privacy

Safeguard your computer

MicroLock offers users an opportunity to keep their computer safe from nosy roommates, curious siblings, and especially thieves. Only users with the password can access your desktop when MicroLock goes into action.

This program is a very small but effective addition to your security arsenal. Displayed as a simple icon in the lower-right-hand tray, it can be activated with a simple double click. Unauthorized users will find they can't access your desktop without a password. In addition, MicroLock has a number of features to enhance its functions. Customize the program by having it turn on automatically while the computer … Read more

Erase digital fingerprints

History Sweeper gives users a chance to cover their tracks and erase digital fingerprints. Whether you are interested in keeping information from others or simply cleaning up valuable space on your hard drive, this program offers a way to help.

This program could not be much simpler to operate. There is one screen with four tabs that gives users all the options for their sweep. Three of the tabs focus on different areas of the computer you can clean. Internet History allows you to scrub your browsing history, cookies, and even Google search bar entries. The Applications tab allows you … Read more

Effective ad killer

Pop-up advertisements and banners have evolved into more than just simple annoyances. In many cases these complicated advertisements slow down performance and many times clicking on these links could give your computer a virus. BFilter is here to protect your system, but does it do too good a job?

This free program downloads easily and hides in the bottom right-hand tray of your screen. In our tests, the program operated as advertised. Its filtering software ensures that pop-ups never create a window that could be dangerous to click. In addition, banners that change graphics are left as just a blank … Read more

Maintain system health

WinSysClean promotes the health of Windows by sorting through all the potentially hazardous files on your computer and neutralizing them. We liked its simple approach, but wanted to see more in the trial version about updates to the program's library.

This program is a great way to ensure your computer is running at its maximum, without getting confused or possibly deleting important files. It offers several different easy-to-understand options as far as cleansing Windows is concerned. Scroll through the options and choose between searching for custom files, troublesome .BAK, .GID, .CHK, and .TMP files, as well as image cache … Read more

Computer health snapshot

Creating a snapshot of a computer's health, the AnVir Security Suite holds a microscope to every inch of a user's system. This program is so detailed that it will appeal to a wide swath of those interested in keeping viruses and spyware out of their lives.

This free 20-day trial displays everything with an easy-to-understand home screen. A simple list of programs, with their appropriate icons, is listed with a color code and percentage sign detailing how much of possible risk each holds. By clicking on these programs, users see its origination, where it is stored, and why, … Read more

The 404 308: Where Wilson is on nacation

If there's a more disturbing image than a naked Wilson Tang eating a stuffed pepper and doing his taxes, it's got to be a naked Tim Geisenheimer's sockless foot stuffed into a suede moccasin. We invite Tim into the studio anyway and he surprises us with some bad news: turns out the economy ain't doing so well.

Do not attempt to adjust the white balance on your monitor: Tim Geisenheimer's legs are actually that pale. I guess he and Michael Jackson share more in common than their tastes in footwear. Anyway, for some reason Wilson felt the need to stay at home today to do his taxes, which means being a good Chinese boy and writing off everything he possibly can. Why he decided to get nakee and do said taxes is another issue entirely, and one that teases my upchuck reflex anyway, so let's move on.

If you haven't figured it out yet, 'tis I, Justin Yu--on the poop deck, handling the blogging for the day. The first half of today's show is pretty random, since it's just Jeff and I riffing on a few stories, including one about Japanese space underwear.

I feel compelled to break out Space Beer guy, but mixing beer and underwear just doesn't feel right. Leave it up to the Japanese to reinvent the last thing you should worry about in space--forget the zero gravity, space debris, and Klingon warlords. Nah, nah, let's make a pair of underwear that you never have to take off.

Next story is about a Jewish Facebook group whose name suddenly changed from "I Heart Jews" to "Hitler: Great Modern Man of History." While we disagree with that statement, Jeff Bakalar (devoutly Jewish, FYI) gives the rest of us a free pass to laugh at the prank. Hey, at the end of the day, if Mel Brooks can laugh at Hitler, I think we're all safe.

After long calls from the public, we finally decide on a date for The 404 Meetup: APRIL 16. Everyone living in the Tri-State area should definitely clear their evening hour for a night of fun with The 404. We decided that two weeks is enough time for everyone to plan ahead, and it gives Jeff, Wilson, and I ample time to exercise our wrists and buy as many sharpies as possible. Riiight. Finally, check out some of the submissions below for our running contest. Can you write a funny caption for this photo of your humble 404 host? Here are some of our current favorites:

"Do these glasses make my eyes look less asian?" - Will Chan "The 404's Justin Yu was taken into custody shortly after molesting a lumberjack, a 90-year old woman, and robbing a Radio Shack in China Town last evening. Luckily there was no evidence of dicktopping at any of the crime scenes." - Andrew Teachout "What? I swear that printer was d**kto**ed before I got it!" - Jeff from Calgary

Send us your funniest caption to the404{at}cnet[dot]com and you could win a copy of Wheelman for XBox 360!

EPISODE 308 Download today's podcast |  Subscribe in iTunes |  Subscribe in RSS… Read more

Trial prevents full use

Look but don't touch seems to be the theme with this file encryption program. Thanks to MAXA Security Tools Lite's highly restrictive trial limitations, we were unable to use any of its features.

After installation, we encountered an error message each time we tried to access MAXA Security Tools Lite. We were able to bypass the message and move on to the main interface, but it was annoying nonetheless. The user interface uses tabs for each of the program's features, which include file encryption, steganography, file manipulation, and more advanced settings. But no matter where we turned, … Read more

Facebook retools password resets, addresses app

Facebook has changed the way its password reset tool works so that it does not easily verify e-mail addresses to potential spammers, after CNET News contacted it with concerns from an Israeli security expert.

On a separate matter, the company also has asked the maker of the Photo Stalker Facebook app to make it clear that despite the name, the app conforms to Facebook's privacy guidelines.

First off, Facebook is making it harder for spammers to mine the site for valid e-mail addresses.

"Last night, we took steps to make sure that our password reset tool is not … Read more

ACLU lawyer to be Facebook public-policy director

Facebook has hired an American Civil Liberties Union attorney to serve in the new role of director of public policy for the social network, according to The New York Times.

As a senior attorney at the ACLU, Timothy Sparapani worked on issues like data mining and national ID cards. He also has close ties to privacy groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Center for Democracy and Technology, and the Center for Digital Democracy.

Representatives from those groups have complained about Facebook's advertising practices and its revised terms of service agreement. (The CDD complained this week that revised terms … Read more