Mac?! (Photo credit: Kramchang)

It’s being reported that the newest version of Mac Flashback Trojan can now exploit Java engine in Mac OS X, all versions of Mac OS X I guess.  It bypasses the administrator privilege protection, and so it can install itself onto any Mac machine with Java enabled without the need to use an administrator password.  As now, Apple has yet to release a security fix to counteract Mac Flashback Trojan’s Java exploit, therefore I think it’s best for you to disable Java plugin for your browsers!

Should you disable Java on Mac altogether?  Yes, but unfortunately Java is so interconnected with Mac OS X (all versions), therefore I do not yet know how to disable Java on Mac.  If you know, please write a comment or two and share your knowledge with my blog’s readers.  Anyhow, the easy quick fix for now is not to use Java in any browser that you use on Mac.

Without further ado, now I’m going into how to disable Java on the most popular browsers that you can use on Mac.  These browsers will have to be Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Opera!  So check the instructions below…

• Safari – disable Java, you need to go to Safari > Preferences > Security > and uncheck the box that says Enable Java.
• Firefox – disable Java, you need to go to Tools > Add-ons > Plugins > and disable the Java Applet Plug-in plugin.
• Chrome – disable Java, you need to type in about:plugins in the browser address bar and disable the Java plugin.
• Opera – disable Java, you need to go to Tools > Advanced > Plug-Ins > and disable the Java Applet Plug-in.

Please don’t confuse Java with Javascript!  These two are different from each other!  Nonetheless, let me digress a little.  Javascript can also be dangerous sometimes, therefore you can disable Javascript by using popular extensions that are made available for certain popular browsers!  In Firefox, you can use Noscript extension.  In Chrome, you can try out the ScriptNo extension.  I don’t know any extension that can disable Javascript for Safari and Opera.

Sources:

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46933224/ns/technology_and_science-security/
• http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_disable_java_your_mac_web_browser

Related articles

• Mac Java hole exploited by wild Flashback Trojan strain (go.theregister.com)
• New Trojan variant can install without password (macworld.com)
• New Java Attack Rolled into Exploit Packs (krebsonsecurity.com)
• New Trojan variant can install without password (infoworld.com)
• Flashback.G Trojan Targets Macs (pcworld.com)
• Mac Flashback trojan exploits unpatched Java vulnerability, no password needed (arstechnica.com)
• Flashback.G trojan seen exploiting ancient Java vulnerabilities to infect Macs (9to5mac.com)
• New Mac OS X trojan spotted in the wild (zdnet.com)
• New Version of Flashback Trojan Targets Mac Users (apple.slashdot.org)
• Intego finds new strain of Mac Flashback Trojan horse (macworld.com)
• Flashback Mac OS X malware exploiting (old) Java security holes (zdnet.com)
• How Secure Are Macs?, Low End Mac Round Table (lowendmac.com)

google chrome (Photo credit: toprankonlinemarketing)

Some of you might not know that you can add and delete users in Chrome browser.  Chrome browser lets you add and delete users once you signed into Chrome browser with a Google account.  This particular feature allows you to share Chrome browser with another user who uses your computer, but this user doesn’t necessary use different Google account.  So, in a way, by using different users with the same Google account, each user can store different browser history and bookmarks.  Anyhow, I’d created a video on how to add and delete users in Chrome browser, and you can check it out right after the break!

Update:  For your information, once you had deleted the main user in Chrome browser, you will be logged out of your Google account entirely!  This will not affect your Google account anyway, but just that Chrome browser will not remember your Google account.  Also, extensions will be deleted if a main user (i.e., user which ties to Google account) gets deleted.

Related articles

• The battle between the browsers might be over (zdnet.com)
• Google Chrome – The first browser to fall at 2012 hacking contest (politics.ie)
• Google Releases Update for Chrome Browser to v18 (tomshardware.com)
• Ubisoft’s ‘From Dust’ videogame comes to Chrome browser in April (9to5google.com)
• My Chrome Theme, Create A Custom Skin For Google Chrome (ghacks.net)
• How to get Chrome Browser standalone Installer (techtimely.wordpress.com)
• Google pushes out Chrome 18 with improved graphics and security fixes (venturebeat.com)
• IE market share slightly up after long downturn (technolog.msnbc.msn.com)
• Google throws stacks of cash at hackers to publicly crack its Chrome browser (venturebeat.com)
• Is Firefox Really Becoming Dispensable? (ghacks.net)

Image via Wikipedia

I don’t want to repeat what others have already wrote about the release of Firefox 8 today!  I just want to emphasize that Firefox 8 is safer for users, but will be a pain for some application developers.  I’m not sure if that even sounds about right, because some web developers might not care.  Nonetheless, it’s good to know that users don’t have to worry how certain third party software they install onto their computers might automatically install toolbars and extra Firefox extensions without the knowledge of the users, because Firefox 8 will notify the users if they want to allow third party software’s extensions or toolbars to be added to their Firefox browser or not.

Mac OS X Lion’s users might be disappointed with Firefox 8 in one aspect.  It is that Firefox 8 isn’t yet added an easy button to allow full screen mode.  Unlike Firefox 8, Google’s Chrome 15 has visibly displayed two slant arrow heads button (i.e., one arrow head slants up and the other slants down) at the uppermost right corner so when users hit on it, Google’s Chrome will go into full screen mode instantly.  Of course, users can go into full screen mode with Firefox 8 on Mac OS X Lion by go to View > Enter Full Screen or using shortcut keys, but somehow it seems these methods are somewhat cumbersome.  In case non-mac users have no idea, full screen mode isn’t a big deal to Windows at the moment, but this feature is a big deal for Mac OS X Lion.

Related articles

• Firefox 8 available to download, official launch tomorrow (digitaltrends.com)
• Firefox 8 Officially Released (macstories.net)
• Firefox 8 final released (onsoftware.en.softonic.com)
• Faster Firefox 8 Hits the Web (webmonkey.com)
• Download Firefox 8 For Windows, Mac & Linux (madrasgeek.com)
• Mozilla launches Firefox 8 with Twitter search, Thunderbird 8 with Lightning 1.0 calendar (9to5google.com)
• Firefox Version 8 Available Ahead of Official Release [OStatic] (ostatic.com)
• Firefox 8 cracks down on add-ons (news.cnet.com)
• Firefox 8 Officially Released (omgubuntu.co.uk)
• Firefox 8 Now Officially Available, Includes Built-In Twitter Search (techcrunch.com)
• Firefox 8 offers upgrades, but Firefox 10 is the one to wait for (100gf.wordpress.com)
• Firefox 8 Officially Arrives November 8 But It’s Available for Download Now (mashable.com)
• Firefox 8 Now Officially Available, Includes Built-In Twitter Search (ianogema.wordpress.com)
• Firefox 8 Launches with Built-in Twitter Search, Smarter Add-On Management & Better WebGL Support (siliconfilter.com)
• Firefox 8 arrives with Twitter search functionality (techradar.com)
• Firefox 8 Unleashed|Download Now (techtimely.wordpress.com)

Aurora is version 9 of Firefox.  Firefox’s stable version is 7.0.1, and it already has a beta in progress which is Firefox version 8.  What after Aurora?  Well, there is a nightly built which has been bumped to version 10 of Firefox.  Confuse yet?  Don’t be, because if you’re a regular user of Firefox who only wants to play with the stablest version there is of Firefox, then Firefox version 7.0.1 will be perfect.

So, what about Aurora?  According to sources, Aurora utilizes a new feature known as type inference to boost Javascript’s performance.  Regular users don’t really have to know what type inference is though, because it’s more of how one algorithm is able to smartly assign data types to particular variables.  According to sources, Javascript’s performance can be improved by assigning correct data types to variables.  Technically, I don’t know the true meaning of using type inference, but I surmise it has to do with the efficiency of memory.  If my guess is correct, the efficient memory allocations will help boost Javascript’s performance, but do take this deduction with a grain of salt.

Aurora carries a new feature known as Data Management Window, and this feature allows users to specifically assign which websites can access users’ information such as browsing data, cookies, passwords, and so on.  To access this feature, one has to type about:permissions into the URL address bar.

For web developers, Firefox Aurora comes with better support for HTML5, DOM level 3, server-sent events, networking technologies, and tools such as Scratchpad, Web Console, Web Developer Menu and others.

Aurora supports Mac, Windows, and Android.  I’m not sure if Aurora is available for Linux or not, because I’d not heard anything of Aurora and Linux.  Nonetheless, I might update this post on Aurora and Linux compatibility when I’ve the chance to test Aurora out on Linux.  I don’t have an Android device, therefore I can only repeat what the source says about Aurora on Android.  The source says that Android users will have a new look and feel of Firefox through Aurora.  I guess the only way to find that out for Android users is to download Aurora and test it out.

In conclusion, Aurora has a solid feel to it when I’m using it.  It feels really fast!  With faster Javascript, Aurora can load websites with heavy Javascript elements faster.  With better tools and support for HTML5, Firefox Aurora is definitely making it easier for web developers who want to create applications and add-ons for Firefox.  Other experimental features are in the work, and a noticeable experimental feature is Data Management Window.  I recommend users to test out Aurora!  Users can download Aurora through Cnet and Mozilla’s official website at here.

Sources:  http://www.ghacks.net/2011/10/01/firefox-9-features-changes/, http://www.ghacks.net/2011/09/04/firefox-9-gets-big-javascript-performance-boost/, http://blog.mozilla.com/futurereleases/2011/05/27/firefoxaurora/

Don’t be surprised when Firefox 4 asks you to do an update to Firefox 4.0.1, because it’s the latest build to update several security issues.  Some of you will notice Firefox 4 will automatically ask you to do this update, but many of you will not have this option yet.  Firefox 4.0.1 is going to be released on April 26th, but it’s rolling out first for users who are on beta update channel.  Wanting to use beta update channel to get the latest Firefox?  Use this link here to do so.  Also, there are still several known issues with Firefox 4.0.1, and this is why it’s only at version of Firefox 4.0.1 (Build 1).  Expecting build 2 to be released sometimes soon, I guess.

Mozilla has released Firefox 4 RC (Release Candidate).  This means Mozilla is getting closer to release an official version of Firefox 4.  This is good news.  I assume everything I’ve mentioned about Firefox 4 on my blog is pretty much staying intact.  If anything, Firefox 4 RC has less bugs and more features than Firefox 4 beta’s versions.  So, make sure update your Firefox 4 beta to the RC one.  Of course, if you’re still using Firefox 3.6.x (i.e., the stable version), you can wait for the release of the official version of Firefox 4.  Still, Firefox 4 RC is as close as you get to an official version of Firefox 4, and so if you don’t want to wait, I recommend you download it today and give it a test drive!  Have fun browsing with Firefox 4!

Recently, I’m testing out Firefox 4 beta 12, and I’m quite happy with it.  I feel that Firefox 4 beta 12 is actually better than the current stable version of Firefox which is Firefox 3.6.15.  In term of speed, Firefox 4 beta 12 is quite fast.  In term of eye candy, Firefox 4 beta 12 is indeed gorgeous.  Honestly though, there is one problem that Firefox 4 beta 12 has which needs to be fixed is that Flash tends to crash unexpectedly.  Then again, when the official version of Firefox 4 comes out, I think Flash will be secondary to HTML5.  I think eventually HTML5 will overtake Flash in various major functions such as playing videos and playing games inside browsers.  Can’t go too deeply into the topic of HTML5 vs Flash, because the topic in itself could fill up an entire  article.

In Firefox 4 beta 12, the tabs are more visible and prettier.  In case you don’t already know, Firefox 4 beta 12 has a feature that is catering to help you in organizing your tabs better.  This feature is known as Panorama or Tab Groups.  The Panorama (Tab Groups) button is a button/icon on the very top right, above the feedback button, and you can click on it to begin grouping your tabs.  It looks like a tile button.  If you’re using Mac, you can use the combination of buttons of [Shift + Command + e] to fire up the Panorama view.  For Windows 7 users, I think it’s the combination of buttons of [Shift + Ctrl + e].

How about multi-touch?  Yes, Firefox 4 beta 12 is supporting multi-touch, but your hardware must also support the multi-touch or else the feature is pretty useless.  Nonetheless, check out the video right after the break to see how one goes about using multi-touch with Firefox 4 beta 12 or whatever beta version of Firefox you’re using.

Even though Firefox 4 beta 12 is indeed a beta version of Firefox, it probably is more secure than Firefox 3.6.x.  It utilizes Compartments feature so memory is managed better, and in this sense it may offer better browser security.  Also, website owners can make use of HSTS feature so users of Firefox 4 beta 12 or later versions can automatically connect to https protocol for security purpose.

Yes, Firefox 4 beta 12 isn’t ready for prime time, because there are few bugs that need to be squashed.  One noticeable bug is Flash tends to crash unexpectedly.  Still, I think using Firefox 4 beta 12 is a lot more enjoyable than Firefox 3.6.x.  What do you think?

Using mouse gestures to control a browser is not new, but many people aren’t yet familiarized with this capability.  Browsers such as FireFox, Chrome, and many others have the ability of letting you add extensions to them.  These extensions extend the browsers’ capability in many ways such as using mouse gestures.

In this blog post, I’m talking specifically about FireGestures extension of Firefox browser.  FireGestures allows you to use mouse gestures to control Firefox such as navigating to the previous website.  Installing FireGestures is easy as going to Tools >> Add-ons >> Get Add-ons, and inside the Search All Add-ons search box, type in FireGestures.  Click Add to Firefox to install FireGestures extension.

Modifying the Mapping of FireGestures to customize the mouse movements to your liking, but you can always use the default Mapping.  As long FireGestures is installing inside Firefox, you can right click your mouse and drag it accordingly to FireGestures’ Mapping.  For an example, right click my mouse and drag to the left, I would be revisiting the previous web page.  Checking or modifying the available FireGestures’ Mapping, you can go to Tools >> Add-ons >> Extensions >> FireGestures >> Options.

ChameleonOS is built upon Unity Linux and Unity Linux is built upon Mandriva.  ChameleonOS uses Smart package manager to manage its packages.  It ships with Chromium browser (i.e., Chrome in Windows), but you can always use this command “smart install firefox” without using the double quotes to install Firefox browser.  The live CD for ChameleonOS is pretty light as it’s only 500 MB or less.  I’ve found installing ChameleonOS is pretty easy too!

To install ChameleonOS, you need to either burn its ISO file into CD or DVD, and then boot into the burned CD/DVD.  You can choose Live CD or Copy to RAM option at the first screen.  At ChameleonOS login box, you can enter username as guest, and password as guest.  After logging in, you need to double click onto the install icon.  It will pop up a box that asks you to enter an administrator password, and the password would be root.  From that point on, just follow the installation instruction as it’s pretty self-explanatory.  Install a Linux once, you know how to install the rest, I think!

So, you ask — why should we use ChameleonOS just to have the looks of other OS(s) when we can actually use the other OS(s)?  It’s about taste and security at the same time I think.  For some people, they just hate Windows for its insecurity or having too many exploits and bugs and long delay patches.  Other people just don’t have money to buy expensive Macs.  Many people can install Linux onto their PCs for a cost of zero dollar.  This is why I think ChameleonOS can give these people an operating system that is secure as it’s Linux and the looks of other operating systems.  In short, it’s because we can do it!  Get ChameleonOS by go to http://chameleonos.wordpress.com.

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