Using iOS 7 to Optimize iPhone Security

The latest iOS upgrade has brought with it new and unique ways to secure the iPhone. TechRepublic reported that although much of operating system has remained the same, updates to its design and improvements to workplace integration makes it a worthwhile change. Additionally, Apple's passcode features have improved with a new alphanumeric password option.

Managing an iPhone with iOS 7

The bring your own device (BYOD) model for workplace integration has taken off, with more businesses allowing their employees to utilize smartphones, tablets and laptops, in place of their company-provided tools. As if in response to this trend, Apple released iOS 7 with features that enhance the functionality of the iPhone in an office setting.

According to TechRepublic, features such as AirDrop make sharing photos and documents fast and simple by connecting employees to one another, enabling a collaborative workplace environment for those who are utilizing this technology. Additionally, the source reported that Apple has also improved its overall app security by enabling a data protection function automatically, preserving any information transferred across these third-party app providers.

Another new resource that speaks to the iPhone's updated security is the single sign-on (SSO) capability that will allow end-users to set a password once across applications that contain sensitive information. This option is especially useful for businesses that hope to safeguard the data employees might be accessing through the cloud because it can prevent code sharing.

The first step is securing the phone itself

None of the above options are innately secure, however. According to Tom's Guide, it's essential that end-users with a mind for safety make optimal use of their iPhone's built-in security feature - the passcode.

The source reported that it's one of the easiest ways to prevent accidentally or intentional breaches of data. Additionally, the upgrades to the iOS 7 platform have provided end-users with new options for creating and maintaining security. Traditionally, the lock screen was protected by a 4-digit passcode. Now, after Apple's latest upgrade, it is possible to set alphanumeric protection, utilizing ten or more upper- and lower-case characters and numbers.

Tom's Guide noted that the 4-digit PIN code has 10,000 combinations, which is difficult to hack but not impossible. With the newest option, it is much more challenging for individuals to break through this defense. In addition to this new safety measure, the iOS 7 upgrade enables users to program how often the device will ask for authentication. Rather than the traditional method, which asked for authentication every time the screen was opened, the iPhone can be set so that it will lock on a timed interval instead.

Does it really matter?

According to Security Watch, mobile devices have become a major part of the lives of users everywhere. The source referenced a study by Sprint that reported how frequently smartphones are accessed on a daily basis, and the one unifying factor is the risk associated with information exposure.

Because of the ability to access the Internet on the go, data security has become a constant concern that responsible individuals are having to overcome. Additionally, without utilizing passcodes and other features meant to preserve the integrity of stored information, issues with privacy are growing.

In order to preserve what Security Watch calls "our most personal computers," it's important that smartphones are protected with verification features that are built into their operating systems. Additionally, it is possible to reinforce these safety precautions with password management software, which can provide an extra layer of defense against unwanted access.

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Protect Your Business Information: Data Security Guidelines

We live in a digital era and there are not only traditional hazards that endanger our business. Cyber attacks are becoming more and more common, and according to Forbes Internet and business data security is not only a technical issue nowadays.

According to a recent survey, more than 40% of the online attacks are organized by company employees. Sometimes, these are former employees, who seek revenge for their dismissal, but there are also cases in which some problems occur just because people do not know what to do in certain situations.

How should you protect your business information?

You probably think that cyber security is important only for large companies, but that is not true. All businesses are vulnerable to cyber attacks, especially the ones that don't have a special part of their budget intended for hacker attacks prevention.

We offer you some tips that will help you protect your company and business from an eventual cyber attacks:

Train your employees to recognize the IT risks

If your employees are aware of them, would not dare to make hasty decisions and take unnecessary risks. There is no need form them to know all technical details, but knowing the basics is absolutely mandatory. It is also a good decision to ask them make a regular backup of the business information they work with or store it on an external hard disk, as well as on their computers and laptops at the office.

It is crucial to explain to your employees what security breaches there may be. This is especially important if you have some employees who don't have any particular technological literacy. The same thing applies if you allow your employees to connect to your internal corporate network through their personal mobile devices.

Building a certain company policy concerning technologies and personal social networks accounts

Make sure your employees understand how and when to use their personal devices or social networks accounts when they are at their work place. Building a certain company policy concerning the information technologies they work with is absolutely necessary in order to minimize the risk from any hacker attacks. There should also be a specific protocol that should be strictly followed when it comes to a lost or stolen company device containing some business data.

We should be honest and confess the fact that most companies allow their employees to publish some positive information about the company on the Internet. However, the truth is that a great number of employees, who use their personal social media accounts, are sometimes rather careless and may unintentionally provide the society with some confidential business data.

So, what is the solution of this problem? Basically, you may encourage your employees to use social media accounts when this may be beneficial to your company, but you should teach them how to do that in a way that will not damage its reputation, i.e. without revealing any trade or company secrets in public or to any of your competitor's companies.

Always use “smart” passwords

If we have to be completely honest, there is no actual password that will become an obstacle to malicious hackers, but you can at least try making your passwords more difficult. Choose longer passwords that include characters, letters and numbers. Make your passwords key-sensitive. Another important thing you should remember is changing your company passwords as often as you can.

Risk management

All companies should look at cyber security and business data protection as something that they can control. Every company, no matter how bit it is, should spend some money in order to protect their systems and information.

Author Bio:

Rose Finchley loves to write about technologies and new gadgets. She currently works as a technician at http://www.tenancyclean.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-sw8-vauxhall/ an she has a lot of experience to share with her readers.

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7 Tips To Get More Out Of Your WiFi Router

Wireless routers are a bit like relationships. You don´t notice the problems until things go really wrong and they send you crazy. This behaviour is normally accompanied by naming calling and huge sighs! And at times, you can´t understand what has gone wrong – but you blame the router anyway!

However, sometimes is not the routers fault – it is yours. It´s about time you accepted the blame and fix things pronto!

1. Did you read the manual?

Remember all the times you wished your other half came with instructions? Yet you expect your router to perform miracles automatically! In your defence, we’ve all done it, but just like your partners, routers are all different and need a little TLC. A quick read of the instructions will make sure you treat it right! If you didn´t get a manual with your router you can download users guides from the supplier’s website.

2. You didn’t learn the basics

You will be amazed how much better you get on with your wireless router if you have a basic understanding of its needs. This all may sound very complicated and techy, but the truth is its child´s play. Check out our friends at lifehacker.com who give a very unintimidating intro to the basics in Lesson 1: Router Hardware 101.

3. You never change

It´s easy to get stuck in your ways, but you have to keep things fresh. Keep your router up to date, your ISP will often allow you to upgrade to a new model for free if it becomes their standard issue for new customers, additionally firmware updates from the manufacturer can help find and fix any bugs and generally improve the performance of your device.

4. You’re using the wrong technology for your needs

You might want to consider exactly what you need from your service and if your expectations are reasonable. Are you a seriously competitive online gamer? Chances are you should be connecting to your router with a wired ethernet connection. Always on the move for business but need to stay plugged into the web? You’re going to need a service specifically for international wireless roaming. Take some time to think about what you actually need from your service before committing to a plan.

5. You’re embarrassed to be seen with it

Wireless routers are not the sexiest device you will ever own, but its what´s on the inside that counts! And tucking your box in the corner out of the way may not be the best place to keep it. Ideally, it needs to be in range of all devices you use it for, and preferably an open space where it can breathe.

6. Something is interfering

This problem is more common than you realise. Routers work from a 2.4GHz band – the same as many other household devices such as cordless phone, microwave and baby monitors. It could be that they are interfering with your router and effecting its performance.

7. Interfering neighbours

One of the most common interference patterns for routers comes from next door. The chances are your neighbours connect over the same frequency as you and just like your own household devices. Might be sharing the same 2.4GHz frequency as you.

Naturally, if you live in a densely populated area, you could have any number of rivals competing for space on this limited band. The only real solution for now is getting a router that operates on dual bands simultaneously. Newer routers will often run on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at the same time, allowing the latest Wi-Fi devices to connect on the much less congested 5GHz band. Of course the other thing to consider is that your neighbours may be intentionally reducing your bandwidth by hogging it for themselves!

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Is VoIP Secure: Network Protocols

Every time a new technology is on the rise, everyone keeps asking the same question – is it secure? We live a time when everybody can be surveyed and wire-taps can be basically put on a whim so knowing what the secure protocols to use are is crucial, especially if you want to protect your data and privacy. Of course, nowadays you can't be truly secluded – that's the price we pay for living in the Information Age. However, there are a few things you can do in order to make it harder for people to get your information. Secure computer systems are a must, there is no denying it, especially if you want to protect your data, but you also need a shielded way to communicate with people.

It is undeniably a well-known fact that one of the best ways to communicate today is through VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) yet the question of the structural integrity and security of the method still remains. How secure exactly is VoIP?

VoIP vs Traditional Telephony

If you think traditional telephony is secure enough for you, then you should have no trouble with VoIP which is at least as secure as what you're used to. Of course, generally, every sort of system has its weakness – that's just an unavoidable inherent quality of the system, itself. I guess when you're trying to protect your corporate data, this doesn't sound very convincing, but when you think about it, it actually means a lot. Using VoIP isn't more dangerous than using any sort of IP transfers, although there is always a risk, but that risk can be mitigated. You are probably transmitting lots of information over the web, anyway, which means that you're already taking those risks. If you're going through considerable lengths to protect the data you are sending, then it's safe to say that VoIP will not pose a bigger security threat. You can never be truly sure if someone is listening in on your conversation, but then again – you can't be sure if you're using traditional telephony, either.

Internal Networks

VoIP are most safely used in closed networks. If you run a company and you have an inner network, then connecting different divisions, for example, with VoIP would save you money and it wouldn't be risky, unless you have spies in your midst, at which case someone eavesdropping on your conversations is the least of your worries. VoIP can connect two points of the network so people can directly communicate with each other without the possibility of anyone else accessing their conversation. This wasn't the case a few years. Back then, the LAN availability wasn't controlled by switches and everyone had access. Now, with the use of switches, you can easily connect two points of the network (or more if you wish) so you will get instant and secure communication. The only risk that lies here is if your network is unprotected, but then all your data will be available, so like I said – someone listening in on your conversations will be the least of your problems.

How Secure is VoIP?

Well, don't expect that VoIP is going to be the most secure way of communication the world has ever seen. If man has found a way to communicate, man will find a way to intercept that communication. It's as simple as that, however, as you can still take some measures to protect your data. VoIP is at least as secure as traditional telephony and can be made even more secure by taking the right measures. Bottom line is, if you're trusting a network enough to transmit sensitive data through it, then using it for VoIP should be just fine for you, because it's secure enough.

Author Bio:

Rose Finchley is passionate blogger keen on topics about Internet. She currently works as a technician at http://www.shinylondon.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-nw1-somers-town/ and she has a lot of experience to share with the readers.

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Preventing Data Breaches

Understanding how data and security breaches occur can help you put a plan in place to protect your company moving forward. Your customers trust you with their private identifying and financial information, so it is vitally important that you have a system in place that is strong and can withstand any cyber attacks that may occur. Over three-quarters of the attacks that are perpetrated take advantage of either weak or stolen credentials. Over half are the result of some form of hacking and 40 percent happen because of incorporated malware. However, over the last year the costs associated with a data breach on your company are continuing to decline. While it is getting less expensive to fix the situation after an attack, it is more important to have a plan that will prevent attacks from occurring so you and your customers remain safe. Learn more by reading through the provided infographic below.

Written by IT Creations, a company an independent wholesale distributor of high-end servers and components in Los Angeles.

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Be a Responsible Parent- Get a Mobile Spy App

Being a responsible parent does not only mean to raise your children with healthy food, respectable shelter and get them to reach high academic levels, it also means to get them to know the difference between good and bad, and save them from the social evils around them.

Many parents focus on the academic achievements of their children. Often such standards get the children under pressure and cause them to lose their understanding of the social and moral etiquettes. For instance, children might start taking drugs to relieve the academic tension they constantly undergo in their houses and schools. Also, they might start hanging out with dealers who offer unfair means to pass in exams and tests. All these activities are prevalent in children who are constantly forced by their parents to improve in their studies.

Mobile spy application can be purchased at a reasonable price, considering the company is chosen smartly. Many spy app developers out there offer almost all features for a low price package. Parents out there who are on a budget constraint should consider buying and experimenting with one of the trustable spy software first. The software can be installed on the children's mobile phone easily. As soon as the software is installed on the handset it starts functioning. This functioning includes recording the data of all activity and then transferring it to an online account. This online account can, of course, be only accessed by the parents who purchased the spy software.

Parents can keep a check on all the people their children are staying in contact with. All the calls that are being made, what timings they are made at and to whom, everything can be checked by parents. If any mysterious texts messages are being exchanged by your children make sure you take the necessary and immediate steps.

Spy software also allows parents to track down each and every step of their children by using the geographical tracker in the application. This tracker will update parents about all the locations being visited by their teenagers. So now there is a clear short cut to know whether your teenager is partying at night club or studying in the college library. Even better or worse maybe, your children could be involved in some illegal activity to earn cash. Track all these people down who are after your children to get their path straight.

There are times when parents simply want to make sure that the friends their children hang out with are of proper upbringing themselves. Now of course these children will hardly pull out a word of 'hello' in front of you, but could be loading your children with weird thoughts and notions behind your back. But fret not, since this very handy mobile phone will help you with this situation. Many spy software companies now offer the feature of live audio recording. This live audio recording system can be put to start manually, at any time, from anywhere. Once switched on, all the surrounding sounds can be listened to as audio recordings. These audio recordings are uploaded on the same accounts the parents access rest of the information from.

So with all these benefits, it is hardly a surprise that many parents are now easily monitoring their children's activities from their homes. No need to ruin dinners with interrogative questioning sessions, simply pull out your laptop and spy on your child without him/her ever coming to know about it. They are your responsibility and with the help of a mobile spy application, you can carry out your responsibility better than ever before.

Image Credit: Source.

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The Cost of Maintaining Internet Safety

In today's quickly-moving business world, there are a great many potential threats to a growing company. A lot of these have come about in part because of the rise of the Internet. There are more and more reported instances of Internet crime each day. To help you get an idea of the scope of the problem, let's take a look at the states where Internet crime is reported with the greatest frequency. California takes the top spot, with 34,169 complaints reported in 2011. Florida takes second place with 20,034. It's fairly obvious that this is a growing threat.

In order to protect your data and your company's profitability, it's important to know how to protect your data, to know your rights, and to know how to avoid hefty fines. In order to combat the rising threat of Internet crime, the Communication Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) now requires telecommunications providers and equipment manufacturers to provide surveillance capabilities in their products so that federal agencies have the ability to monitor Internet and phone activity as well as VoIP traffic. It's a partnership that is taking great strides toward fighting the rise of Internet crime.

What does this mean for your business? In short, you need to ensure that your company is CALEA Compliant. The fines for ignoring this responsibility are hefty, often reaching up to $10,000 per day. The total consequences of failing to comply with CALEA standards can be as high as half a million dollars for a single breach of protocol. This is something worth taking very seriously, and hammers home the idea that everybody who participates in the Internet has a certain set of responsibilities to the greater community.

Source: GoWifi.

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Everyone Is At Risk For Cyberattack

Homeland Security declared that October is National Cyber Security Month, which has inspired hackers across the globe to increase their nefarious efforts against secure accounts. According to Fox News, the initiation of this annual event - which is to spread awareness about the risks of surfing the Internet and how one person's computer can infect many more - has potentially compromised more users because of an underlying insinuation that the criminals who inspired this federal action felt baited.

According to the source, AVG and Avira, popular anti-virus software providers, were the victims of major cyberattacks. Although no end-users of these companies were affected by the hack, security expert Graham Cluley told the source that it is embarrassing for major security providers to be compromised in this way.

Who is vulnerable?

According to the Lane Report, individuals should be aware of the risks they're taking by simply browsing the Internet. In addition to security applications, such as password management software, an awareness of the risk can help prepare users for the harsh realities of cyber crime.

Everyone from casual Internet browsers to major corporations are at risk, as the above example Fox News example suggests. The source reported that hackers have developed new methods of producing income because of how simple it has become to acquire sensitive data, such as passwords and online authentication accounts. Additionally, it is becoming easier for the everyday person to turn to a life of cyber crime.

"If you can read, you can be a hacker, because you can pay money and they give you the instructions on how to run these hacking tools," David Montgomery, senior account manager for SDGblue, told the source.

According to the Lane Report, organized hacking has become a rising concern among businesses. Recently in New York, $45 million was stolen from automated teller machines by thieves who managed to acquire the personal passcodes of bank members.

Individuals should consider how their assets are stored online. As the risk for cyberattack is becoming more widespread with the advent of new mobile technologies, such as smartphones and tablets, it is important for Internet users to focus on how they're protecting themselves.

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NSA: Best Mobile Phone Trackers Around

During 2005 the NSA began its warrantless wiretap program to look into international emails and calls. It’s come a long way from being an organization that was created to spy on foreign agencies. No one would have predicted that it would one day be deploying mobile phone trackers against citizens of the United States. The NSA folks are so skilled that they even cracked the Blackberry code! Blackberry has boasted of the most secure system around, and even they couldn’t fight the NSA off. Companies like Verizon are routinely handed over customer data to the NSA. Do you think the NSA is going a bit too far?

Infographic By: Mobistealth

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What is a DDoS Attack?

A DDoS attack is designed to compromise the integrity of a website, allowing hackers to gain access to sensitive material such as banking, financial, and personal information. DDoS attacks are orchestrated by hackers who rely on vast networks of computer botnets which simultaneously attack a website. These attacks are hard to identify simply because of the sheer volume of information that passes through a website on any given day. Botnets mingle in with those information streams and keep attacking the website until they make a breach in its defenses. Most times a DDoS attack is not even recognized until it is too late to stop it. Often, the first sign of a DDoS attack is a slowdown in website speed and functionality, and by then the damage will already have been done. DDoS attacks are a serious problem that can cost companies millions of dollars and devastate a business’ customer base. However, with the help of a professional DDoS protection company, it is possible to guard your online business from such vicious attacks.

Created by the team at Prolexic Technologies.

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How To Launch Parental Control On Different Platforms

With so many apps available for all mobile device platforms your children can find software solutions that can be really helpful in their everyday lives. There are a lot of educational applications that can help your kids in their school assignments, apps that can make it easy to always stay in touch with their parents or even some that can, for example, read them a story if your work prevents you from doing it yourself. On the other hand, many of those “useful” apps are a perfect bait for kids to spend money and do all sorts of expensive in-app purchases. You also can think of installing some tracking software like GPS handyortung to monitor your kid's location instantly.

A recent class act lawsuit against Apple that involved these in-app purchases made it clear that without proper monitoring, kids can make serious financial damage to their parents when they use mobile devices irresponsibly. Apple even paid 100 million dollars as a compensation for accidental purchases and started to use an "Offers In-App Purchases" disclaimer for these apps. This just proves you that irresponsible use of mobile devices by your kids can lead to serious financial and other consequences.If you don’t want to be one of those parents that learned about responsibility in mobile phone use the hard way you should consider using a monitoring app for your children’s mobile devices. This way you can see and control all activities on a desired phone and act in time to stop all types of phone use you find inappropriate. Fortunately, monitoring software can be found for all mobile phone platforms and installing it will only take a few minutes of your time. Here are some guides on how to implement these monitoring apps.

Apple:

Apple makes it possible to restrict all in-app purchases for apps used on their devices.

To do this simply follow the below steps,

• Go to your device Settings menu.
• Then click General and then Restrictions.
• Click on Enable Restrictions.
• After that you can choose a PIN for changing these settings.

Keep in mind not to share this PIN with your kids. You can also make some other restrictions here like restricting your kid from listening to explicit music and more.

Further below you’ll find a In-App Purchases option which you can turn off, and make sure your kid will not make any unauthorized purchases. To change any of these options you can always come back and open this menu with the PIN you previously chose.

Recommended: Parental Tools For Keeping Your Child Safe Online.

Android:

In Google Play Store, used for buying apps on an Android phone, you can set up a password that has to be entered before making any type of purchase.

You also have an option to filter content shown in Play Store so you can make it show content rated for Everyone, Low Maturity, Medium Maturity and so on. If you use the phone yourself then you don’t have to change these options but if you share it with your kid, or if the phone in question is the one you kid uses then you should definitely use purchase password and content filtering.

Kindle:

Kindle devices have a very useful preinstalled app called FreeTime. You can use it to create accounts for your kids and choose the content they will be able to access. This great feature can also let you define how much time your child can use certain content or apps, so if you want to limit them to play one hour of games daily this is a great way to do it.

You can also subscribe to a FreeTime Unlimited service that offer content based on your child’s age. This way you can be sure that all the games, books and other content available to your child is appropriate for them. To get out of the FreeTime mode and use the device regularly you have to enter a password.

Nook:

Barnes & Noble readers and tablets will offer in-app purchase services in the future, so they still didn't announce any details about parental controls for this service. For now, you can create a user profile for your kid and choose the content he or she can access. They allow you to limit their access to Nook store and internet browser.

Windows 8

Windows 8 enables you to set up a profile for your children called Kids Corner and choose content they can or cannot access and things they can do with the device. For some apps like music players Kids Corner will automatically filter content that is inappropriate for your kids and stop them from accessing it. For the time being Kids Corner lets you set up only one user profile.

Image Credit: David .

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How Consumers Can Minimize Identity Theft

The Internet is a popular channel for identity thieves looking for easy opportunities to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. People with ineffective online security measures may quickly find themselves in a situation millions experience annually. One of the most critical safeguards in keeping personal information out of the hands of malicious parties is the use of consumer passwords. Sadly, however, many employ vulnerable credentials, making it easy for identity theft to occur unimpeded.

Forbes contributor Liz Davidson recently highlighted ways in which consumers can protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft. Anyone with online accounts must use strong passwords for these channels. The writer encouraged people to avoid having identical phrases for all of these accounts and employ security questions that cannot be answered by looking at public forums like Facebook.

According to Davidson, phishing attacks are all too common, whether they occur through emails or phone calls. Malicious parties ask victims for passwords, Social Security details and account numbers through these channels.

Electronic devices also demand effective password security. Davidson noted that all consumer PCs and smartphones should be secured with such credentials. These products should also have firewalls, antivirus and spam-filtering solutions installed to defend against sophisticated attacks.

Given the dangers associated with identity theft, people must realize that ineffective passwords are no longer an option if they want to protect personal information. Rather than fret over remembering dozens of unique credentials for all of their online accounts, consumers can receive the protection they desire through innovative tools like a password manager. These solutions generate complex passwords that are difficult for cybercriminals to crack. Also, password managers always update user credentials, ensuring that safeguards are never stagnant.

2012 was significant year for identity theft
In 2012, many Americans fell prey to identity thieves, who were immensely successful in taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. A Javelin Strategy & Research report said that nearly 13 million Americans suffered from such incidents last year, increasing more than 1 million from previous studies.

The research firm also said that identity thieves cost victims more than $21 billion in 2012, the highest mark since 2009. Jim Van Dyke, CEO of Javelin, said last year was a success for criminals, causing consumers and organizations to band together.

"Consumers and institutions are now starting to act as partners - detecting and stopping fraud faster than ever before," Van Dyke said. "But fraudsters are acting quicker than ever before and victimizing more consumers. Consumers must take data breach notifications more seriously and maintain vigilance to safeguard personal information, especially Social Security numbers."

In addition to Social Security numbers, identity thieves also targeted consumers' credit card information, passwords and user names last year, the report said.

As Davidson suggested, Javelin encouraged people to maintain updated software on their PCs and mobile devices to protect against potential theft. The research firm also explained that consumers should shred documents containing sensitive information, employ direct deposit for payroll checks and only connect to WiFi networks that are well known and trusted. Identity thieves can prey upon people in so many ways that it can be difficult for consumers to avoid becoming victims. However, there are several tips they can follow to safeguard personal and sensitive data from being obtained by malicious parties. As industry professionals and research have shown, passwords cannot be neglected, regardless of device used or account accessed. A password manager is an effective solution to help users improve their online security wherever they access the Internet.

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How Safe is Your Home Network Against Computer Virus?

In spite of what we see on Hollywood movies or television shows, hacking into a computer or a home Internet network isn’t that hard, so long as both are left unprotected. So, if hackers can make it through, how much more for those nasty computer viruses?

Don’t be surprised to learn how easy it is for hackers or computer viruses to enter a computer network and into your computer. Many computer networks are practically defenseless to intruders because they are allowed to be in that state. Users are often completely unaware of the dangers they can encounter if they don’t properly secure their network.

With the right tools and knowledge, you can minimize the chances of having your security compromised by computer viruses.

Generally, a home network is a system composed of two devices connected to each other and to the Internet. Computers running on Windows operating system are more at risk from virus attacks than Mac computers. This is to be expected since Windows dominates the market and is a much bigger target for exploitation. It would be a good idea to have an online virus removal service at hand for extreme emergencies.

First, you need to activate your firewall. You can either run a firewall application or purchase a physical firewall device. Most firewalls have security settings so choose the most restrictive settings because these are the safest.

Recommended: How Firewall Works?

Second, when using a wireless router, change the default username, set a new password, and enable encryption. Never leave a wireless network unprotected at this stage. Use either Wireless Encryption (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), though the latter is more secure.

Third, and your most important line of defense, is anti-virus software. No matter how careful we are surfing the web, something will eventually slip by. An anti-virus program helps keep your computer safe. It helps isolate and neutralize malware. Likewise, in order for anti-virus alerts to remain effective, you need to keep it up to date. Most programs have auto-update features since your computer is regularly connected to the Internet.

Fourth, other useful applications to combine with your anti-virus software are anti-spyware and anti-adware programs. Some anti-virus software are sold with these already included. Take advantage of this all-in-one package. Be sure to run your protective software at least once a week to keep your system safe. Also, be sure to install updates and patches for your operating system when they become available. These patches help seal up vulnerabilities on your computer.

Should something penetrate this far into your defenses, there are companies that offer superb online virus removal service to get rid of stubborn viruses, worms, malware, and adware not recognized by your protection program.

Image Credit: Stuart Miles.

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Gecko Monitor (Computer Spying/Monitoring Software) Giveaway! [Expired]

Hi my dear Friends! For the first time I am conducting a Software Giveaway contest on our blog Daily Tips Nd Tricks. First let me tell you about the software on which this Giveaway is based on!

The software which you are about to get through this Giveaway is Gecko Monitor. This software is priced to about $40 on their site http://geckomonitor.com.

But through this Giveaway 10 winners are about to grab a lifetime licence of this software worth $40 for FREE!!

What Can Be Done with Gecko Monitor:

Gecko Monitor is a "Computer Monitoring Software" to monitor everything that happens on your PC when you are away. If you are a parent you can monitor your child's activity such as The websites he/she visits, Applications he/she runs, keystrokes he/she types, etc... This software is a boon to Bosses who wants to monitor their employees computers.

In my case: As i am a student, It is a boon to me as i can install it on my College systems and Get my friend's/Staff's password by recording the keystrokes typed by them in the hidden mode offered by this software :D

Features:

A screenshot of trial version! (Click for better view)

• Takes screenshots of all windows & websites.
• Logs every application used and tells you when it was used.
• Logs every website visited and tells you when it was visited.
• Reports what was typed into every application & website.
• Monitors all printed documents, including times printed.
• Emails reports to you remotely & secretly, at times set by you.
• Innovative timeline feature - an easy to understand timeline of events.
• Monitors all file activity, including saved, opened & deleted files.
• Does all of this completely hidden, un-hides with a secret key combo.

Enter into the Below Giveaway and Get this software for FREE!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tips To Win This Giveaway:

• Your points are calculated in entries. entries earned shows the points you earned for that day.
• Options such as Share on Facebook, Share on Google+, Tweet, Pin To Pinterest, Answer this Question are Re-Doable (Once per day), So Bookmark this page (Click Ctrl+D ) and do those options daily to increase your entries.
• If you need any further clarification, Leave then in the comment box below! I will reply you as soon as Possible :)

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Using The Internet To Protect Your Home

The Internet has grown to allow us to do wondrous things. We can communicate around the world in a matter of seconds and complete work entirely online. Today the Internet also allows people to add extra security to a home. Home security has forever changed with the advent of the Internet. People can monitor what is taking place inside their home to figure out whether or not danger is present at any given time. A homeowner can use the Internet to provide added safety to her home to feel more secure and protect all loved ones and guests.

Install Surveillance Cameras:

Surveillance cameras are used to monitor both the inside and outside of a home. Did you know that you could hook up your camera to the Internet? If you have a smartphone, you can link your camera's live feed directly to your phone. This means that you can monitor all activity going on in your home at all times. All you need is access to the Internet and you will have the ability to stream from your home surveillance camera. Cameras can also have saved recordings downloaded to a server. It does not matter if someone destroys your camera or home computer. Since the live feed can be recorded and saved to an outside server, there will always be evidence if a criminal breaks into your home or causes you harm. Surveillance cameras have played increasingly large roles in investigations in the past.

Power Outage:

Certain home security companies understand that if there is a power outage you could be left vulnerable. Technologically advanced home security systems are connected to the Internet to allow security companies to monitor the status of your home at all times. There are backup plans available to remain connected via satellite, even during a power outage. Refer to your home security company to see if this option exists in your area. You never know when the power is going to go out, and you don't know when it will return. It's a good idea to protect your home and family with a backup home security plan just in case the power goes out.

Silent Call for Help:

In the case of an emergency you might not have time to make a phone call to 911 or someone you know. You could be hiding from a burglar and as a result unable to talk on the phone. With smartphones you are connected to the Internet and can instantly inform people you are in danger. Social media allows you to Connect to thousands of people at once. There have been many scenarios where someone has used the Internet to let people know he or she is in danger. The Internet connects extremely fast so people have the ability to respond within seconds.

Internet Connected Devices:

Home security systems do not have to be connected to a landline anymore. Security systems exist that can connect to your home Internet through a wireless connection. You can connect your phone to the device and complete a variety of actions from your phone. You can set your alarm or turn it off if someone needs to enter your home. This type of home security system is definitely worth a look for an alternative form of home security.

Image source: SmartPhotoStock.

Author Bio:

Guest writer Leyland Suzuki and Denver, Colorado native loves blogging about home improvement and sharing his tips with an online audience. He is currently consulting with local Denver roofers to better secure his home.

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Parental Tools For Keeping Your Child Safe Online

In such a short amount of time, the internet has become more common place in our lives than we could have ever imagined. Today, a world without the conveniences and the joys of the internet is unimaginable and we are learning of new ways to use and enjoy it all the time. It's practical uses are diverse: looking up directions, sending a gift, learning to play guitar, watching a film – all of these activities are things we can now do quickly and easily in the comfort of our own homes.

For our children, teaching them to use the internet effectively and safely is ever increasingly important to us as parents. The benefits of the thousands of educational resources available online massively outweighs the drawbacks of the dangers we also find on the world wide web, but those dangers do pose a problem – one that can worry parents when they're introducing there younger children to the online world. Thankfully, some savvy computer programmers have put together some brilliant tools to alleviate our concerns as parents.

Although there are a wide range of tools that can help, I'm going to concentrate on the two that I think are the most helpful. They are Parental Control Software and Computer Monitoring Software, and each of these tools can help parents in their own unique way. Let's take a look at each of these in turn.

Parental Control Software:

Parental Control Software can monitor, filter and block web pages depending on its content. If you have young children and you're worried they're going to be exposed to adult web pages of some kind (this could be gambling, alcohol, violence, pornography etc...) then this is for you. Parental Control Software will scan a web page before it is shown for a range of keywords and if it deems the page unsuitable, it will block it, if not it will show it.

Computer Monitoring Software:

Computer Monitoring Software works similarly, but slightly differently than Parental Control Software, and is great for parents of teenagers or older children who you want to give a bit more freedom online, but are still slightly worried. Computer Monitoring Software will monitor (secretly) every web page that is visited and any application used, so that you can look through reports and see what your children have been looking at at a later date. Computer Monitoring Software also monitors keystrokes and documents, and will take screen shots of visited websites.

You could even use parental control and computer monitoring software together, to create a powerful combination of tools that's sure to keep your child safe online. If you'd like to find out more about these parental tools, head over to the Gecko Parents website here.

Image Credit: Clare Bloomfield.

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How Safe Is Cloud Storage?

Last week, I was sitting around talking to a friend about how he lost his data on his computer, but he had it all backed up on an external hard drive. It brought up the subject of him losing that hard drive or it getting lost/stolen – leading to the idea of cloud storage. He questioned whether cloud storage is safe or not. Cloud services have changed IT entirely for businesses across a wide range of areas. But as more and more companies rely on the cloud for storage, syncing, and computing, hackers are targeting popular cloud services for the sensitive information stored there. Yes, the companies that provide cloud storage are responsible in keeping our data secure, but we should also look at what we can do as consumers and make cloud storage safer for our data.

To begin, let’s answer the question: what exactly is the cloud storage? In essence, it is a model of networked enterprise storage where data is stored not only in the user's computer, but also in virtualized pools of storage which are generally hosted by third parties. From music files to pictures to sensitive documents, the cloud invisibly backs up your files and folders and avoids the potentially endless and costly search for extra storage space. An alternative to purchasing an external hard drive or deleting old files to make room for new ones, cloud storage is convenient and cost-effective. It works by storing your files on a server on the internet rather than on your local hard drive, allowing you to back up, sync, and access your data across multiple devices as long as they have internet capability.

If you wish to store information virtually, however, you must consider the added risk that your information may be accessible to others -- potentially people who you do not wish to have access. Outlined below are a few security risks to take into account and how to protect yourself and your data.

Cloud computing is a relatively new tool for the average consumer. It is important to explore the service that most fits your needs.

The first step in using the cloud service is to choose a provider that fits your needs. Some points to take into consideration on your search are:

1. Are the company’s security standards appropriate? - Do some research for your needs. Make sure that the company has a good reputation and solid security policies. Remember, this company holds your trust to store your personal information.
2. How much data storage do you need? Look at sites with a realistic expectation of the size you need to store all your files. Most companies charge by the amount of storage you are requesting.
3. Is your data encrypted when being uploaded or downloaded from the cloud? Make sure that your browser or app requires an encrypted connection before you upload or download your data. Always look for the “https://” or the padlock beside the URL in your browser.
4. Is your data encrypted when stored in the cloud? Read the terms of service to find this information; often your data will be stored on the cloud server with no encryption, this means that anyone that has (or can get) high level access to that server will be able to read your files. This may not be an issue for many files, but you should carefully consider what kind of information you are storing in the cloud and whether you are comfortable with some other person you don’t know accessing it. At a minimum, no data that is protected by law (medical information, personal identifiers, financial data) should be stored in the cloud unless the storage solution is encrypted and you know who can decrypt it (it should only be you or your organization) and for what reason.
5. Learn and understand how access is shared with your cloud folder: Many cloud storage providers allow you to share access to your online folders with other people. Be sure you know in details and understand how this works. Can they read only or can they change the file? Will you know who changed a file last? If you share the file with a group, can you see who all is in the group? Are you notified if the group changes? Does the service allow you to make files public? If you do, are your personal details (name, account, email, etc.) attached to that file if a stranger looks at it?
6. Know your options if the cloud provider should be hacked or should lose your data: Many of these companies require that you sign their terms and conditions before they allow you to use the service. In the vast majority of cases, these conditions state that you have very little, if any, remedy if anything bad should happen. Be aware of what you are signing away.

Once you have found the service that best caters to your needs, it is important to make your data as safe as possible.

Here are some general rules that you should follow for all your internet habits, but particularly for your data storage:

1. Pick a good password: All cloud services require a master password to get into your files, so make it a good one, something that is pretty long and not easy for others to hack. When it comes to passwords, longer is better. True, it can be a hassle to remember a strong password but it’s an even bigger hassle to have your information stolen.
2. Don’t reuse your passwords: The password you choose to access the cloud should be unlike any other password you use. If a hacker gets access to your Facebook password which may also be the password to your email, they will not only have a clear view of where you hold financial accounts, but they will be able to reset all of your passwords without your knowledge.
3. Don’t share your passwords: Even with a trusted friend, sharing your password is never a good idea. The more people who know your password, the more likely it is to be spread around. Your password is the lock to your information; don’t let more people have access to it than necessary.
4. Back up your data: The same way you back up your computer’s hard drive, back up your cloud storage data. Some companies are out there that offer a small amount of storage free of cost. Take advantage of this and make sure you have your most important data backed up in case of an unexpected loss.

Image Credit: Thinkstockphotos.

Author Bio:

Youa is a blogger from Minneapolis who enjoys reading about all things tech-related. She’s a fan of local businesses, like RJS Software, who always have something fun to say on their tech blog.

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Most People Can't Identify Phishing Scams

Most people can't identify phishing scams

One of the reasons that phishing scams are successful is that although most people believe that they know how to identify these attacks, they often still don't recognize suspicious emails. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, new research from North Carolina State University seems to indicate that Internet users are over-confident in their ability to recognize a phishing scam.

The study, which looked at a group of 53 undergraduate students, found that although 89 percent of participants were confident that they could recognize a scam in their inbox, only 7.5 percent actually identified the phishing emails. In addition, more than 50 percent of students deleted an email that was actually genuine.

Phys.org recently reported that phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, fooling even the most tech-savvy Internet natives. When the Associated Press had its Twitter account hacked in April, it was due to a complex phishing attack directed at one of the news source's staffers. The staff member received an email that appeared to be from a colleague, but the link contained in the message actually led the employee to a "keylogger" that tracked keystrokes and recorded the organization's Twitter password.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that this increased personalization of phony messages will only make it harder to identify scams. Phishers often pose as banks, government agencies or well-known retailers convince users to open the email and click on a link that either introduces a virus or leads to a fake website that is disguised as a legitimate source. That's why a password manager such as Sticky Password, which includes automatic form filling, can be so helpful - it won't supply your personal information to a deceptive landing page that isn't actually associated with the website you think you're using.

Example of a Phishing Scam:

Below is a Phishing Scam email that i received to my mail id in the name of giving "Financial Loan". Check it out,

Attn Everyone:
I got your details after an extensive online search. I am Mr RichardMoore of the Standford Financial Loan Firm has opened an opportunity toevery one in need of any financial help for Debt consolidation,personalloan,business loan etc, I give out loan to serious minded individuals. Myrates are very cheap and affordable. We also operate under short and longterm loans at 3%. I am God fearing and I have respect for my fellowhumans. Get to me today for that loan that you have always needed and getthe loan now.
Please note that this offer is opened to every serious mindedindividuals, firms and companies who wishes to obtain a loan to solvetheir financial problems like establishing new business, re-establishingold ones or pay debt etc. From this firm we operate on a 24hours serviceand we give our customers the best service because that is all we know howto do best.
We offer the following loans category;
* Personal Loan* Business Loan* Debt Consolidation Loan, etc
Minimum of $3,000.00 and a maximum of $90,000,000.00
Fill below if you are interested in our offer;
(1) Full Names:
(2) Contact/Mailing Address:
(3) State/Country:
(4) Amount needed as loan
(5) Loan duration:
(6) Occupation:
(7) Cell-Phone number:
(8) Monthly Income:
(9) Age:
(10)Sex
Contact our loan officer Mr Richard Moore inquiries;Email : sfinancials@kimo.com
Thanks,Richard MooreCEO

Another popular example of Phishing Scam mail is "Winning a Lottery". When you get a mail like this asking you personal details, Don't even think of replying them. Or else will be a victim of a Serious Scam! Just delete those mail.

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MalwareBytes: It's Free, But Is It Any Good?

In the sea of anti-malware programs there are some programs that standout for one reason or another...most often it's simply because of reliability and overall value. Malwarebytes is one of those programs. Malwarebytes is a complete anti-spyware software that is recognized for its simplicity and ease of use.

Benefits:

As a primary freeware software program, Malwarebytes is more than respectable in its ability to protect computer systems against malware attacks. Honestly, Malwarebytes does not score as well as the pricier and more recognized protection software packages on the market, but what is does do is provide a simple interface that is easy for the less technical person to nagivate and effectively use.

Malwarebytes has the capability of detecting all types of known malware threats as well as many stealth malware threats that are present on your system. Not only does this program do a good job in detecting these threats it also does a respectable job in removing these threats from your computer. When there is a threat that Malwarebytes had difficulty removing it is usually on a system that is heavily infected and requires more detailed cleaning. For systems that are relatively clean this program generally runs smoothly.

As mentioned earlier one of the best features of this program is its ease of use. One does not have to be technically savvy in order to make optimal use of this program.

Down Side:

Although this program performs on an acceptable level on some key fronts, it does have some associated cons. One of the most significant down sides to this program is the fact that is does slow your computer down while performing active scans. Unlike some of the more popular anti-malware programs, Malwarebytes does not have the ability to effectively perform a full scan behind the scenes without a significant drag being placed on the operation system. Because scans can be time consuming and interfere with the normal work process, it is best to run them during normal down times.

Malwarebytes also performs below expectations in detecting and removing spyware. During the process of scanning for spyware, the program used, on average, 90MB of memory. This is significantly more than the average program with similar performance standards. Outside of the fact that the system scan monopolizes memory, the scan is excruciatingly slow, progressing at an average rate of 10MB per second. The combination of these two issues results in an overall poor system performance for your computer. To run regular functions during a scan is not recommended.

Bottom Line:

Malwarebytes is an effective anti-malware program. Although it has its challenges in performing in certain areas, it more than makes up for it with its simplicity and straight forward user interface.

If you suspect that your computer is already highly infected with malware and spyware, this is not the program for you, but if you have recently had your system cleaned and debugged, Malwarebytes is a viable alternative to some of the pricier programs on the market. As a freeware, it rates at the top.

Author Bio:

Louis Rossmann is a straight shooting tech guy who specializes in repair and LCD replacement. Contact him through his Rossmann Group website.

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