Trojan horse targets Mac OS X

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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A new trojan horse designed specifically for Mac OS X systems has been discovered on several pornography websites that can hijack Web traffic, according to security firm Intego. Affected systems are used to hijack some Web requests that lead users to other phishing sites, or simply display ads for other pornographic websites to generate ad revenue. Phishing attacks may lead users to believe they are surfing to eBay, Paypal, or various banks when in fact they are accessing specially-crafted mockups designed to retrieve usernames and passwords for those sites. The trojan, titled OSX.RSPlug.A, is rated as a critical risk by Intego, and is known to affect Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger as well as Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Intego is testing prior versions of Mac OS X, but believes them to be vulnerable as well.

The trojan claims to install a video codec necessary for viewing free pornographic videos on Macs, but when users click on the still images to view the content they are directed to a Web page stating that they must download a new version of a codec to play the movie file with QuickTime. Safari users who have checked the “Open ‘Safe’ Files After Downloading” option in General Preferences will find that the disk image which is downloaded to their Mac automatically mounts, and the installer application will automatically launch.

Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like a Mac

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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Linux only: Want the look and feel of a Mac without paying the high-end design premium? Tired of hearing from all your Mac-happy friends how awesome Leopard looks? Got time to run through six pages of instructions? Then HowTo Forge has got you covered. Their guide to making a nearly total theme conversion requires Compiz Fusion (installed by default on Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon), Awn and the patience to download and place a hefty handful of files, but everything seems to be covered, right down to the system sounds. The guide is written for GNOME-based Linux systems and requires a number of downloads, some of which might not pass the most stringent legal (or open source) tests but are otherwise free. I haven’t tried it myself, but this weekend’s another story.

Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like A Mac [via The Linux Tutorial]

Enable Leopard’s Off-By-Default Firewall

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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Computer security firm publication Heise criticizes Mac OS X Leopard for shipping without its firewall enabled by default like Windows Vista and advises users to turn it on. To do so, in System Preferences’ Security area either block all incoming connections or set explicit exceptions for services that can communicate through the firewall, like file or screen sharing, as shown. (More on that in an upcoming post.)

Holes in Leopard’s firewall [CNET]

Enable Leopard’s Off-By-Default Firewall

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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Computer security firm publication Heise criticizes Mac OS X Leopard for shipping without its firewall enabled by default like Windows Vista and advises users to turn it on. To do so, in System Preferences’ Security area either block all incoming connections or set explicit exceptions for services that can communicate through the firewall, like file or screen sharing, as shown. (More on that in an upcoming post.)

Holes in Leopard’s firewall [CNET]

Western Digital Ships 320GB 2.5-Inch Drives for Laptops

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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It’s official: you can now buy a 320GB drive from WD for your laptop, and for just $200. The WD Scorpio SATA drive spins at 5400rpm and has a 8MB cache. The press release says it’s “extraordinarily quiet while running at cool operating temperatures.” I hope that doesn’t mean it’s extremely loud while running at super high temperatures. The important thing is, this timing coincides with the arrival of Mac’s Time Machine and the Windows Home Server, two easy ways to offload your laptop’s entire contents, swap out the internal drive, then restore your old image without a lot of tinkering. I know some of you like tinkering, but this is the future. [WD]

Nice now we can have even more space on the Laptop!!

The Google Phone: The Story So Far, Some Launch Details & What’s Next

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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The Wall Street Journal has been reporting on Google’s mobile phone efforts and how it is beginning to draw some interest from carriers, especially in the United States. Sprint (S) and Verizon (VZ) are in talks with Google (GOOG), according to the Journal, and an announcement by the company is expected sometime in November. Here is what I have been able to gather from my sources:

• An announcement will likely be made Nov. 13th or Nov. 18th.
• Handset makers will use a Google Mobile OS platform.
• Google Mobile OS uses a highly optimized Mobile Linux; developers will be able to use a Java Development Kit. Google is said to have developed a highly optimized Java running on top of the OS. (Read our previous post, Five Facts about Google Phone.)
• Most major handset makers, with the exception of Nokia (NOK), have devices with Google Mobile OS under development; Samsung and Motorola (MOT) are being linked to it as well. (as are HTC and LG Electronics, according to the Journal.)
• The operators who are likely to be part of the big announcement will be T-Mobile’s USA division and Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest cellular carriers.

The Google Phone: The Story So Far, Some Launch Details & What’s Next

By Paul | Oct 31, 2007

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The Wall Street Journal has been reporting on Google’s mobile phone efforts and how it is beginning to draw some interest from carriers, especially in the United States. Sprint (S) and Verizon (VZ) are in talks with Google (GOOG), according to the Journal, and an announcement by the company is expected sometime in November. Here is what I have been able to gather from my sources:

• An announcement will likely be made Nov. 13th or Nov. 18th.
• Handset makers will use a Google Mobile OS platform.
• Google Mobile OS uses a highly optimized Mobile Linux; developers will be able to use a Java Development Kit. Google is said to have developed a highly optimized Java running on top of the OS. (Read our previous post, Five Facts about Google Phone.)
• Most major handset makers, with the exception of Nokia (NOK), have devices with Google Mobile OS under development; Samsung and Motorola (MOT) are being linked to it as well. (as are HTC and LG Electronics, according to the Journal.)
• The operators who are likely to be part of the big announcement will be T-Mobile’s USA division and Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest cellular carriers.

Micromanage Your Widescreen Monitor with AutoSizer

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Gmail Speeds Up, Improves Contacts

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Leopard’s Revamped Terminal Sports Tabs and More

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Mac OS X 10.5 only: Command line-lovers who’ve upgraded to Leopard will also love its new tabbed interface and fine-grained window control. To create a new tab, hit Cmd+N Cmd+T, and to cycle through tabs, use Cmd+} and Cmd+{. You can also drag and drop an existing tab into its own window, configure and save window groups, and skin Terminal windows using prefab or custom themes. After the jump, see the theme options (“Pro” pictured here.)

Go Check out the full article, I thought this was a good article to show people!!

Auto-Hide Your Firefox Bookmarks Toolbar

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Firefox only: Love the bookmarks toolbar but only want it there when you need it? Reader Andy writes in with a tweak that makes the toolbar hide automatically, unless you mouse over it (like auto-hiding your Windows taskbar or Mac Dock.) To turn on auto-hiding you have to edit your Firefox profile’s copy of userChrome.css Here’s the code you need:

/* Pop-up bookmarks toolbar */ #PersonalToolbar {display: none;} #navigator-toolbox:hover > #PersonalToolbar {display: -moz-box;}

If you haven’t edited userChrome.css before, here’s a primer on doing so. The ChromEdit Plus extension makes user-specific tweaks easier.

A few other bookmark toolbar tweaks:

• Disable the scrollbar by setting browser.tabs.tabsMinWidth to 0 in about:config. (See more about this in our top Firefox 2 tweaks.)
• Use the Smart Bookmarks extension to use only icons and save space
• Organize your bookmarks into folders

For more space-saving, here’s how to consolidate Firefox’s chrome. Thanks, Andy!

Hmm, I nice little way to hid those bars!!

Blu-ray Copy Protection Cracked, Disk Copying Software Out by Year’s End

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Slysoft, the makers of AnyDVD, CloneDVD, and many other disc-copying software apps, have just cracked the Blu-ray BD+ copy protection. This means, if Slysoft’s predictions are correct, a commercially-purchasable suite to copy Blu-ray movies will be available by the end of the year. However, Blu-ray blanks—especially dual-layer ones—are still so costly right now ($40+ for a writable) that it’s not financially feasible for people to be duping their own movies. You know, unless you really enjoy the blank disc look over the professionally done Blu-ray disc with the proper case and materials. Weirdo. [Golem via Inquirer]

I wonder how long this takes before they dump Blu-ray Disc!!

USB key holder adds memory to your lost keys

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Here’s a nice idea of how not to lose your personal data along with your keys. We just wonder if now that it’s so easy to find your keys, will you remember where you put your car?

Gerry – creative findings – Link, [via]

Now where did i put that USB Stick!!

Run a Better Google Talk on Your Desktop with Prism

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Ever since Google updated the web-based Google Talk gadget, I’ve firmly felt that the web-based Google Talk is head and shoulders above the desktop client (if you don’t need file transfer or voice calls, that is). Last week we told you about Prism, Mozilla’s update to the stripped-down browser and web application environment WebRunner. Put the two together (using this URL when you create the Prism application) and you’ve got what feels very much like a desktop version of the Google Talk gadget. Prism is still very early in development, currently Windows-only, and—honestly—requires way more memory than I’d like (around 30MB for my Google Talk), but with more time and development, the single-use approach to web applications as desktop apps could catch on. Thanks Jon!

Prism [Mozilla Labs Blog]

It might be a good little program to try!!

Create A Backup Image of Your System with DriveImage

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Leopard Disk Utility Format Issue Screws With Time Machine (But There’s An Easy Fix)

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Samsung unveils Super-WriteMaster 16x DL DVD burner

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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Samsung has rolled out its fastest DVD burner yet, with the Super-WriteMaster (ha!) SH-S203N running at 20x for DVD±R discs, 16x for dual layer DVD+R variants, 12x for DVD-RAM, and progressively slower for other disc standards. It’s all kitted up with a SATA connection standard, and supports LightScribe burning so you know what the hell’s on that disc you just burnt. Samsung says this is the fastest dual layer DVD burner out there: we don’t know if that’s true, but we do know it’s faster than our crappy 8x DL burner. Pick it up anywhere from now for $79.99.

I hope they come up with the DVD Burner for the Laptop, that would be sweet!!

SanDisk starts shipping 8GB microSDHC and M2 cards

By Paul | Oct 30, 2007

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SanDisk was trumpeting its 8GB microSDHC cards all the way back in June, but it’s taken until now for the company to ship the little buggers — but we’re also getting an 8GB Memory Stick Micro (also known as M2) version as a reward for our patience. The 8GB SDHC card will set you back $139, while the M2 stick is $149, and both should be in stores worldwide now, according to SanDisk.

That’s not bad now we can have even more movies on our smart phones!!

Use Exploratree to Plan A Project or Idea

By Paul | Oct 29, 2007

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Plan a project or map an idea with Exploratree, a free online library of “thinking guides” you can either print out or use online. Templates include the Futures Wheel pictured above, thinking boxes, compare and contrast, and a lot more. Each template is customizable; you can also use them to collaborate on projects with other people.

Exploratree

Microsoft apologizes for Windows Update snafus

By Paul | Oct 29, 2007

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Microsoft has been having all sorts of problems with automatic Windows updates lately. First, it was reports of users who had turned off automatic update installations finding that their computers had installed and rebooted anyway without their consent, then some enterprise Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) users found out that Windows Desktop Search (WDS) had been installed without administrator approval. Microsoft acknowledged the first problem but denied the second, then relented and issued an apology via WSUS product manager Bobbie Harder’s blog.

The explanation of the WSUS issue is a tad confusing, but it revolves around a WDS update from February that was an optional update that only applied to people who already had WDS installed. So far, so good. Then last Tuesday, Microsoft revised that same update package to be applicable (but still optional) for all XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1+ systems. Unfortunately, WSUS users who did not have WDS installed found that they got this “optional” update automatically, because WSUS is set by default to automatically approve update revisions. Confused yet? I sure am.

Display the Date on the Menubar

By Paul | Oct 29, 2007

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Mac OS X only: If you don’t want to install a whole other piece of software to see today’s date in your menubar, you can add it manually in System Preferences. It’s not an obvious checkbox or dropdown, so bear with me. After the jump, the step by step.

1. In System Preferences, open International and go to the Formats tab.
2. Next to Dates, click the Customize button. Arrange your date in the format you want to appear on your menubar. Use the down arrows on each element to choose between formats (January, Jan, 01, 1, etc.) I chose [Oct 29], as shown.
3. Now, select the entire date format and copy it to your clipboard (Cmd+A, Cmd+C). Hit OK.
4. Hit the Customize button next to Times. Choose the “Medium” format.
5. Paste the date format on your clipboard next to the time format, and hit OK. You’re done!

Note that the day of the week (like “Mon”) will appear next to your date and time by default. To turn that off, in System Preferences, go to Date and Time, and uncheck “Show the day of the week.” Thanks, Snowmoon!

Easily add the date to the menubar [macosxhints.com]

More Color Scheme Control with Agave

By Paul | Oct 29, 2007

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Instantly free your iPhone

By Paul | Oct 29, 2007

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If you’re looking to update your 1.1.1 iPhone to install 3rd party apps all you need to do is visit jailbreakme.com – once there you’ll get the installer.app and can start loading applications right away (check out more detailed instructions @ TUAW).

Yes that’s right now you can add your third party apps back on the IPHONE or IPOD!!

Hulu Launches Private Beta, Makes Very Good First Impressions

By Paul | Oct 29, 2007

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Last March NBC Universal and News Corporation announced a joint venture that we initially thought would result in a direct competitor to YouTube. As details emerged, it became clear that the two media conglomerates were not planning a video sharing website for user generated content but rather an online distribution channel for premium video content, including TV shows, movies, and short clips.

In the months following the companies’ initial press release, we gave the joint venture a lot of grief for failing to pick a name for the project, eventually settling on a name – Hulu – that meant “cease” and “desist” in Swahili, copying Google’s mission statement, and receiving not the greatest vote of confidence from NBC Universal’s own chief digital officer.

Behind all of this criticism was a high degree of doubt that NBC and News Corp. were ever going to get Hulu out the door before the joint venture became irrelevant. In September, NBC had even announced a video downloading service that appeared to cannibalize its own joint venture with News Corp. However, this past week Hulu confirmed that it would indeed hit its self-imposed October deadline by launching in private beta on Monday, October 29th. And this past Friday, CEO Jason Kilar and other Hulu representatives demonstrated the new service to us.

MTS Round Table Show 152

By Paul | Oct 28, 2007

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Manage Your Tasks with Leopard’s To Dos

By Paul | Oct 28, 2007

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One thing that Windows and Outlook have always had up on the Mac’s default email and calendar apps, Mail and iCal, is Outlook’s integrated to-do manager. Today the game changes. Leopard’s new Mail and iCal applications introduce their own take on the email- and calendar-integrated to-do list. So now the question is: Is it any good? The answer: Yes. And no. But probably yes. The To Do manager, at the moment, is a bit of a mishmash of some very good and a few bad—or at least unrealized—features.

The Mail.app To Do feature resides in the Reminders panel of the Mail sidebar below Notes. Mail to-dos can be organized by due date, priority (high, medium, low, or none), title, and calendar (that’s right, they also integrate with iCal). You can create a new to-do in a couple of ways.

A good article for the Mac users!! Go check out the full article!!

Bungie awards exclusive Recon armor to famous Halo 3 suiciders

By Paul | Oct 28, 2007

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Bungie Weekly Update: 10/26/07

Posted by Frankie at 10/26/2007 4:40 PM PDT

Banhammery

We’ve mentioned before that we have implemented lots of security and anti-cheating systems in Halo 3. We’ll never have it perfect because we cannot stop people being idiots, but it’s already significantly better than ever before. We’re about to activate a part of it that required a few weeks of folks playing in the wild before we’d gathered enough data to activate it. Well, we’re just about ready to swing the mighty mallet of justice and it should make a couple of types of cheating extinct very shortly.

Halo 3 has been available for precisely one month and we’re going to be working harder than ever to make sure it stays a safe and fair place to play for the next few years. So please bear with us and remember we’re always watching and more importantly, acting on the information we receive, whether it’s immediately visible or not.

Rank Amateurs

Leopard hacked for Intel PC consumption

By Paul | Oct 28, 2007

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We’ve come to expect our Apple-related hacks early and user friendly these days, but we’ve still got mad respect for the folks at OSx86 Scene who’ve managed to get Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard up and running on Intel PCs on launch day — the day before if you felt like being a bit less upright about it. The hack requires a minimum of trickery on your part: just a burnable DVD, USB thumb drive and a bit of luck. Not everything’s super tested just yet, and OSx86 Scene will be expanding support and simplifying the process as time goes on, but this is sure a promising start.

[Via dailyApps, image courtesy of mac.nub]

Hmm, Wonder if that will work on a Dual Core system? Might try it later!!

Leopard vs. Vista: feature chart showdown

By Paul | Oct 28, 2007

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There’s no doubt, Vista and Leopard are both extremely advanced, feature rich consumer operating systems. But way back in January when Vista launched knew we had little choice but pit the two in a head to head chartngraph Thunderdome competition. We know we’re not even going to be able to stop the epic fanboy arguments about break out over this one, so we just ask that you try to keep it fair. Leopard vs. Vista: it’s on.

NOTE: This chart is only for out of box features, and does not take into account 3rd party software. We realize that with a few choice apps this chart would look completely different — but that’s not what we’re after here.

• Green indicates a category with more and/or better features, and generally a better user experience.
  
• Red indicates that a category not quite up to snuff. Either it doesn’t yet exist in the OS or it just sucks more than the alternative.
  
• † (dagger) indicates a category we think are too subjective or not similar enough to judge. These do not have any clear winner.

Canada’s Rogers Network to Get iPhone by December?

By Paul | Oct 28, 2007

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The guys at BGR have spotted this advertisement floating around the Internet, which supposedly shows the iPhone being made available on Canada’s Rogers network. The flier stipulates the iPhone shall be made available, by December 7th, for $499CAD on a three-year contract. Pre-orders for the device are shown to be starting on 20th November. The above information does not seem to be too far fetched, but this could easily be a PS hoax. You have been warned—don’t book a day off work just yet. [BGR]

I’d figured it was bound to happen to prevent people from unlocking the IPHONE!!