Brand: MacNews

The security of 802.1x, the next-generation wireless protocol standard, has been called into question by a new paper released by University of Maryland professor William Arbaugh and graduate student Arunesh Mishra, as noted by PCWorld.com. The pair contend that two separate scenarios, “session hijacking” and “man-in-the-middle,” are available for would-be hackers to breach the integrity of Wi-Fi networks using the new protocol.

Aspyr Media today released 4×4 Evolution 2, the sequel to the popular off-road 3D racing game. 4×4 Evolution 2 requires a 450MHz or faster G3 or G4, 128MB RAM and a Rage 128 or better graphics card, and features 120 off-road vehicles, 125 performance upgrades, 32 different courses and an adventure element where drivers search for ancient ruins and lost treasure. The game sells for US$39.95.

C|net‘s latest Perspectives column tackles Apple’s position in the PC industry, praising the company’s products but suggesting that if Apple continues to focus its efforts on consumers and its digital hub concept — and not the corporate market — that its market share may never significantly increase. The column concludes, “It may be impossible for the leopard to shed its spots, but Apple could make more headway into the corporate world–even at this late date–if it had a mind to solve the problem.

PCWeenies.com today launched its 10th annual Cartoon Caption Contest, which asks readers to come up with the best caption for one of their cartoons. The winner will receive a RoadTools Podium CoolPad, StuffIt for Windows (Mac version may be available), and a T-shirt, while the runner-up will receive a CoolPad and T-shirt. Winners will be announced February 23.

NVIDIA yesterday announced that profits in its fourth-quarter surged to US$73 million, more than twice what it posted in the year-ago quarter. Revenues also more than doubled to $499.9 million, largely attributed to Microsoft’s NVIDIA-powered Xbox video game console. The company also informed investors that its accounting practices are currently being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.