On social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, if someone says to you ”Is it you in this video?,” be warned, because in reality, it leads to a fake YouTube page with a thumbnail which when clicked checks you OS version, downloads a Java applet called jnana.tsa on Linux and exploits a Remote Code Execution vulnerability in outdated versions of Java. Once installed on a computer, the worm hijacks the social networking accounts of its owner and uses them to propagate.
The Good
The applet is dropped inside the user’s home directory and stops running at computer reboot. This means that on Linux, unlike on Windows, the Koobface infections are temporary. Which means if you happen to get that infection, reboot immediately.
The Ugly
This shows that Linux and Mac OS X users aren’t vulnerable to malware, as their market share increases they will become an attractive target for social networking worms like Koobface.
If you’re anything me, you’ve Rooted your Android phone and you’re looking for all of the coolest apps available to you. For a long time I’ve been looking for a great app that would allow me to remotely access my HTC DROID Incredible using VNC. Why would I want to remotely access my phone you ask? I’m lazy. No, just kidding. 😉
Benefits of remote access:
Access to your phone if it’s not immediately with you.
Ability to create a screencast.
Faster screen shots.
Ability to help & support other Android users.
Access your phone if you’re at work or school and don’t want to look like you’re on your phone. 😉
Droid VNC Server is a great little app. It’s not without it’s bugs, but the bugs that I have do not even come close to outweighing it’s positives. While I have not officially seen any confirmations of Droid VNC Server working on the Incredible, it does work quite nicely for me. In regards to other Android phones, your mileage may vary, but you can check out onaips blog to see a small listing of confirmed functional devices.
Ok, enough talking. How do I use this thing?
Step 1: Preparing your computer
You will have to be sure that you have a VNC Viewer installed on your computer first. Here’s a quick list of programs that can be used:
Linux – Remote Desktop Viewer (However, I use the command line). Remote Desktop Viewer is pre-installed in Ubuntu.
Scan the QR Code at the top of the page to be directed to the Droid VNC Server page in the Android Market.
Open Droid VNC Server and tap Start Server.
Suggestion – Connect to a wireless signal that your computer is also using or use USB. (I have not yet tested USB & Verizon does not support VNC through 3G)
Feel free to modify any of the options in Menu > Settings. (I’d recommend a password)
Step 3: Connect to your Device
Open your VNC Viewer of choice and type in the IP:Port that you see listed on the Droid VNC Server home screen.
Type in your password if needed.
You should now see your Android Device!
Some helpful things to know:
Some possible incorrect keybindings: (I have a feeling this is an Android thing…)
= sends +
! sends ~
~ sends 0
< sends *
> sends #
/ sends :
These are important to know: 😉
home = home
right-click = home, also
pg up = menu
pg down = call
pg down long press = redial most recent
esc = back
del = back, also
end = phone sleep
type = from the home screen random typing will initiate google search
Here are some instructions for using VNC through USB:
I have heard that USB will provide a faster VNC connection. With adb installed and the device plugged in via USB: adb forward tcp:5901 tcp:5901 adb forward tcp:5801 tcp:5801
As with many other users of the wonderful Remote Desktop feature, I was afflicted with the broken refresh while 3D effects are enabled on the host computer. This is a problem that began when Ubuntu 9.04 was released. Basically, when logging in to the host computer remotely, Vino decides that it does not want to refresh the screen because 3D effects are enabled. If 3D effects are disabled, the screen refresh will start working normally. I’m sure that there is a lot more involved with this that I don’t completely understand, but I know that it’s been quite annoying for me.
Honestly, it should have been fixed by now, but I digress…
For the entire time that I was using Jaunty and for a few weeks into the release of Karmic, I didn’t know what to do. Then I finally did a Google search that produced an amazing result! Here is the temporary “band-aid” that I discovered..
On the host computer…
Applications > System Tools > Configuration Editor
If you don’t have the Configuration Editor installed, do a simple
sudo apt-get install gconf-editor
Once the Configuration Editor is open you will need to navigate to
desktop > gnome > remote_access
From here, the check box called disable_xdamage needs to be checked. After that you will be able to remotely access the host computer with refresh.
Open Source 