Wednesday, September 26, 2018

How to Secure Your Smart Home with Alexa

With Alexa receiving new updates, Amazon has made it clear that security is their primary concerns. Apart from the brand new features to attract more customers, the cornerstone of Amazon’s surprise event continued to be ensuring safety for smart homes. In the new updates, the following are some of the steps through which Alexa can secure your smart home:
1- Alexa Guard
Alexa Guard is a feature which may extend the scope of Echo devices into security. Through these Echo devices, Alexa can be on the lookout for sounds that indicate danger of some kind. They could be the blaring or an alarm or the crashing of glass. If Alexa detects suspicious noises, she will trigger an emergency alert on your mobile device. Along with the alert, you will also receive a sound clip of the suspicious noise.
If you have prescribed to some security services like ADT or Ring, then you will have the option to forward these alerts to these monitory authorities. Thus, they can send a response team from their dispatch centre. You can trigger Alexa Guard through commands such as “Alexa, I am leaving.”
2- Alexa Hunches
While companies are working hard to make digital assistants smarter in holding conversations, they are also building AIs to become more human-like. Alexa Hunches is Amazon’s step in this direction. Alexa Hunches are along the lines of human gut instincts. Alexa may help you highlight things that may not feel just quite right or if you seem to be forgetting something. So, suppose you are heading out and have forgotten to switch off the lights, Alexa will either remind you to do it or carry out the action herself.
3- Alexa Doorbell Cam
Previously, you could watch the video live stream fed from the door cameras by saying “Alexa, show the front door live feed.” However, this feature lacked the ability to record these videos or keep a track of them.
Security providers such as Arlo, August, and Ring have partnered with Amazon to present Alexa-enabled security cameras to their customers. Additionally, Amazon itself has its indigenous indoor security camera such as Cloud Cam. These security cameras come equipped with Cameras Recap API, which records video stream from these security cameras.
You can view these recorded clips with commands such as “Alexa, show me the events that took place at the back door.” You can even check out who is standing at your door by asking Alexa to talk to the back/front door camera. The Alexa Doorbell Cam feature is available on Amazon Echo Show, Fire TV, Fire tablet, and the Echo Spot.
4- Away Lighting
When you are away from home, you are constantly wracked with worry about being burgled. With Alexa’s Away Lighting you no longer have to spend the time being tensed. Away Lighting is a feature of Alexa Guard, which periodically turns on and turns off the various smart bulbs fitted around your house. This action of turning on and off the lights is done in a natural manner. Therefore, to any casual observer it may simply appear as if your house is occupied.
5- Doorbell Chime
In addition to recording the video fed from the security cameras located at your doors, the doorbell chime feature is a new addition to bolster security. If someone rings your doorbell, all your Echo devices will emit a chime to notify the ringing of the doorbell.
With these new features, Alexa can make your house safer thereby unloading you off the psychological burden of worrying about security. These updates will definitely boost safety and open new avenues for artificial intelligence in home security.

Source url :- https://offiice-setup.download/how-to-secure-your-smart-home-with-alexa/

Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as www.office.com/setup

How to Fix Green Screen When Playing Videos on Chrome

Do you have a Windows 10 PC? If yes, then when you try to watch videos on Google Chrome, does the audio play but instead of the visual graphics, you see a green screen? Well, this issue may arise due to web browser conflicting with either hardware acceleration or the graphics driver.
If you are getting a green screen in full screen with Chrome, then you can easily get rid of the issue by applying different methods. You can disable hardware acceleration, configure graphics settings, or just upgrade the graphics driver.
In this blog, we will discuss the different ways to fix the green screen that appears when playing videos on Google Chrome.

Turn off hardware acceleration

If you are getting a green screen while trying to play a video, then you can fix this issue by disabling the hardware acceleration in the Google Chrome browser. Here’s how:
  1. Go to Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the three dots(burger) icon located at the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
  4. After that, click on the menu(three dots) icon located on the upper left-hand side of the screen.
  5. Now, select Advanced from the list.
  6. After that, click on the System option.
  7. In the System Settings screen, turn the toggle next to Use hardware acceleration when available off.
  8. Close Chrome browser and relaunch it. Check if the issue has been resolved or not.

Turn off graphics performance

In April this year, Microsoft rolled out a new feature for Windows 10 which enabled users to configure an app to use a particular GPU. Now, if Google Chrome has been activated, then you might get the green screen error while trying to play videos on Chrome. In order to get rid of the green screen, you need to disable Chrome from the GPU settings. Here is how:
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Now, select System from the left pane.
  3. From the list, select the Display option.
  4. Go to the blue Graphics settings link.
  5. Now, merely choose Google Chrome from the pull-down menu.
  6. Hit the Remove button at the bottom right corner.
  7. Now, just relaunch Google Chrome, and see if the issue has been resolved or not.

Upgrade the graphics driver

If the methods given above do not fix the green screen issue, then you need to upgrade the graphics card driver. Here’s how:
  1. Launch the Start menu.
  2. Look for Device manager and click on it.
  3. Click on Display adapters.
  4. Select your graphics adapter and right-click on it.
  5. From the listing of options, click on Update driver.
  6. Now, select the first option, i.e., Search automatically for updated driver software.
  7. Just follow the guidelines given on the screen.
  8. After that, reboot the device and see if you still get green screen while playing a video on Chrome.
Source url :- http://how-to-setup.org/how-to-fix-green-screen-when-playing-videos-on-chrome/

Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as www.office.com/setup

Monday, September 24, 2018

How Safe and Permanent is Deleting Data?

A majority of people are accustomed to erasing data. Every day people move redundant downloads to the recycle bin, delete cache to make up more space. However, do you know what happens to the files you delete?
Quite a few individuals will feel relief when they discern that, in a majority of cases, erased data is not permanently gone. Many times, people delete files on account of an accident. In such events, the option to retrieve deleted data is a good thing.
However, individuals delete data and forget about it until they want to recover it. Also, many individuals do not understand that the data does not get removed permanently.

Where does the deleted data get stored?

A widespread misunderstanding when erasing data is that it gets entirely deleted from the hard drive. But, people should know that personal files can be recovered from the hard drive even after they have deleted them. When a user deletes stuff, it gets shifted to the recycle bin or trash. Unless the user removes these files from the recycle bin or trash, these files are still not gone. When you purge the recycle bin or trash can, the data can still be accessed from the hard drive.
When a file gets deleted, it is sent to the recycle bin. With the help of a recovery tool, this file can be recovered from the system’s hard drive. Just because you cannot see something does not mean that it is not there. Many individuals are ignorant about this and end up putting their security and privacy at risk.

Do deleted files get completely removed?

Malicious individuals and attackers can get access to private data stored in the device even after the user has deleted it. This consists of every data stored in the system such as photos, spreadsheets, etc. Users often think that they have deleted data and it is permanently gone. Many times, users sell their device after formatting it, thinking that they have erased all the information stored on the computer.

When is it safe to delete files?

  • When the files do not carry private or confidential data, and they are not of any significance to anybody, then you can delete them.
  • If you want to make up more space on your system or organize the system, then you can delete files.
Here is what users need to ask themselves before they delete any file:
  • Will you require the data at a later time?
  • Can this data be used against you?
  • Will you feel disconcerted if somebody retrieves the deleted files?
If you answered no to the questions mentioned above, then you can delete the files without any hassle.

In which cases is merely deleting files not sufficient?

If the documents bear any private or sensitive information, such a credit card reports, bank details, social security number, etc., then you should take measures to make sure that the documents cannot be recovered from the hard drive when you delete them.

How can you permanently delete files?

Many people format their hard drives and think that the data is completely gone. They are wrong, as the data can be restored. Use any data eraser to safely and completely remove any information stored on your hard drive.

Karen Minton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cybersecurity. She writes about the latest updates regarding mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs, and websites.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

How To Throw A Movie Party On Skype With Up To 10 Friends

Just because you and your childhood buddies have relocated to different corners of the world does not mean that you cannot have movie nights with them. Do you own a copy of the newest edition of that sci-fi movie series you and your friends love so much? Well, you can invite all of your friends (you and nine others) and watch the movie without having to be in the same place physically. Wondering how to do that? Well, here is how you can watch movies with your friends over Skype:
  1. Set up your Skype account

  • Firstly, you will need to set up a new Skype account. First, download Skype from the internet and run it on your system. Launch Skype and furnish all the information to create an account.
  • After logging into Skype, add your friends to your contacts by entering their email or Skype username in the search bar on the left pane.
  • While sending invites, confirm whether every invitee has a Skype account. If they don’t, then urge them to create one.
  • Now, just decide on a time. Make sure to inform all the invitees about the time.
  1. Create a group

  • If you have a MacOS device, then go to File in the menu and click on New Conversation. Select the people you wish to invite. Edit the heading of the group and make it more personal.
  • If you have a Windows PC or laptop, then open Contacts and select Create New Group. Now, drag and drop the contacts you wish to add to the group. Edit the heading of the group and save it.
  1. Share screen to watch the flick

  • Firstly, at the stipulated time, open the group and click on the blue and white call button. The icon contains an outline of a receiver.
  • Now, all the users in the group provided that they are logged in to their Skype accounts will get notified of your call. Allow everybody to answer the call, before proceeding to the next step.
  • When everybody answers the group call, login to your Netflix account. If the internet speed isn’t very good, then insert the movie’s CD. You can either set the volume to maximum or connect the phone’s speaker to the microphone. You can also invest in headphone splitters.
  • Now, click on the Call tab and select the Share Screens option. Everyone on the call will now be able to view what is being played on your computer. Minimize the Skype window and play the film.
  • You can chat with your friends from a different device while watching the movie, or split the screen to watch the movie and talk with your friends at the same time.


Karen Minton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cyber security. She writes about the latest updates regarding mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs and websites.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

How to Display Hidden Files in Mac

Apple’s Mac has loads of files and folders hidden somewhere in it and they cannot be interfered. Sometimes, we need to access these folders to troubleshoot an error continually occurring in Mac. Also, the system, at times, asks to delete or remove the files from the system, and when we perform the task, it becomes a headache since we cannot find or locate the file.
You might be confronting the same issue and wondering how you will locate the files which need to be deleted. The situation becomes worse for the users who switched to Mac from Windows. Windows system has the facility to show the hidden files with a few clicks but, the Mac takes a little effort which could be complicated without proper knowledge about the process.
You might be thinking that why these files and folders are hidden. Well, these files and folders could be harmful if modified or changed and cause a serious to the operating system. In order to keep these files away from the reach of users, the developers have kept these hidden in the system. But don’t worry, there is a way through you can also show the hidden files in your Mac system. The guide will direct you to locate the hidden files in the ~/Library folder.

Here’s how to display hidden files in Mac

Open Finder in your system.
  1. Go to Applications and select Utilities.
  2. Now, click Terminal to open.
  3. Type defaults write apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles Yes and press Return button.
  4. Now, press the Option key from your keyboard and right-click on Finder
  5. Now, click Relaunch.
  6. Now, you will able to see the hidden files.
There is another method that you can follow to show the hidden files.
  1. Open Finder and got Applications.
  2. Now, select Utilities and click Terminal.
  3. Type sudo nano ~/.bash_profile and press the Return
  4. Now enter the administration password and press Return
  5. Now, type alias showFiles= ‘defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES; killall Finder /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app’
  6. Now, type alias hideFiles= ‘defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles No; killall Finder /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app’
  7. Press Ctrl + O buttons and press Return button to save the file.
  8. Press Ctrl + X. It is a shortcut to exit the file, and you will return to the command line.
  9. Open, Terminal and type source ~/.bash_profile.
  10. It will refresh your profile and make the aliases available.
View ~/Library Folder
  1. Open Finder in your Mac.
  2. Click Device and navigate to Macintosh HD folder.
  3. Long hold “Cmd + Shift +.” button to show the hidden files.
  4. Hold the same key combination to hide the files.
Or else, do the following:
  1. In Finder, choose Go from the menu bar.
  2. Now, select Go to Folder or press Shift + Cmd + G key combination.
  3. A text will appear.
  4. Now, type ~/Library in the text box and click Go.
  5. Now, the files and folders will be visible which you can access in your Mac.
As mentioned above, the hidden files if modified then the chances of system damage increases. So if you are a professional user, then try to access the hidden content or else your system will face problems.
Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

The Total Novice’s Guide to iTunes

iTunes started off as an application for managing music. However, it soon gained popularity and became a powerful media tool. The best thing about iTunes is that this program is available for both Mac as well as Windows. You can organize media, play songs and movies, and purchase media content. Readers can listen to audio books, and all of this can be done for free. If you have an iOS device, then iTunes will integrate well with it.

How to navigate iTunes?

Now, here is a well–researched guide for total novices who want to navigate iTunes:
  1. Switch between Music, Movies, and TV Shows
  • With the help of buttons on the upper portion, switch between music, movies, and TV shows.
  • Below the top bar, a number of media options will be listed. If you hit any of these icons, you can change the view and access the files.
  • Hit the three horizontal dots icon to check the libraries which are not displayed.
  • In order to alter what you want to be shown on the screen, select Edit Menu option.
  • If any compact disc is inserted or the iOS device gets connected to the system, a new icon will display in the menu bar.
  • To toggle between various libraries, use a combination of Command and number keys.
  • In order to check the playlist, just choose the library and go to the Playlists tab. You will be able to see all the songs along with the playlists in the left pane.
  • You can customize and organize your existing library by hitting the View option located at the top right-hand edge of the screen. Now, you will be able to get different ways to organize your songs.
  1. Log in using the Apple ID
By logging in with your Apple ID, you will be able to synchronize all the purchased data as well as add your iTunes program to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. New users can set up their Apple ID and log in by following these steps:
  • Go to the User icon, present towards the left side of the Search option.
  • Log in using your Apple ID.
  • Enter the password for the same.
  • How to add media to iTunes library
  1. Add a folder to iTunes library
If you want to access your song files or synchronize them to your iPod, then you will have to transfer the songs to your iTunes library. You can transfer complete folders of songs to your iTunes library.
  • Click on iTunes.
  • In the drop-down list, choose to Add to Library option.
  • Now, navigate the folders and select the one you wish to add to your iTunes library.


Source url :- http://how-to-setup.org/the-total-novices-guide-to-itunes/
Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup

Monday, September 17, 2018

How to Remove GPS and Other Location Information from Photos

At times, it can be very convenient to get the information about where the photo was clicked by going through the location metadata. But in several instances, you may not even be aware that the complete web can find out where you clicked a specific picture.  If you are a parent, then you may not want others to know about your child’s location while posting their pictures on Facebook. If you wish to sell something on the web, then you must remove location metadata from the item’s image or else you can become a victim of theft. Also, if you have posted on your social media about vacationing in Paris, while you are, in reality, just chilling in a park, you should remove GPS data from the photos to save your face.

Removing GPS information on iPhone and iPad

In order to remove location data from pictures on your iPhone or iPad, you need to install an application called Koredoko. This app is entirely free, and you can find it in the Apple App Store.
  1. Install the Koredoko application.
  2. Tap on Koredoko icon and then let it access the photos.
  3. When you get prompted to turn on the extension, select Enable extension now.
  4. After that, tap on the four horizontal lines button located in the lower left side of the screen.
  5. Now you can locate the image for which you wish to remove location data.
  6. After locating the picture, hit the azure i button, located next to the picture on the right side, to see the location information.
  7. Now, hit the Share Sheet button located on the top right side of the screen.
  8. Choose Share without Metadata from the list.
  9. Now, you can share the picture however you want.

Removing EXIF information on Windows

Windows OS comes with an in-built powerful metadata editor which allows users to check or remove location information from pictures swiftly. Here are the steps:
  1. Open the folder which contains the picture for which you wish to remove EXIF information.
  2. Right-click on the picture.
  3. Select Properties from the pop-out menu.
  4. Go to the Details tab.
  5. Select Remove Properties and Personal Information.
  6. Now, select Create a copy with all possible properties removed.
  7. Now, a copy of the image will be made, and it will not have any location information.
  8. You may also remove metadata by selecting Remove the following properties from this file.
  9. Hit the OK button.

Removing EXIF information on Android

In order to remove location information from your photos in your Android device, you need to download and install a third-party app.
  1. Go to the Google Play store and install EXIF Eraser.
  2. Launch the app when it is installed.
  3. Go to Select Image and Remove EXIF.
  4. Now, browse through the pictures and choose the picture.
  5. Now, you will be able to see what location information the picture has.
  6. Now, to remove it, hit the OK button.
Karen Minton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cybersecurity. She writes about the latest updates regarding www.mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs, and websites.

Cool Apple Watch Tricks Revealed

Apple Watch, released in the year 2015, was the company’s first venture into wearables. Over the years, it has become more sophisticated and advanced. This smartwatch not only tracks your fitness and heartbeat but is also integrated with Siri. In order to use your Apple Watch to its full potential, read on to know about the hidden Apple Watch tricks.

1- Take or decline calls

Now, you do not have to whip your phone out every time your phone rings or vibrates. Simply tap on the wearable and see who is calling. After that, you can decide whether or not you want to answer the call. When somebody calls you, the wearable will light up. Touch the green receiver icon to answer the call, touch the red one to discard it. If you are driving, then you can just transfer the phone call to your vehicle’s speakerphone. If you are exercising, then it is wise to transfer it to your Bluetooth headphone.

2- Go through texts and email messages

If you are wearing your Apple watch, and you get a message on your connected phone, then you can read the message on your wearable. You can check incoming emails as well. Apart from that, you can check the mails as read, or unread, report mails as spam, or just remove them.

3- Use hand gesture to mute calls

If you are studying in a library and you get a call on your phone, which you forgot to set on Do Not Disturb or silent mode, then you can mute the call from your Apple Watch. To do this, you just have to place your hand over the display of the wearable, and your phone will become silent and stop vibrating. Disconnecting calls can be rude; therefore, by muting incoming calls, you can save yourself from embarrassment without having to disconnect the call.

4- Leave the iPhone

Now, if you are sick and tired of carrying around your phone everywhere and just want to go hiking in the woods, then you can leave it at home. This feature comes in handy when you are traveling to a tourist destination which is riddled with pickpockets. Even if you are not carrying your iPhone, you can answer calls, play your favorite songs, and surf the web.

5- Calm down

Apple watch has another cool feature called Breathe. If you get anxious often, then this feature is very helpful for you. When you are in stressful situations, just use the Breathe app on your Apple Watch. Just tap on the Breathe app, and determine how long you wish to breathe along with the breaths you wish to take. Hit the Start button and follow the screen.

6- Hey Siri

Siri is perhaps the most exciting component of Apple devices. If you have an Apple Watch, then you can talk to Siri. You can ask her to perform tasks, such as setting up reminders, making calls, etc. You can also ask her to play music and provide information regarding the song, genre, artist, or album. Moreover, before beginning a workout, you can just ask Siri to start Elliptical, Indoor Cycle, etc.

7- Digital gaming

Even though Apple Watch has a small screen, yet it has a strong processor. You can play several games on your Apple wearable. You can play games to improve your diction or play games that test your reflex. There are several games that stimulate your mind by offering you puzzles.
Source url :- https://mcafee-activate.me/cool-apple-watch-tricks-revealed/
Karen Minton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cyber security. She writes about the latest updates regarding www.mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs and websites.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

How to Enable Folder Protection with OneDrive on Windows 10


When your files and folders are saved to OneDrive, they can be accessed from
anywhere. Your data are always safe in OneDrive if anything happens to your
device. OneDrive is free online storage that you get in-hand with your Microsoft
account.

With Microsoft OneDrive, you can save your files online, and you will be able to
view, browse, share, and upload them from any computer, phone, or tablet. Now,
you can set up protection for the files and folders you think important in
Windows (your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders) when using any
OneDrive account; either your personal, work or school OneDrive account.
In this article, I will show you how you can enable folder protection on your
Windows PC.

What’s New!

If any ransomware threat is found on your device, Windows Defender is going to
inform you about the danger. This will help you eliminate the ransomware from
the device. Also, you are going to have more options to recover your OneDrive
files back to the state they were in before any attack took place.

Bonus

For Office 365 Home subscribers, Office 365 Personal subscribers, and OneDrive
for Business users, that also includes OneDrive Files Restore, you can use it for
restoring your OneDrive to the same place where it was before but in time within
the last 30 days. Windows Defender detected date and time is going to be pre-
selected in Files Restore. This makes the process simple and convenient to use.

What’s more?

You will now learn how to enable folder protection with OneDrive for getting
developed ransomware protection of your essential files in your Documents,
Pictures, and Desktop folders on Windows 10.

Follow the simple steps given below:


1. Click on the OneDrive icon on the taskbar notification section.

2. Then click on the More option, and head to the Settings.

3. Click on the Auto Save tab in your Microsoft OneDrive settings, after that,
    tap on the Update Folders button.

Note: if you don't find any Update Folders button in OneDrive Settings, you are
        clearly not eligible for folder protection, and the rest of these guidelines are
        more likely to be futile for you.

4. Now, in the Setup protection of important folders dialog box, you will need
    to choose the folders you want to protect.

5. And then tap on the Start Protection button.

Note: If you want, you can close the dialog box while your files are syncing to
         OneDrive. Or else, if you want to watch your data sync, you can tap on the
        View Upload Progress option.

6. As soon as the files finish syncing to OneDrive, we can say they're
   protected. In addition, now they can be accessed from anywhere in
   Documents, Desktop, or Pictures using any other device.

7. Hence, when you protect your Desktop folder, the items on your desktop
   travel with you to your other device where you're running your OneDrive
  account.

That’s it. When completed, simply tap on the OK button in the OneDrive
settings. Your files and folders are now protected and handier with OneDrive.

Thank you for reading this article; I hope this information is going to be helpful to
you.



Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen  has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup

Friday, September 14, 2018

How to Safely Wipe Hard Drives and Solid State Drives


It is possible to recover the data from the old storage drives if they are not wiped properly. You want to get rid of your old hard drives (HDDs) or the solid-state drives. You must ensure all the data from them has been deleted before you have to throw them away. Nobody wants other individuals to get hold of  their personal information and create trouble. Learn to safely wipe the data from the old storage if you are buying yourself a new drive.

Wiping data from the HDD

Three main ways are there to remove all data from the HDD. Hardware, software or manual method.

 The software method is free and effective, but it takes considerable time and won't work on a defective drive. Go to dban.org and download free open source data wiping software found here. The instructions will guide you; these are very easy and simple to use. Be careful and make sure that you are cleaning the right drive. If you are wiping wrong, you will be troublesome and won't be able to get the data back.

 The solution of hardware is far more effective, easy to use and you won't even require a computer for this. You need to purchase a dedicated tool for it, and it will be quite expensive. It may be a viable option for most people. Drive eRazer Ultra will be perfect, but it has a significant up-front cost.

 The nail and hammer method is for those who really want physical proof of their work. Be sure of taking the appropriate safety measures before getting into it.

 Take a nail and hammer, place drives flat on the surface and place the nail in the center of drive and move it half an inch to the right. Now through the drive, hammer the nail, put two more nails through the drive at top left and right corners to make sure that plates inside are well organized.

How to safely wipe the data on SSD

These drives are a little more complicated when it comes to wiping data because of the storage. The easiest way to find your way to the SSD manufactures website and download SSD programs. You also can use an encryption program to code the drive with a complex passphrase. This is going to be difficult to hack because of the 20-word passphrase. You also can fall to the smashing option. Get the hammer, remove the cover and go to town. On the inside of your SSD, there will be several large chips. Drive a nail through them.

KarenMinton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cyber security. She writes about the latest updates regarding mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs and websites.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Troubleshoot “The App Can’t Run on Your PC” Error

Microsoft Windows 10 is developed to work intelligibly in the computer to make it more useful for a user. According to various users, Windows 10 works smoother than previous Windows versions, but still, there is a problem that occurs. The Windows PC may display “The App Can’t Run on Your PC” error message.
If you are facing the same issue in your Windows 10 system then don’t panic as the guide will offer ways to resolve the problem by various methods. So let’s check which method is useful for you.

Here are the solutions to fix the error message

Check for the Right version of Application

Windows 10 has two versions, out of which you only can run one. It is either 32-bit or 64-bit version.  Suppose you are running a 64-bit Windows in your system, then the application you are running must have the support of 64-bit. The same condition is applicable for 32-bit Windows as well. In this situation, you must ensure the right version of the application.
  1. Press Windows Key + S and type system information.
  2. Now press Enter.
  3. Click System Summary from the left pane in the window.
  4. Now navigate to System Type in the main window. You will 32 or 64 written right next to it
  5. Now check the application which is displaying the error message and find out if it is compatible. Remember, if the application is 32-bit and Windows is 64-bit then the two are not compatible.
  6. You can open the application in compatibility mode on your administrator account.
  7. Right click on the application and click Properties.
  8. Click the Compatibility tab and go to Compatibility mode.
  9. Select the Run this program in compatibility mode for
  10. Select a version of Windows you want to run the compatibility mode and click Apply then Ok.

Enabling your App Side-loading

  1. Open the Settings of your computer.
  2. Go to Update & security
  3. Move to For Developers tab and click Developer mode under the Use Developer features.
  4. Click Sideload apps from the right side of the screen.
  5. Now restart your computer and check if the process has successfully eliminated the error.

Disable the Proxy or VPN

The proxy or VPN settings are maybe blocking the outgoing connections to Microsoft servers. Since the apps are not running in the computer system, then you should try to disable the settings. Before proceeding, you need to log-in your Microsoft Account.
  1. Press Windows key + X.
  2. Select and open the Control panel.
  3. Click the Internet Options.
  4. Select LAN settings and uncheck the box of Use a proxy server for your LAN.
  5. Now, confirm the changes and try to log-in
  6. Turn off VPN and re-launch the Windows Store.
The methods are individually effective to troubleshoot the irritating problems. Windows is a renowned Operating System which has its own inbuilt tools to find the best solution for errors in it. If these tools are not workable, still you don’t have to go for any third-party tool since Microsoft Corporation develops their tools like Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit which you can download from the Microsoft’s official website. This tool will also help you to check the applications creating issues, and the operating system has blocked them or not.


Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as www.office.com/setup

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

How to Determine and Manage Spotify Data Usage

Spotify is a trending service for streaming online music anywhere on your phone. Since Spotify runs by using the internet like other applications, for example, WeChat, Facebook, Instagram, etc. need internet, it is necessary to determine and manage the data usage. There are some factors responsible for data consumption.
Depending on the settings, Spotify uses the amount of data through our mobile phones. It is true that the data is used from the internet service you have and the usage of online streaming music on Spotify can really add up depending upon the time duration of use. It also relies on the quality of the music you are streaming online.
If you are focused on the over-consumption of data, then you can restrict the draining of data. The instructions will tell you the methods to prevent over-consumption of data by Spotify. First, you should know how much a song on Spotify consumes the data on an average.
Let’s see how to determine Spotify data usage
1. Launch the Spotify app on your mobile phone.
2. Now, tap Your Library.
3. Go to the Settings options and tap Music Quality.
4. This where you can determine the music quality and modify it to manage the data usage.
Audio Quality settings of Spotify are as follows
1. Normal quality is around 96 kbps.
2. High quality is around 160 Kbps.
3. Extreme quality is around 302 Kbps.
4. Automatic quality is Spotify’s default setting which is generally around 96 Kbps.
Spotify store cache of the song that you have listened earlier in order to save your data from searching and playing the same song next time. People ask about the data usage per month by Spotify. It also depends upon the music quality you are listening to. With calculations, a person listening to normal quality music for 30 minutes a day will use 0.5GB of data while the Extreme music quality will use 2.2GB in 30 minutes.
How to manage data usage in Spotify
Spotify offline facility
Well, you can listen to the offline as well, but Spotify doesn’t support it. The Spotify premium account holders are allowed to use the offline service. If you have a premium account, then you can save your data by opting for offline music facility.
Spotify Settings option
The Settings will let you adjust the music quality you are comfortable with in accordance with the data usage as well.
1. Launch the Spotify app.
2. Tap Your Library and go to Music Quality.
3. In this section, you will find the options to adjust quality.
4. Choose the Automatic or Normal music quality.
5. This will surely help to save your data.
Spotify is surely a huge platform for sharing and streaming music online, but the consumption of your internet data may be worrying you. But now, as you know the ways to save your data, you can listen to your favorite songs.

Karen Minton is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, Karen has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as www.office.com/setup

Monday, September 10, 2018

How to Turn Off Gmail Smart Replies

Google mailing service, Gmail, contains a new feature for Android and iOS platforms. It is introduced in the inbox of Gmail. The Smart Replies works by scanning the emails you are receiving and displays the set replies which you would like to give. These replies are “I’ll be there,” “Thanks, I’ll give you a response” and “Sorry, I can’t make it.” These replies are already formulated to make Gmail more convenient suggesting you to send by selecting one of them.
But these suggestions are hardly useful as the user is developing their reply instead of tapping on them; it is good to disable the feature from Gmail. Another factor that will lead you to disable the feature is that Google scans the emails in your Inbox and generates the suggestions. If you don’t want Google to scan your emails then disabling would be right decision to make.
As the feature is only made available for handsets running on Android and iOS, the process of disabling the feature is not much complex. All you need to have is the Gmail app in your device. If you don’t have the idea to disable the feature, then don’t worry. Follow the steps mentioned below to disable the Smart Replies feature from your Gmail.

How to turn off Gmail Smart Replies

  1. Launch the Gmail app in your handsets.
  2. Tap the hamburger icon from the left corner of the app.
  3. Scroll down to the Settings
  4. Tap Settings to open the menu.
  5. If you have multiple accounts attached to your Gmail app, then select one account for which you want to disable the feature.
  6. Tap General and move to Smart Reply.
  7. Now, you will see an option saying Show suggested replies when available.
  8. Uncheck the box and repeat the method for all other Gmail accounts if associated with the app.
If you think that Google will stop scanning your emails after disabling the Smart Replies feature, you might be thinking wrong. Google will keep scanning through its users’ emails to protect them from cyber attacks and spam.


Karen Minton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cybersecurity. She writes about the latest updates regarding mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs, and websites.

How to Turn Off Split Screen in iPad

Split screen in iPad claimed to helpful while multitasking in the device. If you have an iPad, then you must have used the split screen to open multiple apps and work on them parallely. It means the screen displays two apps like Safari on the left and Notes on the right side of the screen. Admittedly, it makes the device use more convenient, but sometimes there is a need to turn off the split screen.
There could be different reasons to turn off split screen. Some users claimed that the feature is great as it reduces the efforts and time waste but it is confusing for them. Some said that it is not suitable for educational purposes because the children will distract themselves by running the entertainment apps as well. By turning off the Split Screen in iPad, it might be helpful in providing parental control.

Here’s how to turn off the split screen in iPad

  1. Launch Settings app in your iPad.
  2. Go to General options and tap to open General Menu.
  3. Tap Multi Tasking or Multitasking & Dock from the menu.
  4. Now, select Allow Multiple Apps and toggle off the button.
  5. Make sure, the color turns Gray or White.
  6. Now the split screen is turned off.
If you open any apps for multitasking, you won’t be seeing the apps simultaneously. But there is an exception for Safari split scream that you must know. Safari has this function enabled in it, and it may annoy you. But you can disable the split screen function in Safari as well.

Let’s see how to disable split screen in Safari

  1. Drag the tabs to the opposite side.
  2. When the last tab is dragged, then the tabs in Safari will return to full screen.
  3. Another method to get rid of split screen is by tap and hold on one of the app icons.
  4. Now, select Merge All the Tabs.
  5. Now you can see that it has disabled the split screen by enabling the full-screen view.
Turning off split screen is not a hard task on iPad but if you want to turn on the split screen then follow the same steps mentioned above. Go to the settings and toggle on the Allow Multiple Apps option. Your device will automatically display the split screen when you open multiple apps at the same time.


Karen Minton is a creative person who has been writing blogs and articles about cyber security. She writes about the latest updates regarding mcafee.com/activate and how it can improve the work experience of users. Her articles have been published in many popular e-magazines, blogs and websites.