PC Solutions

How-To Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account

2011-06-14T02:13:00.002-04:00

Over the last 12 months, Facebook has seen its share of controversy in regard to account privacy and its terms of service. It’s hard to say what sparked all the excitement: Rapid growth of the service (#3 on the internet overall)? Parents growing awareness of the site and how their kids were using it? The Media? Or perhaps they deserved it based on their unethical business practices, privacy policy and terms of service?
Whatever the reasons, it’s obvious some no longer trust the internet giant as I seem to keep hearing the same question over and over again:
“Is it possible to delete my facebook account?”
and
“I managed to deactivate it so it’s deleted right?”.
You would think the answer would be fairly straightforward however I have to admit, it took quite a bit of digging to come up with the answers surrounding account / profile deactivation and full blown account removal from the service. After doing the research and walking through the deceptive complex process, it was very apparent that Facebook has done their very best to prevent its customers from leaving their service thus limiting the amount of customer data being scrubbed from their service.

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Personally, I really feel Facebook has definitely crossed the border of unethical behavior on this. After all, they don’t “actually” provide an interface to delete your account and end your agreement with them regarding the use of your personal data per section 2.1 in their terms of service.
Here, let me show you. First I’ll explain Facebook Account Deactivation since this is the only option offered in their User Interface.

Deactivating Your Facebook Account, Is it the same as Account Deletion?

Users can deactivate their Facebook account from the user interface without too much trouble however Facebook will ask you to confirm your decision (more on this) by displaying one of your friends and telling you “Your Friend will miss you”. In my example for instance, I’m pretty sure it took at least a few days for “P-Diddy” to get over losing me as a FaceBook friend.

Once you confirm you want to deactivate your account, be sure to: Read the fine print!
The fine print clearly outlines that account “deactivation” is not the same as deleting your account / profile and all your data in the service.

What surprised me was the fact that even after the account was “deactivated”, YOU can still be tagged in photos, invited to events, etc.. With this in mind, be sure to “opt out” of emails if that’s the path you’re going down.

So in short, deactivating your Facebook account is pretty much worthless. It’s Facebook’s deceptive and very smart practice of luring you into a false sense of security by making you think you’ve removed your account, personal data and license to your IP (intellectual property) from the service when actually you haven’t. The unethical part about this is even while your account is deactivated, the license granted to Facebook in section 2.1 of their terms:

Section 2.1 of the Facebook Terms of Service
…you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (“IP License”). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

is still in affect. Groovy huh? Good news however, all you have to do to “re-activate” your account is log in again and tadaa, everything is right back where you left it as if you never left – pictures, friends, posts etc…
So I think everyone will agree with me in that the Facebook Account / Profile deactivation process is worthless if your goal is to delete your account and remove your data or IP from the service. Seriously.. The “real” good news is there actually IS a way to delete your account and IP!

How to Really Delete Your Facebook Account

Deep in the belly of the Facebook help center you can find the URL to permanently delete your Facebook account.
Before I show you the link however please read the following carefully:
Remember that deleting your Facebook means that all of the information you have entered will be erased. Photos, account friends, messages, status updates etc.. All traces of you will be nuked on Facebook (At least we can assume so…). With that in mind, please move forward reading all large and fine print.
Okay so lets get started on permanently deleting your profile.
1. Visit http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=delete_account, Click Submit

2. You’ll be asked to confirm, Type in your Password, and then Solve the Captcha. Click Okay to continue.

All done, sort of…

Even after confirming the deletion of your account, Facebook will only “deactivate” it leaving you 14 days to log back in and cancel the entire deletion… um yeah…

I know what you’re thinking… “Really? 14 days to delete my data?”

I completed the scavenger hunt and found the “DELETE” link.
I saw the BIG RED TEXT warning me my account would be permanently deleted.
I entered my password.
I helped translate a book for GOOGLE by solving the Captcha puzzle.
And lastly I clicked the Okay button

What part of “DELETE MY ACCOUNT” don’t you understand Facebook? Perhaps you thought I was joking? Or Drunk? But if that’s the case why the 5 steps above? Yes Regis, that’s my final answer! Delete my account!
Anyway, I think it’s pretty obvious by now Facebook doesn’t really care about you personally, they just don’t want to lose any of YOUR data from their service. Not your employment data, school history, friends, network, photos, your tagged face etc… which they managed to collect from you over the year in their social web. The 14 day grace period is just their last ditch attempt to somehow lure you back into the service somehow (either accidently or from some subconscious facebook addiction) in order to abort the account cancellation process.
With this in mind, here’s a few tips to make sure you don’t “accidently” login to Facebook thus aborting your account nuke process.

Clear your browser cache and delete all cookies – Firefox / Internet Explorer / Secure Wipe w/CCleaner
Delete the Facebook Application on your iPhone (don’t worry, it’s free if you ever want to add it again…)
Avoid clicking the Facebook Share button on any websites you read such as the button below (sorry, couldn’t resist <smile> )
5/5/2010 UPDATE: Reader UXP made a good point in his comment below reminding me that Facebook is also used by many people for single sign on for commenting on blogs or logging into websites (like digg.com for instance). Another example is FacebBook chat clients like Pidgin or Adium. Use these services, post a comment on a blog using FaceBook Connect or login to a site using your FaceBook account during your 14 day waiting period and your FB account will be reactivated. Ouch… that one is gonna hurt if your only Creds on DIGG.com or other sites is your Facebook account…

Internet Security Tools

2011-06-14T02:12:00.000-04:00

Internet security tools

If you want to protect yourself from Internet snoopers, want to spy on those out to get you, or want to be able to track trends that you know will lead to something big, then these tools will help you get the job done.
Without a Trace
If you want to use the Internet without anyone knowing who you are or leave an untraceable phone number, then these tools are for you.

Big String. Big String offers self-destructing IMs and emails for those who don’t want any evidence of their online communications. Use with many popular IM clients.
Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition. This free web browser leaves no personal information on your computer. Not only can you use this anywhere, but no one will know you were there.
x Paranoia mod. This Firefox extension is great for those who want to leave nothing behind on the computer. With a couple of clicks you can clear all your Internet history, passwords, cookies, and cache.
Bugmenot.com. If you’ve ever had to register with a site just to read an article or watch a video, then you will want this tool. Find login information for many websites that require registration and never have to give your information again.
10 Minute Mail. Use this tool to get an email address that is good for 10 minutes, then expires. This is a great way to register with sites that require an email validation or just to cover your tracks.
numbr. Get a disposable phone number that you can use to forward calls to any other phone in the U.S. No one will be able to trace you with this number.
GrandCentral. Here’s another phone option when you don’t want to be traced by your number. Consolidate all your phones into one with this tool that gives you one voice mailbox and one number for all your phones.
File.io. Want to share a top-secret online file with someone and then have no sign of the evidence later? This is the tool for you. The file is deleted after 30 days.
Fake Name Generator. If you need a name, address, email, or even a UPS tracking code, use this handy tool to generate any one of the necessary fakes.
cl1p.net. Create a note or upload a photo that you can keep for yourself or share, then delete it when you are finished with absolutely no sign of what you had.

Browsing Security
If you want to browse the Internet in privacy, these tools will help you do just that. Use these to do the actual browsing or to check the security of your browsing privacy.

Hide My Ass!. Hide your identity with this free tool. This proxy service will hide your IP address so no one will know you.
Tor. Like getting secreted away, this free service allows you to hide your Internet identity with a “network of virtual tunnels.” Join journalists, government agencies, and more who use Tor for the ultimate in Internet privacy.
Guardster. Another proxy service that hides your IP, this one is available in both free and for a fee versions. The free version does not work with encrypted SSL sites.
Megaproxy. Paste the URL for whatever website you want to visit into this tool and you will have a completely private look at your target site. No registration or downloads needed to use this tool.
Scandoo. Get real time protection when surfing the Internet with warnings about websites before you click on them. Based on ScanSafe technology, this home version is free.
ShieldsUP!. Check out this tool to learn what information your browser is sending out. You can also test the effectiveness of your personal firewall when running ShieldsUP! testing.
Junkbusters. Like ShieldsUP!, this site will tell you what of your information is being revealed just by clicking on their site. You can also learn more about Internet privacy at this site.
What Is My IP Address?. Use this tool to ensure your IP blocking software is working correctly and not revealing your true IP address.
Clusty. Use this search engine when browsing. Clusty doesn’t save your information or track you at all when you use it.
Scroogle. Try searching Google with this tool. Scroogle uses SSL to send your search terms to Google with encryption, then does the same when sending the results back to you.

Computer Security
Using the Internet is a huge open door for people to stick their nose in your business. Use these tools to slam that door tightly shut.

avast!. This free anti-virus software is one of the best available (for free or for a fee) at protecting your computer. This tool will alert you any time malware is detected and even checks incoming email. avast! also includes a boot-time scan option.
Ad-Aware. The free version of this software does an excellent job of protecting your computer against spyware and adware. The paid version gives you real-time protection which is not available with the free one.
Sandboxie. This free tool is great for both protecting your computer and getting rid of evidence. It works as a temporary storage area for information that would normally go to and from your hard drive. When you are finished in the “sandbox,” you can just clear it out.
ThreatFire. Use this in conjunction with your anti-virus to fend off malware. ThreatFire detects malicious behavior such as capturing keystrokes and also serves to defend against zero-day threats.
SnoopFree Privacy Shield. The ultimate free software for the ultra-cautious, this tool will detect any method of privacy invasion through your keyboard, screen, and open windows.
Comodo Firewall. Keep out hackers with this free firewall. This program is one of the best when it comes to protecting your computer.
WinPatrol. Protect your privacy and your computer with this free tool that works by alerting you to “hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission.”
AVG Free Anti-Virus. Get anti-virus and anti-spyware protection from this free software. This software also includes a scheduled scan option.
TrueCrypt. This disk encryption software will keep nosey-parkers at bay. You can create a virtual encrypted disk, encrypt USB flash drives and hard drives, and more.
Trustable Downloader. Download files from the Internet without worries of Trojans, worms, or viruses with this free application. As described, this tool will help guard you against government spying on its citizens.
SiteAdvisor. This software alerts you before you visit a website that has spyware or harvests your information for spam. Use their color-coded system to alert you to the potential dangers of websites.
Peer Guardian 2. This IP blocker is capable of blocking incoming and outgoing connections. You can also select to block spyware, adware, and educational and government ranges.
GlowWorm FW Lite . Mac users can use this software to be informed when a program attempts to make an outgoing connection. Not only will this tool protect your information, it also guards against malware.

Laptop Tracking
If someone makes off with your laptop, know how to stop them with these tools.

Adeona. If you want to guard against someone taking your laptop, check out this tool. This software continually tells you where your laptop is located without the interference of any third party to help you track and recover your computer.
iAlertU. Another laptop protection and tracking device, this one specifically for Macs, this software is based off mouse and keyboard movement which sets off an alarm, takes a photo of the thief, and emails the photo to a specified email address.

Spying on Those Out to Get You
If you know someone is trying to get to you, then turn the tables on them with these tools that will help you get the dirt on them.

GotVoice. Take advantage of the 14 day free trial to have your target’s voice mail sent directly to you. If you need more time, get another 14 day trial with different information.
Decoding Social Security Numbers in One Step. You can’t get everything out of that magical number with this tool, but you can narrow down the state and year of issue with any social security number instantly.
Keylogger. This free software allows you to log everything entered on the keyboard so you can track computer usage. Be sure to use the stealth mode so your target doesn’t know you are tracking him.
Decode Your License. This article describes how you can get a driver’s license from any state and decode the barcode on it to receive personal information. You will need the Internet tool described in the article and a scanner.
Webcam Spy. Use this software to spy on your target using a webcam. The software activates the webcam with a motion sensor for an auto on and off feature. Spying on your target isn’t the only use for this–you can also use it in your home to see who comes by when you are gone.

Maps for Monitoring Occurrences
Whether you are looking for evidence for your conspiracy theory or trying to put all the pieces together on a plot you know is about to be hatched, then these maps will help you get all the information you need.

Global Incident Map. Find out where terrorism is occurring around the world with this mapping tool. You be able to find plenty of patterns to put together your own theories.
HealthMap. This tool will keep you posted on health alerts. Find outbreaks by geographical location, disease, or chronological occurrence.
Who is Sick?. This Google map-based tool shows symptoms for any geographical spot. You’ll be able to track any type of outbreaks with this tool.
Incident1. Track police, fire, and emergency services on this map. You can also do a search by zip code or select a region within the states.
Incidentlog. If you live in the northeast and couldn’t find anything on Incident1, try Incidentlog for more options. This map is populated from a different pool of data.
Havaria Information Service Alert Map. Find everything from earthquakes to hazmat incidences to biological hazards on this world map. You can narrow the results by country if you don’t want to see the world view.
GeoMAC Wildfire Information. This map shows where wildfires are currently burning throughout the United States or check out past wildfires since 2002.
Piracy Attacks Maps. Pirates on the high seas are not a thing of the past. Use this map to track current piracy around the world.
UNEP: Atlas of Our Changing Environment. Sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, this map includes incidents that document environmental changes around the world. Click on each incident to see photos and read the story.
Google Maps Mania. This unofficial site follows the incredible array of various interactive maps being used in conjunction with Google Maps. Find a map that tracks your favorite passion or create one of your own.

http://www.aagneyam.com/blog/?p=1298

Try Linux! it's free, secure and can do anything Windows can do.

2011-06-14T00:51:00.000-04:00

Ubuntu 11.04

check out a flavour of Linux. it's free!

Get Ubuntu

>< ><

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Explore features

Your Ubuntu, your way

Enjoy the simplicity of Ubuntu's stylish, intuitive interface. Fast, secure and with thousands of apps to choose from, Ubuntu gives you a clean and streamlined experience that you can really make your own. And now you can even decide how you want it to look. Simply choose between our new and classic desktop experiences.

A fresh look

The launcher
Get easy access to your favourite tools and applications with our lovely new launcher. You can hide and reveal it, add and remove apps and keep track of your open windows.
The dash
Our new dash offers a great way to get to your shortcuts and search for more apps and programs. So you can get fast access to your email, music, pictures and much more.
Workspaces
Our handy workspaces tool gives you a really easy way to view and move between multiple windows and applications.

Secure

You can surf in safety with Ubuntu – confident that your files and data will stay protected. A built-in firewall and virus protection come as standard. And if a potential threat appears, we provide automatic updates which you can install in a single click. You get added security with AppArmor, which protects your important applications so attackers can’t access your system. And thanks to Firefox and gnome-keyring, Ubuntu helps you keep your private information private. So whether it’s accessing your bank account or sharing sensitive data with friends or colleagues, you’ll have peace of mind when you need it the most.

Automatic security updates
Defence against viruses
Anti-phishing

File encryption
Password protection
Built with security in mind

Compatible

Ubuntu works brilliantly with a range of devices. Simply plug in your mp3 player, camera or printer and you’ll be up and running straight away. No installation CDs. No fuss. And it’s compatible with Windows too! So you can open, edit and share Microsoft Office documents stress-free.

Fast

Ubuntu loads quickly on any computer, but it's super-fast on newer machines. With no unnecessary programs and trial software slowing things down, booting up and opening a browser takes seconds. Unlike other operating systems that leave you staring at the screen, waiting to get online. And Ubuntu won’t grow sluggish over time. It’s fast. And it stays fast.

Accessible

Accessibility is central to the Ubuntu philosophy. We believe that computing is for everyone regardless of nationality, race, gender or disability. Fully translated into 25 languages, Ubuntu also includes essential assistive technologies, which are, of course, completely free. We recommend the Ubuntu classic desktop experience for users with particular accessibility requirements.

Explore features

Get Ubuntu

Fake Antivirus Targets Firefox

2011-06-14T00:41:00.000-04:00

Fake Antivirus Targets Firefox

By John E Dunn, Techworld.com Jun 12, 2011 8:13 pm

Firefox users have targeted by a new scam that tries to load a user's PC with fake antivirus software using a passably convincing version of the Windows Update page.
Fake antivirus scams are legion, and ones using bogus update pages of one sort of another are also an established trick. The oddity of the latest incarnation of the attack, discovered by Sophos, is that it triggers only when encountering Windows users of Firefox pushed to it through a page redirect.
Artwork: Chip TaylorThe first big giveaway? Windows Update can only be started as a background activity in Windows or through Internet Explorer.
The page itself is a copy of the Windows Update page offering an "urgent" 2.8MB download which will turn out to start a useless security scan plugging fake antivirus software. The technique is clever. Users who agree to the update without being entirely sure that it is genuine will be more easily convinced that a PC has been infected with the non-existent malware later detected by the bogus program.
"Users need to be more vigilant than ever before as bogus security alerts pop-up in their browsers," said Graham Cluley of Sophos. "Fake anti-virus attacks are big business for cybercriminals and they are investing time and effort into making them as convincing as possible."
"Malicious hackers are using smart social engineering tricks more and more often, and the risk is that users will be scared by a phoney warning into handing over money to fix problems that never existed in the first place," he said.
Attacks targetting Mozilla Firefox users seem to be a mini-fashion right now. Last week, the company reported a separate scam that throws up bogus security warnings that ape the browser's security alerts as yet another method of pushing the same useless scareware products.
Neither are entirely convincing to an experienced user but they probably don't need to be to satisfy a business model that delivers decent rewards simply for tricking a handful people into installing a fake antivirus system.

See more like this:
antivirus,
malware,
firefox,
mozilla

http://www.pcworld.com/article/229999/fake_antivirus_targets_firefox.html

Backing up Your Information FireFox

2011-04-27T00:06:00.000-04:00

Backing up your information

Contributors to this page: Chris_Ilias
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/backing%20up%20your%20information

Mozilla Firefox stores all your personal settings, such as bookmarks, passwords and extensions, in a profile folder on your computer, in a location separate from the Firefox program. This article explains how to back up your profile, restore it, or move your profile to a new location or computer.

Just Bookmarks? For backing up, restoring, or moving your bookmarks (not other data), see Backing up and restoring bookmarks.

Locate your profile folder

The default location of the Firefox profile folder is ~/.mozilla/firefox/xxxxxxxx.default/.

xxxxxxxx represents a random string of 8 characters.

You can locate your profile folder using these instructions:

Firefox 3.6

At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the Help menu and select Troubleshooting Information.... The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
Under Application Basics, click on Open Containing FolderShow in Finder. This will open the profile folder (e.g., the xxxxxxxx.default folder).

Note: If you can't open Firefox, use the instructions for Firefox 3.5 given below.

Firefox 3.5

(Ubuntu) Click the Places menu on the top right of the screen and select Home Folder. A File Browser window will appear.
Click the View menu and select Show Hidden Files if it isn't already checked.
Double click the folder marked .mozilla.
Double click the folder marked firefox. Your profile folders are within this folder.

Backing up your profile

To back up your profile, first close Firefox if it is open and then copy the profile folder to another location.

At the top of the Firefox window, click on the File menu and select Quit.
Locate your profile folder, as explained above.
Go to one level above your profile's folder, i.e. to %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\~/.mozilla/firefox/
Right-clickHold down the Ctrl key while you click on your profile folder (e.g. xxxxxxxx.default), and select Copy.
Right-clickHold down the Ctrl key while you click the backup location (e.g. a USB-stick or a blank CD-RW disc), and select Paste item.

Restoring a profile backup

At the top of the Firefox window, click on the File menu and select Quit.
If your existing profile folder and profile backup folder have the same name, simply replace the existing profile folder with the profile backup, then start Firefox.
Important: The profile folder names must match exactly for this to work, including the random string of 8 characters. If the names do not match or if you are restoring a backup to a different location, follow the steps below.

Restoring to a different location

If the profile folder names do not match or if you want to move or restore a profile to a different location, do the following:

Completely close Firefox, as explained above.
Use the Firefox Profile Manager to create a new profile in your desired location, then exit the Profile Manager.
Note: If you just installed Firefox on a new computer, you can use the default profile that is automatically created when you first run Firefox, instead of creating a new profile.
Locate the backed up profile folder on your hard drive or backup medium (e.g., your USB-stick).
Open the profile folder backup (e.g., the xxxxxxxx.default backup).
Copy the entire contents of the profile folder backup, such as the mimeTypes.rdf file, prefs.js file, bookmarkbackups folder, etc.
Locate and open the new profile folder as explained above and then close Firefox (if open).
Paste the contents of the backed up profile folder into the new profile folder, overwriting existing files of the same name.
Start Firefox.

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/backing%20up%20your%20information

How can I move the window buttons to the top right of the window?

2010-11-22T00:38:00.000-05:00

How can I move the window buttons to the top right of the window?

In this version of Ubuntu the close, maximize and minimize window buttons are placed at the top left of the window. If you would prefer them to be at the top right of the window, as in previous versions of Ubuntu and Windows, then follow these instructions:

Press Alt+F2 to open the Run Application window.
Type gconf-editor into the text box and click Run to start the Configuration Editor.
Open /apps/metacity/general using the side pane and double-click the button_layout item.
Change the value to say
```
:minimize,maximize,close
```
(the position of the colon determines which side of the window the buttons appear on).
Click OK and the location of the windows buttons will change immediately.

Personalize your system with Windows XP

2010-10-31T20:53:00.000-04:00

Personalize your system with Windows XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/default.mspx

Maintain your system with Windows XP

2010-10-31T20:46:00.000-04:00

Maintain your system with Windows XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/default.mspx

Backing up Your Windows System Settings

2010-10-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

Windows XP Home Media & Professional

To back up your system settings:

START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Backing up Mozilla Firefox Setting

Source: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/backing+up+your+information

Show content customized for:

Mozilla Firefox stores all your personal settings, such as bookmarks, passwords and extensions, in a profile folder on your computer, in a location separate from the Firefox program. This article explains how to back up your profile, restore it, or move your profile to a new location or computer.

Just Bookmarks? For backing up, restoring, or moving your bookmarks (not other data), see Backing up and restoring bookmarks.

Locate your profile folder

The default location of the Firefox profile folder is %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\.

%APPDATA% is shorthand for the C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\ folder (Windows 7/Vista) or the C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\ folder (Windows XP/2000), which depends on your Windows user account name.

The default location of the Firefox profile folder is ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/xxxxxxxx.default/.

The default location of the Firefox profile folder is ~/.mozilla/firefox/xxxxxxxx.default/.

xxxxxxxx represents a random string of 8 characters.

You can locate your profile folder using these instructions:

Firefox 3.6

At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the Help menu and select Troubleshooting Information.... The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
Under Application Basics, click on Open Containing FolderShow in Finder. This will open the profile folder (e.g., the xxxxxxxx.default folder).

Note: If you can't open Firefox, use the instructions for Firefox 3.5 given below.

Firefox 3.5

Windows 7 and Vista

Click the Windows Start button, and type %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ in the search box at bottom of the Start menu, without pressing Enter.
A list of profiles will appear at the top of the Start menu. You can click on any of the profiles (e.g. xxxxxxxx.default) to open it with Windows Explorer.

Windows 2000 and XP

Click the Windows Start button, and select Run....
Type in %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ then click OK.

Windows Explorer will open the Profiles folder, which contains a folder for each profile.

Open Finder and go to your home folder. Note: Your home folder is usually the short name of your Mac user account.
From your home folder open /Library/, then /Application Support/, then /Firefox/, then /Profiles/. The Profiles folder contains a folder for each profile.

(Ubuntu) Click the Places menu on the top right of the screen and select Home Folder. A File Browser window will appear.
Click the View menu and select Show Hidden Files if it isn't already checked.
Double click the folder marked .mozilla.
Double click the folder marked firefox. Your profile folders are within this folder.

Backing up your profile

To back up your profile, first close Firefox if it is open and then copy the profile folder to another location.

From the menu at the top of the Firefox windowbar, select FileFirefox and then select the ExitQuit FirefoxQuit menu item.
Locate your profile folder, as explained above.
Go to one level above your profile's folder, i.e. to %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\~/.mozilla/firefox/
Right-clickHold down the Ctrl key while you click on your profile folder (e.g. xxxxxxxx.default), and select Copy.
Right-clickHold down the Ctrl key while you click the backup location (e.g. a USB-stick or a blank CD-RW disc), and select Paste item.

Restoring a profile backup

From the menu at the top of the Firefox windowbar, select FileFirefox and then select the ExitQuit FirefoxQuit menu item.
If your existing profile folder and profile backup folder have the same name, simply replace the existing profile folder with the profile backup, then start Firefox.
Important: The profile folder names must match exactly for this to work, including the random string of 8 characters. If the names do not match or if you are restoring a backup to a different location, follow the steps below.

Restoring to a different location

If the profile folder names do not match or if you want to move or restore a profile to a different location, do the following:

Completely close Firefox, as explained above.
Use the Firefox Profile Manager to create a new profile in your desired location, then exit the Profile Manager.
Note: If you just installed Firefox on a new computer, you can use the default profile that is automatically created when you first run Firefox, instead of creating a new profile.
Locate the backed up profile folder on your hard drive or backup medium (e.g., your USB-stick).
Open the profile folder backup (e.g., the xxxxxxxx.default backup).
Copy the entire contents of the profile folder backup, such as the mimeTypes.rdf file, prefs.js file, bookmarkbackups folder, etc.
Locate and open the new profile folder as explained above and then close Firefox (if open).
Paste the contents of the backed up profile folder into the new profile folder, overwriting existing files of the same name.
Start Firefox.

How to Stop 11 Hidden Security Threats

2010-10-30T02:29:00.003-04:00

How to Stop 11 Hidden Security Threats

Antivirus software and a firewall alone can't guarantee your safety. Here's how to foil the latest crop of sneaky attacks and nefarious attempts to steal your data.

By Tony Bradley, PCWorld

Jan 24, 2010 8:00 pm

Illustration by Frank StocktonDo you know how to guard against scareware? How about Trojan horse text messages? Or social network data harvesting? Malicious hackers are a resourceful bunch, and their methods continually evolve to target the ways we use our computers now. New attack techniques allow bad guys to stay one step ahead of security software and to get the better of even cautious and well-informed PC users.
Don't let that happen to you. Read on for descriptions of 11 of the most recent and most malignant security threats, as well as our complete advice on how to halt them in their tracks.

Shortened URLs

Most tweets, and lots of other electronic messages, include links that have been shortened by services such as Bit.ly, Tr.im, and Goo.gl. The URL aliases are handy, but they pose a risk, too: Since short URLs give no hint of the destination, attackers can exploit them to send you to malicious sites.
TweetDeck allows you to view the details underlying a shortened URL before continuing to the destination.Use a Twitter client: Programs such as TweetDeck include options in their settings to display previews of shortened URLs. With such a setting enabled, clicking a shortened URL within a tweet brings up a screen that shows the destination page's title, as well as its full-length URL and a tally of how many other people have clicked that link. With this information at your disposal, you can make an informed decision about whether to click through and visit the actual site.

Install a URL-preview plug-in: Several Web browser plug-ins and services perform a similar preview function. When you create a shortened address with the TinyURL service, for instance, you can choose an option to create a preview version so that recipients can see where it goes before clicking. Conversely, if you're considering visiting a TinyURL link, you can enable its preview service to see the complete URL. For the TinyURL previews to work, though, you must have cookies enabled in your browser.
ExpandMyURL and LongURLPlease both provide Web browser plug-ins or applets that will verify the safety of the full URLs behind abbreviated links from all the major URL-shortening services. Rather than changing the shortened links to their full URLs, however, ExpandMyURL checks destination sites in the background and marks the short URLs green if they are safe.
Goo.gl, Google's URL-shortening service, provides security by automatically scanning the destination URL to detect and identify malicious Websites, and by warning users when the shortened URL might be a security concern. Unfortunately, Goo.gl has limited application because it works only through other Google products and services.

Data Harvesting of Your Profile

Some of the personal details that you might share on social networks, such as your high school, hometown, or birthday, are often the same items used in "secret" security questions for banks and Websites. An attacker who collects enough of this information may be able to access your most sensitive accounts.
You can control the privacy settings for each element of your Facebook profile.Check your Facebook privacy settings: After signing in to your Facebook account, click Settings on the menu bar and select Privacy Settings.
Facebook's privacy settings allow you to choose who may see various personal details. You can hide your details from everyone but your Facebook friends (our recommendation), allow members of your networks to view your details as well, or open the floodgates and permit everyone to see your information. In addition, you can set the privacy level for each component of your profile--for example, your birthday, your religious and political views, the photos you post, and your status updates.

Don't accept any friend requests from strangers: From time to time you may get a friend request from someone you don't know. If you're serious about protecting your personal information, you shouldn't accept such requests.

Share with caution: Consider removing valuable information such as your birth date and hometown from your profile. You should also think twice before participating in Facebook quizzes and chain lists--though it seems innocent and fun to share your favorite breakfast cereal, the first concert you attended, or where you met your spouse, an attacker armed with enough of these tidbits can assume your identity.

Social Network Impostors

If you've connected with someone on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or another social network, it's probably because you know and trust the person. Attackers, however, can take control of your friend's online persona and then exploit that trust.
Beware of scams sent from ‘friends': Attackers can hijack one of your online buddies' social networking accounts through malware, phishing scams, and other techniques, and then use the stolen accounts to spam you, steal your personal data, or even con you out of cash. Once the thieves have locked your friend out of the account, they may send you a note saying, "Help! I'm in London and my wallet was stolen. Can you wire me some money for a plane ticket?" Or they may recommend that you click on doctored links that will allow them to infect your computer or compromise your own account.

Web Snooping

Now that so much entertainment, shopping, and socializing has shifted online, every Internet user leaves a rich digital trail of preferences. The books you read, the movies you rent, the people you interact with, the items you buy, and other details constitute a gold mine of demographic data for search engines, advertisers, and anyone who might want to snoop around your computer.

Do business with companies you trust: Stay aware of the privacy policies of the Websites and services you interact with, and restrict your dealings to those that you believe you can trust to guard your sensitive information.
The InPrivate Browsing feature in Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 allows you to use the Web without storing on your PC any sensitive information that snoops might pursue.
Use private browsing: The current versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome include private-browsing modes. These features, such as IE 8's InPrivate Browsing and Firefox 3.5's Private Browsing, ensure that the site history, form data, searches, passwords, and other details of the current Internet session don't remain in your browser's cache or password manager once you shut the browser down. By protecting such information on the computer you do your surfing on, these features help you foil nosy coworkers or relatives.

Scareware

You're probably familiar with the garden-variety phishing attack. Like a weekend angler, a phisher uses bait, such as an e-mail message designed to look as if it came from a bank or financial institution, to hook a victim. Scareware is a twist on the standard phishing attack that tricks you into installing rogue antivirus software by "alerting" you that your PC may be infected.
Don't take the bait: Stop and think. If, for instance, you don't have any security software installed on your PC, how did the "alert" magically appear? If you do have a security utility that identifies and blocks malicious software, why would it tell you to buy or download more software to clean the alleged infection? Become familiar with what your security software's alerts look like so that you can recognize fake pop-ups.
Don't panic: You should already have antimalware protection. If you don't, and you're concerned that your PC may in fact be infected (not an unreasonable concern, given the existence of a rogue "alert" on your screen), scan your system with Trend Micro's free online malware scanner, HouseCall, or try running Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool; for more help, see "Additional Security Resources." Once you complete that scan, whether it discovers anything or not, find yourself a reputable antimalware app and install it to protect your PC in the future.

Update your browser: Such fake messages will prompt you to visit the scammer's Website, which may infect your system further. Current versions of most Web browsers and many Internet security suites have built-in phishing protection to alert you to sketchy sites. It's important to note that while the databases these filters use are updated frequently to identify rogue sites, they aren't fail-safe, so you should still pay attention to any URL that you consider visiting. To make this easier, both Internet Explorer 8 and Chrome highlight the real, or root, domain of the URL in bold so that you can easily tell whether you're visiting, say, the genuine www.pcworld.com or a spoofed site like www.pcworld.com.phishing-site.ru.

Trojan Horse Texts

Some attackers will send spam text messages to your mobile phone that appear to be from your network provider or financial institution. These Trojan horse text messages may direct you to a malicious site or request permission to install an update that will change the settings on your cell phone to allow the attackers to capture usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information from your device.
Go to the source for updates and news: If you receive a text message that appears to be from a trustworthy source, but it directs you to install or update software, or if it initiates the installation and requests permission to continue, immediately exit the text-messaging app and contact the customer service department for the wireless provider or business in question to verify whether the software is legitimate.
You may receive a lot of unsolicited e-mail from companies that you do business with--e-mail that you might even regard as spam--but reputable companies will not send you unsolicited links and updates via e-mail. Similarly, reputable companies will not send unsolicited text messages to your mobile device directing you to install an update or download new software.
Attackers prey on your tendency to trust your wireless provider or financial institution. Do not blindly accept software updates or download applications to your mobile phone simply because the text message appears to be official. If in any doubt, follow up with your wireless provider or with the business.

Lost Laptops, Exposed Data

The portability of laptops and cell phones is convenient, of course, but that same portability means that such devices are easily lost or stolen. If your laptop, netbook, phone, or other device falls into the wrong hands, unauthorized users may access the sensitive data that you've stored there.

Encrypt your data: You can use a utility such as Microsoft's BitLocker to encrypt data. Unfortunately, BitLocker is available only for Windows Vista and Windows 7, and even then it's exclusive to the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of those OSs (and is also available in Windows Server 2008); you won't find the tool in the consumer versions of Vista and Windows 7.
Fortunately, BitLocker isn't the only game in town. You can use another encryption program, such as TrueCrypt (available for free under open-source licensing), to protect your data from unauthorized access.
Encrypting your data is not without a pitfall or two, however. The biggest issue is to ensure that you always possess the key. If you lose your encryption key, you will quickly discover just how good encryption is at keeping out unauthorized users.

Use stronger passwords: If encrypting seems to be more of a hassle than it's worth, at least use strong passwords to protect your PC. Longer passwords are better; more characters take longer to crack. You should also mix things up by substituting numbers and special characters for letters. For example, instead of using the plain "PCWorldMagazine", you could use "PCW0r1dM@g@zin3". Though that's still a phrase you can easily remember, the character diversity makes it significantly harder to guess or crack.
You should have a secure password to log in to your user account even if you're the only person who uses your computer. Note, however, that while strong passwords are a great deterrent, they aren't impervious to attack: An invader who has physical possession of your computer can find ways to get around that protection.
Set an HDD (hard drive) password in the BIOS to guard your PC.Lock down your BIOS: By implementing a BIOS password or a hard-drive password (or both), you can ensure that no one else can even boot the computer. Getting into the BIOS varies from system to system. The initial splash screen that your PC displays usually tells you which key to press to access the BIOS settings; watch as the computer is booting, and press Del, Esc, F10, or whichever key it specifies.
Once inside, find the security settings. Again, these settings vary from vendor to vendor, but the BIOS settings are fairly rudimentary. Learn more about accessing and navigating your system's BIOS in "Tweak Your PC's BIOS Settings the Safe Way."
You can set a master password that prevents other people from booting your computer or altering the BIOS settings. This option goes by different names, but it is often called an administrator password or supervisor password. If you wish, you can also set a hard-drive password, which prevents any access to the hard disk until the password is entered correctly.
Methods for circumventing these passwords exist, but having the passwords in place creates another layer of security that can help to deter all but the most dedicated attackers.

Use a recovery service: If your equipment gets lost or stolen, you'd like to recover it; but if you can't get your hardware back, you'll at least want to erase the data it holds. Some vendors, such as HP and Dell, offer services that try to do both for select laptop models.
Both HP's Notebook Tracking and Recovery Service and Dell's Laptop Tracking and Recovery are based on Computrace from Absolute Software. When you report that a laptop protected with one of these services has been lost or stolen, a small application running in the background on the PC waits for the computer to connect to the Internet and then contacts the monitoring center to relay location information for finding the machine. If a protected lost or stolen laptop cannot be retrieved, or if the data on a system is highly sensitive, these services allow you to remotely erase all of the data stored on it.
Worried that your browsing data is vulnerable if you lose your laptop? FireFound lets you configure what to delete in the event of a failed login.Though less comprehensive, free utilities such as the FireFound add-on for Firefox provide similar capabilities. You can configure FireFound to automatically delete your passwords, browsing history, and cookies following a failed login attempt.
Mobile phones can hold a significant amount of sensitive data, too. Fortunately, services such as Find My iPhone, part of Apple's $99-per-year MobileMe service, and Mobile Defense for Android-based smartphones perform similar feats of location tracking and remote data wiping for smartphones. Both MobileMe and Mobile Defense can use the built-in GPS capabilities of your smartphone to pinpoint the current location of the device and relay that information back to you.

Rogue Wi-Fi Hotspots

Free Wi-Fi networks are available almost everywhere you go. Attackers, however, sometimes set up a malicious open Wi-Fi network to lure unsuspecting users into connecting. Once you have connected to a rogue wireless network, the attacker can capture your PC's traffic and gather any sensitive information you send, such as your usernames and passwords.

Verify the network's name: If you want to connect to the Internet at a coffee shop or in another public place, find out the SSID of the establishment's network. The SSID is the name of the wireless network; it is broadcast over the airwaves so that your computer can detect the network, and as a result it's the name that appears in your system's list of available networks.
The SSID for a network at a McDonald's restaurant, for instance, might be "mickeyds." An attacker could set up a rogue wireless router in the vicinity of the McDonald's location and set its SSID to "mcdwifi" or "mickeyds2." Your computer would then display both names on the list of available networks--and the rogue wireless network might even have a stronger signal and appear higher on the list. Make sure that you connect only to the official network.
When in doubt, don't trust any open network. Most free wireless networks are unencrypted--and therefore unprotected. That means that the data traveling between your computer and the wireless router is susceptible to being intercepted and viewed by other parties that happen to be within range of the wireless network. Unless you have your own secure connection, such as a VPN (virtual private network) connection to the network at your office, you should avoid using public Wi-Fi for logging in to sensitive accounts (such as your e-mail or bank account); instead, limit your Internet usage in such public places to reading the news or checking for weather updates and traffic reports.

Weak Wi-Fi Security

If you're cautious, you've already secured your wireless network with a password to keep outsiders from accessing it or using your Internet connection. But password protection alone may not be sufficient.

Use stronger encryption: Several types of Wi-Fi network encryption are available, and there are some important differences between them. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption is the most common variety employed on wireless networks. If you have a WEP password in place on your Wi-Fi network already, you've taken a significant step toward protecting it from intruders.
WEP encryption is better than nothing, but for stronger protection of your wireless network, choose either WPA or WPA2.But WEP can be easily cracked: Tools are available that allow even unskilled attackers to crack the code and access your network in a matter of minutes. WEP is still helpful, since most aspiring wireless-network hijackers are not dedicated enough to take the time to break in, but to be safe you should use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or its successor, WPA2. These encryption types resolve the weaknesses of WEP and provide much stronger protection.
Log in to your router's console and find the wireless-security settings. There, enable encryption and select either WPA or WPA2. Enter a password, save the settings, and restart your router--and you'll start surfing more safely.

Endangered Data Backups

You know that you should back up your data, especially files of irreplaceable items such as family photos, regularly. But while storing backups on an external hard drive or burning them to blank CDs or DVDs and keeping them in the closet will enable you to restore files easily if your hard drive crashes or corrupts, that approach also creates a portable--and thus easily lost or stolen--archive of your sensitive data.

Encrypt your backup data: Be sure to use a backup utility that allows you to protect your data with encryption, or at least a password, to prevent unauthorized access. If you want to take things a step farther, you can put your backup files on an encrypted external USB drive such as the Seagate Maxtor BlackArmor, a PCWorld Best Buy. You can also find external drives with biometric fingerprint scanners, such as the Apricorn Aegis Bio or the LaCie d2 Safe. (For reviews of these drives and others, see "Encrypted Drives Keep Your Files Safe.")

Use an online backup service: If you prefer, you can use an online storage service such as Microsoft Windows Live SkyDrive, which provides 25GB of storage space for free and offers a measure of security by requiring a username and password for access. Unfortunately, copying 25GB of data and keeping it updated via SkyDrive can be a time-consuming and cumbersome process. For a small fee, though, you can use a service such as Mozy, which includes tools to automate the process and to ensure that your data is backed up regularly.

Unpatched Software (Not Just Windows)

Microsoft's products have long been favorite targets for malware, but the company has stepped up its game, forcing attackers to seek other weak links in the security chain. These days, third-party products such as Adobe Reader provide attackers with alternative options for hitting your PC.
Windows Automatic Updates checks for new patches and updates on a regular basis to protect your computer.Install all security updates: You should have both a firewall and an antimalware utility protecting your system, but one of the simplest--and most effective--ways to guard against attack is to make sure that you keep your operating system and applications up-to-date.
Attackers have discovered that a considerable number of third-party applications such as Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash are present on virtually every computer and contain exploitable weaknesses. To guard against threats, you can use a program such as the Secunia Personal Software Inspector to scan your system, identify applications that have known vulnerabilities, and install the necessary updates.
Do your best to stay informed of existing flaws for the various applications you use, and apply appropriate patches as soon as possible. The About.com Antivirus Software site is a good resource to use in collecting such information. You can also check sites such as McAfee's Avert Labs Threat Library for the latest news on emerging threats.
Though attacking third-party products may be a path of least resistance, bad guys haven't given up entirely on Microsoft products. Windows users should have Automatic Updates (or Windows Update) enabled and set to download and install important security updates automatically. The automatic updates will keep the Windows operating system--as well as other Microsoft software such as Internet Explorer and the various Office applications--patched and current.

5 Security Myths

Think you're doing everything you need to do to be safe? Think again. Here are five common myths about digital security.

Illustration by Frank StocktonI don't have anything an attacker would want.

Average users commonly believe that the data on their computers is valuable only to them or has no intrinsic value at all, and that therefore they have nothing to protect and no need to worry. There are three problems with this way of thinking. First, instead of pilfering data, attackers often want to take control of the computer itself, as they can employ a compromised PC to host malware or to distribute spam. Second, you may not think that your PC has any important or sensitive information, but an attacker may be able to use seemingly trivial information such as your name, address, and birth date to steal your identity. And third, most attacks are automated and simply seek out and compromise all vulnerable systems; they do not discriminate based on a target's value.

I have antivirus software installed, so I am safe.

Antivirus software is an absolute necessity, and it's a great start, but installing it won't protect against everything. Some antivirus products are just that--they don't detect or block spam, phishing attempts, spyware, and other malware attacks. Even if you have a comprehensive security software product that protects against more than just viruses, you still must update it regularly: New malware threats are discovered daily, and antimalware protection is only as good as its last update. Keep in mind, as well, that security vendors need time to add protection against emerging threats, so your antimalware software will not guard you from zero-day or newly launched attacks.

Security is a concern only if I use Windows.

Microsoft certainly has had its share of security issues over the years, but that doesn't mean that other operating systems or applications are immune from assault. Though Microsoft products are the biggest target, Linux and Mac OS X have vulnerabilities and flaws, too. As alternative OSs and Web browsers gain users, they become more attractive targets, as well. Increasingly, attackers are targeting widely used third-party products that span operating systems, such as Adobe Reader.

My router has a firewall, so my PC is protected.

A firewall is great for blocking random, unauthorized access to your network, and it will protect your computer from a variety of threats; but attackers long ago figured out that the quickest way through the firewall is to attack you via ports that commonly allow data to pass unfettered. By default your firewall won't block normal traffic such as Web data and e-mail, and few users are comfortable reviewing firewall settings and determining which traffic to permit or block. In addition, many attacks today are Web-based or originate from a phishing attack that lures you into visiting a malicious Website; your firewall cannot protect against such threats.

Since I visit only major, reputable sites, I have nothing to worry about.

You certainly increase your system's odds of being infected or compromised when you visit the shady side of the Web, but even well-known Websites are occasionally infiltrated. Sites such as those for Apple, CNN, eBay, Microsoft, Yahoo, and even the FBI have been compromised by attackers running cross-site scripting attacks to gather information about users or to install malicious software on visitors' computers.

Additional Security Resources

Many sites and services on the Web can help you learn more about computer security threats or can analyze your machine to make sure it is clean and safe.
Hoax Encyclopedia: The About.com Antivirus site has a comprehensive database of e-mail and virus hoax messages. Before you forward the next "urgent" alert to your family and friends, check for it on this list.
McAfee Virus Information Library: McAfee maintains a complete listing of malware threats, including details on how they spread and how you can protect your computer against them.
Microsoft Consumer Security Support Center: On this page you can find solutions to common security problems, as well as links to other information and resources for Microsoft's security products.
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool: This tool is designed to scan for and remove current, pervasive threats. Its scan is smaller and faster than a complete antimalware scan, but it identifies only a handful of threats. Microsoft releases a new version of the tool--along with regular security fixes--on the second Tuesday of each month ("Patch Tuesday").
Microsoft Security Essentials: This free antivirus application provides real-time protection for Windows PCs against viruses, worms, spyware, and other malicious software.
PhishTank: A community project, PhishTank is a database of known phishing sites. You can search the database to identify phishing sites, and you can add to the list any new sites you've encountered.
Trend Micro Housecall: Trend Micro's free HouseCall service scans your computer online to discover and remove any viruses, worms, or other malware that may be residing on it.

Banish Seven Bad Tech Habits

2010-10-30T02:17:00.001-04:00

Banish Seven Bad Tech Habits

Seven ways to improve your computing life by changing the way you use your computer.

By Rick Broida, PCWorld

Mar 10, 2010 9:30 pm

You floss daily, rotate your tires regularly, file your taxes on time, and exercise at least twice a week. In other words, you have lots of good habits. But when it comes to technology, well, we need to talk. You know all the icons cluttering your desktop, and the passwords you keep in Notepad, and the half-baked backup you make once a month? Those are the results of bad habits--and they're not the only ones.
Fortunately, it's easier than you might think to correct bad tech behavior, to handle your computer with the same care and wisdom that you use in safeguarding for your gums.

Bad Habit #1: Creating Too Much Desktop Clutter

Stardock's Fences helps you organize your desktop and (paradoxically) leaves you with more open range than you had before.Your Windows desktop looks like the inside of your junk drawer, with icons stretched from one end of the screen to the other. How can you find anything in that mess?
If you need a good way to organize everything, try Stardock's Fences. This free utility corrals icons into semitransparent desktop pens, thereby reducing clutter and improving organization. Best of all, the first time you run it, Fences offers to sort and "fence" your icons automatically. It's like having a maid swoop in and clean your desktop!
For the ultimate in desktop decluttering, double-click in any open area, and watch as Fences hides all of your icons--or leaves only a select few visible. Another double-click brings everything back. Now you can enjoy your pretty Windows wallpaper without having to sweep your icons into the Recycle Bin.

Bad Habit #2: Using the Power Button to Shut Down

When you're done using your laptop, your impulse is to press the power button to shut it down, right? Not so fast: On many systems, the power button's default function is to put the machine into Sleep mode. That's not necessarily a bad thing: A "sleeping" PC resumes operation in a matter of seconds, which is quite handy; but it still constitutes a bad habit, for two reasons.
First, because Sleep mode is not the same as Off, your laptop will continue to consume battery power. So unless it's connected to an AC outlet, you may return to a drained, dead PC--one that took any unsaved work with it when it gave up the ghost. Second, if you rely exclusively on Sleep mode, your PC rarely gets a chance to reboot--and rebooting is essential to keeping Windows running smoothly.
To banish this habit, simply change the function of your power button so that it actually shuts down the system.
(The only time you should press and hold the power button to turn off your PC is when the system is locked up and you have no other way of resetting it.)

Bad Habit #3: Storing Passwords in a Text File

LastPass keeps your passwords safe and organized in a secure undisclosed location.Oh, the irony: You come up with a hackproof password to use on your banking site, and then you store a copy of that password in an unprotected spreadsheet, Outlook note, or smartphone memo. Goodbye, protection.
You need a password manager--a heavily fortified database for important data such as passwords, PINs, and Social Security numbers. We're partial to LastPass, which generates secure passwords, applies them when you visit various Web sites, organizes any and all private data you care to store, and also syncs across multiple platforms and devices so you have access to your passwords anytime, anywhere. Amazingly, LastPass is free, though you'll have to upgrade to the Pro version (at a mere $1 per month) if you want the companion Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm, and/or Windows Mobile apps.

Bad Habit #4: Using the Mouse to Launch Programs

Old habits--like reaching for the mouse every time you want to run a program--die hard. Here's a little-known but much faster alternative: In Windows 7 (and Vista, if you enable the Quick Launch toolbar), you can launch any program to the right of the Start button by using the Windows key and a number.
For example, the icon in the taskbar that's closest to the Start button (usually Internet Explorer) is linked to '1'. By pressing Windows-1, you can launch that program directly from your keyboard. Pressing Windows-2 is like clicking the second icon, and so on. This method works for the first nine icons pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar (or to the Vista Quick Launch toolbar). Still running XP? Try Launchy, a terrific keyboard-powered launcher that lets you open programs, files, and even Web favorites with a few keystrokes.

Bad Habit #5: Carrying an Unencrypted Flash Drive

TrueCrypt keeps your data secure when you've loaded it onto a flash drive.Flash drives are great for transporting data, but they're easy to lose, which could mean big trouble for your private data.You can correct this vulnerability (and overcome the bad habit of leaving yourself in jeopardy) by installing TrueCrypt, an open-source encryption utility that password-protects the data on your flash drive.
TrueCrypt works on-the-fly, meaning that it encrypts and decrypts data as you access it. (The software also works with individual files and entire hard drives, in case your bad habit extends to your laptop.) If you don't supply the correct password or encryption key, your data remains locked tight, thanks to a variety of very secure encryption algorithms. TrueCrypt is pretty easy to use and is totally transparent once it's up and running; get started with this handy beginner's tutorial.

Bad Habit #6: Blindly Clicking 'Next' When Installing Software

Ever wonder by what means mysterious new icons appear on your desktop? Why unknown toolbars appear in your Web browser? How spyware manages to sneak onto your PC? One possibility: You gave them permission.
If you've installed more than a handful of programs in your computing life, you've probably gotten in the habit of automatically clicking every 'Next' button an installer throws your way. Big mistake. During the setup process, some programs ask if you also want to install, say, trial versions of the company's other programs, or maybe a new search tool for your browser. If you blindly click your way through the setup screens, approving things left and right, you'll miss your chance to opt out of these offers--and you'll end up with stuff you probably don't want.
So slow down, speedy. Take a few extra seconds to read the fine print, and avoid unwelcome surprises.

Bad Habit #7: Relying on a Single Backup Method

We're not going to harangue you yet again about the importance of making backups. But making smart backups bears some haranguing. Most users who take the trouble to back up rely on a single method, and usually a sloppy one at that--namely, dragging the contents of their My Documents folder to a blank DVD, or running a backup program without knowing how to use it to restore files in the event of disaster.
You need is a diversified backup system that covers all of your bases, not just one or two. First, use an external hard drive to clone your primary drive, and pair it with software (like Casper 6.0) that will perform the operation regularly. Next, sign up for an online backup service (like Carbonite or Mozy) that automatically archives important data (documents, photos, financial records, and the like) in the background while you work.
Now it's time to get more granular. Install Xmarks to synchronize your browser's favorites (and passwords, if you like) to the Web and/or to another PC. Use Google's free Google Calendar Sync utility to make an online backup of your Outlook calendar; or spend $15 on gSyncit 2.0 to sync Outlook's contacts, calendars, and tasks to your Google account. Speaking of Google, a mere $5 per year buys you 20GB of online Picasa Web storage, enough to hold (and preserve) any modest family-photo collection. Bottom line: The more automated methods you use to back up your PC, the better off you'll be.

How Did My Protected PC Get Infected?

2010-10-30T01:11:00.000-04:00

How Did My Protected PC Get Infected?

I do not recommend novice users to install Comodo's free Firewall nor do I agree with using AntiVir Personal as an Anti-virus protection.

Edited By Anthony McMahan, PC Solutions
By Lincoln Spector, PCWorld

Aug 16, 2010 10:39 am

http://www.pcworld.com/article/202771/how_did_my_protected_pc_get_infected.html

There's no such thing as perfect protection. Even if you have the best firewall and antivirus software available, and keep it up to date, something might get through. But knowing how they'll get through can help you block them.
First, do you really have the best security software? Windows' own firewall, for instance, doesn't protect as well as a good, third-party firewall. I currently use Comodo's free firewall (there's a separate x64 version). It's an annoying product, constantly interrupting my work to ask if I should allow something or other to get through, but the security is worth it.
But just because you like a firewall doesn't mean you should go with the same company's antivirus software. For that job, I prefer another free program, Avira AntiVir Personal.
Of course, you shouldn't just take my word for it. Check out PC World's Antivirus & Security page for more information.
Whatever software you use, keep it up-to-date. It should do this itself automatically, but every so often, check it yourself. Avira pops up a notice every day when it's done updating. You can turn that off, but I choose not to. I like that regular reassurance.
And back up more than just your security software. Other programs, especially browsers, can let malware slip by in such a way that your protection never sees it. So keep your operating system and browser up-to-date.
Be suspicious. Don't click on a link in an email that might not be kosher. If a program you didn't install and launch tells you your PC is infected, assume it's about to infect your PC. Only download software from reputable sites. And every week or so, scan your hard drive with an alternative anti-malware program to get a second opinion.
You probably won't get hit if you do everything properly, but you might. New malware appears in the wild every day, and somebody will get infected with it before their software updates itself. That someone might be you.
Finally, if a scan finds something malicious, keep in mind the possibility of a false positive. I've seen it, where a program that had been sitting on my PC unchanged for years suddenly turned up as containing a brand-new, quite evil Trojan. It turned out to be innocent.

Secure Password Generator

2010-10-29T21:39:00.000-04:00

Secure Password Generator

The PC Tools Password Generator allows you to create random passwords that are highly secure and extremely difficult to crack or guess due to an optional combination of lower and upper case letters, numbers and punctuation symbols.

http://www.pctools.com/guides/password/

Flash Drive 101: Copying Files, Removing Viruses

2010-10-29T20:18:00.000-04:00

Flash Drive 101: Copying Files, Removing Viruses

Learn some basic flash-drive survival skills, like how to copy files to a USB drive and protect a drive from viruses.

By Rick Broida, PCWorld

Oct 26, 2010 8:30 pm

The other day, my wife asked me how to copy a PowerPoint presentation to a flash drive so she could take it with her to school. I was a little shocked. My very own wife doesn't know how to do this? I've failed as a husband!
To make sure I don't fail you, dear readers, allow me to explain the process of copying files to flash drives. Most of you probably know how, but I'll wager it's a mystery to at least some users.
There are two basic ways to go about this (both of which start with you plugging the drive into a USB port).
First, you can open the document in whatever program you used to create it--Word, PowerPoint, etc.--then save that document to the flash drive by way of the Save As command. Basically, you're rerouting it to the drive.
That's pretty easy, but there's a potential wrinkle: the next time you go to open the document from your Recent Documents list, the program will try to retrieve it from the flash drive (i.e. the last place it was saved)--and won't find it because it's not plugged in. No big deal--you just have to use the Open command and go find the original wherever you initially saved it. I'm just saying it's a potential source of confusion.
The better way to go is to open Windows Explorer, find the document on your hard drive, right-click it, and choose Send To, Removable Disk (E:) (or whatever drive letter corresponds to your flash drive). Presto: the file gets copied over.
The only problem here is that not everybody knows where their documents get saved. My advice: learn. Most programs use the Documents (or My Documents) folder by default, so that's a good place to start your search.

Flash Drive 101: Protecting Your Drive from Viruses

Flash drives are virus magnets. This is a generally accepted truth, but today I learned it firsthand. When my wife brought the flash drive home from school, it was infected with a virus.
I found this out when I popped the drive into my PC--and Microsoft Security Essentials immediately detected (and removed, thankfully) an extremely dangerous worm. No doubt it had landed there when the missus plugged the drive into one of the school machines.
This was a catastrophe barely averted. This particular worm propagates over network connections, so it could have spread very quickly to every system in my house. That's why it's crucial to have reliable antivirus software installed on all your PCs.
Okay, but how do you protect your flash drive when it's "out and about"? How can you keep it from getting infected in the first place--or at least remove any sneakyware before it comes home with you?
My tool of choice: SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner. The program requires no installation; you just copy it to your flash drive (see the aforementioned post if you don't know how to do that), then run it whenever you want to check for and remove infections.
You should also consider running Panda USB Vaccine, which disables a flash drive's Autorun.inf file--a common carrier for malware (including the one that hit me today). Doing so will prevent the drive's Autorun box from appearing when you plug it into your PC, but that's no biggie--you just have to open the drive manually.
If you've got a hassle that needs solving, send it my way. I can't promise a response, but I'll definitely read every e-mail I get--and do my best to address at least some of them in the PCWorld Hassle-Free PC blog . My 411: hasslefree@pcworld.com . You can also sign up to have the Hassle-Free PC newsletter e-mailed to you each week .

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Ubuntu 10.10 almost ready for you

2010-10-29T00:02:00.000-04:00

Ubuntu 10.10 almost ready for you
Oct 07, 2010 By Susan Linton
http://www.linuxjournal.com/

Canonical announced the availability of the only release candidate and the last developmental release before the Meerkat goes gold. Ubuntu 10.10 is due for release on October 10. Design has been the watchword around Canonical this cycle, resulting in lots of cosmetic changes. Will they be celebrated or spurned?
Most folks will probably notice the new theme first. The new wallpaper update came after negative reactions to the one shipped in the last beta. This updated version has been well-received. It's a precursor to dynamically morphing wallpaper planned for a release or two down the road. The default theme has received some attention since last release and comes in light and dark versions. The installer has gotten some user-friendly graphical updates, shortened installation time, and a new slideshow as well.
The Ubuntu Software Center has gotten lots of updates and changes since 10.04. It is much prettier now with attractive backgrounds, and it has also added things like application menu location, more user-friendly application descriptions, plugin support for things like OneConf integration, application microblogging support, a history tab, and a paid software category and button. Support for direct handling of Debian package format (.deb) has also been recently added. Additionally, a new Extras repository has been added to house brand new applications not included in the current release as well as "What's New" and "Featured" categories.
Canonical has been working on a few fonts for their operating systems for the past few months, and they have received lots of positive feedback. the new Ubuntu font is being advertised as a Libre font and released under a temporary Ubuntu Font Licence. It's an attractive font and easy on the eyes, with several distinguishing characteristics. The new Ubuntu font will be set as default, and the new default size has been increased to 11.

The volume slider has been replaced by a full featured Sound Menu. It will adjust your sound volume, and it will feature application controls as well. For example, when Rhythmbox is opened, it will now appear in the Sound Menu as well as a rewind, fast forward, and play buttons along with music track information and, of course, the volume slider. This feature has been quite popular with bloggers.
Application and system decisions are final at this point. For example, Shotwell is the new image manager replacing F-Spot while Firefox, Rhythmbox, Evolution, and OpenOffice.org have survived. Btfs has been scrapped leaving Ext4 as the default filesystem, Upstart has seen some tweaks, and i686 is the lowest CPU denominator.

______________________
Susan Linton is a Linux writer and the owner of tuxmachines.org.

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