Skimtacular: All-in-One ATM Skimmer — Krebs on Security

Skimtacular: All-in-One ATM Skimmer — Krebs on Security: I spent the past week vacationing (mostly) in Southern California, traveling from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara and on to the wine country in Santa Ynez. Along the way, I received some information from a law enforcement source in the area about a recent ATM skimmer attack that showcased a well-designed and stealthy all-in-one skimmer.

How To Tell If Your Phone Is Infected

How To Tell If Your Phone Is Infected: I don't think it's far-fetched to say that most people have no idea if their mobile devices have been infected with malware, simply because they don't think mobile malware even exists (call it the Mac syndrome?).

10 Commandments of Windows Security | PCWorld

10 Commandments of Windows Security | PCWorld: With the introduction of Windows 7, many PC and notebook users may feel more secure than they did using older versions of the Microsoft operating system. Newer OSs have more security features, offer better out-of-the-box security settings and have closed many of the historical security holes. Windows 7, for example, has changed the default User Account Control level so that it's harder for rogue programs to run without first explicitly gaining the user's permission.

Toolwiz Care | Toolwiz Software

Toolwiz Care | Toolwiz Software: Toolwiz Care is a free tool set designed to speed up your PC and give your system full care. With multi-functional optimization suite, this software provides a collection of tools that includes System Checkup,System Cleanup,System Speedup,System Virtualization and 40 powerful tools to enhance PC performance, security, and to optimize the start-up procedure. Toolwiz guarantees users that the freeware will stay free. This tool suite is designed for all levels of PC users from beginners to experts.

Windows Repair (All In One)

Windows Repair (All In One): Tweaking.com - Windows Repair is an all-in-one repair tool to help fix a large ajority of known Windows problems including registry errors and file permissions as well as issues with Internet Explorer, Windows Update, Windows Firewall and more. Malware and installed programs can modify your default settings. With Tweaking.com - Windows Repair you can restore Windows original settings.

75 Open Source Replacements for Popular Small Business Software - Datamation

75 Open Source Replacements for Popular Small Business Software - Datamation: It's important to note that many of these open source apps really are comparable with their better known counterparts. They usually offer most of the features small businesses need, and many even read and write files created with proprietary software. For example, both OpenOffice and LibreOffice can open and save Microsoft file formats, so your partners, clients and suppliers will never know you aren't using Word, Excel or PowerPoint.

Simple Network Scanning With Free Wireless Network Watcher | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Simple Network Scanning With Free Wireless Network Watcher | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts: So, how would you know if your wireless signal is piggyback capable, and is perhaps being used as the neighborhood access point? You could of course, install any one of the comprehensive open source network monitoring packages widely available for download. Provided, that is, you’re prepared to dig into a host of complex instructions and procedures.

A much simpler, but very basic solution, is offered by NirSoft’s Wireless Network Watcher. This free utility “scans your wireless network and displays the list of all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network.”

About | AlternativeTo.net

About | AlternativeTo.net: We have one mission: helping you find the right software for your computer, mobile phone or tablet. Our main focus is to give you alternatives to software you already know and want to replace.

Based on our users recommendations we list great alternatives to the applications you want to replace.

Everything Search Engine

Everything Search Engine: Everything search engine

Locate files and folders by name instantly.

Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once

Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once: The Easiest, Fastest Way to Update or Install Software

How and when to charge your tablet battery | TechRepublic

How and when to charge your tablet battery | TechRepublic: Tablets have taken over the mobile world, because they are the best of all mobile worlds – smaller and lighter than laptops, and more useable than smartphones. It’s also possible to get a better battery life in your tablet than you do with your smartphone or laptop, extending you beyond a full day of work. However, this won’t happen if you’re careless with your usage and your battery. Believe it or not, there are ways to maximize that battery for a life of extended mobility.

LogMeIn Free description, Remote Computing Downloads List By 30 Day Change | PCWorld | PCWorld

LogMeIn Free description, Remote Computing Downloads List By 30 Day Change | PCWorld | PCWorld: If you use a main desktop PC at work or at home, and also use a laptop, you've likely got problems. Let's say, for example, that you use an e-mail client such as Outlook on your desktop PC, but when you're away from it, you want to check your email. There's nothing you can do; you're out of luck.

LogMeIn Free solves the problem neatly. You can take control any of your computers from any PC or Mac over the Internet, using one of the popular browsers on LogMeIn's supported list. So that means you'll be able to sit at a different computer, controlling your main computer almost as if you were sitting there.

3 ways to disable personal results in Google | ZDNet

3 ways to disable personal results in Google | ZDNet: Summary: If you’re tired of Google showing you personalized results instead of true search results, try one of the following three methods.

Free Sucuri SiteCheck – Find Out If Your Site Has Been Hacked | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Free Sucuri SiteCheck – Find Out If Your Site Has Been Hacked | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts: There’s no foolproof solution but, one measure which I employ frequently is taking advantage of a free service offered by Sucuri Security – which, quickly scans for the most common threats as illustrated in the following screen capture.

LogMeIn Free description, Remote Computing Downloads List By 30 Day Change | PCWorld | PCWorld

LogMeIn Free description, Remote Computing Downloads List By 30 Day Change | PCWorld | PCWorld: f you use a main desktop PC at work or at home, and also use a laptop, you've likely got problems. Let's say, for example, that you use an e-mail client such as Outlook on your desktop PC, but when you're away from it, you want to check your email. There's nothing you can do; you're out of luck.

LogMeIn Free solves the problem neatly. You can take control any of your computers from any PC or Mac over the Internet, using one of the popular browsers on LogMeIn's supported list. So that means you'll be able to sit at a different computer, controlling your main computer almost as if you were sitting there.

Google Privacy Checklist: What to Do Before Google's Privacy Policy Changes on March 1 | PCWorld

Google Privacy Checklist: What to Do Before Google's Privacy Policy Changes on March 1 | PCWorld: If you'd like to exert control over your Google-based data, you still have time to act before March 1. Google's privacy settings can be tricky to navigate--the privacy Dashboard doesn't provide full access to all privacy settings, and Google's Data Liberation tool doesn't support everything yet. But these tips should help limit what Google can find out about you.

How to use tabbed browsing in Windows Explorer | How To - CNET

How to use tabbed browsing in Windows Explorer | How To - CNET: Tabs have shaken up Web browsing in a good way, but they haven't quite migrated into file management yet, though it seems like a no-brainer.

Uninstall & Remove McAfee, Symantec, Norton, AVG, Avast & More Antivirus and Security Applications and Programs

Uninstall & Remove McAfee, Symantec, Norton, AVG, Avast & More Antivirus and Security Applications and Programs: The free AppRemover utility enables the thorough uninstallation of security applications like antivirus and antispyware from your computer. Remove computer stress. Simply, cleanly and effectively.

|MG| Miro 4.0.5 Download

|MG| Miro 4.0.5 Download: Miro is the only internet TV you'll need — it's an application that brings together thousands of shows from all over the web. There's TONS of great content, lots of it in HD, and fresh shows are added all the time. You can watch and organize video feeds when you're offline or traveling, find TV programs on sites like Hulu, and download from sites like YouTube. Miro downloads in HD, whenever it's available!

How to Keep Your PC Safe With Sandboxing | PCWorld

How to Keep Your PC Safe With Sandboxing | PCWorld: f viruses and malware are a regular problem for you, or if you're simply worried that your antivirus program isn't sufficient, you can add an extra layer of defense to your PC by setting up a sandboxing application. A properly sandboxed set of Windows programs can protect you from malware that your antivirus utilities miss, keeping your PC and your personal data more secure while you're shopping online, say, or visiting potentially dicey Web sites.

Sandboxing is a form of software virtualization that lets programs and processes run in its isolated virtual environment. Typically, programs running within the sandbox have limited access to your files and system, and they can make no permanent changes. That means that whatever happens in the sandbox stays in the sandbox.

Top 10 Windows 7 desktop gadgets | TechRepublic

Top 10 Windows 7 desktop gadgets | TechRepublic: Way back in 2008, I wrote an article titled The top 10 Vista Sidebar Gadgets. Now it’s 2010 and I’m running Windows 7, and although I still use most of the gadgets I was using back then, I’ve also discovered a few new ones that deserve mention. Here are my favorites.

How to improve Windows 7 Explorer | How To - CNET

How to improve Windows 7 Explorer | How To - CNET: It stands to reason: the less software you have on your system, the lower the risk of software conflicts.

Windows 7 is complete enough to not need any added helper programs. The Windows Firewall, Security Essentials, Windows Update, and other components of Windows 7 are sufficient to keep your machine running smoothly and virus-free.

The Lifehacker Guide to 64-bit vs. 32-bit Operating Systems

The Lifehacker Guide to 64-bit vs. 32-bit Operating Systems: You're probably aware that 64-bit and 32-bit versions of your operating system exist, but apart from ascribing to a bigger-is-better philosophy, you may have no idea what separates the two. The question: Should you use a 64-bit version of Windows, and why?

How to Add a Classic All Programs Fly-Out Menu to the Windows 7 Start Menu

How to Add a Classic All Programs Fly-Out Menu to the Windows 7 Start Menu: The previous tip mentioned software for restoring the Classic Start menu to Windows 7. However, you might like to have a classic All Programs menu while keeping the good stuff that comes on the new Windows 7 Start menu. Here is a hack that will do just that.

But first please make a System Restore point or some other backup before you try to apply this tip. That way you can be sure you can get your original configuration back if something goes wrong

How to Get a Classic Start Menu in Windows 7

How to Get a Classic Start Menu in Windows 7: Do you miss the fly-out menus from the old classic Windows 98 Start menu? Those were the menus that expanded across the screen to show all the sub-folders and sub-sub-folders, etc. Not everybody liked them but there are still many PC users who wish they were back. In Windows XP and Vista, Microsoft gave an alternative option called the “Classic Start menu” that provided the old display. That option is gone in Windows 7 but there are some tricks to restore some of the old features.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

 

When people set out to look for freeware, a lot of times they specifically look for free alternatives to Microsoft products – free office suites, free alternatives to built-in programs like Paint, Notepad, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer... even free alternatives to Windows itself. However, Microsoft does provide a collection of free software that is definitely worth checking out.  This article is designed to provide an overview of the best free Microsoft programs, some of which are featured in other articles on this website.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

Pin Files, Folders and Web Sites, To Windows 7 Taskbar – Free Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

 

Pinning applications to the Windows 7 Taskbar is generally very easy. Unfortunately, Windows 7 Taskbar was not designed with the ability to pin files,  folders, or web pages – but, a small freeware tool, Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner, enables you to overcome this limitation.

Pin Files, Folders and Web Sites, To Windows 7 Taskbar – Free Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

How to Customize the Windows 7 Start Menu Your Way

 

Judging from the number of questions and comments I’ve seen, many PC users would like to modify their Windows 7 Start menu. For example, the default settings leave off some entries that people were used to in Windows XP and they want them back. Although many are unaware of it, there is an easy way to add or subtract an assortment of entries to the Start menu. You can also make a variety of configuration changes. Here’s how:

How to Customize the Windows 7 Start Menu Your Way

How to Restore Open Windows Folders When You Log Off and On or Restart

Do you have favorite folders that you like to keep open when you are using Windows? Then you will know the annoyance of having open folders being closed when you have to log off or restart the computer. Fortunately, there is a way to tweak Windows so that open folders are restored when you log back on or restart. There is a setting for this in Folder Options and here is how it works.

Restore open folders in Windows XP

1. Open a folder or My Computer
2. Open the menu Tools
3. Select “Folder Options”
4. Click the tab “View”
5. Scroll down to the entry “Restore previous folder windows at logon” and check it
6. Click “OK”

Restore open folders in Windows Vista/7

There are a number of ways to get to Folder Options. Which one is better is a matter of personal preference. Here is one way:

1. Open a folder or Computer
2. Open the “Organize” drop-down menu
3. Select “Folder and Search Options”
4. Click the tab “View”
5. Scroll down to the entry “Restore previous folder windows at logon” and check it
6. Click “OK”

And there you have it. Now when you restart your computer or log off and on, the folders you had open previously will be restored.

Bonus tip: A quick way to open (My) Computer is this keyboard shortcut:
Windows key+E

How to Restore Open Windows Folders When You Log Off and On or Restart

Antimalware Application Reviews – Who Can You Trust? | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Antimalware Application Reviews – Who Can You Trust? | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts
A typical computer user, searching for an effective and reliable antimalware solution, more often than not, ends up in a “he says – she says” scenario. Friends, relatives, neighbors, tech journalists, bloggers ……., are all only too happy to climb on the “recommendation wagon”. Best of all, these “expert” referrers, can prove their choice is right by referencing published data that supports their contention.

All well and good it seems – provided the published data can be relied upon. The obvious question then is – can published data on the effectiveness of any antimalware solution be relied upon?