Hasta La Gadget!

Time is running out for computers running the DNSChanger malware, with the FBI planning to cut infected machines off from the internet teat come Monday, but how do you know if your system is at risk? The malware reroutes internet traffic through compromised servers, opening systems up to the dangers of keylogging, pushing fake software and products, and otherwise manipulating the web experience. Thankfully, checking out the status of your computer isn’t hard.

According to the DNSChanger Working Group established to address the problem, there are still a huge number of computers showing signs of badly routed DNS. The court order allowing the FBI to shut down the fake DNS servers on Monday will potentially mean hundreds of thousands of systems are left unable to look up sites.

Actually finding out whether you’re infected is a simple matter of visiting a checking site. Go to dns-ok.us in your browser, and if the background is green then your computer’s DNS settings are good. If it’s red, however, then you will need to go through some clean-up steps.

There’s a list of tools here, each of which should get your computer up and running properly again. Microsoft has one such tool, as do the main anti-virus vendors such as McAfee and Norton. It’s a good idea to do a backup of files and personal data beforehand, just in case, but the process should – now that the workings of DNSChanger are broadly understood – be simple.

DNSChanger: How to find it and how to fix it is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

“You could argue that there’s some value in it.”

That’s New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking candidly during a recent interview at D10 in California. The topic of conversation? Widespread WiFi, and whether or not the government should be the one thinking about its future ubiquity. More specifically, if WiFi hotspots should be treated like “roads or water supply,” as aptly stated by AllThingsD‘s Kara Swisher.

This obviously isn’t the first time such an idea has crossed the minds of those connected to Washington, D.C. Muni-Fi (municipal wireless networks) projects were all the rage a few years back, but one spectacular failure after another swiftly extinguished that momentum. In more modern times, America (as well as other nations) has sought to solve the “rural broadband” problem, bringing high(er)-speed internet connections to places with a higher bovine population than human.

But bringing broadband to places like rural North Dakota seems like an easy chore to a small, but passionate, group of 60,000 sitting some 4,770 miles from San Diego, California. American Samoa may be an unincorporated US territory located closer to pure bliss than the hustle and bustle of Wall Street, but it’s no doubt being taken into consideration in recent mapping projects aiming to pinpoint the areas most lacking in terms of digital infrastructure. Unbeknownst to most mainlanders, this fragile island chain is home to the most expensive internet in America, and the political issues surrounding it are astonishing. Head on past the break to learn more on what I discovered.

Continue reading The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American Samoa

The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American Samoa originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACTA, the controversial anti-counterfeiting trade agreement, has been rejected by the European Parliament by a staggering majority. The law was smacked down by a 478 to 39 vote, and has now been completely killed in Europe. Internet activists rallied against ACTA when it was seen to be a legislative act that was far too broad, with criminal sanctions also found in the trade agreement.

While ACTA has been killed in Europe, it could still come to the United States. Still, it would need congressional approval, something which is unlikely to pass given the furore surrounding the act in Europe. Meanwhile, Karel de Gucht, the European Commission responsible for ACTA, says that he keep submitting it before the European Parliament until it passes, but TorrentFreak believes that’s something the body won’t stand for.

ACTA first came into existence in October 2011 following on from SOPA, another controversial anti-piracy bill. While ACTA was presented as a trade agreement designed to combat counterfeit goods, it blurred the lines between piracy and counterfeiting, as well as working in criminal charges for those who fell foul of the law. Anti-ACTA advocates believed that criminal charges for copyright infringement were unnecessary when civil sanctions are already in place, and that the bill would restrict governments from creating their own copyright law if swayed by trade agreements.

European Parliament rejects ACTA in 478 to 39 vote is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

While it’s been in the pipes for a while, and some lucky stations got an early arrival, Virgin Media has confirmed that 41 stations in total are now lapping from the bowl of sweet, sweet free WiFi. Considering that a million tweets, Facebook updates, and emails were delivered in the first week, and over 100,000 commuters have logged on in the last four, appetite for the service is high. While use is free at the moment, and TFL travel info will remain without charge, non Virgin Media customers will have to start paying up, once the Olympic Games are over. By then the full expected 120 stations should be plugged-in and switched on. For the current list of connected stations, head past the break.

Continue reading Virgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked up

Virgin Media WiFi in London goes deeper underground, 41 stations now hooked up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 06:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to your online pals for some Chrome Web Store suggestions? If so, the folks at Google have just made accessing said list of recommendations much easier. The outfit unveiled a new feature for the app repository that allows you to see all of the add-ons that your Google+ mates are raving about. You’ll also be able to provide some tips of your own thanks to the addition of the trusty +1 button on the detail page of each offering. Just in case you forget to hit the “From Your Circles” link before browsing, each application will bear a stamp of approval — should it be deemed worthy of the extra clicks. If you’re short on acquaintances or are still new to the social network, the Chrome dev team’s lists will appear for you as well.

Chrome Web Store offers app recommendations from your Google+ mates, allows you to return the favor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 02:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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