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Free Software To Protect Your Laptop

7 Must-Have Free Software To Protect Your Laptop 

Traditional computer security measures are not enough to protect your laptop and netbook. You have to pay attention on various laptop related security risks such as insecure public wireless network, laptop theft, laptop search, about which you don’t worry with your desktop computer. Whether your laptop is stolen or not, your privacy can still be at risk by simply traveling with your laptop. The Homeland Security Department and other authority can search your laptop to look for evidences on any illegal activity and illicit materials stored on your laptop such as unlicensed songs, movies, software or unlawful images of children. However, good laptop security does not necessarily cost you money. Here are 7 easy-to-use, useful and free software that can help you protect your laptop, your sensitive data and your privacy.

1. Encryption – TrueCrypt is a trustworthy encryption program that can protect your data against unauthorized access. www.truecrypt.org

2. Backup – Cobian Backup is a backup program that can protect your data against loss. www.cobiansoft.com. An alternative is Mozy free edition, which is an online backup software with 2 Gbytes space. www.mozy.com

3. Antivirus – AVG free edition provides protection against viruses, spyware and other malware. http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-free.

4. Firewall – The built-in Windows firewall can protect your laptop against hackers while you’re online. (but make sure it is configured properly)

5. Alarm – LAlarm is like a car alarm for your laptop. The software can help prevent your laptop from theft, and can also recover and destroy your data in the laptop in case of theft. www.lalarm.com

6. Tracking - Prey is laptop tracking software that can locate your laptop if it is stolen. www.preyproject.com

7. File shredder – Eraser is a data sanitizing program that can permanently delete sensitive data such as passwords, Internet browse history, personal information from your laptop. http://www.forensicswiki.org/wiki/Eraser

Thank you to Eric Lo for sending in this tech tip.

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Prevent Desktop Computer From Overheating

Your desktop computer could be at risk to overheat.  These tips can help prevent your desktop computer from overheating:

• Clean dust from your computer’s vents.  Dust can collect in a short period time and affect the ventilation of your desktop computer.  Visit our Clean Dust From Your Desktop Computer post for more information.

• Make sure you are placing your computer in an ideal setting for ventilation.  If you have your desktop on the floor, you may need to buy a stand to elevate it to a better position for ventilation.

• Keep your desktop at least six inches away from a wall.

• Curtains can affect ventilation.  Be sure to keep them away from the computer’s fan.

• Room temperature can play a part in a desktop computer overheating.  Maintain a comfortable room temperature (~72 degrees) to keep your computer’s temperature in its ideal range. 

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Back Up Your Windows Registry

Backing up the windows registry isn’t as crucial as backing up your data.  If Windows starts acting weird, restoring the registry to a point where it was working well my help.

There are two methods to back up your Windows registry.  The first method is using the built-in Windows semi-automated tool.  To access it:

Go to Start

Select All Programs

Then select Accessories

Then select System Tools

Then select System Restore

Follow the instructions to Create a Restore Point.  With the restore point, you can revert your entire machine back to a point in time.

The second method is a little more manual.  It uses the Window Registry editor.  To launch the editor:

Go To Start

Select Run

Type in “Regedit” into the text box and hit the Enter key

To create a backup, select File

Then select Export

Type a name for this file that will make it easy for you to remember what it is like today’s date 

For the export range, select all. 

Then save it somewhere on your hard disk

To restore your registry to this backup, double click it and confirm that you want to change the registry.

Remember it’s best to be proactive about backing up your data and your registry.  Do it now and do it regularly while everything is working well.  You will want to have backups when things go bad. 

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Encrypt Your USB Flash Drives

USB Flash drives are a cheap way of storing files but due to their size, they can be misplaced pretty easily.

Although replacing them may not be a big deal for your wallet, your files falling into the wrong hands can be disastrous.  To ensure your data is kept safe, it is best to encrypt your USB Flash drives.

You can buy USB Flash drives that have encryption built in, but a more inexpensive alternative is to download an encryption program to secure your personal files.

There are a few options out there:

TrueCrypt

Lockngo

WinEncrypt

Each of these options will allow you to download software.  Follow the instructions to encrypt the files you do want anyone else to see.

Keeping your files secure on your USB Flash drive will give you piece of mind the next time you lose one.

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Windows 7 Upgrade

With the release of Windows 7, there are things to know before taking the plunge and making the switch.  Here are some important points to understand before attempting a Windows 7 upgrade:

• If you have Windows XP, you do not have to upgrade to Windows Vista first.
• Unfortunately, when you do upgrade to Windows 7 from XP, you have to do a clean installation.  After the installation is over, you will need to restore backed up data, settings, and reinstall applications separately.
• Your systems’ requirements for the upgrade are as follows:
  • 1Ghz or faster 32 bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 1GB of RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB of RAM (64 bit)
  • 16 GB available hard disk space (32 bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
  •  DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
• If you want to know if your system can handle Windows 7, go to this web page and download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx

Follow the instructions on this page to download and run the advisor.

• As a precaution, you should create a complete disk image of your computer so that you can switch back to XP if you need to without too much trouble.
• To create a complete disk image, you can use the product featured on this web page: http://www.undisker.com/products/undisker/disk-images.html

If you are ready for a Windows 7 upgrade, this information should set you up for success.

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Clean Dust From Your Desktop Computer

After hours and hours of use, your desktop computer can get very dusty.  Your fan can really get gummed up and it can affect the way your computer cools down.  An overheated computer can be a very bad things.  Follow these tips to clean dust from your desktop computer.  You will need your computer’s manual and a canister of compressed air.

• Before you clean anything, shut down your computer.
• Unplug all the cables in the back, making sure to keep track of each cable.  You want to make sure you place them all back in the correct spots.
• Consult your manual to open the PC case. Most can be opened with the loosening of a thumbscrew.
• Remove any large pieces of dust, dirt, grime, etc. that can be easily removed with your hands. 
• Spray the affected areas with short blasts of compressed air.
• Try to push the dust out of the case as much as possible
• Focus on the vents and the fan as these parts tend to get the most dirty

Make cleaning your desktop computer a yearly event.  Pet owners may want to clean more often as hair tends to get sucked into the fan and vents.

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Fix A Stuck Computer Monitor Pixel

If your computer monitor has an LCD screen, pixels on the screen may get “stuck” once in a while.

A stuck pixel can look white or other colors, but it stays the same color even though the website or photo you are viewing may be different colors. If you have this problem you may be able to fix a stuck pixel.

First off, if the pixel shows black it may not be stuck but broken. If that is the case, then you can’t fix it. If it is showing another color, then follow these directions.

1. Clean your screen using compressed and then wipe it with a lint-free cloth.

2. Check your screen resolution. You may be able to fix your stuck pixel by changing it. If you are using a Microsoft Windows operating system, go to:

• Start Menu
• Then select Settings
• Then select Control Panel
• Select Display
• Then select the Settings tab

There you can change the resolution of your screen.

3. If that doesn’t work, you can download a tool that can help you fix stuck pixels. Go to Udpix.free.fr and download and install the UDPixel tool. Follow the tools directions to find and fix the problem.

4. You can help UDPixel find the stuck pixel by applying pressure on the pixel using a stylus.

With a little luck, you will be able to “unstuck” a pixel and prevent having to buy a new monitor.

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Clogged Port Cleaning

Ports are where you plug different components into your computer. Many times, you have more ports than you have components and these ports are left unused. Because they are open to the elements, they can get gummed up with all sorts of things (From dust to your child’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich).

These ports include:

• Ethernet port
• USB port
• Parallel port
• Serial port

Cleaning ports is pretty easy but you should follow these tips before you get started.

Shut down your computer before cleaning.

If dust is the main culprit for the clog, purchase some compressed air to clean out all the particles.

If the job is a little tougher than dust, you will need more tools.

Toothpicks can be used to clean out the holes of the ports.

Take your time and be gentle when scraping out the clogging substance.

Cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol can be used to clean up the larger areas. Let the areas dry for a few hours before using the port.

Using these tips as a guideline, you should be able to clean any external port on your computer with no problems.

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Fix Laptop Spill

This scenario has probably happened many times. You sit down at your desk with a big cup of coffee and you spill it all over your laptop.

Before you give up hope, here are some steps to take to salvage your laptop from the perils of a liquid spill.

1. Unplug the power source and remove the battery.

2. Gently incline one side of the laptop and try to get out as much liquid as you can.

3. Clean up as much of the liquid on the outer case as you can. If you are uneasy about taking apart your laptop, get it to a repair shop nearby ASAP.

If you can do it yourself, follow these steps.

1. Remove PC cards if you have any.

2. Take apart as much of the outer casing as you can.

3. Remove the keyboard, swab as much of the affected areas with rubbing alcohol, and spray it with compressed area.

4. Let it air dry for a day and then reassemble your laptop If you think your hard drive or other circuitry was affected by your spill, you should get some electronics circuit cleaner  to finish the job.

1. Follow the instructions on the electronic circuit cleaner container.

2. Let your laptop dry for a few days before reassembling.

3. Power it up and see if your handy work has helped.

If the laptop does not start, your hard drive may still be able to be saved. It could be transferred to another laptop.

It is an unfortunate accident to knock a cup of coffee onto your computer.  The best tip for a laptop spill fix is prevention.

If you are going to drink and compute, keep liquids away from the spill zone.

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Computer Won’t Start

You press the power button on your computer and nothing happens. Few computer problems are more frustrating than when your computer won’t boot. There are many reasons why a computer won’t turn on and often very few clues about what might be the problem.

The only symptom is usually the simple fact that “nothing works” which isn’t much to go on. Add to this the fact that whatever is wrong could be an expensive part of your PC to replace – like the motherboard or CPU. Try to be calm, there is a good chance its a simple problem you can figure out.

1. Does the computer show any signs of power?

Are fans running, lights on? In the case of there are no signs, it may be a faulty power supply. Here are a few things to try. Unplug the power cord to the PC, wait approx 10 mins and plug back in. Does the computer power on now? If so, it may have been a power surge that the PC experienced. You may want to invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply unit.

2. Is your computer turning off by itself immediately or at some point before the operating system loads?

If so, you may be facing anything from an electrical short to a serious hardware issue. Open the computer case and inspect the wiring. Make sure none are chafing or exposed to direct contact with metal. Some times connectors can become unseated. Inspect and reseat all connections. Just because the unit powered on then off does not mean the power supply is good, it still maybe faulty.

3. Does the computer beep shortly after powering on?

If you’re lucky to get beeps, you can use those to determine the cause. The most frequent problems are memory or videocard issues. A list of codes and their meaning can be obtained from the chart listed on this page http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

4. PC powers on but does it display some codes and not boot operating system?

These codes are called POST (Power On Self Test) codes. They are usually specific to the manufacturer. It’s best to call the manufacturer support at this point. Although sometimes the codes can point you in the right direction. In the case of a “No hard drive connected” error, you can try reseating the connectors on the hard drive and test again.

5. Computer turns on but is there an error message prevents the operating system from loading completely?

If your computer begins to load Windows but then stops booting and displays an error message, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer’s support or troubleshoot the problem based on the specific error message. You may have to use a restore disk in this case. 

Hopefully you are still calm after reading these resolutions.  Let us know if you have other problems by leaving a comment below. 

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