Avoid android malware

Android malware is the buzz term these days. However Android malware could be avoided with couple of commonsensical tips. The fact has to be reiterated that Antiviruses is not bound to enter Android as in case of Windows. User can execute proper security practices like not installing and downloading the suspicious programs.

Be careful when Side loading Apps

Android permits users to install apps from outside Google Play. While Google might remove apps from Google Play one has the option of getting them from elsewhere. Installing apps outside the device’s app store is considered as sideloading. This can be disabled by default for safety reasons. Activating it is equal to enabling Unknown sources check box in the Settings screen. In order to use the Amazon App Store or install Android games purchased from Humble Bundle, or install those which are not available in Google Play, sideloading needs to be enabled.

If illegal APK files are installed then it would be a major security risk. It is equal to downloading pirated applications which can be on Windows. Malware usually comes from pirated apps which are downloaded from suspicious websites or infamous third-party app stores. You can trust only installed apps from trusted sources. Official apps from Humble Bundle, Amazon and XBMC should not be an issue but a pirated game app from third-party website can be stuffed with malware. In case of Android 4.2 or the latest edition of, Android would ask to scan sideloaded apps for malware.

To avoid malware in android system you could contact with a Spyware removalsupport service.

Avoid notorious Third-Party App Stores

Malware comes from third-party app stores whose owners do not check the apps in their store for malware or even do not pay heed that malicious software is being pushed through their store. Studies have found that some third-party Android markets in countries like China host some types of malware not found elsewhere. Lookout Security found that third-party markets in China contained a Trojan named Gemini, which runs in the background, collecting a phone’s location information and other unique identifiers and sending it to remote servers.

To be infected with this Trojan, you’d have to be using a third-party market from China or install an app that came from there.

Watch the Apps You Install From Google Play

While installing apps from Google play be cautious. Avoid installing suspicious-looking apps with or those which require too much permission. If app requires permission like the “Send SMS messages” permission ensure that the reason is legitimate for requesting that. Most of the malware comes outside Google Play.

Phishing

Social-engineering techniques include phishing through SMS messages, email or web browsers can be endeavored against Android users. If you get a suspicious email that claims to be from your bank, open a link from it and enter online banking credentials into phony website irrespective of using Windows or Android, you have provided sensitive details.   

Update Phone or Tablet

One occasionally finds security problems in Android operating system and devices using it. Updating Android operating system does fix some issues and device manufacturers that can liberate patches to fix their device issues.

However device manufacturers are responsible and drag feet. In general tablet or Android phone no updates take place in general. Nexus devices are directly updated but security updates for other devices take months to filter down worldwide.  

Have you forgotten Windows 8 password?

Forgot your Windows 8 password? Relax! There is nothing to worry. There are several ways through which you can reset or even remove the password. The methods of resetting the password differ between local Windows accounts and Microsoft. In order to find out which account you have, turn on the system and see if an email address is displayed above where in order to enter password has to be provided. If there is no email, it’s a local account. If yes, then an MS account.   

It is easy to reset the passwords for MS accounts. However in order to reset an account, external help is required. As PCs have inbuilt secure boot and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), a third party tool would complicate the process. 

Resetting Microsoft account password

If you have Microsoft-based Windows 8 account, then use the online form to reset password. This can be done from a tablet or another PC or a smartphone or tablet. The resetting would be easier if the current email ID or cell phone number is saved to your Microsoft account. You would have to confirm the proper address or phone number as well as choose the one you want them to send reset code to.

In case you do not remember these details, you would get a questionnaire which would also be inclusive of account security questions. After resetting the password with the help of online form, you would be capable to login with new password. Your PC must be connected to the net in order to be updated with fresh password.

Removing local account password

There are many ways to reset the password without the administrative access or even passing security checks from the online form. These methods include bootable DVD, CD or USB. There are several other bootable password recovery as well as rescue tools which work with the latest versions. The boot settings nevertheless have to be changed. 

If you have a genuine Windows 8 disc or flash drive, you should be able to boot from it without changing the boot settings. 

Windows 8 Advanced Startup Options (ASO) screen

The Windows 8 Advanced Startup Options (ASO) screen replaces Advanced Boot Options screen from previous Windows versions. If there is no genuine disc or flash drive then use an external utility or tool. You would have to disable new secure boot as well as UEFI features.

Before you can boot up a third-party tool on a computer that came pre-loaded with Windows 8 or later, you must temporarily disable the new Secure Boot and UEFI features. Hold the shift key while you restart Windows 8.

As it boots into Advanced Startup Options menu, click Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, and UEFI Firmware Settings. The settings however differ between PC manufacturers. You would have to disable the Secure Boot and UEFI features. As and when you run bootable third-party tool and clear your Windows password, re-enable Secure Boot and UEFI.  

With PC settings app you can set up new alternative login methods. Now you can also set some alternative login methods which can be used if the password is forgotten. 

Even MS accounts do have a similar password reset function. Generate Microsoft recovery code so that you can save and enter it later if it has been forgotten and even if the password has been changed. Recovery code can be generated on the Microsoft security settings webpage.

You can visit this page for getting technical support for all windows related problem. 

Only your phone runs on Android?

Android not only runs on phone but several other devices too. This Linux-based, open source operating system has gained huge popularity and has occupied the major portion of the global mobile market. However many users are unaware about the other devices that is powered by this OS. Let us have alook at them:

Security System

There are home Security systems which are controlled by Android Touch Screen Controller. If you want to disarm or arm then this is required. Though it might be a bit slow but that’s not an issue if the job is done.  

Television

Android also has a mini PC which can be powered into the TV. Android functions as if it is on personal or small or personal screen. Exoon Power Pro runs Android 4.4 KitKat. SkyStreamX runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Refrigerator

Samsung has a refrigerator called RF4289HARS with an 8″ LCD display which runs Android. It is available at some physical stores and online retailers. You can also tweet from the fridge. 

Mini PCs

Thses Mini PCs have the power of TV boxes. These function on own and run completely on this open source application. However the hardware makers have taken this lightly. Users would not get LG, Sony, Toshiba or Samsung products. These are made unknown brands which are yet to gain reputation among consumers. 

  

Cameras

This could not be avoided. Nikon has Coolpix S800c. Samsung has couple of Android Cameras and started Galaxy Camera that has been replace with the Galaxy Camera 2. They have the Galaxy NX hat is also powered by this OS.

Karaoke Machine

Lemon KTV is for Karaoke and the users can get a relative experience.

Car device

Parrot Asteroid is a touchscreen device to be installed in cars that has the standard size as 2-DIN. It has a complete range of ports for the speakers, USB ports for phone connections and storage, a 3.5mm headphone jack and SD card storage. It has no integrated 3G or 4G.

Ouya

Ouya is an open source gaming console that has popularized Android versions. It runs 4.1 Jelly Bean that has 1GB of RAM, 8GB storage and an Nvidia Tegra 3 system-on-a-chip. 810 games are available. Each of them is a development kit which allows people to develop games without any license or an SDK. It has a unique interface that revolves around gaming.

Amazon Fire TV

This is an Android based set-top box which runs FireOS 3.0 Mojito. This is Amazon’s altered version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It can access the Amazon App Store.

Smartwatches

Smart watches are gaining popularity. Motorola and LG would launch these watches based on Android Wear. The operating system has been designed for smartwatches.

This is not all as there are several devices running on this.

Use Email Backup Service to Protect your Email

Email is one of the most used communication channel for several businesses and individuals. What would do you do if you do not have access to email? Email outages do occur and at times when you shift to new system or change location you can miss out on some crucial data. There are various cloud and web services which is also inclusive of email backup.

DropMyEmail is an automatic Email backup service. Just login with Twitter, Facebook, Google account to start and within seconds backup would start. It would work with several email accounts and after first backup it would keep the backup in sync. Just enter email ID and password. It would even backup email attachments as well as allow you to filter via file type for quick sharing and searching. It also supports email migration if you want to move the email to a new account or restore to previous one.  

Mailkeepr helps to keep the email organized. It has secured SSL encryption which would encrypt emails prior to being stored. Email is backed up on multiple servers so there is no risk of losing the access. You can even backup attachments by sending them via email account. 

Backupify protects email as well as the entire data in the Google Apps account. Just add it via Google Apps market and application would check for latest data which would be copied to the cloud. This way you can restore the date with single click if required. The service has both search and management tools for the data. 

CloudAlly provides a backup service which covers the Yahoo Mail, Google account, Office 365, Salesforce, Google Apps and AWS. Data can be exported as well as stored locally or even restored to Google account without overwriting what is already there. The data migrations between Gmail accounts are also supported. Daily data is backed up as well as encrypted. 

In case if the emails service provider fails, then you would need a different solution like secondary MX provider. This gives you access as well as keeps the mail secure for several days while the primary service gets back on the feed. The two services which offer that includes DNS Made Easy and Cudamail.

Offline Backup

The above services are online backup services. In case you want to backup Gmail alone then it can be done offline via Gmvault which is available for Mac, Windows and Linux. It would back up Gmail as well as copes well with IMAP. Encryption and restoring of emails can be done. This solution is open sourced. Email back is in the evolving process as solution meant for enterprises.