An IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is an integral part of the machinery of modern computing technology. Designed to allow communication over the Internet between computers (or other digital platforms), IP addresses serve to pinpoint and distinguish from one another the billions and billions of digital platforms and devices connected to the internet. Your IP address functions much like a physical address, allowing communication between your device and remote computers with access to it.

Understandably, some situations call for the ability to change your IP address. It’s a sensitive piece of information and the ability to change it quickly and reliably is a valuable one. Your privacy and online security should be top priorities whether you’re using your machine for browsing, business, or communication. So, how’s it done? Let’s take a look at some of the common applications for changing IP addresses across platforms.

General Applications

Often all you need to do to successfully change your IP address is to disable your Cable or DSL modem by unplugging it. When you plug it back in after a period of five to ten minutes, your IP address should have been changed. If not, a longer period of downtime (say, overnight, or approximately eight hours) will sometimes do the trick. This might not work if your IP address is dynamically determined, but don’t worry because there are plenty of alternatives.

Changing your IP address with Firefox is pretty simple, and it can be accomplished entirely through the Firefox menu. Let’s take a quick look at how to use Firefox to change your IP address.

1. First, click on Tools. From there, click on Options.
2. Click on Advanced button at the top of pop up window.
3. Choose the Network tab and go to Connection settings.
4. Click on the Manual Proxy Configuration radio button.
5. Then, set the HTTP Proxy and Port Number.
6. Click the OK button.

That should take care of your IP address change. If you’re still having trouble, though, Internet forums like the Windows Support Forum can be a valuable resource. There are plenty more non-OS-specific methods for changing or hiding IP addresses, and most of them are in the technical neighborhood of the ones addressed in this article.

PC Applications

Changing your IP address as a PC user shouldn’t feel like a daunting task. There’s plenty of software and support out there to help you make sure you handle the process securely and without too much hassle. Windows itself doesn’t make the process too difficult. Let’s examine a few direct ways to interact with your Windows operating system to change your IP address.

Your command menu can be a valuable tool in changing your IP address. When you want to change your address, open a command prompt from the start menu (Run: cmd), and then type: ipconfig/release, followed by: ipconfig/renew. This should change your IP, but in the event that it proves unhelpful you can try the ipconfig/release command and then shut down your computer, turn off all external applications, and disconnect your modem.

The software platform iPrivacy Tools IP Changer is another great resource available to PC users.  With it users can freely change their IP address, or even set a rotating or randomized schedule for IP address changes. Remember that the more frequently you change your IP address, the more secure you and your data are. Risks like identity theft can be prevented with sensible precautions against malware, adware, and other malicious internet-delivered programs. A secure IP address should be part of any countermeasure regimen.

Mac Applications

Changing your IP address with Mac’s Safari Web browser is a little more complicated than the equivalent process with Firefox, but it’s still not too difficult. The only additional challenge is finding a suitable proxy port, which can easily be accomplished with an online search. Just make sure you’re getting a reputable port, because phishing scams marketing dirty numbers do exist, even though Macs run a much lower risk of virus and malware contamination.

Let’s take a look at how a Safari user should approach changing their IP address.

1. 1. In Safari, go to Edit and click on “Preferences.”
2. 2. Click on the “Advanced” button.
3. 3. Click on the “Change Settings” button, which is just next to the label, “Proxies.”
4. 4. Click on “Settings.”
5. 5. Click on the check box labeled “Use a proxy for this connection,” and enter a proxy port and a new IP address in the open text boxes.
6. 6. Click on the “OK” button to change your IP address to an anonymous Proxy IP address.

Tutorials like this one can help you with the additional details of changing your IP as a Mac user, and Mac user forums are full of advice on security measures you can take to avoid unnecessary risks.  Take advantage of the experience of professionals and enthusiastic amateurs who’ve researched IP addresses and how to make them secure.

Don’t Be Intimidated

The average computer user tends to hear an acronym and immediately assume they’re not qualified to deal with whatever’s at hand.  With today’s helpful, user-friendly online environment, though, there’s no need to be cowed by the prospect of handling your own web security setup.  We’ve all downloaded and installed programs; we’ve all handled settings customization.  It’s no big deal!

Anyone can change an IP address.  The software is set up to make it simple, and as a routine precaution, it’s something everyone should know how to do.  So, whether it’s with the aid of specialized software like iPrivacy or just using the mechanics built into every major Web browser, be confident in handling your IP address and its security.

Let’s look into it.

Choosing the antivirus program that’s best suited to your needs can be a tricky proposition. Free and paid services abound on the Internet, and being spoiled for choice isn’t always a good thing. When you make a decision about which piece of software you’re going to trust with your computer’s security, it should be an informed one.

Antivirus software typically adheres to one of three payment models: Annual subscription, Free, and Trial Period followed by Annual Subscription. This article will examine in brief the best antivirus software options available for Mac, PC, and mobile platforms.

Best Antivirus for Your PC

Norton Antivirus, the Symantec Corporation’s flagship pay for subscription antivirus software, is a full-service program. Norton is equipped with malware prevention and removal tools, a complex set of heuristics and signatures with which to identify viruses, and an e-mail spam filter complete with an advanced anti-phishing program. Norton is widely available as a download, as OEM software, and by box purchase at retailers. It and its sister program, Norton Internet Security, comprise more than half of the US retail market in e-security packages.

AVG is another recognizable name in e-security. The Czech-manufactured securities solutions software is fully compatible with all recent Windows operating systems, and is also available for shareware OS’s like Linux. AVG recently became available for Mac OS X, a previously untapped field. Available both in a stripped-down freeware version and commercially as a brawnier securities suite, AVG 9.0 is equipped with identity behavioral protection, theft protection, white listing, cloud operations, and signature-based virus blocking. Between its Resident Shield, firewall, Linkscanner anti-phishing suite, and ID shielding modules it provides a high degree of internet security.  AVG does not allow the installation of rival security suites.

Kaspersky Antivirus is the newest competitor in PC antivirus software. While it suffers from some minor interface issues and looks a little less polished than big names like AVG and Norton, its capabilities are very much in line with those of its competitors. If you’re a bit more adventurous, this product from Russian developer Kaspersky Labs features an aggressive suite of detection and removal tools for dealing with adware, auto-dialers, keylogging programs, spyware, malware, worms, Trojans, and viruses in general. Instant updates are something of a feature via the Kaspersky Security Network, and the home lab is quick to identify new threats “in the wild.” Kaspersky is a fairly economical option at around $70.00 for a yearly subscription.

Best Antivirus Software for Your MAC

When most people think of Macs, they think of the common belief that viruses just aren’t written for Apple’s operating systems. Wrong. They’re much rarer than viruses targeting Windows, but that doesn’t make them any less of a threat to your security.  Cross-platform viruses also pose a significant security risk, but luckily Mac’s security offerings are excellent. Let’s look at some of the industry leaders.

Sophos Antivirus is based on the Sophos Endpoint Security program, a service employed by major investing firms and businesses in the mid-2000’s. While the interface feels a bit dated and labyrinthine, the degree of protection Sophos offers is really quite considerable. All forms of detrimental viruses, malware, etc. are accounted for by its signature-based engine, and its anti-spam modules are quite comprehensive. Another point in Sophos’ favor is that its free version is almost as thorough as the pay-for-service module!

BitDefender Antivirus is another great antivirus program available to Mac users. For a $39.95 yearly subscription fee, it provides real-time antivirus protection, regular system scans, and a quarantine feature that isolates suspicious files for inspection by BitDefender staff. Given the growing threat of Mac-targeted malware, BitDefender’s strong anti-malware suite can look pretty attractive. It’s also capable of interacting with Windows without any hiccups.

McAfee VirusScan was designed with keyloggers and backdoor viruses like trojans in mind.  These programs can endanger delicate network assets, and while network visibility is a key concern for dealing with issues like these, Macs are notoriously difficult to achieve transparency with due to their battened-down user interface. McAfee VirusScan provides an easy suite of controls for achieving just that. McAfee’s interface options are nice to have, and the protection they provide against malware and viruses is considerable. A definite option for Mac users.

Best Antivirus for Mobile Platforms

Mobile Platform antivirus protection is an emerging field, and as such there’s a lot of competition. A little independent footwork for Indie antivirus programs can be rewarding, but reliability should always be your chief concern and as such there are a few standouts in the market.

Norton Mobile Security is a big name in PC antivirus protection. Its mobile device security suites offer antivirus and malware protection, as well as a convenient lockout option to screen unwanted calls or messages, and a very handy Find and Lock program executable from a home computer should the phone become lost or stolen. Similarly, a phone can be wiped remotely in related circumstances. Compatible with Android 2 and more recent platforms, Norton Mobile Security is compact and available in a free Norton-LITE version.

AVG Mobile Antivirus is a free Android app built to scan for and destroy viruses.  Its auto-scan feature and use of GPS means you can program it to automatically wipe itself clean of data in the event of theft, and the interface is so similar to AVG’s home office products that if you’ve used AVG on your laptop or desktop computer it won’t even feel like a transition.  A ten-dollar fee upgrades your service to include anti-phishing and anti-spam programs, also.

Bullguard Mobile Security 10 is a relatively new competitor.  Compatible with Blackberry, Motorola Nokia, HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and other platforms, Bullguard is equipped with antivirus and anti-spyware protection. It also includes a clever program that keeps an eye on your calendar and contact list to map suspicious activity, as well as the industry-standard firewall and spam filters (available to Symbian and Windows Mobile platform users). Bullguard runs at a $30 dollar yearly subscription fee, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

At the end of the day, for most users, BitDefender is our favorite option. It’s among the cheapest at $39 per year, and it’s got all the features most users need. It’s simple, clean to look at, and easy to operate. No annoying constant warnings.

To make your own decision, we recommend reading our Anti-Virus Software Reviews page.

A popular old saying goes something like this: “The difference between a regular person and a wise man is the latter’s ability to learn from others mistakes!” One can’t agree more in today’s world of information technology where 1000’s of complaints are registered online each day about someone that lost all their data. Why do people lose data everyday but the rest don’t learn from their mistakes? The old proverb explains the reason.

If you are a working professional or a businessman, it’s high time to consider backup sources to protect your data. Copying your data from your laptop to an external hard disc is a great thing but to ensure the best protection, you need to look for online backup sources. According to PC Magazine, Online Data Backup is Disaster Proof but is it an outrageous claim, especially when you read this along the lines of news about the Federal busting of Megaupload?

Online Backup – Superstition vs. Realistic Assumptions

How many of us take a large life insurance policy foreseeing that we may die all of a sudden? Positive thinking is great provided that you are using this part of your brain the right way or else, positive thinking can be seriously damaging. Most of us are comfortable with the idea of storing our important data to a hard disc or DVDs and forgetting about it but the big picture is not clear here.

What if you meet with a car accident while travelling with the backup data? What will happen to your data in the event of natural disasters or burglary? These things are unlikely to happen but what if your worst nightmare becomes a reality? You need to look at an alternative source to protect your data, something that even Hurricane Katrina can’t destroy!

We are talking about something as mighty as online data backup solutions that store your data in their secure servers and can be accessed from anywhere in the world whenever you need. Online backup sources are usually paid services but, as you’ll learn, there are free ones too.

An Introduction to Free Online Backup Sources 

There are two types of free online backup sources. The first are backup sources that come with platforms like Windows Live Mesh and iCloud. The others are programs for online backup, some free and some paid.

Free data backup systems, have one thing in common: they all come with limited storage facility. The max we’ve seen for free online storage programs is 25GB, but the average is more like 2-5 GB.

Dropbox 

Dropbox is one of the most popular online data backup facilities and starts with a free account where you can store up to 2GB of data. If your important data is mostly documents and emails, 2GB space will be sufficient and the good thing with Dropbox is their multiple paid accounts with different options. This allows users to upgrade their membership whenever they desire. You can create a folder in the Cloud and synchronize your mobiles and tablets with your PC.

i-Drive 

i-Drive offers 5 GB of free storage space and you can restore up to last 30 versions of your files if needed and the compressed backup facility helps you to store more data within the allotted space.

Mozy

Mozy is also a paid service that comes with a free account for beginners. The free account can store up to 2GB of data, schedule backup and data encryption. Mozy is definitley worth a shot with this trial offer.

Things To Consider With Free Cloud Storage Services

Dropbox, Mozy etc are established players in online backup, but there are many newcomers in the market that offer unbelievable amount of storage space for free. A very good example is Mega Cloud, which offers 512GB of online data backup for free. These are promotional strategies and it is difficult to foresee how many of them will survive after a while. If you decide to store massive amount of data on a free service that can withhold their services anytime, you are taking a great risk because it’s not always possible to find enough backup solutions even if they give you an advanced notice.

Paid Online Backup Sources That Worth A Try

Paid backup sources invest a sizeable amount of money on servers, data encryption programs and other data protection systems. This is why most of them don’t offer a free account except for a trial period and the only notable exceptions are Dropbox and Mozy. A paid online backup source is the best choice for you to store several GBs of data without ever worrying about it getting exposed or lost.

SugarSync 

SugarSync has both paid and free online data backup, and their paid service that offers 100GB data storage for just $14.99 a month is their most popular plan. Once you install the client software on your system, you are all set to use SugarSync and the file synchronization feature can sync to any folder. Even better, the program works with both Mac and PC.

CrashPlan

Although CrashPlan offers free onsite and offsite backup, their remote backup services are strictly paid with the available storage facility ranging from 10GB to unlimited. With continuous backup, your changes are also backed up and the advanced business solution can protects up to 200 computers. CrashPlan works with Linux, Windows and Mac.

Jungle Disk

The fee structure of Jungle Disk may not be everyone’s taste, aside from those who need minimal space. However, for advanced protection of a data protection service, Jungle Disk is the answer. The service starts at $2 a month, and this option is great for users that have only a small amount of data to store but need features offered by remote storage facilities.

JustCloud

Although JustCloud don’t have a free membership plan, it offers a trial period and you can update to unlimited online backup with just $4.95 a month. Just Cloud is a lucrative option but it doesn’t offer continuous backup facility. As of now, a bandwidth limit is not implemented but chances are that they will as the number of subscriptions goes up.

Carbonite

With Carbonite they have an annual membership plan of $54.95 a year that works out to be $4.58 a month. They don’t have a free account but you get unlimited storage facility with their paid account and the block level incremental backup means that the backup process is really fast.

It is important to note that backup services that offer unlimited storage doesn’t offer a hard copy of your data so uploading huge amount of data means long download times.

Keeping your Mac clean and running smoothly can help to increase its lifespan and assure you have the best experience you can with your hardware and software.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a hardcore techie to get the most out of your machine. With the right system maintenance software and enough love and care, a Mac can last well beyond its projected functional period.

Apple products, especially the portable MacBook, can take a lot of abuse just from day-to-day use. You take your Macs everywhere with you, so how do you take care of it? We’ll look at some helpful programs and basic advice for keeping your machine in fighting trim.

Cleaning Your Mac

Basic cleaning and maintenance is an often-overlooked component to keeping a machine running at peak performance. While some Apple products are made of specialized materials and have specific cleaning requirements, most can be serviced fairly easily. Here are some basic pointers to help with cleaning and maintaining your Mac product:

• Keep your Mac clear of liquids!  This extends to spray cleaning products and aerosols. Liquid can get into the machine’s innards and cause short-circuiting and other problems.  Solvents and abrasives are a bad choice, too.
• When choosing a material with which to dust or clean your machine, try to stick to lint-free non-abrasive cloth. Towels, paper towels, or other abrasive materials can damage the more sensitive components of your machine. Lint can also cause overheating and clogging problems.
• Make sure your machine is turned off and completely disconnected from all external power sources, and remove any external devices or cable from the machine. The last thing you want is to short out your Mac by accident.

Common sense should help you take care of your Mac’s casing and screen, while special products like compressed air canisters are available for cleaning keyboards via airflow. Keeping your hands clean can help as well, as oils secreted by human skin can be destructive to a Mac’s internal structure. Also, while it might seem like common sense, be careful where and how you use your Mac! Dropping a MacBook can have serious consequences for the machine’s functionality, and hardware like power cords and display screens can be easily damaged by falls.

Storing your machine in a dry, protected location is another simple step you can take to make sure it isn’t damaged accidentally.

Mac Cleanup Software & Programs

There are many programs available for helping you keep your Mac running at peak performance.  Maintenance software like MacKeeper, a program that combines an Internet Security Suite, Anti-Virus and Anti-Theft programs, Data Encryption, File Recovery and Backup, File “Shredding,” a Cleanup Mode for isolating unused programs taking up space and computing power, and various other features, are an attractive shortcut to monitoring your Mac’s health and performance.

MacKeeper is a comprehensive and (at $40) relatively cost-effective option, but it isn’t the only one available. Stellar SpeedUp Mac is an aggressive streamlining program that searches out unused widgets, programs, startup applications, etc, and targets them for deletion or deactivation. It also frees up space occupied by redundant files by deleting the multiple instances it detects, a feature that can really speed up your machine.

CCleaner is a general system maintenance tool specializing in detection of unneeded cached or unused files. By removing files not in use (unneeded foreign fonts and alphabets, cached information, obsolete applications, etc), CCleaner really strips down the dross any OS accumulates over time. OnyX is a free, reliable alternative to paid cleanup programs. Its Automaton tool provides a unique suite of specialized options for playing around with your operating system and maximizing your machine’s speed and functionality. Look around and try some freeware options before deciding on a service!

System Performance

Keeping a Mac running smoothly and making sure it functions the way you want it to while providing you with whatever array of services you need can seem a bit daunting, but with the right approach, it really isn’t too tricky. There are a few basic pieces of knowledge no Mac user should be without.

Premium operating systems like Mac’s Snow Leopard OS can also help to streamline your machine’s functionality. Snow Leopard is a leaner, meaner OS with fewer of the frills and bloatware programs typified by OS X. On the same note, Mac peripherals like PowerMates, printers, and docks are great for expanding the range of tasks your Mac can perform, but when not in use they can still place strain on the machine! Unplug peripherals if you’re dealing with slowdown issues.

Since most Mac-specific operating systems look to Hard Drive space for virtual memory, keeping some free can greatly improve your Mac’s performance. External storage can help to solve this problem, especially now that even storage devices in the terabyte range are affordable and readily available. Regular defragmenting with programs like iDefrag helps, too. Extra RAM can’t hurt either, and doubling or quadrupling your Mac’s RAM can cost as little as $100.

Take Care of Your Mac

Regular maintenance, both of software and hardware, help a Mac to function reliably and quickly. There’s no point in owning a malfunctioning or glitchy machine, so learning how to take care of your Mac is an important part of owning one. Whether it’s cleaning the casing or installing a virus detection program, proper technique is essential.

Internet tech forums or tech support services provided by vendors and Apple itself can be useful resources for those who want to learn more about computer maintenance. Stay informed, be attentive to the state of your machine, and take good care of it whether you’re traveling or at home.

We are constantly being advised that we need to keep our eyes on all of our online data, but as more and more companies do business online it can be extremely difficult to tell where our data is, and who can be using it.

Many of us run Anti-Virus Programs in an effort to stay secure, but is it enough?

There is a certain amount of trust we need to give online companies; generally, it’s the unscrupulous, random Internet traffic monitor that can be a real threat.

Know your Potential Risks

Although one needs to know where his most precious data is stored (such as on bank websites, payment processors, and large websites that store data on us), this is not the same as ensuring no one is specifically targeting us. Apart from bank account numbers and other such financial details, it is just as common for someone to begin monitoring all of our Internet activity for personal reasons – for example, a jealous ex-boyfriend, or a boss that wants to keep tabs on what his employees are doing. Do not assume that the attacks will come from a mysterious hacker from afar; it is more likely to be friends, family or acquaintances who are monitoring your Internet activity.

Your Electronic Trail

Let us take an example of accessing your personal email from your work computer. This seemingly simple process requires the use of many computers, and at all points someone may be listening or logging your activity.

Firstly, on your computer, as you type your password, could be a key-logging application that stores everything that is being typed on that computer. Secondly, there may be key-logging hardware that’s plugged into the computer or hidden along the computer’s hardware trail. Also, all information sent and received through your company’s servers, such as your access to your email, may be being logged by them by sophisticated software, principally designed to ensure employees are not going to disallowed websites.

If you use a wireless network, this can be complicated by the fact that potentially other people on the network may gain access to your network, and indeed your computer. If you computer is not running a firewall or protective software, it is possible for people on other computers connected to the same network as you to gain access to your computer and install logging software.

Once your Internet request leaves your company, it will travel through many exterior computers, such as your company’s Internet Service Provider (ISP), multiple routing computers, and finally to your personal email server’s computer. Each of these has the potential to be logging activity, and many do. This is under the guise of checking for users performing illegal activities.

You Cannot Completely Be Safe

The next thing to come to terms with is that everything you access, upload, or download, is potentially being traced and stored in a number of different ways. These are the weak points in Internet security, and are impossible to completely eradicate. It is very difficult to conclusively discover if someone is listening-in to your internet activities; all we can do is try to stop it from happening.

• Step 1 – Check your Hardware for Key-Loggers

If you become suspicious that someone is monitoring your Internet access surreptitiously, first check your computer for any exterior hardware that seems to be performing no duty. Common hardware key-loggers can be invisible to detection software, and are therefore hard to detect without physically checking. The most basic will be connected between your keyboard and your computer; logging every keystroke for an attacker to later use. More sophisticated hardware key-loggers may be connected within your network, so check for any small device which takes in a network cable coming from your computer before sending the data on.

• Step 2 – Check your Installed Programs for Suspicious Items

Basic monitoring software that was installed in the standard way will show up under installed programs. You can access this list by going into the Control Panel, choosing Add or Remove Programs, and reading through the list of programs there. If there are any items there that you do not recognize, research their name online to see what they are there for. Check to see whether they are common software used for monitoring users.

• Step 3 – Check Running Processes

More devious programs will run as services and try to hide their existence, and will therefore not show up on the list of installed programs. On Windows, press Ctrl, Shift and Esc at the same time to bring up the list of processes. These are essentially like programs that are running – and will include items such as your web browser – but also more hidden processes such as those that control printers, or network access. You can look through this list for any suspicious items that may confirm there is a program running listening to your every move. Again, check online to see what kind of program the process is.

• Step 4 – Run Anti-Spyware Software

Spyware is the term used for software running on your computer which is listening in to your internet actions. There are hundreds of common variants on these programs that may be used by potential criminals and eavesdroppers, and it is very hard to keep up with their different names and tactics used to keep hidden on your computer. Using anti-spyware software, many of which are free, can eradicate the vast majority of them. They can also run in the background and ensure that no new threats are installed.

These days, almost all anti-virus software includes anti-spyware capabilities. Bitdefender from Bitdefender UK, and Kasperspy from Kasperspy Lab UK are two leading Anti-Virs software program, both of which include excellent Anti-Spyware capabilities.

• Step 5 – Remember the Simple Stuff

Don’t leave things open to the opportunist snooper. Have a password on your computer, and lock the screen every time you leave your desk. Don’t leave a laptop in a situation for a long time that would allow someone time to access it and install key-logging or spyware software. Ensure that your wireless network passwords are strong and not available for everyone to access.

Ensure that you are running firewall software when connecting to the Internet on more public networks, such as in coffee shops. If you are planning on accessing sensitive data on these networks a lot, think about investing in a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which is a method that allows your network traffic to be encrypted over the vast majority of your internet access.

Our mantra for this subject is this: get Anti-Virus Software that has Anti-Spyware features included. There’s no substitute for this simple step in protecting your privacy on the Internet.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics published figures detailing the prevalence of identity theft from 2005 to 2010. The report’s conclusions uncovered a 33% increase in identity theft cases across the country over a five-year period. In 2010 alone, 8.6 million people in the U.S. were victims of identity theft and credit card fraud, accumulating direct financial losses in excess of $13.3 billion dollars.

As online privacy concerns continue to mount today, anonymous internet browsing solutions are quickly becoming a popular topic of discussion among Internet users who highly value their privacy on the World Wide Web. The truth about private, anonymous Internet browsing is that no single standard solution exists. Rather, online privacy practitioners have a broad swath of free and paid software products from which to choose. Aside from the many variations of free and paid secure web browsing applications, deploying a virtual private network (VPN) or a web proxy service are the two primary means of protecting sensitive information online.

Proxy Servers: The Most Basic Online Privacy Protection Strategy

Utilizing a proxy server was one of the first private Internet browsing strategies deployed as the World Wide Web expanded exponentially over the prior two decades. In 2001, PC Mag published one of the first articles that discussed the usage of proxy services that attempt to shield an end user’s public information. The average Internet surfer, in all likelihood, lacks a rudimentary understanding of wide-area network architecture. Simply stated, websites, employers, Internet service providers, and even law enforcement agencies have the potential to monitor or censor sensitive personal information transmitted over the World Wide Web.

Every time an end user visits a website, he leaves a digital fingerprint in his wake. Computers are identified on the World Wide Web via an IP address, a standardized protocol that allows the transmission of data over a network. Nearly every website logs and tracks an end user’s IP address for marketing and advertising purposes. With this private information in hand, unethical webmasters could possibly geo-locate an end user’s precise residence as well as determine which Internet browser requested the website’s content from the web server. In the worst case, sensitive financial data such as banking transactions or credit card purchases can be intercepted by hijacked web servers.

Proxy servers provide a means to circumvent these risks; but to be fair, proxies are only effective to a certain degree, depending upon the level of protection an end user requires. By utilizing a web proxy-based anonymous browsing application, end users no longer have to reveal their IP addresses and locations to the Internet. In essence, web surfers visit websites indirectly via an intermediate server, which forwards the data request to the appropriate URL destination. Then, a proxy server retrieves and transmits the requested data back to the web surfer without exposing the end user’s IP address to any tracking software, also known as spyware and adware. The proxy method is the most simplistic way to mask an IP address, but it is still widely used today. The drawback of utilizing a standard proxy technique is that simple proxies do not encrypt website content or URLs from Internet service providers or local-area network administrators.

Virtual Private Networks: The Latest Anonymous Browsing Solution

VPNs allow Internet users to tunnel into a third-party secure service, which then shields and encrypts an end user’s personal data. VPNs are most often used in corporate private networks that demand the highest security measures possible. Large international financial transactions via the World Wide Web would not be possible without the advent of secure networks such as VPNs. Also, without VPNs, remote employment in a virtual office environment would not be feasible due to online security concerns. In one manner of speaking, all VPNs are proxy-based services, but the differences between these two private web-browsing techniques outweigh their similarities.

For example, a VPN’s greatest asset is its ability to encrypt data well. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption has grown into the private browsing industry’s standard encryption protocol, but IPSec (Internet Protocol Security), an even more secure web traffic protocol, is quickly exceeding SSL encryption in popularity. Other encryption protocols exist but have little application in the anonymous browsing industry at large.

As a matter of fact, VPNs rank among the most popular private browsing services today. Theoretically, even Internet service providers and employers would not be able to trace web traffic through a VPN-based anonymous browsing service. Secure smartphone browsing applications may also use VPN technology in order to protect an end user’s private data from mobile information hijackers. As the proliferation of mobile devices progresses, VPNs are positioned to play an even larger role in the mobile Internet security market. Today, mobile web security (or the lack thereof) is a growing concern among online privacy advocates such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Tor Project.

Freeware Versus Paid Anonymous Browsing Software

Not surprisingly, paid anonymous web-browsing software is far more reliable than freeware versions. Products such as Anonymizer and CyberGhost VPN, two of the best-selling paid private browsing applications today, offer a free basic trial period; 100% free private web browsing software is still effective nonetheless. The decision to purchase top-of-the-line anonymous browsing software hinges on the level of security an end user needs. Casual, occasional web surfers would do well simply to install free HTTPS extensions into the web browser of their choice. On the other hand, Internet users who relay financial information on a daily basis would be best served by a highly reviewed VPN-based safe browsing product.

Every Internet user is personally responsible for protecting his privacy while online. Millions of casual web surfers continue to delve into the World Wide Web unaware of the very real threat to their privacy. As the unprecedented rise of social media continues, these threats will only multiply as millions more freely and willingly expose their most private information to the entire world. Not surprisingly, anonymous browsing software is poised to become standard-issue protection over the coming decade.

Ever been on a computer that freezes up and becomes unresponsive from time to time? It can suck the life-force out of you.

Don’t let that be your computer. Do these 10 Steps to Increase Speed, and your computer will feel fresh and new again.

Check your hardware:

Make sure you have compatible hardware for a particular Operating System. Different operating systems like Mac OS and Windows ask for a specific computer configuration. Failure to meet the requirements generally results in inefficient performance.

Processor, Random Access Memory (RAM), graphic card and hard disk space are a few basic hardware requirements. Secondary hardware requiremensts, like a higher screen resolution, also play a vital role in video playback. Upgrading the processor increases the speed more than any other single element. A hard drive with a faster RPM speed is an easy way to make a drastic difference as well.

Optimize your desktop:

Whenever your operating system starts, the operating memory is used up to load the desktop files. If most icons on your desktop are shortcuts, very little memory is used, meaning faster startup speed. However, if the desktop is loaded with folders, the amount of operating memory will impact on the start up speed tremendously.

Clean up your desktop by deleting unused files or creating shortcuts for programs you often use. This will increase your computer’s speed.

Use PC CleanUp Software:

PC Cleanup Software can really make a huge difference on your computer’s performance. It will systematically remove junk files, clean up corrupt registry, and fix errors.

If you don’t want to go through the headache of checking all of these things manually, read our PC Cleanup Software page to learn about the different programs available. All of them will save you time and increase speed.

Scan for Viruses and Spam:

Many files floating around on the web are malicious. You must avoid them and remove the one’s you have. If you’re on a PC, you must run one of the top anti-virus programs at all times.

Your computer is a ticking time-bomb without one.

Make sure your anti-virus program is up-to-date and run regular scans. Delete the corrupt and infected files as soon as possible.

If your computer is heavily infected and the corrupt programs will not be deleted, re-install the operating system.

When it comes to viruses, prevention is the best medicine.

Uninstall unused programs:

Software programs occupy a tremendous amount of space on your hard disk. This in turn reduces computer speed. Always uninstall the programs you don’t use.

You can use “clean up” software to uninstall unwanted software automatically or manually do this by going to the “add or remove” option in the Control Panel (for Windows users only).

If you’re on a Mac, go to your Applications folder and simply drag-and-drop the unwanted software icons in the Trash Bin. Empty the Trash Bin from time to time.

Delete Temporary Internet Files:

When we browse the Internet, sites install small tracking files on our browser. Most of them are harmless. Some can be malicious, but the bigger concern is that over time, they take up a good bit of space, and this slows things down.

Go through your browser settings and delete cache and cookies. This can work wonders at times.

Clean Up Mac or Clean Up PC software can do this, and much more, with a few clicks. These programs are highly recommended if you want to stay on top of all the things mentioned in this article.

Check auto start-ups:

Unnecessary programs that start up with your operating system makes the booting process slow (happens on PC’s and Mac’s).

As there are numerous applications already running, there is very less Random Access Memory (RAM) to accommodate other programs.
* There are 5 ways in which you can choose auto-start programs:
* Startup Folder (PC)
* “Preferences” options of the program (Mac and PC)
* System configuration (System Preferences on Mac)
* System registry (PC)
* Task scheduler (PC)

Task scheduler and System registry are external software programs that allow you to select the application you prefer. You may not have them installed.

If you still prefer to auto-start many applications, it would be better to get extra RAM to accommodate for the memory consumption.

Defragmentation:

The operating system stores files on the hard drive where there is vacant space. All the files belonging to a particular program may not be placed on the same drive. Defragmentation software reorganizes the disk to ensure that all the files are allocated on the same disk. This facilitates faster and smoother running of the applications, reducing pressure on the processor and random access memory.

Before running this, make sure that all programs are closed and that the hard drive is healthy. Also make sure that there is constant power supply during the defragmentation process. Power failure might crash the hard drive or corrupt the operating system.

Reinstall the Operating System:

If your computer is old, it could probably benefit from an Operating System Reinstall. Before you do this, back up your data to an external hard drive or USB. Clean all the drives and reinstall the Operating System and your core programs (MS Office, etc…).

The best thing about this is that you effectively have a new computer. You’ll be surprised at the speed at which your machine zips through tasks.

It’s best to have the original copy of your OS software. If not, make sure that what you buy is authentic, as Windows Software has been heavily pirated.

Partition your hard drive:

Partitioning your hard drives effectively can increase the efficiency of your hard drive. Separate your disk into distinct areas for specific files. For instance, you can assign space for video files, audio files, documents, etc. separately instead of having them all under one volume. Dividing a disk in this way offers a greater degree of user flexibility, as well as increased speed.

This can be a daunting task to do manually. We recommend using a Partition Software to make the process smooth and easy. A minimum of 3 partitions is recommended.

Summary:

Realistically, you can’t do all of these things all the time. Do what you can. Use top notch programs that Clean Up Your Computer and provide Internet Security to take care of the commonly needed tasks.

In general, it’s preferable to perform all of the tasks above with automated software. Doing them manually may be less expensive, but it can be very easy to make a fatal mistake. Proceed with caution as you do these 10 Steps to Increase Speed, and watch your wait times and stress levels on the computer go down!

Immediately after registering, I got an email from sales team with link to access desktop or mobile version. Having a mobile version helps the users to access this software while traveling or when desktop PC is not accessible. I decided to try the desktop version.

Initial Setup
Having accessed multiple billing systems, my biggest concern was on setup. Tight deadlines of work and multiple unfriendly links can sometimes make the timesheet setting up experience a pain. But I found the Bill4time software setup, a hassle free process. With multiple screens such as Company address information, Industry type, graphics, label, date format, Currency etc each Organization can customize this software to look more like a company specific product.
After the initial setup, the next setup is the core setup of this software. Different Screens help in entering the details of number of Users, Projects, Billing, etc. so that you can right away start using the software and bill based on your project type and client.

Dashboard
The first screen once you complete the Initial Setup is the Dashboard Screen. This gives you a quick snap shot of the time entered based on date, the Recent Project that were added etc. Apart from this, the booked weekly billable hours can be also viewed on the dashboard screen.

From the dashboard Screen, you can click on ‘Add Expenses’ button to add any expenses done as part of the project. With click of mouse, you can easily enter the data and also add copy of the receipt.

Booking your time for the work done on different projects can be done easily by clicking the ‘Add Time’ button. All the fields are quite easily filled. In order to help your timesheet filling experience be a pleasure, you can replicate your tasks for other days if you choose. As I was trying the different features of entering time, I felt the developers of software have though a lot and provided features to help save productive time.

Once you have entered your time over here, you can always review your time based on week by going to ‘Time/Expenses’ tab. From the drop down select the week and then select the day of Week of which you wish to review the time

For people who have less patience, there is another alternative to book time. The timesheet can be entered via batch.

One suggestion that I would have for Bill4time developers is that if they can provide a feature to import time saved in excel or notepad, then this will be a super duper tool.

Similar to Initial Setup, it is also possible to Add New Clients and projects using the Clients and Project tab respectively without many issues.

Apart from so many features, one additional feature similar to the reminder is the Scheduler feature. You can schedule meetings and invite users to it. You can also convert your scheduler meeting to a time entry.
With so many convenient features, Bill4time is a handy tool for any organizations.

Reporting
While the users enter the time based on the amount of time they worked on a project, it becomes difficult when you wish to analyze this effort monthly, quarterly or yearly etc. The report function helps in creating wide variety of reports that will help your business and show cumulative effort. Reports can help in checking number of hours worked on a particular project between two dates, check pending money owned by client etc.

These reports can have multiple purposes for different stakeholders. For example the Project Manager might be interested in seeing how much he is spending on each of his resources versus how much money is coming in. In another instance, the Account Manager might be interested in checking how many times the invoices have been sent to Clients. All such reports and multiple other reports are available at the click of the mouse. Once you click on the generate button and enter relevant data, you can either print the report or export it in excel or pdf format.

Accounting
Once the contract is signed, work is done, and client signoff is given, it is also important to ensure that any money that was agreed upon is paid. Also any adjustments after the initial contract was signed also need to be keep tracked and followed. In order to avoid the headache of chasing clients for money with improper amount, it is important to keep track of money. Keeping track of any payments received and seeing the payment history is done in the accounting module.

Bill4Time is ideal software for organizations or freelancers that want a stress-free way to manage time, whether billable or non-billable. This software really makes it easy to get your accounting and billing on track fast.

Is It Worth It?

For most organizations whose requirements for managing time are quite simple (Billing, Invoicing, Auditing, etc.), Bill4time is ideal. Power-packed and full of easy-to-use features, and having flexible packages available, this product is definitely worth the cost.

Worth It.

Where both differ is on the quality and type of security risks they handle. Antivirus is specific and limited to a particular class of security risks it resolves and is largely native to your system. Internet security on the other hand has a wide-sweeping scope and handles security risks across multiple formats even as you weave across annals of Cyber World.

The ABCs of AntiVirus

The story of Antivirus should necessarily begin with a brief introduction to viruses. Viruses are disruptive software written for the sole purpose of harming and damaging your computer. They are built to clone themselves and hide in documents, files and folders of host computers, by opening normal files on your system.

Antivirus is one of the first forms of security solutions we engage in as it offers protection from the most common forms of infections that your computer could be exposed to. Hence, it works as its name suggests, in battling Malicious Software plus Viruses of the digital kind, such as Trojans or worms. An Antivirus is a package of software that is built for the specific purpose of detecting and protecting from unusual duplicating software that could invade your system or your local network, piggy ridding on safe software. Antivirus specialised software is one of the most common, consistent virus-fighting software that have evolved with each generation of digital viruses.

However, the limitation on Antivirus is that they are not able to prevent an attack if they are unable, to recognize the virus. Thus, hackers have the clever option of building new viruses that Antivirus software is unable to detect. This was followed by the next wave of antivirus – with Heuristics.

Heuristic is a typical system monitoring technology that follows the activities of programs and eventually concludes if a particular program is cloning viral activities. Once it detects such copying and populating activities of software, it immediately alerts users and looks for directions from the user on what method should be adopted to handle the course of action. This type of Antivirus proves to be advantageous a swell, considering on the kind of online activity you perform and the degree of system usage you adopt.

However, the bottom-line with Antivirus is that it provides a secure ecosystem such that virus and malicious software are kept at bay.

The 1, 2, 3 of Internet Security

Internet Security is much like master software or UMBRELLA software that ensures your system is well enveloped in a fire-wall, preventing malicious attack as well as unauthorized access to your system or network. It also typically includes software that handles jam any spam attacks, allows parents to control the websites their children are allowed to access and even prevents theft of your identity that can be easily accessed on unsecure systems. These are but the bare features of an Internet security suite.

A deeper examination of Internet Security features reveals that, it too, essentially shares the basic anatomy of Antivirus software. However, the difference is that Internet security handles more advanced issues and is therefore more powerful, addressing issues as varied as spams to handling to firewall break-ins.

Thus, as they handle such varied security issues, the software is developed to offer integrated solutions. Their cohesive integration proves to be an advantage to your computer system. This is because it demands fewer resources from your system and hence avoids conflicts in resource allocation scenarios.

Though most native proprietary software such as Windows do offer native firewall protection a host of open source software offers sophisticated options that help you maintain a secure system. Besides several email clients offer anti-spam features under both streams- proprietary software as well as open source software.

Therefore, Internet security that is bundled with basic software can be further beefed and optimized to provide maximum protection through third-party Internet security service providers.

Hence, at the core of its structure Internet security is power-packed real-time protective software that runs over and above conventional software to secure your website from being hacked or penetration from malicious software programs.

Internet Security hence supersedes Antivirus Software

After a detailed discussion on features of AntiVirus Software and Internet Security it is easy to deduce that Internet Security is more multifarious as systems are vulnerable to attacks from various forms and possibilities. Internet Security is very comprehensive and includes a broad-spectrum of features that are all-encompassing and largely engaged in protecting your system from attacks of all purposes.

Anti-virus on the other hand is available only for known strains of digital virus. Therefore, when there is an attack from newer strains of software, there is no defense and your system is vulnerable to several unconceivable viruses and malicious software attacks. The very limited scope of Antivirus software requires that its performance be bundled with other suites of Internet security so as to offer 100% security.

Take Away

As you understand and assimilate the roles Antivirus and Internet Security software supports, you will grow to appreciate that Internet security plays critical role in creating a zero vulnerability online lifetime. Hence, it is a logical requirement that you use multiple software support programs such as Internet Security for secured digital footprint.

At the core of the issue is that users are often undecided on why Internet Security is doubly required when they are already benefitting from the built-in protection that operating systems offer or the email client offers. For one, Internet security package is definitely not as easily affordable as anti-virus software.
However, it has to be realised that regardless of whether you are a power user or a causal user, your digital presence carries priceless data. Any compromise of such personal data, triggered by lack of proper and sophisticated Internet security solutions is truly an unbearable cross to be worn for the lifecycle of your online activities. Pro-activeness is a necessity today and deploying best of industry Internet security software is only the initial steps to securing your online risks.

Restarting your computer and applications takes time, and it’s easy to lose focus on what you were accomplishing.

If you’ve been there, you know how frustrating it can be.

Is it your computer’s fault?

While many of us expect perfection out of our machines, few us take time to care for them properly. You get your car washed and have the oil changed, but what do you do you for your computer?

With some love and car, you can have your PC running at optimal speeds. Here are some tips and recommendations:

1. Enhance Your Computer’s Virtual Memory

Virtual memory is the Random Access Memory or RAM that your PC uses when running programs. By resetting the usage of your computer’s virtual memory, a process known as pagination, you can ensure that you computer runs at an optimal speed. Remember that you don’t have to go beyond the limits set in the properties box of your system.

In order to access and reset your PC’s virtual memory, you need to  go to Start Menu > My Computer > View system information > Advanced > Virtual memory

In the virtual memory area, you can reset the pagination file to enhance the memory and thus keep your system running at optimal speed.

2. Get Rid of Unwanted Files

Getting rid of unwanted files means cleaning up files that you no longer need. If you have a software or Microsoft document which you do not require anymore, nor will you need it in the future, then go ahead and get rid of it, as it clogs your disk space.  Less occupied disk space = smoother operation.

3. Remove the Hidden Junk Files

You have hidden and temporary files that were created without your knowledge. They often cause an overload on the computer memory, which slows down your PC. Some of these files come from Internet browsing, and some are created by your software programs. To speed up your computer, you must get rid of these hidden and junk files.

Go to the Start Menu > Run > type %temp% to delete all the unwanted temporary files in your PC.

4. Uninstall Unwanted Software and Programs

Do you keep old clothes you wore when you were a kid? Probably not.

So why hang onto old software that you don’t use anymore? It slows you down and causes stress.

To get your PC running at optimal speed, remove all unwanted programs and software installed on your computer. If you have programs that you need to keep, but don’t use regularly, disable automatic updates and automatic running upon start up. These two things alone cause stress for millions of people.

5. Use an Effective Anti-Virus Program

When you have so much important data saved on your computer, it makes sense that you use an effective and genuine anti-virus program. AVG has a free version of their anti-virus software that’s decent. A better choice would be Bitdefender.  If you’re on a PC, a top-notch anti-virus is essential. Your computer won’t last long without it. Read some Antivirus software reviews to decide which is best for you.

6. Keep Programs Updated Regularly

The programs installed on your computer need to be updated regularly. The updates are available through the developers, who are always working to make the software faster and more secure.

Your Operating system needs consistent updates (that’s a priority). But be sure to check all of your applications and software programs on a regular basis.  Up-to-date software = more speed.

To ensure that your device drivers are running smoothly: go to Control Panel > System > Advanced Settings > Device Manager (under the Hardware Tab).

7. Disable System Restore

The ‘system restore’ option is designed to save your computer’s butt in the case of an attack/virus that destroys it. But this feature consumes a great deal of space from your computer’s hard drive.

By disabling this feature, you can free up the physical memory and thus significantly enhance the speed of your PC.

To turn off the system restore, you need to do the following:  Start > Accessories > System tools > System restore > edit settings and then disable the system restore option.

If you’re concerned about losing your data (and you should be), back up your files on an external hard drive. That, combined with one of top security software programs running at all times will keep your machine fast and safe.

8. Delete Internet Cache and Cookies

Temporary Internet files are created when you visit website, which install them whether you want them or not. They can be harmless, but sometimes they’re nasty little critters that cumulatively slow your PC down. Make it a habit to regularly remove cache and cookies to ensure that your computer runs faster.

To kill Internet cache and cookies: Go to Browser Toolbar > Tools > Internet Options > Delete Cache and Cookies.

9. PC CleanUp – The Quickest, Easiest Way to Optimal Speed

You can do all of the things outlined in this article, and they will certainly increase the speed of your PC.

But if you’re looking for an easier, stress-free solution, this is it.

The best solution would be to purchase PC CleanUp Program. In one full swoop, you can accomplish all of the following:

• Free hard drive space
• Delete all the clutter
• Speed up slow programs
• Quick startup and shutdown
• Reduce freezes, error messages, crashes

Read our PC CleanUp Software Reviews page to learn how the various available programs are currently ranking in terms of effectiveness.

Many of them have free trails so you can test them before buying.

The Bottom Line

Your computer is a machine, not a person. Most of us tend to treat our machine like a co-worker, whom as in the real world, takes care of himself on his own time, and interacts with you when needed (ironically, many of us also treat our co-workers like machines, but that’s another post…).

Your PC is a machine. It has moving parts. All of its functions are based on human input. It has no mind of its own.

If you want it to run correctly, clean up your PC regularly, as if it were your first car.

Do this, and watch your speed and efficiency go up, while your wait times and stress levels go down.