2012
The best way to protect your data - images, music, documents
We are living in the era of everything digital which makes it wonderfully easy to store and retrieve our data. This convenience also introduces a new risk of loss. Not only do you have to worry about fire, flood or theft (like you do for traditional paper based information), but also about your info getting stollen, hijacked or deleted because of drive failure, virus' or hijacking trojans. Remember the 3-2-1 rule This is a simple way to remember the right way to backup and protect your data.
Windows8 TIP – Bringing the start menu back to the Windows 8 desktop
To be clear, there is no official Microsoft way to bring back the start menu but many creative 3rd party developers have come out with Start menu replacements. There are many options available here but the best one I chose is from the kings of Windows modification, the boys and girls of Stardock called Start8. The reason I chose this one is that it seems to be the best written (aka no errors or bugs) and it has a clean Windows 8 modern look.
Do you need a speaker for a conference?
I am planning 2013 and am now looking for speaking engagements. If you need an articulate, educated and experienced speaker, let me know. I can cover many topics including : security, outsourcing, efficiency through the use of technology, social networking and general tech talk. If interested, please contact via the contact me link above. Have a great day.
How to quickly get rid of crapware & bloatware from that new PC
Save your PC from OEM installed bloatware and crapware Buy any name brand PC and it will likely come with an OS littered with bloatware and crapware. Why do manufacturers do this? Money. What kinds of bloatware do they install? Free security software - I use the word free loosely since in most cases it is one of the name brand products that is known to be slow and sluggish. In addition to the performance hit this may cause, it is usually a very short time trial based license.
Windows8 TIP - Log in automatically
Press the Windows key + R (to open the run dialog box) then type netplwiz and press ENTER. Now the User Accounts dialog box should open. Uncheck the option that says “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” and click OK.
Fitbit, Nike Fuelband and Lark Life competitor - enter shine
We have all heard about the Jawbone UP 2, Nike FuelBand, Larklife, Fitbit One, Striiv and Amiigo but make some room for the newest entrant in the world of fitness gamification, Misfit Wearables. The new Shine is a $99 competitor (at the right price range) that offers some unique characteristics: It's really small It's the first all metal device It synchronizes with your smartphone sans bluetooth or cable! YUP, feel free to re-read that sentence again It is waterproof
How I write my blog entries more efficiently
A question I receive once in a while is what application I use to write my blog posts. Most people believe I must be using Microsoft Word or Google Docs but this couldn’t be further from the truth. What am I looking for? When writing a blog post, I want a simple clean work environment with the fewest number of distractions possible. Additionally I want a tool where I can prepare my entire post and then copy and paste it into my CMS.
Skype disables password reset function
The interwebs are buzzing about a Skype vulnerability that anyone can use to access your account using only your email address. In response, skype has disabled with password reset page (to protect against the exploit). The vulnerability is simple and doesnt require any special skills or tools. You can follow their updates on the Skype heartbeat page.
Windows8 TIP - How to shutdown or reboot your PC
Without a Start menu, you probably guessed it but the procedure to restart or shutdown your PC is a little different. Move your mouse to the bottom right hand corner of the screen and click on the Settings charm option. Then choose Power (from the menu in the lower part of the charm) then choose the restart or shutdown option. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 If you are on the Windows 8 desktop, you can also press ALT+F4 to get the restart/shutdown menu.
Stop hackers - Automatically keeps your PC software updated
As the Chief Information Security Officer of a large multinational company, I am willing to look under any stone to provide a safer more secure computing environment for my company. Like a large company, there is one characteristic that is likely increasing your risk profile and making you more susceptible to hackers, malware and virus. Old not updated software. Old software has many more bugs that can be exploited to commandeer your computer. Secunia PSI is your solution The fine folks at Secunia offer their Personal Software Inspector for FREE!
Windows8 TIP - List all of your applications
The new Start interface get's rid of the old (win 95 introduced) start menu we are all familiar with. The first question you may ask yourself after you upgrade is "How do I access all my non start menu applications?” It's pretty simple; you can use the Windows Key + Q shortcut to bring up the app list. Another way to access this menu is to right click on an empty part of the start interface or swipe ip from the bottom on a touch screen device.
How to uninstall apps from Windows 7 or Windows 8
You should read yesterday's article about cleaning crap files from your PC. Staying in the same topic, I want to share with you my secret on the best way to uninstall an app from Windows 7 or Windows 8. Sure you could use the built in Add / Remove program option of the Operating System but that never seems to get everything off. After running the default uninstaller, there always seems to be garbage left behind. This is why I love the free version of Revo Uninstaller.
Windows8 TIP - Quick Access Menu
Move your mouse cursor to the bottom left hand corner of your screen or use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + X. This gives super quick access to useful tools like Device Manager, Disk Management, Command Prompt, Task Manager, Control Panel, File Explorer and Search.
How to clean crap files from your Windows computer for FREE
As you update programs, download new ones or browse the web, your computer starts to collect crap files that are useless but take up valuable storage space. So do you have to spend $50 on a cleaning program? Forget about it! Go ahead and download CCleaner. Although it performs other functions (like uninstalling apps), I only use the crap cleaning function. Go to the developers page to download it. Read the options when installing it to make sure you uncheck the options to install toolbars or change your homepage.
Google's Transparency Report
Country data of Google Usage In 2009, China blocked access to Youtube because it claimed an anti-China video was being hosted which purported to show China police beating Tibetan protesters.Using Google's Transparency Report website, we can see this policy change graphically. The A marks the spot the media believes this blocking was initiated, which jives with the data. On November 9 2012, Bloomberg wrote an article claiming that China had blocked access to all Google Services. IF we look at the Google Transparency report website, we see that once again their claim seems be to founded.
Is your account hacked? Find out now thanks to PwnedList
It seems like every day, we hear about another web service that was hacked and whose account information was stolen. Most internet users aren’t connected to the hacker underground and have no way of finding out if their account may have been leaked. Enter PWNEDLIST, a free service that can tell you if your account information was disclosed as part of a hack. The site started in July 2011 and was the idea of Alen Puzic, a white-hat security researcher.
Sign up for the AppyFriday newsletter & get 6 free Mac Apps
AppyFriday has a promo now and is giving 6 free apps (worth $90) just for signing up to their newsletter. You get: MacCleanse Hider Tunes Cleaner MusicTube Picturesque Colorado Desktop
Best free antivirus for Windows 7
Most people have a love/hate relationship with Antivirus product. The most common products most people use are typically slow, loaded with useless features and generally provide a bad overall experience. In some cases, simply replacing this "known" products with the never products may actually noticeably speed up your computer. Since inception, I have been using a FREE antivirus from Microsoft called Microsoft Security Essentials. If you are one of the couragous souls that upgraded to Windows 8 Pro (like me) then it is alreasy built into the OS with its original name Windows Defender.
Microsoft's cool idea to market its new Live tile concept
Anyone using Windows 8, Windows 8 RT or Windows Phone 8 knows the cool new Microsoft designed concept of a Live tile. It is a tile that provides active information about the things that are important to you. Microsoft created a Live Tile on the floor (middle of the road) that lit up when a person stepped on it. As soon as the person was completely on the tile, the walls of the nearby club fell down and everyone started dancing around that person.
$50 refund on Nexus 7 16GB
Google recently killed off the 8GB Google Nexus 7 tablet and made the 16GB version the new minimum. Google is living up to its mantra of "Don't be evil" by offering a $50 rebate to customer who purchased a 16GB model via the Google Play store between October 14 - 25. If you meet the eligibility requirements [eligibility requirements], you can use this page to request your Price Protection. Update on 2012-11-10 14:48 by Edward N Kiledjian For those that are wondering, this is open to Canadian AND US residents.