This week we learned how to “clone a disk, resize static windows, and create system function shortcuts”, use 45 different services, sites, and apps to help read favorite sites, add MP3 support to Audacity (for saving in MP3 format), install a Wii game loader for easy backups and fast load times, create a Blue Screen of Death in any color, and more.

Photo by legofenris.

Weekly News Links

Photo by The H Security.

• IPv6: Smartphones compromise users’ privacy
  Since version 4 of the iOS operating system, Apple’s iPhones, iPads and iPods have been capable of handling IPv6, and most Android devices have been capable since version 2.1. However, the operating systems transfer an ID that discloses information about their users.
• Dumb phones can be attacked too
  Much of the discussion of security threats to mobile phones revolves around smartphones, but researchers have found that less advanced “feature phones,” still used by the majority of people around the world, also are vulnerable to attack.
• SCADA exploit – the dragon awakes
  The recent publication of an exploit for KingView, a software package for visualising industrial process control systems, appears to be having an effect. Threatpost reports that both the Chinese vendor Wellintech and Chinese CERT (CN-CERT) have now reacted.
• Sophos: Spam to get more malicious
  Spam is becoming more malicious in nature as trickery tactics change in line with current user interests, according to a new report released Tuesday by Sophos.
• Global spam traffic rebounds as Rustock wakes
  Spam is on the rise after the Rustock botnet awoke from its Christmas slumber, according to Symantec.
• Cracking WPA keys in the cloud
  At the forthcoming Black Hat conference, blogger Thomas Roth plans to demonstrate how weak WPA PSKs can be cracked quickly and easily using Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) service.
• Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Internet Explorer could allow remote code execution
  Provides a link to more details about the vulnerability and shows a work-around/fix for the problem.
• Adobe plans to make it easier to delete Flash cookies in web browsers
  The new API, NPAPI:ClearSiteData, will allow Flash cookies – also known as Local Shared Objects (LSO) – to be deleted directly in the browser’s settings.
• Firefox beta getting new database standard
  The ninth beta version of Firefox is set to get support for a standard called IndexedDB that provides a database interface useful for offline data storage and other tasks needing information on a browser’s computer.
• MetroPCS accused of blocking certain Net content
  MetroPCS is violating the FCC’s recently approved Net neutrality rules by blocking certain Internet content, say several public interest groups.
• Server and Tools chief Muglia to leave Microsoft in summer 2011
  Microsoft veteran and Server & Tools Business (STB) President Bob Muglia is leaving Microsoft, according to an email that CEO Steve Ballmer sent to employees on January 10.
• Report: DOJ nearing decision on Google-ITA
  The U.S. Department of Justice is gearing up for a possible formal antitrust investigation into whether or not Google should be allowed to purchase travel software company ITA Software, according to a report.
• South Korea says Google Street View broke law
  Police in South Korea reportedly say Google broke the country’s law when its Street View service captured personal data from unsecure Wi-Fi networks.
• The backlash over Google’s HTML5 video bet
  Choosing strategies based on what you believe to be long-term benefits is generally a good idea when running a business, but if you manage to alienate the world in the process, the long term may become irrelevant.
• Google answers critics on HTML5 Web video move
  Google responded to critics of its decision to drop support for a popular HTML5 video codec by declaring that a royalty-supported standard for Web video will hold the Web hostage.

Random TinyHacker Links

• A Special GiveAway: a Great Book & Great Security Software
  The team from 7 Tutorials has a special giveaway running during the month of January. Signed copies of their latest book, full 1-year licenses of BitDefender Internet Security 2011 and free 3-month trials for everyone willing to participate.
• One Click Rooting For Android Phones
  Here’s a nice tool that helps you root your Android phone effortlessly.
• New Angry Birds Free version 1.0
  Available in the App Store.
• Google Code University
  Learn programming at Google Code University.
• Capture and Share Your Favorite Part Of a YouTube Video
  SnipSnip.it lets you share only the part of the video that you like.

Super User Questions

More great questions and answers from this past week’s popular topics at Super User.

• What are the Windows A: and B: drives used for?
• Does OS X support linux-like features?
• What is the easiest way to make a backup of an entire hard disk?
• Will shifting from Wireless to Wired network result in better performance?
• Is it legal to install Windows 7 Home Premium Retail inside VMware virtual machine?

How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap

Enjoy reading through our hottest articles from this past week.

• The 50 Best Ways to Disable Built-in Windows Features You Don’t Want
• The Best of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in 2011
• How to Upgrade Windows 7 Easily (And Understand Whether You Should)
• The Worst of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in 2011
• The How-To Geek Guide to Audio Editing: Basic Noise Removal

One Year Ago on How-To Geek

More great articles from one year ago filled with helpful geeky goodness for you to enjoy.

• Share Text & Images the Easy Way with JustPaste.it
• Start Portable Firefox in Safe Mode
• Firefox 3.6 Release Candidate Available, Here’s How to Fix Your Incompatible Extensions
• Protect Your Computer from “Little Hands” with KidSafe
• Lock Prying Eyes Out of Your Minimized Windows

Custom Crocheted Cylon-Cthulhu Hybrid

What happens when you let your Cylon Centurion figure and your crocheted Cthulhu spend too many lonely nights together? A Cylon-Cthulhu hybrid, of course! You can get your own from the Cthulhu Chick store over on Etsy.

Note: This is not an ad…Ruth is a friend of ours, and this Cylon-Cthulhu hybrid makes the perfect guard for the new MVP trophy in our office.

The Geek Note

Whether it is a geeky indoor project or just getting outside, we hope that you and your families have a terrific fun-filled weekend! Remember to keep sending those great tips in to us at tips@howtogeek.com.

Photo by qwrrty.