Tech Salsa

Google Releases Chrome 4 with more Security

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:30:54 +0000

Google has recently released the latest version of the browser Chrome 4 with the added security and vulnerability fixes. It was required to add these features to keep up with the changing technologies and risks with them.

Users of the browser are automatically prompted to update their browser with this improved and stable version with the fixes of the security vulnerabilities. The latest version includes the improved features of speed, security, simplicity apart from the other usual features.

This version will be less of the experimental anti-reflected-XSS feature called “XSS Auditor” as it caused some problems with the older versions throughout the world.

To download the latest version Chrome 4, visit the Chrome official site.

System Explorer: Detailed Task Manager

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:30:17 +0000

Windows task manager is quite simple and don’t have much of the features so if you are looking for some task manager that can give you enough information of the processes running in the background then you should try this process explorer called System Explorer.

Though I have mentioned about the replacement task managers but this is bit detailed and also simple to use. Features of System Explorer are:

• Detailed informations about Tasks, Processes, Modules, Startups, IE Addons, Uninstallers, Windows, Services, Drivers, Connections and Opened Files.

• Easy check of suspicious files via VirusTotal or Jotti service.

• Easy search details about file/process via online databases.

• Launcher (”New Task…” dialog) with integrated AutoSearch and AutoCompletion.

• Action History for monitoring processes activities.

• Performance graphs for monitoring usage of system resources in time.

• System Snapshots for easy finding of system changes.

• System Report builds rich text report containing major informations about your System.

• Multilanguage and Plugins Support.

• Version 2.0 brings brand new user interface and Windows 7 support.

• Security feature with online File Reviews.

• WMI Browser and System Additional Info

System Explorer is a freeware and fairly simple to install and use.

Download System Explorer

Copy Disk Image to a Drive with Raw Copy

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:30:24 +0000

Want to transfer data from the old computer to a new one or is it your faulty drive? No problems, solution is the data copy tool called Raw Copy.

This program copies a disk as a raw image from one drive directly to another. The utility also comes handy if you want to move data from one faulty or normal drive to another without doing a file by file copy.

The other advantage of using this tool is that you don’t need to install the installed software in the new drive like the games. The program has a built in data recovery function which will attempt to recover data from bad sectors to ensure all the available data is restored from the drive.

The tool is simple to use and works on NT/XP/2000 or later operating systems but only with windows logical drives.

Download Raw Copy

Draw Mouse Movements into an Image with IOGraph

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:46:40 +0000

If you have to work a lot on the system and are bored up of doing the same things again and again then here is something interesting for you.

IOGraph is a small application that turns mouse movements into a modern art for you. After starting the application you don’t need to do anything different, just do your daily routine stuff. Go back to IOGraph after a while and grab a nice picture of what you’ve done.

Image captured will look something like the above screenshot where all the line strokes are the mouse movements along different axis and the spots are the places where the mouse stopped.

Is it not refreshing to see what you have done in an image?

Download IOGraph

[Solved] User Name Missing from the Task Manager

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:30:13 +0000

One of our readers submitted this problem of not being able to view the names of the users under the User Name tab of the Task Manager while System was listed as usual.

This is very unusual thing and can happen immediately after the system is booted up that is before the system is fully processed. If the user name field is blank under the Processes tab then try the following solution.

Solution:

1. The problem can occur if the Terminal Services has not started, so to enable it do the following steps.

2. Click Start -> Run and type services.msc

3. Locate Terminal Services and double-click it.

4. Set the Startup type to Manual, and click Apply.

5. Make sure that the service is started and if not then Click the Start button to launch the service manually.

6. Similarly, double-click Fast User Switching Compatibility service.

7. Set the Startup type to Manual, and click Apply.

8. Click the Start button to launch the service manually.

The problem would go and the user names will be listed.

Mozilla Firefox 3.6 Released

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:27:07 +0000

It has been a while since the release of the latest Mozilla Firefox browser version 3.6. The new version has the improved features of security and performance along with the option of customization.

Users who are already using the older versions of the browser are prompted to update them to the latest version. The Mozilla developers have now decided to display a software update window to Firefox 3 users who have not yet upgraded to Firefox 3.6.

A small window will be displayed which will ask to update the browser to the latest 3.6 version, if not done already. The latest release is free to download and can be downloaded easily from their official site. It is recommended to upgrade the browser to the latest version.

Download Firefox 3.6

Minimize Currently Running Application as a Thumbnail

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:14:56 +0000

Running multiple applications simultaneously, no doubt, slows down the system but also clutters the taskbar. So if you have a habit of keeping the taskbar clean and tidy then you can make the applications minimize directly to the desktop and not to the taskbar as usually is.

The tool is called miniMIZE and what it does is, it catches the windows of the applications that are being minimized and puts a small thumbnail of it on the desktop. Thereby it makes your desktop into use and doesn’t clutter up your taskbar.

It also has hotkeys to cycle thumbnail levels, minimize all windows and show/hide thumbnails. The tool is quite small and is in beta stage and this is the reason why it works only on Windows XP at present.

Download miniMIZE

Check Monitor Pixels with IsMyLcdOK

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:38:22 +0000

If you feel that your monitor is not displaying the images as it should be or the pixels are not showing up as they should then you could check them easily.

There are many tools available on the internet to test and check the dead pixels on the screen and IsMyLcdOK is one of them which offer the users a series of tests to identify the pixel that is not showing up. IsMyLcdOK is a small program but effective solution to easily check for dead/paralysed/stuck pixels on LCD monitors.

The tool is fairly simple to use and require no installation and thus can be run directly from the USB drive. The main menu provides access to multiple tests performed by the presentation of colors, Curves and lines, and should help paralyzed or dead pixels on a color to find.

Download IsMyLcdOK

Tip of the Week: Beware of Phishing

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:08:49 +0000

You must have heard about phishing these days, well in case you haven’t then we have more on this topic in this week’s Tip of the Week.

Phishing is a type of scam designed to steal your personal data (such as credit card numbers, account data, passwords or other valuable information) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. The person who tries to steal your data directly or indirectly asks you for your secret information such as bank passwords, credit card details etc.

Here is how to stay protected from phishing:

• Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information.

• Always try to enter the URL address by typing it in the Address bar and clicking it on the links as the links can redirect you to some infected site.

• Never enter personal details in the pages that you do not trust.

Automatically Manage Cache files with Cache Sort

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:52:35 +0000

Cache files are important files that are automatically saved in the browser for future use. It is because of these files that we are able to browse net pages when being offline.

But managing them may be bit of problem for some people as they occupy space and should be deleted once in a while. Managing the cache files is not a problem anymore as you can manage them easily and automatically using a free tool called CacheSort.

Automatically move files from Internet Explorer’s cache into folders based on the files’ extensions.

Features:
• Very handy for storing movies and other files downloaded from the Internet.
• Can be used to watch other folders.
• Only move files bigger than a given value.
• Run a program when a new file is found.
• Move or copy files.
The tool is free and requires no installation.

Download CacheSort