Source: HeathCat.es

If you are reading this on a computer, PC or Mac, you are probably using a browser that has a “Private” mode. In tech circles it is actually known as porn mode. You can already see the problem. This mode creates a session where you can browse the internet and for that session nothing is tracked on your computer and there are no traces left on your computer. Technically speaking it is no more private than using the mail system to send a postcard but you drop it off at the post office. It is only private on your computer but once the information leaves your computer it is just like any other data. So, to answer the title question simply, No, private mode is not a good idea.

If you think you have a valid use for the feature I would love to hear it but the main reasons people use them is to hide information from people that should probably have access to it. That being said, in any setting with a technical person being present this mode is nearly useless. I can tell you half a dozen ways you can still be tracked even if you use this mode. In business there are often firewalls that can keep track of every website you visit after it leaves your computer so you have no chance of blocking it unless you are going to extreme measure to hide. Never assume these features are protecting you if you have a valid reason to be protected. I consider them peace of mind features for people that don’t want to have to remember to delete their history after each visit. In my opinion if you need to delete your history you have a bigger problem.

So, before I overly bore anyone else with the details here is how you can remove the feature from all browsers you have currently installed.

How to remove “Private” or “Incognito” mode

1. Download “Incognito Gone” – It is made to remove the mode from all browsers you currently have installed. Just download it, unzip it, and run it.  (It has a bug that won’t remove the feature from some firefox versions so if that is the case for you also do step two.)
2. Download “Disable Private Browsing” – It is a firefox plugin that removes the option of creating a private session.

Like I mention above these options work for browsers installed on your computer. To be sure you don’t have issues in the future I recommend installing all the browsers that have this mode, IE/Firefox/Safari/Chrome, and disabling the mode. If not all it would take is for a user to download one of the ones not present on the PC and they would gain this feature.

One more big caveat. This doesn’t stop someone from removing their history or cookies manually.

Why remove “Private” or “Incognito” mode?

• Kids – There are many reasons that kids should not have access to this function. It may be less nefarious than the worst case scenario but they may simply try to hide something that parents should have access to. It could be as simple as another child tells your child that’s how they should browse so mom can’t see. Or it could be their way around their restrictions on social media.
• Shared Computers – I consider any shared computer to have the rental car issue. If it’s not someone’s own computer they might do things they wouldn’t do otherwise. Removing this feature doesn’t stop anyone from doing anything but it might make someone less likely to if they see these modes have been removed.
• Removing the Temptation – If you thought you had a dark alley you could go to at any time who knows what you would do. Hopefully just plant some shade loving plants but the temptation is there all the same.
• Business – This might be something you want to look at for a business setting to remove the temptation from employees even though there are other ways to track if that is an issue.

Finally, this is not a perfect fix. As I already mentioned a user can manually remove history and cookies but it is a good place to start. I would recommend doing this if you have children of any age for sure.

Source: HeathCat.es

I realize that this questions is assuming a lot. When I encounter most clients for the first time it is rare for them to have any sort of regular backup routine. If they do it often requires burning a disk or taking a tape off the site which is often forgotten. But, assuming you do backup, or will start after reading this post, how do you backup?

It’s a bigger question than you might initially realize. You may have a usb thumb drive you copy some files to once in a while or a portable or even desktop usb drive that has software that copies certain files over to it on a regular basis. If you are really paranoid, or prepared as I like to call it, you might even be paying a service to backup your data off site. All of these options are better than nothing but if you don’t make your decision on how to backup based on good advise or you don’t do it regularly you might not be as prepared as you think. Or at the least you might be over paying. I have a client that recently told me that they spend hundreds of dollars a month to backup data from one computer each month and I am now working to get them on a more economical solution.

Here are some of the more popular options in use today in most small to medium sized businesses.

What are the options?

Local Backup

• Partitions – Separating a single hard drive into sections so that if one sector gets corrupted it might be available in another place on the drive. (Pros – No additional cost | Cons – Very limited usefulness and can only help if the drive is still working, does not protect against disasters)
• Multiple Hard Drives – Making a copy from one physical drive to another in case one corrupts or goes bad all together. (Pros – Cost is limited and no additional resources are needed, Can be used to recover data when a hard drive dies as all drives will eventually do |  Cons – Can be damaged in the event of a surge or power failure at the same time as the primary drive. Requires a bit more technical knowledge to setup in an efficient way, does not protect against disasters)
• USB Thumb Drive – A portable pocket backup medium that is relatively inexpensive. (Pros – Low cost and ultra portable | Cons – Can be easily lost or misplaced, data limits are still a concern, will need to be setup and maintained regularly or can become problematic)
• USB Portable/Desktop Drive – A full size desktop or laptop size drive that can either be run off of USB power or plugged in externally. (Pros – Size and cost are usually not issues, still portable enough to be removed from a site though potentially inconvenient | Cons – will need to be setup and maintained regularly or can become problematic, can easily be mismanaged if not setup correctly, does not protect against disasters if left on site)
• NAS / Network Accessible Storage – A hard drive or bank of drives accessed via the network instead of by USB. (Pros – Not directly connected to a PC so it can be easily shared by several computers or users. Size is not usually an issue | Cons – Requires more management of both the network and the backup maintenance, Can be cost prohibitive in some cases, does not protect against disasters)
• Removable Media – This has been dominated by tape drives in business for years but has increasingly been replaced by CD/DVD/Blu-Ray disk as tape drives can be more costly to maintain. (Pros – Can be easily moved off site, cost is usually not an issue | Cons – Space can be an issue and in some cases the time it takes to copy all the data to several disks or tapes can become burdensome, Can be easily left on site or forgotten to do altogether as it usually requires some human interaction, does not protect against disasters if left on-site)

Remote Backup

• A Paid Backup Service – Usually a company with proprietary software that uploads your data to a remote server (Pros – Automatic, off-site | Cons – Can be extremely expensive, can be mismanaged by the client or the company providing the service, restore procedures can be complicated, security and encryption can be concerns if enough research is not done, you are at the mercy of an outside company)
• A Self Run Off Site Server – A server setup in a location off-site, can be in the same community or across the globe (Pros – Cost can be easily managed and upgrades are done at cost, as data needs increase a simple one time hardware cost is all that is needed | Cons – Requires advanced technical knowledge to run and setup, Can become complicated, Security concerns are high without the proper knowledge, Time to use and maintain can be prohibitive if it is contracted out, Can experience data failures or downtime depending on internet sources and hardware choices)
• FTP Access to a Hosting Account – Backing up data to a professionally controlled web server (Pros – Inexpensive, Can be done by users with web backgrounds as well as computer technicians in some cases, Uptime and hardware choices are usually not a concern | Cons – Can be complicated initially, using a service meant for other services, not secure if setup incorrectly, you are at the mercy of an outside company)

What do I recommend?

As in most cases in the technical world it can be complicated. I will boil it down to a few things. Cost, Value and Common Sense. You must choose an option you can afford and one that will be done routinely. I recommend different options for different clients based on their needs. In most cases a local and remote backup can be done for the best possible solution. For clients concerned with security at the paranoid level a self managed off site server with encrypted backups and tunnels may be necessary. For a general contractor with a laptop that they travel with daily a remote backup service is usually a good idea. They can have it set to backup overnight and just leave it on while it charges then. For a freelance designer on a shoestring budget an FTP server with a reputable hosting company can be very inexpensive and may already be within the skill set of the client.

If you want a specific informed recommendation or a consultation on your backup needs please feel free to contact me.

If you already have a backup solution please let me know what it is and how comfortable you are with it and if you have had any issues.

Inc.com recently released an article on “7 Classic Tech Blunders to Avoid – Mistakes that will cost you time, money, and the security of your business.” Please look over this list and let us know if any of these surprise you. Are you costing yourself by making any of these mistakes?

1. Buying the wrong laptop – Saving a few dollars is great but do your research.
2. Using simple passwords – There is a reason companies keep forcing you to make your password harder.
3. Paying for data by the MB, not GB – Don’t let these charges get away from you.
4. Trusting your anonymity – Nothing online is anonymous no matter how tight you lock it down or set the privacy settings.
5. Posting sensitive data to the cloud – Encrypt, Encrypt, Encrypt.
6. Revealing your location publicly – Foursquare is not your friend.
7. Not using anti-virus software – Classic mistake.

Source: John Brandon via inc.com

1. Buying the wrong laptop

Don’t get sucked in by the low price of a new system. That shiny new Dell might not be all it is cracked up to be. Before you buy a new laptop, do some research on the latest Intel processor, graphics chipsets, and hard disk sizes. If a laptop has a 64GB SSD disk, that’s a sign it has not kept up with the field. Look for something more along the lines of 128GB SSD. And, look for brand new features like NFC (a chip used for making purchases), a gorilla glass display, and ruggedized components.

2. Using simple passwords

A recent survey called the Trustwave Global Security Report 2012 found that the most common password today is “password1”—basically, adding a one to the default. Using your birthday, the name of your kids, or a popular celeb might make it easy for you to remember the password, but it also makes it easier for hackers to take a wild guess. A better approach: Use a mix of numbers, caps, and letters.

3. Paying for data by the MB, not GB

Some cell phone plans charge you extra if you go over your data allotment. But there are two pricing plans. You will either pay a few cents for each MB or a flat rate for each GB. Make sure you go with the flat rate per GB. If you pay a few cents per MB, the costs add up quickly—to $100 or more in some cases. If you pay per GB the flat rate is usually just $10.

4. Trusting your anonymity

Guess what? You are being watched. When you visit a website, you are downloading dozens of cookies, some nefarious enough to track your browsing history. Unless you opt-out, Google is probably tracking your Web history as well. And, we all know the FBI probably has a way to track you on Twitter. The lesson here is that we are in an age where anonymity is almost impossible. One browser can help: Mozilla Firefox has a do not track feature, and so does the latest version of Internet Explorer.

5. Posting sensitive data to the cloud

In some industries, it is a federal violation to post data to the cloud. That should serve as a good warning. Even if you are not posting patient records or financial information, be careful with the cloud. Dropbox has become a popular collaboration and storage tool but it’s not appropriate for your business. I recommend a new service called Huddle, a similar file sync service that has more business features.

6. Revealing your location publicly

Entrepreneurs like to share with others—being social is part of the culture. However, when you post on Twitter that you are leaving on a business trip, you are announcing to the world that you are not at the office—which means hackers and criminals might make your company a target. Worse, it tells your competitors what you are doing. Some services, like Google Maps, include a feature that can share your location with friends, which is fine, but also with everyone in the world, which is not a good idea.

7. Not using anti-virus software

It is a pain, I know: installing an anti-virus program, running the memory-hogging app in the background, and updating the signature files. But you know what’s worse? Actually getting a virus, and infecting not only your files but those of your co-workers. For anyone who has seen “Contagion,” just remember: Good protection can go a long way.

Source: HeathCat.es

I would have to say that probably half of the problems I get called for on non-contract jobs are caused by unsafe internet browsing. Many people do still get malicious code and viruses via email but with better spam filters being built into online email accounts and hackers and spammers still trying to make money it seems that browser exploits and social engineering have taken over. All that means is that people are infecting themselves by using unsafe browsers, unprotected computers and poor browsing habits.

There are so many things that I could go over on the topic but I am simply going to explain the fastest way to be almost certain you are browsing the internet safely. The first thing you have to do if you haven’t already is to ditch Internet Explorer. I actually like the newest versions and their improved functionality but their lack of integrated support or competent add-ons for security and privacy are worrying. Now you have to make a choice, there are several good alternatives but I am going to make it easy and for the purposes of this post say get Firefox. You can download it here. Once you have installed it we need to add a few things. To make this as simple as possible I am going to add this information in a list so you won’t have to parse it out of a paragraph. If you have never installed a program or need help adding the add-ons there is a tutorial here.

1. Install Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/)
2. Install Ad-Block Plus add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/)
3. Install No-Script add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/)
4. Install Ghostery add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/)
5. Install Do Not Track + add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/donottrackplus/)
6. Install Request Policy add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/requestpolicy/)

Now that you have a safe browser you need to be sure that your anti-virus is up to date. If you don’t already have anti-virus or it’s out of date you can install one of several brands by simply downloading the software without having to go to a store. Again, for the sake of this post I will pick just one. Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Vista or Newer) is free, always being updated and has gained the favor of most IT professionals which is a lot to say for a company that wasn’t always seen as trustworthy about a decade ago. If you are still using Windows XP you can use AVG free but I am not covering that in this post.

• Install MS Security Essentials (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials)

Need help installing MS Security Essentials? I will have a tutorial up soon.
Finally I will caution you that safe browsing means that you are going to have most malicious code blocked. If you go to sites that are known for illegal content or adult content you are exposing yourself and your computer to more harm than any free program is meant to protect you from. Also, as in most cases you give up some convince to gain security. In the beginning you will go to many sites that are perfectly fine but will still get warnings and cautions.

You may see sites asking you to enable javascript and if you trust the site (Google/Yahoo/Etc. not How to make money quick washing dogs) then simply click on the No-Script Icon and click allow for sites that you completely trust or temporarily allow if you aren’t sure.

You may also see a website not loading or showing a red flag where an image may be. If you trust the site simply click on the red flag at the bottom of your browser and do the same as you do for no-script.

If you still can’t live with the warnings or a site still won’t load I have two suggestions. My first suggestion is just don’t go to that page. It is either tracking you to an extent that isn’t warranted or has code that could harm your computer. Secondly, if that is not an option you may need to remove one of the add-ons. I would start with request policy and then no-script before removing them all. Finally, some web developers have gotten lazy and have created websites that won’t load in anything but Internet explorer so if all else fails load IE and try to go to that one page only. I find that a fair amount of government and state websites and forms fail to load in anything but IE (Lee County GIS is one example).

If you have any questions about this article please don’t hesitate to ask. Your best bet is to add a comment so that I and other readers can help but if you would like you can also message me via the contact page.

Starting on January 5th, 2012 all of our FB fans will receive 10% off all service!

Visit and “Like” our page today!
https://www.fb.com/yesprotechcan

Details: Not valid in combination with other discounts, already discounted rates or contract pricing. This deal may be terminated at any time.

Tip #4 – Use Correct Grammar and Spelling

4. Avoid Slang – Stay away from slang spellings of words. It is one thing to think up a great brandable name that is easy to remember and quite another to buy a domain name with “r” instead of “are” or “u” instead of “you”.

Keep checking back to see the rest of the list.

There are several reasons a hard drive might need to be removed from a computer. This article is written to help if you want to discard your old computer without the risk of losing your data to identity thieves. Removing a hard drive is very easy, and anyone who is not afraid to open up her computer can do it. Here are a few steps to help you safely remove a hard drive from your PC.

Difficulty: Easy

1. Back up. If you are going to need any of the data on a new computer be sure to back it up or have a local computer technician back it up for you.

2. Open the case. Be sure that you unplug the computer before opening the case. At this stage we are assuming you are not going to be using this computer any more before discarding it so issues with static are not a worry.

3. Locate the hard drive. Typically, the hard drive will be connected to a flat 2 1/2-inch-wide IDE cable and a power cable. In newer computers the IDE cable has been replaced with a red or blue SATA cable. Hard drives are often housed in removable metal cages that are secured to the computer case with one or more screws. Refer to your user’s manual to locate the hard drive if necessary.

4. Disconnect the hard drive. Unplug the hard drive from the IDE or SATA and power cables. Grab the plastic IDE cable connector with your thumb and forefinger, and gently pull until the connector breaks free. The power cable can be difficult to remove if the connector is fitted tightly. Make sure you don’t bend any of the pins when disconnecting the cables.

5. Remove the hard drive. If the hard drive is fitted in a metal cage, locate and remove the screws that are holding the cage in place. Hold your hand under the cage to catch it if necessary. Once the cage is free, remove the small screws on either side of the hard drive to remove it from the cage. If the hard drive is connected directly to the computer case, simply remove the screws on each side of the hard drive and slide it out of the case.

We hope this has been helpful and easy to follow on your own. However, if you would like assistance we would be happy to help. Contact Protech today if you would like to schedule service.

Tip #3 – Only One Possible Spelling

3. Make misspelling impossible – Try to find a domain name that only has one possible spelling. Most people cannot spell so make it easy for your visitors to remember by choosing a domain name without a confusing spelling.

Keep checking back to see the rest of the list.