Sharing Data With International Security Organizations and Spy Agencies - Slippery Slope

Maybe we do need a rather substantial push back from globalism, maybe the global elite have pushed a bridge too far. Did you know that we are sharing data about our citizens with international security organizations and they with us? It's true. One could say this global safety net is for our protection, and yet, I wonder. You see, as a business person whose done business internationally, I hate to think all my communication data is being shared with others in other governments, who can use that data, sell it to my competitors or interfere in my business efforts. Whose idea was this?
"Oh, we need it for global security against terrorists" they say. Well, if we were not busy having wars for oil resources, or stirring up the hornet's nest in the middle east, there would be a lot less terrorism in the world. Do we really need to collect data at this level on all of our citizens? No. Likewise, do we really need to share all our data with the rest of the world, remember we can trust them even less than our own government insider corrupted scoundrels?
Now then, another troubling thing is that we give foreign surveillance teams access to our public's information; Britain, Vatican (to protect the Pope during travels), Germany, France, EU, etc. All this sharing means too many people have access to all this information. Many nations in the EU are pretending to protect their public from us prying, but the reality is we have reciprocal agreements for data sharing, especially cloud data now.
Having the voting records for everyone is problematic, as it can be accessed by anyone, foreign spies can find sympathizers, or know who their major opponents are for media feed manipulation, just as Google and Facebook tailor the news to what you most likely want to hear, thus, clouding your judgement pro or con a particular party, candidate, or thoughts on a specific issue, just like CNN, MSNBC, or FOX News might, or the NYTs, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe or Miami Herald, see that challenge too?
If you really believe all this data collection, privacy intrusion, and surveillance is good for you, our society, or our future, it is evident to me that you don't study your own history, or understand the Machiavellian world we live in. We all agree information is power, so why would you turn over all your information to your government, a foreign government or foreign spies and hackers? Think on this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9596694

Protecting Your Business Website From Malwares

With ecommerce sites on the rise and over a million new stains of malware developed every day, protecting your business site from attacks from viruses and malware has become a priority now. Hackers are continually creating various new means to gather credit card details and other personal information from their online transactions. Adopting the best security practices has now become very crucial for merchants. It has become essential to install the proper website protection to stop various attacks and today, there are several programs that can be used to protect your computer from such malware attacks.
It is seen that attackers are not actually developing new means to penetrate sites, but they are taking the advantage of poor passwords, unpatched vulnerabilities, weak permission settings and ownership in the file system. Small to medium sized enterprises are the largest targets of cyber-attacks and about 30,000 SMEs are targeted every day. Don't allow your business to be the victim of expensive cyber-attack damages, instead, be proactive and take essential steps to prevent security threats. So, to ensure the highest levels of security, here are some means to protect your site from malwares.
Patches and updates: If your website is running on a Content management system like WordPress, then make sure that your website security is tight. Though a CMS is an easy and cost effective means to update your website content, but they are also to a large extent large target of cyber-crimes. There are many CMS platforms and extensions or plugins that are easy targets for the hackers and often allow access to your server and personal or vital data. Ensure that your plugins, themes and systems are always up to date. There are CMS solutions that automatically update the files for your site.
Firewalls: Continuously removing the existing website threats is a good idea, but it is also important to stop them from coming back again and again. With over 1 million fresh malwares created, your business site has a chance to get infected by a new virus every day. Using a web application firewall can help to prevent cyber criminals from attacking your site. The firewall will act as a filter and will only allow legitimate traffic to access your site while blocking malicious traffic.
Comply with PCI standards: The PCI or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is a security standard that online businesses should adhere to if they are involved in online payment transactions and accept major credit cards. This will help to ensure that your customers are protected from any cyber threats and frauds. Businesses that fail to comply with the standards can result in financial damages, government fines and also ruin brand reputation.
Create a strong password: Good and strong passwords always help to protect your files. Your password should always contain over 8 characters, a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, include digits and special characters and etc. Unfortunately, most people are not careful while choosing their passwords and this allows brute force hacking techniques to access website easily and gather private data. Since hackers use various decoding programs to attack your site, the more unique your password is, the more protected is your site from cyber criminals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9579555

Easiest Ways to Beat Ransomware

Ransomware threats are not new to the online community today. Unlike early days when ransomware attacked users once in a while, now it is bombarding users with various versions and updates almost every day. This is important to understand that ransomware threats are the real threat of today's time. Attackers are causing real damage to the users with their malicious codes and practices. Thus in present situation users are also practicing some smart tactics to prevent ransomware threats. Let's discuss few steps to avert ransomware attacks.
Take preventive measures: As a foremost step take preventive measures to stop ransomware attacking you. These steps can help you safeguard your system at first place. These preventive measures include below-mentioned steps:
Install a reputable security suite: Most of the ransomware attacks happen through malicious links in emails and through infected websites. The anti-malware program can scan and detect such spam emails and malicious websites to stop them at the initial stage. Use software firewall protection along with a good anti-malware program to make the second line of defense against any virus attack. This way you can secure your system without getting into trouble.
Change browsing behavior: This is the known fact that most virus attacks happen via malicious links and infected websites. Thus by changing browsing behavior can save your system from any unseen trouble. Do not ever open links or emails which have an unknown source as a sender. Do not open any lucrative ad or another link to prevent your system from possible ransomware attack.
Set system restore point: This is an effective step to keep your system safe against any possible data loss due to ransomware attack. System restore point virtually takes the backup of all your important files so that you can access that data in future eventualities.
Backup data: Take this preventive measure to avert any data loss in case of ransomware attack. Take data backup at regular intervals. Take this backup on external drives or on cloud servers so that you can access and restore this data anytime anywhere you want.
Keep your system updated: Many ransomware attackers target those systems which are not updated as these old systems remain prone to virus attacks. This is important to know that every update comes with certain bug fix and security updates against such malware attacks. Thus it becomes important to keep your system up to date with latest OS updates. Another important step to follow is to avert downloading pirated software as they can contain malicious content. Always verify the source of the software you are downloading. As most of the operating software developers require to register and digitally sign all their software. If your OS warns you about the unsigned program than it is better to cancel such installation.
Beat ransomware: After practicing all preventive measures in case your system gets affected with ransomware threat apply below mentioned steps to beat ransomware.
Disconnect from the network immediately: Once ransomware or any other malware attacks your system it further tries to connect to its Command & Control servers for further instruction. To avoid this situation, disconnect your system from the network once you get to know about the infection. This way you can break the link between the infected system and the ransomware servers. This way you can save other machines from getting infected too. Generally, ransomware takes a time to infect and encrypt all your files thus you can save your certain data from getting infected.
Ask the experts: Some evident symptoms of ransomware attack include very slow system speed, unwanted messages pop up, system hang and others. When you see such symptoms don't wait to ask for experts help to prevent further damage to your system. You can do your own research as well to keep your system safe and secure.
When we know the damage ransomware attacks can cause it becomes important to take certain measures to prevent such attacks. In fact, practicing preventive measures proves better option when it comes to ransomware attacks. There are very few methods available to decrypt files encrypted by ransomware attacks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9550519

Finding Employment in the Video Game Industry

In another article, we described a great number of educational opportunities that lay hidden in video gaming. This time, we're going to introduce a few employment opportunities as well.

1. Working as a Video Game Clerk. Working at video game store or rental place - either permanently or temporarily - has got to be a teen gamer's dream. In a single place, employees have access to the first games and game systems hot off the market and they're privy to peek inside magazines hot off the press before anyone else. If that wasn't enough, gaming clerks get a discount on what would otherwise be too expensive (games, game systems, and game accessories) to even think about buying. Sweet!

2. Working as a Game Tester. Before a game hits the market, it has to go through extensive testing and if you think the programmers behind the game test their own material, think again. The gaming industry is extremely sensitive about what it puts out into the public. In an effort to remain competitive, it must make absolutely sure that the games it produces work as intended. This is where testers enter the picture. But it isn't easy to become a game tester. Becoming a game tester requires a little inside help but once you're in there, you'll not only have access to games that no one else knows about, you'll also have an opportunity to shape the game into an experience that you and your comrades prefer.

3. Working as a Game Designer. Do you have good artistic skills? Can you whip out a character faster than you can say, "I drew that"? If so, you may be able to get a career designing video games. Today's video games exude some of the most beautiful graphics ever seen and if you have a good imagination, are able to use some of the most advanced graphics software programs available, and can follow instructions, you could see your own artwork in the next popular video game.

4. Working as a Game Critic. The gaming industry is always looking for good content and if you have a flair for writing combined with a love for games, you could write for game magazines like Game Informer or you could write content for a highly popular gaming website.

5. Working as a Game Programmer. Not a career for everyone, a good game programmer is always in demand. As player preferences change and new technology is developed, someone with the right programming skills has to be there to fill the gap between what players want, and what the gaming industry can supply. Becoming a game programmer requires extensive training in several different development languages - so if you don't have a clue as to what we just said, skip this profession and look into some of the others.

The great news about all of this is that the gaming industry shows no sign of disappearing any time soon. Even colleges are getting in on the gaming craze as they fill their course books with game programming classes and game design curriculums. There will always be an opportunity for you to blend your love for games with a steady paycheck as long as you remain dedicated to looking for these opportunities, and you make an effort to stay abreast of what's happening in the gaming world.

Check the employment section of your local paper for more, or visit the nearest college to find out what classes and training are available.

read more here / http://www.registrycleaners2015.blogspot.com

To Speed Up Performance of Your PC, Install Registry Repair For Windows

It's a common thing nowadays to have a computer, either at home, or at work, or simultaneously, at both the places. A computer is a complex machine which handles a number of complex tasks, so once you own a computer, special attention is required towards the proper maintenance and upkeep of this complex machine which helps you in multiple ways in your day to day life. This maintenance does not involve rocket science, but can be done if you keep in mind a few simple things. The main thing involved here is the cleaning up your computer of the different kinds of files that keep piling on. This activity is also known as registry repair for Windows.
Once we start talking about clean up of windows registry, the next logical question that comes to mind is, what is the Windows Registry. It is actually a database storage facility in your computer where all the information is safely stored. Whenever you are performing any kind of task on your computer, be it starting a program, shutting down a program, surfing the internet, downloading or uploading of any file, addition or removal of USB or any other external device, it is the Windows Registry that you are interacting with behind the scenes. All the information like software, hardware, and all settings and information that your computer has, is stored in the registry.
It is quite natural, therefore, that files and folders pile up and clog the system while performing so many tasks. The cleaning up of the Windows registry, is hence a tedious task which is quite impossible to do manually. In order to optimize your registry, you need to have a tool that will be able to do registry repair for Windows. All the problems that lie in your registry should be detected by the software, as more often than not most of the problems reside very deep in the registry. This will take care of the hang-ups that are caused as a direct result of these problems.
Generally the process of registry cleaning does not involve any threat. But, errors can happen from the Windows Registry Repair. Therefore, it is important that the Registry Repair for Windows should also have another important feature, that is to create and maintain backup files for your registry. You can restore your registry back into its last working state, if the registry cleaner you use has a backup utility.
Removing undesirable programs on your startup will make your PC work much quicker. One other useful feature that you should ensure in your Registry Cleaner, is the ability to download free updates. The program can clean the registry better if the cleaner can be updated with the latest program revisions. All these features of an ideal Registry Repair for Windows will allow you to boost up your PC performance by eliminating the problems on your machine. Frequent reboots, hang-ups, corrupted file should be taken care of by a good registry cleaner which would provide you with a much better computing experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9431056

Principles of Modern Web Development

There has been a recent debate regarding whether a web developer's speed is equal to productivity. Depending on the interpretation, there is bound to be opposing viewpoints with regards to this. However, the productivity of a developer should be equated to whether the project was completed in time but more importantly whether the application is usable. From the analysis, it is obvious that how soon a web development project is completed depends on several factors such as complexity, functionality and the scale of productivity. If you decide to hire a web developer, ensure that the web experts understand the modern day web world.
Understanding Modern Web Development
In order to create quality applications, such applications should be made from a user's point of view. Creating an application based on how complex or easy it will be for the end user to use the same application ensures that a developer can pre-empt any challenges that the user is likely to face. The assumption here is regarding how the user will interact with the application.
Mobile approach
Today, smartphones are one of the fastest growing phenomenon due to the increasing numbers of smartphone users. The most recent statistics suggest that approximately 64% of all mobile users across the world use smartphones. This figure is increasing by the day. The emerging trend of smartphone in use should be incorporated in modern web development in such a way that applications can be used in multiple devices including mobile devices as opposed to the traditional approach where applications were created for single devices. This means that a web application built for computer use should function just as well in devices such as tablets and smartphones. In fact, the best approach in modern development is that applications should be first be built for smaller devices before proceeding to PCs functionality.
Web Technology Stack Utilization
Due to the advances made in the field of information and technology, web developers have a vast resource of modern web technologies at their disposal. Despite the fact that experimenting with new technology to develop websites and application is a good approach, a good developer should stick to tested solutions in development. You will perhaps not want to be the person who creates a complex web application using a non-tested but modern technology that will never work effectively on the application. Unlike in the past, modern web development also dictates that a developer avoids technology that hinder agility. Web developers often find themselves having to balance between applications that are both portable and agile. It is no longer a viable approach to create an application that can only be used on a single database or platform.
Great User Interface
Well-designed interfaces can sell anything as they are more appealing to the users. However, the appeal should not be equated to complexity as most users avoid web applications that are not easily navigable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9530830

Three Simple Steps You Can Do Today to Enhance Your Information Security

There are two types of users. Those who say they have nothing to hide and conceal, and those who use all possible methods of data protection to keep their personal information secure.
This article is for the first type of people or for those who are somewhere in between. People of the second type are aware of these techniques and apply them in practice almost every day.
So what should you do today to ensure information security?

1. Make a backup copy of important data.
2. Replace simple passwords by stronger ones.
3. Make a copy of information stored in the cloud.

Why should you make a backup copy of important data?
Let's start with a question whether there is a need to save a copy of your hard disk on other media. The improvement of software goes side by side with the improvement of malware. Ransomware viruses became especially active. Getting on your computer, ransomware virus blocks the access to your data and requires a payment for decoding them. But often even the transfer of the required sum of money does not solve the issue with the encrypted data. In such a case these data may be considered as lost forever.
Unfortunately, such cases are common. You can get a malicious code even via a simple JavaScript in your browser. Thus, if you copy important personal data to removable data carriers at least sometimes, you will have a chance to recover at least a part of the lost information and protect it against fraud.
Why should you change your passwords?
In the fall of 2015 was published a list of the most popular passwords of Ashley Madison website. And at the end of 2015 year, we got an opportunity to see a list of the worst passwords used in 2015. According to these lists, which coincide in the majority of points, people do not like to complicate their lives and choose simple passwords. They keep using such easy combinations as 123456, password, password1, qwerty, etc. Coming up with a new password, try to make it very complicated for it not to be brute forced.
But still, even this is not enough. Unfortunately, online fraudsters are constantly improving their skills, and soon there will be not a single password they would be unable to get. Then how to protect your personal data? In fact, you cannot rely only on passwords, thus the best way to protect your data is to use at least two-factor authentication where it is possible.
2-factor authentication presupposes the use of two different factors of authentication when logging in the account. The first factor is something you know (usually it is login and password), and the second factor is something you have (usually it is one-time password generated with the help of OTP token or application on the smartphone, also it can be delivered via SMS or the voice call).
Thus, even if a fraudster hacks your main password, he won't manage to go through the next authentication step. And vice versa, even having the one-time password generator (token) or your phone, the fraudster will not be able to log in without knowing a static password. Two-factor authentication is especially important for bank accounts or corporate e-mails.

read more here / 

http://www.registrycleaners2015.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9505477

Going Broke Playing Games You Don't Have To And Here's How

If you haven't looked at the cost of new computer or video games and gaming systems as a whole recently, you might be in for a shock. Today's games and gaming systems can run from a meager $30 all the way to a whopping four hundred dollars or more. To a loving mother of a game obsessed teenager, the costs can be astronomical and nothing short of frightening. Fortunately the cost of buying quality computer or video games (including the systems that they run on) can be significantly reduced once you know what to do and where to look.

One alternative to funding a gaming pursuit with a second mortgage is to "go old." By "going old," we mean buying last month's or year's games and game systems. If you could admit the one truth that we all know, but never readily face, you could literally save hundreds of dollars in an instant. This truth is that unless you're a millionaire, none of us can afford to buy the latest toy on the market. The ugly fact behind that truth is that within a relatively short amount of time (say, 60-90 days?), that latest toy will be replaced with a new and improved system, which consequently, grants access to what was wanted in the first place - at half the price! So go old and have a little patience. Within about three to four months, you will have made a tremendous saving.

When it comes to computer gaming, you could also come out better by upgrading games rather then an entire computer. It can take anywhere from a year or more for a gaming company to release a new version and chances are, the upgrade doesn't require new hardware - it just requires a new payment. Remember, the gaming industry can't really keep up with the computer industry either (no one can), so there's no reason to panic or worry. Concentrate on keeping your game current rather than your system. Only in rare instances, such as if your computer is archaic to begin with, will you need to upgrade your hardware. Shop wisely and you can catch a new soundcard, joystick, or graphics card on sale. But if you have a high gigahertz processor and Direct X 9 installed, you'll do fine for quite a while.

Here's a whopper of an idea and one that probably won't take as much of an effort to convince younglings to do as you might think. But to curb the costs of gaming, perhaps a group of families could pitch in and share the finances together. Depending on the number in a group, the cost of a new gaming system - and 5 or 6 of the most popular games - could diminish to 20% or more of their original costs.

And since gaming consoles are getting smaller and smaller, there's no reason why a group of families couldn't band together and trade gaming space within their homes every week or two. This way the kids in the neighborhood can enjoy one or two of the new systems on the market that they could never otherwise afford, and they can enjoy them without their parents having to shoulder the burden of funding them alone.

Seeing that kids generally play games together anyway, a group effort of this sort satisfies game cravings at a significantly reduced cost and it keeps everyone happy.

read more here / http://www.registrycleaners2015.blogspot.com

How to Stay Safe Online - General Advice and Tips

Viruses, ransomware, scams, identity theft and loss of digital information are becoming more and more common as we move towards a digital age.
With digital security becoming more apparent, it is very important to adopt a good habit in keeping yourself and your family safe online. Below are some basic tips and hints to protect your identity, files and your personal device.
Keep your computer, smartphone and tablet clean

• Keep your device up to date with the latest software
  Software updates provide enhancements and security updates.
• Keep your security software (anti-virus) up to date
  Security software needs latest virus definitions to identify new and emerging virus/malware. Yes, even Mac's and smartphones needs security software.
• Scan external devices (USB)
  USB and external devices can carry virus from infected devices onto yours. Make sure you enable external device scanning to ensure it doesn't get onto your computer

Be very web savvy online

• Watch out for dangerous links and attachmentsWhen there is doubt, delete it. Links/attachments in emails, tweets, SMS, posts and advertising are way cyber criminals can compromise your device. If its suspicious or too good to be true, delete it, block or mark it as junk.
• Check for trusted websites
  When banking online or shopping, ensure they have SSL (secure socket layer) security. SSL protects passwords and your banking information securely.
• Beware of Phishing
  Phishing is a way for cyber criminals to mask legitimate website with their own to steal your confidential login. Do not click on any requests to verify your password unless you requested it.
• Risks with public Wi-Fi Hotspots
  Adjust your security level on your device when accessing public networks. Your device firewall and anti-virus can detect and adjust automatically when connecting to different networks. Turn off your Wi-Fi to public networks when you don't need to use it anymore.

A Great Limo Software Is The Key To Success

There Isn't Anything Like A Great OS For Any Transportation Company
Any transportation company that has bought and adopted any good Limo Operating System will tell you how this not very extraordinary (by the looks of it) software changes how businesses operate worldwide. The one big feature of the car-for-hire industry is the kind of competition and healthy professional rivalry that marks this line of work. Small wonder then that the companies are constantly on the lookout for getting their products, skills, and employees upgraded.
Limo Scheduling Software is a basic term for the software which is used to manage any and all of the vehicles of a transportation company. It could be anything between stretch limos to luxury coaches or hatchback even. It is a win-win situation for both the companies who get to manage everything that is going on in the field with the chauffeurs etc. and they also get to rid themselves of unnecessary paperwork. The client benefits by having every minute detail of their journey(s) available to them through their phones or systems.
A solid, state of the art Limo Dispatching Tool will offer you the convenience of multi-tasking at the highest level. The features are seemingly endless:

• You may book a ride immediately.
• Or you may also make a future reservation.
• Managing payments will never be easier.
• You'll benefit with the global services and reach.
• Access all your travel information in one place.

The features mentioned are probably only the tip of the iceberg which you'd be able to see once you log on to the site or download the app. The company is going to be able to get the exact details of where any given car is at any given point in time and what the chauffeur is up to. Drivers used to have to maintain records while they used to be in the field but the advanced limousine software allows them to be in touch 24x7 without going through any such thing anymore.
A good limo operating system will define precision and dependability for your business. The best part remains that like any world-class software, everything is upgraded on an extremely timely basis and those involved are kept in the loop.
Limousine Software, however, is not going to probably come alive and do anything for the transportation company and take care of things. Up-gradation is the name of the game. Excellence has to be achieved at every single point of the way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9510313

Computer Security In Today's Society, Protecting Your Computer Is A Requirement

Advances in computer technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it affords us quick and easy access to numerous conveniences such as bank statements, favorite shopping centers, school and health records, and more. On the other hand, it can also grant the same access to those who aren't supposed to get it. Although it's a rare occurrence, hacking has become the biggest criminal nuisance in computer history.

Make no bones about it. There's nothing innocent or cute about the hacker. Today's hackers aren't the pimply-faced teen rebels that you might be thinking of. Instead, this generation of hackers are grown individuals who are more than likely earning a living by stealing the identities of innocent, law abiding individuals and then selling those identities to others who want to slip by the system. And the only protection against these seedy people is prevention.

Computer security couldn't be more important than it is today and that's why we've taken the time to introduce it to you.  You can reduce the probability of experiencing identity theft by making your computer as hacker-proof as possible. All that's needed is a little software and a lot of common sense.

1. Install an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. Anti-virus/anti-spyware software will stop malicious code from downloading and installing onto your computer while you peruse the Internet. Known as viruses, worms, or spyware, this malicious code can destroy important files and render your computer good for only one thing: sending sensitive data back to the server of an identity thief.

2. Don't store sensitive data on your computer in the first place. Should your computer get infected with a virus, worm, or piece of spyware, you can thwart the individuals responsible by not storing your personal information on your PC so that when and if your computer does send back data - it won't be anything valuable. Hackers look for things like full names, social security numbers, phone numbers, home addresses, work-related information, and credit card numbers. If these things aren't saved onto a computer, there's nothing critical to worry about other than restoring your computer to a non-virus condition.

3. Don't open files without scanning them with an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. In the past, the warning was to avoid opening files from people that you don't know. Today it's really not safe to open files from anyone (without scanning the files) because that's how viruses get spread - through files - even by mistake. So even though your co-worker may have emailed a funny video, it's no more safe to open than a video downloaded from a complete stranger. Be safe and scan each and every file you download from the Internet or receive through email regardless of where it came from.

4. Create a barrier between your computer and prying eyes. Anti-virus/anti-spyware programs are only effective after the effect. But you can prevent identity theft from occurring by installing a firewall. A firewall is software that checks all data entering and exiting a computer and it then blocks that which doesn't meet specified security criteria (user-defined rules).1

5. Don't click on website links in spam messages. In an effort to obtain personal information, some spammers will send email that asks you to click on a link. The email messages are often disguised as important messages from well-known online establishments, and they often try to scare their readers into clicking links with threats of closing an account of some sort. Sometimes the links are harmless and attempt to con the reader into volunteering personal information (credit card number), but other times the links attempt to download harmful software onto a computer.

Your best protection against computer crimes is your own knowledge. Hopefully the suggestions above will prompt you into taking appropriate action and into protecting your computer with the suggested tools. In doing so, you'll not only protect yourself, you'll prevent the spread of these malicious activities and protect others at the same time.

read more here / www.registrycleaners2015.blogspot.com

3 Ways That Can Help You to Remove Malware

Malware, spyware and viruses have one particular thing in common. They very easily slow down your computer, steal important information and corrupt vital files. There are many other unsuitable and inappropriate things that they are capable of doing. It is a well- known fact that not all the malwares are created in an equal manner and there are some items that are harder to remove when compared to the others. There are three ways that you can use to get rid of malware. These have been explained as follows.
1. Scanning
There are thousands and millions of different programs that are out there in the virus/spyware removal category. Also most of these programs are free which a good thing is. Different programs will give you different results and thus it depends on what exactly you wish to get from these programs. Hence the best thing that you can do when your computer is infected with multiple viruses is to run multiple programs. In order to get around this thing, you can either scan the system or you can enter the safe mode on your Windows system.
2. Rescue disks
In addition to entering the safe mode, you can also scan your computer before your Windows has a chance of getting booted up. This can be done by utilizing an offline virus scanner and sometimes a pre- boot scanner. The way that this works is that you will have to use another computer to properly download a file for ISO image from any anti- virus company.
3. Clean install
A clean install is not meant to be the most fun thing to do. However, it is a method that can guarantee you to get rid of all the viruses, malware as well as spyware. It is also pretty straight forward, when you are able to do a clean install. You will be able to delete everything on your hard disk and therefore there will not be any viruses. There will also be times, when a virus will not be able to infect items like text documents, pictures, MP3 files and videos. Here, a good thing to do is to scan all your personal data and even then if there are no viruses to be found, you can copy it to your external drive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9454575

To Speed Up Performance of Your PC, Install Registry Repair For Windows

It's a common thing nowadays to have a computer, either at home, or at work, or simultaneously, at both the places. A computer is a complex machine which handles a number of complex tasks, so once you own a computer, special attention is required towards the proper maintenance and upkeep of this complex machine which helps you in multiple ways in your day to day life. This maintenance does not involve rocket science, but can be done if you keep in mind a few simple things. The main thing involved here is the cleaning up your computer of the different kinds of files that keep piling on. This activity is also known as registry repair for Windows.
Once we start talking about clean up of windows registry, the next logical question that comes to mind is, what is the Windows Registry. It is actually a database storage facility in your computer where all the information is safely stored. Whenever you are performing any kind of task on your computer, be it starting a program, shutting down a program, surfing the internet, downloading or uploading of any file, addition or removal of USB or any other external device, it is the Windows Registry that you are interacting with behind the scenes. All the information like software, hardware, and all settings and information that your computer has, is stored in the registry.
It is quite natural, therefore, that files and folders pile up and clog the system while performing so many tasks. The cleaning up of the Windows registry, is hence a tedious task which is quite impossible to do manually. In order to optimize your registry, you need to have a tool that will be able to do registry repair for Windows. All the problems that lie in your registry should be detected by the software, as more often than not most of the problems reside very deep in the registry. This will take care of the hang-ups that are caused as a direct result of these problems.
Generally the process of registry cleaning does not involve any threat. But, errors can happen from the Windows Registry Repair. Therefore, it is important that the Registry Repair for Windows should also have another important feature, that is to create and maintain backup files for your registry. You can restore your registry back into its last working state, if the registry cleaner you use has a backup utility.
Removing undesirable programs on your startup will make your PC work much quicker. One other useful feature that you should ensure in your Registry Cleaner, is the ability to download free updates. The program can clean the registry better if the cleaner can be updated with the latest program revisions. All these features of an ideal Registry Repair for Windows will allow you to boost up your PC performance by eliminating the problems on your machine. Frequent reboots, hang-ups, corrupted file should be taken care of by a good registry cleaner which would provide you with a much better computing experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9431056

To Protect or Not To Protect? 4 Tips For Preventing Computer Malware

Imagine a world free of Virus, a world free of Trojan and a world free of Worms, but we all know that is a far cry from reality. We know it is a far cry because where there is cyberspace, there is cyber attack, and where there is cyber attack, there would equally be the need for a corresponding cyber security. And cyber security has never been in more demand than in today's advancing digital world.
Let's face it, we only required lock and key in the days of hard copies but we both would agree that those days are long gone. Faced with an increasing digital world, we have to deal with all the ramifications.
This article outlines four steps to securing cyber security for start-up businesses and small businesses alike. I would however, not stop short because home users can be beneficiaries too. Before that though, let me state that cyber threats come in many forms. Malware in particular, is the generic term used for most cyber threats. And it is this generic term that would be the topic of our discussion today.
So What Exactly is Malware?
Malware is a generic term for a software that contains either Trojan, Virus, Worm or any kind of program intended to harm a computer system. We would consider the different types of malware in another article but for now, let us proceed with the business at hand by laying out the four basic steps to ensure your system does not become a victim to potential files meant to corrupt your system.
The steps I will be introducing may seem simple, but make no mistake because failing to implement them could expose your information system or computer to danger. I am in no doubt that you have heard some horrible cyber crime stories in the likes of data corruption and theft of personal information. And believe me, theft is just one aspect of cyber crime, there are many more than we probably care to know.
And without further I do, here are the four basic steps that would help your start-up, small business or even personal computer system procure basic security and peace of mind for you.
4 Basic Tips For Cyber Security

1. Create a secure password - many advocate a password length of at least 8 characters, with a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols.
2. Install updates when required
3. Ensure that patches are from trusted sources
4. Get a good anti-virus software - Kaspersky, McAfee and Sophos anti-virus are good ones. You can either procure a subscription for the period required or go for a yearly subscription

An operating system is an operating system. It does not matter which I use. Someone might say. You are right, but a system that is no longer supported by a vendor is a huge security risk if it is being used on the internet because you are only inviting potential attacks. If there are no updates, there are bound to be security holes that hackers would too happily explore. So what is the message? The message is, if an operating system has no vendor support, it is not a good candidate for the internet. Get this right and your chances of peace would rocket high. This article is the sequel to:" To Protect or Not To Protect - Domain Names"and the prequel to "To Protect or Not to Protect - Tips For Preventing Computer Worms"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9486491

Tips To Set Up A Gmail Account Fast And Easy

Email is one of the best communication solutions and it can help you reach your near and dear ones with just a click. Featuring powerful tools alongside full customization options, you can find all components required for efficient correspondence and effective organization. What's more, the process of setting up a new email account takes just a few minutes, and it is completely free!
With the decline of Yahoo!, AOL and Hotmail, more and more people are switching to Google's services. Not only it has gained popularity, but creating a Google account is quick and easy. It also provides easy access to other Google products such as YouTube, Google Drive, and Google+.
Creating a Gmail account for free:
1. Open the Gmail website
2. Click on the "Create an account" button and this will redirect you to the "Create your Google Account" page.
3. Fill the form with your details. Add your name, date of birth, gender and other information. Choose a username wisely. Your username will become your Gmail address. You need to share the name with everyone whom you want to connect with and thus a simple and sober username is advisable. However, if your username is not available, you will be given different options. You can choose from the options or come up with a new and unique one.
4. Create a password logically. Ensure your password is unique and is a combination of alphabets, numbers and symbols. Keep it simple, as you need to remember the password throughout. You also need to add an alternative Email ID for verification. If you are a new user, then ask your friend to provide you with their ID for email confirmation.
5. Completing the captcha is important. This verification tool ensures that a real person is creating the account. If you are finding the captcha difficult to read, you can click the refresh button and get a new one.
6. One of the most important steps is agreeing to the privacy policy. You cannot continue if you do not agree with the privacy policy. Take your time to read the entire privacy policy so that you are aware of what Google can and cannot do with the information you have provided. If you agree with the terms and conditions, check the box.
7. Click next. Whenever a new Gmail account is created, a Google+ account is also created. It is the social network site of Google. You can add a picture, share your thoughts, and add as many friends as you want, and even like others work.
8. Once done, you can click on the "Continue to Gmail" button. You can return back to the Gmail account and start sending emails or you can visit any other Google services. You will be automatically logged in YouTube, Google+, Google Drive or any other product of Google.

Steve Smith has been in writing industry since years. He has detailed knowledge about technical glitches such as email set up, computer running slow, virus removal, blue screen of death and so on. Read his articles to know more about resolving technical glitches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9475619

General Computer Protection Strategies to Employ

In addition to buying software for anti-hacking and anti-virus protection, there are a number of additional strategies that you can employ on your computer and as you operate your computer to help protect it against intrusion and to protect your information wherever you may choose to let it reside. Here's a list of some tips that will help you.

• Turn off or logout of your computer when not using it - the less time your computer is online, the less it is being seen by externals that may mean you harm.


• If you have more than one person in your household using your computer, set up separate "firewalled" accounts for each of them - don't let people onto your system through your own login and password.


• Keep your anti-virus software as current as you can. Update it regularly so that you are protected against the newer viruses that have been identified and have been guarded against by your anti-virus software provider.


• Increase the privacy settings on your computer. In an upcoming lecture, I show you how to update these settings if you are using Windows 10. Watch that video as well and also be looking to update your privacy settings on older versions of Windows if that is what you are running on your computer.


• Be careful opening PDF files you receive from external sources. Hackers and software virus creators have in recent times found this to be an effective platform for sending out their damage causing payloads.


• Regarding e-mails, don't be curious. If you don't know where an e-mail came from, don't open it. If you do open an e-mail from someone you don't know and/or that you received in an unsolicited manner, do not click on any links found within the e-mail. Executable viruses are sometimes attached to what you think is just a link to another site.


• If you are concerned about the authenticity of an e-mail address when you have received an e-mail, check it out by looking at the "Details" dropdown you can click next to the e-mail name. I have sometimes even taken this one step further by checking out their e-mail domain address using a domain provider to do a "Who Is" search when I am really wondering about where something came from.


• Be careful of all downloads to your computer. Be sure you know the source is safe and you are on a real webpage belonging to that source when you download the content. Hackers are now setting up "Fake" webpages that look like real businesses to lure you in so that they can access you through downloads from their sites.


• Using the "Cloud" for storage is risky - even places like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. can be hacked. Cloud storage locations seem to be prime targets for hackers. These are convenient storage and data backup locations for many so if you want to use them, here are a few tips that could save the privacy of your content there.

o The simplest protection method is to only send encrypted or Zipped content up there for storage. If you are using zip files, use the Zip password feature before sending. This helps to protect your content even if that site gets hacked.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9457987

Hire A Data Recovery Service For Your Data Recovery

No matter whether you use your computer for day-to-day purpose or work, you can't afford to lose your important data. Losing official data can cause you to lose a good deal of money making a negative impact on your business. If you happen to have a data loss problem, you may want to look for a hard disk recovery service.
Experience
Mostly, companies store data on computer hard drives, and these devices are delicate. With a little mishandling, hard drives may fail. In some cases, they fail to the point that it is impossible to recover them. But mostly, the data stored on these drives can be recovered with special data recovery apps. But only experienced companies should be hired to handle the data recovery work as you may not want to hire someone who will further damage your hard drive. Experienced companies can give you a free service contact if contacted.
Expertise
The service you are going to choose should be able to restore data lost accidentally. Recovering data is more difficult when the RAID controllers are involved. RAID controller fail when there is a problem with the hardware. If you think that you can't access the raid system, you have a technical problem to deal with, and you should go to a specialist for data recovery as your data may at a high risk.
Degree of damage
With the passage time and regular usage, computer and the relevant peripherals tend to go through wear and tear. Moreover, careless handling can even cause severe damage to the component, especially component that are in use most of the time. Even if your hard drives seem to be severely damaged, the data may not be lost for good. A hard drive doesn't work properly and gives strange sounds when the motors is not working properly or the read/write heads is stuck. In this case, the data can be recovered easily by taking apart the storage media.
In many cases, the storage media gets damaged due to spills. For instance, when the system comes into contact with water, problems occur. The hard disks don't work and product strange noises. Most data recovery companies get orders where the storage media is exposed to water or other types of liquid, such as soda or coffee. In this case, the data can be recovered if you get the services of an expert service provider.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9446106

General Computer Protection Strategies to Employ

In addition to buying software for anti-hacking and anti-virus protection, there are a number of additional strategies that you can employ on your computer and as you operate your computer to help protect it against intrusion and to protect your information wherever you may choose to let it reside. Here's a list of some tips that will help you.

• Turn off or logout of your computer when not using it - the less time your computer is online, the less it is being seen by externals that may mean you harm.


• If you have more than one person in your household using your computer, set up separate "firewalled" accounts for each of them - don't let people onto your system through your own login and password.


• Keep your anti-virus software as current as you can. Update it regularly so that you are protected against the newer viruses that have been identified and have been guarded against by your anti-virus software provider.


• Increase the privacy settings on your computer. In an upcoming lecture, I show you how to update these settings if you are using Windows 10. Watch that video as well and also be looking to update your privacy settings on older versions of Windows if that is what you are running on your computer.


• Be careful opening PDF files you receive from external sources. Hackers and software virus creators have in recent times found this to be an effective platform for sending out their damage causing payloads.


• Regarding e-mails, don't be curious. If you don't know where an e-mail came from, don't open it. If you do open an e-mail from someone you don't know and/or that you received in an unsolicited manner, do not click on any links found within the e-mail. Executable viruses are sometimes attached to what you think is just a link to another site.


• If you are concerned about the authenticity of an e-mail address when you have received an e-mail, check it out by looking at the "Details" dropdown you can click next to the e-mail name. I have sometimes even taken this one step further by checking out their e-mail domain address using a domain provider to do a "Who Is" search when I am really wondering about where something came from.


• Be careful of all downloads to your computer. Be sure you know the source is safe and you are on a real webpage belonging to that source when you download the content. Hackers are now setting up "Fake" webpages that look like real businesses to lure you in so that they can access you through downloads from their sites.


• Using the "Cloud" for storage is risky - even places like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. can be hacked. Cloud storage locations seem to be prime targets for hackers. These are convenient storage and data backup locations for many so if you want to use them, here are a few tips that could save the privacy of your content there.

o The simplest protection method is to only send encrypted or Zipped content up there for storage. If you are using zip files, use the Zip password feature before sending. This helps to protect your content even if that site gets hacked.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9457987

3 Ways That Can Help You to Remove Malware

Malware, spyware and viruses have one particular thing in common. They very easily slow down your computer, steal important information and corrupt vital files. There are many other unsuitable and inappropriate things that they are capable of doing. It is a well- known fact that not all the malwares are created in an equal manner and there are some items that are harder to remove when compared to the others. There are three ways that you can use to get rid of malware. These have been explained as follows.
1. Scanning
There are thousands and millions of different programs that are out there in the virus/spyware removal category. Also most of these programs are free which a good thing is. Different programs will give you different results and thus it depends on what exactly you wish to get from these programs. Hence the best thing that you can do when your computer is infected with multiple viruses is to run multiple programs. In order to get around this thing, you can either scan the system or you can enter the safe mode on your Windows system.
2. Rescue disks
In addition to entering the safe mode, you can also scan your computer before your Windows has a chance of getting booted up. This can be done by utilizing an offline virus scanner and sometimes a pre- boot scanner. The way that this works is that you will have to use another computer to properly download a file for ISO image from any anti- virus company.
3. Clean install
A clean install is not meant to be the most fun thing to do. However, it is a method that can guarantee you to get rid of all the viruses, malware as well as spyware. It is also pretty straight forward, when you are able to do a clean install. You will be able to delete everything on your hard disk and therefore there will not be any viruses. There will also be times, when a virus will not be able to infect items like text documents, pictures, MP3 files and videos. Here, a good thing to do is to scan all your personal data and even then if there are no viruses to be found, you can copy it to your external drive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9454575

Best Laptops for Business in 2016

Reliability, security, and performance are almost synonyms with the business environment.
Affordability might be an important aspect as well. But you should think about the laptop you're getting for work as an investment.
Business laptops need to provide an added layer of security and with high performance. High durability is also a desirable feature. You'll be carrying this thing around with you, so it makes sense that it should be durable.
Instead of running through the specs such a laptop should carry, we'll take a look at a few laptop models.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is one of the best business laptops out there. It's a hybrid design that you can fold and use either as a laptop or a tablet. It also features an above average battery life of up to 9 hours on a single charge.
Weighing in at just 2.8 lbs, it's not the lightest laptop in existence. But that doesn't mean it's not portable.
Lenovo also mentioned it's built to withstand accidental liquid spills, drops, and dust particles.
Dell XPS 13
This laptop has become quite a sensation in the last months. It's portable and it offers an extended battery life. It also comes equipped with the latest hardware. The XPS 13 is not under-priced, nor is it underpowered. It offers the latest generation Intel processor. It comes in a light 2.7 lbs package.
Yet it somehow manages to integrate a large 13-inch screen in a body found on 11-inch laptop models. The 12-hour battery life is not something you can overlook. This can last on even the longest commutes. It's no wonder that people call it the "MacBook Air killer".
Surface Pro 4
The Microsoft hybrid is fast. It's also powerful and portable. With the keyboard attached, it weighs just 2.3 lbs, which makes it ultraportable. It's quite like no other hybrid in the market today. The Surface Pro 4 represents the perfect mixture of power, portability, and versatility. It comes with a stylus pen. This can simplify tablet interaction when a mouse or keyboard is not present. But it's also powerful.
The small Microsoft hybrid integrates a 6th generation Intel Core processor. The beautiful 2736x1824 pixel resolution screen is something you should also check out. It looks gorgeous!
Toshiba Chromebook 2
This one's for people looking for work laptops that are lightweight and affordable. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 might be the perfect for you. You need to make sure that you're always connected to the internet. Like most Chromebooks, it doesn't provide an impressive storage space. Chromebooks usually come with an added bonus of free massive cloud storage space. It's got a 13-inch screen and boasts 8 hours of battery life. Several tests indicated that it's faster than most budget laptops you'll run into.
Lenovo ThinkPad X260
The last one on you short list is another Lenovo. Why did it make it on this list? Well, for a 12-inch notebook, it's got a massive battery life of up to 17 hours on a single charge. Sure, it's bulkier, but with such a high battery life, do you even care?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9457897

How You Should Pick The Best Data Recovery Software

Computers can be just as painful devices as they are useful. Despite great technological advancements there are some problems that remain common with computers. Power failures, power fluctuations, spills, jerks etc. can make your computer become useless. Your hard drives might start acting up after such events and the next thing you know your precious data disappears somewhere. Even if you go for a hard drive repair you will mostly end up losing the data if there is something wrong with the media. Of course, putting your sensitive data in the hands of a stranger is also not something you would want to do.
That's when the data recovery software come in the picture. These are the software that help you recover your data when you have lost it for some reason. It keeps you from letting strangers go into your personal data. The best part about these software is that they come to your rescue when things have already gone wrong. Most people have methods in place to prevent their data from getting lost but they can't do much after they have already lost the data unless they have data recovery software. If you want to have a data recovery software on your computer, here are the most important things to check:
Free Trial/Demo
The first thing you would want in any data recovery software is the ability to see how good it is. It would be a surprise if some data recovery software company does not offer a demo or trial on its product. With demo or trial version you are able to check how good the software is and how compatible it is with your computer. You want to make sure that the software is now slow and that it does not make the recovery process too hard to execute. Furthermore, you get to know the value of the product against its price through a demo or trial version.
Versatile Recovery
Your data recovery software should be designed to perform recovery for files that have been deleted in different ways. If your software only recovers the files that you had deleted accidentally, what would happen to those that got deleted due to some damaged partition? You can lose your files in many different ways and a company designing a data recovery software should have all those things in mind. Make sure your software offers versatile data recovery options.
Ease Of Recovery
There are many things that fall within this category. First, there should be easy steps on how you will recover your files. These three steps should be scanning, selection and recovery. The good best data recovery software usually come with have the recovery wizard that helps you recover your data without you doing much. It will ask you simple questions and based on your answers it will specifically look for the files and data you want to recover. Another option that makes data recovery easy is preview of your files i.e. you should be able to preview your files before you recover them.
Selective Recovery
This option might not look like the most important but it can make a huge difference in your data recovery experience. What if you had to recover a file in a folder you knew you had last seen it in? Will you scan the whole computer and spend half an hour before your software even starts scanning the folder where the file was last located? Your software should allow you to choose the location from where you need to recover the file. It should also allow you to pick the files you want to recover and not just force you to recover all the found files.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9454956

How to Choose a Great Antivirus for Your Device

While most people know this, it's still worth mentioning that if you want to have a carefree online experience - an antivirus is simply a necessity. Despite all of the efforts by programmers from all around the world to remove harmful web pages from the search engine results, people can still access all of those pages directly, or trough social media networking sites.
This is one of the many reasons why you need a software solution that is able to protect you from threats such as malware, spyware, Trojan Horses, key-loggers, and much more. According to Kaspersky Lab, there are over 300.000 new potential threats every day; and in order to protect your PC, you cannot simply pick any random software and hope that it will do miracles for your system. So here are a few tips on how to choose the best antivirus software.
Search for Online Reviews
Most reviewers are quite honest actually, that is, if you know where the look on the internet. PC Advisor and PC Mag are great for recommendations, because they usually have well-written, informative reviews about the latest software on the market. However, if you really want to compare specifications, prices, add-ons and more, you should definitely find a top 10 antivirus list online in order to narrow the search.
Of course, another option is to seek out some forums like Bleeping Computer and Tom's Hardware so you could ask some members for advice. The best option is to combine the two - read some expert reviews first, and then the users about their opinion on the matter. Doing this, you will be able to know if a particular antivirus is underrated or overhyped.
Paid vs. Free
As you probably already know, there are two types of antiviruses - paid and free. The free software is, naturally, completely free of charge (however, some have premium editions and add-ons which can cost you) whereas paid software comes in an array of different packages and rates. Obviously, if you want the best across-the-board protection for your machine, you should pay for your software. Paid solutions usually have a wide range of protection features, and they won't distract you with upgrade notifications every two minutes.
Nevertheless, if you have a small budget or you don't want to spend a large sum of cash on a piece of software; don't dismiss the free ones, because there are some fantastic solutions on the market that won't cost you a penny. If you opt for a something free of charge, we recommend that you download either Avast Free Antivirus 2016 or BullGuard Internet Security, as both have top notch features comparable to paid software.
Look at the Features Closely
When it comes to choosing the safest software, perhaps the most important factor is how much protection it's going to provide for your device. Even the majority of free antiviruses nowadays offer protection against such threats as fraud tools, backdoor and browser hijackers. Also, keep in mind that a big price doesn't necessarily equate to first-rate protection and cost-free doesn't necessarily mean flawed software either.
VPN security is one the many features offered by most of today's antiviruses; this will come in handy if you regularly use unprotected WI-FI as it will protect your computer or mobile device from identity thieves and hackers. Many people who browse the Web and download content often find unwanted toolbars downloaded in the process; luckily, most software has "Browser Cleanup" tool that will keep everything unwanted from your browser.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9446058

Easiest Way to Create an Organisational Chart With SharePoint 2013

Are you in charge of managing human resources in an organization? Then learning how to build an organizational chart would be a good idea. After all, what better way can there be to showcase the position of every employee, as well as highlight their responsibilities and performances, all visible at a glance? If your organization uses SharePoint 2013, then you are in luck. It has a web part that you can use to create an organizational chart quickly, with just a few clicks. Here's how.
Add the web part for organizational chart to the page
First off, edit the page in which you want to add the chart. Click on Categories; then on Social Collaboration, and finally on Organizational Browser. Click on Add to proceed. The web part will now be added to the page.
Configure the web part
When you first add the organizational chart to the page, it will only display your name. You need to add the reporting structure to let SharePoint know which employee reports to which manager. You can do this by opening up the SharePoint Admin Center and then clicking on User Profiles. Then, click on Manage User Profiles.
Edit the profiles
Locate the profile you need to edit, and place the mouse cursor on the right side of the profile name. You will notice a drop down arrow appear. Click on it and a menu will open up. In that menu, click on Edit My Profile. You will see a host of options here, among which one will be Manager. This is the only field you need to fill up right now, for the purpose of creating the organizational chart. Select the name of the manager for the particular employee and click on Save at the bottom of the window. Please note that the manager's name has to be present as a licenses user of SharePoint in the Office 365 suite. Repeat this for every employee across the organization.
Now return to the page
Once you have added the names of the managers for every employee, return to the page to which you have added the organizational chart. You now have an interactive organizational chart for your organization.
On a final note, the amount of time needed to create this chart would vary according to the number of employees in your organization. Also, using third party SharePoint charting tools may help you speed up the task and add more graphical enhancements to the chart.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9445728

Make Sure Your Computer System Is a "Clean Machine" for Hardware and Software Efficiency

It just stands to reason that if your business computer system is going to fulfill your serious business needs, you need to maintain some serious standards in both your hardware and your software.
As far as your business computer system is concerned, let's call it keeping a "clean machine." There are a number of things here for us to consider.
First: Be sure and keep your security software current and up-to-date. You would be amazed at how many people purchase serious assorted business software (that includes, but is not limited to, anti-virus protection) for their business computer system and then let them go out of date. You will find that having the very latest security software, web browser, and operating system is the absolute best way to defend against viruses, assorted malware, and other online threats.
You spent good money on these products, and you bought it precisely to accomplish certain business needs and functions. Do you now have someone who has the responsibility to keep track your products status? Software, as well as hardware can go out of date and this must be watched as vitally important. Some person needs to be responsible. Set a timetable and keep to it.
Next would be the absolute importance of software updates. Be sure that someone (like you, maybe) is responsible enough to keep track of all of them. It would make no business sense to purchase quality business software and then not keep up with the updates.
Here be careful of one thing: Make sure these updates come from the software company itself, not your local neighborhood Hacker. This is a common way to break into a business computer system and that's another reason that this needs to be supervised by a very responsible person. No exceptions.
One possible thing you can do is to use the automatic updates that some software companies offer. This way the updates will come at the proper time, as designed in the software. If this is available, use it but again make sure that is where it comes from.
You might think that no one can do real damage even if they get into your particular computer system. I hope you remember how hackers get into systems like Target. They got into one of their contractors computers and used that to get into Target's. Don't take chances here. Liability is alive and well.
Something else so easy to miss for people who are not used to computer security is to always, always, always, protect all of your devices that connect to the internet. It's not just your computer that is at risk. Along with your computer(s) you need to be concerned with smart phones, gaming systems, and any other web-enabled device. If they plug into your system, they also need your serious protection from viruses and various malware. Also watch for employees who use their own devices to get information from your system. They are plugged into your business computer system, right? A common thing now.
One more thing to keep in mind is to watch your plugs and scanners. Many people don't know it but your USBs as well as other external devices can be infected by viruses and other malware. (I know I use the term "malware" a lot. It is simply a contraction of the words "malicious software.") You can and should use your security software to scan them. Don't know how?
Nothing shameful about not knowing something. The sin is in staying that way when by learning something you can use that knowledge to help protect your business and reputation. See and learn from a competent software retailer, and I don't mean Walmart.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9438997

What Should I Do? My Computer/Web Site Has a Virus?

STEPS TO TAKE IF YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM HAS MALWARE.
Last week we discussed what we should do if we have come to believe that we have malware. What signs we look for in our computer system, etc. Now we need to go a little deeper into what to do when we come to that conclusion.
Before we dig into that, let me mention the little known fact that if you have a screen pop up saying something like:"virus detected,"that doesn't mean you necessarily have a virus in your computer system. It could mean that you downloaded a file and your anti-virus software detected a virus and removed it before it could become a problem. It also could mean that a malicious file on an infected web page could have been detected and was dealt with. If you see that screen, don't worry, a lot but you might want to go into your anti-virus program and check its quarantine or its detection logs to view more information about the exact viruses and what action was taken. Do this as an educational experience. You can't know too much about the dangers to your computer system.
So today let's talk a little about what we should consider when we come to the firm conclusion that we have, indeed, become infected with a virus or viruses.
This doesn't seem to be common knowledge, but I have found out from extensive reading that while many viruses and other types of malware are designed because the sender loves chaos, more and more malware at this time is being used by organized crime in order to steal credit card numbers from you as well as other sensitive data.
I know a number of people who purchased fairly good quality anti-virus software and then let it expire. Not too much you can do more foolish than that.
Many people I have known found viruses and then purchased appropriate software and considered the problem solved, as the software would detect and destroy the infection. Actually if I had a virus on a program I cared about I would immediately, after clearing my machine, install a new version of the program. Why would you take a chance? I can't imagine why someone would. These are sensitive pieces of equipment and should be treated with respect.
If you are not going to care for them, why should you expect them to care for you and all you've built.
Possibly you have an anti-virus program but you get the idea that you have viruses that it is not detecting. Possible? Sure. But you can get another opinion on this malware with another type of product. A variety of providers make a one-time scanning tool. These programs will download into your computer system and do a quick scan without a long installation process. You might not know that you cannot have multiple anti-virus products operating at the same time so this allows you to scan with another anti-virus software without the hassle of uninstalling your current anti-virus program. See?
Now what happens if you are right and the viruses are in your computer system and were not detected by your current software? Perhaps your anti-virus software is not up to the job. Maybe you obtained one of those free anti-virus programs widely available on the internet and you took it thinking you were crafty and thereby saved some money. Sorry, it was not crafty, at all.
But back to the problem: You might want to uninstall your thrifty-bargain software and purchase something that will actually protect what you've worked for.
You need to decide what you need; not what others think you need. Or what others want to sell you. But you need knowledge to make that decision.
You might find that some viruses and other types of malware tend to dig their hooks deep into your system, making them very difficult to remove from your computer system. This can be the case especially if the viruses have infected your system earlier and has had time to run crazy and possibly download types of malware. The competent and appropriate software you have now purchased is not always able to root out infections already in the system.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9403934

Can You Stop Malware With Simple Passwords?

WE support the courageous few standing up to the purveyors of malware. Those malcontents either make fun of your hard work or wish to make money out of your distress. Stand up for yourselves!
Web-wise thought for the day: The best anti-virus software is no substitute for your own common sense. A majority of today's cyberheists begin with malware that is spread via email attachments. Many of these threats will go undetected by anti-virus tools in the first few days. Read that last sentence again if you didn't get it.
You'd be surprised how few business people don't think of these little things, these small but important factors. Make it hard for the hackavists and they will go elsewhere to peddle their destruction.
YOU STAND UP TO MALWARE AND REFUSE TO BACK DOWN!
But you also have to do your part!
Good morning friends. Speaking of common sense, let's discuss our password control. Password control? That sounds easy, doesn't it. But do your employees think about it with the same seriousness you know you must attach to the subject in order to keep your computer system and your business safe? Do you?
What brought this particular subject to my attention was something I read the other day. A study was completed on the most common digit passwords currently used in machines today. Do you know what the most common digit password was for a machine needing six digits? 123456. How many readers got it before I showed it to you?
This, my friends, is the primary reason why there are tens of thousands of hackers breaking into computer systems with viruses or a single virus in the malware. Tens of thousands of new virus attacks on a regular basis.
See the problem that we all have? Hackers have gone wild and we have new viruses each and every day and they find a place because most people just don't want to bother with the little things we can all do. Things like: Good Password Control. We users of computer systems make it easy for them. If they are going to foist destruction on us, let's at least make them work for it.
Now keep in mind that passwords are, in general, transmitted and stored by plain text transmission. The encryption part is fairly simple. Make sure encryption is used. You will find Secure Socket Layer (SSL) pretty awesome. You will recognize that SSL is being used when you see "https" instead of "http," at the beginning of a web page address and also by a padlock symbol in your browser.
Secondly, your storage is solved by "hashing." A hash is the result of processing plaintext in order to create a unique, fixed length identifier.
You don't have to be an expert on these things; just be aware that it works and you need it. We all need to do our part together.
Password security is helped by "salting." This is a random value added before the hashing. Salting only helps if truly random salts are used and long salts.
There are a number of different type of attacks that you will find against your passwords. One is called "brute force attack," and is simply a software program that tries to find your password by building together all possible letter combinations. This type of attack is foiled by those limits that are placed on the number of tries being used. I know you find it a nuisance, but this is why it is there.
A second type of attack against your passwords is the "dictionary attack." This is where the software goes all through possible dictionary spellings and words to try and find the right combination.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9412710

The 7 Secret Windows Shortcuts You Never Knew About

What if it only takes you a split of a second to initiate a command from fingers? For years, regular users of the Windows computer have been using their mouse more than these cool shortcuts which could very well save them time and effort.
You can be sure that the seasoned tech experts have been using these secretly. And now, you will be shown the way as well. Hang on! Here they come.
1. Windows logo key + L key
Moving away to pantry for a new cup of coffee? Keep curious eyes out of your work with this quick shortcut - you can lock your windows instantly.
2. Shift key + Delete key
Do you find it troublesome to always empty your Recycle Bin after you take out the trash? Now with this quick shortcut, you can bypass the Recycle Bin and get rid of it instantly. But do note of the downside - you won't be able to retrieve any accidentally deleted files.
3. Alt key / Windows logo key + Tab key
Too many multiple windows opened? This handy shortcut will allow you to select the right screen easily.
4. Shift key + Ctrl key + N key
Want to create a new folder instantly, without having to do the clicking? Now you can. Hit this 3 key combination, and a new folder will appear with the name 'New folder' already highlighted - so you can type in your preferred name.
5. Windows key + M key
Uh oh, did you load too many windows that they are cluttering your screen? Or are you sensing that your boss is coming right behind you? Use this quick shortcut to minimize all of the windows instantly. It's a great way to save your time, and sometimes, your appraisal at the end of the year.
6. Windows logo key + Left or Right Arrow key
If you are using a two monitors for your desktop, you may prefer some windows to appear on your left, and some others on the right monitor. Hitting this quick shortcut allows your window to move from one monitor to the next one. And if you only have a single monitor, this shortcut will re-position your window to the side of the screen.
7. Windows logo key + (+/- key)
Can't see that super small font? Or would you like to view your smaller? Press windows key and + key together to zoom in for a magnified view. Or you could hit windows key and - to get a zoom out view.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9412500

Backup Solutions For Small Businesses

While huge organizations and partnerships may have more 'mission-basic' information, their entrance to more prominent assets allows them to spend too much on the best tech. It's really the small and medium-sized organizations that have the most to lose, and with restricted assets, need to arrange painstakingly for their reinforcement needs.
Backup Devices
One of the key variables in your reinforcement approach will be the reinforcement gadget you pick. This can be as straightforward (and work concentrated) as circumventing the workplace toward the end of every day with a versatile hard drive and utilizing Windows' as a part of assembled reinforcement framework, or you can simply attach a NAS gadget with reinforcement programming designed to make programmed reinforcements.
Backup Appliances
These all in one gadgets implied for business use are maybe the most effortless to set up and may give the best venture class unwavering quality on account of components such as RAID, on-the-fly encryption, and mechanized reinforcements - at a cost.
Tape Backups
Once viewed as a definitive in reinforcement, tape reinforcements are no more as well-known as they used to be. All things considered, tape reinforcements may in any case be a decent decision for organizations that need more incessant full reinforcements.
Removable Hard Disks
The most straightforward reinforcement gadget is your unassuming USB hard disk. While these won't scale up too well for more than a modest bunch of PCs, these may very well suffice for small workplaces. Most producers give way reinforcement programming with these so you don't have to purchase that independently.
Backup Software
There are a few reinforcement applications you can look over. These can be utilized as a part of conjunction with convenient hard drives, NAS gadgets, or even with online records.
Online Backup Services
Offsite reinforcements are a crucial part of any business reinforcement arrangement. These works like other reinforcement or forming programming yet store your information in the cloud - giving you the advantage of offsite reinforcement. Nonetheless, these are regularly constrained by your Internet association. Fortunately, some of these administrations let you deliver hard drives to them for the starting reinforcement (which could some way or another take month over a moderate association). You can likewise utilize distributed storage administrations like Google Drive (Google Apps), Skydrive, or Dropbox to reinforcement records from tablets and PC
Backing Up E-Mail
Email stays one of our most regularly utilized instruments and can be basic to the everyday working of a business.
More than likely, your reinforcement procedure will include a blend of the arrangements we've notice. We'd simply jump at the chance to underline two things: Stick to your reinforcement technique, and do utilize some type of offsite reinforcement!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9313949

How to Increase the Life of Your Printer

You have just come back from your holidays, you dust off your printer, pop in a camera memory card and set off printing your pictures only to find your printer isn't working properly. Now before writing your printer off, here are a few tips and ideas to help prolong your printer lifespan and to get it working perfectly again.
Keep It Clean
You would think this is a pretty obvious point, but it is amazing how many people neglect to clean their printers.
Everything needs a clean now and again to keep it working properly, especially printers. In order to aid with the printing process, ink and toner contain additives such as wax, drying agents and lubricants all of which, expectantly, get into all the little cracks of the printer after long print jobs. A build-up of this will cause mechanical parts to stick and seize and cover important sensors in your printer.
The best way to clean your printer is to first turn it off. Next you will need a small brush (A clean, fine Bristle paint brush works well) to clean off excess dust in and around the printer exterior. For the interior and mechanical parts, I tend to use 70% Isopropyl Alcohol on a small cotton ball and gently dab out the thickest chunks of ink, followed with a dry paper towel to polish. NEVER use water inside your printer, Isopropyl Alcohol evaporates very quickly and leaves very little liquid residue behind.
Be Gentle When Unblocking Paper
When paper is jammed DO NOT pull the paper out through the output tray. Doing this is harmful to the paper wheels which feeds the paper through and can also tear the paper, leaving behind bits of torn paper, which will harm your printer later.
Most printers come with a rear hatch which will allow you access to the printer wheels and where the paper jam is likely to be. Once the jam is located be careful when removing the paper to avoid bending or harming any parts of the printer.
Use Your Printer Often
It is a common recommendation from most manufacturers to keep your printer in regular use. Regular use will prevent ink from clogging your printer heads which can result in smudgy results or missing colours. Regular use will also prevent dust from settling inside your printer which will ultimately improve the printers performance.
Quality Paper Helps A Lot!
To the naked eye, printer paper looks all the same; however, printer paper comes in many different types. One of the main measurements for paper is its grammage or density of the paper. Paper with less density or a lower grammage is often cheaper and probably the choice of most people looking to save a few pennies, the drawback is that low density paper, due to its flimsiness, are more likely to cause paper jams which can ultimately damage your printer. A grammage of 90g/m2 is the industry standard for high quality printer paper.
Avoid Cheap Compatible Inks and Toner
Ink and Toner is expensive, this is fact. It is very tempting to use compatible, refilled or remanufactured ink and toner to cut back on the cost of printing but new, original cartridges are by far the best and safest to use. It is like putting a compatible or used engine part into your car instead of the manufacturer approved part, it may work at first but the performance of the car will be affected and you are likely to break down.
Printer Ink comes with a print yield, which is an estimated number of prints that can be done until the cartridge runs out. Original ink cartridges can produce anywhere between 1000 to 1 million prints before it expires.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9357039

How to Sync Android Phones With Windows 10 PCs

While some users have gotten rid of the hassle of USB cable to connect their Android devices to a computer, many others still have to plug it again and again.
Here are methods through which you can move your files to Windows 10 from Android.
File Explorer:
This is one of the easiest ways to move files from Android to Windows 10. Get a micro USB cable and connect it to the computer. Then Go to 'File Explorer' to see the accessible storage on your device and tap 'This PC.' Now look for "Computer transfer" or "MTP" and move the files.
OneDrive:
OneDrive - Cloud Storage lets you store all your personal files in one place, from where you can access them through your Android device, computer or tablet.
This cloud-based file service is fairly simple to use. You can access all of your data from anywhere simply by signing in to your account.
It starts with a 15GB of storage space, but you can get another 500MB by referring it to a friend. If that is not enough too, you can buy 100GB for $1.99 a month a full terabyte a month for $6.99.
Dropbox:
Dropbox is the oldest file hosting service used by millions of people across the globe. The standard storage size in it is the just 2GB, but $9.99 will get you 1TB of space for a month. Besides, that it also offers several other extra storage opportunities to its users.
Google Drive:
Google Drive is another file hosting service through which you can move your stuff to Windows 10 from Android. It starts with a 30GB of storage shared across Drive and Gmail but you can buy an unlimited storage plan for $10 a month.
Cortana:
This service actually acts as your personal assistant, allowing you to find files, manage your calendar, ask different things and do much more by creating a connection between your Windows PC and Android device or iPhone.
The syncing between Windows 10 and Android is useful through Cortana Notebook, which manages your interests and favourite places etc. Everything you post in Cortana Notebook appears on your Android phone and if you make any change on one device, it will show up when you use the service on the other device.
A problem most of the users face is how to figure out Cortana to enjoy a similar experience on both devices. For that, 'Phone Companion' is a useful in-built app in Windows 10 that ensures it works fine in conjunction with the phone.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9401405

Yahoo Mail: Changing How People Communicate The World Over

Yahoo Mail is the face of the email industry, and that is because it was one of the first email providers to take the world of the internet by storm. Even before new and advanced email servers were introduced, Yahoo had been the forerunner of this business and the torch bearer of almost every industry both in marketing and telecommunications. People had a Yahoo mail account and were fully involved in using its standard services. With a worldwide consumer base of more than a million, Yahoo has attached itself to the ever growing population of professional personas and industries. Yahoo mail has been increasing its reach and has successfully done so utilizing the basic and standard approach to be the best.
Here are some of Yahoo mail's specs that one must know before opening an account on Yahoo.

• Yahoo has wonderfully designed its advertisement page to include all that is happening around the world. Apart from the basic features of using an email, you also get the facility of syncing your tablet or phone to the service. This will keep you updated on recent notifications and important messages you want to be delivered there and then.
• Yahoo mail has an easy to use inbox and other folders available inside the account. One can access the spam folder to know whether the messages are to be blocked or kept for future reference. Yahoo saves your emails for over 90 days and after that, those are automatically deleted to preserve the memory of your account.
• You can get nearly 1 GB data as storage on Yahoo Mail. Including photos, videos or other stuff as attachments to your contacts in your email is now easy with the huge 25 MB allowance for the same per mail.
• Yahoo has incorporated the benefit of increasing your reach per mail to multiple people. This makes it easy to send Bcc to everyone you want the mail to be sent.
• Your personal information is kept a secret, and the Yahoo team makes sure your account is perfectly safe from any hacking device or miscreant. You can even get notifications in your account to know if someone accessed the account without your permission. The Yahoo mail feature will be unique to your device and recognize you only if you collaborate the service as per instructions.

These are some of the specifications Yahoo provides to its customers. If you don't have a Yahoo account, do start now as the procedure to create an account is quite easy. You will be guided through the Yahoo email login page well, and the report will be complete in just a few minutes. You can also opt out of receiving any advertisement notices based on your searches. This feature makes Yahoo a safe accomplice to trust in and safeguard your account. Make sure you draft out your problems with the team as the FAQs are provided for this purpose only. You can even get offers and any related service you want if you sync your Yahoo mail to the online shopping websites. They can contact you through the same. Create a Yahoo mail account and have a happy time emailing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9377927