Disable Java to protect your computer

Few of my friends are very active in Google+. They are always fond of browsing trending topics on Google plus. On 10^th of January #java was a trending on Google plus. Slowly it was flooded with messages regarding java 0 day exploit!

A Google plus post from thenextweb.com addressed the only solution suggested by The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) was to disable java to save your computer from possible threats.

Java is one of the most popular programming language that enables programmers to write applications that may run on any device. Billions of mobile phones and desktops run java. Java powers our set top boxes, web cams, blue-ray players, games and many more systems. A message to disable such highly used and powerful tool came as a BIG shock!

You might be thinking that “How this message can affect you?”

Java is also used with internet browsers that we use every day! Java 7 update has vulnerabilities that may allow any hacker to install and run arbitrary code on your computer without your permission. Such malicious code may steal your passwords, financial information etc. All these can be done simply when you are browsing internet and visiting websites!

Actually you don’t need java all the time when browsing internet!

So, let’s see how to disable java from your Google Chrome browser. From top right corner of your Google Chrome select Settings.

Figure 1.1

A screen as shown in the Figure 1.2 will be displayed. Scroll down and click on Show advanced settings.

Figure 1.2

From Privacy settings choose Content settings shown in the figure 1.3

Figure 1.3

Further, from Content settings -> Plug-ins -> Click on Disable individual plug-ins

Figure 1.4

Finally, locate java plug-in details for your browser by scrolling down and click on Disable.

Figure 1.5

Alternately you can also disable java from all your browsers using Control Panel option.

Select Control Panel -> Java

Figure 1.6

From Java Control Panel -> Go to Advanced tab -> Java Plug-in and uncheck

Enable the next-generation Java Plug-in.

Figure 1.7

This will disable java irrespective of browser you use to .

Though Oracle Corp. has released a fix on Monday, 14^th Jan 2013 however; according to US Homeland Security update is not enough toprotect computers.Till the time Oracle corp. Fix Java security it is surely wise to disable java to protect your computer.

Welcome 2013 !

Hi!

I know I am late by 10 days to wish you a very happy new year. I hope you are equally excited to welcome 2013 with all new dreams.

Today I would like to share a video from Robin Sharma’s blog that I truly enjoyed. I am sure it will help fill happiness as a habit! 

Wish you a happiness filled year ahead!

5 Tips to Secure Gmail

These days Google accounts hold vital role in our day to day life. We use them to get registered at multiple websites, receive bank statements as well as to shop online. Especially Gmail is widely used in India.According to camscore reports.

Credit : camscoredatamine.com

However, very few of us use security enhancement options offered by Gmail. Thus, we leave opportunity for hackers to invade into our personal space. 

Here are 5 points that you must consider to make your Gmail secure.

1)Enable https://

Figure 1.1

On internet whenever you visit a website, its server communicates with your web browser using specific set of standards called Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).In simple language can say that it is a language used by server and your web browser to talk to each other. However, this language can be sniffed and interpreted by hackers to see what is communicated between your web browser and the server.

 HTTPS means ‘HTTP + SSL’ (Hypertext Transfer Protocol + Secure Sockets Layer). HTTPS is used to ensure website’s identity and to encrypt communication between your web browser and the server. So, no one can read what your web browser and the server is communicating, thus making your credit card numbers and passwords secured.

To change settings of your Gmail account use ‘gear like’ button on top right corner of your Gmail screen. Look for Browser connection under General settings and select Always use https option.

Figure 1.2

2) Enable 2-way verification

Very few of us are actually using this innovative feature offered by Google. It adds another security layer to Gmail sign in process by asking you to add a verification code for every sing in attempt. You can opt to receive this verification code either through a text message, a voice call or by using Google’s authentication app. 

Here is setup to enable 2-way verification for Gmail.

3) Track your account activity 

Gmail lets you track your activity and keep an eye on when , where and by using which device your Gmail account was last accessed! You can view these ‘Details’ from the Bottom right corner of your Gmail screen. 

Figure 1.3

Often check this activity log to trace any suspicious happenings with your Gmail. Figure 1.4 shows the details.

4) Logging out from other Gmail sessions

Sometimes ease of accessing Gmail using your friend’s or relative’s laptop or desktop can expose it to various security threats if we forget to sign out properly. Make sure to use Gmail’s Sign out all other sessions button from activity log.

Figure 1.4

5) Due to vast availability of Wi-Fi hubs in public places like airports and hotels people are usually tempted to check mails. Your laptop or tablet’s data can be compromised by packet-sniffing software when accessed through such public hotspots. So, it is wise to avoid such temptation and not to use public wi-fi hotspots.

Apart from these five points primary precautions like using proper passwords by combining alphabets and numbers must be used. I hope this effort of mine will help you enhance security of Gmail.

Fingerless gloves crochet pattern

Hi!

I have been pinning a lot of crochet patterns these days however; I end up creating very few of them :( . Pinterest addiction is dragging me into another addiction of expanding my yarn stash!

Last week I tried my hands on crocheting finger-less gloves for my kids and it turned out best ever winter gifts for them. I found a super easy and free pattern at crochetspot.com . It was really quick to work on this project. I have made these gloves especially to match with their school uniform.

My little one is 6 and finding it so comfy that he is not willing to take it off even after school hours. He is asking me to make another fancy pair of gloves to ware at home. 

For the elder one, being able to write while wearing these gloves is a major plus point!

I am planning to make one lacy fingerless gloves for myself too once I finish my current crochet project scalloped scarf!

Wish you a very happy Monday!

Remember that ‘LIKE’ button is linked to your profile!

Hi again!

If you have a Facebook account you must have found at least one of your childhood friend with whom you were not in touch for many years! Thanks to the biggest social networking site on the planet that helped you find and reconnect with old friends.

I would love to share an interesting Infographis about Facebook statistics 2012 with you. According to this India is one of the fastest growing Facebook country! 

Facebook Statistics 2012

I thought of writing a post about ‘LIKE’ button of Facebook. 

Facebook collects much more information about all of us. A single click on Facebook ‘LIKE’ button can trigger many real life consequences. Here is a list of five things that one should know about ‘LIKE’ button.

•      How ‘LIKE’ button is used by brands and products !

Do you know...

When you click on LIKE button on any Facebook page it will be reflected on your friend’s news feed. Thus, your friends will know that you like a particular page.

Mostly, people do this just to show what brand of shoes, cloths or even soaps they have recently purchased and liked.

However,

True meaning of clicking a LIKE button on any Facebook page goes like this...

‘You are willing read and stay updated with everything that is posted on that page. Facebook Page could be about a brand, a product, a business or an interest! Thus, all those who have liked a facebook page of any particular brand end up seeing their own news feed with all the promotional updates from those brands.’

Infect, most of the times we see advertises in the right panel along with a list of our friends who have already liked a page. Thus, encouraging you to consider and like the page!

•    LIKE’ button collects your information

There exist many Facebook pages about awareness on specific diseases or treatments. Be mindful before liking them because unknowingly you are providing data that insurance companies may use against you!

•  ‘LIKE’ button can put you in embarrassing situations

Many a times clicking on ‘LIKE’ button can create embarrassing situations especially for those condolence messages, RIP status updates or earthquake news updates.

• ‘LIKE’ button can catch lies!

 Don’t be surprised to discover...One of your friend who you knew as a pure vegetarian has liked a Facebook page about Chicken recipes! Or one of your relative you knew doesn't drink has liked a brand page of a best selling alcohol!

 ‘LIKE’ button can really help you find like minded people

From your profile page try to access your own ‘likes’. Facebook can help you find who else from your friend list share your interest. When I liked a page on ‘Alchemist  by Paulo Coelho’ I was thrilled to know that few of my cousins also liked it!

Facebook has become a place where  you can have your boss, clients, relatives, childhood friends, neighbours and ex-colleagues around. Someone’s good laugh can become an insult for the other one. So, be mindful before clicking that ‘LIKE’ button.

Easy crochet case pattern for any cell phone!

Hi!

Slowly temperature is falling in entire north India. It is time to take out our woolens  For crochet lover like me, November is the time to pick up the hook and shape the yarn in something interesting!

I wanted to make woolen sleeve cover for my relatives and friends as a gift so, I tried searching internet for pattern. Some of them were too specific with crochet hook size to be used, yarn/wool specifications like crochet tension, 2ply, 4ply etc. Such details turned out totally confusing for me.

 I have had few beautiful left over woolen balls from previous projects. So, I made these free styled cell phone case. It took two days leisure time to complete these small projects!

Here are some tips for you to make simple cell phone cozies!

Make a chain as long as the width of your cell phone. You should be able to slide your cell phone once you join the chain and make a loop as shown in the figure below.

For the next round make Single Crochet in each chain. Once you complete your round do not join but, continue making single crochet in each stitch. Continue crocheting till you reach the length of your cell phone.

Turn the work inside out. Now, here is my own trick to make the bottom of the case.

Leave the outside loops and grab only inside loops on to the hook from top most ring of your crochet work.Join inside loops of each parallel stitches with a slip stitch!

Turn your work and your own cell phone cozy is ready!

I did some embroidery using yellow and green wool.

I also enjoyed making stripes on another cell phone cozy!Thanks to a wonderful tutorial found here for seam color change in making these beautiful stripes. 

I tried one more Bottle green colored cell phone cozy and made some leaves for camouflage style!  

        

 Finally, I can say that I enjoyed making these tiny projects especially bottoms of these cozies!

Real voting Machine for Presidential Election 2012

Over the last decade Internet is playing a major role in our decision making process. We tune to Google maps to find most suitable route to our destination! We tune to internet for finding nearest restaurant for authentic food! Do you think voters for the Presidential election 2012 were using power of Internet?

Here are some facts that shows how voters were not far behind from using power of internet before deciding to whom to cast their vote.
Let us look back few months from now and see what information voters were looking for on Internet about their future President? 

If you look at Google trends over the past 12 months and compare how many people were looking for information about ‘Obama’ and ‘Romney’ you can find surprising facts! Throughout the period more and more people were interested in searching for ‘Obama’.

Similarly, Yahoo’s trend analysis data says people were more interested in searching information about ‘Obama’ over ‘Romney’!








Check out this Interesting Infographic from StateTech magazine about social media engagement. Mayoral and gubernatorial race winners for year 2010, 2011 and 2012 had close connection with their leader’s social engagement. The winners had more twitter followers and facebook fans than their opponents!


When President Barak Obama claimed his victory by posting a tweet ‘This happened because of you. Thank you,’ ,it became most popular tweet on the twitter. Moreover, a Facebook photograph posted after his Presidential victory became the most liked photograph on Facebook.

Now, can we say that Internet has became our new voting machine?