This week we learned how to never run out of minutes again by making free VoIP calls on Android phones, automate Windows maintenance tasks to keep a PC running like new, crack a Windows password using a video guide, know why application installs want to make you reboot and close other apps, know what is (and is not) wrong with writing down your password, and more.
Photo by Dunechaser.
Weekly Feature
This wonderful Halo theme comes with 12 wallpapers and a nice assortment of sound files to help take your desktop from ordinary to extraordinary. For anyone wanting to step it up another notch be sure to look through our Halo Desktop Customization Set for more Halo goodness.
Photo by Asian Angel.
Halo: Reach Windows 7 Theme
Random Geek Links
Photo by Bigod.
- Stuxnet: Fact vs. theory
The Stuxnet worm has taken the computer security world by storm, inspiring talk of a top secret, government-sponsored cyberwar, and of a software program laden with obscure biblical references that call to mind not computer code, but “The Da Vinci Code.” - EU calls Stuxnet ‘paradigm shift’ as U.S. responds more mildly
While official U.S. response has been comparatively mild, the European Union’s cybersecurity agency says Stuxnet represents a “paradigm shift” in critical infrastructure threats and that current defense philosophies need to be reconsidered. - Nationwide holiday ups China’s risk to Stuxnet
Computer hackers have warned that the week-long National Day holiday in China that began Friday could leave the country vulnerable to further attacks from Stuxnet, according to a report by news agency AFP. - October 2010 Patch Tuesday will come with most bulletins ever
According to the Microsoft Security Response Center, Microsoft will issue 16 Security Bulletins addressing 49 vulnerabilities on Tuesday, October 12. It will also host a webcast to address customer questions the following day. - Drive-by malware blocked by new BLADE software
A new tool developed by researchers at Georgia Tech and SRI International could provide an effective countermeasure against drive-by download attacks. - Halo: Reach Recon Armor Code Generators Infected with Malware
Gamers looking to get the Recon Armor in Halo: Reach should think twice about using “alternative” methods. Microsoft is warning fans of the game to steer clear of some code generators which promise to deliver the rare armor, but instead infect their computers with malware. - ChromeOS, the web platform for them, not me
A discussion thread within the Enterprise Irregulars group this week started off with an observation about where Google expects to find market demand for its ChromeOS. - Study: 92% of U.S. 2-year-olds have online record
There has been a lot of concern about young people posting too much information about themselves online, but a study commissioned by security company AVG found that 92 percent of U.S. children have some type of online presence by the time they are 2 years old.
Geek Video of the Week
It does not matter how many extra lives you have if they are all sad.
Photo by CollegeHumor.
Sonic and Mario’s Awkward Reunion
Productive Geek Tips
Photo by steakpinball.
- Use Your PC to Learn a New Language (Without Spending a Dime)
A $600 language learning course may not be as good as a $10 learning method. We can even learn a new language without spending a dime with a free, easy to use, and rich feature flash card software. - Wean Yourself from Compulsive Email Checking with Positive Reward
Compulsive email checking is an unhealthy habit that keeps you from doing more important things. Use positive reward to establish a healthier relationship to your inbox. - How to Make the Linux Console Easier to Use for Linux Newbies
The Linux console may not be as user friendly as the GUI but it is faster and saves you a lot of time when you are doing simple repetitive tasks.
Sysadmin Geek Tips
Photo by Travis Isaacs.
- How to Create, Modify and Delete Scheduled Tasks from the Command Line
Windows XP/Server 2003 introduced us to the SchTasks command line tool which usurped the At tool offered in Windows 2000. This tool offers the ability to control every aspect of your Scheduled Tasks through calls to this command.
Random TinyHacker Links
- Best Laptop Security Software, Tips and Tools
Check out this comprehensive list of various software, tips and hardware tools for securing your laptop. - Defend Your Computer!
Simple, easy to follow instructions from Microsoft for a beginner or any loved one (in .pdf and .xps formats). - Newsweek’s List of Best Countries
Neat chart of counties ranked by Education, Health, Quality of Life, Economic Dynamism and Political Environment. - Design Secrets of Threadless.com
Nice presentation exploring the design secrets of the hugely popular Threadless.com. - Oatmeal on Email Etiquettes
The Oatmeals’ hilarious take on email etiquettes.
Super User Questions
Here is this week’s batch of great questions from Super User.
- Alternative to Notepad++ for quick reading and minor editing in Windows
- How can I recover source overwritten by a bad compile command?
- What’s the best way to completely remove everything from a computer, without re-installing?
- Using laptop in sunlight
- How to change the root directory for a Linux user?
Latest Reviews at How-To Geek
More great software reviews for you to enjoy.
- Stardock Fences Pro
If you keep a lot of files, icons, and shortcuts on your Windows Desktop, Stardock Fences Pro is a fun and easy to use program that can help increase productivity by organizing a messy desktop. - Things for iOS
Things for the iOS is a To-Do List application that allows for simple organization and is a great companion to the Mac application. It has nice options with tags, as well as areas of focus ranging from what is due today, to what you should do next.
How-To Geek Weekly Article Recap
Get caught up on reading through our hottest articles from this past week.
- Make Your PC Shut Down at Night (But Only When You’re Not Using It)
- What’s the Difference Between JPG, PNG, and GIF?
- How to Understand Typography Like a Professional Designer
- How to Hack Your Wii for Homebrew Games and DVD Playback
- Ask the Readers: Which Version of Chrome Do You Use? [Poll]
One Year Ago on How-To Geek
Enjoy reading through our latest batch of retro geeky goodness.
- Securely Store Your Passwords with KeePass
- Get Organized with AM-Notebook Lite
- How to Create a Virtual Hard Drive in Windows 7
- Our Look at XP Mode in Windows 7
- Create and Author DVDs in Windows 7
The Geek Note
That is all for this week. Remember to download your copy of Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat today! Got a great tip? Then make sure to send it in to us at tips@howtogeek.com.
Photo by JesusM.