Trick And Tips Earn Internet: tips

What You Should Know Before Taking Your PC to a Computer Repair Shop

6:52 AM

We have all been there. You finally carve out some time to work on that project, to locate and e-mail some files, or just to browse the internet in order to conduct some research into a possible purchase. But you can’t. Your PC simply will not cooperate. It fights you at every turn. You go right, it goes left. You end up chasing your machine around in circles until, finally, you are left just staring at a circling wait icon, a stack of error dialog boxes, or worse even, a blank screen. The next step seems to be crawling under your desk and fighting the dust bunnies to unplug dozens of cables before packing the whole thing up to be taken to an expert. Stop. That might not be necessary. These are the things you need to know before taking your PC to a computer repair shop.

Five Easy Fixes You Can Do at Home Before Paying for Computer Repair

Before you spend time, energy, and money, sending your computer out, try a few easy fixes. These do not require any technical expertise, so don’t worry.

Reboot Your Computer - Hitting Control+Alt+Delete will bring up your start screen and present you with a few options. Select power off. Wait a few minutes and turn the machine back on. Often, rebooting will shut down competing processes and applications causing your issue.
System Updates - If you have not been great about allowing updates to your computer to download, it may be running slower than normal, or not at all. Make sure all system updates are installed before panicking and calling for repair. Find your updates by locating "settings" on your home screen and then selecting "updates". This can take some time, but it is well worth it.
Check Your Internet Connection - Often, slow speeds are caused by unstable or poor wi-fi connections. This is not your PC's fault. Blame your router, modem and ISP (internet service provider) instead. Power down your router and modem for a few minutes and then start them back up. Wait for the blinking light sequences to finish and then check your performance.
Check for Malicious Software (Viruses) - We all know that the internet is swarming with bits of software designed to take over your computer and ruin your life. Did you know that your machine probably has a very capable defense system against this already installed? Locate "settings" on your home screen and then select "security". The pre-installed anti-virus software provided with major operating systems is really quite good. Run a full scan and see what is identified. The software will quarantine anything suspicious and delete the malware upon your request.
Clean Your Machine - Most of us take great care of our keyboard and monitor. Those are the things guests see. But what about inside your case? Computers generate heat. To cool the electronic parts air flow is created through a series of fans and vents. If those vents become clogged your machine will run very hot and begin to work more slowly before eventually just dying altogether. The case can usually be opened by removing two or three screws. Carefully vacuum all of the dust you find. Your machine will breathe more easily and perform better when needed.

Maintenance is Important

These are five easy steps you can take before taking your PC to a computer repair shop. Most likely, one of them will fix your problem, saving you money and time. The key is to remember that like a car or any other complicated machine, computers require maintenance to continue to run as quickly as the day they were purchased. Fortunately, this maintenance is free and easy to do.

This was a guest post by Garrett Tate of Don’t Panic IT Solutions - www.dontpanicit.com

Online Tips

How To Improve Your Online Privacy With These Easy Steps

12:14 AM

The good news is that it's really easy to beef up your online security. These quick and simple steps will considerably strengthen your systems against criminals and snoops.

1. Get a quality VPN service

The quickest and easiest way to improve your online privacy is to get a quality VPN provider. The best services, like ExpressVPN, will secure your internet connection from prying eyes. A VPN will make your internet connection completely private and will keep no record of your internet activity.

2. Use a password manager

It goes without saying that a strong password will protect you more. You should also always use a different password for each account you have online. The best way to do this is with a password manager. It will encrypt and store all of your credentials for every site, so that you don't have to remember them all. Logins will fill out automatically, which means you'll spend less time frantically trying to remember your pet's birthday. Pick a strong master password and let the program do the rest.

3. Keep your system up to date

Setting your OS to update automatically requires minimal effort, and will considerably strengthen your defence against cyber attacks. It's important that you always have the latest security updates on your machine. They are released for a reason - to fight the increasingly sophisticated criminals who are constantly searching for ways to attack you and harvest your data.

4. Don't forget Your Mobile Connections

Connecting from a mobile device is increasingly the way most people get online. There's no point securing your desktop if you leave your iPad connection open. That's why it's important to choose a VPN service which will work across all devices and operating systems.

5. Don't trust Free and Public Wifi.

In many cases, it's free because they are harvesting your data. And that's just the provider. Criminals and snoops can also use the same connection to gain access to your files.

Getting secure online is more common sense than cost. A few straight thinking minutes can have your systems operating far more securely. VPNs are worth more than their weight in gold.

VPNs Weigh Nothing

Literally. There's no bulky equipment, It's just software. It's also lightweight software that won't hog any resources. In fact, it can often speed up your system. ISPs increasingly throttle traffic to certain websites. They do this without telling you, or even admitting it. They may use phrases such as "Traffic Shaping", but don’t be fooled. It's throttling. A VPN hides the sites you are looking at, so it's impossible to have your connection "trafficked".

Honorary Mentions: What about Tor?

There are other methods of securing your data online. Perhaps by using the Tor network. And while it is not as tricky (or dangerous!) as some make out, it just isn't as simple as a good VPN service.

ExpressVPN will get you browsing safely within minutes. A quick install and a few clicks is all you need to increase your online security and protect your privacy. And with a 256 key encryption, it is near impossible to hack.

Online Tips

How Private is Google's Incongito Mode?

7:16 AM

With the increase in the number of users of internet globally cyber crimes have also increased remarkably and people should try to be more careful while using the internet than ever before. In the age where almost everyone has access to the internet privacy is one of the most important things that you should worry about while browsing on the internet.

If you are using a public computer for general search like for the schedule of the football world cup fixtures or look for the weather report, privacy is not entirely necessary. But if you are booking a table in a restaurant online, shopping online by using your credit card, checking your bank account, logging into your social media profile or checking your email you need your browsing to be private.

If you are browsing in a public computer you need to be aware that the data you search can easily be accessed by someone else who uses the same computer after you. Mostly people who want their browsing to be private and don’t want anyone to see what they search on the internet remove the history manually after they are done. The traces are removed by clearing the cache and cookie files to completely remove the history. It can also be used specifically for the sites you want to be cleared. They can be removed selectively and the process which does not take much of your time.

Privacy on the internet is now taken very seriously and most modern browsers ship have a private browsing mode that you can be start independently. This helps to avoid keeping the record of the sites visited and the information browsed in that session cannot be restored once the browser is closed.

Private modes of browsing of all the browsers are the same. A new window opens that is independent from the main session. Just like the main session users can open as many sites as they want to open.

There is however a difference between the functioning of Firefox private browsing mode and google chrome's incognito mode.

In google chrome when you close the browser after using the incognito mode the data cannot be restored. Not everyone needs the private mode of browsing as If you search of a website of something that you need and after finding it you close the window than this information that you searched cannot be restored and if you do not remember the exact site that you searched you cannot reopen it as the data is not saved.

But in Firefox this feature is different. In Firefox data can be restored in the same way just like in the normal browser which is by using ctrl+shift-t. It can also be achieved by right click on the tab bar and undo close tabs from the context menu.

Other browser like opera and internet explorer also use private browsing. Opera is chromium based so its private browsing mode is just like that of google chrome’s incognito and the closed tab cannot be restored while internet explorer handles private browsing just like Firefox.

Comparing these browsers and their private browsing a question arises that is why these applications are different in re-opening the tabs once after they are closed. There is no official answer to this but an appropriate and logical reason can be that the browser that can re-open the closed tabs holds data on a window level while the browsers that cannot re-open the closed tabs in incognito mode like google chrome and opera hold data on tab level.

It makes google chrome’s incognito mode more private as there is no restoration of a tab once after it is closed.

Author Bio:
Brooke fill in as Parental and Tech expert and writer has earned her an exhibited accumulating of readers who are needing for the most recent news and audit about Tech updates. Her work turns around the most recent in spy app for mobile phones like Mobile Tracker.

Security Tips

Seven Ways to Prevent Software Viruses from Infecting your Personal Data

10:14 AM

Computer viruses are manifested through software programs that replicate and infect other computers. Normally these are spread through emails and data transfer devices such as flash disks. Other than infecting your computer or laptop, viruses can be transferred to your cell phone, e-reader or tablet. So long as these gadgets can get into contact with the internet, they are always at risk. A viral attack can lead to a malfunction or expose your personal data such as the passwords you use. If an intruder gets hold of your password he/she can hack into your phone or emails.

There are three basic ways to steer clear of viruses:

Avoid opening email attachments from people you don’t know
Always use sites that are trusted when downloading files
Scan suspect documents or devices that you use

Below are some measures you can take to prevent viruses from getting into your personal data:

1. Exercise caution when opening email attachments either from your phone or tablet. The same way you treat suspect attachments with caution when working from your computer should be replicated in other gadgets. If you get an email from someone who is not in your mailing list, don’t open it. Do the same in case the message title or sender’s name looks suspicious.

2. Be on the lookout for links that look questionable. These are normally sent through text or email messages. The people who send them are spammers or hackers. Some do this on purpose with the intention of establishing whether that email address has a user. Once you open it, some trigger is raised on their end and they get an opportunity to either spam your mail box or send viruses. Others may not be aware that their phones are infected. You can try sending a text to the sender to inquire whether he/she sent the link. If the person is genuine and honest you will get a response and an apology. Otherwise, delete such messages instantly.

3. With respect to applications, download only those that are legitimate. You can tell whether a store is legit by reading online reviews about it. Since there are many people looking for mobile phone applications, some malicious people have taken advantage by spreading viruses in form of fake games, social networking applications and financial tracking apps.

4. While using Bluetooth, apply undiscoverable settings. There are viruses that pass through Bluetooth connections. This is a tricky attack. If you walk near a device and your connection is in discoverable mode, the virus in the infected device can easily be transferred to your tablet or smartphone. Currently, there are some malicious viruses that disable your phone and steal your contact details.

5. In order to protect your smartphones, iPhones, e-readers and tablets download anti-virus applications. These can be obtained from trusted providers. Make sure the company you source the app from is well known. Examples include Lookout Mobile Security app and SmrtGuard Solutions’ Snap Secure app. These help protect iPhones as well as provide data backup. The applications are available from Lookout Inc. There are a host of many others.

6. For Android phones, you should be able to get reliable anti-virus such as Kaspersky Mobile Security app. This incorporates spam and virus protection. Other examples are Norton Mobile Security and Bullguard Mobile Security. These protect data during an attack, theft or loss of your phone. You can download them online.

7. Look for anti-virus applications that help secure your personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Some can help keep track of your phone while others rid your phone’s memory from a remote location. This works well when someone steals your phone.
Image Credit: jesadaphorn

Author Bio:
Agency Fusion, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an ad agency focused on the intersection of design and technology. They specialize in web design, web development, branding and software development. Learn more about Fusion Agency here.

Online Tips

Online Shopping Activities to Save Money

9:38 AM

When you are on the chase for a great good deal, shopping online can present some eye-catching savings opportunities you will not find at your next-door department store. Shopping online is a suitable way to start your commodity search even if you eventually buy from a retailer in your region. Knowing the rate range from manifold sources on like products is a superior way to be familiar with a deal anywhere you find it. Formerly you begin looking at the choices, you might be amazed at how much you can put aside when purchasing goods online. With a number of clicks in addition to a well-informed strategy, you may be capable to hit the in-store rates around you as well as score a small number of bonus rewards addicted to the bargain.

You must explore fast along with easy ways to find or less build huge online shopping deals. When it appears that, the entire globe is making it online be it advertising or contact, online shopping stays no behind. Be it for business or for personal self-shopping online is the method to go for there are a variety of benefits to it. Online shopping can be speedy as well as convenient, however it can also be costly. Fortunately, there are varieties of activities to assist you cut costs.

In a number of ways, online shopping is alike to shopping at your general market. Many e-tailers offer discount coupons and offers like flipkart discount coupon and snapdeal offers exact items for their customers. As an alternative of cutting coupons from newspaper, despite the fact that, you from time to time have to go on a bargain chase for the finest online coupons, particularly if the e-tailer implicated is modest regarding displaying its coupons importantly. To share the reward, coupon sites collect coupons from the Internet furthermore consolidate them in one simple to look for location.

Some coupon websites might need you sign up for a association, although the service is usually free of charge. Most recently, receiving the best good deal on goods along with services might involve loading coupons with site-specific rewards along with extra strategies. Coupon websites make establishing qualified coupons effortless, so make sure to construct them as a part of your online buying strategy by inspecting for coupons before you fill up your essential shopping cart furthermore be on course for the depart.

Image credit: cooldesign

Computer Tips

Amazing Tips to Speed up your Slow Mac

6:56 AM

Over the years, the Macs have built the formidable reputation that they never slow down and run forever, never crash. However, the fact is that Macs also slow down and they also crash. However, they crash differently. Virus attacks also happen to Mac.

Free solutions are not better solution for this problem. Upgrading system hardware and adding RAM are always better options. There can be some tips in in order to speed up Mac. These are discussed below:

Deletion of all Unused Programs

Uninstallation of the app on the Mac and the dragging off the files from the application folder are not similar to the same extent. The support files of the application remain on the system and we need the services of the Utility called AppCleaner, which helps to locate these files and then eventually remove them.

Removal of the Startup Items

The programmers are always prioritizing the programs over any of the apps. Therefore, a brilliant idea will be to add the piece of code to the startup items. If there are enough of these programs, the system will be slowed down as a result. We need to remove these with the following steps:

System preferences -> Accounts- > Login items

The app is highlighted and the minus button is clicked, at the bottom of the list. The programs can still be used, but when it is needed.

Getting rid of the unwanted

There are lots of extra built-ins in Mac to speed up Mac. These are in unspoken languages and compatibility files for the old Mac architecture. Monolingual will ensure that all these additional languages are removed and the support for the older hardware. If the user is running the Intel Mac and are not using any older programs, then the support for PowerPC and the ARM can be withdrawn. The OS X install disk is required to get back, any of the required language or architecture, at a later time.

Shutting down of unwanted Apps

Shutting down the unwanted apps will ensure that they consume less memory and less CPU space. Right-click can be used on the programs in the Dock and then Quit chosen. Another option is pressing the Command-Tab for the App Switcher and then Command-Q is used for quitting the unused programs.

The Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder can show all the running processes on the Mac System.

On pressing the CPU button, the “%CPU” column can give a list of all programs by their CPU usage. We can also see the network, memory and the disk, as used by the different processes.

Deep Cleaning

Disk Utility always makes the life of the Mac user easier. Onyx is more robust and detailed. The miscellaneous junk that is accumulated on the Mac can be removed with the help of this Utility. The routine maintenance activity can be done with the help of this Utility. Other activities like verification of the startup disks for correcting the file system errors and finding hidden tweaks are also done by this Utility.

The Widgets

The cool widgets are because of the dashboard in Apple. These small and little apps for the weather forecasting and the stock prices are not only easy but also convenient. More are the number of widgets, running in the background; more resources are given by the OS X. We must take care, that unnecessary widgets are not kept open, particularly when they require upgrade on a constant basis.

Preference Panes

The custom items are being displayed in the preference panes and this consumes CPU resources. The item should be removed, if not needed.

Author Bio:

Donald Kepler loves to write awesome tips & trick for optimizing Mac to improve the speed of Mac OS X performance. Follow him on Google+ and Twitter.

Mobile Tips

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini Top 5 Competitors

9:31 AM

Samsung releases the mini version of its flagship devices with a flagship S device. The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini will be coming here soon and has already been teased by Samsung for the Indian market. Like the previous mini versions, this one has watered down specifications. It comes with a 4.5 inch semi HD display and runs a quad core processor with 1.5 GB of RAM. While this device offers decent set of specs, there are a lot of devices in this price band. Many of these devices come with even better features and specifications.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

This is one of the best compact versions we have seen. While most mini or compact versions come with low end specifications, the Z1 compact came with same hardware as the original Z1 except for the display, which is smaller and has got lower resolution. The device has got the same design as the Xperia Z1 and is waterproof and dustproof like the Z1. It gets a 4.3 inch display with 720 p resolution. You get an impressive pixel density of 342 ppi. The display is shatter proof and offers good display quality along with loads of Sony display technology. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.2 GHz quad core processor. It has got 2 GB of RAM and has got 16 GB of internal storage. You also get a micro SD card slot. It supports 4G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and micro USB 2.0. The device has got a very impressive 20.7 megapixel camera. The camera performs very well and yields excellent results. The front camera has 2 megapixel resolution. The device came with android 4.3 Jelly Bean and has been updated to 4.4.2 KitKat.

Motorola Moto X

We really loved the Moto X when it first came out. They took a while to launch it in Indian market and it didn’t perform very well. But that doesn’t make the device any less impressive. They have really put efforts to make the overall experience of this device good rather than hunting for high end specs. The end result is a power efficient, easy to use and feature rich device which looks stylish. The build quality of this device is excellent and it is offered with a large number of colour combinations. For a slight premium, you can also have this device with a wooden back which looks excellent. It has got a 4.7 inch 720p AMOLED display. They have made a good use of the AMOLED technology by showing popup notifications on standby screen. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset with a dual core processor clocked at 1.7 GHz. Apart from these two cores, there are two other cores running at low clock speeds. One of them handles the voice commands and the other one takes care of the inputs from all the sensors. This way the features like smart notifications run easily without taking a lot of power in processing. The device comes with a decent 10 megapixel camera which performs well even in low light conditions.

Apple iPhone 5C

If you are looking for devices with relatively small screens as compared to the current crop of flagship devices, the iPhone 5C is a pretty good option. It has got a 4 inch display with a resolution of 640 x 1136. This gives you a decent pixel density of 326 ppi. It shares the hardware with iPhone 5 but comes with different design and in colourful polycarbonate shells. It runs the Apple A6 chipset with dual core processor and 1 GB of RAM. It has got an 8 megapixel camera which is pretty good and can also record full HD videos. It runs iOS 7 which is a major improvement over the previous versions and will also get the iOS 8 update. There are some limitations with an apple device if you are coming from Android but apart from that, it is an excellent device.

Sony Xperia ZR

This is an older device that came out last year but we still like it for its handy size, decent hardware and IP 58 certification. The device is waterproof and dustproof like most other devices in the family. It has got a 4.55 inch semi HD display which is pretty decent though not as good as the display on Xperia Z1 or Z1 compact. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset with a quad core processor running at 1.5 GHz. It has got 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. You get a micro SD card slot as well. It gets an impressive 13 megapixel camera. You get the usual set of connectivity options on this device among other features. The device came out running android 4.1 Jelly Bean but has been updated to the latest android version now.

Google Nexus 5

This device has got the largest display in this list. We were going to list Google Nexus 4 here for its smaller size, attractive design and relatively lower cost here but then it has almost disappeared from the market now and the price difference isn’t really big. While the device has got a 5 inch display, it doesn’t feel very big or bulky to hold. The dimensions have been kept well in control and the near perfect weight further helps with it. It gets an impressive 5 inch IPS LCD display. It has full HD resolution so you get excellent pixel density making it a very crisp display. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2.3 GHz quad core processor. It comes with 2 GB of RAM and is offered with 16 GB and 32 GB storage options. It gets an 8 megapixel camera which comes with optical image stabilisation as well. The device runs the latest android operating system and will continue to be the first one to get updates for a while now. This being a Nexus, you can also find a large number of custom operating systems for this device when you get bored of stock android.

About Author:

The Author have great interest in writing article on Technology and Handset reviews, currently he is working with 91mobiles.

Online Tips

Tips for Better Online Shopping

12:51 AM

Shopping online has become a modern trend as it eliminates the need for waiting in long queue for purchasing a product online. Some worry that their credit card details may be given to a wrong person. Some believe that shopping online is better and safer than shopping in person or over the telephone. With the e-stores offering Free home delivery, Product replacement, etc., Online shopping has become a most preferred way of shopping nowadays. Here are some tips for a better shopping experience online.

Be Secure:

Millions of dollars are spend everyday in online shopping over the world. There are people who are trying to steal some from it, Be sure you are not a victim to them. When visiting a site to purchase anything online, ensure that the site is secure. Nowadays Phishing attacks are getting popular as shopping online is getting popular. So to ensure that the page you are visiting is secure, look for a tiny padlock icon over the beginning of the url in your browser's address bar. Also the site is secure if there is "s" as "https" and not "http" as seen on the picture.

Paying with Credit or Debit Card?

When shopping online, sites offer different modes of payment. Among them Credit and Debit card are the most preferred way by people. And here comes another question on what mode of payment to prefer, Credit or Debit card? It's advisable to prefer Credit card rather than Debit Card. Because Debit card draw directly from your bank account, so in case if your debit card details get in wrong hands, they may do much more damages to your finances than in the case of Credit card. So, prefer credit card for payment when shopping online.

Nowadays most credit card companies offer single-use credit card numbers for the purpose of online shopping, that expires after a single purchase, avoiding being misused even if the credit card details get's into wrong hand. And only the credit card company knows the account that these credit cards are linked to.

Shopping with Coupon Codes:

Hope you got some idea on choosing secure sites and making secure payments online. Now let's look into the way of purchasing your favorite products with reduced price online. Yes it's possible! Earlier we got coupons through newspaper, magazines or through our nearest store to avail discount when purchasing something.

Now with the advent of Technology/ Electronic coupons, it's possible to purchase your favorite products online at reduced/discount price. First you need to find a Coupon providing website. Then access the shopping website (where you want to use the coupon) through the coupon providing site. And select a deal to get the coupon code. Use those coupons or deals during the checkout process on the shopping website to avail the discount.

Some final tips to be more secure:

Add a Phishing filter to your browser as extension to avoid being a victim to phishing scams. These filter warn you when entering a insecure site. A simple google search will yield you with various phishing filters to compatible with your browser.
When purchasing online, use credit card with online fraud protection. Many credit card company offers protection against purchases made with your credit card without your consent.
Always keep a record of the purchase details that includes the time, date, receipt number, and order confirmation. It's better to take a hard copy of it.
Email scams are increasing nowadays, So be aware of them. Never reply to mails asking your credit/debit card details to send money to your account.

Hope you had some idea on making your online shopping a Better one :) See you in next post buddies..
Image credit: iosphere, stuartmiles

Infographics

How to Avoid Online Shopping Fraud?

6:34 AM

Security Tips

Are You Sure Of Not Having a keylogger in Your System? Then, Be Sure!

7:04 AM

I am sure that you would have heard about keylogger. Many of you might be of the notion that keylogger is a software, but this is not so. Keylogger could be hardware or software. It is meant for both legitimate and illegitimate jobs, but most of the times, it is used by the bad guys to spy on other's information.

If you do not want anybody to have an illicit access to your information, you need to know to catch hold of this kind of process that might run in your system without your knowledge. Here is how, you can have a check on this process.

Hardware keylogger:

Hardware keylogger is the device that needs to be connected to the keyboard port. If you happen to locate it, you can have it disconnected, so that the keystrokes are not traced.

An alternate method of having the hardware keylogger installed is by soldering it into the circuit of the keyboard. To make sure that you do not have it soldered into the keyboard, you need to disassemble the board and find if there is any such thing fixed.

Software keylogger:

There are innumerous Software keyloggers that can be found online. Certain virus or malware programs have the ability to install keyloggers in your computer while running in your system. Most often, the keyloggers are used to have the credentials of important accounts, such as bank, social media, etc.

There are few things that you can do to identify a software keylogger and here they are!

1) Run an antivirus program

You can run an antivirus program to find, if there is any keylogger installed in your system. You can land on the computer review sites to find which product is the suitable one to detect a software keylogger.

2) Get rid of the malicious files

Run your antivirus and anti-spyware programs almost daily, so that these programs protect you from the malware that is capable of running and sliding keylogger into your system. Make sure that the detected malicious files are either quarantined or removed from the system.

3) Update antivirus software regularly

We would suggest you to schedule updates for your antivirus program on a daily basis. If the virus definitions are open to updates more often, then there is less chance that your computer will be attacked by the trouble making malicious files.

Hardware keyloggers are easy to find when compared with the software keylogger. However, you can make use of updated antivirus or anti-spyware to get rid of it.

Image Credit: adamr

Author Bio:

Robert R. is an avid guest blogger who writes on behalf of Mytechgurus. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with the everyday computer user, by helping them with common errors, especially Windows installer errors and slow computer problems.

Computer Tips

How To Speed Up Windows 8

9:00 AM

Computers are usually bought in top notch conditions bringing maximum performance to their users when they are new. Most users ignore the fact that their computer is bound to get slower by the day. The majority of computer users disregard proper maintenance as required. Hence, their computers gradually decline in performance. Windows newest Operating System, Windows 8 has slowly grown as it takes up the market share. Step by step procedures have been written down to ensure computer users receive the best from their money over time.

1. Remove programs from startup

When programs are installed, a shortcut is created in the startup. This enables services from the program to be launched once a computer is booted. With time, the computer has many services set to be running on startup. This consumes the primary memory of the computer and exhausts the processor as unused programs are also in operation. The following steps are used to remove unwanted programs from the startup and ensure the computer achieves required speeds in booting and its operations.

Open the task manager.

Click on Startup tab. A list of the programs running at startup is displayed.

Right click on a program and select disable. On the status column, it should now show disabled.

2. Manage computer space

Unwanted files accumulate over time and take up disk space in computers. Once the primary partition holding the operating system is congested, the computers speeds go down tremendously. Removing unwanted files from the recycle bin, caches and cookies formed by browsers and other temporary files can all be done an application incorporated in windows through following the following steps;

Open disk cleanup.

Select drive to work on then select ok.

Select file types to be deleted then ok.

A message appears. Select delete files.

3. Hard disk defragmentation

Data saved in computers is stored in forms of files. These files are kept as data blocks in the computer’s hard disk. The continuous addition and deletion of files leaves huge gaps in between the data blocks created. The computer then gets hard time accessing data in the hard disk. Files that should be concurrent for easy access but are separate are said to be fragmented. To keep data in an organized format, the hard disks need to be regularly defragmented. The following steps are taken in implementing this.

Open Computer. The hard disks present are displayed.

Right click on any drive and select properties.

Click on Tools tab.

Select Optimize. A list of all active drives is shown.

Select required drive and click on optimize.

4. Computer graphics

Computers with low RAM require their graphics to be allocated minimum space so that other important features can be worked on. The following steps are used in effecting this.

Click on start and type performance information and tools. It will appear under settings.

Click it and select adjust visual effects.

You can then select what you require by clicking on the checkboxes. For critical situations, adjusting for best performance is recommended.

5. Uninstall unused programs

There are many programs that users install by visiting internet sites and making downloads. These programs are installed and consume space in the computer. Computer users are advised to keep only the programs they use and remove unused programs. In order to uninstall a program, a user has to;

Click on control panel.

Ensure the view is set to category view and click on uninstall a program.

Go through installed programs and click uninstall on those unused programs to remove them completely.

6. Cleaning up of the computer

Computers are easily affected by unwanted programs that include Viruses, Worms and Trojans. Getting the right antivirus solution is the best solution. Windows 8 however comes preinstalled with windows defender which can be updated regularly to prevent from attacks from malware programs.

With the above solutions, a computers performance is bound to be at its best. Upgrading of computer components such as the RAM, processor and hard disk can also be considered.

Author Bio:

The Author is a professional writer with grown interests in computer interaction to help novices make the best of their computers. He writes for Essay Jedi.

Security Tips

What To Do If Your Hotmail Account Gets Hacked ?

9:36 PM

Have you been receiving a lot of junk mail lately ? Have your email contacts reported receiving an email from you that you have absolutely no recollection of sending ? Or have they reported getting an instant message from you which you have never sent ? If the answer to any of these questions is a 'yes', then it is very likely that somebody has hacked your Hotmail account or stolen your Hotmail password. This is a very serious situation, and it is possible that this hacker may make use of your Hotmail account for illegal and even criminal purposes.

Steps To Be Taken By You Once You Find Out Your Hotmail Account Is Hacked :

Now that you have a strong idea that your Hotmail account has been hacked, you shall need to take immediate steps to retrieve the situation. We present a list of immediate actionable steps to be taken by you. However, before we go into the details, in case of any confusion in following the instructions given by us, we advise you to please use the Hotmail customer service contact number and get the help of the Microsoft service team to help deal with the problem.

Step 1 : Free Your PC From Malware Or Virus

Download and install a reputed anti-virus and anti-malware system such as the Microsoft Security Essentials (for a Windows 7 operating system) and Microsoft Defender ( for a Windows 8 operating system). Make certain of running a full scan of your system. And only after that, change your Hotmail account password.

Step 2 : Reset Your Hotmail Account Password

Once you have fully completed the scanning of your system, log in to your Hotmail account and reset your password. While selecting a new password, you shall need to make completely sure that you use something that is totally different from the old one. Please do not use any of the commonly used passwords that may be found in many accounts, such as "passwd" or "admin". Use something much more complicated. Make use of capital letters, symbols, lower case letters and numbers. But do make sure that this new password may be easily remembered by you. Run your password through Microsoft's password checker to make sure it has never been used before by anyone. And once set, make sure of changing your password at regular intervals.

Step 3 : Change Your Account Settings

Make sure of resetting your Hotmail account settings. Click on the "more mail settings" field in the "Options" tab and follow the instructions given on how to reset the various options available in your Hotmail account.

Step 4 : Get Back The Deleted Mail

One of the most important signs that your Hotmail account has been hacked is the sheer number of deleted mail. Once the Microsoft mail server has an inkling that your account is being hacked, it saves all the deleted mail in a special "Deleted" folder. Click on this folder, and opt for for "restore deleted mail" option. Now you are good to go!

Summary:

Hacking of the Hotmail account of private individuals is a serious problem that has become very common of late. The first step in dealing with it is to check for the signs that tell you whether your Hotmail account has been hacked or not. Then the instructions given in this article should be followed step by step to help in retrieving the situation.
Image Credit: Stuart Miles

Author Bio:

Smith is a professional programmer from NewYork , who has often been the victim of a Hotmail hack, and has found using the Hotmail customer service contact number a mighty useful way to deal with this mini-crisis. Besides helping out people who are under attack from dangerous hackers, He dabbles in photography and hates global warming.

Computer Tips

How to Safeguard Your USB Drive - 10 Easy Steps!

8:33 AM

USB drives are a fantastic way to share information from computer-to-computer. While many people use email to send documents, USB drives can take just about anything that your computer has and move it to another system with minimal effort. Plus, USB drives can be used to share information without actually putting it in someone’s possession. Doing so can keep sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. If you have a USB drive, though, there are still extra measures you should take to secure its contents. Continue reading for 10 easy steps that you can take to safeguard your USB drive.

Proper Password Management Protects Your USB Drive

First, let’s make sure that if anyone gets a hold of your USB drive, they won’t be able to use it.

Insert your USB drive into your computer.
Find the USB drive in your computer’s “Devices with Removable Storage” section or similar area.
Right click on it and choose, “Turn on Bitlocker.”
Once you choose this, Wizard will open up, and you’ll see the option to “use a password to unlock the drive.”
Type in the password that you would like to use for your USB drive and click next.
You’ll be asked how you’d like to “back up Recovery Keys.” Simply choose from the menu.
Next, you’ll be asked to confirm whether or not your USB drive is already being used or if it’s brand new.

Encrypt Your USB Drive

Now you’ll want to encrypt the information that is found on your USB drive. This is a further measure that will make sure that your drive is protected from prying eyes, no matter how badly they want your information. After the above 7 steps, Wizard will ask you how much of your drive you’d like to encrypt.

You’ll be given the option to encrypt the entire drive, which is best for those that are already in use, or just the used disc space, which is preferable for a new drive. The former option will take longer.
After you make your choice, the encryption process will start.
When the encryption process is complete, you can remove your USB drive, confident that its contents are now safe.

Going forward, whenever anyone wants to use the USB drive, they’ll be prompted to enter your password first. You can follow the same steps to change the password, as well, if you should so choose.

Keep in mind it’s also important to store your USB drive in a safe place at all times. Even if someone doesn’t have your password, possessing your USB drive can still be damaging, as you no longer have access to the data, either. If the USB drive contains information related to your company, check with human resources or your management. There are often official guidelines specific to securing USB drives that carry company data.

While USB drives are extremely convenient, they can easily expose you to information leaks if not controlled properly. Maintain your USB drive in a secure place at all times, and use the above 10 steps to encrypt the information and protect it with a password.

Source:
http://geekofreak.com/2013/03/encrypt-and-password-protect-your-usb.html

Computer Tips

7 Easy Ways to Restore Your Computer’s Health

7:58 AM

Is your PC under par? Does it take longer to log on and load websites then it used to? Are your programs crashing more often then Evil Knieval used to?

If the answers yes to all of these questions, then it’s time to give your computer a new lease of life. But we’re not talking drastic measures like buying a new one, as there are a few fixes you can do yourself (or with the help of an expert) that will restore your computer to its former glory. Here’s how you can perk up your PC.

1. Install tune-up software

The quickest and easiest way to restore your PC to health is to install a free registry cleaner that’ll tune things up. In fact, some programs won’t just return your computer to its regular speed; they’ll even turbo-charge it for you so you’ll have a boost of power when you need it the most.

As well as running at normal speed, your system will crash less and have more disk space available. You’ll probably even notice improvements in battery life too.

2. Back up your computer

Before you carry out any maintenance or make any changes to how your computer works, back it up first. Backing up is when you create a copy of your current system onto an external device or disk, such as an external hard drive or a writable DVD or CD.

As well as backing up before making any changes to your system, it’s wise to regularly make a copy of your files. After all, some of the information on your computer, like family photos, may be impossible to replace if it was deleted. After you’ve backed up, you can then remove any large files that you don’t use regularly (like mp3 files or high-res images), this should help free some disk space and speed up your system.

3. Uninstall programs you no longer use

Another easy way to free up some space on your hard disk is to uninstall programs that are out of date or that you never use. This could include pre-installed software or trial versions of programs you no longer use. If you browse online with Chrome or Firefox you might also consider removing Internet Explorer too.

To check for programs you don’t need, firstly click on the Start button and choose Programs and Features. Google any program names that you don’t recognise. After all, you don’t want to delete anything that’s vital for running the system. Removing the icon from your desktop does not delete the program. You’ll need to uninstall it via the Programs and Features menu you navigated to above.

4. Clean up your hard disk

Deleting large files you’ve backed up and programs you don’t use will provide you with extra space on your hard disk, but you can probably clear even more junk than that. Cached and temporary files, for example, will also be using up valuable chunks of memory.

Fortunately there is a program already installed on your PC that can clear these for you. Disk Cleanup will search your drive for unwanted data and then either remove it, or simply identify it so you can decide whether or not to get rid of it. If you use your computer a lot, it’s a good idea to run Disk Cleanup regularly. Set it as a weekly scheduled task and prevent your computer from slowing down drastically again in the future.

5. Update your software

Older versions of software or operating systems will make your computer run slower as additional security fixes (often called patches) and add-ons reduce computing speed. Updating to newer versions should help to improve the speed of your PC, as well as the security of your set-up too.

If you’re running Office 2003 or Windows XP, then you should definitely consider upgrading to a newer version. From 8th April 2014, these programs will no longer be supported by Microsoft, leaving users more open to risks from hackers than before.

6. Scan you computer for viruses

Viruses and malware (malicious software) may well be to blame if your computer’s running slowly or performing strangely. As well as preventing your computer from working as normal, they could be gathering your information or even planning to steal your identity.

Running anti-virus software will not only identify and get rid of any viruses you’ve managed to pick up; it’ll also help to keep your computer clean in the future. So both your computer and the information on it will be safe from harm.

7. Defrag and check for disk errors

If you’ve done all of the above and your computer’s still not performing as it should, then it may be necessary to defrag the hard drive and then check it for disk errors. Both of these tasks are slightly more complicated however, and you’re only advised to carry them out if you’re a competent PC trouble-shooter. If you’re not, then this is the time to call in the experts.

Image Credit: Boians Cho Joo Young

Online Tips

4 Best Websites to Learn Software Programming

7:29 AM

A site of programming languages has made its way into the tech world in last 2 decades. And each of these trumps others riding on its glorious capabilities. While working on them is not fun by any stretch, the final product as a result of logical thinking and application of extensive skills is something web users around the world cherish.

And all these factors has lead to a huge boom in the software development sector. Students around the globe are more than willing to learn programming languages in order to stand better chances of grabbing a job when they graduate. There are various training institutes for getting trained on different programming languages. While these institutes are greatly equipped to help students grab the most important concepts an a most effective manner, trainees also need to do their bit on their own end. There are various sources on the Internet that can help them in learning different programming languages like PHP, Java, .NET, C#, etc.

These websites either offer online tutorials, or are the places where you as a learner can find answers to the most difficult and common question you often find yourself asking people.

In this article, I bring to you some such websites that have gained immense popularity in the developer community:

Stackoverflow.com

If you have been into programming from quite a while, there is a slim chance that you haven’t head of Stackoverflow.com. This is an immensely sought-after website where you can find developers from all parts of earth. You can find beginners as well as the most skilled programmers here. On this site, people often ask question for which there are elaborative answers provided in the form of full-fledged codes and program snippets. These code snippets are more often than not read to compile and help the learners to grab intricate concepts with much more ease. And if you can’t find what you are looking for, simply ask it, and you will see many hands raised there.

leetcode.com

Another websites that does not skimp on details while helping the learners get a firm grasp on different programming languages. There are dozens of programming languages being covered here, and irrespective of whether you are learning .NET or PHP, you are set to find all the answers right here. there is a huge literature on all the languages and you can refer to various pages for any confusions or doubts regarding the coding. You can go to the Q & A section to check if the question you have in mind is already asked there or not. It is a very responsive site that makes v=navigation between different pages easy and fuss-free.

asp.net/web-forms

This particular website is a haven for those looking to hone their skills in ASP.NET, and also for those who have to start from scratch. Practical PHP Programming is an extremely informative website that makes use of some insightful tools to impart incredible PHP lessons to the most untrained of minds. The time spent on this site learning .NET proves to be fruitful as you are made aware some of the most complex aspects of this language and platform. The Model View Controller is studied in detail and all the latest features are covered in this site.

Github

You can in detail learn how to use the APIs associated with different languages. Introduction to the most basic as well as the very advanced aspects of programming is done cleverly by the means of this website. Learning the programming language becomes a rewarding process as this website makes it an experience much cherished. You can even create a new project and host it without paying a penny. Now that’s a feature not every website offers.

With options aplenty, making a choice would be difficult, but worth all the fuss

Author Bio:

Peter Milar is a highly reputed writer who works as a team with the Java Web Development experts of Xicom Technologies to create informative and full of insight posts around the Java technology. Hire Java Developer from Xicom to receive premium quality Java application development.

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Top Tips for Study Success

4:47 AM

Security Tips

Password Management Strategies Do Not Have To Be Complicated

11:50 PM

Online Tips

Top 10 Tips for Online Shopping Security

10:12 AM

Just as fun as it can be to shop online, it can equally be risky at times. Not because you might just end up ordering the wrong size (thank god to the fact that there’s always an exchange window and you can courier it back) but because there are some safety issues that you need to keep in mind while swapping that plastic card of yours. With a dramatic increase in numbers of online purchasing portals, online flick stores, shopping windows, etc. it is becoming more and more crucial to keep a watch on where exactly you are stashing your card numbers in. There are scammers flopping in the online world like never before. So it helps to keep an eye before you decide to lay your hands on that beautiful dress or shoe you just spotted on the screen.

Here we lay down few safety procedures which once you ensure will make your experience equivalent to one that you have while visiting your nearest mart for picking stuff up.

1) Your computing environment should be very secured

Almost a no-brainer yet half the online population neglects this as a safety step. When you make purchases online, everything is encrypted. So if your computer is not protected of malicious software, your financial information and passwords will be stolen (as a matter of fact everything stands the chance of being stolen that are saved in your computer). So it is the first thing to ensure that the firewall is on. Also adding to it, try avoid shopping online from cyber cafes or using a public network. Financial transactions are better done through trusted computers.

2) Verify as to just how much you trust the store

There are correct ways of going about the shopping portal/ website you are trusting:

- If you already know the outlet of the brand or store you are purchasing form, go-ahead and have trust. In case anything goes wrong during the financial transaction, you can always walk in to the relevant store and get the problem sorted.

- If you have friends or family buying from a particular store/ portal, there’s nothing to worry much in that case then.

- If you do not know the store at all, BEWARE! Keep your eyes open. Read customer reviews or best is, do the store’s background check by looking at sites dedicated to reviewing e-stores. You find your store there, go ahead and make your picks.

3) Avail discount

Why pay extra when there can be options o availing discounts. There are many sites like indianprice.com, etc. which provide massive discounts via coupon codes. They have lots of stores registered with them and if your chosen store is registered, there you go hitting the jackpot. Cross-check and who knows you might just be lucky!

4) The too-good-to-be-true offers are not all that good always

You got no idea about the extent deceits can stretch. It’s not just on the online space but everywhere but when you are putting your money online, you can just be extra careful. It won’t hurt after all. Do not fall for the too-good-to-be-true offers. If they sound too unrealistic, there is no harm checking their reliability. They can be pretty unreal. Often purchasing from those sites can just be calling for bad luck. They can be low quality or stolen items or can also be cheap substitute of tall brands. The products might just never reach you or the portal merchant might just be playing all of it up for trading your bank details with someone else.

5) Stay alert while buying a gift-card

It is always nice to make your dear ones happy with the fabulous gift cards which are available online these days. But always read the terms and conditions carefully when buying one. Also, ensure the store from where you are buying is legitimate.

6) Do not trade too much of information

If the purchasing site is asking more information than you think is required, back off. It clearly is not reliable. The reliable sites would not go beyond asking name, contact details, email address, some method of payment, and at max your interest/ hobbies. But if you come across ones asking for driver’s license number, bank account information, social security information, etc. be cautious. It is a fraudulent one. There are hints that the merchant resell, rent or share your information. Alternatively, check the site’s privacy policy.

7) Make a unique password if required

Often online purchasing stores ask you to create an account with them. You need not do it but just in case it seems important to you or easy, then carry on. But ensure you choose a very strong password for the account. Make it unique.

8) Go a step high to ensure the security of the site

Hold on! Just before you enter any personal or credit card info onto a shopping site please do look at the URL. See if the web address on the page begins with "https:" and not "http." That little ‘s’ tells you the information is being encrypted to protect your information.

9) Wiring money through Western Union or Money Gram is not suggestible

Reliable sites generally do not make it a mandate for you to pay through wires. It is always wise to pay via credit or debit card. Wiring is suggestible to people you know but not to random strangers. So do not take the risk unnecessarily.

10) The grammar matters!

Might just sound very funny but do read the content that has gone on the website. If the content hosted by the portal/ the site is full of errors, typos, poor content, you can already sniff danger. They are not professional.

All in all, novice shoppers who are going to just start buying online should better stick with well known brands and famous online shopping portals rather than breaking their head in the smaller, less known ones. Once you get a grip of the online shopping fundamentals, you can always start your journey towards becoming the pro online shopper. But till then, have patience.

Author Bio:

This is a guest article contributed by Ajeet Sharma who works for IndianCoupons.com - a coupon site helps user shopping online by providing discount coupons, promotional codes and deals for all major online shopping stores.

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Five Easy Fixes You Can Do at Home Before Paying for Computer Repair

Maintenance is Important

1. Get a quality VPN service

2. Use a password manager

3. Keep your system up to date

4. Don't forget Your Mobile Connections

5. Don't trust Free and Public Wifi.

VPNs Weigh Nothing

Honorary Mentions: What about Tor?

Below are some measures you can take to prevent viruses from getting into your personal data:

Deletion of all Unused Programs

Removal of the Startup Items

Getting rid of the unwanted

Shutting down of unwanted Apps

Deep Cleaning

The Widgets

Preference Panes

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Motorola Moto X

Apple iPhone 5C

Sony Xperia ZR

Google Nexus 5

Be Secure:

Paying with Credit or Debit Card?

Shopping with Coupon Codes:

Some final tips to be more secure:

Courtesy of: TrustedCompany.com

Hardware keylogger:

Software keylogger:

1) Run an antivirus program

2) Get rid of the malicious files

3) Update antivirus software regularly

1. Remove programs from startup

2. Manage computer space

3. Hard disk defragmentation

4. Computer graphics

5. Uninstall unused programs

6. Cleaning up of the computer

Steps To Be Taken By You Once You Find Out Your Hotmail Account Is Hacked :

Step 1 : Free Your PC From Malware Or Virus

Step 2 : Reset Your Hotmail Account Password

Step 3 : Change Your Account Settings

Step 4 : Get Back The Deleted Mail

Summary:

Encrypt Your USB Drive

1. Install tune-up software

2. Back up your computer

3. Uninstall programs you no longer use

4. Clean up your hard disk

5. Update your software

6. Scan you computer for viruses

7. Defrag and check for disk errors

Tips for password fortification

1) Your computing environment should be very secured

2) Verify as to just how much you trust the store

3) Avail discount

4) The too-good-to-be-true offers are not all that good always

5) Stay alert while buying a gift-card

6) Do not trade too much of information

7) Make a unique password if required

8) Go a step high to ensure the security of the site

9) Wiring money through Western Union or Money Gram is not suggestible

10) The grammar matters!

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