Tips and Tricks

A number of myths exist in regard to improving a PC’s performance. Many of them are remnants of the early days of computing. For instance, the myth of the recycle bin continues to proliferate. It states that emptying the recycle bin on a regular basis will boost PC performance. It’s not true, especially with today’s computers, but an empty recycle or trash bin always is prettier than an overflowing one.

If the recycle bin advice is a myth, what are some truths about improving PC performance? One truth relates to malware. A malware-laden computer is a slow computer. A malware-free computer, in contrast, is a lean, mean, computing machine. The lesson to be learned from that truth is to keep anti-spam and malware definitions up-to-date. What are some other truths? Let’s look at five of them.

1. Video cards. Video cards usually belong to the realm of gaming geeks. Those geeks are telling the truth, though, when they state that an upgraded video card or adding an additional video card boosts performance. Although video cards may be more of an issue when playing World of Warcraft or Diablo, they can be instrumental to the working professional’s computer, too.
2. Drivers. Drivers require maintenance and upgrades. When they aren’t upgraded, your computer begins to suffer. Some applications, such as Skype, may refuse to work. If applications suddenly start sending you error messages or refuse to work, an outdated driver may be to blame.
3. Bloatware. Every application you add to your computer ostensibly will help you to do your work faster and better. The problem is that each new application affects your computer’s performance and, in a more or less direct manner, your own. Do you really need all those toolbars? Maybe it’s time to remove some of them. Are you using all the services that run when you start up your computer? It could be time to purge your computer of services you aren’t using.
4. Browsers. Browsers don’t necessarily have anything to do with your computer’s performance, but they have something to do with your own. Have you ever found yourself frustrated by a slow download? Did that frustration translate into an inability to concentrate for a few minutes? If you want to improve your work performance, you may need to improve your browser. Internet Explorer is one of the slower ones. Faster ones include Firefox and Chrome.
5. Networks. Nothing slows your computer or you like a struggling network. If you’re having networking issues, you may need to check and possibly replace the cabling, phone lines, and routers and scan all the PCs in the network for malware. If you can’t identify any issues via your own inspection, you will need to call your internet service provider.

How do you improve your PC’s performance? Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments.

At some point, almost everyone will have a smartphone. Those of the younger generations won’t be able to live without them. They will accomplish a variety of tasks with them. Will they be smart with them?

Smartphones intersect with the personal and professional. People use them to play games, and they use them to send emails. Sometimes, people forget that their smartphones are not immune to viruses. They forget that their smartphones are just as vulnerable as other devices, and it doesn’t matter what variety of smartphone they have. Some phones may be less vulnerable, but that doesn’t mean the owners of those type of smartphones should be any less cautious. To protect their smartphones - and themselves - smartphone users should:

1. Avoid “black market” app stores. You may be able to find interesting apps or apps at discounted prices on the “black market,” but such apps often are corrupted or infected with malware. Legitimate app stores scan and remove infected apps; that isn’t the case at “black market” app stores.
2. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not using them. Both create vulnerabilities if your phone isn’t configured properly. Bluetooth has a discoverable mode. If you don’t turn it off, other people can gain access to your device. Wi-Fi is a public network; using it opens your phone to man-in-the-middle attacks and traffic snooping. For that reason, you should turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not using them.
3. Create strong passwords. Just as with any other device, you need strong passwords. You need one for the device itself as well as any accounts you might have enabled on your phone. For instance, if you have an unprotected Google account and someone accesses your phone, that person now can infiltrate and wreak havoc on your phone and possibly your Google account. The same danger exists with other accounts, such as iTunes or iCloud.
4. Be careful with permissions. Read the small print before installing an app. Know what data it will be able to access and know what the app will do once installed.
5. Be careful with links and attachments. Your phone is a mini-computer. If you don’t know the sender of an email, don’t open the email. If you are concerned about a link or attachment, don’t open the attachment or click on the link.  

What do you do to use your smartphone smartly?

I have several friends who swear by building their own PCs. I don't blame them; many of them are high-end gamers who need the extra power and memory. Still, you can hardly go wrong with some of today's retail PCs. First, it's easier to purchase an already-created model. Second, retail PCs are relatively inexpensive; some gamers can purchase a $600 machine, and it will perform adequately. Third, many retail PCs can be customized with graphics and sound cards and more. Fourth, retail PCs often come with quad-core CPUs, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, and large hard drives. Those four facts gloss over the reality that a custom-built machine often performs better and, in some cases, can be a more economical choice.

If you want to build your own PC, you have eight, solid reasons for doing so. They include:

1. Flexible case designs. Retail PCs come with attractive cases, but they have very little room. In addition, retail desktop cases often have poor airflow and, in some cases, no free drive bays. If you want a more flexible case design, you should visit Antec, Cooler Master, or another respected vendor.
2. Stronger power supplies. Some of the PSUs that come with retail PCs can't even begin to power a regular video card, unless it's a low-end model. Even if the PC has the wattage, it may not have an extra six-pin PCIe connector. With the prices of 23-inch LCD monitors often below $200, you're certainly going to want to play games or watch videos in higher resolutions. In that case, you're going to need to investigate stronger power supplies and higher-end video cards.
3. Proper motherboards. Even if the motherboard in a retail PC is from a respected vendor, the motherboard often is a special, low-end version made specifically for the retail vendor. These motherboards often are difficult to upgrade with additional drivers unless you rely on the PC vendor. If you purchase a motherboard that's intended to stand alone, you can avoid support and driver issues entirely.
4. Quality parts. With retail PCs, often the only guaranteed part you get is the actual CPU. The other parts - the memory chips, hard drive, optical drive, and other components - can come from anywhere. Even if you ask the vendor who supplied those parts, the vendor may not know because manufacturers sometimes switch OEM suppliers from week to week. If you choose your own parts, you can guarantee that you're getting high-quality parts.
5. No bloatware. Bloatware - ads from channel partners - can pollute the OS install discs that come with retail PCs, assuming that you get any discs. Anymore, the OS install files often are preloaded on a separate hard drive partition. What happens if your hard drive crashes? No more installation files. Even if you get the discs, you'll have to uninstall and reinstall the OS every time you want or need to refresh your machine, which is a chore. Installing OS files from an OEM disc is the way to go; you're assured of a clean, fast, and non-bloated install every time.
6. Coherent support policies. Retail PCs come with a set support system. That support system used to include luxurious phone support, but that was in the long-distant past. Today, expect two-hour phone calls in which you're given some unclear directions as to what to do to repair your computer. In addition, the support often is centralized. That means if you're having trouble with a particular drive, you're still going to have wait for a possible solution from a non-specialist. If you build your own PC, you should be able to tell when something breaks and what that something is. You then have the ability to replace that item with whatever part you desire and whenever you want.
7. Upgrade when you want. This reason is related to the previous one. If you add a part to your retail PC, such as a new video card or extra RAM, from a different source than the PC vendor, you're setting yourself up for a possible dispute with tech support in the future. Build your own PC, and you can upgrade or add items when your budget allows for it. You also shouldn't have any problems with tech support, but you probably won't need it anyway since you're the PC designer.
8. It's awesome. This may be a silly reason, but it's true. I've always felt a little envious of my super-cool friends who could build their own computers. Besides, building your own computer - while challenging - will alleviate a lot of the frustration encountered with the bloatware and cheap parts found in most PCs.

Source: ExtremeTech

If you have a wireless connection at home, you've probably experienced a weak or lost signal at times. Why? One reason may be distance. Your laptop or netbook simply is too far away from the router. Another reason is your home's layout. If the signal has to travel around too many corners and walls to reach your endpoint, signal interference can result. A third reason is structural interference. If the signal has to travel through an object, such as a furnace or a water heater, to reach your endpoint, you may receive a poor signal. Another reason may be the software you're using. Routers and adapters need updates. If they aren't updated, you can expect poor performance and range.

Those are only a couple of the reasons you might be experiencing poor or nonexistent connectivity. Fortunately, you can extend your router's reach without breaking your budget. Most of the solutions listed here involve simple tweaking or buying an extra component or two. Our top ten ideas, courtesy of PCMag, include:

1. Change the channel. When you setup your router, it chooses a default channel. It usually chooses the least crowded channel, but that's not always the case. Check your router with a tool like InSSIDer. It's a free tool that shows you how many users are accessing certain channels. Find the least crowded ones and switch your router to one of them via the router's interface.
2. Update router firmware. Most routers will let you know when they need to be updated, but some home wireless routers and older devices don't. You can find updates manually either through your router's interface or the manufacturer's website.
3. Update adapter firmware. Routers aren't the only things that need to be updated. So do the adapters, which work hand-in-hand with your router in creating quality performance and a good range. Most laptops have on-board adapters. You can find the name of your adapter in your Network settings. Once you know the adapter's name, visit the manufacturer's site to ensure you have the latest firmware installed.
4. Move the router. If your router is tucked away in the corner of a closet, you may need to move it in order to address your connectivity issues. The router doesn't have to be next to your modem; in fact, it should be in a central location. You may need to purchase an Ethernet Cat 5 cable in order to move your router to a more centralized location.
5. Install DD-WRT. DD-WRT, an open-source software for routers, can enhance router performance and extend the router's feature set. DD-WRT has many pitfalls; for example, it can invalidate your router's warranty. If your router is under warranty or it's in a business network, you shouldn't risk DD-WRT. DD-WRT upgrades also can negatively affect a router, and DD-WRT can be difficult to remove from some routers.
6. Set up a second router. With a second router, you can set it as an additional access, or repeater, point. This process is relatively easy to do with newer routers; you merely set them to operate in access point or repeater mode. Older routers require more configuration know-how. The second router's LAN port must be connected to the primary's LAN port. The second router also must have the same addressing information as the primary one. You must then set the same SSID and security on the second router and turn DHCP off. If you want to go the easier, albeit more expensive, route, you can purchase a dedicated access point. If you choose this option, it's always best to buy an access point from the manufacturer who made your router.
7. Purchase a hi-gain antenna. Newer 802.11n Wi-Fi routers come with internal antennas. Older routers, though, typically have or support external antennas. Antennas, like routers and adapters, often can be upgraded to increase signal range and performance. The best antennas are hi-gain ones; they can be positioned so that the Wi-Fi signal goes in the direction you want.
8. Purchase an extender. Extenders, also called repeaters, are devices that "extend" a Wi-Fi signal. They can be bought from most wireless networking vendors. Extenders aren't our favorite option because they're expensive; they're sometimes tricky to install; and they can cause interference with the signal.
9. Buy a new router. Completely overhauling your current Wi-Fi setup with an 802.11n router and 5 GHz band will definitely improve performance. The 2.4 GHz actually has a greater range than the 5 GHZ, but the 2.4 GHz band is typically meant for larger networks, such as school campuses or municipalities. For home use, 5 GHz is the better option, and it works well with the 802.11n router. If you do purchase an 802.11n router, you will need to upgrade your adapters to ones that support "N."
10. Stick with a vendor. If you use products from multiple vendors, you may run into problems when updating firmware. In addition, mixing products can sometimes nullify warranties. It's simply better to purchase all of your wireless networking products from a single vendor. You will probably pay more by sticking with a vendor, but the guarantee in service and performance is worth it.

Source: PCMag

Browsers are in plentiful supply. Many people stick with the default Internet Explorer or Safari. I've never been a huge fan of those browsers, so I have migrated to Firefox and eventually Chrome. Although I know of Opera, I've never used it, so I'm unsure as to how well it works.

While I may not be a fan of Safari or Internet Explorer, I'm not writing this post to bash either one. Both of them can be customized to a certain extent in order to create a better browsing experience. Firefox has even more customization options. Chrome doesn't have the abundance of add-ons that Firefox has, but it has enough of them to give Firefox a run for its money.

Even with those capabilities, it's not all that easy to figure out how to customize Chrome without spending some time learning about the browser's functions. Chrome has its own rules and procedures, just as each Google service does. Fortunately, learning to master Chrome is nothing like learning to master some of those services. I'm going to start with three, easy tips:

• Customize the look. Like Firefox, Chrome offers themes. When you first start Chrome, it opens with its typical, minimalist design. You can change that look by choosing a theme. Themes can be accessed from Chrome's tools, the wrench icon in the upper, right-hand corner. Click on the icon and navigate to Options>Personal Stuff>Themes.
• Keep your favorite sites on permanent tabs. If you're tired of having to open your frequently visited sites, such as Facebook or your e-mail service provider, use Chrome's "Pin Tab" feature. The feature saves a tab's position so that it will open by default every time you start Chrome. The feature also will reduce the size of the displayed tab, giving you more room for additional tabs. Setting a site on a permanent tab is easy. Merely right-click on the tab you wish to pin and select "Pin Tab."
• Use the task manager. If you have ever wondered why certain sites run slower at certain times, Chrome's task manager has the answers. The task manager will display a list of websites you're visiting and real-time information about memory consumption, downloaded data, and CPU cores. The task manager is relatively simplistic, but if you need a better breakdown of the information, you can always click on "Stats for nerds" in the bottom, left-hand corner of the task manager. To access the task manager, click on the wrench icon in the upper, right-hand corner of Chrome and navigate to Tools>Task Manager.

What tips and tricks do you have for your browser? Share them in the comments. You can also reach us on Facebook or Twitter.

Source: FriedBeef's Tech

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted in a set amount of time. That amount often fluctuates for a number of reasons including the number of users accessing the network as well as programs and applications that may be running in the background. Many organizations have experienced the end result of that fluctuation: the internet grinds to a screeching halt, reducing productivity and frustrating employees.

Fortunately, organizations can take steps to conserve bandwidth. Most of the steps listed below are easy to implement, but it’s important to consider an organization’s needs and goals before enacting one or all of the strategies. The following ten techniques can reduce bandwidth consumption:

1. Content-streaming websites. Streaming media sites, such as YouTube, NetFlix, and MetaCafe, consume bandwidth. Organizations should consider blocking access to them, especially if employees are allowed to use the internet for personal use. One or two YouTube videos won’t drag down performance too much, but if every employee accesses videos throughout the day, performance will become sluggish at best and completely halt at worst.
2. Cloud applications. Backing up data to the cloud can affect internet bandwidth. Most backup applications have a throttling mechanism. If the application isn’t throttled, it will consume as much bandwidth as it can, especially when backing up large amounts of data.
3. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP allows users to make voice calls using a broadband internet connection rather than an analog phone line. Because of the internet connection, VoIP tends to be a bandwidth hog. If VoIP has been installed within an organization, clearly stated policies – such as only using it for business calls – regarding the use of it need to be in place.
4. Proxy cache. A proxy cache is saved on a proxy server. When a user visits a website, the contents of that site are cached on the server’s hard drive. The next time the page is accessed, it doesn’t have to be downloaded again since it already exists in the cache, thus reducing bandwidth usage.
5. Application updates. If every employee has to access and download updates for his or her computer, bandwidth is going to be affected. It’s better to centralize application updates by setting up a server that downloads all the updates and making those updates available to the individual computers.
6. Hosted filtering. Organizations with in-house mail servers can save bandwidth through hosted filtering. With hosted filtering, the mail exchanger (MX) record is directed to a cloud server rather than the mail server. The cloud server receives all the mail intended for the organization and “filters” out any spam or malware-laden messages. The remaining messages then are forwarded to the organization. Bandwidth and mail server resources will be saved because of the reduced spam.
7. Heavy users. It’s a fact: some employees use the internet more heavily than others. It’s a good idea to identify those employees and to determine what they’re doing to constrict bandwidth. Once that has been determined, additional measures may need to be implemented to prevent the heavy consumption of bandwidth.
8. Malware. Malware will bog down even the most robust of systems by turning computers into bots. The goal of those bots typically is to create more bots, which will adversely affect bandwidth. Aggressively scan an organization’s computers to keep them virus-free.
9. Quality of Service (QoS). QoS is a bandwidth reservation mechanism. Organizations can use it to “reserve” a specific amount of bandwidth for certain applications, such as video conferencing. The reserved bandwidth is only active when the application is in active use; the rest of the time, the bandwidth is available for other uses.
10. Internet service provider (ISP). If the above strategies haven’t resulted in a faster internet connection, it may be time to call the ISP. The organization could have a connection that is being shared among multiple subscribers. If that’s the case, another person’s activity may be the cause of the reduced bandwidth. The only solution to that problem is to pay for a non-shared connection.

Source: TechRepublic

Keeping computer data safe means implementing layered security. Hiep Dang, director of operations at McAfee Labs, provided the following illustration of layered security to Security News Daily: “‘You want to protect your family and your possessions, so you put a door in front of the house, you have a lock on the door and a deadbolt, and possibly an alarm system. Maybe you have a fence around your yard and you live in a gated community. So with all those different layers, it makes it more difficult for the bad guys to get to your possessions inside your home.’”

Computer data should be approached in a similar manner. It needs to be kept safe from accidental loss or damage. It also needs to be protected from the “bad guys.” In order to accomplish those two things, multiple layers of security need to be implemented.

First, you need to control what enters your computer system. Begin by installing an anti-spam filter for your email. If you use a public email service like Gmail or Yahoo, you already have anti-spam technology; however, some spam will make it past whatever filters you install or have in place. Remember to use common sense. If you receive an email from someone you don’t know, refuse to click on any links embedded in the email or to open any attachments that come with it.

Second, control what sites you visit by installing web reputation software. Some browsers will warn you if a site or link is unsafe, but, most of the time, you will need to install some sort of plugin, such as McAfee’s SiteAdvisor. It issues an alert any time you try to visit a site that it deems questionable.

You then need to set up a perimeter defense. Install anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date. If you don’t keep your anti-virus up-to-date, it’s only a matter of time before your computer is attacked. Malware definitions change all the time – almost daily – so it’s important to keep your defenses maintained and active.

Fourth, watch out for bogus anti-virus. Fake anti-virus, also known as “scareware,” usually appears in pop-up windows claiming that your system has been infected with a virus. The anti-virus software seems legitimate until it starts asking for your credit card information or other personal identifying information.

The fifth and sixth steps work in tandem. First, encrypt your hard drives and flash drives. If you lose your laptop or flash drive, your data will remain safe since it has been encrypted. Second, backup data, and back it up regularly. If a virus or a natural disaster decimates your computer, your data will remain safe because it is backed up at an offsite location.

Finally, password-protect your computer or laptop, especially if you travel extensively or if your computer is prone to being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Remember to create a strong password consisting of letters, numbers, and special characters. If you use a common password, you might as well have not password-protected your computer. 

Source: Security News Daily

Hackers have been having entirely too much fun lately. They have targeted Sony yet again. They also have attacked Nintendo. That attempt appears to have been made in fun; the hackers stated that they meant no harm. The FBI also was targeted over the weekend. 

Nintendo, Sony, and the FBI are only a few of the most recent victims. There's no telling how many other companies have been attacked; most companies aren't famous enough to generate the interest that Sony or Lockheed Martin do. Some of those companies may have succumbed to the attacks because they weren't prepared for them. They were lulled into a false sense of security either because they didn't consider themselves to be high-profile targets, or because they didn't account for the human factor. 

It's a breach-laden world, and it's only going to get worse as more companies and organizations move to the cloud. Attacks are going to increase. Mistakes made by employees - no matter how innocent - are going to have larger and larger ramifications. Fortunately, companies can take steps to thwart potential data breaches:

1. Where and how is sensitive information used in the company? Companies need to analyze the data they store, identify potential vulnerabilities, and implement what TechRepublic calls an "information governance strategy." That strategy would include items such as encryption, firewalls, and software updates. 
2. How are files protected? Most companies think about protecting their systems but neglect to protect their files. Security mechanisms can be embedded within the files themselves without additional software or changes to day-to-day operations. File protection enforces a company's information governance strategy and can ensure the safety of sensitive documents.
3. How are files tracked and tagged? Tagging a file is as simple as including a digital watermark. File tracking allows companies to pinpoint where a file was opened, when it was opened, and whether it was shared with anyone else. If an employee's laptop were the victim of an attack, the IT department would be able to recognize the attack and to kill any files that were potential security risks.
4. How are files used? Companies need to track their employees habits and behaviors in regard to document usage. Identifying those habits and behaviors can help a business to recognize and revoke unauthorized access immediately. If a file is opened in a strange location, at an odd time, or by an unknown user, the IT department can investigate and take necessary actions.
5. What are employees learning? Companies can address the four questions above and still sabotage their efforts if they haven't invested in compliance and education training. Companies need to implement best practices for traditional depth-in-defense systems. They also need to have well-documented, easily accessible privacy policies and ensure that their employees adhere to those policies.

Source: TechRepublic

With the recent barrage of spam and scams surrounding the royal wedding and Osama bin Laden's death, you may be wondering how to keep your computer healthy. It would be nice if you could unplug the thing from the network, but, in today's world, that isn't a possibility. We have to be able to network. At minimum, we have to be able to send e-mails. What is one to do when one's computer interacts with a hostile environment on a daily basis?

Since unplugging the computer from the network isn't a viable option, let's examine five ways to keep our computers healthy. These aren't the only steps to take, but they are some of the most common ones. The five steps include:

1. Keep anti-virus and anti-malware definitions up to date. Most anti-virus and anti-malware definitions update automatically, but that isn't always the case. You need to check your anti-virus and anti-malware definitions and make sure that they are up to date. If you can, change your settings so that the definitions update automatically. New viruses and malware appear daily, if not hourly, so it's extremely important to have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware definitions.
2. Clean the registry. The registry can have as much of an impact on your computer as a virus can. It's essential to make sure that it's working properly. The registry can be affected by removal programs, virus infections, rootkits, Trojans, and improper computer shutdowns. Those things can break the registry or corrupt it. To counter those possibilities, it's important to clean the registry regularly with tools like Piriform's CCleaner.
3. Clear temporary internet files. Your browser keeps a history, called a cache, of the sites you visit. This cache can grow to unmanageable proportions if it isn't cleared every so often. Clearing it will open up space on your computer's drive and should optimize your browser's performance. The cache can be cleared from within the browser. Each browser is different, so follow the steps outlined by your browser in regard to clearing it. If possible, set the cache to clear automatically upon exiting the browser.
4. Defrag drives. If you're still running Windows XP, you'll need to defrag the drive. You can do this manually, or you can decide to have the defrag run automatically. The automated choice is the preferred one since you'll want to defrag the drive at least once a week. If you're running Windows Vista or Windows 7, the defrag already is an automated process.
5. Run a disk check. If you're the administrator of your computer, it's a good idea to run a disk check at least once a month. You can run the disk check from a command prompt or from My Computer. If you use the command prompt, you'll want to use the following command: chkdsk X:/f/r. "X" refers to the drive that is being checked, "/f" repairs errors automatically, and "/r" locates bad sectors and recovers readable data. If you choose the My Computer route, you'll select the drive you want to check and right-click on it. Go to Properties, Tools, and Error-checking. When prompted, click "Check Now." You'll be taken to a dialogue box where you can choose to repair errors automatically and to locate bad sectors.

What do you do to keep your computer healthy? Do you have any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Tell us in the comments section or on Facebook or Twitter.

Source: TechRepublic

Most of us are familiar with the sound: the CPU fan starts whirring, warning us that our computer is not happy with whatever task we're asking it to do. Some people respond by slapping their computer a few times. It's a normal reaction, but it doesn't do anything except leave those people more frustratrated when the fan continues to whir even louder than it was previously.

The real culprit, or culprits, behind a noisy CPU fan can be condensed into one: your computer or laptop is too hot. Your computer could be overheating because of CPU-intensive processes, such as an MMORPG or a video-editing application. It could be overheating because your computer isn't receiving enough airflow. It also could be overheating because the fan itself is dirty.

It's easy to determine if your computer's processes are to blame for your noisy computer fan. Simply open the Task Manager (Activity Monitor on a Mac) and check the processes tab. Look for any processes that are consuming an inordinate amount of your CPU's power. Percentages drawing close to 100 are warning signs except in the case of the System Idle Process, which is allowed to run in that high range. If the percentages are low, the CPU isn't at fault. It's either the CPU fan or the video card fan. To ensure that the video card fan isn't the culprit, see if the driver needs to be updated. If that isn't the case, the CPU fan most likely is the guilty party.

Fans also get cranky when your computer isn't receiving enough airflow. If your laptop workstation is your lap, not enough heat is escaping from it. If your computer tower is stashed in a cubbyhole, it probably isn't receiving enough airflow. You can check the airflow by testing it. Set your laptop on a laptop stand and see what happens. Does it begin to get quieter? If you have a desktop computer, take the tower and move it outside its cubbyhole. Does the fan start to purr instead of whir? If it does, decreased airflow probably is to blame for your noisy CPU fan. Also remember that it's summer, and computers have heat limits. As they reach those limits, the fans start to work double- and triple-time.

If you've checked the first two, usual suspects and nothing is awry, it's time to examine the fan itself. It's entirely possible that your machine is filled with dust. When that happens, the fans have to work overtime to keep your computer cool. Cleaning your computer isn't too difficult; you'll need some compressed air and some oil. Use the compressed air to rid your computer of the dust, and use the oil to lubricate the fan.

If that doesn't solve the noisy fan problem, either, it probably is time to replace the fan. Most electronics stores sell replacement parts for desktop computers. They don't always carry replacement parts for laptops, so you may need to contact your laptop manufacturer in order to obtain a new laptop CPU fan. 

Sources: Lifehacker, TechRepublic

An interior decorator worth his or her salt knows that any design project begins with de-cluttering and organizing the room in need of said project. The same goes for computers. Before installing that spiffy new software, take some time to de-clutter and reorganize your computer's operating system.

You may have gotten your computer ready for its new software by pulling out the CO₂. That's a necessary step; the keyboard, depending on the type you have, does get clogged with dust and pet hair. The fans and vents, too, need to have the dust blown out of them from time to time. What about your computer's interior, though? The operating system needs a good cleaning in order to work at peak performance. Installed programs, unused desktop shortcuts, saved files, and downloaded data can bog down the system. De-cluttering those items and organizing them can help raise your computer's performance. 

The first step in streamlining your computer is de-cluttering. Just as you need to clean out your closets periodically, you also need to clean out your computer. Start with the following:

1. Backup your machine. Before removing any files, programs, or services, create a ghost of your machine.
2. Delete duplicate files. Duplicate files tend to propagate in the music and image libraries, so those folders should be one of your first stops in identifying duplicates. Also look for junk files that sometimes accompany downloads. If you have a lot of files to peruse, you may want to download the Easy Duplicate File Finder.
3. Use the Disk Cleanup Wizard. This tool will empty the Recycle Bin as well as remove temporary and other, unnecessary files. To access the wizard, go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup. The wizard will identify files it thinks you can delete. Check the list the wizard populates before clicking "Cleanup system files" and removing those files permanently.
4. Uninstall unused programs. Visit your list of programs and delete any that you don't use. Go to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Some programs won't be completely removed via the Windows' utility. For those lingering programs, you will need to use a tool like Revo Uninstaller.
5. Examine your startup settings. Many programs and services autoload at startup, but not all of them are necessary for your computer to function properly. If you know what each program and service does, feel free to use Windows' System Configuration tool. If you aren't sure which programs and services to delay or disable, consult with Soluto and Black Viper before taking any action. 

Once you've de-cluttered your machine, it's time to move onto the next phase: organization. This includes creating folders and files with relevant names. Organizing your computer includes the following steps:

1. Create folders with relevant names. Move files from the desktop into the applicable folder. Similarly, give file names unique, identifiable names.
2. Choose to look at the details. To know what's in your folders, it's best to use the Details view. File size, creation date, and other information will now appear beside each file. You can then reorder the items in the folder by date, file size, et cetera.
3. Give your files keywords. Just as keywords make websites easier to index in a search engine, keywords also make files easier to find. You can right-click on a file, go to its properties, and fill in keywords in the summary field.
4. Use the search option. If you've indexed your files and folders well, finding the right file shouldn't be too difficult. If you're in a hurry, use the search option found within the Start menu. If you need a better search assistant than the Windows one, you may be interested in downloading the free, desktop-search engine, Copernic.
5. Remove unused shortcuts from the desktop. Doing so doesn't delete the program, but it does help to keep your desktop tidy. Follow that step by auto-arranging your icons, which will put them into an elegant grid along the left side of your computer's screen.

Source: ComputerWorldUK

I wish Windows 7 PCs were plug-in-and-play items, but they're not. To get the optimal use out of a Windows PC, you have to make some adjustments. You have to make your system safe, personalize it with your preferences, and add or delete some programs. Doing so isn't necessarily hard, but it's easy to forget the setup process or to overlook some steps. Fortunately, I "happened" to find a twelve-step program that should help with setting up your new PC.

1. Startup. After connecting the various cables, you're ready to boot up your system for the first time. Windows will walk you through its steps, including setting your language, time zone, clock, and calendar. The most important step is creating a user account and password; don't overlook this step unless you're 110% sure no one else will ever, ever want to access your PC. If your PC will have multiple users, this step is an absolute must.
2. De-bloat. It's inevitable; your PC is going to come with pre-installed software. That software goes by many names, none of them very nice. The most common terms are "bloatware" and "crapware" because very little of the software is useful, and most of it exists to make the vendors money. You can "de-bloat" your system with applications like SlimComputer, PC Decrapifier, and Revo Uninstaller or with the PC's control panel, "Uninstall a Program." Some of the software that comes with your new PC is trialware; don't confuse it with bloatware. Some of those trials might be worth keeping, such as a free trial of Norton or McAfee.
3. Shields, activate. You have to protect your computer from malware. You have a lot of choices, paid and free. Norton has one of the best paid security packages. Ad-Aware has a free version that does a very good job in removing malware. You also need to install firewalls, especially if you're on a broadband connection. The firewall in your network router doesn't offer nearly enough protection. You can find free firewall software; Check Point's ZoneAlarm Free Firewall provides options and controllability that the Windows firewall does not. If you don't install a third-party firewall, make sure that the Windows firewall is active at the very least.
4. Update, update, update. Eventually, your PC is going to tell you that updates are available for your system. Grab those updates. Depending on when Windows 7 was installed on your PC, you could have quite a few, and possibly large, updates to download. They're going to take some time to download, so leave the computer for a while. Go watch A-Team or Despicable Me. Get a latte at Starbucks or put the gift card you received from Grandma to use. When the downloads finish, run Windows Update again. Updates tend to lead to more updates. Running Windows Update three times should do the job, leaving you with a pristine system - until the next available update.
5. The ghost. If something catastrophic happens to your machine, you have to be able to restore your system. You can choose the techie option; you can reinstall from the original CDs. Unfortunately, many systems don't come with those CDs anymore. Even if your system comes with CDs, you'll have to update your system all over again. The best option is to back up your system immediately after completing the update process. Make a complete drive image, the ghost, of the C: drive. If you have Home Premium, you can access the Back up or Restore control panel and choose "Create a System Image." Other options for creating a ghost include Norton Ghost 15.0, Acronis True Image Home 2011, or DriveImage XML. Once you have that image, save it to your hard drive. If the file isn't too large, also save it on some DVDs, an external hard drive, or a USB flash drive.
6. Sharing files. Moving files from your previous computer to your new one may seem overwhelming, but Windows 7 has made the process rather easy with the Windows Easy Transfer utility. If you have an external hard drive, USB flash drive, network, or transfer cables, you should be able to move not only data files and folders but also settings and user accounts. You cannot transfer old applications. Your previous computer must be running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista in order to take advantage of Windows Easy Transfer.
7. Backup data. During the setup process, don't forget to backup your data somewhere. MozyHome and Dropbox both have free accounts that allow you to store up to 2GB of data online. You can also localize data backup by partitioning your hard drive into multiple drives. This choice will require purchasing an external hard drive that's at least 1.5 times larger than the data partition. Localizing data may be attractive to you if you like to have more control over your backup data. Just remember to save data and programs in the correct drives each time you back them up.
8. The browser. You could stick with the default Microsoft Internet Explorer, but why would you want to do that when better browsers are available? Chrome is a favorite due to its speed, instant installation, and built-in Flash and PDF support. Firefox is a good choice, too, because of its many, many extensions. If you used Firefox on your previous PC, you can backup Firefox on MozBackup, save the file to your new PC, and use MozBackup to restore. No matter which browser you use, make sure that the following programs are installed on your computer: Quicktime, Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, Windows Media Player, and a PDF file reader. 
9. The programs. Your computer is only as good as the programs on it, so you'll want to install the programs you need. In general, you'll need an office suite, a photo-editing tool, a media manager, a web browser, and email. If you want the same setup as you had on your previous machine, you'll need to write a list of the programs you used and re-install them on your new computer. You'll also need to find your registration codes for those programs. Also make sure that you can install the program on your new computer; some software is limited to a certain number of machines. If you won't be using the program on your previous computer, de-authorize it so that you can install and authorize it on your new machine.
10. Speed over looks. Windows 7 runs quickly given the right hardware, but tweaking it can help it to perform even better. For example, large photographic wallpaper can slow load time. You can hasten that time by setting the desktop to a plain, one-color background. You can also adjust the options included with Visual Effects, such as animated controls and fading menus, by selecting "Adjust for best performance." Choosing that option should speed up your system's performance speed. If you're interested in finding other ways to improve performance speed, you can download and install Soluto, a free tool that measures boot time and helps remove or delay applications that might slow your start time.
11. Review hardware. Before moving hardware from your previous PC to your new one, make sure that you need it. If you decide that you need it, you'll need the latest drivers. You'll probably have to visit the manufacturer's website to find drivers for your scanner, printer, media player, et cetera. Also review the hardware that came with your PC, such as the mouse and keyboard. Those two items aren't known for their quality, so you may want to consider replacing them.
12. Registration. Registering your PC, software, and other items is no guarantee of great technical support, but it does increase your chances of being recognized when you do have to call for help. It will also help when trying to get a vendor to honor a warranty. If you registered the item causing problems, you can prove date of purchase. Registering your device also means being notified of recalls. Registering is nearly painless, and you can always choose not to be put on the manufacturer's mailing list if that's a concern.

Source: PCMag

You can have the best firewalls and security measures, but your business could still be at risk if you haven’t accounted for other security risks. For instance, your employees could pose a risk if they haven’t received training about your business’ security processes. Even your servers could be a risk if they are out-of-date.

How do you counter those risks? The first step is becoming aware of some of them. The second step is taking steps to address them. Some risks include:

• Your employees. Employees were mentioned as a risk earlier, but it’s worthwhile to revisit the topic. An employee could bring a corrupted or infected USB drive from home and infect the network. He or she could be miffed about something you’ve done and purposely hurt the network. You can prevent some of those problems through training, enforcing policies and procedures, and getting to know your employees better.
• Your code. Buggy code opens your site and network to all kinds of risks, not to mention broken links, pages, or applications. Buggy code can be the result of poor programming. It can be the result of your programmer not checking his or her work. It also can be the result of making updates to other applications without updating the code or other software. To address this particular risk, you need to ensure that your programmer knows what he or she is doing; you must have that programmer check his or her work for errors and possibly work with a team member to spot them; and you should have updates made to the code and software, if needed, as soon as possible.
• Your servers. You may have a mix of servers, both old and new ones. Some of those old servers may be your business’ bedrock, but they have a problem: they’re old. Updates may not be available for them anymore. Even if updates are available, you may not avail yourself of them because they’re a hassle to implement. The issue of the old-time server must be addressed, though, and you have one of two choices. You can go through the headache of updating the server, or you can install a new server and transfer the files from the old server to the new one. 
• Your security software. Your security software probably puts up roadblocks, so some users find ways to circumvent the software. Some of those users may have admin privileges, which makes disabling the software easier to do. Other users simply know how to sidestep it. They probably aren’t visiting sketchy sites, but in today’s age, they don’t have to visit a particular site. Turning off the software, even for half an hour, makes the network vulnerable. The only way to attempt to prevent the problem is through educating yourself and your employees, ensuring that your employees’ security settings are correct, and segmenting certain employees within their own firewall if they have a legitimate need for lower security settings.

What are other ways that businesses are put at risk? How do you prevent security risks? Let us know in the comments.

Keeping my personal information secure is extremely important to me. I'm sure it's important to you, too. After reading this morning's article from ScienceDaily about the lack of strong passwords in clinical trials, I thought it would be worthwhile to review some best practices regarding passwords.

1. Make passwords lengthy. If your password is only four characters, somebody is probably reading your e-mail at best and accessing your bank account or other financial information at worst. Eight characters are recommended, but if you want to frustrate hackers, shoot for passwords of twelve to fourteen characters.
2. Don't use names. If you play Scrabble, you know that proper nouns are not allowed. The same goes for strong passwords. Don't use people's names, celebrities' names, or place names. Any of those names are easy to crack. All someone has to do is look for you in the Yellow Pages or on the internet and see where you live. Voila, instant place name information. The same goes for the names of people and celebrities. It's entirely too easy to guess names that are pertinent to you, such as your own name, your wife's or husband's name, your kids' names, or your favorite singing group.
3. Use uppercase characters. Using uppercase characters make your password even harder to crack. If you want to make hacking your accounts even more difficult, capitalize a letter besides the first one.
4. Use special characters. Special characters simply are harder to guess. Did you use a dollar sign or a question mark to stand in for an "s"? Think of the options available to you in terms of special characters and use some of them.
5. Don't stick with numbers. A numbered password, such as the date of your anniversary, isn't going to cut it anymore. At the very least, add an additional number to the sequence to make things complicated. A better bet is to add some special characters or to devise an entirely new password.
6. Make it complicated. Avoid commonly used passwords, such as "123456," "password," or "security." If you're using any common passwords, it's time to change them and complicate them with some uppercase and special characters.
7. Make it memorable. A crack-proof password does you no good if you can't remember it. Creating a memorable password isn't too hard if you're willing to put forth some effort. Even if your password is filled with special characters and a randomly capitalized letter, you should have some association with it so that you can remember it the next time you need to log into your e-mail account.
8. Think of acronyms. Creating a memorable password can be as simple as thinking of a phrase you commonly use and developing an acronym based on it. If the phrase is used by the general public, you will want to add some special characters and capitalization to it. For example, "Three little kittens have lost their mittens and don't know where to find them," could translate to "tlkhltmadkwtft." The phrase is well-known, so adding some complications are necessary: "3lKh!tmadkw+ft."

Source: Global Knowledge

Owning a laptop is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because we can work almost anywhere. It's a curse in that we often put our laptops and ourselves at risk when working from "almost anywhere." How can we protect our devices and ourselves?

Some of the steps listed below are going to sound familiar because they are. We've talked about creating strong passwords previously. We've also talked about the dangers of Wi-Fi networks. It never hurts to review best practices, though, which is why we're revisiting how to secure our laptops.

Update antivirus and anti-malware programs

Such advice is old news. Of course anti-virus programs need to be updated regularly. Are they? In many cases, they aren't. In some instances, people don't have any sort of antivirus installed. If you fall into that latter category, it's time to invest in antivirus software before your laptop becomes the next victim of a hacking or phishing attempt.

Don't use file sharing systems

Using Dropbox is one thing; you're sharing your own files between various computers. Using a file sharing system is another. File sharing systems typically come into play when illegally downloading music or other media. Using such systems increases your chances of downloading a virus. 

Back up your data

Things go wrong with electronic devices all the time. What would happen if your laptop died for some reason? Would you lose important data? Photos from your last vacation? Remember to back up your data with a service such as Carbonite.

Revisit your Wi-Fi settings

You can't control the Wi-Fi settings at Starbucks or McDonald's, but you can control the Wi-Fi in your own home. Make sure it is secure. If you aren't sure your Wi-Fi is secure, locate the router's setup CD and run it. It should take you through the necessary steps for creating a secure network.

Be alert when accessing public access points

Being able to use your laptop at your local hotspot is wonderful, but it comes with risks. Think about the sites you're visiting. Are they secure? If they are, they will have HTTPS in their addresses. Even so, remember that people, such as the guy or girl sitting at the next table, could be looking over your shoulder.

Think about your physical security

Where do you store your laptop or other electronic devices? Do other people know you have them? Are they easy to access? Think about making your physical environment more secure by purchasing locking cables.

Use your common sense

Maintaining your laptop's security and protecting your personal information ultimately comes down to common sense. Don't click on suspect links. Be wary of over-the-top videos supposedly posted by your friends on Facebook. Don't leave your laptop unattended at the local coffee shop.

Have any tips for protecting your laptop or personal information? Let us know in the comments. You can also join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.

I am very rarely online without a set goal. I'm usually writing for a client, researching a new topic, or updating clients' social media. When I ran across an article about how to save even more time while on the internet, I had to share the tips and my own thoughts with you.

1. Update your browser. Most modern browsers, such as Firefox or Chrome, have snazzy built-in features like the built-in search bar. With Chrome and Firefox, you can forget the days of going to Google or Bing to perform a search. Just insert your query into the search bar, and you're good to go.
2. Make use of plugins. Most of today's browsers support plugins or add-ons. Firefox has a plethora of them - two billion currently. Chrome and Safari also have admirable directories of add-ons and extensions. Download the add-ons that work best for you. Your browsing time should lessen, unless you get distracted by all the add-on baubles...
3. Learn keyboard shortcuts. I use keyboard shortcuts extensively when I'm on a Mac. It's simply easier to use shortcuts than to use the mouse. Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari all have lists of standard shortcuts.
4. Start with a blank page. Rather than setting your home page to Google, Yahoo!, or a news site, why not set your browser's preference to blank? You probably weren't going to stay on your home page for very long anyway. Besides, the home page can easily distract you from your work with news bites about trending topics, such as Justin Bieber or Kim Kardashian.
5. Use a reader. I love my reader. I can subscribe to blogs and sites, organize them, and read the topics that interest me at my own leisure. I also find readers particularly helpful when I'm researching a topic, such as current news about the cloud. I do still subscribe via email to certain blogs and sites that I find to be valuable resources and with whom I want to stay more up-to-date.
6. Use password management tools. This tool only should be used if you are the sole user on your computer. Password management tools can be extremely helpful if you don't use the same password for all of your accounts. Why waste time trying to remember a password you set several months ago? Let a password management tool do the remembering for you.

Source: Techifire

You've just put the finishing touches on your report. The file's been saved, and it's ready to be sent to your contact, a contact that could become a strategic partner if he or she likes your report. Suddenly, your corporate email system crashes. You wait for the system to come back online, but you wait thirty minutes, then an hour. The report is due at a certain time, so you do what many other people would do; you log into your personal email account and send the file. When you call your contact later that afternoon to confirm that the file was received, you learn that the file was never viewed, and that your contact has decided to partner with another company. What happened? You know that the file was sent successfully; unfortunately, you forgot to account for your contact's email system, which has excellent spam filters. You now have to report to your boss that you've lost a potential partner.

That may be an extreme example of what could happen when an email system crashes, but situations like that one happen. A crashed email system isn't merely a matter of not being able to send or receive emails. It's also a matter of losing information, security, and business. Typical email clients use their email systems for a variety of purposes, including the following:

• Sending and receiving email
• Sending and receiving word processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets
• Creating, responding to, and being reminded of appointments
• Managing tasks
• Managing contacts
• Managing and conducting real-time communications
• Storing various documents
• Taking notes

Email systems also are used as a clearinghouse for various social media feeds, such as LinkedIn, and reader subscriptions. They also are integral to supply chain management, customer relationship management, transaction processing, and other critical business procedures.

Despite the proliferation of new communication and collaboration platforms, email remains integral to businesses. A typical user spends 133 minutes per day in his or her email system, or approximately twenty-eight percent of an eight-hour work day, not accounting for time spent checking email via a smartphone or other mobile device. That typical user will send an average of forty-three emails per day and will receive 123. The time spent emailing is much higher than time spent on the phone (sixty-one minutes), on real-time communications tools (twenty-eight minutes), or on social media platforms (eleven minutes).

Although most email systems are relatively reliable, any downtime in the system can affect a user and his or her productivity. An Osterman Research survey conducted in August 2010 found that email systems in mid-sized and large corporations suffer an average of thirty-seven minutes of unplanned downtime in addition to eighty-four minutes of planned, maintenance-focused downtime each month. Those averages may not seem severe, but twenty-six percent of organizations experience more than thirty minutes of unplanned downtime each month. Approximately twelve percent of organizations endure two or more hours of unplanned downtime every month. 

Unplanned downtime can result in a number of consequences. Productivity decreases, resulting in financial losses. Users will look for alternate means to send time-sensitive and other critical content, compromising security and opening the user and his or her company to liability issues. Downtime can also result in a bounceback for a person attempting to contact the affected company. That person may never attempt to contact the company again, resulting in a loss of reputation and money for the company. Downtime also requires that IT staff delay their other work in order to address the current email emergency. 

Resolving those unplanned downtimes is a time- and labor-intensive process. According to Osterman Research, twenty-five percent of organizations require anywhere from 1.1 to four IT person-hours. Another seventeen percent of organizations need more than eight IT person-hours to resolve an unplanned downtime. Those numbers could be decreased if the email system's continuity capabilities were to be developed. As email systems currently stand, many of them are inadequate. Problems with the system often are noticed by the users first rather than by the IT staff. As a result, the IT staff have to "catch up" to the problem, diagnose it, and provide a solution to it, all of which prolong the downtime.

Immediately notifying IT staff when a problem with the email system arises is part of developing an email continuity solution, but it isn't the only consideration. Users also have to evaluate their needs in terms of service level agreements, recovery point objectives, and recovery time objectives. They also have to consider specific employee productivity requirements, the processes and systems that rely on email, the legal and regulatory requirements, and the occurrence of natural disasters. 

Once those items have been evaluated, companies can determine what type of email continuity solution is best. Companies may choose a basic backup system that relies on a software or appliance solution. Other companies will choose a replication/failover system. Such a system may implement a cloud-based solution in order to provide backup email capability. Finally, some companies will develop an email continuity protocol that incorporates the other two solutions. Once that solution is implemented, companies can hope to avoid scenarios like the one in which a potential business partner is lost.

Source: Osterman Research