At deadline briefs: Lucent, Alcatel in merger talks

27.03.2006
Lucent, Alcatel in merger negotiations

Lucent Technologies Inc. and Alcatel SA last week confirmed that they are discussing a possible merger. In a statement, the companies said they are negotiating a "merger of equals that is intended to be priced at market." The statement said there is no guarantee that the companies will reach an agreement. Lucent and Paris-based Alcatel held similar talks in 2001, but those negotiations were unsuccessful.

Exploit posted to engage new IE bug

An exploit has become publicly available for a critical -- and as-yet unpatched -- vulnerability in Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser. The exploit, which has been posted on several Internet sites, can be used to take advantage of a flaw in the way IE processes information. Experts said the exploit can be turned into a virus or a worm.

U.S. objections halt Check Point buy

In response to protests by U.S. government agencies, Internet security company Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. has withdrawn its application to acquire Sourcefire Inc., a vendor of intrusion-prevention technologies. The U.S. Department of Defense and the FBI objected to a foreign-owned firm controlling Sourcefire technology, which is used to protect the computer assets of the DOD and the National Security Agency. Check Point is based in Ramat Gan, Israel.