Week in Geek: FBI Back Door in OpenBSD Edition
- by Asian Angel
This week we learned how to migrate bookmarks from Delicious to Diigo, fix annoying arrows, play old-school DOS games, schedule smart computer shutdowns, use breaks in Microsoft Word to better format documents, check the condition of hard-disks using Linux disk utilities, & what the Linux fstab is and how it works.
Photo by Jameson42.
Random Geek Links
Another week with extra news link goodness to help keep you up to date.
Photo by justmakeit.
Report of FBI back door roils OpenBSD community
Allegations that the FBI surreptitiously placed a back door into the OpenBSD operating system have alarmed the computer security community, prompting calls for an audit of the source code and claims that the charges must be a hoax.
Fortinet: Job outlook improving for cybercrooks
In an ironic twist in the job market, more positions will open up for developers who can write customized malware packers, people who can break CAPTCHA codes, and distributors who can spread malicious code, according to Fortinet.
Enisa: Malware for smartphones is a ’serious risk’
Businesses and consumers are at risk of data breaches through smartphone use, according to the European Network and Information Security Agency.
The trick with the f: Google and Microsoft web sites distribute malware
Last week, Google’s DoubleClick advertising platform and Microsoft’s rad.msn.com online ad network briefly distributed malware to other web sites in the form of advertising banners.
New scam tactic: Fake disk defraggers
It would appear that scammers are trying out new programs to see which might best confuse potential victims and evade detection by legitimate antivirus software.
Microsoft closes IE and Stuxnet holes
As previously announced, Microsoft has released 17 security updates to close 40 security holes. All four Windows holes so far disclosed in connection with Stuxnet have now been closed.
Microsoft Offers H.264 Support to Firefox on Windows via Add-On
The new HTML5 Extension for Windows Media Player Firefox Plug-in add-on from Microsoft offers users that are running Firefox on Windows 7 H.264 support for HTML5 video playback.
Google proclaims Chrome business-ready
Google has announced that Chrome is ready for corporate use.
Microsoft Tells Exchange Customers to Think Twice Before Opting for Google Message Continuity
This week, Microsoft is telling companies still running Exchange 2010’s precursors that they should carefully consider the implications of embracing Google Message Continuity.
Who Google has in mind for its Chrome OS users
Steven Vaughan-Nichols explains why he feels that Chrome OS will be ideal for either office-workers or people who need a computer, but do not know the first thing about how to use one safely.
Oracle takes office suite to the cloud
Oracle has introduced Cloud Office 1.0, a cloud-based version of its office suite, which is aimed at web and mobile users.
Mozilla pays premiums for reports of vulnerabilities
The Mozilla Foundation has followed Google’s example by expanding its rewards program for reports of vulnerabilities in its Web applications.
Who bought those 882 Novell patents? Not just Microsoft
The mysterious CPTN Holdings — the organization that bought the 882 Novell patents as part of the terms of the Attachmate acquisition of Novell – has been unmasked (Microsoft, Apple, EMC and Oracle).
Appeals court: Feds need warrants for e-mail
Police must obtain search warrants before perusing Internet users’ e-mail records, a federal appeals court ruled today in a landmark decision that struck down part of a 1986 law allowing warrantless access.
Geek Video of the Week
What happens when someone plays a wicked prank by shoveling crazy snow paths that lead to dead ends or turn back on themselves? Watch to find out!
Photo by CollegeHumor.
Janitor Snow Shoveling Prank
Random TinyHacker Links
The Oatmeal on Cat vs Internet
What lengths will our poor neglected kitty hero have to go to in order to get some attention?
Guide On Using JoliCloud With Windows
JoliCloud is a nifty operating system that’s made for people who need a light-weight OS that’s mostly cloud based. Check this guide on using it with Windows.
Use Cameyo to Easily Create Portable Programs
Here’s a nifty tool to make portable apps out of programs in Windows. Check out the guide to do it.
Better Family Tech Support
A nice new site by Google to help members of family understand how computers work.
Track Your Stolen Mobile Phone With F-Secure
A useful anti-theft tool for your mobile phone.
Super User Questions
Another week with great answers to popular questions from Super User.
What Chrome password manager fits my requirements?
What’s the best way to be able to reimage windows computers?
Could you suggest feature-rich disk-based personal backup program for linux (and I’ve seen a few)?
What is IPv6 and why should I care?
Is there any way to find out what programs are trying to connect to Internet on windows?
How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap
Here are our hottest articles full of geeky goodness from this past week at HTG.
20 OS X Keyboard Shortcuts You Might Not Know
Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 Kills Viruses Dead. Download It Now.
Is Your Desktop Printer More Expensive Than Printing Services?
Ask the Readers: Would You Be Willing to Give Windows Up and Use a Different O.S.?
The Twelve Days of Geekmas
One Year Ago on How-To Geek
Enjoy reading through our latest batch of retro-geek goodness from one year ago.
Macrium Reflect is a Free and Easy To Use Backup Utility
How To Turn a Physical Computer Into A Virtual Machine with Disk2vhd
How To Restore Windows 7 from a System Image
How To Manage Hard Drive Space Used by Windows 7 Backup and Restore
How To Manage Hibernate Mode in Windows 7
The Geek Note
That is all we have for you this week, so see you back here again after the holidays! Got a great tip? Send it in to us at [email protected].
Photo by mitjamavsar.
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