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Showing posts from March, 2009

WinSecret: User friendly tool for editing hidden features of Windows XP and Vista

Wish to improve your internet speed, change display message at Windows logon, wish to change OEM info or wish to add special menu into Windows context? All thee requires registry editing. Unfortunately registry is not a friendly place for most people. Editing the registry should be done with care, and as with as much understanding as possible, a wrong value in the registry may cause unpredictable problems to your system. But with WinSecret, any one can do all these very easily. TweakNow WinSecret is free tool that gathered the most popular Windows XP and Vista registry settings and provide them in an easy and safe user interface. All settings are divided into different category such as Application, Control panel, Windows Core, OEM info, etc. and can make changes quite easily with the associated help file. Any changes can undo with a click if anything went wrong. For example, if you wish to change OEM Information in order to customize Windows registration information displayed in Syste...

USB: Little tool for preventing auto run viruses

One of the main reasons of virus infection to a computer system is wide use of removal medias like pen drives. Because of Windows auto run feature, viruses can easily get into the system when inserting a pen drive. There are several tools and solutions (mentioned many of them on my previous posts ) available for preventing auto run viruses. USB is a tiny (7Kb) program designed to prevent autorun viruses from Windows. One of the main features of this program is its small size (just 7Kb) and low memory usage. Using this program is quite simple. Download and run it. It will sit on the system tray. Right click on it, select ‘Option” and click on ‘Disable autorun for all system drives’ for enabling/disabling auto run. Click on ‘Check local drives’ from the ‘Action’ menu to find autorun.inf files on all drives. When this file was found, program shows message and renamed this file into autorun.inf_current date_time, and set to it attribute "normal", making it visible for system. As ...

SecretDrive: A utility for creating encrypted virtual disks (32 bit version is absolutely free)

SecretDrive is a small and efficient program that allows you to create up to 16 encrypted virtual disks on your computer. You can save confidential information like passwords, documents, etc on this virtual drive. It uses industry standard encryption algorithm such as AES (Rijndael), Blowfish, CAST256, Twofish and GOST28174-89 for protecting the disk. Virtual disk is just like a usual hard disk, so you can format it, defrag or backup it. SecretDrive has lot of features such as strong "on the fly" data encryption by one of five modern encryption algorithms, RAM disk support, optional creation of up to 4 hidden disks in an existing one, encryption or decryption of files, simple and intuitive user interface, built-in passwords generator, etc. This tool is designed to run under Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and Windows 7. You can download SecretDrive from the www.eterlogic.com . SecretDrive 32bit version is absolutely free; you can download and use it without limitation.

Trend Micro Sysclean: Free tool for removing malware and spyware

Trend Micro Sysclean is a standalone, free tool that very effectively scans and removes malware and spyware from your computer. Sysclean uses latest virus definitions and incorporates the Trend Micro VSAPI Malware scanning engine and Spyware scanner as well as Trend Micro Damage Cleanup Engine and Template for this. With this free tool you can terminate all detected malware and spyware instances in memory, remove malware/spyware registry entries, remove entries from system files and scan and delete all detected malware and spyware copies in all local drives. This tool is designed to run under Windows 2000/XP/2003/VISTA 32-bit and note that you must also download and place the latest virus pattern file in the same folder as the Trend Micro Sysclean Package. How to use this tool? 1. First of all download (4.5Mb) Trend Micro Sysclean from here or here 2. Download (14.5Mb) latest Malware definition ( lptXXX.zip) from here or here 3. Download (5.3Mb) latest Spyware definition (ssapiptn...

OpenExpert: Adds a user-configurable open with sub-menu to each file

Open Expert is a replacement for Windows ‘open with’ tool that enables you to specify any number of suitable applications for each file type very quickly and easily. For instance, if you want to view your HTML files in different browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome, you only need to right click it and select one from the list. Configuring the tool is also very simple. Just download  (free for home use) and install the program. Right click on any file, select open with, then select ‘Add application’ and select program(s) and click OK to confirm. More over you can remove any inappropriate applications from the list at any time. Features includes: adds a user-configurable "Open with" sub-menu to each file, allows an unlimited number of applications for each file type, easily add applications for any file types, import and export of configuration data to copy settings to another system and very small memory footprint.

Hard disk partition software: Easeus Partition Master Home edition

A hard disk partitioning tool is a must in certain cases. For example, to speed up your computer you want to separate Windows system files from personal data and junk files. This is possible by creating new separate partitions. EASEUS Partition Master (before it was EASEUS Partition Manager) Home edition is a free, comprehensive partition software that allows to create and delete partitions very easily. The most attractive features are that disk copy and partition copy are supported and it can resize/move your partitions by using the free spaces. This new version (3.5) has the same convenient user-interface and included new features such as option for converting FAT file system to NTFS file system and exploring FAT/NTFS partitions. This free utility offers a range of powerful functions such as resizing partitions, copying partitions, creating new partitions, deleting partitions, formatting partitions, converting partitions, exploring partitions, hiding partitions, changing drive lette...

McAfee Stinger removes known W32/Conficker variants to date

Almost all anti-virus software developers have already released specific tools for detecting and removing latest threat Conficker worm. MacAfee has offers a special build, standalone cleaning tool called Stinger for removing Conficker worm (Downadup, Kido, etc) from an infected system. As it is available on a daily updated basis to include any undetected Conficker variants, this free tool is able to detect and remove all known W32/Conficker variants to date. As W32/Conficker worm is considered to be critical and its authors are always trying to improve it by adding new functionality and anti-debugging tricks, it is highly recommended to scan your system using the latest release of Stinger. You can download the latest update of Stinger from the Avert Tools site. After download, run the tool, no installation required. Before scanning the system, from the preference tab, set scanning sensitivity level to high or low, scanning targets (processes and boot sector) and choose delete, re...

How to disable copying contents from your computer?

For some reasons it may be necessary to restrict others copying contents from your computer. If you have such situations, here is a free program, M File Anti-Copy, which helps you to lock the copy of any contents from your Windows computer using a password. If activated the program, nobody can copy anything from your PC with out a proper password. How to use this program? Download , install and run it. Enter a password (and a password hint – optional) and click on ‘Enter password’ button. Now you see program main window. To prevent copying file, click on ‘ Activate ’ button and enter the previously entered password. To deactivate this feature, click on ‘Deactivate’ button and enter your password. To uninstall this tool, enter your password and wait for completing the process. The tool is clean and if you want you can verify this tool before downloading or installing.

How to install unsigned drivers in Windows 7 and Vista?

Unlike previous versions of Windows, Microsoft has introduced a very restricted module of driver signature enforcement in Windows Vista SP1 and Windows 7 in order to maintain the stability of the system. All drivers and system files must be digitally verified; otherwise it will not run properly. You may notice this when installing driver file in Windows 7. Here is free tool called ‘ Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider ’ that may helps you to install digitally unsigned drivers by creating your own unverified certificates. This tool supports both 32 and 64 bits of Windows Vista and 7. Procedure for using this tool: Download and run the tool. Enable ‘ Enable Test Mode ’ and click ‘ Next ’ button and follow the instruction ( restart your system). Now enable ‘ Sign a System File ’ and select the driver file that you want to install. Repeat it if you have more than one. That’s all. If for some reason you are interested to revert it, launch the application again, choose “ Disable Test Mo...

Setup a local area network over the Internet using Comodo EasyVPN

Comodo EasyVPN is a free tool that allows users (home and business alike) to setup a local area network over the Internet. Users can access their computer or remote control their home or work computer, share files and folders and even print to their local printer from any computer (Windows) in the world. It uses industry standard 128 bit encryption , so your data and communications are cent percent secure and private (according to Comodo). More over it requires no expert configuration ; anyone can setup this in minutes, so it is suitable for users of all experience levels. This tool gives many possibilities. For example, you can share your music and photograph , setup a multi-player gaming session, secure messaging using built-in chat client, create a highly secure worldwide network for collaboration on enterprise projects, whatever your needs, EasyVPN guarantees a fast setup and 100% private and secure peer to peer connectivity. Comodo EasyVPN is available in 32 bit and 64 bit v...

Which is the safest browser- IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari or Opera?

The safest way to surf the web is to pick the best browser, but how? The most important parameter while judging a browser is its security . Because of the ever growing threats via web browsers, browser developers have trying to give best security features to their browser. All major browsers have added security technologies to combat web-based threats, but, not all of them have taken the same approach, nor claim to stop the same breadth of attacks. NSS Labs , the leading independent security product testing and certification organization, has examined six major browsers- A pple Safari, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera against socially engineered Malware and published a report called ‘ Web Browser Security - Socially Engineered Malware Protection ’. The report reveals that Internet Explorer 8 (RC1) is the safest one with a 69% catch rate against Malware. It was 30% in Mozilla Firefox (3.07), 24% in Apple Safari, 16% in Google Chro...

Norton Security Scan: Free tool to scan your PC using latest Symantec virus definitions

Norton Security Scan is a free offline scanner that uses Symantec latest virus definitions to scan your computer for the latest security risks and it lets you know how your computer is currently protected from known threats. It will scan and identify if there are existing viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on your computer. This tool is especially useful if you are using other security software and want to scan with Symantec virus definitions. Remember that this tool is not intended to be a replacement for continuous, real-time protection from the latest security risks; it will find only the threats; to resolve these security risks and protect your computer from future infections, it is recommended that you install and maintain security software. To identify the latest Internet risks, Norton Security Scan required latest virus definitions. You can download it from the app. However, when you have not updated the virus definitions for more than a week, Nort...

Everything: Quickly locate files and folders in Windows

Everything is a local disk search application for Windows XP and Vista that can quickly locate files and folders by its name. The application has special indexing feature; unlike Windows search, ‘Everything’ initially displays every file and folder on your computer (hence the name "Everything"), you can search using keywords and wildcards from this database. Everything will search only files and folders (does not search file contents) on local NTFS volumes . If needed, users can configure the tool to what files and folders are exclude or include in the data base. This little FREE tool also has many interesting features such as using a web browser; users can browse and download the HTTP server's folders and files, very little system resources requires, etc. More information and download from www.voidtools.com .

Uninstaller for Internet Explorer 8 from Microsoft

If you have problems after installing Internet Explorer 8 and want to uninstall or remove it from your computer, Microsoft Fix It team has developed a free tool called UninstallIE8.MSI . This is an automated uninstaller that helps you to safely remove Internet Explorer 8 from your computer. When you remove Internet Explorer 8, your earlier version of Internet Explorer is restored with your customizations such as add-ins, Favorites, and your home page. The complete details and downloads available from this page . To remove Internet Explorer 8 automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in this wizard.

How to back up and reuse drivers in Windows XP and Vista?

All hardware elements in your PC – graphics card, sound card, motherboard, etc requires appropriate drivers for proper working. Initially drivers may have come preinstalled with the OS, or you may have installed them from a CD. But, for many reasons, you may want to reinstall your operating system. But what if the drivers CDs were lost? Of course you can download them from internet. But there is no guarantee that you will be able to get all the appropriate drivers. The easiest way is to back up the drivers before you format your hard drive. There are several tools to handle this. One such free tool is Driver Backup that will allow you to backup and restore your drivers. You can use this tool to export drivers from either Vista or XP. Download the tool (330Kb) from here and unzip it. Run the tool (Windows XP required .NET Frame work2) and it will lists all drivers from your computer. To back up, click on ‘Start Backup’ button and select a path to back up. You can restore this using...

Download Windows 7 Transformation Pack for Vista

Deviantart user Ka-Book has developed a Windows 7 transformation pack for Vista. The transformation pack includes Windows 7 Theme, Logon UI, Windows Media Player 12, new Sound Schemes, wallpaper from Build 7048, 7057 and User Pictures to make your Windows Vista resemble Windows 7 as much as possible. This Windows 7 transformation pack comes with no installers. It includes only the system files that are required to get the look of Windows 7 build 7057. The transformation pack also comes with a detailed implementation guide. Download Windows 7 Transformation Pack. Similar Programs: 1. Complete Windows 7 transformation Pack for Windows XP 2. Windows 7 theme for Vista 3. Official Windows 7 themes and Wallpapers

F-Secure Easy Clean- A free tool for cleaning common viruses and worms

F-Secure Easy Clean is a portable and easy-to-use tool for removing the most common viruses , worms and other malware from your computer. Designed to clean specific malware effectively from a PC, F-Secure Easy Clean scans your Windows XP and Vista for infections and removes any that it finds. The scan result displays malware that was detected and action that was performed on it. Download the tool from www.f-secure.com and run it (No installation required). It will do a quick check for rootkit symptoms and proceed with scanning and removing infections. You may want to disable your anti-virus program before running F-Secure Easy Clean, because they may block access to some files, so F-Secure Easy Clean cannot scan or clean them. Turn on your anti-virus program after finishing the scan. Remember that it is not a full antivirus product. It does not remove all the known malware; it focuses just to the most common viruses, worms and other types of malware in the wild.

A powerful uninstaller for Windows XP and Vista

KUninstall is an easy to use, portable, quick and powerful uninstaller for Windows 200/XP and Vista. This free tool is quite faster than Windows own Add/Remove program and includes many useful features such as scan for leftover registry keys, files and folders to delete , search items with key words, detailed information about a program, locate key in Registry, uninstall running program or desktop icons, quick launch toolbar, taskbar or system tray, etc. KUninstall is a small (330Kb) and clean software. Just download the program, unzip in a folder and run it. Right click on item list to see detailed information, locate key in Registry or uninstalling the program. You can type some characters of program name to filter items or select from item list. Click on Finder and drag it the program window or desktop icons, quick launch toolbar, taskbar or system tray you want to uninstall.( via )

Import bookmarks and favorites from other browsers to IE8

Final version of Internet Explorer 8 has already been released and many of you may decide to download and use it. Then surely you also want to import your bookmarks, favorites and RSS feeds that used in other browsers (Firefox, opera and Safari) to use in Internet Explorer 8. (By experience, Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) seems to be the fastest web browser available today and you can download it from Microsoft Internet Explorer Homepage ). The first thing you must do is go to the file menu in IE8, and click ‘ Import and Export ’. From the popup window, choose ‘I mport from other browser ’ if you want to import from another browser. Click next and select the browser (s) (Firefox, Opera, Safari) from where you want to import book marks, favorites and RSS feed. Then click on ‘ import ’. [ via ]

Search and delete duplicate pictures from your collection

If you have large collection of pictures on your computer - whether it is downloaded from internet or collected from several other sources, it may happen that you have many duplicates also. Manually searching duplicates photos and deleting them is not an easy job, especially if it is a big collection. Here comes the importance of VisiPics. This free tool finds and deletes all your duplicate images very quickly and easily. Download the program from www.visipics.info and install it, run the program. Add the folder containing pictures on your hard-drive. To add a folder simply drags into the top pane of the program window. Slide the Filter tab to select the level, if you want the scan to be strict, or loose. The Strict level means the slower the speed of scanning. Then click the Play button to scan. The duplicate image should appear in the Thumb-list on the left pane. Wait until "Remaining files" and "To compare" fall to 0. To delete duplicates , left-click the pi...

How to identify legitimate email messages in your inbox?

Some months back I have got a warning email from PayPal, asking me to update my PayPal account. If not the account might be deleted. It looked exactly like a PayPal e-mail. So I clicked the link, but soon I learned that this is not a legitimate site. This may not be the case always. We should be extremely careful about this type of email; otherwise it might cause to a substantial financial loss. Then how can we identify such fake email? Trend Micro eMail ID is a browser plug-in for Firefox and Internet Explorer that helps you identify legitimate email messages in your inbox. It uses a two-step check to verify the authenticity of messages from hundreds of major companies, and then displays the result in the “from” area so that you’ll know what’s real. This helps you avoid opening and acting on phishing messages attempting to spoof real companies. Trend Micro eMail ID is available as a beta download for evaluation and it supports Yahoo mail, Live/Hotmail, Gmail, AOL mail, Earthlink a...

Window start-up item editor

Start-up tool is an easy to use start-up items editor, which allows you to identify, add, edit, remove, disable or cleanup start-up items from Windows start menu. Unnecessary start-up items are one of the main causes for slow booting of Windows. With an intuitive graphical user interface, this tool helps anyone to remove or disable unnecessary items from the start up menu. Start-up tool is a tiny, standalone executable file, so it can be run directly from a USB stick. Using this application is very simple. Download and run the ‘Startup.exe file’. It will show you all items in the start menu list. Selecting any items from the list will provide details about that item. To remove, edit, add, disable or enable any items from the list, just right click on it and select what you want. This tool is clean and can be downloaded from here or here .

Avira AntiVir 9 final has been released

Avira AntiVir is a comprehensive and flexible tool you can rely on to protect your computer from viruses, malware, unwanted programs, and other dangers. Avira GmbH has been released version 9 with added features. The most important changes in this version are: locked file scanning (files in use), faster scanning for multi-core processors, much improved disinfection and most importantly the added adware \ spyware detection in the FREE version. Avira AntiVir Personal (Free version) gives you the following functions: Control Center for monitoring, administering and controlling the entire program Central configuration with user-friendly standard and advanced options and context-sensitive help Scanner (On-Demand Scan) with profile-controlled and configurable search for all known types of virus and malware Integration into the Windows Vista User Account Control allows you to carry out tasks requiring administrator rights Guard (On-Access Scan) for continuous monitoring of all file access att...

Alternate Data Stream Revealer

ADS Revealer is a free program that detects and removes Alternate data streams (ADS) used in NTFS file system. Alternate Data Streams provides virus writers with a method of hiding root kits (malware) on an infected machine and allows them to be executed without being detected by virus scanners . ADS are not malicious, but some malware has been designed to leverage ADS to conceal itself. What is Alternate Data Stream? Like the function and purpose of fork in Macintosh system, the Alternate Data Stream (ADS) used in Windows NTFS file system allows users to associate additional information onto a file, such as the author and the title of a document, or other data on a graphic file, etc (they are created automatically). With ADS Revealer you can scan and remove this hidden ADS from the hard drive, folder or from the whole system according to your settings. ADS Revealer can be downloaded from www.nod32.it (site language is Italian, program interface in English)

How to bring back XP Partition in Windows 7?

You might notice the missing Windows XP or Vista installed partition on Windows 7. This creates some troubles to me, because, if I want to access anything stored on XP (Vista) partition from Windows 7, I have to keep a copy on other partition also. But I solve this issue very easily after looking on ‘Disk management’ system. I bring back my XP partition on Windows 7 with a few clicks. Here is how. From Windows 7, right click on 'Computer' - Manage - Storage - Disk management . Now you should be able to see a partition that has no drive letter assigned to . Right click on this partition and click Change Driver Letter and Paths . Then click Add and choose Assign the following driver letter . Here you can choose any letter that you want or leave the same shown by default and click Ok and close all windows. Now go to ‘ computer ’. You should be able to see the XP or Vista partition here. Now you can access anything saved on your XP or Vista partition from Window 7.

Download Downadup Removal tool from Bitdefender

BitDefender Labs has developed a free tool for removing the Downadup worm from an infected network PC or an individual computer. Downadup (aka Conficker, kido) is a network worm that spreads by exploiting Windows RPC Server Service vulnerability. After successful exploitation it used to install rogue security software on the infected machine. Its removal is bit complicated by the fact that it blocks many known antivirus software and associated websites. BitDefender is the first to offer a free tool from a new domain that can be disinfects all versions of Downadup worms. The new version, Win32.Worm.Downadup.Gen detected by Defender Labs is more powerful and hard to disinfection. You can download and run the free tools provided from http://www.downadup.org/ to get rid your computer or network of this e-threat. [via]

The new WinPatrol 2009 released with new features

WinPatrol is a powerful multi purpose support utility for Windows that replaces multiple system utilities with its enhanced functionality. By using a heuristic behavioral approach, WinPatrol monitors your PC and alerts you to hijacking, malware attack and critical changes made to your computer with out your permission. The new release comes with some new features and has compatibility enhancements to work with Windows Vista and Windows 7. One of the main features of WinPatrol 2009 is new "Recent" tab that lets you see new programs and settings recently added to your computer. This is helpful in finding malware that comes with multiple randomly named files Another feature is increased background performance and reduces conflicts with other programs. WinPatrol 2009 hides individual alert messages and lock settings to prevent potential errors by other computer users. More features and download available from here.

Steganos Free Crypt

Steganos Free Crypt is an online service that may be useful and / or convenient for encrypting and decrypting text messages from anywhere. The specialty about this free service is that, you can encrypt text messages online and the encrypted text can be sent out via email from anywhere and at any time if there is an internet connection. And also, the sender and the receiver do not require any encrypting/decrypting software installed on their machine. For this free service, Steganos uses an encryption standard AES 256 Bit. To use this service, you required a free account with them. (Steganos is known for its security products for quite some times now). Just create an account, type in a new text or insert an existing text by pasting it into the text field, choose a password and click on "Start Steganos FreeCrypt". Your encrypted text will appear immediately. Now the encrypted text can be sent out via email.

Portable Windows Movie Maker for Windows XP, Vista and Windows7

You may remember my previous post about older version of Windows Movie Maker (v.2.6) for Windows vista and Seven, but it lacks some features from original movie maker like the video capturing ability from devices like a dv camera etc. WinMatrix.com has developed a portable version of Windows Movie Maker (2.6), which is compatible with all builds of Windows 7, Vista and XP and include all features. As it is a portable version, you need not install it. Download the zip file and unzip in a folder. Run the ‘ Runonce.bat ’ file preferably as administrator. Then launch movie maker by clicking ‘ Moviemk.exe ’ file. However, while testing this with Windows 7 build 7000, it shows some errors. For example the preview window remains black when previewing a movie. The developer should look in to that. [ Via ].

How to access Windows Live Hotmail in Thunderbird?

You might hear about the Windows Live team’s announcement about accessing Windows Live Hotmail via POP3 worldwide. Now, like Gmail, every one can freely access Windows Live Hotmail through a desktop client like Thunderbird, Outlook, etc. Here is how to configure Thunderbird for receiving and sending Windows Live Hotmail from your desktop. Open your Thunderbird. From ‘ Tools ’ select ‘ Account settings ’. Then click ‘ Add Account ’. From the pop-up windows make sure ‘ Email Account ’ is selected. Then click Continue. Under Your Name field enter your name. Under Email Address field enter Your complete email address ( example@hotmail.com or @live.com ) Click ‘Next’ and make sure POP3 is selected under ‘Select the type of incoming server you are using’ and enter pop3.live.com under Incoming Server Uncheck ‘Use global inbox’ to store your mail in its own directory. Click next and enter your Windows Live Hotmail address (example@hotmail.com or @ live.com.) under Incoming User Name . Click...

How to create sidebar gadget for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Osx?

Want to create your own sidebar gadget for your Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac Osx? Now it is very simple with the free tool Amnesty generator. With this tool you can easily convert any widgets, games and videos that are designed for web page, blogs or social network profiles into gadgets for your desktop sidebar. For example, you can convert Google gadgets, You Tube video, or a flash game onto your desktop sidebar. Interesting thing is that, you need not require any coding experience to create a gadget. Just copy and paste the html code for a web widget directly into Amnesty Generator and generate a new sidebar gadget with the click of a button. Here is an example . If you want to show your blog’s updates as a sidebar gadget on a friend’s desktop, create one web widget with Widgetbox . Copy the html code (flash) and paste it onto Amnesty generator, give it a name and click generate to create the gadget. This free tool can be dowloaded from here and it features the following: Aut...

BitDefender is offering a free Downadup Removal Tool from a new domain

BitDefender has developed a tool for disinfecting all versions of Downadup viruses (also known as Conficker ) and is available free for all infected users from a new domain at http://bdtools.net . If infected, this worm disables Windows Update services and blocks access to most of the anti-virus websites in order to prevent the user from disinfecting his computer. Moreover it install rogue security software on the infected machine. Downadup propagates rapidly by exploiting a critical vulnerability in Windows RPC Server and also through USB devices. This removal tool provided by BitDefender detects and eliminates all traces of Downadup worms and probably BitDefender is the first to offer a free tool from a new domain without being blocked by the e-threat. To disinfect your computer, download (2.5Mb) this free tool from http://bdtools.net and unzip it. Run the executable file: bd_rem_tool.exe and wait until it finishes.[ Via ]

Download latest build Windows 7 user pictures and wallpapers for XP and Vista

Want to give a new look to your Windows XP or Vista desktop? A deviantart user has released a pack of latest build of Windows 7 wallpapers that can be downloaded from here (39Mb). Moreover you can also download Windows7 user pictures and can be installed on Windows XP or Windows Vista. You can download user pictures from here (1.5Mb). To install the user picture on Windows XP, place them to: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures. (‘Application Data’ is a hidden folder. In order to see it, select ‘’Show hidden files and folders’ from Windows explorer /Tools /Folder options /View) To install them on Windows vista, place them to: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures [ via ]

Rogue Adware Pro

In recent times rogue internet security programs are circulating over the internet that mimics the popular security program for confusing users. These programs pose security and financial threat to the users (examples here / here / here ). One such program is Adware Pro detected by ESET that looks like popular application Ad-Aware from Lavasoft (see image below) Adware Pro is a rogue security program that installs malware on your system. As shown the image below it tries to deceive you through a name similar to the real one and offering a free download of the program. If you installed and scanned your PC with this program, it displays exaggerated scan results and forces you to buy it for removing the threats. This rogue program is detected by NOD32 as Win32/Adware.AntivirusPro. So it is advisable that, before downloading and installing such programs it is always essential to verify the reliability of the program. [Via – Eset ]

How to remove hidden sensitive information from word documents?

While creating a Word document, it also creates hidden personal information called Meta data in your document. This hidden personal information includes your name and initials, computer name, name of the hard disk or network server where you saved the document, previous author’s name, things you deleted from the documents and other hidden text and tracking comments. Anyone can easily find it out these data. So for security reasons, you wouldn’t want to share these data with others. This is important especially when you send these documents electronically. You may remember my previous post about removing Meta data which is a MS Office add-in from Microsoft. Here is an individual program, which I think much better for removing Meta data from MS word 97/200/XP and 2003. DocScrubber a free tool from Javacoolsoftware that analyze your word document (multiple documents also) and remove hidden or potentially embarrassing data from your documents. Moreover, it can also produce an analysis...