This week’s edition of WIG is filled with news link goodness covering topics such as Microsoft’s collecting of royalties on 70% of US Android smartphones now, Google’s uncloaking of Chrome’s top security goals, Microsoft’s possible prevention against letting Linux boot on ARM hardware, and more.

Weekly News Links

• Mozilla advances with enterprise Firefox
  Browser developer Mozilla has announced that plans for an enterprise-friendly Firefox browser with a slower update cycle, has moved from just a proposal to a “plan of action”.
• The Future of Firefox Security
  The year 2012 will likely be a milestone for Mozilla’s Firefox web browser, as the open source group aims to further accelerate web innovation. Among the ways that Mozilla plans on improving Firefox in 2012 is by way of a number of efforts that could make the browser more secure for a greater number of users.
• Google uncloaks Chrome’s top security goals
  This past Thursday Google’s Chrome security team unveiled its guiding principles on how they build a safer browser.
• Kubuntu, Xubuntu 12.04 Become Long Term Support Releases
  Three of Ubuntu’s siblings have jumped aboard the Long Term Support (LTS) train. Proposals for Xubuntu, Kubuntu and Edbuntu to become ‘LTS’ releases were approved by the Ubuntu Technical Board during a meeting on January 9th.
• Dell preps return to tablet market
  Dell may have pulled the plug on its Streak tablets last year, but PC maker has revealed plans for a comeback with a new consumer-oriented tablet scheduled to be launched late-2012.
• Google’s love-hate relationship with China back on
  Google and China have had a strained relationship over the years, but now, the search giant is trying to smooth things over a bit.
• Microsoft now paid royalties on 70% of US Android smartphones
  LG has become the latest in a long line of Android handset vendors to sign a patent licensing agreement with Microsoft. The agreement allows the South Korean conglomerate to use Microsoft patented technology in phones, tablets, and other consumer electronics running both Android and Chrome OS.
• Microsoft to Prevent Linux Booting on ARM Hardware?
  Fears that Microsoft would abuse the UEFI Secure Boot feature for their own ends are coming true. Advice from Microsoft to makers of ARM hardware says that allowing the disabling of the contentious UEFI Secure Boot feature required for Windows 8 must NOT be possible.
• Momentum shift: SOPA, PIPA opponents now in driver’s seat
  The broad support in the U.S. government for two controversial antipiracy bills appears to be evaporating.
• Apology to Kenyan firm ends Google’s week from hell
  The week has been a rough one for Google, and it’s ending on a particularly embarrassing note.
• Illegal ads found on Google AdWords
  Google is reportedly profiting from advertisement revenue of illegal products generated by its automated advertising system, AdWords.
• Chinese authors sue Apple for copyright violation
  A group of Chinese authors has sued Apple for copyright violation and is seeking 11.9 million yuan (US$1.9 million) in compensation.
• Symantec Accused of Selling ‘Scareware’ in Consumer Fraud Suit in San Jose
  Symantec Corp. (SYMC), a computer security software maker, uses free diagnostic programs to fraudulently induce customers to buy its products with claims their computers are in danger, a consumer alleged in a lawsuit.
• EPIC says FTC should probe Google personal search
  The head of a consumer online privacy watchdog says U.S. regulators should look into Google’s new personalized search to see whether there are antitrust or privacy issues.
• Fighting cyber threats with malware not ideal
  Countries are increasingly taking up the option of fending off cyber threats with homebrewed malware but while this might prove effective, security insiders noted this might bring technical and ethical issues and, ultimately, not the best method to curb online threats.
• Virtual Sweatshops Defeat Bot-or-Not Tests
  Jobs in the hi-tech sector can be hard to find, but employers in one corner of the industry are creating hundreds of full-time positions, offering workers on-the-job training and the freedom to work from home. The catch? Employees will likely toil for cybercrooks, and their weekly paychecks may barely cover the cost of a McDonald’s Happy Meal.
• Phishers are posing as Facebook security on chat
  Scammers are posing as Facebook security in chat sessions to try to trick people into providing their credit card information, Kaspersky Lab warned this past Friday.
• New Flashback malware variant follows XProtect update
  When the MacDefender fake antivirus malware was making its rounds early last year, there was a daily cat-and-mouse game between the criminals developing the software and various malware detection companies, plus Apple with its XProtect routine that establishes its “Safe Downloads” list.
• Alleged Indian memo fake, but security breach real
  U.S. investigations of a memo alluding to a potential cyberattack from the Indian military intelligence have uncovered that the note is likely a fake but confirmed that a security breach did take place. Speculations of its origins are now focused on India’s neighbours Pakistan and China.
• Chinese hackers targeting smart cards to grab U.S. defense data
  Hackers in China have found a way to infiltrate supposedly secure smart cards used by U.S. government employees, according to security company AlienVault.

Random TinyHacker Links

• Looking for a good review of Trend Micro Titanium solutions?
  If you have considered using Trend Micro Titanium security solutions, you should read this review to find out more about their effectiveness. It turns out they have a pretty surprising approach to security.
• How to use the System Configuration tool
  Most probably you have already used the System Configuration tool in Windows (msconfig.exe). However, did you use all its functionality? Do you know about everything it has to offer? Read this tutorial and be surprised by its versatility.
  
• Free Internet Speed Monitoring Tool for your Windows Taskbar
  NetSpeedMonitor is a useful tool that helps you monitor the speed (up and downstream) of your Internet connection. It shares also quick traffic reports split by day or month.
• Geek vs. Nerd, an Overdue Infographic
  In the ongoing battle between geek and nerd, one must take sides. But how can this be done without a solid argument for both personas?
• Guess… the most pirated games of 2011
  And then read through this list: The Most Pirated Games of 2011.
• Death to Pennies, a not so love story [Video]
  Reinforcing the obvious, this short film should be required viewing at the Treasury.

Super User Questions

• How does Motherboard and CPU affect RAM choice?
• Why is dial up so slow?
• How do I split the system partition (C:) in Windows7?
• Use two columns in Microsoft Word separately
• Where does Chrome save its bookmarks on Windows?

How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap

• How to Optimize Mozilla Firefox for Maximum Privacy
• HTG Explains: Are Mirrorless Cameras the Future of Digital Photography?
• The Best Articles for Creating a Dual-Boot PC or Tablet
• How To Manage Partitions on Windows Without Downloading Any Other Software
• How to Launch Multiple Apps at Once in Windows 7 With a Single Shortcut
• Desktop Fun: Simplicity Wallpaper Collection Series 1
• How To Enable AirPrint for iOS Printing From Any Mac or Windows PC
• From the Tips Box: Free Coding Lessons, DIY Grid-It Organizers, and Water-Based Document Disposal
• Ask the Readers: How Do You Manage Cable Clutter?
• What You Said: How You Manage Cable Clutter

Geeky Goodness from the ETC Side

• 25 Geeky Ideas, Household Tips, and Storage Ideas to Make Your Life Easier
• The Top Ten Features of Windows 8 [Infographic]
• Top 10 Movie Scenes to Demo Your Home Theater
• Hack Apart an Old Keyboard to Create Custom Control Interface
• DIY IKEA Standing Desk Offers Space, Storage, and Style Inexpensively
• Truth Hurts – Honest iPhone Wallpapers Collage [Humorous Image]
• Play Cut The Rope for Free in Your HTML5 Browser
• The Most Famous Tech and Gadget Battles of all Time [Infographic]
• Upgrade a Simple 2-Wire Case Fan to a 3-Wire Controlled-RPM Fan
• How-To: Cheap Acoustic Panels; Acoustical Engineer Approved

One Year Ago on How-To Geek

• How Do You Block Annoying Text Message (SMS) Spam?
• How to Organize Your Android Home Screen for Optimal Productivity
• How to Install Non-Market Apps on Your Android Device
• How To Backup and Copy Data Between iOS Devices
• Three Alternatives to Apple’s Flaky iOS Alarm Clock

How-To Geek Comics Weekly Roundup

• Cheap Repackaging
• Step by Step Instructions
• Video Games and Pizza
• Geeks and Sports
• Too Many Remotes
• Why They Call it an Xbox

How-To Geek Weekly Trivia Roundup

• What Was The First Video Game?
• What Was The First Planet Discovered By Telescope?
• Which Video Game Originally Included a Scratch and Sniff Disc?
• Which Ultra-slick Coating Was Discovered by Accident?
• What Is The Most Ported Video Game Of All Time?