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.

Tips For Protecting Your Online Intellectual Property

What online intellectual property do I have?

Whether you have a web-based business, like an e-commerce site, or a simpler online presence such as a Facebook or Twitter profile, you are likely to be creating intellectual property online.

Intellectual property means “creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce” (according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)).

Online intellectual property may include:

• Names and logos.
• Software code.
• Artwork.
• Photographs.
• Content, for example, website copy, Facebook posts, and potentially, tweets.

Protecting your name and logos:

The best way to protect your name and logo against copycats is to apply for relevant trade marks.

Unlike the internet, trade marks are country specific. To protect your name in Brazil you will need to register a Brazilian trade mark.

Here are some tips for protecting your name and logo,

• Know your name: Check if other people are using your name for the same or a similar thing. If so, consider if you must use this mark, or if you can find something else.
• Know your countries: It is expensive and time consuming to apply for and maintain trade marks worldwide. Focus on your key countries.
• Know your product or service: Trade marks are registered in relation to specific goods and services. The better you know your product the easier it will be to produce an accurate, focussed trade mark.
• Know your lawyer: Working with a trusted lawyer or trade mark attorney will help you to get the most out of your trade mark.

Protecting your content, artwork,and photos:

Content, artwork and photographs are primarily protected by copyright. Protecting content, artwork and photographs online can be difficult. You may remember the outcry over Instagram’s change to their terms and conditions which gave them much wider rights over user photographs than many thought appropriate. If not, check it out here. Copying is often key to infringing copyright. It is impossible to stop someone from copying your work, but you can take some practical steps to reduce the risk. Here are some,

• Know when you created the work and be able to prove it, for example by emailing it to yourself.
• Use a © notice to warn other people that something is your work, for example, “© 2013, Waterfront Solicitors LLP. All rights reserved”.
• Watermark any images, or use other methods to make it harder for people to copy the image, such as blocking right-clicking.
• The length of copyright and any registration processes will vary from place to place, so check with a local lawyer if you are unsure.

Protecting your software code, personal or open source:

Under some limited circumstances, you can get patent protection for software. This is something that you may want to look into if you are doing something new and inventive. However, generally, copyright will protect software. There are three main types of software,

1. Software you own: you have done the physical coding.
2. Commissioned: you have commissioned a developer to do the coding.
3. Free or open source (FOSS): you have neither developed it nor commissioned it, but it is available for you to use without charge.

You need to know the licence terms to make the most of your software. What can the user do with the software?

• If you are licensing software to users: clarity matters. If there are restrictions on use, for example, if only registered users are allowed to use the software you should make this clear.
• If you are using third party code: what are you able to do with it? For example are you able to use it for commercial purposes?

For absolute certainty and peace of mind, it’s best to talk to a local lawyer, who can help draft terms and conditions tailored to your needs.

Author Bio:

Chloe Taylor is a solicitor specialising in intellectual property at Waterfront Solicitors LLP in London, UK.

Pros And Cons Of Spybot Search And Destroy Anti-Spyware Program

It wasn’t that long ago when the term spyware was an ambiguous term. This meant that the original anti-spyware companies such as Spybot and Ad-Aware had to educate the public on the subject. It is not clear which of the two companies designed the first complete anti-spyware program, but Spybot was definitely one of the first companies to do so. Since Spybot initially hit the scene they have spent a great deal of time in a dormant state. Until recently there was not a great deal of evolution associated with the Spybot program.

Now, Spybot has introduced Search and Destroy which claims to detect and destroy malware, spyware, adware and rootkits. Unfortunately, this new version does very little to live up to the hype.

Benefits:

Honestly, the benefits are minimal. One benefit is that private users can download the program and use it for free. The thing is that there are some exceptional free protection programs on the market that simply blow the doors off of this program. There is a version that costs $13.99, but it is basic and only removes tag screens. The professional version is $24.99. The professional version does get you access to the protective repair environment which also allows you to generate rescue disks. The core protection format is basically the same as the base program.

The installation process is hassle free, in fact in comparison to many similar programs, Spybot fared well in this category.

The Down Side:

For a company that played a role in revolutionizing the way computers are protecting from dangerous programs such as malware and spyware, Spybot fails miserably in its claim to deliver a simple product that will search out, detect and destroy destructive programs.

First of all, simple is not necessarly a word that could be used to describe the user interface used for this program. One of the problems is that the same interface is used for all versions of the program, so when the basic program is in use the buttons and functions associated with the advanced program are shown, but they are not functional. This can be frustrating for a basic or inexperienced user.

Another problem with this program is that once a scan has been completed the program will delete system files that are not contaminated.

As far as actual malware removal, the program performed miserably. The system lacks precision in the criteria that is used to detect malware and spyware. In tests ran on the program it only detected an average of 32 percent of malware samples that were present on the test computer. To exacerbate the matter, the program had an extremely difficult time removing them.

The Bottom Line:

The program does very little to follow through on its promise or live up to its name. For the purpose that it was designed for the program is basically useless. Even as a freeware in the personal version, it bears no value because there are numerous free programs that are much more effective.

Author Bio:

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

Keylogging the FBI Way

Magic Lantern may seem something out of a science fiction movie but it is very real and operational. With the Federal Bureau of Investigation at its helm, the tool has been behind many official surveillance activities which have not, always, been legal. Our info graphic tells more about the Magic Lantern, whose history can be traced back to 2001. This was when the FBI began its work on monitoring software that could be, remotely, installed without the user’s knowledge.

With the passage of time, the rootkit became advanced enough to steal vast amount of data from the target system, helping the FBI bust several extortion syndicates and identity theft cases. Magic Lantern also has support from some of the big antivirus makers like McAfee and Norton. They have ensured that a backdoor is left open for Magic Lantern to place a Trojan in any monitoring system, protected by them.

Our info graphic has a lot more details:

Source: Mobistealth.

Author Bio:

Jane Andrew has been working on different aspects of privacy and security in the digital era.She writes for Mobistealth and tweets @janeandrew01.

Do Password Strength Meters Actually Work?

Password strength meters are helpful in some cases, but are not always used effectively.

Consumers who frequently access websites are sometimes prompted by strength meters to improve their password security. A new study conducted by the University of California at Berkeley, Microsoft and the University of British Columbia indicated that these systems can be effective if they are established properly.

Serge Egelman, a research scientist at UC Berkeley, told ArsTechnica that people are more likely to enter passwords they have previously used when asked by strength meters to change their credentials. This is often the case for new accounts or ones that are not of great importance to consumers.

"Whereas we show that in a different context - when changing passwords for high-value accounts - then the meters actually do have an observable effect on behavior in that people do choose stronger passwords," Egelman told the news source. "And ironically that's the context where we're least likely to see real meters in real life."

Password strength meters are a good reminder that online security is necessary for anyone accessing important accounts through the Internet. Consumers who neglect such protection may experience major problems such as identity theft if hackers obtain this valuable information.

Rather than only generating strong passwords when reminded, people can use effective tools like a password manager to keep all of their accounts protected with complex and hard-to-crack passwords. These solutions constantly generate new credentials so users always have the latest safeguards for their websites.

Another great aspect of password managers is that they remove the burden from consumers who are constantly tasked with remembering a dozen or more unique credentials. Sometimes people decide to use the same passwords for all of their accounts because it is easy to do so, but this approach invites trouble if hackers know this particular phrase.

Password strength meters are helpful in some cases, but are not always used effectively.

Hacking And Cracking: What's The Difference?

In the field of cyber security, there are two distinct groups of individuals, hackers and crackers. A person will ultimately be classified as either one or the other depending on their particular intentions; however there are different skill sets and subgroups typically associated with each title. To help differentiate, below is a breakdown of hackers, crackers and everything in between so you can gain a better idea of who is responsible when a cyber security breach occurs.

Hackers:

The term “hacker” typically refers to individuals who seek to fully understand how computers and network systems function in order to gain in-depth knowledge and perform a precise exploit of vulnerabilities.

These experts in computer security tend to have non-malicious intentions and thus have become colloquially known as “white hat” hackers. White hat hackers engage in ethical hacking, which consists of lawfully breaking into systems for the purpose of exposing security flaws. They either seek to improve the protection of their own security systems or they are hired by organizations to perform this service. In order to do this, the hackers will initiate assessments of the company’s security system by attempting to penetrate it. If the hacker is successful during penetration tests, they are generally responsible for reporting the issue and developing a solution to prevent the same kind of security breach from occurring maliciously in the future. Companies often hire individuals to test for these vulnerabilities instead of leaving possible holes in their security systems open to attack by malicious hackers, commonly referred to as “crackers.”

Crackers:

The title of a “cracker” has gained much controversy over the past few years in regards to its malicious connotation and the reputation these individuals have gained throughout the cyber security community.

Hackers often make the argument that crackers are less knowledgeable of computer systems and lack originality in their work, which is true to an extent. Crackers are motivated solely by personal gain and are not concerned with learning the ins and outs of computer systems as much as their counterparts. Additionally, the fact of the matter is that crackers do not need to follow ethical guidelines; they simply need to exploit the system. The primary goal of a cracker is either to obtain valuable information that will lead to personal gain or to cause mischief for organizations simply because they are capable of it. Regardless of their motives, the malicious intention of these crackers has led to them being labeled as computer criminals, or “black hat” hackers. They may choose their victims randomly or target specific organizations based on profitability and other interests, but the end goal is always for their personal gain never as an ethical profession. These crackers are often caught for their malicious acts because they are not cautious or mindful of the protections that have been put in place by a business’ white hat hackers. Businesses with secure networks will hire ethical hackers to establish a honeypot, which is essentially a trap used to detect and counteract unauthorized breaches by the black hat community.

Grey Hat Hacking:

The term “grey hat” is used as a combination of white hat and black hat because it refers to hackers that engage in both hacking and cracking. While they may break into computer systems for the purpose of making a profit, their intentions are not entirely malicious. The grey hat hacker may have to perform illegal actions in order to test a system for vulnerabilities and make the necessary improvements. A possible scenario for a grey hat hacker could be breaching the security system of a company and then notifying them of the vulnerability in hopes of receiving a payment to improve the system. These tactics are seen as questionable in the hacking community, but in the end they result in a positive outcome for the hacker and improved security measures for the involved organization.

Author Bio:

Andrew works for a cyber security training company named Phoenix TS based in Columbia, MD.

Review On Bitdefender Internet Security 2013

According to AV-Test in Germany Bitdefender was declared as the Best Antivirus engine in terms of protection, repair and usability. Bitdefender also received "Best Product Of The Year 2013" award and is ranking on the top in Top Ten Reviews in terms of it's Performance, Features & Help and Support. There are to many if we have to talk about it's achievements, So let's get into the review of this World's Best Antivirus "Bitdefender Internet Security 2013".

Features:

Bitdefender Internet Security Offers a variety of security features to protect us from variety of online threats and to safeguard our privacy online. It is empowered with lot of tools for parents to monitor their child's activity online, and allowing you to block Suspicious sites, messages and email that contain flagged words or Phrases. Also You can limit time of internet access for each child. When you search for something on a search engine like Google, Bitdefender gives each url in the search results a security rank based on the no. of votes it receives.

Bitdefender Makes Online banking more secure through it Safepay(Sandboxed Web Browser) feature. This feature prevents any type of keylogger, spyware, etc.. from stealing info. on your bank or other transitions you make online. It is really a must needed tool for safe online transitions.

Bitdefender automatically check for updates periodically to protect you from the new kind of threads emerging day to day. This feature can be disabled if you plan to check it manually. But it is necessary to get the most out of it's Security.

Speed and Performance:

Like other Antivirus programs Bitdefender also slightly appears to slow the system when a scan is in progress, But fortunately it is empowered with some additional features to utilize best time to scan without slowing your system. Bitdefender Internet Security can run full system scan quickly with less utilization of Internal memory. You can even schedule scans. But Don't worry! These scans runs on background without affecting your work in progress and allowing you to do multitask at one time. Usually bitdefender Scans only if your system is idle. The Scan Dispatcher tool will make a scan only if the PC usage falls below a certain level.

Bitdefender's "AutoPilot" which is present at the top right corner of the window can be turned on/off. Autopilot is really a great option if you are busy and don't want to get interrupted in the middle of your work in applying decisions to the actions to be taken against the threats.

Help & Support:

When it comes to Help & Support Bitdefender is 24/7 and ready to help you at any time. You can search for your answers online, ask questions to the professionals, chat with them or even call them. Their Blog has interesting post on Security topics and Emerging Threats.

System Requirements:

If you ask for minimum system requirements. Then here it is,

• Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP SP3 (32 bit) , Vista (SP2), Microsoft Windows 7 (SP1), Microsoft Windows 8
• CPU: 800MHz processor
• Memory (RAM): 1 GB
• Available free hard disk space: 1.8 GB free space (at least 800 MB on the system drive)
• Additional Softwares: .NET Framework 3.5 (automatically installed by Bitdefender if necessary)

Price/Shopping:

Bitdefender is comparatively low when compared to other Antivirus softwares who have less features when compared to Bitdefender.

1PC                         -               $24.97 (1 Year)  $44.98(2 Year)   $64.98(3 Year)

Upto 3PC's             -               $34.97(1 Year)   $54.97(2 Year)   $79.97(3 Year)

Upto 5PC's             -               $54.97(1 Year)   $89.98(2 Year)   $124.97(3 Year)

Upto 10PC's           -               $89.98(1 Year)   $159.97(2 Year) $214.97(3 Year)

You can visit Bitdefender Antivirus to download a trial version/buy this product, or check out other antivirus solutions.

5 Strategies To Fight Anonymous DDoS Attacks

Img.Credit:chanpipat

There are lots of ways to protect your site against spammers and other folks who generally do not do nice things online. You are not safe online, and you should remember it all the time. However, if you can protect yourself against spammers, often you’re helpless when your site is under DDoS attack. By the way, do not feel guilty for not being able to protect it. Such companies as eBay or the US government sites used to be victims of hackers and they were also helpless for some time, although they had enough money and resources to hire the best engineers to deal with the attacks.

Of course, you have to bear in mind that DDoS attacks can be so big and intense that you will need much resources to stop them. If 200k computers are trying to connect to your site all at once, there is no hardware and software that can handle it. Yet, there are a few little secrets that will help you fight anonymous DDoS attacks.

1.) There are no invulnerable sites:

In fact, if you think that only government sites are hit by Anonymous group, you are mistaken. Sure, they target mostly government sites of countries they don’t like. However, recently sites of New Zealand government were hit. Can you say anything controversial about New Zealand? So, your site might well be a target for such attacks. Be prepared for the worst.

2.) DDoS attacks are better to stop at the initial stages:

As a rule, site owners do not do much at first. They just wait for the site to go down and then start complaining. What you should do is to implement the best practices in the industry to protect your site, network, any additional services, such as DNS. Don’t wait until hackers destroy your site.

3.) Identify the bottleneck of the attack:

There should be a part of your network which is most vulnerable. Hackers use it to assault your site. These weak areas may include a firewall, a server, an Internet pipeline, a security system, a load balancer or a SQL server. Any of these elements of your network can be vulnerable to attacks. So, identification of where the attack comes from will certainly help you ‘stand and fight’. Some experts recommend slowhttptest tool to stop DDoS attacks. You can also configure your server to allow only 1k requests at once.

4.) Monitor your network:

Yes, you have to see what’s happening in your network, especially if your site is a part of a large corporate network. Sometimes, you may just block your network to be access from the Internet and analyze the attack. Sure, this is not the best solution, but this will give you a few extra hours to handle the attack.

5.) Cooperate with your ISP and a hosting company:

Yes, this is the best decision to make. Call your ISP, and make sure they are aware of the problem. Reliable ISPs and hosting providers have enough resources to deal with DDoS attacks, of course, if they are not too big. It is fair to say that if your site has become a target for Anonymous you will have problems.

Author Bio:

Aleksey is an independent consultant in matters of the Internet security and data protection. He personally oversees a dozen of sites for small and mid sized companies, as well as cooperates with such services as http://www.vistnet.com.

A Password Manager Ensures Safe Browsing Anywhere

A password manager keeps people safe from hackers.

Consumers who regularly sign up for some type of online service are likely required to include a password to access their account. The process of filling out complex phrases that include punctuation marks, numbers and other symbols can be tiresome for anyone, but using complex passwords is one way to make it more difficult for hackers to obtain sensitive information.

A password manager,such as Sticky Password, is another and more effective option for consumers looking for ways to improve their password security. Such tools create complex passwords for accounts so people don't have to. These phrases are backed by advanced algorithms, making them a challenge for any hackers to break.

In addition to staying safe on a home computer, people must also practice safe browsing habits while on the move. Smartphones have become a staple for consumers and employees alike. These powerful gadgets are not just for making phone calls or sending text messages. The devices come equipped with mobile browsers, making it possible for people to access their most important accounts. Apple's iPhone remains the king of the smartphone arena, but its popularity means that cybercriminals are likely trying to take advantage of iPhone owners. Luckily, password managers keep users of iOS devices safe anywhere they travel.

Passwords are sometimes overlooked for various reasons. Although it may seem impossible that a hacker can guess a person's unique phrase, cybercriminals prove this is possible on a daily basis. Instead of trying to create a uncrackable password, consumers can use a password manager to do the heavy lifting for them and protect their most critical information from being breached. The only safeguard a person must remember is a master password and the rest is handled by the manager.

5 Data Backup & Disaster Recovery Tips

Backup your files on discs and be sure to store them in a secure location off-site.

Whether you own a large corporation or run a small business from home, it is essential that you are aware of the Importance of data backup and disaster recovery. Unfortunately you can never predict when disaster is going to strike in the work place. A disaster can be anything from system failure, to damage caused by a flood, fire or earthquake. Many businesses that experience a disaster never fully recover. Follow our simple tips below to ensure that your business does not become one of them.

1.) Primary back-up solutions:

Your customer database is one of your most valuable assets. Without it your business may not be able to function. This is why it is essential to make back-up copies of your database as well as other important files and information. Back-up copies can be made on disks, USB sticks and external hard drives. Understandably many business owners are wary of copies being made, especially of confidential data, so it is important that these copies are stored in a secure location off-site.

2.) Secondary back-up solutions:

Larger businesses will be able to store back-up copies of their files in an off-site data centre, but this is not an affordable option for many small to medium sized businesses. Instead why not Store your files on the cloud? This virtual form of storage, known as cloud computing, enables businesses to upload their files to a safe place on the internet. These files can be accessed remotely using a username and password.

Cloud computing is an affordable solution for small to medium sized businesses. Shop around to find the host offering the best price and be sure to check their terms and conditions. Using cloud storage will give you the peace of mind knowing that your files are safe, even if your physical IT infrastructure has been damaged.

3.) Use a virtual server:

A virtual server is capable of hosting a replica of your physical environment. It can be accessed remotely and often works out much cheaper than having a physical back-up server. If something unfortunate has happened to your workplace, you can simply access the virtual server within minutes from an off-site location.

4.) Create a data retention policy:

All businesses should have a data retention policy in place. This policy should inform your employees of the importance of backing up their data. It should tell them what data they need to back up, when they should do it and how it needs to be done. Business owners should schedule regular back-up sessions and appoint a member of their team to oversee it. If you fail to teach your staff the importance of backing up data, you may find that you are left with out of date copies of your files, which will not be of any worth to your business in the event of a disaster.

External hard drives are great for backing-up data but it is essential that they are kept in a secure location, especially if they contain confidential data.

5.) Test your plan:

It is important to create a disaster and recovery plan that is clear, concise and easy for your staff to follow. A step-by-step guide is always useful. Appoint a leader to oversee the whole procedure as you may be busy doing other things like contacting your insurance company.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to regularly test your plan. It would be no good to find out that your back-up copies do not work, or that you cannot gain access to your virtual server in the middle of a disaster. The more you test your plan, the less likely you are to face problems recovering your data, should disaster strike your workplace.

The key to successful data back-up and disaster recovery planning is to always plan for the worst. It is much better to spend time and money preparing for a disaster than to find that you are left with no resources to run your business if something unfortunate happens.

Author Bio:

Written by SAS London, digital agency based in the United Kingdom.

Image credits: bobbigmac&miss karen

Secure File Sharing Without Content Sharing

Img.Credit: freedigitalphotos

How often do you send emails, Word files or spreadsheets containing information that whilst not “top secret” it would be better that they were only accessed by your intended recipient? In the case of large file exchange or sharing this is normally achieved by uploading the file to a file sharing server and then letting the recipient know that it is there for them to download. Should we do more to protect these “shared files” from unauthorised access? Well in fact if these “file shares” are part and parcel to your companies business and contain any personal information you have a legal duty of care to ensure that their content is not revealed to the wider world.

Sending emails and files in “clear text” format is like sending your business letters on a post card. They can be intercepted and read by anyone who has the will to do so. Routinely our electronic ramblings are monitored by the various national security services at the very least.

So what can we do about it? We can obscure the content by means of encryption. By encrypting the content of an email or file we have effectively sealed it in an envelope. But surely this is going to be complicated and require the installation of software not only for me but also for my intended recipient, I hear you say. Well not necessarily. The new and emerging software solutions to this aged problem of providing robust encryption that everyone can use, simply without the need to understand all of the requisite complexities of random number generators, entropy and key pairs is proving that it is possible to bury these hitherto barriers within the program allowing a straightforward user interface to guide the user effortlessly through the maze in a couple of simple clicks.

If you will allow the pun, the “key” to this has been utilising a unique identifier for both sender and receiver. In this electronic age we all have such a thing, our email address! Imagine a system where a user’s email address is used in this way, the system can then generate key pairs associated with this address. These key pairs will be used to encrypt and decrypt any code the user may require protecting; emails, files, disks, thumb drives, CD-ROMs the list goes on. These encrypted portions of code can then be safely transported over any public or private network including the internet. They can even be stored on public servers awaiting collection by the recipient with the correct key/email address.

But how does the intended recipient’s email address work to decrypt the message? Easy because the data author or owner will know who they want to share that data with,so all that needs to happenis for the sender to supply the system with the email address of the intended recipient and it creates the necessary key pairs to enable encryption and decryption of the target code. These matching key pairs can be one-time pairs that will only apply to each data exchange further improving the security. Since each key pairing is only good for one exchange, if they were to be compromised it does not result in any future or past exchange being put at risk, clever!

This type of system can be used to encrypt emails, their attachments, files copied to disks, thumb drives, CD-ROMs in fact any media. Making use of a cloud based repository you instantly have the ability to transfer large encrypted files with users anywhere on the planet. Or if you prefer by hand via whatever storage medium you wish to use.

One such system Egress’s Switch even allows you to make these secure file transfers with user’s who are not subscribers to the system. This allows you to make secure exchanges with your trading partners or friends without the need for them to make any installation of software on their systems. Superb!

Cell Phone Tracking: Do You Need it?

With the smartphone bazaar full to brim with innovations and top-notch hardware, the development which has blazed the trail for many others is Cell phone tracking. While the term conjures an image of a spy clad in black hiding his face with a mask, the idea has not been exactly ruled out by many. The significant increase in the number of cell phone monitoring apps on the internet have not turned stale as many employers and parents click the download button and that too for a good reason.

Spying like a boss

As BYOD (Bring your own device) sides up with employees and their privacy, we are also faced with the fact that employers are, for the welfare of the organization, is supposed to know what, when, where and how their employees are spending time at their workplace.

Assigning a smartphone for your employee and getting them a data plan might get a ‘World’s Best Boss’ mug for Christmas but that is not where you are supposed to stop at that. The smartphone might be used for Facebooking all day long while the organization has to pay for the data plan which might be spent on making personal calls. Sneaking in corners or hiding in a washroom cubicle while your employees try to wage a civil war in the organization doesn’t seem to the thing for the boss. It takes up a lot of time and effort. Monitoring your employees cell phone, it’s use and abuse helps you keep an eye on how they are utilizing their time and resources. It can also prove to be a helpful tool for measuring your employees’ productivity. If the employer is going for a top-notch spyware on the internet to monitor the cell phones of their employees, they can easily listen to calls made and received, have a look at the text messages, the contact list and the web browsing history. The spying doesn’t stop there; by issuing a simple command you can access the audio settings and the microphone of the device and get an audio recording of the surroundings of the cell phone. The employer can also get snapshots of the screen of the monitored device.

However, monitoring your employees might not be as easy in practice as on paper. Imagine asking the company’s executive’s for their smartphones so you could have them monitored. Moreover, BYOD is giving employees some legal backing too and that might restrict your way through monitoring employees.

Bringing up a teenager

For working parents who have little time and energy left after returning from their workplaces to discuss their teens problems and ups and downs in their kid’s life. Even if you believe your child to super teen who has brains and confidence to solve their own problems, they might be indulging in activities that you wouldn’t want them to be a part of. Rearing a teen while keeping in mind your principles is not easy when you are not physically present for your child is very difficult.

Cell phone tracking is one solution to that. While most teens consider their smartphone to be a vital part of their lives, it is impossible that cell phones hold a record of what they have been up to. By monitoring their cell phones, you can locate your teens even when the GPS is not working. While viewing data in the cell phone is a basic service, some software also allow you to wipe any unwanted data like videos, pictures or contacts and block certain type of communication.

Leaving all the employer and parenting woes, monitoring software can also be used as a security tool for your own smartphone. To keep out intruders, installing a cell phone monitoring app can help you keep a check on who has been doing what with your phone. In case the device gets stolen, there is nothing better than this app if you want to locate the thief.

Author Bio:

Jessica writes articles and blogs about the happenings in the tech world. Her readers rely on her write-ups for product reviews and critical analysis on new developments in the tracking world. She can be reached at jcarol429.

Windows Security Threats Now Hit Android Devices

As if malicious users still don't have enough to do, they have decided to target more Android devices with their viruses. The more popular Android becomes, the worse it seems to get hit with all kinds of problems that users just do not want.

Major Android Security Threats

Typical threats targeting Android phones are similar to the kinds of security threats that attack Windows computers. The Trojan Horse hidden in what seems to be a useful, legitimate app is the hugest one that is being passed along.

The Trojan apps usually are installed with the following purposes in mind:

• To be able to send spammed e-mails from a hacked account.
• To automatically text from a personal number to someone else's.
• To otherwise tamper with data that could make the hacker money.

One of the major Android security threats right now is the “Zeus” one that steals banking information. It targets banks in Italy, Thailand, and Australia. However, many other major threats are being announced daily. Two examples include the "SmSilence" which steals info from Korean phones, and the multitude of fake Android anti-virus apps on the rise.

Don't Miss: Protecting Your Mobile Phone from Being Hacked!

The Number One Motive of Malicious Security Threats

A small but significant amount (23.5 %) of viruses are planted on phones are put there out of revenge, or just to play a cruel joke on someone. This rather reckless category of offenses may not hurt as much financially. However, it still does damage and may be done to help cover up legal information or to frame someone of a crime.

The rest of the hacking instances that involve viral infections on Androids totals about 76.5 %. You guessed it, too. It is this majority of cases that is done with motivation that is one purely of wanting to make a profit from the virus attack.

These majority of situations are ones in which identities and cash is stolen and the user is somehow fooled into giving users access to personal files. This could take place on their Android-powered phones as well as their tablets. Every single piece of information stolen is so that the attacker can somehow steal money or resources to make money.

So What is Being Done About Android Security Threats?

Public forums are being held to take new plans of action against viruses and malware. More legitimate services are also being provided to help people safely protect their Android phones as well as Windows tablets. As more effective protective shields are placed on phones, safety will be increased for everyone.

The goal is to ensure the security of everyone on their mobile devices as would when using a PC. Prevention will be a major priority. However, finding ways to clean up the messes already created on infected devices is one action taken.

In the meantime, Android mobile users as well as anyone who has a Windows Tablet PC needs to beware. It is highly advised that all files come from a legitimate source. Otherwise, correcting the problem later on could take more work.

Author Bio:

Erin Walsh is the Director of Public Relations for Boost Software. She is an avid blogger that enjoys sharing her knowledge with the everyday computer user, by helping them with common errors especially error 1722, error 1719, error 0x80070424, and error 0x80004004. She also specializes in helping pc users update drivers, especially the most problematic ones such as toshiba drivers, no sound, motherboard drivers, chipset drivers, lenovo drivers, nvidia drivers and hp drivers.

Social Media: 5 Things You Didn't Know Your Employer Could See

With the Internet and social media, things are starting to change. Today, employers can see a lot more than you want them to. Some of what employers can see depends on your privacy settings, but other things can easily be inferred. Do you know what your boss can see on your social media profiles?

Religious and Political Views

Image via Flickr by pbyrne

Unless you specifically tell your settings to only allow friends to see your religious and political views, potential employers can see this information. There is controversy around this, due to the legal ramifications it can cause for businesses. If someone is turned down for a job after Facebook is consulted, it could be argued that religious or political views were used as a discriminating factor.

What Groups You are In

Take a look at the groups you are a part of in your social media pages. Your employer may not appreciate if you are a part of a group called "I hate my job… screw this place!" Whether you are looking for a new job or trying to keep the one you currently have, make sure you are only in workplace-friendly groups if you are concerned about your employer checking on your social media profiles.

Who Your Friends Are

Image via Flickr by dan taylor

Are you friends with someone with a 'reputation'? Whether they are famous or simply are known for something they have done, someone with a well-known name on your friends list may not be a big deal to you, but it may be to an employer. If so, keep in mind that the boss can pull up this information. They can see who your friends are, and that can be good or bad for you. This doesn't mean you have to change your friends, just be aware of any potential problems that may arise.

Pictures You Post Publicly

Most people forget to make their pictures or albums private. Because of this, most images online are available for anyone to see. This includes social media accounts. When you post pictures of doing dangerous or illegal things, drinking and partying, or any other pictures you simply wouldn't want your boss to see, remember that they can see these pictures unless you specifically set them up to be private.

Are You a Family Person?

Image via Flickr by kippster

Look at your profile picture. This is public to everyone, no matter how private the rest of your profile is. If you have a picture of your kids, an employer is going to know that you have a family. If you have been working for the company for ten years, they probably know this. However, if you are job hunting, potential employers may not. And realistically, you may not want them to. Consider your profile picture, and make sure it is something you are comfortable with employers seeing and making judgments about.

Make sure that your online presence is what you want it to be. With Reputation.com YouTube videos, you can understand the steps you can take to clean up your profile and show the world what you want them to see.

Social Media Places Greater Emphasis On Password Security

Social media websites like Facebook are often populated by hackers and scammers. 

Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are accessed by millions of people each day, making them a prime target for scammers and hackers alike. Some consumers have already experienced the unsettling feeling of having their accounts breached, while others may undergo similar events in the future.

The key for anyone who accesses social media websites and other online accounts is to have proper security in place. Business2Community's Andrea Eldridge recently indicated that people should have effective passwords to protect their various interests. These credentials should be between seven and 10 characters and include different punctuation, numbers and symbols to make them more complex.

Consumers should avoid using identical phrases for all of their respective accounts, because if a malicious party gains access to someone's Facebook password, they may try to access banking and shopping data with this information, Eldridge explained.

Eldridge also noted that a password manager is another way to keep sensitive credentials safe from hackers. These solutions make it possible for people to stop worrying about remembering potentially dozens of different phrases for their accounts. Instead, these tools use advanced algorithms to generate complex passwords for a person's email, banking information and other sensitive material, ensuring safe browsing anywhere.

Facebook in particular can be a breeding ground for scammers. Eldridge explained that criminals often entice users to click malicious links with the promise of prizes like iPads if they install a certain application. Such false promises can result in exposed account information if people are not careful. Social media is a platform that can connect people with their family, friends and colleagues. However, with so many people participating in such activity, hackers and scammers will continue to use the same services, but with malicious intent.

Types Of Cybercrime At Work In The World Today

You can hardly read the news or turn on the television today without hearing something about cybercrime, identity theft, or online bullying. The criminals and thugs of the real flesh and blood world are still around. It’s just that an equal or greater amount of them are now online and using that medium to steal, abuse, and torment. You will find a number of different types of computer crimes that happen all of the time today. In fact, you may know someone who has been a victim of one of the following crimes. Let’s look at some of these crimes that those with computer forensics training are trying to help stop.

Spam and Phishing

Some people might not even realize that spam can be a crime in many areas, but it can. These unsolicited mails can be a pain to deal with, but they also have an even darker side. While some companies are simply using them as a form of undesired marketing, others are using them to try to elicit a response from you, such as a password This type of spam is phishing, as they are trying to lure you into giving out sensitive info.

Sometimes, the emails that they send can actually look quite official. For example, they might look like an email from PayPal or Amazon, and they may try to tell you there is an issue with the account, or to “thank” you for a recent purchase that you know you did not make. Of course, they will have handy link that you can click to contact them for help. This link is not legitimate though, and if you provide information, it could come back to bite you later. It is always better to go to the actual site and then contact the company through their actual contact methods to see if they are a good option for you or not.

Fraud and Theft

Fraud is unfortunately common on the web as well, and it can take a number of different forms. Sometimes, a criminal might be getting into personal accounts to take money, use credit, and more. Theft of social security numbers happens as well, and that is going to lead to identity theft. This problem is plaguing a large number of people in the country today, and it can happen to anyone.

Computer Hijacking

With malware and other types of bad software and files, it can even be possible for a computer criminal to gain access to your computer. They could store info on the computer, load viruses onto it, go through your files, and more. It would be akin to having a nearly invisible thief in your home with you and stealing your food!

Don't Miss: How To Prevent Unauthorized Access To Data On Your Computer!

Stalking and Bullying

Another type of crime that shows no signs of slowing despite a growing awareness of it is bullying. This, along with stalking, is a serious problem. Most prominently, it affects the youth of the country in the case of bullying, but adults are to blame as well. In some cases, these issues can become so severe that they actually result in death. The issue of bullying is a serious problem that society needs to address more seriously.

Stalkers are a large problem on the web too. Because of how freely people give out information without thinking about it, stalkers have easy access to find out nearly everything about that they want to know. For example, using the check in features on social networks is about as good as calling up a stalker and telling him where you are going to be and when you will be there.

Author Bio:

Anita Schepers provides advice and information on computer forensics recruiter programs at Computer-Forensics-Recruiter.com.

Protecting Your Mobile Phone

Image Credit: Karpati Gabor

Having a mobile phone is a lifeline for most of us, especially when it comes to work, so if it gets lost, stolen or damaged then you’ll not only have lost your phone, but important numbers and data. You can back up your information, but if you are not insured then you’ll also be liable for continuing to pay contract fees even though you no longer own the phone. Worse still, the growing use of smartphones opens you up to other, and more dangerous risks too. So read on to find out how to protect yourself from the costs of your mobile phone being lost, stolen, or hacked.

Mobile Phone Risks:

Despite the increased value of our phones, 63% of people have no mobile phone insurance* yet mobile phone theft has risen by 25% in recent years.* This is annoying and inconvenient, but the costs of having your phone stolen don’t stop there. Not only can a thief rack up hundreds of pounds of call costs, but because smartphones now hold virtually all of our personal data, a phone thief can also use your phone to find your personal information. This can enable them to get hold of your passwords, banking details, emails and photos, which can then be used to access your money or even to steal your identity.

To minimise the risks of having your phone stolen, you should always:

• Use your phone in a well-lit area at night.
• Never walk and text.
• Stay aware of who is around you when you’re talking on the phone.
• Take your phone everywhere with you, even when out with friends.
• Keep your phone and headphones hidden unless in actual use.

Smartphone Risks:

Smartphones are transforming the way we access information and communicate, but it’s important to remember they are mini-computers and so are vulnerable to cybercrime. Cybercrime through mobile devices is growing at a rapid rate, so you need to be on your guard. Malicious software can be used to harvest your data, so you should always be certain that any downloads or emails you open come from a legitimate source, as well as being vigilant about the websites you access on your mobile device. Dependent on your mobile insurance provider you may be covered for unauthorised call costs should your phone be stolen, but you won’t be protected against cybercrime unless your bank reimburses you.

So to minimise the danger of becoming a victim of cybercrime on your phone, you should always:

• Protect both your phone and sim with a password and pin.
• Use reputable apps and websites.
• Keep Bluetooth switched off unless you need it so that hackers cannot access it.
• Don’t open emails unless you’re certain they’re legitimate, and never reply with bank details.
• Always run updates for the latest security protection.
• Never click on links unless you’re sure of their source.
• Install Mobile Tracking and information wiping apps.
• Use a password encrypted network when accessing the internet through wi-fi.
• Delete all of your personal information if you decide to recycle your phone.

Citations:

• http://blog.cpp.co.uk/files/uploads/cpp-research/UK_Consumer_Attitudes_to_Mobile_Phone_Theft_2010.pdf
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/21634863

Author Bio:

Rob Rudd is a writer and journalist. He enjoys writing for a variety of blogs from technology and gadgetry to finance and savings.

Tips To Keep Your iPhone Safe

Very many people look forward to the release of iPhones every time Apple announces an upcoming debut of a new model. Eager consumers are not the only ones enthusiastic about the releases of iPhones. Thieves too. You can easily lose your iPhone to theft cases or damage of some kind. iPhone theft in New York alone went up by 40% following the release of iPhone 5. Other than theft, another danger is getting the device damaged. So, how can one protect his or her iPhone from these?

Install Safety Apps:

There is an app for almost anything, making the iPhone one of the phones with the highest number of target apps. Among the apps, one should never miss to install some safety apps to keep his or her iPhone safe. Install Find My iPhone app. This app can quickly locate a missing device using the GPS system on the phone. That way, you will be able to lock your iPhone remotely and even wipe all your personal data.

Another app, Gadget Trak can snap photos of the person with the phone using its cameras. In October 2012, police in Brooklyn arrested an iPhone thief within an hour using Find My iPhone app.

License: Creative Commons image source

Apply for Apple Care:

Since 2007, Americans have spent $5.9 billion to repair damaged iPhone devices. That means that your own clumsiness can lead to the damage of your iPhone. Sometimes it is the nature of your job that puts your phone in danger of damage. As soon as you purchase your iPhone device, you have 30 days to apply for Apple Care, which covers up to two incidents of iPhone device damages including shattered screens, spills and any other unforeseen forms of damage.

Shield the Screen:

The screen is one of those iPhone device parts that can be very difficult to protect. It is prone to scratches and other forms of damage that can occur on the screen. An iPhone case is not enough to protect the screen of the device, but there are screen shields out in the market that are invisible, so you will be able to use your iPhone without having to worry about it getting scratches. "Crystal Clear Screen Protector" is a screen protection product that will keep your device safe from physical damage on the screen.

Purchase an iPhone Case:

There is a wide array of iPhone cases on the market today. Low quality cases may not protect your device from damage, but there are quite a lot of other cases that can protect your iPhone from various kinds of physical damage. Choose tough, sealed and water-light iPhone cases that will provide protection to your iPhone from accidental drops and water damage. Try to explore iphone5 cases with some vendors such as Greatshield.com and others have quite a lot of these cases so you can choose one that is suitable for the exact kind of protection you want to give your iPhone.

License: Creative Commons image source

Author Bio:

Simpson, the author, was one of the first consumers to stand in the long queues to buy his iPhone 5. Since standing on the lengthy and tiring queues, he keeps learning intuitive ways of protecting his precious iPhone device from damage and theft, which he shares with other enthusiasts.