Secure your Google Account Use 5 Ways


We recently posted an article 5 Ways to Secure Your Data and Information, which provided you with some great tips for adding more security to your home network and personal computer. However, much of your data may not be stored on your home network or computer at all, but rather on the internet. In today’s post, we will review 5 ways to secure your Google account.

Secure your Google Account  Use 5 Ways


Your Google account may also be also linked to the many Google services that you use. These services could be your YouTube account, Google Plus account or even your Google Checkout account that you use to purchase items online. Thus, it may be wise to maximize the security of your Google account by configuring some settings and taking some other actions, to minimize risk of compromised passwords and hacking attempts. Here are 5 things you can do to add more security to your Google account:

















"Secure your Google Account  Use 5 Ways"



Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Way 1. Setup Account Recovery --Secure your Google Account


Account recovery can be extremely valuable if you forget your Google password, but even more valuable if your account is hacked and you need to recover it. To get started with account recovery, navigate to Google.com/settings and proceed to sign-in to your account. From there, click the Security listing.

Way 1. Setup Account Recovery --Secure your Google Account

Under the Security page, select the option Account recovery options.

Way 1. Setup Account Recovery --Secure your Google Account

Google will then redirect you to the Account Recovery homepage, where you can add a phone number for recovery purposes or an alternative email address which can be used to verify an account, should it be compromised or hacked.

Way 1. Setup Account Recovery --Secure your Google Account


"Ways 1. Setup Account Recovery --Secure your Google Account"


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Way 2. Enable 2-step verification --Secure your Google Account


By enabling 2-step verification on your G account, you can add an extra layer of security. With verification enabled, whenever your Google account is accessed from an unknown computer, login will require an extra step, or second step in order to successfully sign you in (text message verification).

To get started, navigate to Google.com/settings/security and select the Edit button next to 2-step verification.


Way 2. Enable 2-step verification --Secure your Google Account

From here, Google will prompt you to enable 2-step verification and setup your phone.

Way 2. Enable 2-step verification --Secure your Google Account

Note: You will not have to enter a code from your phone every time you sign in to Google. The only time that you will be required to enter the pin, is when you Google account is accessed from an unknown computer, location or IP address.


"Ways 2. Enable 2-step verification --Secure your Google Account"


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Way 3. Application Specific Passwords --Secure your Google Account


Accessing your Google account from the web browser on your computer is a bit different than accessing the account from another device such as smartphone. By setting up application specific passwords, you can create unique login passwords for apps and devices, which will be different from your standard Google password that you use to login from your PC.

For example, with application specific passwords enabled, if you access Google from your smartphone, you would sign in to your Google account using a specific password, rather than your regular Google password.

You can enable Application specific passwords on your account from the Google.com/settings/security page via the Authorizing applications and sites link.

Way 3. Application Specific Passwords --Secure your Google Account


"Ways 3. Application Specific Passwords --Secure your Google Account"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com



Way 4. Use Strong Passwords --Secure your Google Account


We always encourage you to use strong passwords for any account, but because your G account is linked to many other services that you use also, including Gmail, it’s particularly wise to use a smart password for your main Google account.

If you currently have any dictionary words, meaning any word that is grammatically correct, in your Google password, you may want to consider changing it for better security against dictionary attacks and brute forcers.

Way 4. Use Strong Passwords --Secure your Google Account


A strong password will not make any sense, and involve uppercase and lowercase characters along with numerical characters and other symbols. 

For example: OtT2359%$8*#^:)

Strong passwords like these are more difficult to remember, but they are important to strong account security.



"Way 4. Use Strong Passwords --Secure your Google Account"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Way 5. Setup HTTPS --Secure your Google Account


HTTPS is a more secure connection than the standard HTTP, that specializes in better protection and securing online data transfer. You can setup HTTPS for your Gmail account using the following steps:

Way 5. Setup HTTPS --Secure your Google Account


By setting up the security options listed in today’s post, you can add several additional layers of security to your Google account, to minimize risk of being hacked or other malware or password attacks, all leading to a safer and more secure Google environment! Thank you for stopping by the site for today’s post.



"Ways 5. Setup HTTPS --Secure your Google Account"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com



Methods of Boot to Windows 8 System Recovery Options


Windows 8 has drastically redesigned the boot menu to not only look more modern, but also to be a lot easier to use. I have to say they have done a good job. All older versions of Windows used the basic DOS-looking text interface to choose options like Safe Mode or Advanced Boot Options.

Methods of Boot to Windows 8 System Recovery Options

Most people didn’t even bother looking at anything below Safe Mode because it’s pretty technical for the average user. Now when you enter Windows 8 boot menu, you see a nice GUI interface that is Metro-styled. This is also called Windows RE (Recovery Environment) or the System Recovery Options.

Methods of Boot to Windows 8 System Recovery Options

You have three options: load Windows normally (Continue), Troubleshoot Windows or turn off your PC. A lot fewer choices to start off with, making it easier for people to use the tool. I know a lot of people who have had problems with Windows 7, but could not figure out how to load startup repair or get into Safe Mode. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps and different methods to get into the boot menu.










"Methods of Boot to Windows 8 System Recovery Options"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com




Method 1 – SHIFT + Restart --Windows 8 System Recovery Options


One way to start Windows 8 in Windows Recovery Environment is to simply press SHIFT and then click on Restart. What’s good about this method is that you can do it from within Windows or you can do it even if no one is logged onto the system.

Method 1 – SHIFT + Restart --Windows 8 System Recovery Options

So if you need to troubleshoot a Windows 8 machine or boot from a secondary device and you can’t log into the system, then you can still restart in Windows RE by clicking on the power button icon at the bottom right of the login screen.



"Method 1 – SHIFT + Restart --Windows 8 System Recovery Options"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Method 2 – PC Settings --Windows 8 System Recovery Options


The second way to do it is to go to PC Settings in Windows 8. You can do that by opening the Charms bar and then clicking on Settings.

Method 2 – PC Settings --Windows 8 System Recovery Options

Then click on Change PC Settings at the bottom of the settings bar:

Method 2 – PC Settings --Windows 8 System Recovery Options

Finally, click on General and then click on Restart now under the Advanced startup section.

Method 2 – PC Settings --Windows 8 System Recovery Options




"Method 2 – PC Settings --Windows 8 System Recovery Options"


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Method 3 – Automatic or Recovery Drive --Windows 8 System Recovery Options

Lastly, if Windows 8 detects any boot problem with the system, it will automatically load up Windows RE boot options. If your board supports the new UEFI firmware, this will happen automatically. If not, you would still need to press the F8 key, but you will not have a lot of time since Windows 8 loads so much faster.

Method 3 – Automatic or Recovery Drive --Windows 8 System Recovery   Options

Instead, the best way would be to use Methods 1 or 2. However, if you can’t boot into Windows 8 at all and the boot options don’t come up automatically, you’ll have to hope you created a Windows 8 USB Recovery Drive. A recovery drive in Windows 8 will basically let you create a bootable USB flash drive that will load the Windows RE environment in case it won’t load automatically and you can’t get into Windows.

I will cover how to create a recovery drive on a USB flash drive tomorrow, so come back soon to read that article! Enjoy!





"Method 3 – Automatic or Recovery Drive --Windows 8 System Recovery Options"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- Music Maker Jam Metro Apps

I’m not really a music person, but I really enjoyed playing around with this app on Windows 8. It lets you quickly create music by combining various professionally created audio clips and adjusting the tempo and adding effects.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- Music Maker Jam Metro Apps

It also has an 8 track mixer, so you can really create some cool tracks. And of course it can access your music collection, you can load something from there and then mix songs and tracks.

So those are 10 fun and useful Windows 8 metro apps that I have been using a lot over the last few months. How about yourself? What apps do you like using on Windows 8? Let us know in the comments. Enjoy!





"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- Music Maker Jam Metro Apps"


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Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- OneNote MX Metro Apps

If you need a nice note-taking app, OneNote MX from Microsoft is probably the best as of right now. Evernote does not have an app yet, so that could also be something I switch to when it comes out, but right now OneNote MX does an excellent job.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- OneNote MX Metro Apps

It also lets you write using a stylus and you can search all your notes using the built-in Windows 8 search. And you can access your notes via the web or via OneNote mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.




"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- OneNote MX Metro Apps"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- SigFig Metro Apps

Pretty much everyone nowadays has some kind of investment account. I have used Mint to manage my finances and it does a great job of keeping track of everything, but it’s not really that useful for investments. The graphs are always wrong and not very easy to understand. SigFig is a Windows 8 metro app that imports your investment portfolio from over 60+ brokerage firms and gives you all kinds of pretty looking and easy to understand graphs and data.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- SigFig Metro Apps

You can also use it to view stock data on any Dow or Nasdaq symbol and view major headlines for any company also. Overall, it’s a really neat app that is perfect for the new metro UI.




"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- SigFig Metro Apps"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- Sports Metro Apps


For sports fans, you’ll have to download the Sports app, which is powered by Bing.Unfortunately, there is no better choice at this moment, i.e. ESPN, Yahoo Sports, etc. I’m sure when ESPN releases their metro app, it’ll kick some a**, but at this point, Sports will have to do for you.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- Sports Metro Apps

Overall, it’s not bad though. You get scores, headlines from around the sports world, team schedules, statistics, and team standings across the major sports.



"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- Sports Metro Apps"

Reference : online-tech-tips.com



Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- The Big Picture Metro Apps

Like to keep up with the recent news? Who doesn’t! May as well read the news while looking at some really awesome photographs. The Big Picture brings you the daily news from Boston.com in high definition photos from around the world

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- The Big Picture Metro Apps

"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- The Big Picture Metro Apps"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com

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Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- iCookbook Metro Apps


This is a pretty sweet app if you like to cook a lot using recipes! My wife enjoyed looking through their recipes and the graphics will make anyone hungry! The app has well over 2,000 recipes and it has some nice features like a view mode that is easy to read from a distance.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- iCookbook Metro Apps

For a free cookbook app, it’s pretty nice. I personally enjoyed going through the different cuisines and trying recipes from there. I bought a few cookbooks in my time, but never opened them more than once or twice. I’ve already used this one 5 times because it’s so fun to browse.


Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- iCookbook Metro Apps

"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- iCookbook Metro Apps"


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Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time-- Word Search Metro Apps


Bored out of your mind or just need a break for working? Word Search is a fun game you can play on Windows 8 and it’s great because it snaps onto the side of the screen, you can play while having other apps open too.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- Word Search Metro Apps


It has over 150 categories, easy, medium, hard and expert difficulties, and a global high score system so you can see just how badly you suck at the game.



"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- Word Search Metro Apps"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com



Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time -- Elements Weather Forecast Metro Apps

Another essential daily use app is a weather app. I mean you have to check the weather pretty much everyday right? May as well do it in style. Elements Weather Forecast is definitely the best weather metro app for Windows 8. It’s got full HD backgrounds, 7 day forecasts, hourly weather data, interactive maps, live tile support for your Start screen, sunrise/sunset and moon information for any location and lots more.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time -- Elements Weather Forecast Metro Apps


What’s also nice about the app is that it can automatically find your location based via GPS, so if you a traveling, you’ll get the local weather forecast for your current location without having to type it in.


"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time -- Elements Weather Forecast Metro Apps"



Reference : online-tech-tips.com



Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 Install Time -- Forismatic Metro Apps


Like quotes? Who doesn’t! I’m a big fan of quote and it’s usually something I like to read in the morning before the day starts. Forismatic is a simple and beautiful app that displays inspirational quotes for you to enjoy.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time -- Forismatic Metro   Apps


You can also add a live tile to your Start Screen and view the quotes from there, so you don’t even have to open the app in order to get your daily dose of quote goodness.

Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time -- Forismatic Metro   Apps



"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time -- Forismatic Metro Apps"


Reference : online-tech-tips.com


Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative , Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and Review


Following their Windows 8 initiative, Microsoft is also in the process of revamping and finalizing their Microsoft Office 2013 productivity suite.The new Office, like Windows 8, is significantly different from past versions, with some great new features.

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Before we get started with the tour and review, you might want to download and trial Microsoft Office 2013 for yourself. You can find the download on the Office 2013 page.

Like many recent app and software releases, the new version of Office is more incorporated into the cloud and the internet in general. Thus, 2013 has a very present option that prompts you to sign-in to your Live or Hotmail account. Once that is done, you will be greeted with a simple welcome screen.

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

One of the first things that you may notice when getting started with MS Office is the increase in interaction. When setting up office, you can now select themes and other light customizations.


All of the main Office apps are fully redesigned, so the UI is familiar, but different to Office 2007 or 2010.

Power Point

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Excel

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Access

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

One Note

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Outlook

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Publisher

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Word

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Nearly all MS Office programs now have integrated app and web functionality. So, with Office 2007 and 2010, you could of course insert images and videos. With the latest version of office, you can very simply 
insert apps and other web elements, in addition to images, videos and other standards, to create more interactive documents. Here’s how the apps function operates in Word:

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Office 2013 also has advanced collaboration and group document editing features along with integrated Microsoft SkyDrive.

The new menu incorporated into Office programs has more sharing and group options, and even a built-in blogging feature, which I’m guessing might replace Live Writer 2011. That would be great for writers if you could blog directly out of a program like Word, but the post to blog features are also present in Excel and other Office apps, meaning that you can push not only text documents, but charts, graphs and other infographics directly to a blog or website.

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Excel has a new flash fill feature, which is a “smart option” that attempts to analyze your patterns and Excel document usage, and auto fill and predict the next entries for you.

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

Those are just a few of many, new, individual features in Office 2013.In addition to new features, Microsoft is also incorporating more Office 365 compatibility into the desktop and tablet versions of Office 2013. For 
collaborative document editing and other workgroup features, Office 2013 will allow you to import and export documents more effectively if you’re a 365 subscriber.

Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and   Review

In review, Microsoft Office 2013 is a lot “smarter” than past versions of Office. Just by creating or editing a basic Excel spreadsheet, you will definitely notice the enhanced UI (user interface) and modern, more web 
friendly options.

Using another new option, Connected Services, you can directly sign in and link some of your favorite social accounts, such as Flickr or Linked In, directly to office also. So, if you want to send an image that is edited in Office directly to Flickr, that can be done with the click of the mouse, using Connected Services.

For Skype users, the finalized version of Office will offer direct Skype sharing and posting. So, if you’re using Microsoft’s Skype program to chat with a coworker or manager, and you need to quickly send them a document, you can directly send to Skype via the new Office interface.

Many technology and news websites have reported that Office 2013 will not be compatible with older systems such as XP or Vista.

Thank you for stopping by the site for today’s post. Overall, I will likely switch to Office 2013, as I am currently running 2007. I like the new interface and I very much like the new smart features, writing/blogging features and connected services. For anyone that has been considering purchasing Office, wait for 2013 to be released, as it brings quite a few new features and a completely redesigned interface that will be awesome with Windows 8.




"Computer Tips: Windows 8 initiative,Microsoft 2013 Screenshots and Review"



Reference : online-tech-tips.com



Computer Tips: Metro Apps For Windows 8 You Should Install

With the release of Windows 8 just around the corner, I thought I would write up an article on my favorite 10 Metro apps so far. I’ve been using Windows 8 for over 2 months now and the number of Metro apps in the Windows Store has really gone up! I’m sure there are going to be hundreds more released by the time October rolls around, but as of now, here are some cool Metro apps you can use on your new Windows 8 machine.

If you are using a different Metro app I haven’t listed here, feel free to post a comment and let us know why you think the app is awesome. Enjoy!


Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- MetroTwit

If you’re a Twitter user like I am, then MetroTwit is probably the best Twitter metro-style app for Windows 8. It’s gone a sleek interface and quickly lets you view your timeline, @mentions and direct messages.

Computer Tips:  Metro Apps For  Windows 8 You Should Install


You can post a tweet easily and upload a photo or even take a photo if you have a web cam installed.

Computer Tips:  Metro Apps For  Windows 8 You Should Install

You can also do searches on Twitter directly from the app, which is a nice feature since I like to follow a lot of topics on twitter.

Computer Tips:  Metro Apps For  Windows 8 You Should Install




"Computer Tips: Metro Apps For  Windows 8 Install Time-- MetroTwit"



Reference : online-tech-tips.com






Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8


As with other versions of Windows prior to Windows 8, you can run a program in compatibility mode in order to run older programs that were written for older versions of Windows in Windows 8. In Windows 8, there is also a new tool called the Compatibility Troubleshooter, which walks you through getting an older program to run properly in Windows 8. In this article, I’ll walk you through the compatibility mode options in Windows 8.

To get started, you need to right-click on the EXE file and choose Properties. If you have installed a program, it will either be located in C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files (x86) or inside the AppData folder. You can get to the AppData folder by opening the Run dialog and typing in %appdata%.

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8


For example, I installed Google Talk on Windows 8 and was surprised to find that it was not located under Program Files. Instead it was inside the AppData folder which is located at

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming

By default, you cannot see this folder as it’s marked as a system folder. You can go into Folder and Search Options from Explorer and unhide it, but I find it simpler to just type it into the run dialog and open it. Once you find it, right-click and choose Properties.

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8

Then go ahead and click on the Compatibility tab as shown below.

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8

To run the program for a different version of Windows, check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box and choose from the list. Your options are everything from Windows 95 and 98 to Windows 7.

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8

Under Settings, you can choose to run the program in reduced color mode, run in a 640×480 low resolution or to disable scaling. Under Privilege, you can also have the program run as administrator in case it’s having permissions issues. You can always use this technique to always run a program in administrator mode.

Lastly, you can click on the Change settings for all users button to have the compatibility mode settings applied to all users on the system instead of just the current user. If you don’t have any idea what to change or don’t feel like doing it manually, you can always click on the Run compatibility troubleshooter button.

It will detect any problems and then give you the option to Try recommended settings or Troubleshoot program.

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8

If you click on Troubleshoot program, it will then ask you what problems you have noticed with the program while running it in Windows 8:

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8

Basically, the first option will let you choose a different version of Windows, the second option will change the display settings, and the third option will run the program as Administrator. If you select I don’t see my problem listed, it will as you which version of Windows it worked on before. If you click I don’t know here, then you’ll get a list of exact error messages.

Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8

Once you click on any of the problems, it’ll automatically choose a set of settings for the operating system, display and permissions to run the program and test it. Overall, running older programs on Windows 8 is very similar to Windows 7 and even easier to use. 



"Computer Tips: Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 8"



Reference : online-tech-tips.com