Create Uncrackable Passphrases that Even NSA Can’t Crack

Did thinking the most secure password takes out the best of you?? And still it seems that it is not good enough. Your first crush’s name might appear safe to you, but is it really?? If your computer be ever attacked or hacked, then it would be going against a supercomputer that could perform more than a trillion guesses per second. It does sound scary.

The simple solution is to leave passwords and go for ‘passphrases’. A passphrase is like an elder brother to password. It is a string of letters or words acting as an encryption key; more longer, thus more secure. So now there is just one problem. Choosing a strong passphrase. Picking your favorite serial’s character catchphrase or Shakespeare’s quote are not good enough when going up against such an adversary. Your documents encryption would be as strong as your passphrase.

Micah lee, a technology expert has developed a method of procuring a password that would be almost impossible to crack for the brightest hackers and could even bring down NSA to its knees. Do not expect a gadget now, you just need a dice and you will get world’s most secure passphrase.

Lee terms it as Diceware technique, based on Diceware word list comprising of 7,776 English words each corresponding to a five digit number. Now just roll your dice and take five random numbers. The word generated from the list would be the first word of your passphrase. Repeat it 5 or 7 times to be on the safer side and make the best passphrase for yourself.

Lee writes at The Intercept

What you’re doing here is generating entropy, extracting true randomness from nature and turning it into numbers.

You’ll end up with something that looks like “bleak grout had zen ulcer thorny snag” that you can keep in your wallet and recite over and over again until you have it down. Even though it sounds like a task to remember, it’s a lot more easier than trying to memorize a random string  such as d07;oj7MgLz’%v

As per Lee’s calculations

Using a seven-word passphrase  there’s only a one in 1,719,070,799,748,422,591,028,658,176 chance that someone could randomly pick your passphrase from the Diceware word list. Imagining that a computer is making one billion guesses per second of your password- it would still take an average of 27 million years for them to guess your passphrase.

This mathematical approach basically works on the principle of entropy or randomness, which creates more than a trillion trillion possibilities for the hackers to guess for the right passwords.

Well this a long time to keep one’s documents safe. During the times when the password cracking and and cyber security are of utmost importance this Micah Lee surely brings a sigh of relief to the people.

Source: The Intercept

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Microsoft plans to launch $149 Windows 10 Laptops to kill Google’s Chromebooks 1

Microsoft will be launching its low cost Notebooks at the cost of $149 with Windows 10 OS and with the aim of killing $199 Google’s Chromebooks.

As per the report by DigiTimes, which is an Asian Publication, Microsoft is working towards releasing 2 low cost budget Notebooks / Laptops which will be powered with the latest Windows 10 OS and these laptops will compete the low cost Google’s Chromebooks which are available at the rate of $150 / €138. Google itself is planning to lower the cost of these Chromebooks in the coming months hence Microsoft is planning to release its low cost Laptops in the range of $149 to $179 or  €138 to €165 around mid 2015.

There are 2 types of the Microsoft’s Notebooks one for educational purpose and the other is for consumer market. Both the new budget Microsoft’s Laptops will be powered by the Intel’s Bay Trail-T CR (BTCR) which is a low power processor and it will have a 11.6 inch display. The only difference here is that the model for educational market will be manufactured by Elitegroup Computer Systems’ (ECS) and it will be sold for around $179 /€165 through the education channel that Intel and ECS built for their Classmate PC products. The other one is for the consumer market and it will be developed by the China based 3 Nod and it will be marketed for around $149 / €138.

On the other hand, Google’s Chromebooks at present have a 11.6 inch display and as per the reports Google has plans to bring 13.3 inch and 15.6 inch display versions in the market. Though Google Chromebooks have succeeded only in the U.S., Microsoft is still competing with the Chromebooks. Earlier Microsoft had released its BingBooks with Windows 8.1 OS against the Chromebooks and had seen a good response from many vendors so now mid of 2015 think we can expect to see a deluge of new laptops from Microsoft with its latest and much awaited Windows 10 OS.

Along with Microsoft its ASUS who is also in the competition with Google’s Chromebooks. There were rumors that ASUS would release its low cost affordable Chromebook earlier this month however it has not yet launched the product. The ASUS Chromebook was rumored to be powered by Rockchip RK3288 and expected to be priced at  $179 / €167.

Hence for users who need a laptop just for the web browsing and handling the social media then think notebooks and the Chromebooks at an affordable cost would be really beneficial, so users can now plan to purchase a Microsoft Notebook at as low as $149…just need to wait for another 3-4 months that’s it.

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How to replace your Android or iOS keyboard

Simple and easy ways to replace your Android or iOS keyboard.

Android handsets are much competent however if user still needs to replace their keyboards both Android as well as iOS users have the option to opt for the third party replacement. We have divided the article into 3 segments which will help users to understand the procedure better:

1. First we will check the easy methods to change the Keyboard settings of the phone and prepare for installing a third-party keyboard:
  Android Phone: These settings are for the Android version 4.4.4. i.e. Kitkat version.
Users need to go to ‘Settings’ then click ‘Personal Section’ then click ‘Language & Input’ then to ‘Keyboards & Input Methods’. This category will show a list of keyboards which has been installed in the device. The active keyboard have a check mark on the left hand side.
Now to change the active keyboard user needs to first tap on the ‘Default Settings’ and then choose from the various keyboard options given to them from the ones which have already been installed in handset.
Alternatively user can also click the button on the right of the installed keyboard and change its settings.

iOS Phone:  
Users need to go to ‘Settings’ then click ‘General’ then click ‘Keyboard’ with these steps users will reach the main screen that has the iOS Keyboard details. Now click on the ‘Keyboard’ option and it will give a list of active keyboards on the iPhone or iPad, usually there is only one keyboard set as default which is based on the language selected by user.
Now to add more keyboards user will need to go to the keyboards in different language. Then tap on the option of ‘Add New Keyboard’ which allows users to select any keyboard from the list of keyboards in different language, user can check any option that they want from the list.
Further users can click on the arrow on the right hand side of the keyboard to get more layouts from which they can select. For example: English keyboard user would get an option of QWERTY, AZERTY, and QWERTZ layouts.
In case user does not want any keyboard then they simply need to go to the ‘Keyboard’ screen and just tap delete and get rid of the keyboard. Other method is to tap ‘Edit’ and drag the right hand side button of the keyboard and thus rearrange the keyboards in the list.

2. Now that users know how to reset their keyboard settings in Android and iOS phones so the next thing which we need to understand is how to install the third party keyboards in Android and iOS phones. This procedure is much easy user would need to follow some basic instructions given below:

Android Phone: Go to the Google Play Store and choose the Keyboard which you like then install the app as is done for any normal app. Now, a new third-party keyboard appears in the ‘Keyboards & Input Methods’ list. User needs to check the check-box of the newly installed keyboard and then select it by clicking on the ‘Default keyboard’ setting.
iOS Phone: Go to the Apple App Store and choose the Keyboard which you like then install the app as is done for any normal app. User will be able to see the downloaded keyboard when they click ‘Add New Keyboard’ on the Keyboards setting screen, under the Third-party Keyboards heading. User would need to tap the new keyboard and it gets added to the list of active keypads.

3. This section we will see some Third Party Keyboards that are available and can be used for Android as well as iOS phones:

 SwiftKey: The SwiftKey keyboard is free with the in-app purchases for Android and iOS phones. This keyboard has 2 basic features for both the phones: It enables the “Swipe” typing which helps on faster typing accompanied with the auto correction features with the EMOJI features (emotional characters). The other major feature is that the keyboard scans the social networking posts of the user and based on that it can predict the word which user would want to use. Also it has a feature that it can take up word and phrase from the Cloud. In addition to these features in Android phones there is a variety of customization options with an array of free themes options and the additional feature to change the size of the keypad. The Android version has also won awards for its beautiful features. Android users can click https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchtype.swiftkey&hl=en to download this keyboard. iOS phones user can download the keyboard from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swiftkey-keyboard/id911813648?mt=8

Fleksy: The Fleksy keyboard is available as free in-app purchase as well as paid for Android and for iOS it is a paid version. This keyboard is one of the fastest and most customized keyboards. The keyboard is barely of only 3 rows and has minimum alphabets. With some practice one can easily use this keyboard. The free version can re size the keyboard and paid versions provide a variety of themes with the keyboard to make it more customized. Both the Android and iOS users need to log in to http://fleksy.com/ and download the required keyboards.

GO Keyboard: The GO Keyboard is again a free in-app purchase for Android as well as iOS with an array of colorful themes some of the themes may fall under premium versions. This gives users a personalized keyboard accompanied with the EMOJI and also auto correction  feature. It also has the feature of typing out whatever user speaks which means accepts voice inputs. It provides a variety of layouts like QWERTY, QWERTZ and AZERTY keyboard and optional plug in for tablets. Android users can check this site to download the GO keyboard: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jb.gokeyboard&hl=en. For iOS users they need to click on this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/go-keyboard-colorful-theme/id916226412?mt=8

Swype: Both the Android and iOS users need to avail a premium version of the Swype keyboard. Swype was the first one to introduce the swiping idea to the smartphone instead of typing. All other keyboards have now taken up this feature wherein user just need to swipe to type the words. Other keyboards which we saw earlier have additional customization color themes which is not there in Swype. It has the feature of proving layouts like QWERTY, QWERTZ and AZERTY keyboard. Users can download this keyboard from the following link: http://www.swype.com/product-features/android/features.html.
With the help of the instructions given above users can try out to replace their keyboards and enjoy the different features provided by the third party keyboards instead of using the boring keyboards of the smartphone.

Just a word of caution for users is that some of the third party keyboards may ask for “Full access” to users keystrokes and this it does so as to smartly put up the words when user is typing out something however user should never give full access as it may also read some sensitive data like passwords and account numbers.

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Cheaper 4 inch iPhone 6c coming soon?

Leaked iPhone images suggest a cheaper 4 inch iPhone 6c! it is going to happen?

Leaked images by Future Supplier suggest Apple is planning to release a 4 inch version of iPhone 6. The leaked images point towards the fact that Apple may be making an attempt to woo budget buyers with a iPhone 5c type of model for iPhone 6.

Though the leaks dont reveal much of whats going to be inside the 4 inch iPhone 6, the images give a fair idea of what the iPhone 6c will look like on the outside.

From this image it is clear that the new iPhone, if it does come will be very much similar to the iPhone 5c. One of the noticeable features is the camera housing given in the image above.

The second noticeable change is at the bottom. The ‘iPhone 6C’ shows a pair of matching six hole speaker grills whereas the iPhone 5C had just a single side of four speaker holes and a couple of holes on the other side for the phone’s dual mics.

Forbes points out that unless Apple has a similar plan to launch iPhone 6s in coming months, the whole idea of iPhone 6c looks flawed. Given that there were thousands of leaks about iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus before its release which were in no way nearer to the original product, it looks like the Future Suppliers leaks may just be a concept smartphone which was leaked.

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Windows 10 Phone Preview Now Available on Most Devices

Here is the latest addition to our extensive Windows 10 coverage. On February 12, Microsoft released the first build of Windows 10 Phone Preview and at that time, this build available for very limited phones. Earlier popular models like Lumia 520, Lumia 1520 and Lumia 930 were not supporting the preview. Microsoft attributed to a new “partition stitching” feature, which allowed it to adjust the OS partition dynamically creating space for install process.

But recently, Microsoft revealed in a blog post  that now the list of phones eligible for the Windows 10 Phone Preview upgrade has been extended.

You can see the procedure of How To Install Windows 10 on Your Phone from here. 

Below is the complete list of devices supporting Windows 10 Phone Preview:

Lumia 1020
Lumia 1320
Lumia 1520
Lumia 520
Lumia 525
Lumia 526
Lumia 530
Lumia 530 Dual Sim
Lumia 535
Lumia 620
Lumia 625
Lumia 630
Lumia 630 Dual Sim
Lumia 635
Lumia 636
Lumia 638
Lumia 720
Lumia 730
Lumia 730 Dual SIM
Lumia 735
Lumia 810
Lumia 820
Lumia 822
Lumia 830
Lumia 920
Lumia 925
Lumia 928
Lumia ICON
Microsoft Lumia 430
Microsoft Lumia 435
Microsoft Lumia 435 Dual SIM
Microsoft Lumia 435 Dual SIM DTV
Microsoft Lumia 532
Microsoft Lumia 532 Dual SIM
Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM
Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM

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AROUND(): A Google Search Operator You May Not Know About

Here is this handy operator developed by Daniel Russell which comes in as a handy trick when you are googling stuff. It’s a handy trick, particularly when you’re looking for combination of search terms (containing two or more search keywords) when one dominates the results, but you’re interested in the relationship between two query terms.

The AROUND(n) operator (used in uppercase, as shown with n = a number) is an undocumented Google search operator that will help you find documents where the distance between two search terms is around ‘n’. The higher the number ‘n’ the less is the proximity between the search words. Here’s an example:

A research query that says “hot springs” will mostly show search results about geographical hot springs (because these two words are maximized in use together than with separation between them).

However, if we modify the query to look like “hot AROUND(5) springs,” you get results where the two terms are written on the page in close proximity.
Also, note also that if Google is unable to find anything within the limit (of ‘n’), it will just do regular ranking of the terms without the AROUND coming into the application.

This operator is particularly helpful in long articles or long text, for example searching Google books. It is also helpful for when searching for quotes, speeches or a song that’s stuck in your head, but you can only think of a few words from it.

Google’s wildcard search operator, represented by Asterisk (hot * springs), may achieve similar results   but with AROUND, you even get to specify the distance between the two search terms.

Note: Do remember to write AROUND in all CAPS, else it won’t work.

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NASA Making New Space Station with Russia, Working on Joint Mars Mission

n a historic decision, US space agency NASA and Russian space agency Roscosmos have decided to work together to build a new space station, ISS 2.0, once the current International Space Station’s funding runs out in the year 2024. Roscosmos chief Igor Komarov said on Saturday:

“We have agreed that Roscosmos and NASA will be working together on the program of a future space station.”

It should be noted that earlier this year, Russia announced its plans to quit the ISS, the best example of Russia-US cooperation, by the year 2020. Later Roscosmos threatened the US to use its modules of ISS to build its own space station platform after 2014.

Keeping in mind the above-mentioned tension and uncertainty, the plans of working together on ISS 2.0 are relieving for the space fraternity. This announcement was made at the press conference at the occasion of US-Russian crew’s record setting flight to ISS stretched over a time period of one year.

In addition to this future ISS 2.0 collaboration, NASA and Russia will be working on a joint Mars mission. NASA chief Charles Bolden said:

“Our area of cooperation will be Mars. We are discussing how best to use the resources, the finance, we are setting time frames and distributing efforts in order to avoid duplication.”

The current ISS is a lot more than an orbiting lab, It has served as an ideal platform for technological research and developments. It has been a place for 100 Russian launches, 37 US space shuttle launches and more

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Google Inc Vs. WSJ: Google Fires Back With Facts and GIFs

Two weeks ago, an article was published in the Wall Street Journal telling how Google biased its search results to give an edge to its own services. In a Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) report from 2012, it was recommended that Google should be sued because it incorporated unhealthy business practices.

In another recent development, in a statement released by FTC, it lashed out against the WSJ reports that suggested “a number of misleading inferences and suggestions about the integrity of the FTC’s investigation.”

Google, the search engine giant, decided to fire back at the WSJ reporting that make the internet company look like a bad guy. Earlier Google said that after an exhaustive review and testimony, FTC didn’t find any need to take action against their search algorithm.

But, Google didn’t stop there. In an official blog post, Google decided to use facts and more importantly GIFs to answer the media publication house. Yes, you read it correct. GIFs, people!

First GIF used by Google in its statement to laugh over the allegations.
Google writes:

WSJ accused Google of creating a less informed, more vexatious level of dialogue in our society. Given the tone of some of your publications, that made quite a few people chuckle.

Google writes that WSJ forgot to mention that FTC recently mentioned that the FTC’s decisions to give a clean chit to Google were in accordance with recommendations made by FTC Bureau of Competition, Office of General Counsel and Bureau of Economics. WSJ wrote that since Barack Obama took office, Google employees have visited White House about 230 times whereas rival Comcast Corp.’s employees visited 230 times. Google was found again presenting facts and figures that during the same time frame, Microsoft visited White House 270 times and Comcast 150 times. The Google meetings were not to discuss the antitrust investigation, whereas they were arranged to discuss heathcare.gov issues, Internet censorship, STEM education, R&Dm security, energy, YouTube interviews with President and other concerns.

The internet company mentioned that apart from FTC, The Ohio and Texas Attorney General closed their investigations into Google in 2014, and, Brazilian and Germa courts too found no flaw in Google’s algorithms.

In the end, Google chuckled over WSJ’s appreciation for the European regulatory process and concluded the statement again with a GIF

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Earth Pushing Boundaries To Sustain Life: Half Way To Extinction

Earth is getting hostile with each passing day; claims a new theory by a Swedish scientist. Humans have reached to half of the limiting conditions that keeps the planet hospitable for living. A man made extinction might be looming over our heads as per going by this study. Global warming, reckless usage of natural resources and pollution are finally taking their toll on the planet.

There had been a number of studies regarding the dangers faced by our ecosystem that could result in the mass extinction of several species and at one point it would even pass mankind itself. But singular studies are never taken seriously because of the anonymous factors that come into picture during the research. This study however brings out the cumulative results of many studies that have been going on past three decades.

Environmental science professor Johan Rockstrom, the executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Center in Sweden, argues that there are nine “planetary boundaries”  – and human have already crossed four of them.

Image: idea.ted
As per Rockstrom’s research we have already raced past species’ extinction, climate change, harmful pollutants in our atmosphere and deforestation. And, what worries more is that now we accelerating towards other five. The scientists claim that climate changes will ultimately lead to species extinction and is the most dangerous factors to be reckoned with.

Rockstrom commented:

The planet has been our best friend by buffering our actions and showing its resilience. But for the first time ever, we might shift the planet from friend to foe.

Scientists usually do not give out alarming details of the studies until it is absolutely necessary. But with the growing concerns over global warming and the loss of over 90% of species on various parts of the planet, it seems that we have reached to the edge. Oceans becoming more acidic and population boom from 2 billion in 1920’s to current 7.2 billion is also a huge cause of concern.

Also read: NASA Making New Space Station with Russia, Working on Joint Mars Mission

We have had five mass extinctions before but this one is both scary and morally stinging because it is caused by humans. Humans will be the cause of annihilation of unimaginable number of species. So it hits even harder.

It does not matter how much technologically advanced humans get we still have no control over Nature and will definitely feel her wrath if we does not heed to the warnings. The ‘Nine Boundaries’ parameter theory in itself does not predict any doomsday message but cautions everyone against the impending danger and to change their ways. It is up to the world’s developed and developing nations to cut out their carbon emissions and change the course of future.

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“Why I separated from Pawpaw” – Aki reveals

These two Hilarious men really took the Movie industry by storm and were very close, both on set and off Set.

Actually, many people thought they were blood related, Like Brothers.. But they are not. 

However Aki and Pawpaw whose real names are Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme respectively splitted as they stopped living together. Not Like there was a clash between them or something.

Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) explains Why, speaking with
Tribune
There was no clash between us. Then, the owner of the property wanted to use it, so we both had to vacate the apartment. The truth must be told, we cannot live together forever. We are adults and someday we would get married. We are not same twins, I am from Abia and he is from Imo. It’s just that we are good friends. It is not bad we go our separate ways, though; we are not far from each other...

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NASA finds Water: Enceladus Moon is Where Life May Exist

Do aliens exist? Is life elsewhere in the universe? These questions are foundations of several sci-fi movies and books. More importantly we have our space agencies working on discovering life elsewhere in the solar system.

Search for life on other planets and celestial bodies is not an easy task. According to Chris McKay, astrobiologist and senior scientist at NASA’s Planetary Systems Branch, the investigation is required to be done under the surface. And to examine a planet from the inside is difficult.

Another area of interest is in answering whether there exists a different genesis of life. “To my mind that’s the real question: Not ‘is there life on these other worlds’ but ‘is there a second genesis of life on these other worlds,” says McKay. Are there aliens with entirely different molecular composition from life forms on Earth or they possess the same DNA!

Enceladus is the sixth largest moon of planet Saturn. Enceladus has a large ocean underneath a thick layer of ice on its surface. This makes our investigation easier. Enceladus was found to have plumes of water vapors and other substances spurting out of its surface. The Cassini spacecraft in 2005 observed these plumes.

Also read: Life-Supporting Nitrogen Detected on Mars by NASA

“I’d suggest that the best molecules to measure are amino acids, the building blocks of proteins,” McKay said. Indeed, amino acids are biologically important organic compounds. While considering life on Earth, case has been specific in the choice of amino acids. All living species on Earth are composed of twenty amino acids- all of which are left handed.

Plumes of water vapor coming out of Enceladus’s surface
Amino acids are of two types- left handed and right handed. This classification is based on the phenomenon of chirality. Left and right-handed amino acids are chemically identical, but they are mirror images i.e. not superimposable. Life on Earth is made up exclusively of left-handed amino acids. The reason behind this fact remains unconfirmed. The most probable reason given by Mindy Levine, an organic chemist at the University of Rhode Island, is that the meteorites could have delivered left-handed amino acids to earth and hence used left-handed chirality in developing life. Life could have been developed from right handed too but not both.

If we succeed in discovering the existence of proteins in the plumes of Enceladus, then this would open paths for further questions. Steven Benner stresses upon determining the handedness of proteins as well. Steven Benner is president at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Florida. If the proteins tend to have some handed amino acids, it would suggest these being developed out of biological processes

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Top 10 free Computer Software/Tools everyone should have

Certain excellent Computer system tools available for free of cost can add value to your PC.

Some Computer software recommended for every PC which is absolutely free of cost.

Techworm team has once again thought of bringing to the notice of all its followers few excellent system tools which can be added to the computer with ease and also absolutely for free of cost. Below are few Computer Software which are truly useful and in general handy to its user which also adds value to the computer. So by downloading some of these software user can make their PC truly a customized one.

1. Browser: Prior to downloading the software directly from internet it is essential that user sets the Internet browser of their choice. Most commonly used browser is the Google Chrome. Another one is Mozilla Firefox. Based on their choice user can set their browsers, both of these are free for downloading and much faster than Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. PC Decrapifier: Most of the times the PC is pre-installed with certain software by the vendor. Some of the programs are useful however most of it is just junk and avails more space on the hardware. Here comes the use of PC Decrapifier software which will scan the computer and show the list of programs which add to the bloatware, user can check the list and remove all the unwanted programs from this list. Only word of caution would be user needs to be more careful while deleting these programs as user might delete some important program also.
3. Recuva: As mentioned in point 2, it could happen that user may delete some useful file and then what? In such cases the Piriform’s Recuva is one such program which can help the user to recover any deleted file. The only caution is that the file should be in the recycle bin and not deleted in the shredder tool method.
4. CCleaner: An absolute must for every PC as it helps the PC to run smoothly and keep it clean from all the unwanted cookies and unnecessary files, it also cleans the browser history.  This again is Piriform’s system tool.
5. Avira 2015: Most of the times when user browses through the internet or plugs in some USB or they are downloading some programs from the internet there are chances of the PC getting malware /virus and hence it is always better to install this Avira 2015. Avira blocks and eradicates the nasty malware, spying adwares, it warns user if it sniffs some sites which may be dangerous to the PC. There are other free anti malware like AVG Anti Virus Free and Avast Antivirus Free which users can try.
6. Malwarebytes Anti Malware Free: This is again an anti malware software. Now, why would anyone require this? The answer would be to give an extra layer of protection to the Avira 2015. With the advanced technology risk of malware threats are also increasing day by day so in case the Avira 2015 fails then this Malwarebytes Anti Malware Free comes in handy to secure the PC from unwanted malware.
7. Paint.net: This is an image editor useful for those who are interested in graphic design and graphic arts.  This software is not as good as Photoshop however it has the minimum features to satisfy some common requirements and is available at much lower cost. For graphic professionals who cannot afford Photoshop can go for another software GIMP which is much efficient in comparison to Paint.net.
8. VLC Media Player: In case of Windows 8 and 8.1 versions it can read DVDs however unlike the earlier versions of Windows this version cannot play DVD. In such a case VLC Media Player can read any video or audio format and it helps for those systems which do not support the DVD players.
9. Cute PDF: This is again a free software which can be installed through the printer driver which is located at the Standard File, Printer window. This software helps to convert word document or an image to PDF format.
10. Sumatra PDF: Adobe reader is most commonly found PDF reader. However, Sumatra PDF software is better to Adobe because Adobe reader undergo constant updation and attracts a lot of malware. In comparison to this Sumatra PDF is not known to most users hence the risk of malware is negligible also it is simple software to read PDF which is useful in day to day life and has a much better speed when compared with Adobe reader.

In addition to some of these general system tools/softwares there are a few more to name themWizMouse this helps to scroll through different inactive windows when user is multitasking, thenPassword Manager helps user to set a complex password which is the need of the hour in times when hackers are there on almost every site, Steam this is a software which helps to convert any PC into a gaming PC and helps to user to relax from the routine stressful work on their PC, Notepad and Source code editor: Notepad++.

Well hope this article helps the users to incorporate these free tools in their PC and avail maximum benefit of these in their day to day activities.

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Top 10 free Computer Software/Tools everyone should have

Certain excellent Computer system tools available for free of cost can add value to your PC.

Some Computer software recommended for every PC which is absolutely free of cost.

Techworm team has once again thought of bringing to the notice of all its followers few excellent system tools which can be added to the computer with ease and also absolutely for free of cost. Below are few Computer Software which are truly useful and in general handy to its user which also adds value to the computer. So by downloading some of these software user can make their PC truly a customized one.

1. Browser: Prior to downloading the software directly from internet it is essential that user sets the Internet browser of their choice. Most commonly used browser is the Google Chrome. Another one is Mozilla Firefox. Based on their choice user can set their browsers, both of these are free for downloading and much faster than Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. PC Decrapifier: Most of the times the PC is pre-installed with certain software by the vendor. Some of the programs are useful however most of it is just junk and avails more space on the hardware. Here comes the use of PC Decrapifier software which will scan the computer and show the list of programs which add to the bloatware, user can check the list and remove all the unwanted programs from this list. Only word of caution would be user needs to be more careful while deleting these programs as user might delete some important program also.
3. Recuva: As mentioned in point 2, it could happen that user may delete some useful file and then what? In such cases the Piriform’s Recuva is one such program which can help the user to recover any deleted file. The only caution is that the file should be in the recycle bin and not deleted in the shredder tool method.
4. CCleaner: An absolute must for every PC as it helps the PC to run smoothly and keep it clean from all the unwanted cookies and unnecessary files, it also cleans the browser history.  This again is Piriform’s system tool.
5. Avira 2015: Most of the times when user browses through the internet or plugs in some USB or they are downloading some programs from the internet there are chances of the PC getting malware /virus and hence it is always better to install this Avira 2015. Avira blocks and eradicates the nasty malware, spying adwares, it warns user if it sniffs some sites which may be dangerous to the PC. There are other free anti malware like AVG Anti Virus Free and Avast Antivirus Free which users can try.
6. Malwarebytes Anti Malware Free: This is again an anti malware software. Now, why would anyone require this? The answer would be to give an extra layer of protection to the Avira 2015. With the advanced technology risk of malware threats are also increasing day by day so in case the Avira 2015 fails then this Malwarebytes Anti Malware Free comes in handy to secure the PC from unwanted malware.
7. Paint.net: This is an image editor useful for those who are interested in graphic design and graphic arts.  This software is not as good as Photoshop however it has the minimum features to satisfy some common requirements and is available at much lower cost. For graphic professionals who cannot afford Photoshop can go for another software GIMP which is much efficient in comparison to Paint.net.
8. VLC Media Player: In case of Windows 8 and 8.1 versions it can read DVDs however unlike the earlier versions of Windows this version cannot play DVD. In such a case VLC Media Player can read any video or audio format and it helps for those systems which do not support the DVD players.
9. Cute PDF: This is again a free software which can be installed through the printer driver which is located at the Standard File, Printer window. This software helps to convert word document or an image to PDF format.
10. Sumatra PDF: Adobe reader is most commonly found PDF reader. However, Sumatra PDF software is better to Adobe because Adobe reader undergo constant updation and attracts a lot of malware. In comparison to this Sumatra PDF is not known to most users hence the risk of malware is negligible also it is simple software to read PDF which is useful in day to day life and has a much better speed when compared with Adobe reader.

In addition to some of these general system tools/softwares there are a few more to name themWizMouse this helps to scroll through different inactive windows when user is multitasking, thenPassword Manager helps user to set a complex password which is the need of the hour in times when hackers are there on almost every site, Steam this is a software which helps to convert any PC into a gaming PC and helps to user to relax from the routine stressful work on their PC, Notepad and Source code editor: Notepad++.

Well hope this article helps the users to incorporate these free tools in their PC and avail maximum benefit of these in their day to day activities.

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Top 10 free Computer Software/Tools everyone should have

Certain excellent Computer system tools available for free of cost can add value to your PC.

Some Computer software recommended for every PC which is absolutely free of cost.

Techworm team has once again thought of bringing to the notice of all its followers few excellent system tools which can be added to the computer with ease and also absolutely for free of cost. Below are few Computer Software which are truly useful and in general handy to its user which also adds value to the computer. So by downloading some of these software user can make their PC truly a customized one.

1. Browser: Prior to downloading the software directly from internet it is essential that user sets the Internet browser of their choice. Most commonly used browser is the Google Chrome. Another one is Mozilla Firefox. Based on their choice user can set their browsers, both of these are free for downloading and much faster than Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. PC Decrapifier: Most of the times the PC is pre-installed with certain software by the vendor. Some of the programs are useful however most of it is just junk and avails more space on the hardware. Here comes the use of PC Decrapifier software which will scan the computer and show the list of programs which add to the bloatware, user can check the list and remove all the unwanted programs from this list. Only word of caution would be user needs to be more careful while deleting these programs as user might delete some important program also.
3. Recuva: As mentioned in point 2, it could happen that user may delete some useful file and then what? In such cases the Piriform’s Recuva is one such program which can help the user to recover any deleted file. The only caution is that the file should be in the recycle bin and not deleted in the shredder tool method.
4. CCleaner: An absolute must for every PC as it helps the PC to run smoothly and keep it clean from all the unwanted cookies and unnecessary files, it also cleans the browser history.  This again is Piriform’s system tool.
5. Avira 2015: Most of the times when user browses through the internet or plugs in some USB or they are downloading some programs from the internet there are chances of the PC getting malware /virus and hence it is always better to install this Avira 2015. Avira blocks and eradicates the nasty malware, spying adwares, it warns user if it sniffs some sites which may be dangerous to the PC. There are other free anti malware like AVG Anti Virus Free and Avast Antivirus Free which users can try.
6. Malwarebytes Anti Malware Free: This is again an anti malware software. Now, why would anyone require this? The answer would be to give an extra layer of protection to the Avira 2015. With the advanced technology risk of malware threats are also increasing day by day so in case the Avira 2015 fails then this Malwarebytes Anti Malware Free comes in handy to secure the PC from unwanted malware.
7. Paint.net: This is an image editor useful for those who are interested in graphic design and graphic arts.  This software is not as good as Photoshop however it has the minimum features to satisfy some common requirements and is available at much lower cost. For graphic professionals who cannot afford Photoshop can go for another software GIMP which is much efficient in comparison to Paint.net.
8. VLC Media Player: In case of Windows 8 and 8.1 versions it can read DVDs however unlike the earlier versions of Windows this version cannot play DVD. In such a case VLC Media Player can read any video or audio format and it helps for those systems which do not support the DVD players.
9. Cute PDF: This is again a free software which can be installed through the printer driver which is located at the Standard File, Printer window. This software helps to convert word document or an image to PDF format.
10. Sumatra PDF: Adobe reader is most commonly found PDF reader. However, Sumatra PDF software is better to Adobe because Adobe reader undergo constant updation and attracts a lot of malware. In comparison to this Sumatra PDF is not known to most users hence the risk of malware is negligible also it is simple software to read PDF which is useful in day to day life and has a much better speed when compared with Adobe reader.

In addition to some of these general system tools/softwares there are a few more to name themWizMouse this helps to scroll through different inactive windows when user is multitasking, thenPassword Manager helps user to set a complex password which is the need of the hour in times when hackers are there on almost every site, Steam this is a software which helps to convert any PC into a gaming PC and helps to user to relax from the routine stressful work on their PC, Notepad and Source code editor: Notepad++.

Well hope this article helps the users to incorporate these free tools in their PC and avail maximum benefit of these in their day to day activities.

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45 Students Suspended for Hacking into High School Website to Increase their Grades

High School in Louisiana suspends 45 students for illegitimate hacking and increasing grades

Using hacking to increase grades is not new but to making a enterprise out of it is.  This was discovered by the system admins of Beau Chene High School in Arnaudville, Louisiana. The school authorities have suspended at least 45 students during past one and half months for illegally enhancing their educational scores by hacking into the PowerSchool software used by the school to keep track of student grades.

The students involved seems to a part of greater ring of a group who take money and other considerations from students for increasing their school grades. The school authorities said that the actual procedure of hack was not known but the hackers gained illegal entry into the software by using legitimate set of credentials.

Most schools in United States use a web application called PowerSchool which offers access to grades to teachers, parents and students.

An plausible explanation for the hackers using legitimate set of credentials was given by a senior student at Beau Chene who said that one of his colleagues may have obtained the password of a full-time teacher after they left. This set of credentials may have been passed on to the hackers according to him.

The hacker or a group who operated the enterprise sometimes took money for enhancing the grades while at other times took sexual favours as per reports. The hacker (s) also used their hack and illegal access to reduce grades of students they didnt like.

Keith James, principal of the school, said that institution was tipped by a concerned parent and then he asked teachers to look into PowerSchool for irregularities. He said that the school had suspended those 45 students who were aware that their grades were enhanced illegally but as of now the school authorities dont know the actual number of students involved or being victim of this hack.

As a precaution, the district’s IT department has enhanced the security measures for PowerSchool in order to detect modification of the grades at an earlier stage.

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Cyber Criminals hack Twitter account of school, turn the head teacher into adult film star

Hijacked school Twitter account turns head teacher into a porn star

Hackers do some really crappy things to the hijacked accounts but this one takes the cake. Cyber criminals hijacked the Twitter account of a head teacher of Oriel High School and turned him into a adult film star and complete with all the makeup and stuff.

Philip Stack, who is head teacher of Oriel High School in United Kingdom faced one of those days when everything you do goes wrong. First his Twitter account was hijacked and later the hackers turned him into a adult film star with a liberal dose of photoshopping. The final nail in Stack’s day was that hackers used his Twitter account to make inappropriate and unceremonious tweets about his girl students.

Some of the tweets are as follows :

The year 9 girls are getting a bit fat.

We need to work on them in the gym.

The Mirror reported on Wednesday, the image of Oriel High School head teacher Philip Stack’s smiling face was pasted onto the body of a muscular, tattooed male model who would have been naked but for a jock strap.

The school immediately deactivated the account and informed the police who are investigating the hack attack.

Prima facie it seems that the Twitter was hacked by students themselves and that is what some Twitter users suggested. One users sarcastically added that Oriels’s IT teachers should be proud of students’ “accomplished computer skills.”

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