least a promo video does. Earlier today, someone over at Skype unintentionally (we assume) posted what looks like an ad for a real-deal app for the iOS slab. Of course, the evidence has since been pulled, but you can check out a ripped version (sans audio) after the break. It looks like the days of blowing up ye ole iPhone Skype are numbered.

Tech : Comcast invites Skype into its cable boxes, mobile apps

The latest announcement at the 2011 Cable Show comes from the seemingly unlikely pairing of Comcast and Skype, who have arranged to enable video calls through the cable box. All it takes is a camera, adapter and 'specially-designed remote' to turn HDMI-equipped Comcast boxes into Skype-on-TV machines when they start trials in the next few months. Senior Comcast VP Cathy Avgiris tells the Seattle Times that video will max out at 720p to start but will be ugraded to 1080p eventually. The tie-in will also means Skype features for the Comcast Xfinity apps on tablets and phones, but according to Avgiris it won't "necessarily be limited to triple-play" (TV, phone and internet) customers only. Skype has already partnered with several TV manufacturers for HD calling in the living room, but working through cable boxes means a much greater prospective installed base. Beyond the still-unanswered questions of pricing and release dates, we've already seen enough Cable Show demos that didn't amount to much (*cough* tru2way) so this will goes on the shelf with the others until it's spotted in the wild. 

 

COMCAST AND SKYPE ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO BRING A NEW HD VIDEO CALLING EXPERIENCE TO THE TELEVISION

Partnership Will Enable Comcast Customers To Bring Family And Friends Together Via Clear, Widescreen Skype Video Calls Using Their Existing HD Television and Broadband Connection

PHILADELPHIA and LUXEMBOURG – June 14, 2011 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Skype today announced that the companies have entered into a strategic partnership that
will enable Comcast customers to communicate with family and friends through HD video calling on their television. They will soon be able to make and receive Skype video calls from their television, whether
their friends and family use Skype on their home TVs, PCs, compatible smartphones or tablets.

Through this arrangement, Comcast customers will be able to experience widescreen HD video calling that is immersive and natural. With Skype, they can share in the excitement of a big game,
a birthday party or holiday, a bedtime story, or a casual conversation with loved ones, and have the ability to communicate with hundreds of millions of Skype users across the globe. As real-time video
communication becomes a more integral part of the way people connect, Skype and Comcast will bring a simple, affordable, high-quality video calling experience to millions of homes.

"Our unique relationship with Skype not only will change how our customers interact with their TV, but also will create new and meaningful ways to bring our customers closer to the people they care about,"
said Neil Smit, President, Comcast Cable. "TV has evolved into a social experience, and Comcast and Skype will be delivering a product that personalizes the TV experience even more, and brings friends and
family together through the biggest screen in their homes."

Tony Bates, CEO, Skype, said, "We are pleased to announce this partnership with Comcast. By combining Comcast's broad living room reach with Skype's innovative communications platform and
worldwide community of users, we can bring video calling into the heart of the home allowing people to share life's experiences both big and small."

Here are a few things customers will be able to do through this offering:
• Make and receive Skype video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a television while watching their favorite TV show at the same time, and accept incoming calls
during a TV show with the help of Caller ID.
• Make and receive video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a compatible mobile phone or tablet.
• Import friends to their address book from their Facebook, Outlook, Gmail and smartphone contact lists, find them on Skype and see when contacts are online and available to talk.

This service will be delivered on the Comcast customer's HDTV through an adaptor box, a high-quality video camera, and a specially designed remote control that enables customers to text on Skype as well
as control their television. The other calling party does not need any special equipment beyond what is needed to use Skype.

In addition, customers will be able to access mobile features conveniently through Comcast's Xfinity Mobile app, and continue to enjoy conversations by switching from one compatible device (e.g.,
smartphone, tablet or television) to another.

Customer trials for this offering will begin in the coming months, and further product details will be made available later this year.

Tech : Skype goes down globally again

Uh oh, Skype's experiencing its second big outage in the space of just a couple of weeks, as we're hearing reports from the UK, Netherlands, and yes, even Bulgaria, claiming the online communications service is down. Our own Skype clients are currently unable to move past the "Connecting..." status note, both on Mac OS X and Windows 7. While we've confirmed it in Europe, the issue seems to be affecting people all over the world. Nonetheless, Skype believes only "a small number" of us have been hampered by whatever's ailing it, and further details should be available soon.

Tech : Microsoft's acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion becomes official

It was pretty much known about since last night, but Microsoft and Skype have now obliterated any lingering doubt in the matter: the Redmond-based software giant will acquire the internet telephony company for a cool $8.5 billion in cash. Xbox and Kinect support are explicitly mentioned in the announcement of this definitive agreement, as is Windows Phone integration -- both the gaming and mobile aspects being presumably key incentives for Microsoft to acquire Skype. Importantly, this purchase shouldn't affect Skypers outside of the Microsoft ecosystem, as Steve Ballmer's team promises to continue "to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms." Skype was first sold for a relative bargain at $2.5b to eBay in 2005, who in turn sold most of it off to Silver Lake in 2009 at an overall valuation of $2.75b, and now Redmond is concluding proceedings by tripling those earlier prices and offering Skype a permanent home. A new Microsoft Skype Division will now be opened up to accommodate the newcomers, with current Skype CEO Tony Bates becoming president of that operation and reporting directly to Ballmer. The deal is expected to close by the end of this year and you can read Microskype's full announcement after the break.

Microsoft to Acquire Skype

Combined companies will benefit consumers, businesses and increase market opportunity.

REDMOND, Wash., and LUXEMBOURG – May 10, 2011 – Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: "MSFT") and Skype Global S.à r.l today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype, the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype.

The acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination will extend Skype's world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft's existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating rich, meaningful connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.

"Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world."

Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft, and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer.

"Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers," said Tony Bates. "Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype's plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate," Bates said.

"Tony Bates has a great track record as a leader and will strengthen the Microsoft management team. I'm looking forward to Skype's talented global workforce bringing its insights, ideas and experience to Microsoft," Ballmer said.

Speaking on behalf of the investor group that sold Skype to Microsoft, Egon Durban, managing director of Silver Lake, said: "We are thrilled with Skype's transformation during the period of our ownership and grateful for the extraordinary commitment of its management team and employees. We are excited about Skype's long-term future with Microsoft, as it is poised to become one of the world's most dynamic and comprehensive communications platforms."

Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009. Skype has made impressive progress over the past 18 months under Silver Lake's leadership, increasing monthly calling minutes by 150 percent, developing new revenue streams and strategic partnerships, acquiring the intellectual property powering its peer-to-peer network, and recruiting an outstanding senior management team.

Other members of the selling investor group led by Silver Lake include eBay International AG, CPP Investment Board, Joltid Limited in partnership with Europlay Capital Advisors; and Andreessen Horowitz.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The parties hope to obtain all required regulatory clearances during the course of this calendar year.

About Skype
Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they're apart.

Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg. Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free.

Social Network : Facebook, Google rumored to be vying for Skype deal

Like two knights jostling for the hand of a fair maiden, both Facebook and Google appear to be courting the graces of Skype. A source close to Facebook recently told Reuters that CEO Mark Zuckerberg is thinking about buying Skype outright, as part of a deal that could be worth $3 to $4 billion. A second source, meanwhile, claimed that both Facebook and Google are more interested in forming a joint venture with the teleconferencing company, which has yet to issue an IPO. With discussions still in a nascent stage, both suitors are playing their cards close to their chests, while Skype, rather coyly, has declined to comment on the speculation. At this point, details are still hazy and rumor-infused, though it's certainly not shocking to hear these kinds of murmurs buzzing around. Skype's been integrating Facebook more deeply into its software for a while now and has gradually branched out to Android, as well (albeit with mixed results). Both Facebook and Google would also stand to benefit from Skype's millions of users and all the targeted advertising potential they'd offer. Until we receive more substantiated reports, however, all discussions of possible unions remain restricted to the realm of conjecture.

Cel Phones : Microsoft's Joe Belfiore confirms: Skype coming to Windows Phone 7 'this fall'

You heard right -- Skype just went from "nowhere near" Windows Phone 7, to "on the roadmap," to "definitely coming this fall." That last tidbit is courtesy of Microsoft's own Joe Belfiore, stating that "Skype will be coming to the Windows Phone 7 platform this fall" while speaking live at MIX 11. We hesitate to act surprised, but given the prior reports that it may be a pipe dream, we're most certainly breathing a bit easier hearing this. Now, if only a WP7 phone would ship with a legitimate front-facing camera...

Tech : Skype for iPhone upgrade lets it videocall Skype for TV, if you actually want to

There's a new update out for Skype on iOS devices today that which expands the new videocalling compatibility to "a wider selection of Skype clients and devices" by adding the h.264 compatibility necessary to chat with any Skype for TV clients. That's available on certain LG, Panasonic and Samsung HDTVs right now, while Sony and Vizio have both announced it will be in some of their new HDTVs coming out later this year. The ability to call mobile devices seems to give a big edge to Skype over other living room videochat setups from Cisco, Logitech or Microsoft's Kinect, but even with a compatible (& pricey)camera in hand, good luck finding someone out enjoying the world who wants to chat while you're chilling on the couch.

Tech : Skype 5.0 hits Mac with group video calling, streamlined interface

Mac users have already been able to do some group video calling with recent beta versions of Skype, but the company has now finally brought things fully up to speed with its Windows counterpart and released the final version of Skype 5.0 for OS X. In addition to group video calling, the application sports a whole new interface that Skype says has been "slimmed down" (compared to the previous beta versions, at least) and allows you to see 30 percent more contacts at once. As with the Windows version, however, that group video calling feature has now been relegated to the premium package which, after a free seven-day trial, will run you $4.99 for a day pass or $8.99 a month for a subscription (though you can get 33 percent off if you sign up before February 28th). Head on past the break for quick video overview.

China Declares Skype Illegal

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After having already banned Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, the Chinese government has now decided to outlaw Skype, as well. The move, announced in the People's Daily, means that all Internet phone services will now be considered illegal within the country, except for those offered by two state-operated telecom companies -- China Unicom and China Telecom.

In 2007, Skype launched a joint venture with Hong Kong-based Tom Group, which has largely acceded to the Communist Party's demands. Earlier this year, for example, the company cut ties with Google over the search engine's ongoing battles with the People's Republic. Skype China, meanwhile, came under criticism for helping the Chinese government keep an eye out for taboo words or phrases like 'Falun Gong,' or 'Tibet.'

The new regulation will reportedly ban all calls made from computers to land lines, but it may still be legal for users to make computer-to-computer calls. The Chinese ministry of Industry and Information Technology has not yet announced when the ban will go into effect, and Skype declined to comment on "speculation" that its service would be blocked on the mainland anytime soon. "Users in China currently can access Skype via Tom Online, our partner," a company spokeswoman affirmed.

It's no secret that the Chinese government maintains tight control over the flow of information within its country, but experts say that its most recent move is intended primarily to protect state-run companies, and to curb Skype's growth. "If the ministry hadn't made this announcement, I think Skype would have offered its services in a very large scale," said Wang Yuquan, a Beijing-based consultant at Frost and Sullivan. "Now, with the announcement, it can't."

Others, however, aren't convinced that China will be able to completely root out competing online phone services. Kan Kaili, a professor at Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications, told the Telegraph that a comprehensive Skype shut-down is "very unlikely." Even if the government did manage to wipe out the service, Kaili argued, consumers could always turn to similar services, like Gmail Talk, or MSN.

"The children of Chinese government officials, who are studying abroad, use these services to call home, so I do not think anyone is going to cut the lines," Kaili said. "Even if they take a strict approach, such as getting local operators to block the broadband services of people who use Skype, people will still find a way around it."

Skype for iPhone Gets Video Chat Over 3G, Devours Data

Skype for the iPhone has finally gotten around to adding video-calling capabilities to its popular VoIP app. (You'll need an iPhone 4, 3GS, or the latest version of the iPod touch to use the feature.) Amazingly, you can place video calls over both Wi-Fi and 3G, and you can even switch between the front- and back-facing cameras, just as you can with Facetime. Obviously, the 3GS doesn't have a front-facing camera, so you'll be forced to use the rear-facing one, which really kind of limits the usefulness of making video calls. If you're using an iPad or the previous generation iPod touch, Skype can receive video calls, but the person on the other end won't be able to see you. You can, of course, use the app to call users on their mobile devices or on their desktop PCs. The official description only lists Macs and PCs as compatible -- not Linux. We hope that's just an oversight in the listing and not an actual restriction of the app (as we haven't yet had a chance to test it out ourselves).

The guys at 9 to 5 Mac ran a quick experiment, and found that video calls over 3G eat up roughly 3.4 MB of data per minute, something to keep in mind with AT&T's new capped data plans. You'll have to place a lot of video calls to eat through a 2 GB plan, but it's certainly not outside of the realm of possibility, especially if you're also using your 3G plan to stream media and browse the Web. Check out the gallery below and the promo video after the break.

Skype outage post-mortem puts some blame on the elder Windows clients

If you wish to raise your fist in the air and curse anyone for the massive global Skype outage, direct your anger at 5.0.0.152. That's the Skype for Windows version that crashed when a December 22nd cluster of support servers responsible for offline messaging became overloaded. While that's the only version that was affected -- the latest 5.0.0.156 and 4.0 versions were fine, as were the clients for every other platform you can think of -- the number of users running point-152 worldwide represent 50 percent of all the users. More importantly for the other half of the world, about 25 to 30 percent of all supernodes were affected, too, whose role is establish connections, as well as numerous others.

So... up to 30 percent of supernodes are down worldwide. The other 70 percent were taking on the increased load. The crashed Windows clients were by and large being restarted simultaneously by affected users. It was just before the usual daily peak hours and during the holiday season. It's almost a comedy of errors, were it not impossible at the time to call someone and share in the laughter. For its part, Skype goes into detail over how it fixed the current situation and how it plans to be better equipped to handle any future duress.

Skype Struggles to Restore Its Service and Reputation

The cause of Skype’s massive outage on Wednesday that blocked millions of users from making Internet telephone calls is still unclear, according to Tony Bates, Skype’s chief executive.

“We’re still digging into what caused the initial trigger,” said Mr. Bates in an interview Thursday afternoon. Whatever the trouble was, however, it prevented a large number of Windows users from making calls, raising ire across the globe and tarnishing Skype’s image as an important telecommunications company of the digital age.

Skype’s collapse started Wednesday morning. Although the company assured users it would restore service in a few hours, the problems continued through Thursday. “It took a little longer than the initial estimates from the team,” Mr. Bates said. As of around 3 p.m. E.D.T. Thursday, Mr. Bates said that Skype had 17.6 million to 20 million users simultaneously online, or around 90 to 95 percent of normal. Some users may still be having difficulties making calls, he acknowledged, but said that, if so, it is because the company is trying to restore service in a controlled manner.

Skype’s problems are with what are called “supernodes,” computers among its network of 124 million users that serve as phone directories and help connect calls. For unknown reasons, they were taken offline, leaving the network in chaos. Mr. Bates declined to reveal how many supernodes exist. Skype’s users are not told whether they host a supernode.

So given the troubles with supernodes, is Skype rethinking its reliance on them? Mr. Bates said they are fundamental to how Skype operates. In any case, Skype technicians are creating new nodes on internal servers by displacing server space normally dedicated to Skype’s instant messaging and group video conferencing. As a result, those services may not be restored to normal for a few days.

Skype’s business, which depends on users paying to make calls to landline or mobile phones, will be impacted because it calls into question its reliability. Mr. Bates, who joined the company last month, is trying to find other sources of revenue like corporate phone service and mobile phones. Corporate customers, even more than consumers, need a phone system that always works.

“It’s hard to assess what if any impact there will be,” he said. Later on Thursday, he said that Skype will announce details of a plan to compensate paying customers for the loss of service.

In August, Skype filed for an initial public offering, which is likely to take place next year. Bates declined to give any updates on the proposed offering. However, the outage should not have a material impact on the company’s finances, Mr. Bates said.

Skype outage causing a global disconnect?

We've heard your cries, we've read your tips, and we've even suffered a similar fate ourselves... Skype downtime. According to the official Twitter feed, its engineers are working non-stop. Estimated time of recovery? Nein. Let us know if you're having (Skype-related) issues of your own!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

@Skype (Twitter)