Microsoft Issues Internet Explorer Browser Security Warning

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Kathryn

Microsoft has issued a warning over its browser security. A new problem has been found with Microsoft’s browser, Internet Explorer. Microsoft has therefore issued a “critical” warning over the flaw and is working on a fix.

Microsoft said the browser security flaw could be used by hackers to get at information or take over a computer. While Microsoft has issued a patch to help protect against attacks the company is working on a long term solution.

The flaw could mean that users may inadvertently download malicious files just by clicking on a web link. As soon as the computer is compromised hackers would be able to access personal data and even send the user to a fake web site.

Angela Gunn, a Microsoft representative said “Such a script might collect user information, e.g. e-mail, spoof content displayed in the browser or otherwise interfere with the user’s experience”.

Microsoft advises users of Internet Explorer to download the security patch as soon as possible to ensure their computer is protected.

Start Collecting Nectar Points Today With British Gas

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Kathryn

British Gas customers will be able to collect Nectar points from today as the energy giant has replaced EDF Energy as Nectar’s energy partner.

Nectar points allow collectors to benefit from money off at Sainsbury’s and Homebase and they can also get cinema and rail tickets.

British Gas has 12 million customers who will now be able to collect Nectar points for the energy they use, however they will also collect points for maintenance and repair contracts. According to British Gas they will add more ways to collect bonus points throughout the year.

The Managing Director of British Gas, Phil Bentley, said Nectar was a way of thanking and rewarding their customers. He said “Nectar’s reach will help our customers to benefit from the points they can collect using our services and those of the other great partners in the programme”.

France To Develop Nuclear Reactors For The Sea Floor

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Emma

Much of France’s energy comes from nuclear reactors and rather than reducing the number of reactors it has the country looks set to develop and build new ones but on the sea floor.

DCNS, the state naval company has announced plans to build nuclear reactors which will sit on the sea floor and then deliver energy back to the shore. Land based reactors are generally 800 to 1200MW but these ones, called Flexblue reactors, will be 50 to 250MW.

DCNS will work with nuclear energy generators including EDF Energy and Areva. They hope that within just a few years they will be able to ensure that within a few years they will be able to ensure that the reactors are commercially viable.

The reactors will be moored to the sea floor around 60 – 100 metres below sea level but only a few kilometres from shore. But what is the point of positioning nuclear reactors under the sea rather than building them on dry land? According to the chief executive of DCNS it means the number of reactors on land will be reduced and they will be less open to an attack from terrorists.

Battle Lines Drawn As ScottishPower Renewables Plans Argyll Array Wind Farm Off Tiree

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Kathryn

Battle lines are being drawn around the Hebridean island of Tiree as ScottishPower Renewables wants to build a massive offshore wind farm close to the shore line.

Residents of the tiny island of Tiree are fighting plans from ScottishPower Renewables for an offshore wind farm off its southwest coast. The development will be known as the Argyll Array and is part of the Scottish Government’s draft plan for wind developments off the Scottish coast.

Scottish Ministers want plans for the wind farm passed before the Scottish election campaign begins at the end of March.

Unlike other offshore wind farms this one is going to be very close to shore and there are concerns amongst residents that it will overshadow one side of the island.

The turbines for the proposed wind farm will be 600ft tall – almost as high as some of the tallest buildings in London. There are plans for 180 of these massive turbines, although if it’s decided that they should be smaller, there will have to be more of them.

Often offshore wind farms are as far as 22 miles from shore but the Argyll Array would be only three miles offshore and cover an area of about 140 square miles. In fact, the wind farm would be over three times as big as the island of Tiree.

The island’s action group isn’t against the Argyll Array completely – they would be happy if it was 22 miles offshore but the developer says this is impossible because the water that far out is just too deep for wind turbines.

Campaigners say they will continue to fight the plans while ScottishPower Renewables said “We have a very good track record of working with communities and we will keep the community constantly in touch with the project as it develops”.

Ofgem Could Force The Same Basic Tariff On All Energy Suppliers

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Ollie

Energy suppliers could be made to have the same basic tariff by Ofgem in an attempt to ensure consumers have some protection from rising energy bills.

The energy regulator Ofgem, is currently looking into the activities of energy suppliers and a uniform basic tariff is reportedly one option being contemplated to help consumers.

If such an option was to go ahead it would mean that all energy companies would have to offer consumers the same standardised dual fuel tariff as all the other providers. While there’s an argument that this would actually mean the tariff would be more expensive than others on offer, consumer rights groups argue that consumers would be happy to have a standardised tariff because currently tariffs are so complex and confusing.

While the standardised tariff may be more expensive there would at least be a guarantee that a standard tariff would not increase by more than a set amount each year.

A standardised tariff may encourage consumers to be more trustful of energy companies. Surprisingly, surveys have revealed that energy suppliers are less trusted by consumers than banks.

However a standardised tariff is only something Ofgem are believed to have in the pipeline. The regulator is still in the middle of its investigation into energy suppliers and has therefore not discussed this idea with them yet.