linux

Intel OS X binary of latest multiplatform malware discovered

Earlier this week security company F-Secure uncovered a new Web-based malware attack that uses Java to identify and distribute platform-specific malware binaries to OS X, Windows, and Linux installations. In the company's first findings, the malware being issued for OS X was a PowerPC binary, which prevented it from running on many Macs using Snow Leopard and Lion; however, new developments have unveiled an x86 binary for the malware.

This new variant of the malware is essentially the same as the previous findings, with the exception that it will run on Lion and Snow Leopard systems without the need … Read more

New Web exploit targets multiple platforms

Researchers at F-Secure have uncovered a new exploit that attempts to install a backdoor malware program on Windows, Linux, and OS X machines. As with other malware, this uses social engineering approaches to try tricking users, but in addition it runs a check to see what operating system the user is running and then issues a malware installer for that platform.

The attack was found on a Columbian transport Web site, where once visited, a Java applet would run using a self-signed certificate. On all platforms this certificate will flag a warning that notifies the user it is not from … Read more

Windows 7 hot on XP's tail as top operating system

Microsoft's Windows 7 is about to beat XP as the world's leading operating system, at least according to new data from Net Applications.

For the month of June, Windows 7 scored a market share of 41.6 percent versus XP with 43.6 percent, the narrowest gap between the two since Windows 7 debuted in 2009.

Windows 7 has almost consistently chewed off a greater market share each month, hitting 14 percent in June 2010 and 28.7 percent in June 2011. At same time, XP has tried to hang on to its dominant lead but has seen … Read more

Raspberry Pi to cross Atlantic in solar-powered dinghy

What could make an awesome $35 bare-bones Linux system even more awesome? Sending it on an excellent, solar-powered trans-Atlantic journey, of course!

The FishPi project is one man's dream to use the Raspberry Pi microsystem to pilot a tiny craft across the ocean.

The idea is not just to redefine the term "budget cruise," but to prove that the inexpensive system can successfully guide and control a trans-oceanic vessel. The visionary behind the project, Greg Holloway, is currently working on a proof-of-concept vehicle for the project -- dubbed Fish Pi. Here's how he describes the plan on the project site: … Read more

Low Latency No. 29: The not-so-friendly skies

Is it wrong of Orbitz to be pushing higher prices on Mac users? Of course not. The travel agency can do whatever it wants, and if it's found that Mac users spend more money on vacations, the agency's well within its rights to serve them more expensive trip results. And let's be honest, there are plenty of people who buy a Mac for all of the wrong reasons, ultimately overpaying on a machine that's only going to be browsing Facebook.

On the other hand, there's no denying that Apple products have earned a solid reputation in terms of build quality and reliability. This has trickled over into the buying psychology of customers. If people are convinced paying more will get them a product that they will be satisfied with, the same mentality can be applied to spending more on a vacation to ensure a better time. Don't hate Orbitz for figuring that out.… Read more

How to manage Ext2/Ext3 disks in OS X

The primary filesystem format in OS X is Apple's HFS Plus (or Mac OS X Extended), which is the default used for any newly formatted disk. However, to increase cross-platform support Apple has included support for several other filesystem types, including FAT32, UDF, UFS, and NTFS (in read only mode), in addition to several networking filesystem protocols such as AFP, NFS, and SMB. While this support does allow a decent amount of flexibility in what disks can be handled by OS X, it does leave out support for some popular alternatives such as the ext2 and ext3 formats used … Read more

Nvidia responds to Torvalds' diatribe, digit

After an F-bomb-laced rant last week from Linus Torvalds, the recipient of that ire has responded.

Torvalds, the main force behind the Linux kernel, was speaking at a forum hosted by Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship in Otaniemi, Finland, on June 14, when he was asked a question about Nvidia's alleged lack of support for its Optimus graphics products.

"Nvidia has been one of the worst trouble spots we've had with hardware manufacturers," Torvalds said. About a minute into the rant, which starts at 49:59 mark (see video at bottom), he dropped the F-bomb and gestured … Read more

Linus Torvalds is livid -- directs middle digit at Nvidia

Linus Torvalds does not like Nvidia. And we have graphic proof via YouTube.

Torvalds, the main force behind the Linux kernel, was speaking at a forum hosted by Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship in Otaniemi, Finland on June 14. He was responding to a question from the audience.

A woman explains that she was trying to get Linux working on a laptop that had an Optimus chip from Nvidia -- the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company is one of the largest graphics chip suppliers in the world.

"I was expecting that Nvidia would kind of chip in and do something...[… Read more

U.S. Navy turns to Linux to run its drone fleet

Seeming eager to avoid potential malware attacks that could cripple its drone fleet, the U.S. Navy will begin installing Linux to control some of its autonomous flying vehicles.

The contract, which is worth $27,883,883, calls for a "Linux transition on the tactical control system software for vertical take-off (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle ground control stations."

According to The Register, the Navy has just one VTOL drone model, of which it hopes to eventually have 168, Northrop Grumman's MQ-8B Fire Scout, which "has the ability to autonomously take off and land on any aviation-capable … Read more

Android's new ally against the iPhone: Ubuntu

Last year was a long time ago for Android.

That was when Google's mobile platform was stealing market share from all the other smartphone platforms -- winning even against the iPhone -- and beating a path toward market dominance.

But Android is now facing a renewed challenge from its archrival. Android's vulnerability against the iPhone can be summed up by looking at the two biggest wireless carriers in the U.S. -- AT&T and Verizon. At AT&T, the iPhone represented 78% of all smartphone sales in the first three months of 2012. … Read more