This week we learned how to add apps to the Windows 7 Explorer favorites list, customize the date format in the Windows taskbar, saved money with the latest set of Geek Deals, had fun decorating our desktops with a Photographer’s Desktop Customization set, looked back at the most popular posts for August, and more.

Photo by Robiwan_Kenobi.

Weekly News Links

Photo by F-Secure Labs Blog.

• Worm spreads via Windows Remote Desktop
  Anti-virus software vendor F-Secure is warning of a piece of malware by the name of Morto, which spreads using Windows’ Remote Desktop Server (RDP server). It does not exploit a Windows security vulnerability; instead, it scans IP address ranges for RDP port 3389 and then tries to log in as an administrator to any computers which respond using a list of common passwords.
• LDAP flaw in OS X Lion opens major authentication security hole
  Apparently a major security hole has been found in OS X Lion systems that are set up to accept authentication through LDAP servers, where users may be allowed to log in to the system without providing a password. For networked systems that uses LDAP-based authentication for managing users and restricting network resources, this may be a fairly severe security risk.
• Fraudulent Google certificate points to Internet attack
  A Dutch company appears to have issued a digital certificate for Google.com to someone other than Google, who may be using it to try to re-direct traffic of users based in Iran.
• Safari users still susceptible to attacks using fake DigiNotar certs
  Those using Safari on Mac OS X are still vulnerable to “man-in-the-middle” attacks using fraudulent security certificates that hackers generated from Dutch certificate authority DigiNotar.
• Attackers behind CA hack also targeted Tor
  The development team behind anonymisation network Tor is reporting that twelve certificates for the domain *.torproject.org were generated during the attack on Dutch SSL certification authority DigiNotar.
• Linux kernel archives host compromised by attacker
  The Linux kernel archive website, which is located at kernel.org, was compromised by attackers last month. According to a statement posted yesterday on the website, unauthorized parties successfully seized root access to several kernel.org servers and planted a trojan.
• Anonymous claims DNS attacks against Symantec, Apple, Microsoft
  The Sri Lankan branch of Anonymous claims to have hacked into the DNS servers of Symantec, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and several other large organizations over the past few days.
• 10 ways to secure your smartphone
  With smartphone ownership on the rise and users increasingly storing important content on their phones, cybercriminals are more and more interested in these devices, which makes mobile security more pertinent than ever.
• Kroes: Trust, security needed for wider cloud adoption
  Cloud computing plays an integral role in the new digital age but trust and security needs to be consistently instilled for people to be comfortable in such an environment, noted a senior European Commission (EC) official.
• Google cuts security corners to gain market share
  It has been obvious for some time that Google’s app standards for Android are lenient to say the least. That’s why Android is the favored platform for mobile malware. But it turns out that Chrome extensions are a huge, and similar problem.
• HP to bring back TouchPad for last production run
  Hewlett-Packard will bring back the TouchPad for one last production run in the wake of the explosion of consumer interest in the platform.
• Has Samsung set its sights on HP’s WebOS?
  Samsung may not be interested in buying Hewlett-Packard’s PC business, but the company may be eying HP’s mobile WebOS division, according to a report from DigiTimes.
• HP prefers to spin off PC unit, report says
  Hewlett-Packard said this past Monday that it prefers to spin off its PC business rather than sell it outright, according to a Reuters report. The company is studying the ramifications of spinning off its personal computer business.
• Free tool for testing net neutrality
  IT security specialist Dan Kaminsky has announced N00ter, a tool for identifying artificial brakes on data traffic implemented by ISPs.
• Google restores offline abilities for Gmail, Docs
  After months of delay, Google this week will let people use Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar even when they’re offline, a key feature for making the company’s cloud-computing vision more practical.

Random TinyHacker Links

• Cool Tools to Remind You to Take Breaks
  Forget to take breaks and spend long hours in front of your computer? Well, that’s not a healthy habit and you should use one of these cool break reminders.
• The Free Windows 7 Alternative to SnagIt
  If you are not interested in buying commercial software for taking and editing screenshots, you should give the Snipping Tool a try. It is free and it comes with Windows 7.
• Create a Copy of a DVD Effortlessly
  A powerful software to create DVD copies and remove restrictions like region codes. Needless to say, this should only be used for personal/non-commercial use.
• The Complete Guide to Customizing the Notification Area
  If you are a Windows 7 user, then you should look through this article. It really is the most complete guide to customizing the notification area, placed on the right side of your taskbar.
• Check Your Hard Disk For Problems
  Learn to diagnose your hard disk drive for issues and potential problems.

Super User Questions

Got a good question? Then Super User is the place to go for answers.

• How to recover data from a hard drive crash?
• Can I install Windows 7 in A:\ or B:\ partition names?
• Why is my dual-core CPU recognized as a quad-core one?
• Does dual-booting an OS require a dual-core processor?
• What is a good and simple workplace instant messenger?

How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap

Get caught up on your weekly reading with our hottest HTG Main articles of the week.

• How-To Turn Your Computer into a Supercharged TiVo with Sick Beard
• Learn How to Securely Delete Files in Windows
• How to Use Event Viewer to Find Your PC’s Boot Time
• Stupid Geek Tricks: Hacking the Windows Experience Index
• Convert YouTube Videos to Animated GIFs (The Easy Way, No Photoshop!)

Geeky Goodness from the ETC Side

Add some fun to your weekend reading with our most popular ETC posts of the week.

• Windows 8 UI: Here’s Your First Look at Windows Explorer
• The Problem with Plugging into USB Ports [Image]
• The 10 Immutable Laws of Security
• Need more Cables! [Funny Image]
• Android has no Mercy for iPhone [Wallpaper]
• Hack Apart A 12v Battery for “Free” Watch Batteries [Video]
• Create Custom Tool Drawer Liners with a T-Shirt and Spray Foam
• Troubleshoot Wireless Network Connection Problems [Charts]
• Microsoft Pillows – For When You Just Need to Crash [Humorous Image]
• New Xbox360 Hack Works on All 360 Models

One Year Ago on How-To Geek

Work on customizing your Windows 7 system this weekend with these terrific articles from one year ago.

• How to Customize Your Windows 7 Taskbar Icons for Any App
• How to Organize Your Programs in the Windows 7 Taskbar
• Create Custom Windows 7 Jumplists for Apps that Don’t Have One
• Add Tabbed Browsing to Explorer in Windows 7
• Remove or Hide Unwanted Items From the Control Panel in Windows 7

How-To Geek Comics Weekly Roundup

• Playing Outside
• Primitive Delivery System
• Outdated Idea
• Video Game Aliens have Angry Relatives
• Das Boot