Best Free Antivirus, and Security Headlines

Here’s an assortment of Items of Interest for you.

* The Best Free Antivirus for 2015

“Relying on Windows’s built-in antivirus for protection is a big mistake. Luckily, you can get an upgrade without paying a cent.” Read more..

* CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield breached, more than one million individuals notified

“CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is notifying more than one million individuals that their personal information could have been accessed by attackers who gained limited, unauthorized access to a single CareFirst database in June 2014.” Read more..

Does this next indicate a change in the wind? I hope so.
* Federal prosecutors charge Chinese nationals with trade secret theft

“Over the weekend, federal agents arrested a Chinese professor who had just entered the United States via a flight to Los Angeles – one of six Chinese nationals charged with economic espionage and theft of trade secrets from U.S. tech firms.” Read more..

* Half Of Retail, Healthcare Sites ‘Always Vulnerable’

“Finding vulnerabilities in custom web applications isn’t the major problem; fixing them in a timely fashion is, a new report from WhiteHat Security finds.” Read more..

* Oil & Gas Firms Hit By Cyberattacks That Forgo Malware

“New spin on the ‘Nigerian scam’ scams crude oil buyers out of money with bait-and-switch.” Read more..

… I’ve noticed that the Apple Watch dropped out of the headlines quite quickly.. (listen Folks, it’s pretty simple: Never Buy The First Version of Anything) but if you are thinking it’s time for you to get a “smartwatch”, this article may interest (I’ll never own one, but, hey, here you go): The Best Smartwatches You Can Buy

“Think it’s time to upgrade your traditional watch by adding some apps and notifications to your wrist? Check out our top-rated smartwatches for the best place to start” Read more..

Today’s quote: “If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Smartphone protection, Free software, Fun videos, More!

Let me start today by wishing you all a safe, and joyous long holiday weekend! I know many are happy to see the arrival of Fall.

First up: The other day I mentioned Rick Robinette has been quite actively posting on his What’s On My PC..  site. Here’s two more I think you may want to look at.

* NEW FEATURE – Android CM Security Now Includes An App Lock, Phone Finder and Family Locater

“I am often asked what security app do I use on my Android devices (tablet and smartphone)? Answer: I highly recommend CM Security (by Cheetah Mobile). Two of my biggest fears with that computer in my pocket (called a smartphone) is data security and losing my phone. With CM Security and their recently added components, I […]” Read more..

* DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS – Some Really Good, FREE, and Tasty Software

“One of my passions is software and when I come across something that is professional in stature and FREE, I really get excited. Software developers are a completely different breed of people that are dedicated to a building process that can literally require years of devotion to get it just right or to keep up […]” Read more..

[ There’s a media convertia/YouTube downloader some may want to look at.]

Bonus reading:
* The executive order that led to mass spying, as told by NSA alumni

“Feds call it “twelve triple three”; whistleblower says it’s the heart of the problem.” Read more..

* Does Technology Cause ADHD?

“Some experts believe that technology has a role in the rising rates of ADHD — but whether it causes the disorder is still being debated.” Read more..

 [ There’s kinda a Rule.. if you have to ask the question, the answer’s “yes”. Example: “Do I look fat in these jeans?” ]

* CNET presents the 100 hottest devices of the month‏

“CNET 100 is a tech-filled list of the latest and greatest products that give you a look into how they are trending, in real-time using our exclusive algorithm. From the most talked about products to the obscure fascination, you can keep up with the newest tech obsession.” Read more..

Friday Fun Videos (Yes. Plural.)

This first was sent to me by a reader.

And this Fail compilation was posted just two days ago.

Today’s quote: “Man is the most intelligent of the animals – and the most silly.” ~ Diogenes

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

A couple of software reco’s

It’s kind of odd.. but since I went into semi-Retirement, I’ve been busier than ever.

I have been reminded recently that a couple of free software utilities I use, well, I cannot recall if I’ve ever mentioned them to you guys… as they are rather Geeky (aka not “for everyone”).

* First up is a file copy/transfer utility. TeraCopy isn’t anything fancy, it just makes Windows work like it should, when working with big copy/transfer jobs. It’s free for personal use.

“One of the most common complaints about newer versions of Windows is the slow copying speed, especially when transferring lots of files over the network. If you want to speed up your copying or if you regularly transfer large amounts of data and have to stop the process to perform some other disk-intensive task, this program may be just what you need.” Check it out here.

* Next up is a “boot disc”. Now, most of you will not ever have call for a boot disc, or need to know how to use one, but if you know what they are, and don’t know about UBCD4Win, well I suggest you take a look.

“UBCD4Win is a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or diagnosing almost any computer problem. Our goal is to be the most complete and easy to use free computer diagnostic tool.” Check it out here.

One of the things I use the UBCD4Win most often is to make “images” (backups/”clones”) of a hard drive using DriveImageXML, but you do not need to use a boot disc to take advantage of this free disk imaging/archiving tool. (It is a ‘standalone’ app that’s been bundled onto UBCD.)

“DriveImage XML is an easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives. Image creation uses Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Services (VSS), allowing you to create safe “hot images” even from drives currently in use. Images are stored in XML files, allowing you to process them with 3rd party tools. Never again be stuck with a useless backup! Restore images to drives without having to reboot. DriveImage XML is now faster than ever, offering two different compression levels. ” Check it out here.

Today’s quote: “Everybody ought to do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.” ~ William James

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Free Tax Software, TurboTax, and e-Filing | April is here…

IRS Program Lets Taxpayers Use Popular Tax Preparation Software Free, and e-File For Free

I am like many Americans in that I have become somewhat reliant on my computer to help me do my Federal taxes. It all started, years ago, with a CD I received in the mail — a free copy of H&R Block’s TaxCut. I tried it. And I found it just a wee bit easier to use and figure out than the 1040A user manual our government provides.

Nowadays to access the free version of TaxCut (or TurboTax), I would have to first go to to the IRS website.

On the IRS site, there is a page called “FreeFile”, and here you will find the “partnership links” to the free versions of 19 accepted tax prep programs — of which TaxCut (and also TurboTax) is one.
To qualify, you must have an Adjusted Gross Income of $56,000 or less.

Today’s free link: FreeFile at the IRS

Note: there are two buttons on the page; “I will choose” and “help me choose”. Though all of the programs there are accepted by the IRS, I would recommend clicking the “I will choose”, and then selecting either H&R Block’s Free File or TurboTax.

Today’s quote: “The only difference between death and taxes is death doesn’t get worse each time Congress meets.” ~ Will Rogers

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Free DVD Cloning Software | Amazing! | Friday Fun

A bit of a “grab bag” for you today – enjoy.

Let’s get started, shall we?..

• The folks at BDlot wrote me and informed me that they have released a new, upgraded version of their flagship, all-in-one DVD backup software, and to help promote it, are having a giveaway.

Our newly-upgraded BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate 3.0.

In addition to maintaining abilities of burning DVD and backing up DVD as ISO image/Video_TS Folder/MPEG2 file, BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate 3.0 presents two new functions: directly write Video_TS folder and ISO image to DVD, and emulate virtual DVD drive to mount ISO image. This more comprehensive version helps users to:

1. Realize the direct backup of DVD to blank DVD disc, DVD to ISO image, DVD to Video_TS folder, ISO image to DVD and Video_TS folder to DVD without help of any third party program.
2. Conveniently access programs, game and system software that are published as ISO image files; and use ISO file repeatedly in a faster and more efficient way.
3. Freely use up to 23 DVD virtual drives emulated in their computer.

Your readers are welcome to see more giveaway information on http://www.bdlot.com/giveaway/. Use free license BU-TTTDYZYG-GMFGEP to activate it before Oct 20, 2011.

• Today I received a flyer from my preferred gizmo and gadget store (Micro Center). In it, I saw a 2TB hard drive being advertised for $70, and once again, I had to say “wow”, shake my head, and – once again – appreciate Moore’s Law.
I remember the days when the idea of fitting two terabytes on a single drive was an idea roughly comparable to flapping your arms and flying to sun – never happen – and giant 20 Gigabyte drives cost almost as much as a used car…
Amazing.

(I wrote on this some time ago now. Did you see it? A trip back to the land of Mega)

• Friday Fun videos have become a bit of tradition around here.

• Quote of the day: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” ~ commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin

The weekend’s almost here.. and it’s a gorgeous day here in the Silicon Valley.. yay!

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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Halloween In August + Friday Fun + Software Giveaways

I wasn’t going to say anything but, it was two weeks ago when I first noticed Halloween paraphernalia for sale in some local stores. Now, it is in all the stores I’ve seen, even the hardware store. And the little kids are already excited and eager. (Well.. the little girl whose mom was ahead of me in line at the hardware store yesterday was certainly eager. [She wants to be a witch.][Because of the kewel hat.])

Two weeks ago it was August. Yesterday, it was early September.
The way I remember it.. Halloween happens the last day of OCTOBER. Or thereabouts.
In other words, retailers trotted out their holiday specialty wares ten weeks (which I think is more than two months’ time) early.

If you are a retailer and you did this, I, for one, say shame on you. It’s still summer, and this is a fall holiday. And you reek of greed and crass commercialism. Have you no decorum? No class? Is the dollar all you think about? What’s next, Christmas in July? “Everyone else is doing it” is never good reasoning, IMHO.

I sometimes wonder if I am all alone in my thinking, so.. a quick poll, please.

Bah! Humbug! I know we’re in a rough economy, but, sheeze!

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you some Friday Fun

Please.. if you have to try that, try it outdoors? Um, nowhere near any digital devices, please? (Or you may need to read How To Rescue A Drowned Device*)

Bonus For Reading All The Way Down To Here

• For a limited time, Digiarty Software, Inc is giving away free copies of WinX Blu-ray Decrypter ($50 retail.)

“WinX Blu-ray Decrypter is able to decrypt any Blu-ray video disc, even encrypted with recent AACS MKB v25, BD+ and BD-Live, etc., and transform 3D Blu-ray to 2D video. It comes with 2 copy methods – Full Disc Backup and Main Title copy modes. You can get decrypted Blu-ray folder or HD M2TS videos on the hard drive.” Read more.. (get your copy)

• For a limited time, BDlot is giving away, free, All-in-one BDlot Video Media Suite Giveaway

Competently make all your SD/HD videos playable everywhere

Make your DIY movie/music from YouTube with one-click

Create DVDs from Camcorder, Portable Gadgets or any video clips

(You need to scroll down a bit.) Read more.. (get your copy)

A reading reco: A Stylus for Your Tablet PC or Touchscreen Phone

“Following the purchase of my tablet PC (Toshiba Thrive – see review), the one tool I went for to make my tablet computer experience more enjoyable (and cleaner) was an omni-directional” capacitive stylus.” Read more..

Today’s quote: “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” ~ Roald Dahl

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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You On The Web (and some free tools)

I do not simply tell my readers the Internet is risky place to visit, and is being abused (ruined?) by many: I have for four years now provided tips, advice, and how-to’s for keeping yourself, your machines, and your ‘identity’ safer and more secure. Here are a few more items I think you should know about…

image source: PCWorld

• Google’s ‘Me on the Web’ Tool Alerts You to Personal Data Leaks

“Google has launched Me on the Web, a new tool allowing anyone with a Google account to monitor what personal information about them appears online.” Read more..

• And I have discovered (new-to-me, that is) an interesting browser add-on.. TrackMeNot Firefox Add-on Keeps Search Engine Data Profilers Confused

“The free TrackMeNot Firefox add-on takes a unique and creative approach to protecting your privacy from search engines that can create profiles of you based on terms you search for. Rather than hiding your searches from them in some way, it takes the exact opposite tack: It inundates search engines with a blizzard of background searches from you, so that no practical profile can be built because there are too many random searches.” Read more..

(To see my personal list of Firefox security add-ons, click here.)

• Best Free Software for Protecting Your PC and Your Privacy

“Want to make sure that your PC and all its files and data are kept safe, secure, and private–without breaking the bank to do it? It’s not an impossible task–in fact, it’s easy to do. We’ve rounded up ten free pieces of security software that do everything from protecting you against malware, to keeping you safe at WiFi Hot Spots, to encrypting your entire hard disk.” Read more..

• Folks, the Internet is not Disneyland, nor a vast public library, where everyone is on their best behavior, and there’s security guards keeping an eye on things. Ha! Not even close! The reality is the Internet is a battleground, as well as being Big Brother. In the best cases, folks are merely trying to sell, sell, SELL, you stuff. In the worst, they’re trying to steal everything you own (or put the company you work for out of business)(Or bring down your government). Please don’t be a victim. Exercise paranoid common sense when online (no – your email did not just win the online lottery). And sign up to receive my newsletter, and keep receiving information you can use to be savvy. For instance..

.. do you know what that ‘paperclip’ symbol means?

It means if you, or your email client’s Preview Pane opens that email, your address will be automatically added to the Global Sucker List, and I guaranty you’ll get more spam. (See, Disable the Preview Pane For Safer Computing & Less Spam)

Today’s quote: “Friends and neighbors complain that taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might the more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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