Keep Your PC Running Smoothly

• Keep applications up to date (install PSI Secunia to keep non-Windows programs secure)
• Set Windows Automatic Update On (choose how you updates installed)
• Restart your PC once or twice a week (this allows windows to 'reset' itself)
• Clean out Temp and other invalid files weekly (install and run CCleaner - cleaner only!)
• Be sure to keep your Anti-virus program (only one!) activated and installed (favorite free applications that are rated high are Avast 2015 and AVG)
• Protect yourself against Malware and scan weekly (install Malwarebytes free software)
• Periodically review and remove installed programs you do not use (either use Windows Uninstall via Control Panel or Revo Uninstaller Free ... use carefully and read each step)
• NEVER install ANY software without reading and confirming each step of the installation to be sure you are not accepting unwanted toolbars, 3rd party added programs, etc. Consider installing Unchecky to warn you if added programs are about to be installed. 
• Be sure System Restore is set and active (this allows you to return to a previously 'good' point in time when your system was operating correctly

iOS 8: Using the New Photo App

Apple has given photo aficionados more reasons to stick to the iPhone's native Photos app, providing it with more powerful editing capabilities and with the ability to use options of other apps via the OS's new Extensions feature.

10 Tips to Protect Your Online ID

Here are ten (10) tips you can put in place to better secure your identity and personal information and accounts (for more information on any of the recommendations, perform a specific search on the web for information).

1. never use the same password for any website that has sensitive information (use a password manager like 'LastPass' or 'DashLane')

1. create a secondary email account (outside of your normal day to day email address) that is used where financial sites request a recovery email address

1. never click a URL (website link) that is provided in an email. Always type out the website address

1. reduce Google's hold on you by changing your search engine to DuckDuckGo (the search site does not collect search activity)

1. sign up for the free app 'Mint' on your mobile device. It is a read-only service by Intuit that allows you to view any linked accounts for daily transactions (your own do-it-yourself 'LifeLock' monitoring)

1. check out Home Depot website regarding their recent hacker attack. They are offering, free of charge, a one-year subscription for an identity theft monitoring service through AllClear ID. Signup on Home Depot's site , obtain a redemption code and get protection

1. check your Credit Card and Debit Card providers websites and enroll in any available credit monitoring services they offer for free

1. never put passwords, personal information or vacation schedules on social sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr etc

1. make sure your home or business wireless router is secure - check out http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm

1. enable two-factor authentication (multi-factor authentication) for any service provider (banks, Evernote, Gmail, Outlook, and more) offering this feature. Two-factor authentication prevents an unauthorized person from accessing your information without an additional code sent to your cell/mobile device

In Browser Browsing History Cleaner

Chrome has embedded tools that are effective in cleaning temp files, cache and more. Simply click Ctrl + Shift + Delete to clear your browsing data right in your browser! The feature that is different than CCleaner is that there is a drop-down menu that allows you to select how far back you would like to clean your history. Check the included video.

How to Confirm SSD 'DeFrag' is Enabled

​Windows 7 and 8 automatically run 'defrag' on spinning hard drives through it's Optimize Drive feature. However, running 'defrag' on an SSD (drive) actually reduces the life of the drive. Fortunately, Windows provides a TRIM Command feature that is enabled when an SSD is installed in a laptop or PC.. Per the literature. TRIM actually extends the life of an SSD.

To confirm this feature is enabled on your SSD hard drive use the following:

1. Open Command Prompt with Administrative privileges (Run as administrator)

2. Enter the command "fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify"

3. If the result is '0' TRIM is enabled.

Read more here Should You Defrag an SSD

Google Accounts Breached - Is Yours One?

Check here for a free checkup using the Dashlane Security Center if your Google account was one of the 5.0 million accounts breached. 

20 Tips to Extend iPhone Battery Life

Reminder and easy options to extend your iPhone battery life.

http://ipod.about.com/od/iphone3g/tp/iphone-battery-life.htm

Change the Google Drive Default Folder

Testing a sample post to Blogger via email (we discussed)

Check it here http://boginsolutions.blogspot.com/

Use this tip to change the default folder location in WindowsU

http://gappstips.com/docs-tips/view/106/change-the-google-drive-default-folder

When you download Google Drive to your PC a default folder will be created in C:\Users\[your name]\Google Drive. If you want to change the name or location of this folder you can do so by following the steps below. This tip is useful if you need the Google Drive folder to have a standard url for all your company - for 3rd party apps for example.

• Click on the Google Drive icon in your system tray (see bottom right of Windows task bar)
  
• Choose Preferences
• Choose Disconnect account, your Drive will be disconnected but your files will remain
  
• Click on the Google Drive icon again
• Sign in, step through the set up until you reach screen 3 of 4 - then click Advanced setup
  
• Click Change to choose the folder location/name - if an existing folder it must be empty
• Your files will now be re-synced down to your PC in this new location
  
• Delete the old folder and files - if you want to.

System Restore - Windows 8/8.1

A good tool to allow a user to 'restore' their system to a previous good condition, System Restore should be enabled. It has saved me several times when my PC suddenly acts strange as a result of a download or a tweak I may have made inadvertently. Check out System Restore.

PushBullet - Send Files and Photos Your Devices

Do you want to transfer files and photos between your devices and PC? Try Pushbullet. "Pushbullet makes it really easy to get files, links, and more from your computer onto your phone. You can even use Pushbullet to send them to friends as well".

Note: I was concerned about privacy and the co-founder responded to me that they will know my email address only, and that Google simply gives them a 'token' indicating that the email/password is correct. They state that they do not have access to email passwords. See more. See here.