Mac Users: Beware of Your First Trojan Horse

These exploits have been plaguing Windows users for years. Today, Mac users, your time has come. If you download videos from porn sites, don't install "new version of codec".

Exploit: OSX.RSPlug.A Trojan Horse

Discovered: October 30, 2007

Risk: Critical

Description: A malicious Trojan Horse has been found on several pornography web sites, claiming to install a video codec necessary to view free pornographic videos on Macs. A great deal of spam has been posted to many Mac forums, in an attempt to lead users to these sites. When the users arrive on one of the web sites, they see still photos from reputed porn videos, and if they click on the stills, thinking they can view the videos, they arrive on a web page that says the following:

Quicktime Player is unable to play movie file.
Please click here to download new version of codec.

After the page loads, a disk image (.dmg) file automatically downloads to the user’s Mac. If the user has checked Open “Safe” Files After Downloading in Safari’s General preferences (or similar settings in other browsers), the disk image will mount, and the installer package it contains will launch Installer. If not, and the user wishes to install this codec, they double-click the disk image to mount it, then double-click the package file, named install.pkg.

If the user then proceeds with installation, the Trojan horse installs; installation requires an administrator’s password, which grants the Trojan horse full root privileges. No video codec is installed, and if the user returns to the web site, they will simply come to the same page and receive a new download. ...

Read the full security alert: Intego Security Alert [via Mashable]
And let your Facebook friends know: Share on Facebook

Animoto Sponsorship: Get a Free Full-Length Slideshow

We've been in bed with a cool new company called Animoto. You will never show pictures to your friends the same way.

We think we're pretty good writers, but we don't want to miss anything. Here's their 50-word description about themselves:

Animoto is a web application that automatically generates professionally produced videos, each a customized orchestration of user-selected images and music. Using their own patent-pending Cinematic Artificial Intelligence technology and high-end motion design, the result is a user's own personal creation with the visual energy of a music video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer. Animoto's founders are veterans of the entertainment industry and share a passion for helping people better share their stories and express themselves through online media by innovating technologies in the field of video production.

You upload music and photos (or grab them from Facebook and Flickr), and Animoto does the rest. 30-sec videos are free, but you have to pay for full-length videos. We found the entire process a little too easy and a little too awesome. Check out one that I made in about a minute using all of the pictures from my flickr:

The song used was Justice's "Genesis" [buy on iTunes] off of their debut album "Cross." They are sweet. Check them out.

Because Animoto is so awesome though, they are giving all HackCollege readers/viewers/listeners a free full-length video. You're next party could be--as they say--"off the hook."

To get your free full-length Animoto video, go to

http://www.hackcollege.com/animoto

Site Updates: New Links

Good morning everyboday. How are you feeling this fine Saturday morning/afternoon? Perhaps thou shouldest consider the Burnt Toast Method.

We've added 2 new links to our sidebar, one serious and one fun. Please support the friends of HackCollege.

• ThatCollegeKid. A college life-hacking by dog-lover Sydney. She's got great input on her purchases and the usual college-related snafus.


• AmazingSuperpowers Our friends just launched their xkcd-esque site with a more super and more amazing name. We are huge fans of their site, and you should be to.

If you're interested in some link-swappage action, email us. Just because we can't have friends in real life doesn't mean we can't have friends on the Internet(s).

HackCollege Podcast Live Show! (In Bonn, Germany)

Chris, Scott, and I have found a one-of-a-kind cafe/bar in Bonn, Germany. The place presents itself to the world under the moniker Cafe Podcast. They record any and all performances on their stage and syndicate them through some RSS coolness. If you can "sprechen Deutsch," check their site out.

Most importantly, we will be hosting a podcast in front of a live audience on Monday, November 5th. If you're studying abroad in the area, stop by and check us out. For the most information, check out our facebook event. It shall be fun!

Eat Cheap and Healthy with a Microwaveable Diet

Every college student knows that eating healthy is a difficult task when you have $5.27 to your name.Yahoo Food suggests eight different microwavable dinners that are actually good for you. You'll find classics like Mac N' Cheese to something a little more exotic such as kashi lemongrass coconut chicken. So when eating Ramen noodles gets old check out these frozen entrees that will keep your budget and weight scale in check.

The Microwave Diet: 8 Great Frozen Entrees [via Lifehacker]

Or if you prefer the Ramen noodle route: The Official Ramen Homepage

Happy Halloween!

Today is Halloween. Just thought we'd remind you. Remain productive.

HackCollege Podcast Episode 7: Dusseldorf

In a 180 degree turn in production value, Chris and Kelly are back in Dusseldorf this week podcasting from the Akademie fur Internationale Bildung. While they worry about the dangers of laptops on laps, they discuss:

• Animoto Sponsorship!


• Adult Swim Contest!


• Making the Lifehacker Front Page!


• First Live Show!

This week's music:

• "Stadiums and Shrines II" by Sunset Rubdown
  
  

New Adult Swim Contest: ...And You Will Know Us by The Trail of Dead and Dethklok

HackCollege and Adult Swim are once again bringing loyal readers/watchers/listeners the opportunity to win some stuff and to "hit up" some free concerts.

To win, you must suggest the best post idea for us to write.

For more deets, check out the Adult Swim contest page