Categories
Computers Media Online Services Technology

Best Internet Providers Cracking Down On Pirates where Database Will Be Kept Independently

Introduction

Piracy of online data is among the foremost concerns facing internet providers. The pirates ‘steal’ the data they are not authorized to use for free. For several years now, the ISPs have been looking for an effective way to get rid of this problem for good. The harder they try, the more illegal file and data sharing websites emerge on the internet. A pleasant sign has been the crack down on pirates by some of the best internet providers in the country. Companies like Time Warner Cable have an extensive clientele. If they can stop their customers from engaging in internet piracy, the problem can be dealt with. Each internet provider will have to step up to the plate and take a shot. Not one of the best internet providers including Time Warner Cable can claim that none of their customers are pirates. It is a hard fact that has to be accepted before it can be taken care of.

The Entertainment Industry: Piracy’s Biggest Victim

Best Internet Providers Cracking Down On Pirates where Database Will Be Independently Kept
Best Internet Providers Cracking Down On Pirates where Database Will Be Independently Kept

The entertainment industry is the biggest victim of online piracy. With website providing free music, movies and games to people, they don’t want to pay for them. The internet networks are used to obtain the content and then distribute it further. The music, movies and other intellectual properties are under copyright and a person has to pay to enjoy them. Internet piracy offers them a way around paying and they make full use of it.

The problem lies with the pirates. They don’t realize what they are doing is wrong. Their point of view is that they are being overcharged for entertainment. In the recession, people can’t afford to pay too much for leisure and entertainment. Yet, using illegal means to do so is not the solution. They have to be enlightened about the impact their actions have on the entertainment industry. It is a major blow to the music and film industry as they lose out on millions of dollars.

ISP cracking down the piracy
ISP cracking down the piracy

However, mere education is not going to get rid of the problem for good. Internet providers have to be robust in dealing with the pirates. That is what they intend to do by working in conjunction with leading companies in the entertainment industry. In consensus with the major media groups, the internet providers are developing strict policies to deal with piracy. The aim is to stop illegal downloading and distribution and protect the copyrighted content online.

Groups such as the Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA) are already on board. The proposed solution is to restrict illegal downloads. The people doing so will be warned six times. They will be sent six messages warning them that they have been caught. Being called ‘Copyright Alerts’ so far, the messages give the user a chance to stop. Else, action will be taken against them. The resultant action would be to slow internet speed or redirecting them to a different web page.


There are certain glitches in the system so far. Users who have not been downloading illegal content can also receive the messages by mistake. In such cases, they have to contact their internet provider to review the messages that have been sent.

Center for Copyright Information: Educating Pirates

Center for Copyright Information
Center for Copyright Information

To boost the efforts of the internet and entertainment companies to crack down on piracy, a new organization is being formed. Known as the Center for Copyright Information, its chief purpose is to educate the pirates about the extent of their wrongdoings and the negative effects. Moreover, the organization will be responsible for implementing the new policies that are to be decided by the internet providers and media groups.

Through the organization, people will get to know if their internet connection is being used for piracy by someone else. Furthermore, they have a chance to make amends if they are engaged in piracy themselves. With the right education, people can save themselves from being victims of pirates and also be convinced to never infringe copyrights. Only when the policies are implemented will a clearer picture emerge. For now, the organization is being set up, paid for by internet providers and media groups.

By cracking down on piracy where databases will be independently kept, the best internet providers are protecting the interests of copyright holders as well as preventing common users from illegal downloading.

Categories
Computers Main Operating Systems Windows

New Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts / Keys : Official List from Microsoft (Updated)

As you already know, Windows is a most used Operating System, due to its GUI and user-friendliness. Recently Microsoft has released the Consumer Preview Version of Windows 8.

Microsoft always tries to make Windows faster and easier to use. For the same reason now they have introduced the Official Shortcut Keys for the Windows 8 Edition.

Windows 8 Developer Preview Edition Start Screen
Windows 8 Developer Preview Edition Start Screen

Here is the List of Shortcuts of Windows 8 Edition.

Shortcuts starting with Windows Key :

Windows Key Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows 8 Edition
Windows Key Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows 8 Edition
  1. Windows Key : Open the Start Screen
  2. Win + Z : Open Application bar
  3. Win + W : Search in Settings of the system
  4. Win + X : Open Windows Mobility Center
  5. Win + V : Switch among notifications
  6. Win + Shift + V : Switch among notifications (in reverse manner)
  7. Win + U : Open Ease of Access Center
  8. Win + T : Set focus to Taskbar and toggle through Programs
  9. Win + S : Open OneNote Screenshot Creator (If Microsoft Office-OneNote is installed)
  10. Win + R : Open Run dialog box
  11. Win + Q : Open Windows Apps Search
  12. Win + P : Display Projection Options
  13. Win + O : Disable screen rotation / orientation
  14. Win + N : Create new OneNote (If Microsoft Office-OneNote is installed)
  15. Win + M : Minimize all windows
  16. Win + Shift + M : Restore minimized windows
  17. Win + L : Lock your computer
  18. Win + K : Open Device Connections
  19. Win + J : Toggle foreground between the filled and snapped applications
  20. Win + I : Open Settings Panel (To change Settings for the Wireless Networks, Volume, Apps, Brightness or to Shut Down)
  21. Win + H : Open Share Panel
  22. Win + G : Toggle through Windows Desktop Gadgets
  23. Win + F : Search for the Files in Computer
  24. Win + Ctrl + F : Search for Computers in a network
  25. Win + E : Show Windows Explorer with File’s Tree View
  26. Win + D : Toggle “Show Desktop”
  27. Win + C : Open Charms bar
  28. Win + B : Set focus to Notification Area
  29. Win + Enter : Open Windows Narrator
  30. Win + Alt + Enter : Open Media Center (If Media Center is Installed on PC)
  31. Win + Spacebar : Change the Keyboard Layout / Input Language
  32. Win + PageUp : Move Start Screen to the left side of screen
  33. Win + PageDown : Move Start Screen to the right side of screen
  34. Win + Plus : Magnifier Zoom-In
  35. Win + Minus : Magnifier Zoom-Out
  36. Win + Esc : Close Magnifier
  37. Win + Left Arrow : Dock the current window to left half of the screen
  38. Win + Right Arrow : Dock the current window to right half of the screen
  39. Win + Up Arrow : Maximize the currently active window
  40. Win + Down Arrow : Minimize / Restore the currently active window
  41. Win + Shift + Up Arrow : Maximize the currently active window vertically, while maintaining its width
  42. Win + Shift + Down Arrow : Minimize / Restore the currently active window vertically, while maintaining its width
  43. Win + Shift + Left Arrow : Move the currently active window to the left side of monitor
  44. Win + Shift + Right Arrow : Move the currently active window to the right side of monitor
  45. Win + Home : Toggle (Minimize/Maximize) all non-active windows
  46. Windows + number : Launch the program from taskbar sequence (e.g. To open 1st program window, use Windows + 1)
  47. Windows + Shift + number : Launch a new instance of the currently active program from taskbar sequence (e.g. To open an instance of 1st program window, use Windows + Shift + 1)
  48. Win + Break : Display System Properties dialog box
  49. Win + F1 : Open Windows Help and Support
  50. Win + Forward Slash (/) : Initiate IME (Input Method Editor) reconversion
  51. Win + Tab : Toggle through all Applications
  52. Win + Ctrl + Tab : Toggle through Applications and snap them as they cycle
  53. Win + Shift + Tab : Toggle through Applications in reverse order
  54. Win + Dot (.) : Move the gutter to the right
  55. Win + Shift + Dot (.) : Move the gutter to the left
  56. Win + Comma (,) : Look Temporarily at the desktop

Shortcuts starting with Alt Key :

Alt Key Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows 8 Edition
Alt Key Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows 8 Edition

  1. Alt + W : Create a new document or select a template
  2. Alt + V : Paste
  3. Alt + T : Cut
  4. Alt + S + N : Deselect
  5. Alt + S + I : Invert the selection
  6. Alt + S + A : Select all
  7. Alt + R : Rename selected files
  8. Alt + P + S : Insert label
  9. Alt + P + R : Open properties
  10. Alt + P + E : Display “Open With…” dialog box
  11. Alt + N : Create a new folder
  12. Alt + M : Move the files
  13. Alt + H : Show the history of file versions
  14. Alt + E : Edit selected files
  15. Alt + D : Delete selected files or folder
  16. Alt + C + P : Copy path to the file or folder
  17. Alt + C + O : Copy selected items
  18. Alt + A : Open the “special features”

Hope you have enjoyed the list of shortcuts. Please share your feedback.

Categories
Computers Internet Virals Main News Online Services Technology

Google To Launch “Google Drive” – A Cloud Storage Service

Are your running out of Space on your Hard Disk? Do you have to remove old files to download new ones?

If yes, then Google Drive will become a very useful service for you.

Wall Street Journal has just reported that Google is going to launch a cloud-storage service by the name – “Google Drive”. As per a report from Wall Street Journal, Google Drive will give a big competition to the other cloud service providers like Dropbox, Microsoft etc.

As per WSJ, Google Drive will allow you to store Music, Pictures, Documents, Videos on Google Servers, which will be accessible from any device connected to the internet. You can then share those files with anyone. At present Microsoft’s 365 and iPhone’s iCloud are offering the similar cloud storage service.

Google Drive
Google Drive

 

As per a Google Spokesman, “Google Drive” is just a rumor which is spread from many years.

We have done a research and found that the Google Drive Support Page is working, but the main page is showing 404 Error. The working support page makes our hope stronger about launching the Google Drive.

Google Drive Main Page
Google Drive Main Page

Google Drive Working Support Page
Google Drive Working Support Page

Google hasn’t yet officially declared this service and its prices for using the cloud hosting services, but it is considered that these services will be provided free of cost to the Personal and Business Users. However to get a large space there will be a charge.

Let’s see how much time Google takes to launch the Google Drive Service.

Categories
Computers General Awereness Main Online Services Technology

Managing Google Backup Phone Number and Passwords : Be Tension Free with 2-Step Verification

If you have already enabled the Google 2-Step Verification System, then it is very important to get the alternatives (back-up passwords) to access the Google Account and Services.

There may be the cases like,

  • When you lose your Mobile Phone,
  • If your Phone Network is not available etc.

In such scenarios, there are 2 alternatives :

  • You can add a Backup Phone Number
  • You can download the Printable backup codes

Adding Backup Phone Number :
If your primary phone is not available due to any reason, then you can get verification codes on your Backup Phone Number.

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

To do enable this service,

1. Go to https://accounts.google.com/b/0/SmsAuthConfig.
2. Click on “Add Phone Number” (as shown below)

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

3. Now Select your country, Enter phone number and save it. (You can also ask Google to test this mobile phone number by sending a security code).

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

Printable Backup Passwords (Codes) :
Another way to get access to your Google Accounts without entering Security code is, Printable Security Codes.

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

To get these codes,

1. Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/SmsAuthConfig, and click on “Show backup codes”

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

2. Now Print or Save these passwords in a secure place. As per statement from Google – These codes would be the only method to log-in to your Google Account, if your phones are unavailable.

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

3. You can also generate a new set of backup passwords, if you want older ones to be removed.

Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification
Be Tension Free with Google Backup Passwords - Using 2-Step Verification

Hope you have enjoyed the article!
You can also learn how to create application specific passwords for accessing Google account and services.

Categories
Android Computers General Awereness Main Mobile Phones News Online Services Technology

How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts / Services ?

I hope you already know how to enable the 2-Step Verification in your Google Account.

Google Account Services - Application Specific Passwords
Google Account Services - Application Specific Passwords

 

Application Specific Password is a type of security provided by Google, by which you can choose different passwords for accessing different applications. This service is mandatory for such applications, which can’t ask you the verification codes.

For Example : You can create separate password for accessing,

1. For accessing Google Services on Android, iPhone, or Blackberry
2. To Log-in to Android Market from your Mobile Phone or Tablet PC
3. To Sign-in on Chat Clients like GTalk, Aim etc.
4. To Log-in on E-Mail Clients like Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird etc.
5. To Sync Chrome (between Android and Desktop), and so on.

To create application specific passwords,

1. Visit https://accounts.google.com/b/0/SmsAuthConfig?SetupComplete=1.

2. Click on “Create passwords”

How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts Services
How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts Services

3. Enter the name of Application for which you want to generate the password, and click on “Generate password”

How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts Services
How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts Services

4. Now your Application Specific Password is created, by which you can access that application without verifying a security code.

How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts Services
How to Create Application Specific Passwords for Accessing Google Accounts Services

By using the above process, you can create a number of Application Specific Passwords.

To manage your application specific passwords (, you can visit https://accounts.google.com/b/0/IssuedAuthSubTokens, where you can Revoke or Add new Passwords.

You can also learn how to directly access the Google Account, if you have lost your phone number.

Categories
Computers General Awereness Main Online Services Technology

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

We often use computer at a friend’s home, in Office, College and in Cyber Cafe. But we can’t rely on the security of that system. There could be key-loggers or Trojan Horses installed on it, which can record your each activity and send it to the wrong hands.

Please note Keyloggers have nothing to do with the strong password. They can record all your activities, including usernames, passwords, and what sites you have accessed etc.

To overcome this thing, Google provides an extra layer of security known as 2-Step Verification. After activating this service, first of all you need to enter your login credentials and thereafter, you need to verify the login by the security code received on your mobile phone.

To activate Google 2-Step Verification, you can follow these steps :

1. Sign in to your Google Account

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

2. Click on your Username

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

 

3. Go to the Account Settings

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

4. On the Account Settings page, you will get an option by the name “Using 2-step verification”. Click on the edit button.

5. Click on Start Setup

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

6. Select Country, Update your Mobile Phone Number and Send code button.

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

7. Enter and verify the code received on your mobile phone.

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

8. Remember Cookie on Computer for 30 Days :

If you are using 2-Step Google Services at your home itself, then this 2-step verification could be annoying. So to get rid of this, you can tick on the option “Remember this computer for 30 days”. This option will save a cookie in the browser for 30 days.

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

9. Turn On 2-Step Verification :

How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide
How To Protect Your Google/GMail Account From Hackers, Even If They Hack Your Password : Step by Step Guide

So your 2-Step verification has been successfully setup.

Now whenever you login to your Google Account (any google service), you will need to enter do this verification.

After applying 2-Step Verification : If you are accessing Gmail, Google Search, Youtube or any other Google Application from your Mobile Phone or Tablet PC, then you need to create Application-Specific Passwords for accessing them. You are also advised to add a backup phone in your google account and download the backup passwords to get direct access, if your phones are not available.

Categories
Browsers Computers General Awereness Main News

Google Chrome 17 (Desktop) : More Faster, and Safer Browsing with New Omnibox Prerendering and Scanning Protection

Google has recently launched a stable update to their Chrome Desktop Browser, with many added features and fix to a number of security vulnerabilities.

There are mainly 2 new features provided, Document Scanning and Omnibox Prerendering.

Google Chrome 17 - Config chrome flags screenshot
Google Chrome 17 - Config chrome flags screenshot

1. Download File Scanning :
Whenever you download something by using Google Chrome browser, Chrome will check the file in its list. If file is hosted on the Blacklisted Servers/Websites or appears to be an infected one, then Chrome will warn you that the file consists of malware or viruses. This new layer of protection also works for .exe and .msi extension files.

This feature is provided for your security, but if you believe that the file you are downloading is safe, then you can download it by selecting the option.

2. Ultra fast browsing via Pre-Rendering :
Google Chrome 17 comes with Pre-Rendering enabled. If you have activated the Pre-Rendering option, then it will appear that the sites you are surfing are loading instantaneously. To disable this feature, you can go to chrome://flags/ in the chrome address bar, and select Disable option under Prerender from omnibox.

Google Chrome 17 flags new features - prerender from omnibox and smooth scrolling
Google Chrome 17 flags new features - prerender from omnibox and smooth scrolling

3. Smooth Scrolling :
Google Chrome has provided Smooth Scrolling as an experimental feature, just like the Firefox 12 Aurora.

4. Security Fixes :
In terms of security, Google Chrome 17 has around 20 security vulnerability fixed, out of which a few were severe.

5. Synchronization with Chrome Beta for Android :
You can login into your Chrome profile, and share from PC to mobile, or from mobile to PC.

Google Chrome 17 Synchronization Sign in Snapshot
Google Chrome 17 Synchronization Sign in Snapshot

Please share your reviews after installing the new version of Google Chrome.

Categories
Browsers Computers General Awereness News

Mozilla Comes In A New Avatar With Its Firefox 12 Version

Mozilla Firefox browser is famous for its user-interface, support and security. Though the Firefox browser is open-source and free-to-use, but due to the hard work of Mozilla developers, no one can say that Firefox works like free browser. Firefox provides everything that a paid browser can provide (like Microsoft Internet Explorer).

This time Mozilla is launching a new update by the name Firefox 12 Aurora, which provides a better experience than the previous versions of it.

Mozilla Firefox 12 Version

Here is a short list of benefits :

1. Smooth-Scrolling & Auto-Scrolling :

Firefox 12 has Smooth-Scrolling enabled by default. Though the feature is provided to improve the Scrollinmg experience of the users. But if you don’t like this then you can disable this feature from

Mozilla Firefox > Options > Advanced > General > Use Smooth Scrolling

2. New CSS Properties Support : 

Firefox 12 Supports new CSS properties like column-fill, and text-align-last. So the web developers can use these properties in their web-pages. Additionally the experimental features like ECMAScript 6 Map and Set objects, and Sharp Variables Support are introduced in Firefox 12.

3. Source Code line numbering :

The another feature of Firefox 12 is Source Code line numbering, which will help the developers in debugging the source code of web-pages.

4. Less User-Command while Updating :

The new Firefox 12 will prompt one less user-command in its up-gradation process.

Personal Suggestion :

I suggest you to test the New Firefox 12 Version and report to the Firefox authority, if you see any kind of errors in it. This will help the Firefox 12 beta to become a Stable version.

If you are a web-developer, then you can visit Mozilla Hacks Blog and https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Firefox_12_for_developers to have a look at the development related changes in Firefox 12.

Categories
Computers Education Ethical Hacking Windows

How to Remove or Reset the Content Advisor Password in Windows Internet Explorer ?

Content Advisor Password is a nice choice to restrict the use of internet. For example, if you want to keep your children away from some particular sites, or all of sites, then you can set the Content Advisor Password on Internet Explorer.

But if you have forgotten the password and want to disable that Content Advisor on internet explorer, then you can do it by the following simple method.

How to Remove or Reset the Windows Content Advisor Password
How to Remove or Reset the Windows Content Advisor Password

1. Open regedit.exe (Start > Run > (write regedit) > hit Enter)
2. Now navigate to key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Policies\Ratings

3. Delete the entry Key and Hint.

4. Then restart your computer.

Now you will see that the Content Advisor Password is not enabled anymore.

Categories
Computers Education General Awereness Main Office

How to Use Browser as a Calculator (With and Without Google) ?

Have you ever tried to use the Web Browser Address Bar as a Calculator.

With Google : You can write the calculation in Google Search Box, and your results will appear when you hit the enter key.

How to Use Browser as a Calculator With Google
How to Use Browser as a Calculator With Google

How to Use Browser as a Calculator With Google
How to Use Browser as a Calculator With Google

This calculation is done by the Google Servers, and sent to you as a search result. Google also has a number of Key Combinations for various data look-ups like Current Time in New York, 1$ in INR etc.

How to use Web browser as a calculator with Google Search
How to use Web browser as a calculator

Without Google : Though the Google can perform your calculations but what if you have no access to the internet?

If you get into some situation, where you want to use browser as a calculator without using the internet, then You can follow this simple procedure,

1. Go to the browser Address Bar,
2. Write javascript: followed by the desired calculation, and press the enter button.

Benefits of using this offline calculator : You can also perform the complex calculations by using this offline browser calculator, which can’t be done by the Google Calculator.

How to Use Browser as a Calculator Without Google
How to Use Browser as a Calculator Without Google

To get the complete supportable mathematical functions list, you can visit the Mozilla Developer Docs.

Here are some example javascript codes :

1. javascript:Math.sqrt(32) [To find the square root of a positive number]
2. javascript:Math.pow(3,9) [To find What is x to the power of y]
3. javascript:Math.random() [To find random number between 0 & 1]

Enjoy!