Majority of the people get confused between hard drive cloning and hard drive imaging and do not understand whether they have to clone their Mac hard drive or image it! Since cloning software provides both options to clone and create an image of the hard drive, both options look almost the same. They both copy the entire content of hard drive or hard drive volume thus it is very obvious to get confused.  To know the basic difference between these two terms, we have to understand their basic definitions and the reason for segregating these two.

Cloning: The literal meaning of cloning is creating exact replica or mirror image of something just like cloning and animal or even a human. Likewise creating mirror image or replica of the hard disk is called hard disk clone. The hard disk cloning process copies sector by sector data of source drive to destination drive. Cloning also gives you an option to clone the entire hard drive or specific volume of your hard drive and the best part of cloning is the resultant object can immediately be used. That means disk cloning creates a ready to use copy of the hard drive which you can restore your entire machine in various situations such as an operating system crash, hard drive damage, or you want to switch from an old hard drive to new spacious hard drive, etc. However, while cloning you must know the fact that cloning erases all data of the destination drive and that too beyond any scope of recovery so it is recommended to choose that destination drive which is either empty or which does not have any important data. Moreover, the destination drive must have equal or larger space than the source drive.

Now let us see what exactly is imaging and how is it different from cloning:

Imaging: Imaging is basically creating a backup copy of your hard drive or volume which can be used to restore data at any situation of data loss or inaccessibility of data. In imaging, the data of the destination drive is not destroyed as well as most of the imaging software as it uses compression while creating image so you can create multiple images of your source drive to the destination drive easily. Their sizes are comparatively smaller than their actual size. Moreover, by using image you need not to copy everything each time, instead you have a choice to select only damaged or lost files/folders or anything of your choice.

The difference between imaging and cloning; Image you cannot create an entire system rather you can restore the data which you have lost or which has become inaccessible while the clone is ready to use as it’s a copy of your entire hard drive. Therefore, we can say that image can restore only data of our hard drive or volume but clone can restore entire system. By now it must be clear to you where to use clone and where to use image. However, most third-party Mac cloning software has can perform both functions.

One of the award winning and reliable software for the same is Stellar Drive Clone. The software provides you the feature to clone your hard drive or logical volumes, create image of entire Mac hard drive or any volume, and feature to restore volume from image file or folder. The software supports latest Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.

Convenience and added efficiency are just some of the things that a mobile business can give you. However, even if it does look quite attractive to become a “mobile entrepreneur”, a great portion of your capability to do business on the go actually lies on the fact that it requires several modern computer and communication technologies. Simply using them to conduct business is just one thing, and properly utilizing every single aspect of the technology WITHOUT endangering your security is another.

If you want to keep your mobile businesses from being ruined by cyberattackers, here are a few very simple and perfectly easy-to-do tips:

Consider Using a High Specification Smartphone

Smartphones today evolve by the month; your latest model today might just be a completely outdated version half a year later. Although this can be a bit tedious to some people, you can actually use this fact as an advantage to keep your mobile business security intact. Malware, as you may have already known, always evolve on the fly. On an old, slightly low-spec phone certain version vulnerabilities might still be present, but in a more powerful updated smartphone, those vulnerabilities could have already been fixed.

Consider Upgrading Your Smartphone’s Functions

Aside from using an updated smartphone, it might be also wise to learn more about your smartphone so that you’ll be able to use it at least near to its 100% functionality. For instance, a simple installation of an anti-virus could help improve your smartphone’s overall security. An app that could fight Malware can be your first step to defend your mobile business against some of the known security risks that are caused by malicious programs. Another suggestion is to find a strong (but safe) tweak for your smartphone that could help you detect if it is being monitored by another unit (you’ll have to ask other experts to know more about this subject matter however).

Exercise Caution when Accessing Databases Remotely

Sending wireless information over the air is very convenient, but also very dangerous. Even if the information is safely encrypted, you’ll never know if there would be someone skilled enough to crack it. That is why you must exercises extreme caution when accessing databases from your mobile device. Try using an API (application programming interface) that would not interact directly with your database, and would simply throw out bits and pieces of information out of the database for you to use.

If you want to reclaim your privacy, feel free to use our website VPN service

Keep the Physical Mobile Device Safe from Theft

Finally, as a solid hardware maintenance tip, you should always be prepared to protect the physical mobile device from getting lost or stolen. Accidentally leaving your tablet or smartphone in a coffee shop could instantly create a risk of an outsider having direct (and free) access to your mobile business. If you think that losing the device could be an inevitable possibility, try to think up of alternative recovery countermeasures. For example, you might still want some of the more important business-oriented features or apps on the device to still require a password or confirmation code before it can be used. This way you’ll have time to remotely freeze the device before anyone could exploit the data inside it.

Each year we honor our mother’s for all the good they’ve done for us and the love that comes with it. Unfortunately, low life crooks use this day to peddle their scams to steal money from people. Scammers will re-purpose content and graphics (logos) from legitimate web sites that offer flowers, gifts, etc. and try to fool users into thinking it’s a legitimate web site.

Scammers use holiday’s to target victims by sending email spam to promote their scams to get users to submit credit card and other personal information to be used for illegal activities and identity theft. If you receive an email about making purchases online for Mother’s Day, be very wary!

If you’re interested in ordering flowers or any other gift online to send to mom, you should only use sites you’re familiar with. I have included links to trusted sites for ordering Mother’s Day Gifts online below.

Many of these email scams can be detected if you have the (Free) Web of Trust add-on for Firefox or Internet Explorer. The links inside the email will have a red circle indicating that the links go to a site that has a poor reputation. If you don’t have the Web of Trust add-on, I highly recommend it!

Give the gift of flowers for your mom, but don’t give it to the low life crooks!

Trusted sites for ordering Mother’s Day Gifts Online

FTD
1-800 Flowers
Amazon
Gifts.com
Pro Flowers

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there!

There’s an email purporting to be from Amazon, claiming that a product has been canceled and the recipient needs to take action by clicking on the link inside the email. If a user clicks on the link inside the email, it will redirect the user to a malicious web site that has the ability to install a Trojan without the user’s consent or knowledge.

These Trojans are known to install a rogue antivirus programs that falsely alerts and reports security threats on a user’s computer. These rogue and or fake security programs are distributed for the purpose of stealing your money by scamming users into purchasing a license copy in order to remove the fake threats.

Actual Email

Dear Customer,

Your order has been successfully canceled. For your reference, here’s a summary of your order:

You just canceled order 14-436-9161 placed on May 2, 2012.

Status: CANCELED

_____________________________________________________________________

1 “Unarmed”; 2009, Second Edition
By: Janet Cook

Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
_____________________________________________________________________

Thank you for visiting Amazon.com!

———————————————————————
Amazon.com
Earth’s Biggest Selection

http://www.amazon.com

The site is currently blocked and quarantined by the host company for the following reasons;

• Spyware
• Hijacking
• Sites spreading virus, Trojans, spyware, etc.
• Threats for servers:  exploits, fake identities/agents, DDoS attackers, etc.
• Threats to mobile devices
• Data Harvesting
• The spread of Malware

If you receive an email like the one above, please mark as spam and delete it immediately.

The site has a poor reputation by the Web of Trust community. To learn more about the sites reputation, visit the link below.

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/counterpunchdrugstoremeds.com

Xfinity Home, the brainchild of Comcast’s Mitch Bowling is the new home monitoring system, now available for all Comcast customers who use the company’s wireless data network.

Xfinity Home combines smart home monitoring functions such as remote lighting and temperature controls with an inclusive home security system. This intelligent combo can control all aspects of home monitoring for its customers, remotely.

There is a basic and a preferred option available. Both options monitor homes twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The basic model provides home security protection that includes burglary and fire alarm protection. The preferred system also provides home security monitoring and combines this service with home controls including remote ability to turn lighting off and on, adjust thermostats, and stream video from home monitoring cameras placed in the home directly to their Smart Phones or lap tops anywhere in the world. The preferred system also provides monitoring of carbon monoxide and offers email and text alerts as well.

Both types of monitoring systems offered by Xfinity home run over Comcast’s enormous

Broadband network.

The product was test marketed in the Houston, Texas area in 2010 as Xfinity Home Security. The service has since rolled out to over twenty markets, with the security portion of the products name dropped, indicating that security options are only one element of Xfinity Home’s services.

Comcast views Xfinity Home as a major growth area for the company. Potential sales are predicted for home security services in the US at $9 billion annually. And, with a forty-three percent growth rate estimated, Comcast is looking forward to getting a piece of the home monitoring pie. With the company’s already-existing customer base, sales force, technical and call center staff already in place, Xfinity Home is poised to make a splash in the home monitoring market place.

Pricing is reasonable. Xfinity Home’s basic package runs $29.95; the preferred package costs

$49.95. Installation is extra, but is currently being offered at a substantial discount. Home owners will use a touch-screen control panel, water-proof security cameras, and sensors for home thermostats and monitoring.

Of course Comcast isn’t alone among communications providers in venturing into home monitoring. Verizon Communications Inc., and established security operator ADT, have both entered the remote home monitoring market. Growth seems limitless with the continued increase in Wi-Fi equipped portable consumer devices, and with portable Internet access has come an increased interest in home monitoring systems that can be operated from any remote location.

Comcast’s aware of the growing trend for mobile device activation of home systems. And they are already planning to expand Xfinity Home to include the use of mobile devices to DVR television programming, control door locks, garage door openers, and provide water control sensors.

Xfinity Home designer Mitch Bowling views it as a life style system, for home owners who want to be connected on the go to their home.

Although Comcast’s cable television offerings have lost customers recently, its broadband internet consumers are growing. With predictions of home automation systems expanding to the tune of ten million customers by 2016, Comcast is driven to prove their system is the one customer’s will select.

While Comcast is competing with established home security purveyors, Xfinity offers a wide range of services for a reasonable cost. The control unit, tablet-sized, has easy to use icons to control security and home monitoring, the capability to display video feeds from cameras in the system, and panic buttons that can be used to directly reach emergency service personnel. The panel uses Wi-Fi and 3G connections to prevent connection failures.

Jeremy Kushner is a home alarm systems enthusiast who blogs on topics related to crime and security. You can find more of his posts at HomeAlarmSystems.com.

Right now, in the lead up to the Olympics, all major TV manufacturers are hot on promoting their latest 3D TVs. Whether it’s Sony, Samsung or Panasonic, they are all competing for what is sure to be a lucrative market in the coming months. But is 3D technology now worth investing in, and is this technology now truly the future of TV?

3D TVs – Pros and Cons

First, let’s consider the pros and cons of 3D television. As advertised, 3D TV can enhance your viewing experience and bring your imagination to life. If you were captivated and drawn in by a movie before, imagine being able to see it in 3D, outside of your screen! 3D enhances the visual captivation of the movie when done correctly. However, it does come at a price and if you’re looking for very cheap televisions, 3D TVs are still likely to be outside your budget at is still emerging technology.

The cons, most movies were not produced for 3D; furthermore, adding in 3D elements after production produces somewhat poorer results. Should 3D television become the constant demand, movie producers will be forced to convert movies to 3D in order to make sales and often, their budget will be quite low. As a result, the quality will probably suffer.

Another con of 3D television is that it takes away from the socialization of television. With a standard TV you can talk to your friends and family, engage in banter or even flip through a magazine during commercial breaks if so inclined. 3D television is much less social. It requires the full attention, and eye contact of its viewers. While it is most definitely an enhanced television viewing experience, it limits the social capabilities of watching TV. I.E. Football parties turn into staring at the TV sessions rather than a party.

For the majority of people, 3D television packages offer the very best home entertainment has to offer. Unfortunately, for many people, it is also a headache. 3D television causes more eye strain than viewing regular TV, and some users with certain eye disorders might not be able to see the 3D effects at all. Movie goers questioned after viewing 3D movies quite often admit to tired or fatigued eyes.  Even with newer, cooler and more technical improvements, wearing 3D glasses can be an annoyance that most people just don’t want to bother with.

The Future

However; broadcasters in the U.S. such as Sky 3D and even corporations such as Samsung are going full steam ahead for the release of 3D. Samsung plans on a free 3D on demand channel to attempt to introduce viewers to 3D television. And why not, Samsung currently holds more than 50% of the sales in 3D television worldwide.

Sky 3D has published more than 120 live sports games in 3D and are currently working on the production of 3D movies and television. Director of Sky3D, John Casey is so optimistic about the rise of 3D television that he is currently planning on a 3D subscription that allows TV viewers to pay extra per month to view 3D channels.

But what about 3D television, is it the future of TV? Studies say no. 3D television does not provide enough advantages to the average movie watcher to interest them into purchasing 3D. While it does expand on the visual impact of the movie, 3D doesn’t fix a bad plot or poor dialogue, movie goers are interested in what they always have been, the movie rather than the effects.

Scott spends most of his day keeping up to date with the latest TV technology and the rest of it searching for cheap televisions deals!

There’s an email claiming to offer free credit reports. If the recipient clicks on the link in the email, it goes to (https://www.gofreecredit.com/eq-free-score/). This site is not authorized by the FTC as a credit reporting service. This site is a scam that is out to collect people’s personal information to be used for unlawful activities and possibly identity theft.

The domain is listed on several blacklists, including Spacequad AntiSpam Services.
http://www.spacequad.com

The site also sneaks in charges when you sign up for free without the customers consent or knowledge. The site has a poor reputation by the Web of Trust community which can be viewed by visiting http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/gofreecredit.com.

Actual Email

From: office05950@peakas.info (not related to the domain which makes it suspect as a scam)

Don’t fall victim to these free credit report scams! There’s only one credit reporting site authorized by the FTC to provide such services in addition to the three reporting agencies and that’s Free Annual Credit Reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Related Credit Report Phishing Scams
Credit Report Error Notice Phishing Scam
Free Annual Credit Report Scams
Free Credit Report Scams

Hard drives undoubtedly form an important part of your Mac computer system. It is not only a repository that facilitates non-volatile storage of data, rather much more than this. It is a place where your operating system, program files, and data reside. Mac hard drives require proper maintenance and verification tasks time after time to enable you easily get rid of all the impending drive failures. Data loss fears can still lurk around owing to a number of variables. Some of the potential reasons for data loss on Mac hard drives include frequent power surges or related problems, improper shutdowns or hard restarts, bad sectors on the drive, OS X bugs, etc. Due to these reasons, your hard drive becomes unreadable and leaves you in a tormenting situation of data loss. In these circumstances, you need to identify the underlying issue and opt for a competent Mac data recovery solution.

In some real-time scenarios of Mac disk corruption, you may encounter the following errors on your screen:

Cannot access <drive name> because a disk error occurred.

Or

Not an HFS volume

Or

The disk <drive> cannot be accessed because a disk error occurred

Or

Internal file system error

The above errors may show up due to a corrupt hard drive directory, which can indeed result in further problems like missing files or data corruption. In such cases, you may also see an incorrect value for free or occupied space on the disk drive. Mac OS X introduced the concept of file system journaling, which has proven to be a good solution for directory corruption and other similar problems.

In yet other cases, you may come across various kernel panic alerts. These occur due to defective RAM, incompatible kernel extensions, corrupt drivers, incorrect permissions on system files, etc. In case of incompatible kernel extensions, you need to check the panic log. You can fix them by installing and reinstalling corrupt third-party software applications. Additionally, you can use Disk Utility to resolve incorrect permissions on the startup disk and perform disk repair.

Similarly, to minimize the risks of data loss on your hard drive, you should implement a good backup plan. In case you still face data loss, you can use commercial third-party Mac recovery tools. This software follows a lucid and comprehensible approach to data recovery. They use safe, proprietary mechanisms to scan your Mac hard drive and recover every piece of lost, deleted, or inaccessible information in your system.

About: Data recovery on Mac OS X is still a topic of exploration where one needs to identify the importance of recovering data back from scenario likes hard disk corruption, accidental deletion of data, inaccessibility of the system and many.

Search any website or information hub about spying software and it will always tell you the same thing: computer monitoring software programs are designed to be an observing sentry for changes done automatically or manually in a computer unit. In a business establishment, this means monitoring the activity levels of each computer user.

But if we are to start observing things using the software, what exactly are we supposed to look for? What are the elements that we should know in order to configure a computer monitoring software properly? To provide the answers to those questions, we are presenting the different data categories that you might need to know in employee monitoring software.

System Usage

Changes in the system are some of the most basic information that is collected in almost any computer. This includes processor activity, memory usage, graphics card load, and other variables that variable changes depending on how the unit is used. For computer monitoring software, it is important that these types of data are constantly collected in order for the supervisor to know if there are a few odd activity spikes that should not have been there.

By the way, the system usage data category could also include file usage, data transfer can be considered as another way of changing data within the computer’s hard drive. So the tracking procedure might also include seeing if the files opened or transferred were somehow related to what the employee should be doing.

Software Usage

But changes in the computer aren’t just caused by data transfers or tweaked settings. How the software used, and how the software got there in the first place also occupy a considerable proportion within a computer’s data usage ratio. Software usage is perhaps a lot more important than system usage because it actually tells us how the computer was used. It gives is a direct indication on whether the employee used the computer for productive purposes or not (unlike files which only give us a vague idea on the computer’s activities).

System Load and Task Management

The system load and task management data category can be considered as essentially similar to software usage, because it focuses on the programs and applications used in the computer. However, it is fundamentally different because it tends to observe at a farther view point, monitoring all of the changes that are happening within each active program simultaneously.

Its greatest use in a computer monitoring software system is when it is used in tandem with software usage. First, it oversees all of the active programs, and if there’s something worth investigating in a single program, the software usage data category could then be released for further analysis.

Internet Usage

This is perhaps one of the most interesting data categories that we can observe using computer monitoring software. As the name implies, it is how the user explored the web using that specific unit. The sub-categories that are commonly used in collecting information for this data category include visited web pages and downloaded data. Since the internet can be a source of unexpected distraction, many computer monitoring software are installed with many features that are exclusively used in manipulating web access

Configuring your computer monitoring software requires us to learn and understand the importance of its data categories. It helps to gain a firm grasp on what we should actually be observing within the computer network.

Natalia David, an author significantly contributes towards Cell phone tracking, Cell phone and PC security Software and spy software for blackberry. If you want to know more about Natalia you can follow her on twitter @NataliaDavid4

There’s an email circulating that claims to give away a $100 gift card for Papa John’s Pizza. In order to collect your $100 Papa John’s Gift card, you have to answer 4 questions; (Do you like Papa Johns’, Your Gender, Age and how often you visit Facebook). It seems no matter how you answer these questions, you will automatically qualify to receive your gift card.

Congratulations! You qualify for a Free $100 Papa John’s Gift Card!

Actual Email

Once you qualify, you need to enter your email address to claim your prize. After you enter your email address you are taken to an online form where you have to provide personal identifiable information.

This is a scam out to collect personal information to be sold to third party marketers and or used for other illegal activities.

The web site promoting this scam has a poor reputation and is listed in many spam indexes.