Chip March 2012 edition

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CHIP_COVER_MAR_2012.indd 1 2/23/2012 5:02:49 PM

2. EDITORIAL
Further concerns
ver the past few months, technology news coverage has been dominated by
O the interrelated themes of security, privacy, legalities, censorship, and copyright.
The Internet has so far been a wonderful agent of freedom and open
communication, and has transformed nearly every aspect of human life over
the past twenty or so years. Even in the early 1990s it must have been difficult to envision
how easy and cheap it would be to talk to anyone anywhere in the world, or do business
without ever having seen clients face-to-face. It’s hard to even remember consulting the
Encyclopedia Britannica for research projects—and in fact the very idea of a set of thirty or
more printed volumes that could only be refreshed once a decade or so (that too at the
cost of buying a whole new set) is astonishing and humbling, in retrospect.
Of course this hasn’t worked out for everyone. Regimes which have flourished by limiting
people’s communications and exposure to outside influences find their very foundations
challenged. Businesses which once thrived but are struggling today would rather kill the
new medium than adapt and embrace its potential. Individuals and groups who are used
to imposing their views and moral standards on others are angry that people are starting
to see worlds beyond those narrow confines. Law and order enforcement agencies which
once had tight grips over their domains are scared that they just aren’t clever or quick
enough to deal with today’s threat landscape.
And so the Internet in its current bohemian form is under a massive threat.
Governments, businesses, individuals and organizations around the world have decided
they just don’t like they way people can do anything they like online. Laws in various
countries, most notably the United States and Great Britain are restricting freedoms and
invading people’s privacy under the noble-sounding pretexts of ending piracy, catching
terrorists and eliminating child pornography. The Indian government wants to be able to
prevent “sensitive” material from ever reaching the Web. Emboldened by these examples,
more countries will start pushing for their own Internet controls, eventually destroying the
very pillars that hold up what we take for granted today. A new proposal at the United
Nations level would create a single, global body to control the policies and infrastructure of
the Internet, in the process destroying the way a decentralized, non-political group of
technologists have kept it running so far. A political body overseeing the Internet would
immediately set up censorship and monitoring facilities. The freedom of speech could
be challenged severely, with material deemed unfavorable to any party simply
eliminated from the Web and its authors tracked down and punished. Without
any way of knowing whose subjective standards would be used to formulate
Internet policies, it’s likely that everyone would be able to block whatever they
want, and circumventing any country’s blockades would become a far more
serious offense. Lawmakers who already pander to commercial interests could
be misled or otherwise convinced to make policy decisions that help them
make money at the cost of personal freedoms. Worst of all, the engineers who
truly understand where the Internet came from, and who shape all its new
standards and practices, would be replaced by bureaucrats.
We take the Internet and its various services and benefits for granted, but
nothing about it is constant or unshakable. Only awareness and continual
mass global campaigning will help keep its promise and spirit alive.
Jamshed Avari
editor@chip.in
intelligent computing chip 03/2012 3
0030312_Editorial.indd 3 2/24/2012 2:03:59 AM

3. Contents
76 Cover story
The Secret World of
Hackers
NEWSWIRE test center Featured
12 In the News... 32 Product Spotlight 76 The Secret World of Hackers
A look at what's making news in the world of Samsung's latest attempt at stealing Apple's They make computers safer, profit from attacks,
technology. tablet crown. and are even employed by governments.
18 The Buzz List 34 Hardware Tested 80 Security Tips From Experts
The people, products and innovations that have The latest PC hardware, mobile phones, digital An exclusive glimpse behind the curtains of IT
got the tech world talking. cameras and more, tested and rated. security.
24 Lending Made Easy 48 Versatile Beauties 84 Facebook vs Google+
A unique service that lets anyone in the world We bring together seven all-in-one PCs to find Google is trying to shake up social networking.
loan money to Indians at low interest rates. out which is the best. Does Facebook have reason to worry?
26 Techshare 2010 54 Movie Time! 88 IIT JEE: Test of Caliber
A unqiue conference that sheds light on the Twelve Full HD media players go head to head Come April, lakhs of students will appear for
needs of the differently abled. in this round-up what is possibly the toughest entrance exam.
27 Power Walk 62 Software Spotlight 92 The Contaminated Internet
An innovative piece of tech that charges your A straightforward and easy-to-use data backup CHIP identifies the countries that host the
phone while you walk. solution. largest numbers of Botnet control servers.
28 CP+ 2012 64 Software Tested
Highlights from the international camera and Everything from recovery tools and system
photo imaging show in Japan. utilities to video and image editors.
4 03/2012 intelligent computing chip
0040312_Contents.indd 4 2/24/2012 2:27:45 AM

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34 TEST CENTER
HARDWARE
The latest hardware reviewed
62 TEST CENTER
SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT
SmartBackup
POWER tools for everyday life
TOOLS DVD
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102 HANDS-ON
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HANDS ON REGULARS DVD HIGHLIGHTS
98 Dr CHIP 03 Editorial, 06 Colophon, 08 Letters, RED HOT APPLICATIONS
Our in-house expert helps you with your Ashampoo APPS Pack
hardware and software woes. 12 In the News..., 18 The Buzz List, Anti-Malware; Burning Studio 11; Core Tuner 2
Cover Studio 2; Gadge It; GetBack Photo; Home
20 New Products Launched, 72 PC Configs, Designer; Photo Commander 9 and more...
102 Multi-boot: Android OS 94 Web Watch, 98 Dr CHIP, 108 Tips &
Here is how you can boot up to five ROMs on
an Android phone by simply rebooting. Tricks, 116 Market Watch, 128 Contests, FULL SOFTWARE
Quick Media Converter; Kigo Video Converter;
125 Personal Tech SUPER 2011; FormatFactory; HandBrake 0.9.5;
106 Stream Audio to Androud Miro Video Converter; Daniusoft Video Converter;
Stream music from a PC and convert your Chick Video Converter and more...
Android phone into a wireless speaker.
FULL GAMES
108 Tips N Tricks Apocalypse Motor Racers; Ultra Nitro Racers;
Some cool Windows and application tips you Extreme Jungle Racers; Ultra Monster Truck;
may not be aware of. Communism Muscle Cars and more...
GAME DEMOS
Airline Tycoon 2; Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom
Sim; Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin and more...
GAME TRAILERS
TERA The Exiled Realm of Arborea: Kumas; WipEout
2048: Cinematic; Vessel; Repulse and more...
INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP 03/2012 5

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6 03/2012 intelligent computing chip
0060312_Colophon.indd 6 2/24/2012 9:47:32 AM

7. letters
star
lett'seinr
INBOX
Next month's Star Letter wins
th w ner
This mon a cool
gets
accessories
set
accessories set (worth Rs 5,000)
Life-changing
Dear CHIP
“Matter is anything which occupies space and has weight”. The ‘matter’ (CHIP mags) occupy half of my
wardrobe and do have a good deal of weight! I’ve been with CHIP for six years, not missing a single issue. Not
just because I love technology, but because it is a constant source of inspiration to me. I read other magazines
as well, but CHIP is the only one that hasn’t stopped improving. I had a problem last month
and wrote to Dr CHIP about it (I mailed other mags but got no replies from them). Though
it didn’t get published, I was touched to receive a personal reply from Francis D’Sa. I was
not expecting this. It brought me closer to you. CHIP proves to be what it claims to be—
at the heart of technology! You guys touch the readers’ hearts with such gestures.
About last month’s issue, I just LOVED the cover story. Your game posters adorn the
walls of my room (I would love one of NFS MW). I still use the December 2007 DVD
(Lifesaver Kit) whenever I reinstall my OS as it has ALL the necessary software on one
disc. The laptop I’m using to type this email (Acer 5738G) was bought after going through
your reviews. Finally, CHIP landed me a job indirectly last month! I had an interview in
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first investment for sure. Thank you for making me fall in love with tech! Keep up the good work.
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Wow! That's a lot of appreciation! The whole team is delighted to hear how CHIP has become a part of
Sachin Pandit
your life and has even helped you to get a job. Here's wishing you all the best for your future.
– Team CHIP
Laptop features Hi Utsav, Software and security
Hi CHIP, Thanks for the compliments! The Hello CHIP,
I am Utsav from Ahmedabad. You model you have purchased does have Thanks for the information that you
guys make technology so much a replaceable battery. Simply pop it share in your magazine. CHIP covers
better. You are doing a good job in out using the clasps on the bottom all the issues, be it politics, gadgets,
making tomorrow brighter. CHIP of the laptop. The RAM modules security, reviews, or tips and tricks.
helps me find out more about the appear to be behind a small cover, Insider is pretty good too. The DVD
hidden advantages of technology which you can unscrew yourself, but has good software and I never miss
and taught me to use licensed the hard drive is not accessible and the Tech Toyz show. The trailers of
software. I purchased a Dell will require the entire body to be new games help me know which
Inspiron N5110 laptop for my study opened, which will void your games are going to be launched
purposes. I have a few questions. warranty. You can easily dual boot even if I don’t see them in stores.
Can the laptop battery, hard disk the laptop. Search the Web or the Your DVD has trial version software,
and RAM modules be replaced? Is it CHIP archives for detailed but if someone uses, say, a security
safe to dual boot a laptop? I read instructions. As for your last tool and it corrects the security of
the instructions on how to operate question, the SIM card slot might not the computer, then after the trial
the laptop in the Dell startup guide be present in all variants of that period is over or if it is uninstalled,
contact info
that came with it. In that I laptop model, and might not be will the settings stay as is or will the
Please send your discovered that my laptop can available in all countries. If it is security of the computer be rolled
letters to: accept a SIM card but what is this supported, you can insert a SIM card back? Back in my school days, our
editor@chip.in for? I don't know how I can use that to take advantage of 3G data access computers teacher told us that
with "LETTERS" in module. via your cellular service provider. pirated software will be different
the subject line – Utsav rana - Team CHIP from original software (some
8 03/2012 intelligent computing chip
0080312_Letters.indd 8 2/23/2012 6:25:16 PM

8. 0080312_Letters.indd 9 2/23/2012 6:25:19 PM

9. letters
Statement about ownership and other particulars about Intelligent
sms us features will not be there). Computing CHIP, as required to be published in the first issue every
year after the last day of February.
Since we like knowing what’s Will there be graphical 1. Place of Publication: Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg,
on your mind and what you glitches in pirated games?
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think about our magazine, 3. Printer’s Name: Mr. Mohan Gajria
we bring you another way Also, some people say that Nationality: Indian
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to get in touch. Do you have AMD processors are good for Dadar (West), Mumbai-400028.
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gaming and Intel's are not. Is Nationality: Indian
or review? Liked a feature Address: Infomedia 18 Ltd, Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg,
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www.chip.in/forums Signature of the publisher
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possible if the pirated CD is of a low ideas/suggestions from other market price of the Xperia Play is Rs
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flimsy packaging. And no, there is no – OJASHWIN MISHRA the PS Vita. I can't afford both.
definitive rule that Intel CPUs are -MANISH
unsuitable for gaming. In fact, our Dear Ojashwin, Dear Manish,
CPU performance charts are We're happy that you liked the The Xperia Play is simply a phone
currently dominated by Intel, though February cover story. Your research with Playstation branding and
AMD also has some fine choices at sounds fascinating and we'd be dedicated gaming controls. It is
certain price points. happy to hear how it progresses. essentially just an Android phone
- Team CHIP - Team CHIP which will play Android games, along
with a limited selection of old PSOne
Fiber for the future Game decisions games. I’d recommend even a PSP
Hello CHIP, Hi CHIP! over the Xperia Play. The Vita (Rs
I recently subscribed to your I am a daily reader of CHIP and love 19,990 for the Wi-Fi version), on the
magazine and i was amazed that it the reviews of different phones and other hand, is a powerhouse, and if
could quench all my thirst for tech tablets. I was recently going to you want hardcore, HD quality
news and reports. The article on purchase the Xperia Play as I am a games like Uncharted and FIFA,
power saving batteries was amazing dedicated gamer, but I heard the you’ll only get them on the Vita. I’d
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10. 0080312_Letters.indd 11 2/23/2012 6:25:42 PM

11. Newswire
NEWS SNIPPETS
DANGER PREDICTION IN THE NEWS...
No major new COMPILED By JAMSHED AVARI
threats from
botnets or
Trojans, but
users need to Privacy
stay vigilant
about scams
and phishing
Controversy over apps that "steal" contact info
schemes that
are always
around.
SPAM BOTNETs worldwide
A massive controversy erupted online after delete its entire cache of stored information,
Singapore-based software developer Arun and release an update which now explicitly
GRUM 29.27% CUTWAIL 1 5.93% Thampi discovered that the social journal app requires users to opt in to contact sharing.
LETHIC 16.46% GHEG 5.10% Path had uploaded his entire address book to Other apps such as Twitter and Instagram
DONBOT 12.72% CUTWAIL 4 4.60% its own servers, including all contacts' phone have also quietly introduced such updates
FESTI 7.82% OTHER 2.84% numbers and email addresses. The creators to avoid being caught in the backlash. Apple
The three botnets Grum, Lethic and Donbot of Path, responded that this was a standard itself will enforce a confirmation prompt with
are responsible for almost 75 percent of the practice, and several other apps have been its next iOS update, much like the prompt for
world’s spam
Source: Kaspersky doing the same thing for years. Still, Thampi's allowing apps to read users' GPS coordinates.
blog post spread virally around the Internet Nonetheless, two US congressmen have
ANDROID MALWARE to rise and in a matter of days, the torrent of bad demanded that Apple disclose information
publicity forced Path to issue an apology, about what apps do with users' data.
ANDROID - MALWARE
1,30,000
1,29,000
SOURCE : TREND MICRO
Security
38,000
Travelling to China? Leave your laptop at home
65,000
11,000
3,000
MONTH
0
12/11 02/12 04/12 06/12 08/12 10/12 12/12 American Government officials and private economics make it a huge danger. Laptops
businesspeople travelling to China are taking that make it back from China are often
In the absence of security at the app
download stage, the instances of Android more and more precautions against hacking infected with malware that spreads across a
malware will rise from 1,000 to nearly and digital espionage, according to a report company's network as soon as they connect
130,000 this year. in The New York Times. While many people to it upon return. The malware then sneaks
simply leaving their electronics behind, into other computers, printers and networked
Figure of the month others have separate devices for travelling appliances in order to avoid detection and
$13.9b
or follow elaborate routines for blanking out allow remote attackers to gain access to
the hard drives before leaving and sanitizing corporate secrets. Top government officials
them once again upon return. Travellers have are said to be fully aware that every single
also learnt to take the batteries out of their laptop taken into China by officials in various
phones to protect themselves from spyware government had returned without some
in SMS revenue was lost by mobile
that might clandestinely start recording their sort of deliberate and persistent malware
service providers around the world in meetings and conversations. infection. It is also illegal to carry encrypted
2011, due to the growth of social apps. China isn't the only offender, but its storage devices into China without prior
Source: Ovum (via BBC)
growing importance in world politics and government approval.
12 03/2012 intelligent computing chip SMS us!  Story code: NSN to 51818
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13. Newswire
NEWS SNIPPETS
Censorship Censorship Legal issues
Net access in Iran Twitter to block Forced hard drive decryption ruling
blocked again Tweets by country sets legal precedent
Communications services in Twitter now has the ability A US judge has ruled that compelling a suspect
Iran have been blacked out to block individual tweets by to provide law enforcement officers with
ahead of an election in early country, though it has clearly access to the contents of an encrypted
March, this time affecting specified that this cannot hard drive does not violate his or her
all encrypted Internet traffic be applied proactively, as constitutional rights. The ruling could
that relies on SSL. The secure the Indian government has become a precedent for future cases. The
protocol is widely used demanded. The company right to refuse to incriminate oneself was
to help prevent attackers hasn't used its new capability held to be not applicable in the case of a Colorado real estate
from spoofing websites or yet or divulged the policies broker currently under trial for fraud. The protection was held
intercepting communications. it will follow when using it in to apply to the contents of a person's mind, not their physical
Several social networking the future, but has indicated property, which could also be made to exist in unencrypted
and email websites use SSL, in a blog post that a legal form. The defendant must turn over unencrypted copies of the
as do international VPN takedown request will be hard drive's contents, thereby sidestepping the issue of forcing
and webfilter circumvention required, and that users her to hand over the actual key. Additionally, the mere facts that
services. The government has whose tweets are blocked she owns the laptop and knows the decryption key will not be
in the past cracked down on will be notified. Twitter is still used to tie her to the crimes; evidence to support that will still
students using social media blocked in several countries, need to be recovered from the computer. In this case, police also
channels to organize protests, most notably China, and has have a recorded phone call in which the defendant acknowledges
and is understood to be using been cited as a major enabler that information on the laptop could incriminate her.
sophisticated Deep Packet of protests and civilian Civil rights watchers including the Electronic Frontier
Inspection tools to identify communication during periods Foundation are disappointed with the ruling, and have promised
political dissenters. of unrest in the Middle East. to continue to monitor the issue.
Hardware Hardware Privacy
SSDs could reach Google to sell UK to store all communication
their limit in 2024 HUD glasses? records: phone, SMS, social media
University Google is reportedly at work The UK's Telegraph reports that all
of California on a wearable heads-up landline and mobile phone service
researchers display that would show providers are to be ordered to retain
have found information and alerts to logs for at least a year and hand these
that the users in realtime, via a tiny records over to law enforcement agents
latency and translucent screen embedded on demand and in realtime, under a new
error rates into a pair of glasses. The anti-terrorism security scheme proposed
which are display device would be based by the government. The records would
inherent to Flash memory on Android and would use have to log SMS exchanges and also every website visited, in
production will render solid- a cellular data connection addition to phone calls. The records would not include the actual
state drives unviable by the in addition to GPS and content of communications, but would consist of identifying
time production shrinks to 6.5 orientation sensors. Google's details of the parties involved. The plan is certain to spark wide
nanometers—a development various services would of debate about the demise of civil liberties and the rise of a police
expected no later than course tie in, giving users state. Furthermore, Internet service providers would also be
2024. Manufacturers will live updates of things such as ordered to monitor websites visited, messages sent via social
no longer be able to shrink tourist attractions in sight or media channels or VoIP, and even online games for the purpose
their production processes to friends entering the vicinity. of identifying suspected terrorism-related messages passed
create cheaper and denser This information could even be between users. No information is yet available about how such
SSDs. Solutions might lie in displayed as a layer over their records will be stored, and how the databases will be protected
optimized controller chips or actual positions, using a small from attacks and who will be allowed to access them. Such
in new types of solid-state camera. Prototypes could be databases would undoubtedly be ripe targets for online criminals.
storage that are currently out by the end of 2012, priced The chances of such a plan being implemented successfully are
under development. on par with premium phones. unknown, as its scale is unlike anything ever attempted before.
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15. Newswire
NEWS SNIPPETS
Security Security Security
Fake Android stores supplying Verisign was
new security malware to unsuspecting users hacked in 2010
risks detected
and patched
Google's approach of allowing Details of a 2010 attack
anyone to set up an app store on Verisign, the company
for Android has resulted in responsible for managing much
a number of fakes, including of the Internet's underlying
malicious ones containing infrastructure and policies,
modified versions of commonly have only just surfaced, thanks
downloaded apps, or ones to a legally required financial
which spoof popular names to filing. The exact nature of the
trick users into downloading hack has not been disclosed,
malware. A new threat, known presumably to avoid panic,
as server-side polymorphism, but the company does not
is now being used to alter believe its root DNS servers,
the installation packages which handle traffic for .com
Windows media player
of harmless files that have and .net web addresses, were
A vulnerability in the handling of MIDI
been requested by a user affected. Such a breach would
files allows websites, especially those
which embed music that plays in order to avoid detection allow attackers to seamlessly
automatically, can cause malicious by security software. These redirect traffic intended for
code to be executed on a PC. apps are often bloated by several megabytes and simply any major website. Till 2010,
Solution: Microsoft issued a patch in display "Installer" instead of an actual app name, which Verisign was a major authority
January, before publicizing this hole. might not look suspicious to people. The apps of course for signed SSL certificates,
Users with updated antimalware request permissions to use Internet connections, send SMS which banks and other
software would have been safe messages, and read private data. websites use for security.
anyway.
Internet explorer Security SECURITY
Vulnerabiltiies in the way that IE 6,7,8
and 9 handle information in the
clipboard and handles data in memory.
Scam site uses Bollywood songs Symantec source
The vulnerability has been rated as
critical.
to steal Facebook credentials code stolen
Solution: A patch is available, and
users with automatic updates enabled
should be protected already.
Java Attackers broke into
Fourteen vulnerabilities have been Symantec's own computer
discovered, including ones that would systems in January, stole
allow attackers to run their own code. proprietary source code, and
SOLUTION: Oracle has released Java 5 attempted to extort US$
update 34, Java 6 update 31 and Java 50,000 before releasing it
7 update 3 to patch these issues.
A crude website claiming to offer free Hindi movie songs to the public. Symantec now
(and a "dislike" button, for good measure) instead steals the believes that customers of its
Gatekeeper Facebook login names and passwords of unsuspecting users. PCAnywhere product are at
Apple's brand new security system is Symantec reports that the site, which calls itself risk, as attackers could inspect
still only applicable to the early "Facebook-profile-song", is hosted on a free online service the source code for previously
preview of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
and also describes itself as the "best song website in unknown vulnerabilities. Law
However experts at Sophos are
India". Visitors see a variety of customized artist pages, a enforcement officials used
criticizing it for providing a false
sense of security by scanning screenshot of a purported music player that will be added a Symantec corporate email
downloaded files but not removable to their Facebook pages, and a video from the recent movie ID to communicate with
media at all, and focusing only on Bodyguard. To downplay suspicions, the page redirects the attackers, but the fake
executables rather than PDFs and visitors to a legitimate music-related app once it has stolen negotiations broke down
other file types. their Facebook credentials. Those visitors can then expect before the culprits could be
Solution: Things could change before
their personal information to be harvested, and spam traced. PCAnywhere is used by
Mountain Lion releases to the public.
originating from their accounts all over their friends' walls. several businesses.
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