Making The Most Of Technology

We live in a day and age where technology has become a crucial aspect of everyone’s lives. It is common to see tech gadgets everywhere and people can’t go about their day without checking in on their social media accounts using handheld smartphones, tablets, or computers. Aside from socializing, the main reason we use too much technology now is that most things have gone digital. Whether it be at school or at work, most tasks are done online or at least with the use of a computer or a similar gadget.

Since it is no longer avoidable to invest so much of our time with these modern contrivances, why not make the most of technology and optimize the benefits you get from either your smartphone or your computer. With the growing influence of the Internet of Things, many of today’s devices easily connect to the web. Take advantage of the cloud by saving files online, so you can easily access it whenever you need it. You don’t even have to open a computer because you can open files through your phone instead as long as you have an Internet connection.

You already split your screen time between your smartphone and your computer. Why not put the two together? There are several ways to use your devices in harmony, increasing the efficiency of both. From syncing data to jumping between apps, here are five ways to make your phone and computer play nice.

If you work on the go, you'll want access to the same files on both your phone and computer—so sync them up. Lots of apps will do the job for you, but all of them function in more or less the same way. First, choose a service. On your phone, install the mobile version; on your computer, download the desktop client or access the web interface through your browser. Then sign in to your account whenever you want to access your up-to-date files.

The hardest part is probably choosing which service to use. On iOS, the default option is iCloud, and on Android, it's Google Drive. When you set up your phone, it will prompt you to sign in with your Apple or Google account to configure these services, and once you do, they'll be compatible with both Windows and macOS machines.

(Via: https://www.popsci.com/phone-computer-work-together#page-2)

Regardless if it is an Android device or an iOS one, there are apps you can download and the phones itself have features that enable the user more functionality and allow you to maximize its features in order to do more.

With smart technology, you can also access the web with just a click of a button and you can access millions of data anytime you want. To make your life easier, better download a browser app so you no longer have to sign in every single time you make a browser search.

Along with the benefits of modern technology are downsides that show how vulnerable we all are on the web. If you don’t know how to protect yourself properly online, you may not only compromise your gadget but as well as your sensitive personal information that online hackers can have access to if you make one small mistake. Remember that there are lots of malware circulating on the web that can attack you without you knowing because of careless online behaviors.

Victims of vile 'ransomware' computer attacks are being urged to ignore the sick demands – or face yet more blackmail threats.

Hundreds of readers have contacted The Mail on Sunday in the past few days to share their horror at receiving a twisted demand for money to avoid embarrassing details of their private life being exposed to everyone – even though they have done nothing wrong. 

The vast majority of those targeted have ignored the unpleasant messages – as they should – but not everyone.

The new web crime, revealed in The Mail on Sunday last week, involves emails from criminals claiming the recipient has been caught watching an adult website and that this act has been captured on their computer camera.

(Via: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/guides/article-6323857/As-thousands-report-victims-vile-ransomware-computer-attacks-heres-stay-safe.html)

These ransomware attacks are all over the web now but there is a big likelihood that it can also affect smartphone users especially that you also access the web using your phone. You’ll be surprised at how extensive the operation of these online hackers are and they can spread your personal data to others for a profit. Not all the time you can be protected by firewalls or anti-virus software installed on your devices because there are different ways now being used by online attackers to steal your information.

Data loss is possible if you continually use a computer that is infected with a virus or a specific type of malware because it has the tendency to corrupt your hard drive sooner rather than later. When that happens, you’ll need the assistance of professionals not only to fix your drive but also get your data back. So, you also need to know about https://www.harddriverecovery.org/pricing.html. Meanwhile, not only are individuals targeted but big businesses too that rely on servers to keep their entire operation in order. Read about https://www.harddriverecovery.org/raid-pricing.html for more details on server recovery pricing so you don’t pay more than you should be.

The blog article Making The Most Of Technology is courtesy of http://www.harddriverecovery.org

source https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/making-the-most-of-technology/

Is It Time To Make The Switch: Mac To Windows?

If you make a survey of all the computer users in the world, the majority are undoubtedly Windows users. Only a handful of the general population uses Apple products because the price is the first hindrance to most people. Apple gadgets are generally expensive and the price difference between other brands is so wide that the public would prefer buying the lesser known brand since it essentially does the same thing as what an Apple device can offer. So, no matter how superior Apple computers and cellular phones are, it is not enough to entice the public to choose it over the competition.

Meanwhile, Apple has a loyal customer-base who only uses Apple products from computers to smartphones over the years. But there are still a few who eventually switch from an iOS device to a Windows one for a lot of reasons. It is uncommon for Apple users to make the switch but as the years go by, more and more of their customers have grown fond of the functionality and other notable features of Windows computers that rather than shell out thousands of bucks on more expensive Macbook pros, why not choose a Windows PC that basically does the same thing at a lesser price.

Depending on what you need out of a computer, you might be able to spend next to nothing (relative to the cost of a Mac, anyway) on a Chromebook and find yourself completely satisfied.

But if you’re after something a little more powerful, chances are you’ll need a Windows computer. And unlike the hulking, plastic behemoths of yesteryear, today’s Windows PCs have actually caught up to Apple in terms of design, and in some cases, are aping its stylebetter than Apple is itself.

If you’re thinking of switching from Apple to Windows, here are a few things that might make the transition a little easier:

The basics—switching from Mac to Windows

Over the years, some of the most common reasons users gave for being hesitant to switch from macOS to Windows have revolved around fears that the jump from the way Apple computers work to Windows would be too confusing, that it’d be too difficult to swap over after years of using Apple software.

(Via: https://qz.com/1350832/theres-never-been-a-better-time-to-switch-from-macs-to-windows/)

With all the tech innovations these days, you can see how much most Windows computers have changed for the better. They are gradually catching up with all the nice features one can see on most Mac computers but still have more appeal to many computer users because of its user-friendly interface. Apple users who have been with the company since its inception eventually realizes that many Windows PCs are almost at par with Apple devices making it worth their time, attention, and money.

Even making the switch isn’t as troublesome anymore as one would think it is because you can read or watch a lot of guides online on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Even Apple’s svelte features, streamlined design, and durably built is no longer enough to entice its customers to stay.

1. You can get a Windows PC for much cheaper than a Mac.

The least expensive Mac you can buy is the $500 Mac Mini, but you can get super-basic Windows PCs for under $300 that will work just fine for basic tasks, such as running a web browser.

The same thing goes for laptops too. The cheapest Mac laptop you can buy is the $1,000 MacBook Air, which isn't within everyone's budget for simple tasks. Meanwhile, you can get Windows laptops under $600 that will handle simple tasks just fine.

2. There are far more Windows PC options to choose from.

Apple is the only company that makes its own Mac computers, and you have fewer choices when it comes to designs and specs. Having fewer options can make it easier to pick a computer, but it doesn't always suit someone with more advanced requirements.

You don't get much choice when it comes to the processor and RAM with Macs, for example, which dictates how much power the computer has and how smoothly it'll run.

(Via: https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-windows-pc-vs-apple-mac-os-2018-5#1-you-can-get-a-windows-pc-for-much-cheaper-than-a-mac-1)

Of course, the main selling point why computer users switch from Apple PCs to Windows is that price. If you choose a Windows computers, you may be able to save several hundreds of dollars because a Mac mini, for instance, cost around $500 already and for laptops, it can go up by the thousands. If you are price-conscious and wanting to save money without sacrificing quality, there are plenty of Window options you can choose from that are almost just as good as a Mac computer or laptop.

They have one thing in common, though – both are still susceptible to physical or mechanical failure especially the hard drive. There are different reasons why your hard drive can fail and you are at risk whether you use a Mac or a Windows PC. Avoid these problems by educating yourself on the common mistakes done by users that lead to hard drive failure https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/hard-drive-failure-recovery-three-major-user-mistakes/. This will often require professional services https://www.harddriverecovery.org/clean_room.html because they are sensitive and further data loss is possible if you aren’t careful about it. Better let the pros do it because but make sure you go to a Mac expert for Mac computers and a Windows specialist for Windows PCs.

Is It Time To Make The Switch: Mac To Windows? Read more on: The Hard Drive Recovery Group Blog

source https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/is-it-time-to-make-the-switch-mac-to-windows/

Problems With Your Hard Drive

Your computer does so much for you that you feel lost without it. This piece of device holds so much data and does a multitude of function that virtually makes it irreplaceable. However, it also has its vulnerabilities. You should be extra careful when handling or using it because a simple mistake can render your computer useless. But which part of your device truly matters the most? Well, all parts are useful and thus important but if there is one aspect you should handle with most care then that has to be the hard drive.

The hard drive is like the lifeblood of your computer. It has moving parts making it more prone to wear and tear. Just imagine the daily stress it has to endure if you use your computer or laptop on a daily basis. It holds almost all the important data stored in your device, so you can quickly lose them all if you don’t back it up and your hard drive starts acting up and fails. When this happens, you can no longer access your data on your device. Most of them can’t even be turned on as well. You really have to take it to an expert for professional help because they have the right tools and expertise to perform such a complex procedure.

There are several different types of drive failure. There’s the obvious one, where your drive stops working entirely. Perhaps your computer doesn’t even recognize it when it starts up and you see a message saying your PC has no hard drive, or perhaps your computer begins booting and just can’t get through the boot process.

There are also more subtle drive failures, where the drive appears to be working…but there are problems. Your PC may occasionally freeze, you may hear unusual sounds from the drive, you may experience data corruption, or your computer may detect bad sectors on the drive.

(Via: https://www.howtogeek.com/341268/what-to-do-when-your-hard-drive-fails/)

Even if you are a responsible computer owner and user, your hard drive may still fail for other reasons. They don’t usually happen overnight, though, and there are warning signs you’ll start seeing if you are observant enough when using it. Unusual sounds and error signs popping up on your screen and significantly lagging of your device when using it are just a few examples, so you still have time to back up your files before a total hard drive breakdown. You can make use of the SMART check for Windows users and you’ll have a better understanding of the state of your hard drive health.

Every hard drive dies eventually, and when it's near death, you'll see the signs: strange noises, corrupted files, crashing during boot, and very slow transfer speeds all point to the inevitable end. This is normal, especially after your drive is more than a few years old. On older spinning drives, moving parts like the motor can degrade over time, or the drives' magnetic sectors can go bad.

Newer solid-state drives (SSDs) don't have moving parts, but their storage cells degrade a little bit every time you write to them, meaning they too will eventually fail (though SSD reliability is much better than it used to be).

Unless your drive experiences excessive heat or physical trauma, it'll probably fail gradually. That means even if your drive isn't making strange noises, you should keep an eye on its health once in a while, so you can prepare for death before it happens. 

(Via: https://sea.pcmag.com/gallery/20836/how-to-check-your-hard-drives-health)

The best solution against hard drive failure is hard drive recovery. With the help of hard drive data recovery experts, you have a better chance of securing your files from a broken or corrupted drive. These experts have years of experience and have the technical know-how about the inner and outer workings of a computer and they also have the facility and equipment needed to perform a data recovery procedure properly.

It is not yet the end of the world when your hard drive fails on you. Take it to an expert for https://www.harddriverecovery.org/errors/disk_read_error.html or https://www.harddriverecovery.org/repair-hard-drive.html because they are the best people to help you get out of this mess. Bear in mind that gadgets are susceptible to failure regardless of upkeep, so make it a habit to back up your data so that even if your hard drive or device breaks down, your stress levels won’t be through the roof knowing that your valuable data can still be accessed in another gadget or another storage device.

The following blog article Problems With Your Hard Drive is available on http://www.harddriverecovery.org

source https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/problems-with-your-hard-drive/

The Chinese Invasion On Apple And Amazon Servers

The world is getting smaller and smaller as technology continues to advance forward. Things that used to be a dream in the past are now our reality today. We are able to do many things that were once considered impossible several decades ago. While many of them benefits society at large, some are considered detrimental to humans in some aspects. Not only have we become addicted (and virtually slaves) of many tech gadgets but we also excessively share personal information on the web. Hackers can have access to this sensitive data and use it without your consent.

Now, there’s one juicy piece of news that you can’t afford to miss today. We all know that most products are now made in China because of cheap labor and stuff but intelligence associates recently discovered that a Chinese military team has now access to millions of data by inserting a microchip on Apple and Amazon servers based in China. These chips are barely visible to the naked eye but they hold so much power since they can’t just steal data but even remotely manipulate it. Moreover, those who planted these chips also have access to the servers where these chips are planted. Imagine having 100% access on Amazon and Apple servers. That’s just wild and a little scary too.

A Chinese military unit has been inserting tiny microchips into computer servers used by companies including Apple and Amazon that give China unprecedented backdoor access to computers and data, according to a new Bloomberg report.

The tiny chips, as small as the tip of a sharpened pencil and designed to be undetectable without specialist equipment, were implanted on to the motherboards of servers on the production line in China, the report in Bloomberg Businessweek said.

Technology shares in Hong Kong fell sharply on Friday led by Lenovo, which lost 23% in morning trade. The Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE Corp lost more than 14%. 

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/04/china-planted-chips-on-apple-and-amazon-servers-report-claims)

It is not new to industry insiders and even Amazon and Apple themselves denied the allegation proving otherwise that there are no such things happening in their turfs but we all know that if there’s smoke, there’s fire, right? Even the Chinese government refutes such malicious claims and reiterates the fact that they are firm supporters of cybersecurity as well.

It is mostly big talk for ordinary people and we can’t really tell for sure what is happening but it is not comforting to hear news like this because it only goes to show that if big companies with high-security precautions in place can be breached, how much more the data of ordinary individuals who know so little about what’s really happening in the world wide web.

There are two ways for spies to alter the guts of computer equipment. One, known as interdiction, consists of manipulating devices as they’re in transit from manufacturer to customer. This approach is favored by U.S. spy agencies, according to documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. The other method involves seeding changes from the very beginning.

One country in particular has an advantage executing this kind of attack: China, which by some estimates makes 75 percent of the world’s mobile phones and 90 percent of its PCs. Still, to actually accomplish a seeding attack would mean developing a deep understanding of a product’s design, manipulating components at the factory, and ensuring that the doctored devices made it through the global logistics chain to the desired location—a feat akin to throwing a stick in the Yangtze River upstream from Shanghai and ensuring that it washes ashore in Seattle. “Having a well-done, nation-state-level hardware implant surface would be like witnessing a unicorn jumping over a rainbow,” says Joe Grand, a hardware hacker and the founder of Grand Idea Studio Inc. “Hardware is just so far off the radar, it’s almost treated like black magic.”

(Via: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-10-04/the-big-hack-how-china-used-a-tiny-chip-to-infiltrate-america-s-top-companies)

It may sound like its straight out of the movies but it is actually a part of our reality. By now, we are no longer as shocked by tech problems like ransomware and other malwares but this is on another level considering that it is the hardware that is now involved. In an ideal world, breaches on computer hardwares are more threatening and usually more complex than any other type of virus you may encounter on the web.

It makes perfect sense that a country like China can pull off a stunt like this because most computer and smartphone manufacturers for parts or as a whole have factories in China enabling them full access to a variety of physical products that they choose to infiltrate. These allegations are not entirely without basis so we’d likely hear more about it in the coming years as this intricate attack continues to unfold right before our very eyes.

On a smaller scale, servers are also prone to external attacks that can lead to server failures. Check out https://www.harddriverecovery.org/raidcenter/hp-proliant-data-recovery.html and https://www.harddriverecovery.org/raidcenter/dell_poweredge_data_recovery.html for more information on the different server recoveries you may require when problems happen.

The blog post The Chinese Invasion On Apple And Amazon Servers See more on: The Hard Drive Recovery Group Blog

source https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/the-chinese-invasion-on-apple-and-amazon-servers/

Can You DIY Data Recovery?

Almost everyone right now owns a tech device or two or even more. Whether it is a smartphone, tablet or iPad, laptop, or computer, you store different types of data on these devices that can prove disastrous once they break down and you are no longer able to access them. It’s worse if you don’t have a backup in place because data recovery is your last resort in getting some, if not all, of your lost data back. These data can be anywhere from text files and documents to photos and videos that have different storage requirements.

But since you constantly use these devices in your day-to-day, it is inevitable for them to wear out and get corrupted or broken. Hence, you can never truly consider these devices for permanent data storage or at least save another copy in an external flash drive or hard drive for added security. There’s also the cloud that has made our lives even easier and more convenient these days. It is easier said than done, though, and we still go back to our old ways of storing almost all our data on one device because of convenience on our part. Once it gets broken and your data is gone, you’ll be full of regrets but it won’t still get you anywhere.

Modern laptops and desktops can hold a massive amount of information, including tens of thousands of pictures and millions of pages of text. Despite their storage capacities, these devices should not be used as a means to permanently store digital information because they’re prone to breakage and data corruption. Recovering data from one of these failed devices is difficult, and requires a high-level of expertise that’s not always accessible to the person that likes to fix things themselves.

Older laptops that were constructed with traditional hard drives were fairly simple to pop open and fix. You could unscrew a few screws holding the case together, and then plug into the drive via a universal SATA port to retrieve the data. Opening the actual drive itself is not without risk or advisable as dust could and will enter the drive causing contamination and it can always cause additional damaged during the process. 

(Via: https://betanews.com/2017/12/05/diy-data-recovery-challenges-and-alternatives/)

When it comes to tech problems, the best decision is to always take the particular device to an expert for help because you may end up causing more damage than what was previously. You need to be knowledgeable and skilled in data recovery and have an in-depth knowledge of computers itself and its various parts and functions to ensure that you do nothing wrong to compromise your already unfortunate situation.

The question now is whether it is possible to DIY a data recovery procedure even if you are now well-versed in the field of computer yourself. Well, it depends on the device and just how well you know computers, or technology as a whole, yourself. You can use software tools to help you recover lost data but there is no 100% assurance that you can truly retrieve all files.

Consumers are often advised to not go the “DIY route” when it comes to working on their laptop or desktop computer or other devices such as digital cameras. They typically shouldn’t try to pop the back off the machine and extract the hard drive in an attempt to access missing or corrupt files. Laptops are built really thin and they’re nearly impossible to open, and in many cases the person attempting the recovery might damage the computer’s internal parts.

Despite these warnings, there are often ways to retrieve files from such devices without causing any harm by utilising a recovery software program. Many users conduct a quick “Googling” of “file recovery software” and then are faced with a range of choices, including many free utilities that promise fast and easy recovery. Unfortunately, these programs are more likely to infect the user’s devices with malware than they are to actually recover any content. And these programs are usually only offered in English, which leaves out billions of other potential users.

(Via: https://www.itproportal.com/features/going-the-diy-data-recovery-route-tips-and-warnings/)

Remember that even the experts view data recovery as a last resort. If you are doubtful yourself of your own capabilities, better not risk losing your data for good and just consult a data recovery specialist for assistance. It may cost you some money but you can still earn it. The data you lose will be gone for good, in your inexperienced hands.

Data recovery not only requires expertise but also the use of the right tools and a clean environment where data recovery should take place. For sure you don’t have one at home and it can make a world of difference to your end results. Spare yourself all the hassles and entrust your data issues to an expert before you can cause more lasting damage.

These are just some of the data recovery services you can try https://www.harddriverecovery.org/seagate-data-recovery.html and https://www.harddriverecovery.org/raidcenter/raid-10-data-recovery.html that can be used even on devices with much bigger storage capacity such as servers and not just your average smartphones and computers.

Can You DIY Data Recovery? was originally seen on Hard Drive Recovery Group

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