How To Remove Space Between Blogger Gadgets / Widgets

If you use Blogger you may have noticed that by default, Blogger places space between gadgets appearing in your sidebar (or sidebars). 

Removing the space between HTML/Javascript gadgets (such as AdSense ads) is easy - simply merge the HTML scripts together. For example, if you have an AdSense script and an image link (like in my sidebar), cut and paste the script from the second gadget, and add it to the bottom of the first gadget. Remove the second HTML gadget. Apply to blog, and test it out to ensure proper formatting. You can stack as many HTML gadgets together as you like.

Removing the space between non-HTML/Javascript gadgets (such as the Blog archive, hit counter, etc.) is a little trickier. However, this blog has posted an excellent guide. Given the complexity of this, I strongly suggest backing up your blog first - click the Settings tab in the Dashboard, and choose "Export Blog" to save a copy to your computer. If something goes horribly wrong, you can always restore it.

How to Detect and Remove TDL4 / TDL3 / TDSS / Alureon Rootkits

Experts are continuing to say scary things about TDL4 and its botnet, throwing around terms like "virtually indestructible". Whether this is true or not, clearly TDL4 is a highly sophisticated piece of crimeware that has top researchers very concerned.

If you think you may be infected, Kaspersky Labs has released a free tool for Windows users (all versions, 32 and 64-bit) called TDSSKiller which will detect and remove TDL4 rootkits / bootkits. It can be downloaded here.

TDSSKiller also detects other TDSS-family rootkits such as TDL2 / TDL3, and unknown rootkits by analyzing for:

• Hidden or Blocked services
• Hidden or Blocked files
• Forged files
• Rootkit.Win32.Backboot.gen (generic / unknown MBR infection)

I'm confident those who design the TDSS rootkits will soon figure out a way to defeat Kaspersky's detection / removal, but for now, this is a great place to start if you are concerned about these rootkits.

If you have no luck with TDSSKiller, you may wish to try Norman TDSS Cleaner, Avast's aswMBR Tool, or HitMan Pro, which also claim to detect and remove TDL3, TDL4 and its variants.