This week we learned how to automatically clean a Linux PC with Cruftbuster, force a Mac to sort folders on top of files (Windows style), found out your thoughts on what the best order for installing apps on a new computer was, indulged in more great Geek Deals, enjoyed reviewing the best How-To Geek articles for June, and more.

Photo by Ѕolo.

Weekly News Links

Photo by Kaspersky Lab.

• TDL-4: The ‘indestructible’ botnet?
  Security researchers at Kaspersky Lab have detailed a new botnet–a collection of infected computers controlled by cybercriminals–called TDL-4, that might just be “indestructible.”
• Phishing attack nets Tumblr logins
  For the past few days users of microblogging site Tumblr have been targeted with phishing scams that require people to type in their login credentials to see adult content.
• Phishers have found a new use for Google Docs — stealing your identity
  The free cloud applications, particularly Google spreadsheets, are gaining popularity as a phishing platform. One of the main jobs of a phishing site in selling itself is to come from a trustworthy domain, and that’s why Google Apps is so popular.
• Chrome OS has security flaws, claims researcher
  Google may see its Chrome operating system as more secure than traditional alternatives, but one security researcher believes the cloud-based OS is vulnerable, according to a Reuters story published this past Wednesday.
• Citibank customers lost $2.7 million in recent attack
  The unknown hackers who stole 360,083 sets of customer records from Citibank servers using simple URL manipulation have now begun to raid the accounts of those affected.
• Hacker group says Apple developer site susceptible to phishing hacks
  A group that calls itself YGN Ethical Hacker Group has identified potential security holes in Apple’s website for Mac and iOS developers. Those security holes could allow malicious hackers to use the Apple Developer Connection in phishing attacks to gain access to users’ login and password information.
• Attack of the computer mouse
  Security firm Netragard has described an attack during which a modified computer mouse was used to infiltrate a client’s corporate network.
• Signature-based detection, protection systems ineffective
  Companies should focus on addressing weaknesses in their networks rather than relying on signature-based intrusion detection (IDS) and protection systems (IPS) which are no longer adequate to combat today’s cyberthreats.
• With LulzSec gone, Anonymous ramps up attacks
  LulzSec may have faded off into the hacking annals of history, but Anonymous isn’t resting. This past Monday the group released a file of what appears to be a cyberterrorism training manual. It is not clear how the group obtained the document.
• FTC, Senate ratchet up Google antitrust probes
  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Senate appear to be stepping up their antitrust investigations of Google, a development that could prove perilous for the Mountain View, Calif.-based company, which is already fending off a formal investigation in Europe.
• FTC investigating Twitter?
  The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing Twitter and its interaction with at least one app developer, according to published reports.
• Watchdog: Facebook Credits violate antitrust law
  A public interest group called Consumer Watchdog has filed an antitrust complaint with the Federal Trade Commission about Facebook Credits, arguing that the virtual currency used for purchases such as assets in online games is anticompetitive.
• US authorities have access to European cloud data
  Cloud providers like Microsoft have to provide US criminal prosecutors with access to customer data. This access applies even if the data is stored by firms based in the EU and in European data centres.
• Autistic workers an ‘untapped pool’ of IT talent
  Strong memory, passion for details and ability to think visually are some of the traits that make high-functioning autistic workers currently an untapped talent pool for the IT industry, industry watchers point out.
• Mozilla offers olive branch to Firefox business users
  This past Tuesday Mozilla did its best impression of a mea culpa in response to the corporate backlash following recent comments that the company doesn’t care about its enterprise customers.

Random TinyHacker Links

• Step by Step Giveaway from Microsoft Press & 7 Tutorials
  To celebrate their 2 years of activity, 7 Tutorials has partnered with Microsoft Press to give away 30 eBooks, to 10 lucky winners. Check out this post to learn more.
• Mac Distribution by State
  An interesting chart showing the distribution/popularity of Mac computers by state.
• Storage vs. Bandwidth
  Great comparison between the falling prices of bandwidth and of storage. The last chart is interesting as it shows that your internet download speed hasn’t exactly kept pace with a drive’s capacity.
• Organizational Charts
  A fun look at the organizational make-up of some of your favorite companies.
• Angry Birds Windows 7 Theme
  If you love Angry Birds, then you will definitely want to get a copy of this new theme from Microsoft.

Super User Questions

Find the answers you need at Super User.

• What is a dongle used for?
• Is (Ubuntu) Linux file copying algorithm better than Windows 7?
• Suggest a good IM client which supports Gtalk, MSN and Facebook chat.
• Where can I find Firefox 5 .deb packages for Debian Wheezy (testing)?
• When installing Windows 7 or Vista, does the language, version, architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) or source (OEM, retail, or MSDN) matter?

How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap

Have you had a busy week and gotten behind on your geeky reading? Then get caught up with our hottest HTG Main articles of the week.

• Stupid Geek Tricks: 6 Ways to Open Windows Task Manager
• How To Plan, Organize, and Map Out Your Home Network
• How to Clean Your Dirty Smartphone (Without Breaking Something)
• How To Encrypt Your Cloud-Based Drive with Boxcryptor
• Ask the Readers: What’s the Best Order for Installing Apps on a New Computer?

Geeky Goodness from the ETC Side

Add fun to your weekend reading with our best ETC posts of the week.

• Female Armor is Horribly Designed [Humorous Video]
• What Happens When You Choose the Wrong Computer for Remote Access [Humorous Image]
• Home is Where the Hard Drive is [Wallpaper]
• Batman versus Sherlock Holmes [Comic]
• Google Books Downloader Downloads Google Books to PDF and JPG
• Tiny DSLR Intervalometer Snaps Pics On User-Defined Schedule
• ExcelBook Conceals Facebook Browsing in a Spreadsheet
• Watch a Tesla Coil Zap in “Bullet Time” [Video]
• E3 Booth Babes Display a Painful Lack of Video Game Knowledge [Video]
• Seasons [Wallpaper]

One Year Ago on How-To Geek

Brush up on your browser-fu this weekend with these great articles from one year ago.

• How To Bypass Firefox 4.0 Beta’s Incompatible Add-on Error and Install Extensions Anyway
• How to Switch Between Release, Beta, and Dev Versions of Google Chrome
• Sync Your Google Chrome Bookmarks, Theme, and More
• Take Awesome Screenshots of Webpages in Chrome
• Keep Google From Tracking Your Every Move Online

How-To Geek Comics Weekly Roundup

• Pirate Pickup Lines
• Computer Help