Portable Apps That You'll Find Useful for Your Windows PC

Over the years, you've probably accumulated a number of USB flash drives to the point that you don't know what to do with them anymore. So here's a tip -- you could fill one of your spare flash drives with portable apps, which you can run directly from the disks and plug-and-play in whatever computer you like.

Go ahead and fill up that lonely USB flash drive with these portable apps for Windows, instead of letting it lie on your drawer and just accumulate dust.

Google Chrome

Portable web browsers let you surf the Web without leaving any trace of your personal information like browsing history, cookies, login sessions, etc. on the computer. Obviously, as soon as you're connected to the Internet with the portable version of Google Chrome and use your Google accounts, your data will inevitably end up in the company's vaults, but Chrome users are aware of that by now. The fact remains that it's the best browser around.

7-Zip

7-Zip is a free and open-source application with a high compression ratio and powerful file manager to help you extract compressed files and create your own compressed files in several different formats. It's definitely worth keeping around in your USB portable apps collection, especially when you need to do some quick compressing.

GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is another free and open-source image editing tool that's packed with powerful features. It's a perfect alternative for Adobe Photoshop, considerably less resource-intensive, and contains many of the same advanced features for hardcore editing. It takes a little getting used to if you're coming from Photoshop, but it does much the same job, and it can do it portably without Adobe's massive installation process.

VLC Media Player

VLC has long since been the fastest, most robust video player around, and being portable makes it even better. Using VLC media player as a portable, you can play a vast number of video and audio formats such as MKV, alongside the standard MP4 that makes up most movies. It has just about all the video codecs you need built in, too, so there's no need to download extra ones.

CCleaner

CCleaner is a free Windows clean-up utility, which lets you clean such junk as redundant registry keys, cookies, and excess temporary files off your system. If you want to wipe your web browsing after you've been in an Internet cafe, for instance, then you can just pop in a USB stick with the portable version of CCleaner on it, then use it to wipe all your browsing history. You can even let it clean up the entire computer while you're at it!

LastPass

LastPass is a great password manager, which lets you securely store and manage all your passwords. It garbles and encrypts your passwords and stores them online. Handily, the portable version integrates with portable web browsers like Firefox and Chrome.

Portable Apps for Mac You Will Find Handy

It may sound extremely wrong to plug in a USB stick into a Mac because for some, running external apps on a Mac may ruin its slick image. But for your awareness, portable apps are highly useful, especially if you don't want your Mac system to look cluttered with these piles of useful tools. Below are some of the best portable apps for Mac that you shouldn't consider as a waste.

VLC Media Player

When you get a new computer, one of the first things you need to do is to install VLC player on it. For years, this has been the best media player app around for both Mac and Windows, thanks to its exceptional compatibility with most of the codecs out there -- whether famous or obscure. Having it on a USB drive means that whenever you plug yourself into a Mac, you'll have the power to watch just about any videos you like using it.

Chromium

You may not be familiar of Google Chrome's open-source, non-Google owned sibling, Chromium. It's a more lightweight version of Chrome that's less strenuous on the CPU and has a version that will run on Macs off your USB stick.

Having a portable version of Chromium is particularly handy if you prefer not to leave your footprint at an Internet cafe or on other computer that will be used by other people. And since it runs from your USB flash disk, it doesn't store cached data on the local computer, and cookies will stay on your USB stick, too.

XMind

One of the better apps for super-accessible and easy-to-use mindmapping and diagramming is available in portable form for the Mac, which means you can access its robust set of tools wherever you go.

Alongside mind-mapping, XMind also lets you create neat, clean presentations and has a delightfully clean workspace UI, which will help keep you efficient by keeping your headspace organized. If you don't want to create something from scratch, you can just use one of the many templates that is included in the app.

Portable Inkscape

Inkscape is the perfect vector graphics editor, built for people in the business of creating logos, illustrations, flashy-looking charts, infographics, and many more. The app has come along in leaps and bounds since it was first launched in 2003 and at this point almost matches illustrator in every area -- from CMYK profiles to high-quality rendering and all other bells and whistles. Having it on a portable USB stick could prove critical to all the freelance designers and illustrators out there.

Portable Gimp

The discerning choice, if you want most of the features of Photoshop without causing a dent on your personal finances, go with Gimp. Gimp is a free, open-source image-editing suite that for a long time has been the top Photoshop alternative for just about everyone.

The interface is like a slightly less slick version of Photoshop, letting you create and edit images using a layer-based system. With its deep feature set, Gimp is very much aimed at more advanced users, but if you fit that category, or are a professional in the field, then having Gimp on a USB stick is a must.

7 Warning Signs Your Computer is About to Fail

Computer failure or crashes often occur suddenly and with very little warning. Most failures are not as random as they seem, though. There will actually be a number of potential warning signs. When you notice the following, please call the local tech support company you are subscribed to:

Hardware conflicts

Sometimes, two components in a PC will try to consume the same resources or perform the same task. This creates a hardware conflict and it will show itself in unusual behavior when certain tasks are done. You can check for hardware conflict by opening Windows’ Device Manager in the control panel. Hardware with a conflict will appear with a yellow exclamation point next to it.

Program corruption or random file issues

Files that always worked suddenly don’t open or only work on occasions. They may or may not be accompanied by an error message. This may be caused by a failing hard drive, or worse, a virus.

Noisy mechanical hard drive

Mechanical hard drives are likely sources of problems with PC’s. They contain mechanical parts that will eventually wear out, causing the system to fail.

If you find that programs or files are taking a long time to load or that the drive has become noisy while working, then your hard drive could be nearing the end of its life. Back up your data and call your tech support company.

Occasional boot errors

When there is boot error, you will see an error message that reads “boot device not found.” Windows will fail to boot, but it may work at a later time, or work immediately once you hit the reset button. This is a sign that something is wrong with your hard drive, or that your Windows OS has somehow become corrupt.

Software launches at random

Software that launches on its own is a clue that you may be a victim of malware. Often, the programs that appear will be linked to advertisements, but any Trojan can allow this. You may also notice that certain hardware, like the webcam, may activate without your consent. This tampering may eventually lead to problems as your PC is exposed to unwanted programs or its files are corrupted maliciously.

Video artifacts

The video that you view on a PC, no matter its source, is effectively a stream of data that’s turned into an image. An error in that data can cause an “artifact,” which may appear as blocks of random colour, strange lines, or partially missing 3D geometry. All of these problems are signs that your PC’s graphics processor is encountering an issue. Often, the problem is excessive heat. It could also mean that the graphics processing unit is old and should be replaced.

Unusually loud system fan

A computer with fans that are noisy may be screaming for help because its internals are too warm, a situation that can eventually lead to a crash and even hardware damage.

Online Backup Services that Can Help You Protect Multiple Computers

Let’s get one thing straight first about online backup services that are different from online-syncing services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box. Online backup services have the ability to continually back up every personal file on a computer to a safe offsite data center. Syncing services handle only items in designated folders with the aim of distributing copies of those items to other computers and mobile devices.

Online-syncing services have relatively low upper limits on capacity, unless you pay a premium. In contrast, online-backup services offer unlimited storage, letting you back up all the personal files on any number of computers in your business, company, or at home for just one flat, relatively low fee.

So what gets backed up, and what doesn’t?

Online backup services makes copies only from user folders and other files designated as personal or “user-generated.” They don’t  backup operating systems or application software. If you’re using online-backup services, be sure to have software installation disks and license keys backed up or stored somewhere else in case the PC’s suddenly getting hopelessly corrupted or when the hard drive dies.

Here are some examples of affordable backup services.

CrashPlan

It has ease of file restoration and is fast and easy to handle either from the CrashPlan application or website. It only needs minimal resource usage and has unlimited storage for only $6 per month, or $60 per year. CrashPlan is the best choice of most reviews and ratings from PC magazine and Time magazine. It provides unlimited online storage, and aside from its already affordable price, there is also a Family Plan that allows users to back up as many as 10 computers for $14 per month, or $150 per year, a little more than double the individual-license price. The local-drive backup software is free.

Backblaze

This offers storage for an unlimited amount of files, no matter what the size, and at whatever speed you want to upload or download them. This easy-to-use backup service is great for those set-up-and-forget individuals. For those who find downloading files cumbersome, your data can even be shipped to you on a flash drive or USB hard drive. Encrypting your files and requiring two-factor authentication, the service can keep both Mac and Windows-based customers secure. Backblaze costs only $5 per month, with discounted rates for users who pay in advance for a year or two of service.

iDrive

This service offers one terabyte of online storage for $69-per-year. iDrive is a feature-packed backup option for any PC or device using Mac, Windows, and Android. With the ability to save data from an unlimited amount of machines online, the service performs real-time backups and file syncing as well. This means files and even parts of files are refreshed across devices. A mobile-friendly backup solution, you can access files backed up on your PCs from your iOS and Android devices. iDrive also has a Smart Docs feature that recognizes details of documents after users take a photo and uploads them online.

Best VPN Apps You Can Get For Your Android Device

Everywhere, data privacy is always at risk -- ISPs selling people's information, hackers stealing people's data and even money, and websites tricking users out of their personal details. It seems like someone's always out to compromise our security. Keeping yourself safe while browsing the Internet is a necessity, especially for those who carry their mobile devices everywhere they go.

By using VPN, you can have the easiest and most accessible way of protecting your data online. This is because a VPN acts like a tunnel between your Android phone and the Internet. It encrypts information and sends it to servers around the world, which makes it nearly impossible to identify individual users, keeping your privacy intact no matter what your location is or which network you connect to.

With the right provider and software, you can experience safe yet inexpensive VPN service on your Android device, without sacrificing the speed or device usability.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has a well deserved reputation for speed. The service delivers consistently high numbers on speed tests from a variety of locations. The app doesn't skimp on the privacy features, either. The service has a strict zero-logging policy to ensure your data is as inaccessible as possible, and you also get to take advantage of unlimited bandwidth as well as a complete lack of file type restrictions, which is perfect for Android users who use their phone for everything, everywhere.

ExpressVPN offers both an app for Android as well as access through OpenVPN. The custom software has a lot of features that make it easy and convenient to use, including speed test, live support, smart location suggestions, server favorites, and more. It's a fast, easy-to-use VPN that has stellar support for mobile devices, PCs, and tablets.

NordVPN

You can find some of the most unique features of any VPN service in NordVPN. The biggest standout is its signature double encryption process that wraps all data in an unbeatable 2048-bit SSL encryption. NordVPN keeps speed test results high by configuring servers to handle different types of traffic. If you're streaming a movie, for example, your data will likely be funneled through a server designed to stream movies. This adds up to an incredibly fast network, no matter which server you're connected to.

The NordVPN Android app runs natively on the operating system, ensuring an easy-to-use experience that's incredibly light on resources. Installation is as quick as downloading and logging in, and once you're connected, switching servers and monitoring your connection is just a few taps away.

IPVanish

IPVanish operates on a top tier VPN network that refuses to compromise on speed or security. It offers access to over 750 servers in 60 different countries, each locked down with 256-bit AES encryption and a no-exceptions zero-logging policy. Why is it an amazing choice? Unlimited bandwidth, no restrictions on P2P or torrent traffic, and awesome speed test results are just some of the reasons. It includes all of the features that make the IPVanish network so useful, including strong encryption as well as automatic server suggestions, a variety of security protocols, and overall fast connections. As a nice bonus, the IPVanish app is available to download and install as a raw apk as well as from the Google Play Store.

PureVPN

One of PureVPN's standout features is a surprisingly high simultaneous connection limit. Most providers put the cap at three devices connected through your account at a time, but with PureVPN, it's five. With so many Android devices out there, it's a great thing that you and your family members can use them at once. You can mark favorite countries to automatically receive a list of connections from that area, ping servers to see which offers the best connection, even submit support tickets from within the app. Everything is packaged in a single lightweight download, so even older or slower phones won't have any trouble keeping the VPN alive.

VyprVPN

VyprVPN has made a name for itself by taking privacy a step further. The company owns and operates its entire network of 700 servers in 70+ countries, allowing it to customize hardware and software for optimal privacy and speed. VyprVPN delivers unlimited bandwidth with no file type restrictions, has a strict zero-logging policy, and deploys the proprietary Chameleon technology to defeat VPN blocking measures so you have truly free access to the Internet. The VyprVPN Android app has tons of functionality, all packed into a single lightweight download. The app also lets you switch servers with just a few taps, manage connections on a per-app basis, and automatically activate the VPN when you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

Understanding Online Privacy and What You Can Do To Protect It

All your private online data, including the websites you visit, the content of your chats and e-mails, your personal information, and your location, just became suddenly less secure. This is because Congress just blocked crucial privacy regulations. This will allow your Internet Service Provider to collect all your data and sell all that data to the highest bidder without asking for your permission. This must have been what the Indians felt when negotiating with the white man.

A pair of resolutions, which passed through the Senate and House with exclusively Republican votes, will roll back rules previously proposed by the Democratic leadership of the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama administration that was passed in October of last year but had not yet gone into effect.

These FCC rules called the Net Neutrality Rules or Title II will be completely dead following the expected signature of President Trump. The rules would have required ISP’s to get explicit and specific approval from customers before selling the following “sensitive data”:

§  Your precise geo-location

§  Children’s information

§  Health information

§  Financial information

§  Social Security numbers

§  Web browsing history

§  App usage history

§  Content of communications

Since the rules were rolled back through the Congressional Review Act, the FCC is also barred from creating any similar rules in the years to come. In theory, the information collected will be stored under some sort of ID separate from your actual name. But that’s cold comfort considering the level of detail from this sort of information would make your identity a dead giveaway. Also, ISP’s can hardly be trusted to keep your information suitably safe from prying eyes since they can sell all these to the highest bidder.

There are a few things you can do to try and keep your data safe, and while they aren’t really easy to do, they’re worth the effort if you value your privacy.

Inform your ISP you’re “opting out”

You can visit or call your ISP to inform them that you’re opting out of all advertising-related things in your package, and tell them point blank that they need your permission before selling any of your data to advertisers. The former will force them to comply, though the latter is doubtful, but at least will give them second thoughts.

Limit data passing through your ISP

Try to keep sensitive data such as those listed at the top by reverting back to hard copies or not storing or mentioning these online but storing them instead in removable external drives or burning them on CD’s. You can also opt to buy apps that can encrypt data or your ISP address, but these will often charge an annual subscription fee. Also, if you opt for using a VPN to hide your ISP address, remember that a VPN is itself an ISP so research on a VPN before committing to it.

Content Marketing Strategies Every Small Business Must Implement

Statistically speaking, small businesses are the slowest to adopt the latest content marketing strategies that larger, corporate marketers use. However, with SEO constantly evolving, it is clear that in order to remain competitive, small businesses have to create comparison guides, e-books, how-to's and other content products.

If you are ready to ensure that your content marketing strategy is successful, then you may want to consider implementing the following tips.

Make an Investment in Visual Content

There is no question that you live in a visual world. When it comes to content marketing, there is no difference. Digital technology is continuously evolving at a rapid pace and has provided marketers with the ability to tell stories with the use of infographics, videos, and other types of compelling imagery. In fact, 94 percent of content that includes visuals will receive more total views than strictly contextual content. This means you need to incorporate some type of visual element in all your posts, articles, and tweets.

Utilize A/B Testing Methods

Testing allows you to see what works and what doesn't. Software related to testing is now abundant and enables marketers to test and change any element of their strategy. You can use this to your advantage when you implement split testing and try out different call-to-actions, images and titles to see which one performs the best.

Make Use of Social Media

Aside from Facebook, a lot of social media platforms are also making their significant values on the web. While it is thought that LinkedIn and Whatsapp are the next contenders, sites such as Instagram and Pinterest are now the biggest competitors when it comes to social media. It is equally important that you take time to find out where your customers are in terms of social platforms and then join the conversation. Be sure to use these platforms to share content and promote engagement with your customer's one on one.

Repurpose Previously Used Content

Unless you have a large number of staff of content creators, it will likely be extremely difficult for you to produce a ton of material each day. If you want to maximize the value of every post you publish, then you should find ways of repurposing it for continual use. For example, you can take the key points of your article and create tweets or make an entire blog series off of a longer blog post. When you repurpose the content, it will extend its valuable life.

Learn to Curate Content

It is becoming more and clearer that your customers are not as interested in promotional content and instead, are more drawn to quality content that helps solve a problem. This means you need to eliminate the idea that you have to force-feed sales copy and instead invest some time and money into developing yourself and your business as a source of valuable content. When you curate content, you can provide your followers with the information that they want and need.