This week we learned how to get the Windows 8 Explorer ribbon in Windows 7, make ghosts in Photoshop or GIMP, remotely use a PC’s DVD drive across your network, install or enable Hyper-V Virtualization in Windows 8, enjoyed the latest set of Geek Deals, and more.

Photo by pinkpurse.

Weekly News Links

• Ubuntu 12.04 to feature extended support period for desktop users
  Canonical announced it would be extending the support and maintenance period for its upcoming Long Term Support (LTS) release of Ubuntu for desktop users from three years to five years.
• NoScript for Android now feature complete
  The mobile version of NoScript, which has been in development for use with Firefox on Android or Maemo devices, has been declared feature complete.
• Free Software Foundation urges OEMs to say no to mandatory Windows 8 UEFI cage
  The Free Software Foundation is asking OEMs to give users a choice on Microsoft anti-Linux Windows 8’s United Extensive Firmware security “feature.”
• FTC official: Do not count on Do Not Track just yet
  A Federal Trade Commission official says that industry hasn’t yet done enough to implement Do Not Track and that legislation to mandate it may still be necessary.
• Facebook Ireland accused of creating ‘shadow profiles’ on users, nonusers
  Facebook Ireland is under fire for allegedly creating “shadow profiles” on both users and nonusers alike. The startling charges against the social-networking giant come from the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (IDC), which is launching a “comprehensive” investigation against Facebook Ireland. Note: Facebook users living outside of the United States or Canada are contracted with Facebook Ireland.
• New data-stealing Trojan could be Stuxnet version 2.0
  Malware has been discovered on computer systems in Europe that has identical code to the Stuxnet worm and could be the precursor to the next big computer attack on critical infrastructure systems.
• Flashback OS X malware variant disables XProtect
  The latest revision appears to have been altered slightly so it now targets Apple’s XProtect system and disables it by removing the XProtect scanner and updater in addition to depositing its payloads.
• Kaspersky discovers new version of German state-sponsored trojan
  Virus analysts at Kaspersky Labs have discovered a new version of a trojan written for the German government by Digitask. It supports 64-bit versions of Windows and is able to monitor many more applications.
• Adobe remedies webcam spy hole in Flash
  Adobe has closed a clickjacking hole in Adobe Flash that attackers could use to spy on victims via their camera and microphone without being noticed. Make sure your systems are updated with the latest release.
• GMail Hacker: D’oh!
  One of our researchers has come across a supposed hacking tool—GMail Hacker Pro—that claims it can compromise GMail accounts. This tool comes with a fairly slick looking website (complete with live chat support).
• Researchers: XML encryption standard is insecure
  Researchers at the Ruhr University of Bochum (RUB) say they have succeeded in cracking parts of the XML encryption used in web services, thus making it possible to decrypt encrypted data.
• Nasdaq hackers spied on company directors, report says
  The hackers who attacked the Nasdaq last year were surreptitiously spying on public company board of directors, a new report claims.
• iPad 2: magnet bypasses passcode lock
  Apple’s Smart Cover or another magnetic object can be used to bypass the passcode lock on an iPad 2 running iOS 5.
• Bad Siri! She’ll let anyone use a locked iPhone 4S
  The voice-activated feature on the new iPhone 4S will let anyone use the phone to send e-mails and text messages and make calls even if it is passcode locked, Macworld has reported.
• Can iPhone spy on you as you type on different device?
  Hackers may be able to spy on your keystrokes if you keep your iPhone too close to your computer, a group of researchers reported this week.

Random TinyHacker Links

• 10 Useful Outlook Shortcuts
  As written by Microsoft insider Annik Stahl. We love her blog, it’s always packed with useful tips and tricks.
• The Complete Guides to Flash Drive Encryption
  Did you know Windows 7 can help encrypt the data on your flash drives, so that it is protected from prying eyes? Also, you can use an encrypted drive on old versions of Windows to access your data. This series of articles explains everything you need to know about working with BitLocker To Go.
• The Complete Guides to Using Windows Easy Transfer
  If you plan to upgrade your computer to Windows 7 or buy a new computer all together, then you should read this series of tutorials. They show everything you need to know about transferring your data, programs and settings with Windows Easy Transfer.
• The forgotten Web browsers of the early 1990s
  Really cool overview.
• Want to start working with WordPress?
  If you are considering starting your own WordPress blog, you might want to buy a book, so that you have a complete understanding of the journey you are about to embark on. According to this review, WordPress for Dummies is a good choice for all WordPress beginners.

Super User Questions

Need help with a computer related question? Then Super User is the place to go for answers.

• Can I make Ubuntu 11.10′s desktop look like 11.04′s Ubuntu Classic?
• How can I tell if a downloaded ISO is complete?
• Why does HDD activity slow the whole System down (on Windows 7)?
• Is there a free solution for watching a folder for changes and copying specific files on change?
• How does my University force the networked computers to only go through their DNS?

How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap

Indulge in some great reading this weekend with our hottest HTG Main posts of the week.

• The 20 Best Registry Hacks to Improve Windows
• How to Reinstall Windows Without Having to Reactivate
• The How-To Geek Guide to Getting Started with LastPass
• Hardware Upgrade: The HTG Guide to Picking the Right PC Monitor
• Ask HTG: Accessing USB in Virtual Machines, Automatically Straighten Scanned Photos, and Product Key Recovery

Geeky Goodness from the ETC Side

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

• Google Now Shows Your IP Address via Query
• How to Make Sure Your Roommate can Find the Firefox Icon [Funny Image]
• The Software Extension every Office Worker Needs for Their Computer [Funny Image]
• Star Wars LEGO Figures Posed and Photographed in Realistic Settings [Image Gallery]
• Calvin and Hobbles Relaxing in a Tree [Wallpaper]
• Rainy Day in Paris [Wallpaper]
• The Danger of Telecommuting [Image]
• The Sword in the Stone [Wallpaper]
• When Clippy Wants to Help You in Real Life [Image]
• Wi-Fi Analytics Tool Is an Advanced Android-Based Wi-Fi Scanner

One Year Ago on How-To Geek

Enhance your Photoshop skills this weekend with these terrific articles from one year ago.

• How to Create a Pumpkin Carving Stencil in Photoshop
• The How-To Geek Guide to Learning Photoshop, Part 1: The Toolbox
• The How-To Geek Guide to Learning Photoshop, Part 2: Panels
• Use Photoshop Channels to Elegantly Remove Backgrounds from Images
• How to Easily Straighten Crooked Photographs in Photoshop

How-To Geek Comics Weekly Roundup

• No New Updates
• 4D TV
• Really High Speed Internet
• In the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
• A Virus for Computer Users