UltraFileSearch Lite: One Of The Best Free Replacements To Windows Search


windows search replacementIt’s a bit of a shame that the Windows Search experience has been lackluster in recent OS releases like XP, Vista, 7, and even (in my opinion) 8. Luckily, for the savvy user, there are a whole mess of third-party solutions that make searching the Windows file system what it ought to be: simple and effective.
Picking at your brain on this subject, the first alternative that should come to many minds is Everything. This piece of software is to searching your Windows PC as Dropbox is to file synchronization. There are others though, and neglecting those options could mean you’re missing out on something you find to be even better!
Another of our writers, Aaron, recently pulled through with an article that introduces users to seven pieces of software in this class. In the comments, I stumbled across a recommendation by one of our great readers: UltraFileSearch. After checking out the software, I thought it’d be right to feature a full article on it and introduce everyone else to the extensive round of features.

Click here to check out the official UltraFileSearch website!

First, be advised that UltraFileSearch is available in two versions: Standard (shareware) and Lite (freeware). In this article, I’ll be covering the Lite edition. If you’d like to check out the differences between both versions, check out the Features page of their page.
windows search replacement
UltraFileSearch is advertised as being compatible with the following versions of Windows:
  • Windows® NT 4.0
  • Windows® 2000
  • Windows® XP
  • Windows® Server 2003
  • Windows® Server 2003 R2
  • Windows Vista®
  • Windows® Server 2008
  • Windows® 7
  • Windows® Server 2008 R2
However, I tested it out on Windows 8 Pro (64-bit) and it worked just fine.
Both versions are available in hard installation and portable forms. As always, I go for the portable version. The download is only 1.90 MB in size and will take you a quick second. Afterwards, simply extract the archive to a folder of your choice.
free replacement windows search
Getting comfortable with the interface isn’t difficult. While there are other search applications that are more stylish and glossy, UltraFileSearch Lite is aesthetically plain.
free replacement windows search
Just looking at the above screenshot, you can see many of the features available to you in UltraFileSearch Lite:
  • Search by Mode, either Simple or Wildcards for more efficient searching.
  • Support to search external and flash drives.
  • Recursive scanning of subfolders.
  • Search specifically for files or folder names.
While many Windows Search ninjas may know how to utilize aforementioned features with what comes with Windows, UltraFileSearch Lite really puts it out there for you. Across the top, you should also see the Containing Text and Date and Size tabs. These are further ways to narrow your results.
free replacement windows search
Searches for containing text are really great for TXT, PDF, DOCX, and other text-based file formats. UltraFileSearch Lite supports matching words or phrases, case sensitivity, and allows you to include or exclude certain file types.
replace windows search
Searching by date and size can be a great substitute for wildcard searches. If you’re searching for one specific file that you know was modified, created, or last accessed in the past hour, UltraFileSearch Lite is great for pinpointing that. You can also search for files of large sizes if you’re interested in saving disk space, for example.
It should be known that UltraFileSearch Lite installs no services or anything in the background. That being said, no indexing is possible. For users who don’t want a resource-intensive search, this is great. Unlike Everything though, UltraFileSearch Lite also does not create a database of your files per search. Either way, it is just as its name suggests and very light. You’ll find search speeds to be generally slower than another application that supports these features, but any other assumptions about speed are completely dependent on the specifications of your system.
replace windows search
Additional features include the ability to export your search results in multiple different formats. I find the HTML format to be the most pleasing to read and scan over.
replace windows search
You can also export to comma-delimited or plain text formats. You can also change the view of how your search results are displayed.
windows search replacement
Above you can see results displayed as large icons rather than a list. It’s little features like that which make UltraFileSearch Lite a pleasant experience. Another big deal about UltraFileSearch Lite is that it can search any NTFS or FAT systems. Many others don’t support FAT32. You’re also able to search by environment variables and network path names, which are two features that advanced users may find very useful.
Overall, UltraFileSearch may seem to pale in comparison to your trusty Everything, but it will get the job done better than Windows Search. It’s a free and portable application that I think is worth a try. Let me know what you think of UltraFileSearch Lite in the comments!

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What Is The Difference Between A Worm, A Trojan & A Virus?


difference between worm and virusSome people call any type of malicious software a “computer virus,” but that isn’t accurate. Viruses, worms, and trojans are different types of malicious software with different behaviors. In particular, they spread themselves in very different ways.
Malicious software in general is referred to as “malware.” If you want a catch-all term for bad computer software, malware is the word to use. The good news is that your antivirus program doesn’t care what the malicious software is called — antivirus programs also remove worms, trojans, and other types of malware.

Viruses Infect Other Files

difference between worm and virusA computer virus infects other files, similar to how a biological virus infects living cells. When you execute a virus by running an already-infected file, the virus infects other files on your system. In most cases, it adds itself to existing .exe files on your system, so it will run when they do.
Some types of viruses can also infect other types of files, such as macros in Word or Excel documents. The virus spreads when an infected file is transmitted to another system. This may happen via an email attachment, removable storage device or a network file share.
Viruses also wreak havoc on your system. In some cases, they may replace existing program files with themselves entirely instead of just adding themselves to the existing programs. They may delete files and announce their presence. Viruses can also take up system memory and cause crashes.

Worms Copy Themselves

A worm is a standalone program that doesn’t require user intervention to spread. Worms don’t infect existing files – they spread copies of themselves instead.
difference between worm and trojan horseSome worms, like the infamous Mydoom worm, email copies of themselves to every address in a computer’s address book. Some of the most dangerous and fast spreading worms, such as the Blaster and Sasser worms, exploit vulnerabilities in network services. Instead of emailing files, they travel over the network and infect unpatched systems that aren’t running firewalls.
Worms that spread over the network can generate a large amount of traffic, slowing down the network. Once a worm is on your system, it can perform the same malicious actions that a virus can.

Trojans Lie In Wait

Trojans are named after the mythological trojan horse. To conquer the city of Troy, the Greeks constructed a wooden horse and presented it to the Trojans as a gift. The Trojans accepted the gift into their city. Later that night, Greek soldiers emerged from the inside of the hollow wooden horse, opened the city gate – and you can imagine what followed.
difference between worm and trojan horseA trojan horse is the same sort of thing. Trojan horses masquerade as useful software, such as a legitimate program or an illicit crack for a legitimate program. Instead of being well-behaved software, a trojan opens a backdoor on your system.
The trojan’s author can use the backdoor to make your system part of a botnet, use your Internet connection to perform illicit activities that will be traced back to you, download other malware programs onto your system, or do anything else they want.
Trojans don’t try to spread themselves in any way. Trojans must be manually executed by a user.


Other Threats

These aren’t the only types of malware. Here are a few other common ones:
    difference between worm and virus
  • Spyware – Spyware spies on you. Spyware encompasses everything from “key loggers” that log your keystrokes to steal your credit card information and online banking passwords, to advertising programs that monitor your web browsing activity and send it over the Internet. Spyware is generally designed to make money for its creators. Some antivirus programs don’t detect and remove this sort of software, but Windows Defender, built into Windows 8, does.
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  • Scareware – Scareware, also known as crimeware, often appears as a fake antivirus alert on a web page. If you believe the  alert and download the fake antivirus program, it will inform you that you have viruses on your system. The antivirus program asks for a credit card number, insisting on a payment before “fixing” your system. Scareware holds your system hostage until you pay or remove it.
Keep your operating system and other software up-to-date and run an antivirus program to protect yourself from these dangers.
Is there anything else you want to know about viruses, worms, trojans, or other type of malware? Leave a comment and I’ll answer any questions you have.




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The Three Best Free Firewalls for Windows


The Internet is a dangerous place. Viruses, worms, Trojan Horses – there seems to be all manner of threats just waiting to spring on your computer and cause trouble.
One way of protecting yourself is, of course, through the use of antivirus program. An antivirus can detect a problem and quarantine the file which is attempting to infect your system. However, antivirus programs can’t catch everything, and they don’t monitor your network connection for unauthorized attempts to access your computer.
That is the job of firewall software. When combined with an antivirus program, firewall software can provide excellent protect against a wide range of threats. Let’s take a look at three best free firewall programs which will help you protect your Windows 8 PC.

Comodo Internet Security

best free firewall
Comodo has long been considered one of the best free firewall tools available. Comodo is now a full Internet security company providing many for-pay solutions, but they still provide a comprehensive free Internet security suite (with firewall) which has been given a five-star rating from CNET. Comodo technically includes an antvirus and a firewall, and the antivirus is quite good. Of course, it is up to you if you want to actually keep the antivirus protection active or you choose to just use the firewall.
Comodo has many advanced features which can help protect your computer if malware does become active on the system. This includes the ability to lock down specific files and registry keys. Comodo also has received praise for being relatively light on system resources, which is commendable for any free product. This makes it the best free firewall for computers which are older and sometimes struggle running firewall programs. Be aware that Comodo does install the Ask.com toolbar by default, but you can opt out if you desire.

PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition

best free firewall
A powerful firewall capable of providing excellent protection for your computer, PC Tools Firewall Free Edition offers a focused feature set well suited for tackling network security issues.
PC Tools Firewall Free Edition has been praised for its great interface which makes it relatively easy to use compared to other free firewalls. Many users have found that the PC Tools Firewall is easier to install than other options and that it has a low rate of false positives, an annoying trait which plagues some free firewalls. PC Tools Firewall also received a four star rating from CNET, placing it just behind Comodo.
PC Tools Firewall will ask to install Spyware Doctor, a free anti-malware program. Spyware Doctor is not a third party program but rather another program made by PC Tools. It is competent, but the free version isn’t a replacement for antivirus software. Overall, PC Tools is a great choice for users who have been confused by firewall interfaces in the past.

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall

best free firewall
ZoneAlarm was one of the first free firewalls available for Windows computers. It has a long history of providing great protection against numerous types of threats. While the basic functions of ZoneAlarm remain the same as ever, ZoneAlarm has been refined significantly over the years.
The free version of ZoneAlarm has many advanced features, such as automatic Wi-FI security, anti-phishing protection, and behavioral threat detection. Many of these extra features are not really the responsibility of a firewall, but it is always nice to have extra protection. The core firewall features of ZoneAlarm Free remain strong, prompting a five-star review from CNET. The outbound protection is cited as being particularly strong. Outbound protection helps ensure that malware attempting to relay data from your computer to another computer will not be allowed to function
ZoneAlarm can appear a be daunting, but it provides the best overall firewall protection and is a good choice for advanced users.
Which is your favourite firewall program? Why is it better than the ones listed here? Tried any of the apps above? Share your thoughts in the comments.



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9 Ways To Prevent Identity Theft By Computer Hackers


how to prevent identity theft by computer hackersIn this digital age, where almost the entire human knowledge is stored online, some of the most valuable information you possess is your own identity. The term refers to information that enables an identity thief to impersonate their victim to access their bank account, to obtain and abuse a credit card in their victim’s name, or to tap into other resources.
Hackers have found many ways to come by this information, for example cracking email account passwords, introducing keyloggers that record every keystroke made on a computer, or intercepting the Internet traffic of their victim and recording the transmitted information. Likewise, there are a multitude of steps you can take to protect yourself and your personal information from these attacks.

1. Use A Firewall

Hackers who do not have direct access to your computer can get into your system through your Internet connection. One way to get in is via an open network port. A firewall controls all traffic that passes through your network ports, whether it’s coming in or going out. The software acts like a gatekeeper and allows you to decide which programs get to send and receive information.
how to prevent identity theft by computer hackers
Windows comes with a basic firewall. In Windows 7 you can access the settings of your firewall under > Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall.
There are several alternatives to the default Windows firewall, which offer more features for advanced users. 

2. Secure Your Network

A person who has access to your network can intercept your network traffic and possibly gain access to sensitive data. Hence, it is imperative to change the default login information of your router and set a network password for your local WiFi.
steps to prevent identity theft

3. Use Anti-Malware Software

Possibly the easiest way for a hacker to sneak into your system is by using malicious software installations authorized or performed by the naive user. In some cases, the user doesn’t even need to authorize anything, as the spyware auto-runs and installs itself  as soon as the user opens a file or allows a script to run off a website. Anti-malware software can protect your data by detecting malicious activity on your computer and preventing an infection.
steps to prevent identity theft

4. Work With A Standard Or Limited User Account

Most people prefer to work with the Administrator account because it seems more convenient. You can easily install a program without having to switch users or run an installation file with Administrator rights. Well, guess how many hackers or malicious programs like that!
steps to prevent identity theft
Windows Vista and Windows 7 have made the system more secure by requiring a confirmation or Administrator login information when programs attempt to make changes to the system. If you are still using Windows XP, however, be sure to make your default account a non-Admin account. You can still run processes as Administrator from within this account, provided you know the login information.
Also, do set a password for the default Administrator account. Often, the Administrator account has no password. This is another open door into your system, especially if someone had direct access to your computer, so you better lock it.

5. Use Strong Passwords & Change Them Often

The only thing you can do to protect online accounts, such as your webmail or online banking, is to choose strong passwords, a different one for each and every account, and then change your passwords often. This is hard, but for accounts that contain sensitive information, such as personal data or credit card numbers, it is incredibly important.
ways to prevent identity theft

6. Encrypt Sensitive Data

When storing sensitive data on your hard drive or on an external storage device, encrypt it. This way it is hard to access, even if a hacker does gain access to your computer and manages to copy data. An excellent free open source tool to encrypt data is TrueCrypt.
ways to prevent identity theft

7. Use Secure Connections For Sending Sensitive Data

The Internet is just too convenient not to be used. It’s fun and easy to sign up for new accounts, participate in contests, shop from your couch, and plan your vacation. Every time you use such a service, you reveal a bit of personal information: your name, address, personal interests, banking details, and when you will be away from home.  This information is highly valuable!
To protect your personal information when using online services, be sure that data is exclusively submitted via an encrypted secure connections (SSL/TLS protocol). You are dealing with a secure connection when the URL in your browser starts with https:// instead ofhttp://. Presently, you can set Facebook, Gmail and Twitter to constantly connect through HTTPS, which increases the security of exchanging information through these sites.
ways to prevent identity theft

8. Keep Operating System & Software Updated

Most programs have bugs and the worst of them are security holes. To fix bugs, software developers provide patches and software updates. Updating your operating system, your drivers, and all installed software thus is not a question of accessing new features, it’s a matter of keeping your system safe and functional.
software updates

9. Wipe & Overwrite Storage Devices Before Discarding

Before you dispose of hardware that previously stored personal information, for example hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, or DVDs, either physically destroy the item or overwrite the entire drive. Deleting files or formatting a drive alone is not sufficient. Hackers will be able to restore the information. You must overwrite the storage space with random data.
how to prevent identity theft by computer hackers









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