Lots of websites collect personal information – some are just more obvious when doing it.

There are those sites that ask for personal information up front before granting the user access. Often, site visitors are asked for their name and e-mail address before gaining access. The Internet is a public place, so how anonymous are you? When you visit any web page, you leave traces of where you’ve been. Worse, if you share a computer, someone can see what you’ve been up to online in just a few clicks.

But there is a way to maintain your privacy through erasing the digital footprints that remain after you close your browser.

What’s important? When you want to cover your online tracks, consider removing the following: browser histories, cookies, cache files, AutoComplete information, e-mail trash, and log files created by chat programs and your internet connection. You can delete these items yourself, or install a program to do it for you.

Here are the 8 best ways to cover your online tracks:

1. Remove Most Recently Used (MRU) list

Most programs keep an MRU list showing the last used items. The most recently opened documents list is one of the ones you might be interested in, as it shows the last documents you’ve opened. You can remove or clear the list in one of several ways.

In Windows XP, you can right-click on the Start Menu, choose Properties > Start Menu > Customize > Advanced > Clear List. You can then uncheck “List my most recently opened documents” to prevent it from keeping a list in the future. Another method would be to manually remove it from the registry. Any time you tweak the registry, you run the risk of damaging your system so do so at your own risk.

If you want to remove the MRU from the registry, the key is found at HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer and then remove the key for “Recent Docs”. Again, back up your registry before you make any changes, there is always the risk of damage to your system.

(more…)

Whether it’s tools in mapping, security, DVD burning etc. we are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest features out there. Below are what we felt made the top of the list in 15 different software categories.

1. Tops in parental control

The new version of the web filtering program, Net Nanny, is great for parents who want to monitor their children’s activities but aren’t very technically savvy.

Its filters allow you to block material on the Web and manage what parents want their children to see. Parents can also get a monthly list of inappropriate websites and edit block lists so they’re always in control of what their children can and cannot see.

A white list can also be created so that only the websites on the list can be visited or viewed. Keyword lists can be created to filter out vulgar or inappropriate terms on web pages and on emails.

(more…)

Network monitoring is just one piece of the management model, and different capabilities are used for different levels.

Before you pick a tool, you need to understand what you’re measuring and what ‘normal’ is in your environment so you can identify problems as they happen. Here’s a few network monitoring tools to consider when selecting the one that’s right for you.

(more…)

When it comes to keeping your network secure, few things can be as critical (and annoying) as keeping your servers and workstations patched.

At least in the Windows world, Microsoft comes out with vulnerability patches on the second Tuesday of each month. 

Affectionately known as "Patch Tuesday" this is a day that is the bane of most IT Administrator’s existence. 

Why do you ask?  Because it means another round of downloading patches, another round of testing, another round of scheduling deployments and then dealing with any fallout when applications for some strange reason just stop working.

Automation is the Key

Anyone who’s been in the IT industry for any length of time knows that automation is the key to eternal happiness, and automating system patching is essential.

(more…)

Many companies are already chomping at the bit to take advantage of many of the features Windows Server 2008 offers.

Services such as improvements to Terminal Services, Server Virtualization and security enhancements including bitlocker and read-only domain controllers for branch-office type installations.

Many of the services and features included in Windows Server 2008 will be able to replace software and applications many companies pay for currently.  While this is certainly going to be a welcome addition by many IT departments, it also creates opportunities as well.

Training and certification will continue to play a big part in securing higher paying jobs, opening doors, being considered for new opportunities, changing careers, earning the promotion, etc.  Some of the Top IT Certifications for 2008 will continue to be the perennial favorites, including CompTIA A+ Certification and Cisco CCNA Certification.

(more…)