Many people realize nowadays that being on the internet is a very public place. Most people however do not know just how public it is. The fact is that if you like many others on the Internet do not take steps to make yourself less exposed on the Internet, it is very easy for someone with a little bit of knowledge to see what you’re doing online, where you’re at, and in some cases who you are. While your everyday Joe does not possess this knowledge there are many people out there that either know how to find this information out, or know someone that does. At any rate it is a good practice to make this information as difficult to come by as possible.

The first major step in the right direction is, if you use Internet Explorer, make sure to set your browser to delete all after each browsing session. Yes, delete your history, cookies, passwords, page form data, etc….I know it is really convenient to have all this available at the click of your mouse but with that convenience comes risk.

The next step, use the “In-Private” browsing function. This function is designed to make your browsing more private…

The third step, if you really need to be private, use a proxy to browse the web. While you need to be careful and know that the server you are using to browse through is legitimate, with the proper configuration it becomes more difficult to track back your browsing to you specifically.

The last step you can take is to use a program like Tor. Tor allows you to use encrypted connections to make your browsing more secure. Tor also offers the proxy service talked about above.

All in all it is very important that you protect your online activities. Not only to protect you from the onslaught of advertisements you can get from browsers using your cookies, but, also to keep you protected from privacy invasion and the possibility of identity theft.

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Software giant Microsoft has released the Beta version of the all new Internet Explorer 9.  IE9 has really set some impressive benchmarks with the new browser working with the language of the future HTML5.   Speed and performance seems to be one of their primary focuses, as now the browser utilizes the power of your computer’s graphic processor, or GPU, to handle graphics-heavy tasks like video streaming or online gaming.  By tapping into this technology, IE9 gives you a more immersive web experience, and delivers faster loading pages, with minimal if any lag what so ever.  If you want to check it out, you can download it here (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/help/ie-9/whats-new-in-internet-explorer-9) 

Lenovo believes its Ebox video game system – manufactured by daughter company Eedoo – will provide a viable alternative to consoles manufactured by Microsoft (Xbox 360), Sony (PS3) and Nintendo (Wii).

According to Eedoo CEO Jack Luo, the Ebox is expected to feature an integrated controller-free platform similar to Kinect, along with 30 pre-installed games when it launches in Q1 2011.

 

Apple’s ipad currently dominates the US tablet market. However a virtual tsunami of Android-powered tablets are expected to be the next big thing over the course of the next few years. Indeed, smartphones running Android have already surpassed Apple’s iPhone share in the US and that number continues to grow.

Nevertheless, it could take 3-4 years for the Amdroid tablet to outsell the iPad as it evolves into a platform which is optimized for larger screens and advanced video capabilities.

Hackers have managed to crack an Intel-developed encryption code that is currently used by a number of industry heavyweights to secure HD video content and devices. In order for someone to use this information to unlock anything that would have to implement it into silicon-make a computer chip.

 In a recent study conducted by PandaLabs (www.pandasecurity.com) they have collected data and the numbers are scary!  More than 57,000 malware infected websites are put out on the Internet each and everyday.  Sites like Ebay, Amazon, and Western Union related sites are making up for most of the numbers, and the sites where credit cards accounts and PayPay accounts have seemed to be the target over the last couple of years.  If you're making online purchases from your personal computer, be sure to go directly to the URL web address, and don't rely on search engines to get you to your pages.  Google, Yahoo, Bing, and several others are making efforts by changing the indexing algorithms, they are still unable to bring down the huge number of users being effected by these malicious sites being made available!  Come see the TechExperts if you think you may be at risk!

 

Retail giant Best Buy is offering the T-Mobile G2 Smartphone powered by Froyo (Android OS 2.2) and even better it will have full access to the blazing speed of the 4G mobile network.  The phone's price is set at a surprisingly low $199.99 and will start shipping phones to pre-ordered customers by the end of October.  Powered by the Google platform, G2 will have the abilities and functionality of a full blown smartphone with access to all your favorite apps via the marketplace, send/receive email, photos, navigation, GPS, access to YouTube and online media streaming, all on the blazing 4G network. 

               YouTube is now in talks with Hollywood Studios to offer streamed pay per view to their site.  Seems as if YouTube is now taking a shot at Apple and Netflix as Internet streaming video is becoming more and more popular, especially as the next generation of Wi-Fi enabled televisions begin hitting the marketplace.  In what appears to be efforts to combine cable TV, streamed media, and search all into one product, Google and YouTube are heavy hitters when compared to cable or satellite providers, so this could be a huge turn in the way we watch TV and movies in the near future.

If you’re already an owner or potential future owner of one of Apple’s popular products like the iPhone, iTouch, or newly released iPad then pay attention!  From experience, I know how frustrating it was before when you downloaded an app and it turned out to be a totally dud, especially when you’re purchasing them. 

Well now Apple is launching a “buy before you try” campaign which allows you to download the app and use it BEFORE you buy it.  With some limitations on apps, and less functionality between the “preview” app and the full version, this should be a great addition for Apples marketplace. 

Whether you want to launch an application when your computer goes idle or you just simply want to mute your speakers that way when you leave the office your email notifications do not annoy your fellow coworkers, System Silencer can help. System Silencer has a set of stock toggles such as turning off your monitor, muting your sound, and locking your workstation, all of which can be activated by your computer sitting idle for a specified number of minutes. This is a really nice program and works on most Windows based Operating Systems. 

               

What seems to be the single most popular and widely used social networking website on vast Internet today has done it again and set another huge milestone.  Facebook now possess more users than the number of Windows 7 licenses out, people in the United States, and the number of Twitter posts on a daily basis all combined!  They are now over 500 million users, and yes they are still climbing.  The company plans to make an official press release this week in regards to reaching the milestone, and will be kicking off a new project called "Facebook Stories."  Users here will talk about how Facebook has made a positive impact on their lives', from connecting with long lost family and friends, creating new relationships, and even finding that special person. 

Software GIANT Microsoft(R) is reportedly going to be making hundreds of job cuts to its workforce in efforts towards the industry moving towards cloud computing, according to various reports.  A very “insignificant” amount of jobs are going to be diminished when compared to Microsoft’s 88,000+ workforce.  I sense similar trends in the IT industry as more and more solution providers begin to embrace and implement what seems to be the inevitable; cloud computing.

 

Samson, Tedd. "Microsoft Cuts Jobs as Part of Core Shift to Cloud ". InfoWorld.

http://www.hpcinthecloud.com/news/Microsoft-Cuts-Jobs-as-Part-of-Core-Shift-to-Cloud-98030954.html.

Do you need a quick reference for those beep codes coming from your motherboard. Give Beep Codes Viewer a try. Beep Codes Viewer is a small, portable, and free application designed to give you a quick reference guide to look up what Beep Codes mean, with different codes by motherboard manufacturer, and see what the problem is. This little program will save you a lot of time.

Best Buy is now in the broadband market with its new service called Best Buy Connect.  This service gives its users access to mobile 3G data which come in a variation of data plans ranging from 250MB all the way up to 5GB.  Best Buy Connect will offer both a traditional monthly contact, and a non-contract plan which has become heavily popular with consumers.  No official word has been released by the consumer giant but their website has information on their new service.

If you are suffering from a slow startup on your Windows based machine then I would give StartUpLite a try.  Malwarebytes has created a safe, easy, and efficient way to eliminate those unnecessary applications that automatically start when you turn on your computer. The program allows you to disable or remove unnecessary startup entries from your computer which in return will dramatically help shorten the startup time of your computer.

StartUpLite is a free application that works on most Windows based machines and can be found at http://www.malwarebytes.org/startuplite.php.

Thanks to a quadruple-layer Blu-ray disc, 128GB of data can now be stored on a single disc, which is about 27x more than your standard DVD!  Thanks to the new Blu-ray standard "BDXL" which allows for the quadruple layer disc, but also has pushed the limits on their triple layer discs, which can now exceed up over 100GB of a single disc.  As of right now, you won't find any BDXL compliant players on the market for home users, this standard has really been developed, and will be used for professional applications such as media imaging and archiving.  As more data intensive 3D animations become more popular, we will eventually see the BDXL standard move towards the home market, but that is still a ways down the road.

Vodburner is an application that can record your Skype video chats and conferences, with the added benefit to edit the recorded video. You can save all of those important business teleconferences or personal conversations for future reference.

Ford Motor Co. and Google have joined forces to make it easier to get where you’re going. Ford announced on Tuesday that it plans to add Google Maps to in-vehicle Ford Sync communications systems installed in select Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles. The Google maps update is designed to let people send Google Maps from their computer or smart phone straight to their vehicle.

You can expect to see the new Google Maps update on all models equipped with Sync by July 1^st on all 2010 and 2011 models.

HouseCall is made by Trend Micro, this program will help you to identify and remove viruses, Trojans, worms, unwanted browser plug-ins and other malware detected on your system.  You have the option to perform a quick scan, full system scan, or a custom scan.

This Program is free to download and is a portable application so it makes as a great tool to add to your thumb drive if you are an IT Professional. You can download 32 bit and 64 bit versions and it works on most Windows Operating systems including Vista and 7.

 

Cryogenic FileSplitter is a simple file splitter program with a real easy to use drag and drop interface. You can specify how many sections you want the file to be split into. It also displays each segment size so that you can see how big each segment is going to be before you split it.

Cryogenic FileSplitter is a free portable application and will work on most Windows Operating Systems. I personally tested it on Windows 7 and had no issues.  

Many people do not realize the importance to having a clean desk. You have some people that have to move 20 things off their computer desk just to get to the keyboard and then you have others that have absolutely nothing on the desktop. If you are wondering why it is important here is why. One, by keeping your desk cleaned you are able to work more efficient. You do not have to dig through papers to find paperwork or tools. Two, by keeping your desk cleaner you provide a better environment to work with others in. Just last week I wrote a blog entry on a little trick just to tidy up your loose cables which helps straighten out your desk.

A new malware attack has been roaming around Facebook lately which puts a link on the users newsfeed which claims to be the “Sexiest Video Ever” which indeed is not. Once you click on the program it will ask you for permission to access your wall and profiles, then it will tell you that you need to download an updated version of FLV Player which is actually a .exe file which contains Hotbar Adware. Hotbar Adware puts a toolbar in your internet browser which will drive you nuts by displaying ads that are determined by your browsing habits. If you do not allow the program to access your profile or wall then you will be safe.

 

Airline giant Delta’s mainline fleet, which includes more than 430 aircrafts, are now equipped and offer passengers a Wi-Fi service while well up above 10,000 feet.   

 

More than 100 million users have connected here in the digital mile high club thanks to Aircell, the company who launched “Gogo”, which is the in-flight Internet application behind the whole operation.  This service doesn’t come free though, and will range from about $10 – 13 to purchase Wi-Fi access during flight, all depending on the duration of your flight of course. 

Having trouble at home keeping your cables on your computer desk from getting tangled? Most people just throw all there cables on the floor and just let them get tangled all up and then have to spend hours trying to untangle them. Just take a few binder clips and hook them to the side of your desk and put any USB, power or Ethernet cables through it to keep the cables from falling behind your desk. Do not believe me take a look at the picture below on how well this little trick works.

In efforts to catch up to with its arch enemy Intel, AMD has officially released their Phenom II chips for laptops.  The chips are running between 1.6GHz and 2.3GHz and drawing between 25 and 45 watts of power.  They will be used for AMD's first ever triple and quad-core laptop processors as part of a major overhaul the company is undergoing.  The new chips will support DDR3 memory, HyperTransport 3 (Intel's HyperThreading), support for Direct X 11, and an improved battery life with less power consumption by the CPU.  You can expect to start seeing these chips in over 100 products from vendors such as Lenovo, IBM, HP, and Dell which are expected to be available by the end of this month.