Tag: software advice

Catch Notes: A Simple Productivity App for Notes and Reminders

Posted on | by Arthur Zilbermann | 2 Comments on Catch Notes: A Simple Productivity App for Notes and Reminders

Catch Notes Notes and Reminders Screenshot on AndroidAs I was researching and thinking about programs to include in my recent post on Essential Downloads for the Everyday Person, I ran across a small, yet promising iPhone/Android application which mirrors the simplicity of Evernote but brings a specialized feature to note taking that Evernote does not accommodate: note reminders.

Catch Notes is a simple and effective note taking program which allows you to take notes quickly and add reminders to your notes so you don’t forget about them.  Reminders is one feature that Evernote lacks and is lacking although Evernote is still great for collecting and organizing vast amounts of data.

Catch presents the user with an easy to use application which turns your notes into task reminders and is built for the user whose note taking needs are short-term rather than long-term.

Learn more about Catch at PC World or download and try the app out for yourself online or on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device today.

What other task/note taking applications do you use on your smartphone or tablet devices?

Digital Security Quick Tip: Protect Your WiFi Signal

Posted on | by Arthur Zilbermann | 2 Comments on Digital Security Quick Tip: Protect Your WiFi Signal

WiFi Digital SecurityRecently I talked about basic digital security tips and how to survive when your mobile world is, well, not mobile but we left an important element out of these posts: how to protect your WiFi signal (and your computer) from malicious intent.

Many people traditionally focus on router based security – securing the router that distributes the WiFi signal – but this post will quickly highlight what you can do on your end, as a computer user, to protect yourself.

WiFi protection software essentially amounts to an added, yet specialized, firewall on your computer that is targeted to ward off malicious threats and thwart snoopers.  As mentioned in a recent post, LaptopMD recommends the Kaspersky and PC Tools anti-virus/firewall products but a standalone program you might consider solely for WiFi protection is HotSpot Shield which forces website encryption (when available), masks your IP address to snoopers limiting access to your machine, and protects your computers from all possible snoopers (whether you’re at an airport, hotel, or in your own backyard) among other features.

As cautioned before: digital protection online starts when you think proactively and while programs are necessarily needed they help share the load when it comes to protection online.

How to Choose and Properly Maintain an Anti-Virus Program

Posted on | by Arthur Zilbermann | 2 Comments on How to Choose and Properly Maintain an Anti-Virus Program

computer securityWhen talking about basic digital security tips and protecting yourself online, I would be remiss to not pass on wisdom on how to properly choose and maintain an anti-virus program.  Many customers of ours bring their laptops or computers in for repair because of problems resulting from the anti-virus/security settings on their computer – whether an anti-virus program is improperly installed or is not installed at all.

Here are some tips I’ve shared with customers in the past on how to choose the right anti-virus software, set it up, and maintain it over time:

  1. Download a trial versionUtilize the available versions and try out several programs before you actually buy the software.  There are a multitude of programs out there and each will bring their own unique flavor of security protection.  Trial software allows you to experience and test out the actual program without incurring the hefty prices.  Try different security packages, from different developers, and find out which one suits you best and works best on your computer.
  2. Be aware of ‘weighty’ softwareDuring the trial period watch and see how the anti-virus software affects your computer’s performance.  Note peculiarities such as speed, responsiveness, and unexpected computer freezes.  These problems can be symptomatic of ‘bloatware’ which unnecessarily slows your computer down.  Anti-virus software (especially the Norton Security Suite) can slow computers down so you will want to find the right software that fits your digital habits/needs.
  3. Buy as a Suite of Products, Not as a Single Piece of SoftwareMost antivirus/firewall programs are available as a suite of products even though you can buy the standalone copies by themselves.  Contrary to popular belief, you will get a better deal (and more protection) when you focus on a suite of security products rather than individual programs.  Software purchased in suites, especially internet security software allows you to get more features for less money.
  4. Leverage the Available Bulk LicensesMost internet security software suites come with multiple licenses allowing you to install the program on multiple machines.  Take advantage of these bulk licenses and install the security software on all of the computers in your home, such as your spouse’s laptop, the kids’ computer, etc.  Protecting your entire home network is an integral part to mastering digital security.
  5. Get the Physical Software DisksSome programs allow you to download the application but be sure to buy the actual software so you have the disks if the computer crashes.  This makes computer recovery much easier for you and the repair engineers working on your computer.  You never know when you’ll need the actual disks and you don’t want to get caught with a missing login/password or without an internet connection like we’ve happen to customers in the past.
  6. Run/Schedule Software Updates RegularlyWhen you install the program, make sure you activate and schedule the automatic updates and regularly check to make sure your program is up to date, especially if something feels out of place.  Anti-virus developers release several dozen patches a year that you need to be protected from.  Hackers will never stop so make sure you are applying updates to the anti-virus/firewall program as they become available.

Recommendations

So which anti-virus/firewall packages does LaptopMD like best and recommend?

We prefer and recommend Kaspersky Anti-Virus and PC Tools to our customers.  Both companies offer lightweight but full-featured software suites that we’ve seen perform well on our own computers as well as those of customers.

Share your thoughts in the comments and ask us what is still on your mind about anti-virus software.