How to Protect Your IP Address in Windows

The acronym “IP”, in computing terminology, refers to an “Internet Protocol address.” It is number that identifies your computer or network and separates it from all other computers or networks on the Internet. It allows other computers and networks to identify your own connection and initiate communication, which is the basis of how the Internet actually operates. Because of the important job of an IP address, it is equally important that you take steps to protect your own, especially if you own and operate a business. If your IP address is used in the wrong way by a person with malicious intentions, it could potentially cause irreparable harm to your network, your computer or even your business.

A number of different things can potentially happen to your business if your system’s IP addresses are compromised. Because of its importance and the precise way in which it operates, someone with questionable intentions could use the IP address to gain access to your network from the outside. This puts all connected computers, and the sensitive data stored on them, at risk. Someone with advanced technical knowledge could also potentially use your business’ IP address to hide their own, covering their own tracks while performing illegal activities and pinning the blame on you and your company. This makes protecting your IP address of the utmost importance.

In addition, certain websites may install malicious software on your computer that uses your IP address to glean additional information. This information could be small, like what websites you browse to be used for targeted advertisement purposes. It could also be large, like those whom you frequently e-mail or communicate with. Protecting your IP address not only protects your business, but it protects your clients as well.

Peer Block is one program capable of protecting your computer’s IP address by blocking specific connection attempts. It is an open sourced utility that is available free of charge at Peer Block’s main site. Peer Block operates using a series of IP address “block lists,” similar to the virus definitions that your business anti-virus software would use. If any of the IP addresses on the block lists (which are typically malicious programs, computers and users) attempt to make connection with your business computer, the connection is denied. Peer Block can also block outgoing connections to the same addresses. This can be especially useful if your business computers have been compromised, and malicious software is attempting to make contact with its original source.

BeeThink IP Blocker is another program available for Windows that operates similar to Peer Block. It is available at BeeThink’s main page. In addition to offering “block list” protection from IP addresses, the program is also capable of preventing specific types of attacks from outside sources. A DDoS, or “denial of service” attack is just one such example. If your business server experiences a DDoS attack, the server itself is overloaded with so many simultaneous information requests that it can no longer function. This could send your business, or at least its ability to communicate, grinding to a halt.

You can also use most standard firewall software, like the program that comes natively installed in the Windows operating system, to block specific IP addresses or entire ranges of addresses. This, however, requires you to know the specific IP addresses that you are trying to block and input that information manually. Windows Firewall in particular does not have block list capabilities that rival that of other programs. It is, however, already installed on your computer so no additional downloads are required.

The Benefits of VoIP Connections for Your Business

The computing term VoIP is short for “Voice over IP,” or “Voice over Internet Protocol.” It refers to a technology where certain communication methods like voice, fax or SMS text messages are sent over the Internet rather than through traditional phone lines. Though this is a relatively new phenomenon in the world of computing, it has already been widely adapted and put to good use in the corporate world. VoIP has many clear benefits over traditional telephone communication, and is wonderfully easy to use.

One clear benefit of VoIP communication is that voice information and data can be transmitted over a single network. This means that you no longer need to have separate phone lines and Internet lines to run your business – one single line is capable of handling both jobs.

VoIP communications services are also bandwidth efficient. Though the handsets are operating using the same connection that your corporate Internet services will filter through, you will not notice any speed degradation in regards to your Internet connection while making or receiving calls.

VoIP services are also one way to lower the overall costs for your business. The start with, you no longer need to have two monthly bills – one for your phone service, and the other for your business Internet connection. Since the service is more than capable of handling both jobs, you only need a single bill. In addition, VoIP services are just inherently cheaper due to their very nature when compared to traditional copper wire phone lines offered by telephone companies.

VoIP connections also make it easier to do work out of the office. VoIP handsets make it possible to receive calls to your business lines from anywhere an Internet connection is present. Traditional telephone services require that you be in one physical location during a call, or at least tapped into the same line. This will cut down overall operating costs in an additional way. Instead of having a business land-line telephone and a separate business cell-phone, you can have one VoIP handset capable of making calls anywhere.

One popular company that offers VoIP services is Skype. Skype gives users the ability to not only make voice calls over the Internet, but text and video calls as well. Any calls that you make to other users who are also subscribers to Skype will be free. Calls to non-Skype users and international users will be subject to the service’s fee structure. Skype is also supported by many mobile phones and devices including Apple’s iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Skype offers services geared directly at business owners with plans for home offices, small businesses, medium businesses and enterprise users available on their website. You can sign up for any Skype plan at Skype’s homepage.

Other communications companies, like AT&T, Verizon and Vonage, also offer similar VoIP services aimed directly at business users. These plans vary in price depending on the size of the installation, how many handsets you will need and other things of that nature. The benefit of going with one of these companies over something like Skype is that you can often bundle services together. Bundling a VoIP phone service with Internet service will save you money over buying the services individually. If your business or home office requires cable television, you can further save money by bundling all three services together. These plans can be obtained by signing up at the provider’s website.

Five Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your iPad

Apple tends to release a new model of its iPad portable tablet device every twelve months. These new models don’t just have new features; they also tend to be faster and sleeker in design. An iPad is an expensive commitment, so it’s natural to question whether an upgrade is really necessary. However, if you’re experiencing a few key signs that every iPad user will eventually come to know, you should realize that it’s time to trade up for a newer and better version.

If your applications start running slower than you’re comfortable with, it’s time to upgrade to a new iPad. The designers and companies that make and release applications for the iPad tend to program them with the latest and greatest hardware in mind. If an application is released at the same time as a new model iPad, for example, it will be designed to run perfectly on that new version. However, these companies also regularly release updates to their software that could cause the application that has always run perfectly to slow down as your iPad ages. This is especially true of applications that store large amounts of data, like eBook reading applications.

If you can’t upgrade to the newest version of iOS, it’s time to buy a new iPad. Just because Apple has released a new version of the iPad’s operating system doesn’t mean your model will be able to run it. For example, iOS version 6 isn’t compatible with the original model iPad. Not being able to update your operating system could result in a loss of the over 200 new features that these software updates typically bring.

If you need a camera, it’s time to upgrade your iPad. The original model iPad, released in 2010, did not feature a camera. All iPad models released afterwards do have the ability to capture both photos and videos. If your iPad is getting older and you want to buy a camera anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone. Take the money you would have spent on a new camera and put it towards the cost of the upgrade.

Service will eventually get very expensive. As Apple hardware devices like the iPad get older, it becomes harder to have them serviced. There will likely come a time where the cost of getting your iPad serviced is half or more of the cost of a new model. When that time eventually comes, the money would be better spent upgrading to a new iPad that will run problem free for the next few years.

If you’re out of hard drive space, consider upgrading to a new iPad. If you bought one of the smaller-sized iPad models and need more space, don’t make the same mistake twice. Learn from your lesson and buy the biggest size you can afford. Apple iPad models are commonly available in 16 gigabyte, 32 gigabyte and 64 gigabyte models. Future models will likely have even more storage space beyond the current limit of 64 gigabytes.

How to Run Windows Update in Windows

It’s always imperative that you keep your computer software up to date. This is especially true when talking about an operating system like Windows. Microsoft regularly releases updates, bug fixes and additional features free to Windows users. These updates can be quickly and easily downloaded and installed via a native application within the operating system itself. Updates can also be downloaded for other Microsoft products, like the Microsoft Office productivity suite, through the same utility.

Step 1

Open Windows Update. There are a few different ways you can accomplish this. The first is by clicking “Start,” selecting “All Programs” and choosing the icon for the utility. The second is by clicking “Start” and typing “Windows Update” into the search box. The utility will appear in the list of programs that appears shortly thereafter. Click the icon to open the program.

Step 2

Give Windows Update a few seconds to automatically check for available updates. If no updates are available, you will be notified at this time. If updates are available they will be separated into two categories – “Important Updates” and “Optional Updates.”

Step 3

Click “Important Updates” to view a list of the available updates in this category. These types of updates include ones to important system files and the Windows operating system itself. Check the box next to any update you want to download. Because they are considered important, it is typically recommended that you download any updates in this section. Click the “Ok” button when finished.

Step 4

Click “Optional Updates” to view a list of available updates in this category. These types of updates include ones to the optional Microsoft Windows anti-malware utility, ones for Microsoft Office and other updates of similar nature. You do not have to download or install any updates in this category if you don’t want to. Check the box next to any update you want to download. Click the “Ok” button when finished.

Step 5

Click the “Install Updates” button on the right side of the screen. Windows Update will download the necessary files for all of the updates you have previously selected. When the download is finished, the updates will automatically be installed.

Step 6

Click “Restart Now.” In order to finish installed updates, Microsoft Windows often needs to be rebooted. Clicking the “Restart Now” button will turn your computer off and turn it back on again. The installation for the selected updates will be complete.

Five Ways to Speed up Your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad

Though Apple’s iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad devices are truly remarkable, they’re not perfect. Case in point: just as a computer will slow down the more you use it, so too will Apple’s flagship line of devices. Certain performance issues just can’t be helped, like programs being created with newer and more advanced hardware in mind. But if your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad are generally slow and sluggish, there are a few free ways that you can get its speed back up to the blazing-fast performance that you’re used to.

Close programs you aren’t using anymore. After using a program, most of us just press the “Home” button when we’re done. This closes the program and returns you to your device’s “Home” screen. What many people don’t realize is that it doesn’t actually close the program – it just minimizes it. Press the “Home” button twice to view a list of apps that are currently running. Press and hold on one of the apps until they all start to wobble. Press the “-“ button above the app to close that particular program. The more apps that are running at once, even when you’re not using them, the slower your device will go.

Uninstall apps you don’t use. Having too many applications installed on your device at one time will take up valuable hard drive space, which will ultimately slow down your Apple device. Either uninstall an app via your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad or have the device removed via iTunes on your computer. Always leave some space on the hard drive free to avoid slowing your device down for this reason.

Remove content you don’t watch or listen to. This effectively performs the same function as uninstalling apps you don’t use – it frees up hard drive space. Leaving even a small amount of free hard drive space, like a couple of gigabytes or so, will yield speed-related benefits almost immediately.

Stop upgrading to the newest version of iOS. Each new version of iOS that becomes available requires more system resources than the one that preceded it. This is because the newer versions are designed for newer models of the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Just because a new version is available doesn’t mean you have to download it. For example, downloading iOS version 5 on an iPhone 3GS will dramatically slow that device. If your device is more than a year or so old, it’s probably time to stop upgrading the operating system.

Stop upgrading applications if the updates specify they take advantages of a new version of the iOS software. Just because you downloaded an app when it was new doesn’t mean it’s always going to run smoothly on your device. Newer versions of applications are designed to take advantage of the latest hardware models of Apple’s iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad devices. This means that the newer version may actually run slower on your device if it isn’t a brand new model. Before you download an update, check the “Update Notes” in the iTunes Store. If the update is geared specifically at improvements for newer hardware models, steer clear.

How to Uninstall Applications on Your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad

When you download an application using your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad, that application automatically installs itself on your device. This is a similar process to the one your computer goes through whenever you install a new program or game. Though there are hundreds of thousands of applications available in the iTunes App Store, the actual devices themselves certainly don’t have room for that many. If your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad are quickly filling up and you need to free some space, you can do so by uninstalling any third-party application in just a few quick moments.

On the Device

Step 1

Navigate to the screen on your iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone that you want to uninstall. If the application is stored in a folder, open the folder. If it’s on a separate screen, slide your finger to the appropriate screen.

Step 2

Press your finger down on the application’s icon. Hold your finger in this position until all the icons on screen start to wobble. An “X” will also appear in the corner of the icon.

Step 3

Tap the “X” in the corner of the icon. Select “Remove” to uninstall the application from your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.

On Your Computer

Step 1

Plug your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad into your computer. If the Apple iTunes device management software does not load automatically, load the program manually at this time.

Step 2

Click on your device’s name. This is the same process you would go through to sync any type of content to the device. Click “Apps” in the device’s “Settings” page. Scroll through the list of available applications in iTunes until you find the one you want to uninstall. Click the checked box next to its name. This removes the check, and also tells iTunes that you no longer want to sync the application to your device.

Step 3

Click “Sync.” Your new settings specifications will be synced to your iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone. This will uninstall the selected application from your device.

How to Restrict Apps and Other Mature Content on an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad

Certain applications on the iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad feature content that you may not want younger members of your household to access. This can be anything from a specific program altogether (like one allowing users to view mature videos), or even the ability to use the device’s built-in Web browser. You don’t have to uninstall these applications from the device completely to prevent younger children and teens from using them, however. Instead, you can just set restrictions on your device. This requires you to enter a passcode whenever you want to use a particular restricted app. If you don’t want someone to be able to access the application, don’t give them the passcode.

Step 1

Open the application labeled “Settings” on your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. By default, this icon will be on the main page of installed applications. If you have moved this application at any time, navigate to its current location and open it now.

Step 2

Tap “General.” This will load a new page of options. From the list on screen, tap “Restrictions.”

Step 3

Tap “Enable Restrictions.” If this is the first time you’re enabling restrictions on your device, you will be forced to enter a four digit passcode. This can be any four digit code you are comfortable with, and should be one that you can remember. Enter the code now to continue.

Step 4

Select the application or applications that you want to restrict. This can be any application on the device, including ones like YouTube and Safari that come pre-installed and can’t be completely removed. Tap the “ON” button next to a particular application to toggle the restrictions on and off as needed.

Step 5

Scroll down to the “Allowed Content” portion of the window on screen. This allows you to specify what types of media content a person can view. For example, if you don’t want a young child to be able to watch R-rated movies from the iTunes Store, you can restriction access to such content in this portion of the window.

Press the “Home” key to exit the “Settings” application when finished. Anytime a person tries to view content that has been restricted, they will be automatically prompted to enter the passcode. If they cannot provide the passcode, they will be unable to view the content.