windows tips Archives

Which Free Cloud Storage Service Provider Is Right For You?

September 17, 2016 by Charles Edward

We live in a time when there are more free online storage services than ever before. But which one is right for you? And is online storage the best way to back up your important files?

If you have ever experienced a hard drive failure you have probably lost photos, videos and other important files. Or, if you have owned your computer for a while, you’ll probably find you’re running out of space on your hard drive, slowing everything down. Luckily, cloud storage can help you protect your files or free up space on your computer, usually automatically.

However, it can be challenging when trying to choose an online backup and storage service. To make it a little easier, we have described a few of the leading providers, with some pros and cons for each you should be aware of.

Dropbox

Dropbox is one of the most well-known online backup services there is. The free version gives you 2GB of storage to start out, and Dropbox is designed to be installed on your desktop computer in order to sync files with the cloud. You can then share these files with anyone with a link.

Many people use Dropbox as an alternative to Facebook to share family photos. Dropbox also offers a smartphone app that backs up your photos online automatically. The service is also used by businesses to easily share and collaborate on documents.

Dropbox Pros

If you’re looking for a place to backup your photos and other files, Dropbox is great because its interface mimics the Windows folder interface.
It’s easy to share files and folders just using a link.
It’s not actually necessary to download the client to use Dropbox.

Dropbox Cons

While you start out with 2GB of free storage, getting more storage either costs an annual recurring subscription fee, or is the result of referring friends and family to Dropbox.
Dropbox sometimes changes its terms on the drop of a dime, meaning you may lose access to your online backup files unless you pay a fee.
If you already have a Microsoft or Google Account, Dropbox may be redundant.

Google Drive

Google Drive is Google’s comprehensive tool for online backup and storage. In fact, Google Drive is much more than cloud storage—it offers free productivity software similar to Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and more.

Like Dropbox, Google Drive features a sync client you install on your computer that performs automatic backups. And, like Dropbox, Google Drive features a smartphone app so that you can access your photos and files anywhere. It’s also integrated with Google’s free and generally well-regarded online photo manager.

Google Drive works best for anyone with a Gmail account and an Android phone.

Google Drive Pros

Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage to start, which is more than Dropbox; you can get more storage by installing the Drive app on your iPhone or Android smartphone, or by buying a yearly subscription for a nominal fee.
Drive is integrated with Google’s free email service Gmail; this makes sharing photos by email easy.

Google Drive Cons

If you’re not used to it, the user interface can be somewhat confusing.
If you want to share documents, sometimes whoever you’re sharing them with may be prompted to sign into Gmail.
Drive’s word processing and spreadsheet programs are not nearly as powerful as their Microsoft counterparts.

OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft’s take on online back and storage. In many ways it’s one of the more powerful and versatile cloud storage options available. Like Google Drive and Dropbox, OneDrive uses a sync client you download onto your computer (Windows 10 comes with this utility preinstalled) to automatically backup your important files. And, like Google Drive, OneDrive features its own online suite of productivity applications so you can edit wherever you have an internet connection.

OneDrive starts out at 5GB of free online storage, although anyone with an annual subscription to Office 365 (what used to be called ‘Microsoft Office’) receives 1TB of free storage.

OneDrive Pros

If you have an Office 365 subscription, that 1TB of online storage is usually more than enough to backup your most important files.
You don’t need to purchase a subscription to access the free, online version of Word and Excel.
If you’re a Windows users, the OneDrive user interface is probably the easiest to use.

OneDrive Cons

For whatever reason, the OneDrive sync client can take up a lot of system resources, slowing down your computer.

iCloud

It may come as a surprise, but Apple’s iCloud online backup and sync service can be used on Windows computers. So, if you have an iPhone and perhaps a Windows laptop this makes it easier to backup and access your files.

Of course, you will need to have purchased an Apple product such as an iPod, iPad, iPhone or Macbook in order to use iCloud.

USB Drives Provide an Extra Layer of Protection

The one drawback to all of these services is that they may all end one day, leaving you with no access to your files in the cloud. So, it’s a good idea to hedge your bets and, while using online storage, take the extra step of backing up your files locally. USB thumb drives are ideal for this task. Inexpensive and capable of storing a lot, USB drives can serve as a “backup of your backup.”

Are you using USB 3.0?

Read our recent article on local storage to learn more more about USB thumb drives.

Or, if you’re interested in trying out USB 3.0 — the latest in USB storage technology — for yourself, the Kingston Digital DataTraveler USB 3.0 flash memory drives are on sale right now on our newly launched hardware site CompuCleverGear.com.

How to Choose a New Laptop

July 28, 2016 by Charles Edward

It can be tough to choose a new laptop. There is an endless variety of features to consider. Will the laptop you purchase end up being too basic, or too powerful for your needs and therefore too expensive? Here are some tips to help you choose the right one.

There’s never been a better time to buy a new computer. Prices are cheap and there is almost endless variety — almost too much variety. A dizzying combination of features can make it almost impossible to choose a new computer. Often we’ll buy a new desktop or laptop only to find it’s underpowered, has poor battery life, or is simply to big for our needs.

To help make things easy, we’ve created this short guide to buying a new laptop.

Why Choose a Laptop Over a Desktop?

This article is going to focus on choosing a new laptop. We think that for most casual users, laptops make a better choice than desktops when making a purchase. Laptops are lightweight and don’t take up much space. Also, since they don’t need peripherals such as a monitor, speakers or a computer desk, are generally cheaper than desktops.

Choosing Your “OS”: Mac or Microsoft?

The first choice what operating system, or “OS” will power your laptop. Currently Mac and Microsoft dominate the market for laptops. What’s the difference?

Macbooks: Expensive High-Performance Machines for Professionals

Macbooks, produced by just one company, Apple, have developed a reputation for quality, performance and for being easy to use. Macbooks can be used almost right out of the box, with no need to update drivers or security software.

The downside of Mac computers is that they are expensive — an entry-level Macbook sells for at least $1000. The truth is that Mac OS is really meant for professionals. Everyday users looking for a laptop to surf the internet, make Skype calls and send emails while staying on a budget likely do not need a high-performance machine like a Mac. It’s overkill.

Microsoft Windows 10: More Variety and Budget-Friendly

For years, Mac users looked down on Microsoft Windows users. Windows used to be considered complicated and prone to security vulnerabilities. But not anymore. With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft has finally created a beautiful OS that just works. What’s more, there is a wider variety of computers for every budget that run Windows 10. Only Apple makes the Mac, while dozens of companies produce a dizzying array of laptops that run on Windows.

The downside is that some Windows laptops are not always as shiny or high-powered as their Mac counterparts. But, once again, if all you need a computer for is to surf the internet, send emails and talk on Skype to relatives, is it really worth it to shell out a ton of money for a Mac?

Budget Laptops Vs. Ultrabooks: What’s the Difference?

If you have decided on Windows as your OS, the next challenge is sorting through the wide variety of laptops out there to find the one that’s right for you.

Budget Laptops: Affordability… For a Price

You’ll encounter “budget laptops” that just do the basics. The HP Stream Notebook is one such budget offering that retails for just under $300. While this may seem like an incredible deal, it’s important to take a look at the specs, first: the HP Stream is powered by a Celeron chip, which not only does not have the power of other more expensive CPU chips, but also is not nearly as efficient. This means lower battery life. The HP Stream also has a fairly small screen, not much onboard space for installing software programs, and just 2 GB of RAM, which makes a difference when it comes to performance.

Ultrabooks: More Performance, But More Costly

On the other end of the spectrum from budget laptops are “ultrabooks” such as the HP Probook, which retails for around $1300. These laptops feature a better design, longer battery life and superior performance that working professionals demand.

In many ways ultrabooks are mimicking their Mac cousins, except with a Windows OS. Once again, the question you have to ask is: do you really need all that power?

Most of us will choose a laptop somewhere between the low and the high end of the price and performance spectrum. The next question is, with so much variety, how do you choose a new laptop?

3 Rules for Choosing a New Laptop

It really comes down to just three rules with choosing a new laptop:

1) Look at RAM first

If you’re surfing the web and using Microsoft Word from time to time, RAM is generally what is going to determine the performance of your computer. Some sub-$250 laptops come with only 2GB of RAM, but ideally you want at least 4GB on even a budget system and 8GB if you can spend just a little more. For most users, 16GB or more is overkill.

2) Use the CPU to gauge battery life

While the CPU is the engine under the hood of your computer, it affects battery life as well as overall performance. A cheaper processor will use more power, which will drain battery life more quickly. What’s more, cheaper processors generate more heat, which in turn results in annoying fan noise.

The problem with CPU’s is that there is an almost endless variety to choose from. Here are the CPU’s you should be looking for in a new laptop:

AMD E Series or Intel Pentium/Celeron

These are basic processors that are typically found on budget laptops such as the HP Probook we mentioned above. These chips provide enough power for web surfing and watching YouTube, but that’s about it.

AMD A series or Intel Core i3 / i5

If you’re looking for a mainstream laptop with the best combination of price and performance, get a Core i5. Core i3 is a small step down — it’s not quite as energy-efficient, which means less battery time. AMD A series CPUs are less common, but promise similar performance.

What about the Intel Core i7?

The i7 chip is probably overkill for most of us. It’s an ultra-powerful CPU that powers video editing workstations and gaming computers. All of that performance comes at a significant price.

3) Pay attention to screen size

Once again, there is an endless variety of screen sizes to choose from. Here are a couple of tips:

13 to 14 inches: Provides the best balance of portability and usability, particularly if you get a laptop that weighs under 4 pounds.
15 inches: The most popular size, 15-inch laptops usually are uncomfortable to lug around for very long. Consider this size if you want a larger screen and you’re not planning to take your laptop on frequent trips.

Other Things to Look for When Buying a Laptop

Besides these 3 basic rules for choosing a laptop, there is seemingly a multitude of other decisions to make:

HDD vs. SSD

Compared to the traditional spinning HDD hard disk, a solid-state drive (SSD) is a popular choice for laptop users: SSD’s are lighter, increase performance and improve battery time. On top of that there is no annoying fan noise with an SSD. However, SSD’s are significantly more expensive than an HDD.

Touchscreen or No Touchscreen

Many laptops now come equipped with a touchscreen. This may seem like a cool, new way to use a computer, but, once again, ask yourself if you really need a touchscreen on a laptop. In reality, touchscreens work best with tablets and with convertible “2-in-1” laptops. With laptops, it’s easier just to use a mouse to click around the screen.

Dedicated Graphics Card

If you’re planning to use your laptop to play video games, you’re going to need a dedicated graphics card, or GPU. Budget laptops with a dedicated GPU are very difficult to find, so plan on spending more if this is something you need.

Build Quality

Budget laptops will typically have a no-frills “build quality” with poor design and plastic-like feel. However, some manufacturers do offer budget laptops that look and feel great. Besides looking good, laptops with a good build quality tend to be more durable and last longer.

Questions?

So, while it may seem almost impossible to figure out what kind of laptop to buy, there are really three rules you can use to help narrow down your choices. And, once again, when setting out to buy a new laptop it’s important to remember what you’re planning to use it for, and then make sure you’re not buying something either too powerful or, worse yet, not powerful enough to make you happy.

Firewalls – First Line Filtration

June 28, 2016 by Andy Thompson

If our PC could be considered a well-protected fortress, we would think of the firewall as an essential part of the moat and drawbridge system – it monitors and controls entry. Most of us associate firewalls with large network corporations and sophisticated security systems. You might, however, be surprised to find your PC and personal devices have security issues similar to large corporate networks. This is why firewall technology is built into your PC and offers the first line of protection from offensive web sites and potential hackers.

We’ll begin with a definition of what a firewall is and then move into some basic questions and answers. After that we’re going to provide information for those that might want to beef up their firewall protection.

The Firewall Basics

Effectively a firewall is a filter. It is designed to prevent dubious programs and Internet services from establishing a connection or gaining access to your computer.

Firewall Defined: A firewall is hardware or software technology designed to monitor and filter incoming and outgoing traffic to your PC. It is a network security function that effectively acts as a barrier. The data that passes through depends on the pre-determined set of rules which are configured in the firewall settings.

A Little Q and A

Now that we know basically what it is, we can answer some questions.

Why do I need one?

A firewall tries to screen out incoming Internet streams of data from unwanted sources and it also prevents programs on your PC to access the Internet without authorization. The purpose is to prevent unwanted and malicious programs from communicating to, or from, your computer.

Who makes firewalls?

Microsoft includes a firewall with Windows – we’ll cover this in more detail below. There are also a significant number of known makers of free and paid solutions. The best known names would include Norton, McAfee, BitDefender, Kaspersky, as well as Zone Alarm, Webroot, and Comodo. Some routers also have firewalls built into them. While we are not recommending any specific option, selecting one of the manufacturers listed above should provide greater security.

When do I need one?

Quite simply – you need a firewall when you connect to the Internet. This is why you should also consider a solution for your smart phone or mobile device. Most malware programs these days attempt to get money from you and your mobile devices are also targets of malware attacks and cyber crime.

Doesn’t Windows already come with a firewall?

Yes, it does, and it may be all you need. It blocks unwanted connections and will prompt you if you want to allow a connection or not. There is a list of programs to block and you can enter exceptions to identify programs you deem safe.

Windows Firewall is equipped to monitor traffic, but lacks in the area of program control. Despite shortcomings, Windows Firewall may be all you need. Other tools will provide additional functions such as the ability to create activity logs. In this way you can review what was happening in terms of attempted connections so you can fine tune the security parameters. The bottom line is that the Windows Firewall will suffice for most users and should not be regarded as providing insufficient security.

If you find surfing the net is slow, begin by optimizing the browsers and Windows configuration for accessing the Internet. We recommend looking at the articles: Improve Internet Speed and Restore Browser Speed. After this, if you are more certain that the firewall is affecting performance, you may want to replace it. If your PC is encountering issues with viral infections then first look at your antivirus protection, and if you have a top notch AV solution and are still getting breaches, that too would be a reason for looking for a new firewall.

Is a firewall all the protection I need?

In a previous article we covered some myths about antivirus protection and this came up. We can review briefly here. As we have described, firewalls can filter nefarious traffic. However, they cannot protect your PC from files that contain a virus or Trojan. The reason for this is that firewalls are not able to scan for infected files – you need an antivirus solution specific to this purpose.

Cyber criminals exploit potential security holes and look for ways to openly connect with your PC. A firewall can minimize this risk and offer the first line of defense. However, it is not sufficient in blocking the myriad of virus and malware threats that are prevalent. Malware creators are very clever in disguising data and can even disable your firewall in an effort to steal private or personal data.

Antivirus Protection:In a nutshell… we are pleased to offer CompuClever Antivirus PLUS, an AV solution that delivers 100% protection against both known and unknown viruses, comparable to any first-tier antivirus software like Norton, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, and MacAfee. As a matter of fact, an independent third-party lab test revealed that our antivirus product not only delivers a high level of protection, it also creates a very low impact to PC performance.

For more information about CompuClever Antivirus PLUS click here: Are You Well Protected?

Turning Windows Firewall On and Off

Microsoft states: “You only need one firewall app on your PC (in addition to the firewall that’s probably built into your network router). Having more than one firewall app on your PC can cause conflicts and problems.” ^[1] It is also good practice to NOT turn off a firewall unless you have another one turned on.

With these safe practices in mind, you can view the status of Windows Firewall and you can turn it off or on. The easiest way to begin is to type “firewall” in the Search field located in the Start menu. For more information and instructions specific to your operating system follow one of these links:

Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Windows Vista / Windows XP

What to Consider if Seeking an Alternative

Here is our list to help you better decide on alternatives to the built-in firewall for Windows.

You need to consider how accurately a firewall solution will identify threats to your system. You do not want it to miss threats but you also do not want it blackball safe and known programs. No one wants an unending stream of warnings from their firewall for no valid reason. The very best firewalls handle unknown programs by monitoring them closely for suspicious activity and signs of improper network activity behaviour.
The fewer resources it requires the better. This will allow your system to run programs faster and dedicate resources to perform duties related to regular day-to-day activities.
Supply only the functions you need. Some “suite” applications will include antivirus and performance tools. If you already have these areas covered by other applications there is no need to pay for bloated software that is inadequate in these other areas.
You will also need to know what kind of coverage you require in terms of the devices you are needing to protect (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), and if your solution will suffice.

Other Considerations

Now to finish off with some final points related to installing a new firewall solution.

Install Your Firewall

There isn’t any one “right” place to install a firewall; it comes down to the devices you use and the programs you run. If you are looking for a firewall for your business then the normal firewall is not what you need; you need what is known as a “Next Generation Firewall” or, “NGFW’. These are more sophisticated and expensive, ranging from $500 to $80,000, and are beyond what we will discuss here.

Also, some routers have firewalls built right into them, meaning any system behind them does not need a firewall. This is useful as it means that there is no performance loss for Windows as a result of a firewall performing checks on data streams. However, if you have a portable device (like a laptop, tablet, or phone), then you need a firewall installed to the device that can be turned on whenever you connect to the Internet when away from home.

Common Problems

The most common problem in using a firewall is blocking a program you know is good. When this happens you need to create an “exclusion” or “exception” (search the program help files for those terms). Effectively, this provides you the ability to override what the firewall would normally do. Firewalls are designed to run in the background so most people have little to no interaction with these programs once they are installed and exceptions are generated.

Summary

While we haven’t gone into detail about hardware and software firewall technologies and the various viral threats to firewalls, we have covered the basics. Standard coverage should get you started and you have the option of customizing the onboard Windows Firewall. As an alternative to Windows, you can follow our introductory guidelines for taking on an alternative firewall solution. In either event, remember that an effective antivirus solution is part of your fortress of protection.

We would like to thank Richard from our Tech Support team for his first wave of research on this subject. We will continue to provide story lines like this and we will describe them in a manner that is within reach of everyday computer users. If you have some ideas of topics you would like us to cover, email us at: newsletter@compuclever.com

[1] http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/Windows-Firewall-from-start-to-finish

How to speed up Internet Explorer for free

November 22, 2011 by Charles Edward

It’s a fact: Internet Explorer slows down over time. Pages take longer to load, and sometimes even crash.

Why is this?

Often when you purchase a new computer, Internet Explorer comes pre-installed with “tool bars”. These may look useful, but they can slow down your computer.

Other things like “cookies” and other Internet Explorer “plugins” can also slow down your internet browsing.

Our cool trick

Luckily, we have developed a cool trick that’s easy to do, that speeds up Internet Explorer on your computer.

If you’ve downloaded the newest version of PC TuneUp Maestro:

1) Click on the “Fix & Clean”.

2) Click on “Internet Explorer Repair”, and you’ll be presented with some choices.

Reset Internet Explorer

If you click on “Reset Internet Explorer”, you’ll be able to remove all the toolbars and plugins that may be slowing down your computer.

Don’t worry, PC TuneUp Maestro will ask you every step of the way about what to remove – you get the final say on what toolbars and plugins stay, and which ones get removed.

Launch Internet Explorer Without Add-Ons

Launch this tool, and a new Internet Explorer window will open and you can start enjoying a faster web browser immediately.

So there you have it – two ways to help speed up Internet Explorer. Let us know how it works!

Want to speed up Internet Explorer? Try downloading PC TuneUp Maestro for free!