Glary Utilities Pro – Valentines Day Promotional Giveaway

Bill Mullins’ over at Tech Thoughts has graciously brought to our attention that Glarysoft is promoting a Glarysoft Valentine’s Day Giveaway for their all-in-one utility, Glary Utilities Pro.  They are giving away 500 licenses each day (for the Professional Version) from Feb 12 to Feb 14, 2010 to celebrate Valentines’s Day.

Folks, Glary Utilities is a great software package that will assist you with maintaining your PC (fix, speed up, maintain and protect your PC). Do not miss out on this opportunity. Go to Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts for further details, before it is too late.

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http://whatsonmypc.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/glary_utilities/

A FREE and PORTABLE File Synchronization Tool

If you have been hedging on backing up your personal files because you do not understand the in’s and out’s of backup software, then take a look at FreeFileSync.

FreeFileSync is an open source application, that is FREE, that is available as a portable app, looks good, is fast, and just plain gets the job done.  This application is a good starting point for those who want to backup their computer files (such as documents, pictures, music, movies, etc…) without the heavy learning curve.  I currently use this software at my part-time job (with the IT Manager’s blessing) to backup the office data files (to a portable drive for off site storage) and also use it at home to backup my personal files to external drives.  The only way to learn how backup software works is to jump right in and play around with it.

Key Features of FreeFileSync are:

1. Compare files (bytewise or by date) and synchronize them.
2. No limitations: An arbitrary number of files can be synchronized.
3. Unicode support.
4. Network support.
5. Built-in support for very long filenames (more than MAX_PATH = 260 characters)
6. Synchronization database for propagation of deleted files and conflict detection
7. Support for multiple folder pairs with distinct configuration
8. Full support for Windows/Linux Symbolic Links and Windows Junction Points.
9. Lean & easily accessible UI: Highly optimized for speed and huge sets of data.
10. Algorithms coded in C++ completely.
11. All progress indicators optimized for maximum performance!
12. Create Batch Jobs for automated synchronization with or without GUI.
13. Focus on usability:
    1. Only necessary functionality on UI: no overloaded menus or icon jungle.
    2. Select all folders via drag & drop.
    3. Last used configuration and screen settings are saved automatically.
    4. Maintain and load different configurations by drag & drop, load-button or commandline.
    5. Double-click to start external application (e.g. show file in Windows Explorer)
    6. Copy & paste all grid data as text
    7. Delete superfluous/temporary files directly on main grid.
    8. Right-click context menu.
    9. Status information and error reporting
    10. Sort file-lists by name, size or date.

1. Support for filesizes larger than 4 GB.
2. Option to move files to Recycle Bin instead of deleting/overwriting them.
3. Ignore directories “\RECYCLER” and “\System Volume Information” with default filter. (Windows only)
4. Localized versions are available for many languages.
5. Delete before copy: Avoid disc space shortages for large sync-jobs.
6. Filter functionality to include/exclude files from synchronization (without requiring a re-compare!).
7. Include/exclude specific files from synchronization temporarily.
8. Create sync jobs via GUI to synchronize automatically (can be scheduled or executed via double-click).
9. Handle daylight saving time changes on FAT/FAT32 volumes correctly.
10. Portable version (.zip) available.
11. Native 64-Bit version.
12. Check for updates from within FreeFileSync automatically.
13. Copy locked files using Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. (Windows only)
14. Create regular backups with macros %time%, %date% within directory names
15. Copy file and folder create/access/modification times when synchronizing

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Geek Squeaks’ of the Week (#47)

Due to the blizzard conditions here in Maryland, my intro for Geek Squeaks’ is a short one…  I encourage you to take advantage of Geek Squeaks’ and bookmark the sites reflected below that are maintained by some of the best bloggers on the internet.

Snakebytez
Tweak Windows 7 with TweakNow PowerPack

TTC Shelbyville
Windows 7 Classic View

I Love Free Software
USB Safeguard: Secure Documents on Flash Drive

Worthy Tips
Shout down and wake up your PC
using Windows Mobile with WakeAndShake

Mrintech
Have you created your Google Profile Yet?

Canadian Tech Blogger
Facebook is 6 Years Old, 400 Million Active Users

Technogran’s Tittle Tattle
Blogging with windows live writer 6

TuneUp Blog
How to Install Windows 7 from a USB Thumb Drive

Free PC Security
Malicious Sites February 10

Tech-for Everyone
Warning! The Worst Virus Ever! (Verified by Snopes!)

Rarst.net
Test and choose DNS server that performs best for you

Lifehacker
Easy Poster Printer
Slices and Dices Your Posters for Standard Printers

thePC Security
http://192.168.1.1 Router: Password, Admin List and Details

AKS-Feel the Change
How to Mute System Sound with a Hotkey

Carol’s Vault
SpeedyFox Freeware – improve Firefox startup times

411-Spyware.com
How to Remove SecurePcAv

Plato On-Line
The Whiteout at the White House

Evilfantasy’s Blog
Windows Pirates Encouraged to Install Security Patches

Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts
Free Windows 7 in a Box – Access Win 7’s Features, Settings, Programs, and Tools Instantly

What’s On My PC
Tips to making that call to Tech Support…

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A Drag and Drop Encryption Program

There are numerous file (and folder) encryption programs that are available to protect sensitive files on your computer; however, most people do not understand their purpose.  If you are carrying files around on a flash drive that are potentially sensitive in nature, OR maintaining sensitive files on a PC that is accessible by many people, OR storing sensitive files on the internet;  then it is important to protect the content of those files from prying eyes. One way of doing that is through file encryption.  Encryption software is designed to make your files unreadable (or accessible) to other people.  The encryption process usually prompts you to create a key (or password) prior to the software making the file(s) unreadable.  As a result, in order to  make the file readable again (through a process called decryption) you must enter the password that you originally provided.

One of my favorite encryption programs, that is FREE, small in file size (< 200 KB), and is portable;  is Drag ‘n Crypt ULTRA.  The “cool factor” to this program is that when you launch the program, a small target (or drop zone) appears on your desktop (see below).

To encrypt a file (or folder), you simply drag the file (or folder) to the target (or drop zone) and drop it.  Drag ‘n Crypt Ultra will go to work automatically, prompt you for a password, and then create the encrypted file. As an added level of security, the source file is erased to prevent someone from restoring the file using data recovery software (which is especially easy on a flash drive).

To decrypt the file you simply drag the file you originally encrypted to the target (or drop zone), enter your password, and the file will be restored to its’ original condition.

If you right mouse click on the target (or drop zone), you also have the following options:

My (2)-two favorite options is “create file association” and “Use Context Menu”.  With the “file association” option activated you can open your encrypted files by simply mouse clicking on the file(s) and if you have the “context menu” option activated you can perform your file encryption operations through the Windows Explorer context menu, which is typically activated by a right mouse click on a file (or folder).

Overall, Drag ‘n Crypt is fast, offers decent protection ( Twofish coding algorithm) and does not require installation (can be carried and used on your flash drive). I especially use this program to protect files on my flash drive and to protect files that I store online.

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Easily Convert Web Pages to a PDF File

I have always been one where I try to find ways to avoid using the printer by electronically converting and storing my documents on my PC so that they can easily be retrieved later. As a result, I very, very seldom go to the printer to print anything.

One example is when I need to print a web page, I will use PDFmyURL, a FREE cloud based service that lets you convert any web page to a PDF file (portable document format) that can be stored on your PC for later viewing, etc.

PDFmyURL is a new tool that lets you convert any url / webpage to a .pdf and download it instantly. The online tool is free and easy to use – simply enter the url you want converted, click the button, and receive the .pdf on your desktop.

What you do is enter the web address of the web page you are interested in at the PDFmyURL site, then hit the “Enter” key on your keyboard.  PDFmyURL will go to work for you to make the conversion.  The “cool factor” is that following the conversion process to the PDF file format, the web page links are still hot and will continue to work from within the PDF document.

For example, I entered the web site address for the What’s On My PC Launchpad (http://sites.google.com/site/techlaunchpad/) at PDFmyURL and here is the final result [ LINK ] .  As a result, I found a neat way to carry my collection of tech sites with me on my portable flash drive.

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Experience Windows 3.1 in your Web Browser

Many computer users today have never experienced Windows prior to Windows 95 (e.g. Windows 3.1)…  If you are interested in seeing and actually experiencing (interactively) what the feel of Windows 3.1 was like back in 1992, then [ click here ] .  An emulated (or imitated) version of Windows 3.1 will load in your web browser. This is very close to the real thing and definitely brings back memories (Windows 3.1 and Dos 6.22) where my roots and interest in computers began.

Windows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0. Further editions were released between 1992 and 1994 until the series was superseded byWindows 95. – Wikipedia

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How to Get Rid of the Data on that Old Computer

Since computers have become mainstream in everybody’s home since 2000, it is not uncommon today for people to have 2 or 3 computers in their homes. Today, computers in the home are looked upon as throwaway appliances. When the life cycle of the computer is finished, the user will either throw the computer in the attic (or closet) to collect cobwebs; discard it in the garbage; or, if still useable, will hand it down (or sell it) to someone else.

During the ownership of our computers we are constantly reminded of the security and privacy threats; and will go to great extremes to protect the data on our PC’s from prying eyes. What we forget is that this type of proactive attitude should not stop when the life cycle of the computer has been completed. From my experience I have seen a very high percentage of people discard a PC with their data still intact on the hard drive. Even if the computer is no longer functioning, the data is still there!  Even if you are being proactive and formatted the hard drive, the data is still there!

What type of data am I referring to?  Well, the list is long, but here are some examples of what you may be giving away when you are finished with that PC:

• Passwords and access to online accounts (like your bank, credit card, social sites, web mail, etc.)

• Email Accounts, Email Addresses and Personal Emails

• Personal (and sometimes) sensitive photographs

• Personal Documents (such as tax forms, letters, finances, documents from work, etc.)

• Software Licenses (that you purchased and own)

• Music or Movie Collection (that you legally own)

In today’s world, data theft is commonplace and software to extract (already deleted data) is available freely on the internet. I cannot emphasize this enough; when you are finished with that PC you must continue to be proactive and find ways to make sure the PC is clean before transferring it elsewhere. Here are several options that you can choose from:

• Have the hard drive removed and the data professionally eradicated (destroyed), professionally degaussed (demagnetized) or professionally shredded (like shrapnel).  All of these options are at cost; however, you will (or should) be provided with certification that your data is now non-existent.

• Remove the hard drive and destroy the hard drive yourself.  Drill holes in it, use it for target practice, flatten it with a sledge hammer, etc…  There is no certification with this process and yes there is the possibility that James Bond 007 could extract data from the drive (but this is highly unlikely, unless you are a person of interest).

• Use data eradication software.  This option is a good option for the home based user; AND, the good news is that there are several FREE software products (see below) that are available.

Hard Drive Eraser

Hard Drive Eraser is free Windows application that permanently erase the data on whole volumes (hard drives). It does so by filling the magnetic surface multiple time with a useless binary data. It is a known fact that it is impossible to permanently destroy data just by formatting hard drive.

PC Disk Eraser

PCDiskEraser enables you to easily, quickly and permanently erase all data that is personal, confidential and critical on your hard drive – and has the capability to erase to both U.S. Department of Defense 5220.22 and German Military Government standards.

Active@ Kill Disk

Active@ KillDisk – Hard Drive Eraser is powerful and compact software that allows you to destroy all data on hard and floppy drives completely, excluding any possibility of future recovery of deleted files and folders. It’s a hard drive and partition eraser utility.

Eraser

Eraser is an advanced security tool for Windows which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.

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