25 Free Software Programs Worth the Download – We’ve put together a list of the best free software that you don’t need money to buy. From Microsoft Office alternatives to free video conferencing to utilities that get your new computer off to a good start and keep it running smoothly to a classic game. Check out our picks.
Essential (and Free!) Security Downloads – Spyware, viruses, Trojans, and assorted malware are clamoring to get onto your PC. Cybercrooks want to get at your personal information. Luckily, there’s plenty of free software to protect your privacy and security–and some can do everything that expensive security software does. These 10 favorite programs help protect your privacy and security.
Is Microsoft’s U-Prove The Answer To Better Online Privacy? – Microsoft’s identity management tokens, known as U-Prove, are worth a real look — and a pat on the back. We want to be able to securely make transactions without allowing a website to track us or to combine various pieces of information which enable that site to learn more about us than we care to share with it.
Video CAPTCHAs Could Ease Registrations – Standard CAPTCHAs are despised and not all that effective. One company has a new technique that they say changes the game.
What’s With All These Updates?!* – I understand. Really I do. It seems like every time you try to get something done on your computer, some little window opens and tells you that there’s an update available. You tell it not to bother you, but the persistent little devil keeps coming back.
IE6 is “Safer” than Chrome or Opera – IE6 is US Bank Chase has decided to stop supporting Opera and Chrome web browsers, implying security issues and low popularity. Therefore, people who use browsers other than: Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher, Firefox 2.0 and higher or Safari 3.0 and higher (for Mac systems only), may not be able to access Chase web site. (submitted by Dar)
Sony Recalls Vaio Laptops Due to Overheating – Sony has recalled more than 500,000 Vaio laptops after 39 users abroad reported instances of the systems overheating to the point of distorting, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Apple Security: Vulnerability Inevitability – After a string of security black marks against Apple in the last month, security pros are asking whether the Steve Jobs’ creations have finally lost their aura of invincibility to malware and hackers.
OpenDNS Introduces FamilyShield Parental Controls – The new FamilyShield Parental Controls from OpenDNS blocks porn, phishing, and malware sites for all devices on your home network. And it’s free!
Mozilla Posts First Pre-Release Code For Firefox 4 – The first actual beta meant for public testing beyond developers is expected in the next couple of weeks. Dubbed “firefox-4.0b2pre” the installer offers the first peak at what the open-source Web browser, due out by the end of 2010, might look like. It also adds support for Google’s WebM open-sourced video format.
Google Won’t Allow Out-of-Date Chrome Plug-Ins – Google security engineers announced that Chrome would refuse to run plug-ins if they were found to be out of date, and thus, potentially vulnerable to exploitation of known bugs.
Off Topic (Sort of):
Crude Oil and Flu-like Symptoms – Lethal and toxic levels of hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and methalene chloride are floating in the air over the oil spill. There’s a very high probability that residents exposed to the air surrounding the spill will suffer a direct hit to their health status such as debilitating diseases or various birth deformities and cancer as a long-term result. (submitted by Dar)
Here’s a brief history of TV in America in the form of old RCA commercials – In a bit of nostalgia, let’s take a guided tour of the evolution of TV in America from the late 1930s through the early 1970s — as shown in commercials and promotional films from RCA.
The $37 Laptop. For Real! – What’s the catch (apart from the extraordinarily underpowered internals)? There appears to be none. These are factory seconds or items which have failed quality control tests. They may or may not come with original packaging, and they ship from Hong Kong. Sound risky? C’mon. They’re $37.
Sezmi’s Promising Cable TV Alternative – By offering what is essentially over-the-air TV on steroids combined with Web video, Sezmi bypasses the traditional fiber route with more programming than you’ll ever get through rabbit ears.
Add Windows 7 themes and backgrounds for the July 4th holiday – Greg Shultz is feeling patriotic for U.S. Independence Day and is expressing it with some tweaking of Windows 7 themes. He shows you how it’s done.
Today’s Quote:
“Everyone rises to their level of incompetence.”
– Laurence J. Peter
Today’s Free Downloads:
Circle Dock (32-bit version) – Circle Dock takes all the expected features of a worthwhile program launcher and presents them in a distinct circular format capable of organizing a large number of items. While Circle Dock covers all the bases, its main draw is its Saturn-like looks.
Windows 7 Firewall Control Free (32-bit version) – If you want true outbound firewall protection for your 32-bit Vista PC, use this to help manage Vista’s built-in firewall.
NoScript – Protect your PC by customizing your JavaScript preferences in Firefox, Flock, or Mozilla.
If you found this article useful, why not subscribe to this Blog via RSS, or email? It’s easy; just click on this link and you’ll never miss another Tech Thoughts article.