Guidingtech.com has a great write up on using True Crypt encryption to protect your data.

Check out their original article.

Hiding files and folders could be a solution when you just need to hide stuff from other users of your computer. However, if you seriously intend to secure your data so that it doesn’t get into the hands of intruders then the encryptng it is the solution.

What is Encryption ?

Wikipedia defines encryption as, “the process of transforming information (referred to as plaintext) using an algorithm (called cipher) to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key.”

Confused ? Just understand that encryption is a foolproof (almost) way to secure your sensitive data. And today we will discuss how you can do it using a software called TrueCrypt.

TrueCrypt is a free open-source disk encryption software for Windows which can create a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a real disk. It also encrypts an entire partition or a storage device such as USB flash drive or external hard drive. (If you are finding this a bit technical, just read on…things will get clear as you go through the steps)

Here’s a step by step guide to create, mount, and using a TrueCrypt volume. First you have to download the app and install it on your computer.

Step 1. Launch the application. Click on Create Volume button.

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The best way to determine if your computer’s (or router’s) firewall is working and optimized is to effectively try to penetrate it. Browser-based utility ShieldsUP! tests your firewall for vulnerabilities and kinks in your computer’s defense. continue reading…

A while ago we recommended Microsoft Security Essentials (link here).

A recent update to Microsoft Security Essentials has started causing some problems on our computers and some client’s as well. It appears that since the update it has been using much more resources and slowing the computer way down. In some cases when task manager is opened it will be using as much as 250mb of system ram just idling. Makes Firefox look like it is light on resources huh?

This seems to only be related to our machines with Windows XP (Home/Pro/MCE) none of our Vista or Win7 systems have had this problem.

What we have tested and we recommend that you uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials and install Avira Free Edition

Download Here: http://www.free-av.com/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

Lets go through that installation process now:  (see all screenshots)

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When Windows goes wrong, it can go really wrong. Worse: Often it’s extremely difficult to save your system from Windows itself. Here’s how to use a simple USB drive to free space, remove viruses, rescue passwords, and more from crunked Windows setups.

Photo by *manci*.

What You Can Fix with this Method

If you or your in-need friends or relatives can’t boot into your Windows desktop, or you can’t actually do anything once you’re into it, booting up a live Ubuntu system from a USB thumb drive, or off a burned CD, can save your system, recover files, and pull off other miracles. Here’s the short list of things we’ll cover here:

• Clean a virus with a Linux-based anti-virus app.
• Recover files and save them onto that same thumb drive, to a web storage spot like Dropbox, or to another USB drive.
• Change your login password if you’ve forgotten it, or someone’s changed it on you.
• Analyze your hard drive to figure out what’s filled it, and resize partitions if you’re dual booting and need to free up more space. continue reading…