Top IT stories this week: Apple security glitch, Windows 10 launch date and Snowden slams UK's plans

Computing's top seven stories from the past seven days. Read all about it!

Your chance to catch up with the most-read stories on Computing over the past seven days.

7. Warning over zero-day Apple Mac exploit that enables attackers to create a permanent back door

A zero-day flaw in most Apple devices more than one year old potentially enables attackers to overwrite firmware on boot-up, leaving machines permanently vulnerable, but will Apple fix it? Don't hold your breath.

"I believe Apple has a corporate culture problem regarding security (like Microsoft had many years ago) and they only seem to react when pushed against a corner," says the security researcher who found the flaw.

6. Airbus A400M crash: software fault confirmed as the cause

Last month an Airbus A400M military transport plane crashed minutes into its first flight in Spain, killing all four employees on board. A software fault was suspected at the time and the aircraft maker has now confirmed that this is indeed the most likely cause of the accident.

5. Google unveils Android M and Project Brillo as part of Internet of Things push at I/O

It would be unlike Google to sit on the sidelines when something big is taking off, and so it is no surprise that it is starting to make noises over the Internet of Things (IoT). The company says that IoT connectivity is currently patchy and that it intends to do something about it.

"Many roadblocks remain - the user experience is inconsistent and confusing, manufacturers often redo their work for every device, devices don't interoperate, and developers often have no way to create great experiences across devices," said Sundar Pichai, Google's SVP of products.

Google also unveiled the latest version of Android - Android M - at its I/O developers' conference last week.

"We've improved battery life and streamlined permissions for apps to make it easier for you to decide what information the apps on your phone can use," promised Pichai.

4. 'It's difficult to find data scientists when you're not in London,' says National Trust head of data science

The National Trust's head office is in Swindon and Dean Jones, head of data science, says this hasn't helped his cause when seeking to hire data scientists, as they are all huddled together in the big smoke.

"It is the case that it is difficult, especially as we're not based in London; we're based in Swindon, so there's a different challenge there," Jones explained. "A lot of the opportunities you see are obviously where the business is," he added.

However, a few commenters below the line have a different take, saying that while they are based in Manchester and, yes, near Swindon, almost all their business comes from London.

3. From mobile to the Internet of Things: how application development will change

With many companies struggling to keep up with enterprise mobility how are developers supposed to cope with the IoT? Here Cathal McGloin, CEO of FeedHenry, argues that developers have much to learn from the mobile revolution that can be taken forward into this new hyper-connected age.

"Speed will be as critical in the IoT world as it is in mobile. This means adopting agile methods and ingraining them in the corporate culture, not just in the IT organisation, but also across lines of business," he writes.

2. Snowden slams UK government attempts to secretly pass legislation allowing GCHQ to 'hack anybody's computer'

The new government has wasted no time in seizing its chance to beef up the powers of the security agencies to collect data on all citizens - suspect or not.

Whistle-blower Edward Snowden was particularly dismissive of what he sees as the unwarranted intrusion into peoples' privacy by the British state, and particularly the secretive way in which the new powers allowing GCHQ to effectively hack anyone's device are being pushed through.

"Rather than preserving civil liberties and expanding the domain of our rights, they're trying to limit [them] and they're trying to do it in secret without the notice of the public and without the engagement of the press," he claimed in an interview broadcast by Amnesty International UK.

"Recently there was a draft change of law suggested in the UK on something called the equipment interference code, which is a euphemism for hacking: this is talking about computer hacking. The British government decided it wanted to claim this for itself - and this is through a procedural change, not even through an up or down vote," Snowden said.

1. Microsoft confirms Windows 10 launch date

The subject of almost as many leaks as those perpetrated by Mr Snowden, Microsoft has finally confirmed a launch date for Windows 10: it is 29 July. Windows users will have one year from that date to take advantage of the free upgrade. Once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, Microsoft has pledged to support it for the "lifetime of the device" at no cost.

CEO Satya Nadella has sought to tie together the various different Windows operating systems in Windows 10 across various different devices, with Universal Apps capable of running on both a PC and mobile devices, provided the devices have the raw power to run them.

He will also be delighted, no doubt, that Windows 10 is our most read story this week.