How to protect your Facebook sessions from being hijacked

Users of Facebook beware! There is a new Android app called FaceNiff that can hijack Facebook sessions in one tap.


To protect yourself, enable HTTPS in your account settings.

Automatically assigning applications to Windows domain computers

If there's an application that you want to automatically install on every computer in your Windows domain, read this article.


I'm currently in the process of implementing automated installation of LogMeIn remote access software on every workstation in the domain at a couple of client sites. One site uses Windows SBS 2003, which has its own way of assigning applications. The other site does not have SBS; just Windows Server 2003. At that site, I used the method described in the article referenced above and it worked perfectly.

Xmarks acquired by LastPass

According to this Xmarks blog post, LastPass has acquired Xmarks.  This is great news for fans of either service.


You may recall that I've mentioned both services in previous posts.  I use them on a daily basis.


Xmarks allows you to synchronize your browser bookmarks/favorites between different browsers, different operating systems and different computers.


LastPass does the same thing for your passwords.


If you haven't checked them out yet, you should do so.  It's way better than trying to remember all of those passwords and maintaining separate lists of bookmarks/favorites in each browser you use.

Xmarks is going away

Previously, I wrote about a service called Xmarks that I use to synchronize my bookmarks across browsers and computers.  It has come to my attention that Xmarks is shutting down effective January 10, 2011.  You can read more about it here.


If you are using Xmarks, like me, you'll want to switch to an alternative before the shutdown date.  My primary browser now is Chrome, which has a built-in bookmark sync tied to your Google account.  I'll be transitioning from Xmarks to Chrome Sync in the next few months.  I haven't yet decided whether I will sync my Firefox and Internet Explorer bookmarks, as I don't use those browsers as much.


It's too bad that Xmarks wasn't able to turn a profit and has to close their doors, but life goes on.

Windows Pager

One continual disappointment with Windows is the lack of built-in support for multiple desktops.  Linux has had it for years.  Sure, Windows Vista introduced the Win+Tab window switching, which is pretty, but really not all that practical.  What I really wanted was multiple desktop support.


Recently, a friend and colleague turned me onto Windows Pager.  It's a small, free application that doesn't require installation.  I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and I absolutely love it.  I had my doubts at first, but it's been rock solid (knock on wood).


Windows Pager gives you (by default) 4 desktops.  They appear on the task bar and work pretty much exactly how I wanted.  It's quick and easy to switch between desktops by either clicking on the desktop preview or using a hot key combination.


I put all of my work-related windows on one desktop, all of my personal windows on another desktop, my music (e.g.: Pandora) on a third desktop and then I use the fourth desktop for anything that doesn't fit on the other three.


I really love Windows Pager.  It's free, there's no install and it works beautifully.


http://windowspager.sourceforge.net/

AllMyApps

I just started using another site that allows you to install multiple applications at once, similar to http://ninite.com/.  This one is called AllMyApps.


The main differences between Ninite and AllMyApps is that AllMyApps lets you install only 4 or 5 applications without registering and it has a much broader selection of applications to install than Ninite.


For instance, Ninite doesn't install LogMeIn, so I always have to install that separately.  But not with AllMyApps.


I haven't tested the AllMyApps installer process yet, so I can't vouch for it at this time.


http://www.allmyapps.com/

MSSE and MBAM

Lately I've been using Microsoft Security Essentials (MSSE) and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) to fight malicious software (malware) including virus, Trojan Horse, spyware and other varieties.

Both programs are free and are very effective.  I used to use AVG and Ad-Aware, but it seems that lately those programs haven't kept up with the latest threats as well as MSSE and MBAM.  In fact, I've seen more than one computer get a very nasty infection while AVG was installed and running.

So, if you want the best protection from malware (for your Windows PC) that no money can buy, get MBAM and MSSE.  They are both available from Ninite.com.

http://ninite.com/

LogMeIn

One of my most trusted and relied upon tools is LogMeIn.  I use this almost daily to remotely control computers.  I install LogMeIn on all of my clients' servers so that I can remotely access them as needed.  I also install it on my clients' desktop and laptop computers so that I can help them with problems remotely instead of scheduling a service call.  It saves a lot of time and gas.


LogMeIn is very secure and works very well.  The free version does everything I need in most cases.  There's also a paid version that enables additional functionality such as remote printing and file transfer.


LogMeIn works closely with Intel and they have developed technology that allows you to remotely control a computer through LogMeIn below the operating system level (out-of-band).  That means that you can remotely get into BIOS and change settings and even remotely install an operating system.  The technology is available on some computers and motherboards now and will be available on more models in the future.


Besides the version that you have to install on the computer that you want to remotely control, they also have a free beta service called LogMeIn Express that lets you hold online meetings and remotely assist people who don't have any other remote access to their computer.  It even lets you transfer files!


Check out LogMeIn and LogMeIn Express:


http://www.logmein.com/
http://www.logmein.com/express/

Ninite

Ninite.com is a website that allows you to create custom application installers quickly and easily for many commonly-used free programs.

You just go to the site, check the boxes next to the applications you want to install, and then click the button at the bottom to download the installer.  The installer is very small, so it downloads very quickly.  Once launched, it downloads all of the programs and installs them automatically with default options.

It's great for setting up a new computer or even just installing one or two programs, because it's generally faster and easier than getting the installer from the normal location and going through the setup wizard.

http://ninite.com/

Xmarks

Xmarks is another browser add-on/plug-in/extension for IE, Firefox and Chrome.  It does for your bookmarks what LastPass does for your passwords.


No longer do you have to update your bookmarks on each computer or in each browser that you use.  Now they are all synchronized with a couple of clicks.


To me, Dropbox, LastPass and Xmarks is the holy trinity of data portability and cloud computing.  Your bookmarks/favorites, passwords and files are all the same on any computer you use.  What could be better than that?!


http://www.xmarks.com/

LastPass

LastPass is a password manager.  But, it's not just any old password manager.  It encrypts your passwords locally on your computer and then uploads the encrypted data to a secure site online.  That means that you can access your passwords from any computer with an Internet connection.


What I love about LastPass is that I can easily install the browser add-on/plug-in/extension into IE, Firefox and Chrome on all of my computers and have my passwords available in any browser on any of my computers.  How convenient!


http://lastpass.com/

Dropbox

Welcome to my tech tips blog!

Occasionally, I come across some handy website or plug-in. I've created this blog as a way to share them with others who are interested in such time-saving, frustration-reducing tips.

It's only fitting that my first post is about a tool that has become ubiquitous in my digital life: Dropbox.

Dropbox is a website and application that work in tandem to synchronize files/folders in the Dropbox folder on your computer(s) to the website. It also allows you to share folders with other people. It's secure, fast and easy.

The best part is that you get 2GB of storage absolutely free. Plus, it works on PC, Mac and Linux.

Get Dropbox and you'll find uses for it you might never have imagined.

If you don't already have a Dropbox account, click here to sign up and get an additional 250MB (total of 2.25GB) of storage space free!

http://tinyurl.com/yezb8ne