The tech world was abuzz with the Release Preview of Windows 8 showing up a day early, but that wasn’t all we talked about this week. Some really hard-to-detect malware, an Ubuntu review, and some impressive CAPTCHA hacking captured readers’ attention as well. Here are the top stories from our Technology Lab and Risk Assessment sections:
- Precision and purpose: Ubuntu 12.04 and the Unity HUD reviewed
This release—the first with 5-year long-term support—is rock solid. - How a trio of hackers brought Google’s reCAPTCHA to its knees
Hackers exploit weaknesses in Google’s bot-detection system with 99% accuracy. - Spy malware infecting Iranian networks is engineering marvel to behold
Researchers are still wrapping their brains around the mind-blowing “Flame.” - X-rays and iPads: The network healthcare evolution
Network technology is changing the nature of healthcare—slowly. - Faster than your router? Verizon doubles FiOS speeds to 300Mbps
FiOS availability is still limited, but man is it fast. - Windows 8 Release Preview is here a day early
Ladies and gentlemen, start your downloads! - Refining the recommended system requirements for Windows 8
Microsoft’s listed requirements fall short for daily use. - Hard drive supplies back to pre-flood levels, but prices aren’t:
With supplies back on the upswing, HDD prices have found a new, higher normal. - A Beefy Miracle: Fedora 17 arrives with GNOME 3.4 and GIMP 2.8
This tasty Fedora release packs some meaty new features. - One year on, the value of Microsoft’s Skype purchase remains mysterious
Skype has more users, but the much-vaunted integration is still absent.