Kaminsky’s talk focused on website certificates, one component of performing SSL-encrypted transactions over the Web. The session drew a standing-room only crowd in one of the largest halls available at the conference. The problems Kaminsky discovered, if they had remained unfixed, could have put at risk virtually any online transaction where money changes hands. In this scenario, criminals might then use such certificates, issued in the names of legitimate businesses, to boost the legitimacy of phishing attacks.

The bottom line is good news. Kaminsky worked with software companies in advance of the talk, and the various issues he reported have either been fixed already, or are in the process of being fixed, in every major OS and Web browser. Thanks, Dan, for saving the Intarwebs once again.

No rumors. No predictions. No misinformation. Just the facts about Apple’s new portables, straight from Apple’s campus. Join Harry as the MacBook Pro he bought in June suddenly becomes an antique. Our liveblog of the press event starts at 10am Cupertino time.