Forgot Your Username or Password? Never Again!

Have you ever forgotten a password to a site that you really needed to log into?  Do you keep a notebook full of your usernames and passwords?  Do you have one password that you use on multiple sites?
All of these are symptoms of what I like to call "Humanity".  We are not like computers.  We cannot recall information like computers can... we forget.  So when important things such as usernames and passwords are forgotten, we find ourselves in a bit of a pickle.  Enter LastPass Password Manager, your solution to all password problems.

I have been using LastPass since 2011 when it was first introduced to me by my Cyber Security professor.  It has been my saving grace as I have around 300 different accounts on various websites.  So now you might be asking, "What is this LastPass?" and "How can this LastPass help me?"  Well let me show you.

LastPass is an online password manager that will store your username and password for any website you log into.  To access your passwords, you have to set up a "Master" username and password.  Because of this "Master" password, you only need to remember ONE password!  You might be wondering "How secure is this?"  Let's look at what LastPass says about the technology they use to keep their customer's data safe:

Leading Encryption Technology

We've implemented AES 256-bit encryption with routinely-increased PBKDF2 iterations. That's tech speak for strong protection for the data you store in LastPass.

More on PBKDF2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBKDF2

Local-Only 

Decryption

All sensitive data is encrypted and decrypted locally before syncing with LastPass. Your key never leaves your device, and is never shared with LastPass. Your data stays accessible only to you.

Add Multifactor Authentication

Want to up your online security? Add one of our many multifactor authentication options. By adding a second login step, you're better protecting your account - and the information you've stored in it.

Learn More at https://lastpass.com/how-it-works/

Now who doesn't want to only have to remember ONE password? Only a crazy person!

Let's go through how to get you set up with LastPass so that you don't ever have to remember multiple passwords again!

1. Click this link https://lastpass.com/f?3975556  (This is an invite from my account to yours)
2. Enter in your email (You will want this to be your main email so they can alert you of things with your account IE: They notified me to change my passwords because of the HeartBleed vulnerability
3. Create a master password (Make this as strong as possible.  For tips on strong passwords: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/tips-for-creating-a-strong-password)
4. Install the browser add-on (If you use Internet Explorer... change browsers.  I suggest using Google Chrome. )
        Firefox add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/lastpass-password-manager/
        Google Chrome add-on: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/lastpass
5. Once the add-on has been installed, log into the add-on so you can store, access your passwords, etc.
6. Go to a site that you have to log into.  Log in.  LastPass will ask to save your information.
For a video of how to add sites to your password manager watch this video


LastPass has some other features that I will briefly cover.

There is an Android and iOS app, however it is not free.  It does require a subscription.
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lastpass-for-premium-customers/id324613447?mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lastpass.lpandroid&hl=en

LastPass also has the capability to generate a random, secure password for you.  I have used this in the past, however I like generating my own passwords, making them more memorable for me (Some passwords I do remember since I do not use LastPass on my Android phone or tablet).  In order to do this, you must be on a page where you are creating an account to a website.  In the password field there should be a symbol that looks similar to the one circled below:

Once you have clicked that a menu will drop down with settings for generating your secure password:

(Remember, the more secure the better)

In conclusion, this is just one of the many password managers out there.  I do not trust all of them though.  I trust LastPass because of the leading technology that they use as well as their constant updates to make things easier and more secure.  If you have used a password manager before, I urge you to give this a try and see if there are more features than your current one.  If you have never used a password manager, give it a try... believe me, you won't want to go back!

If you have any questions, feel free to post them below!

Set It and Forget It Anti-Virus Solution

Have you ever had problems with a virus on your computer?  Better yet, have you taken your computer to a "Computer Specialist" at a local store to get it fixed? Have you ever downloaded and installed several Anti-Virus programs to try and find out why your computer is slowing down?  If you have experienced any of these situations, I have a solution for you!

Would it be nice to have an Anti-Virus program that would just do it's job?  Better yet, wouldn't it be nice to be able to set it and forget it?  

Cue Avast!

Avast! is an amazing Anti-Virus solution that allows you to set it and forget it.  After some simple configuration (hopefully made easier by me), your Anti-Virus will be up and running in no time!

Before giving you the instructions, let's talk about Avast! and why I recommend it to everyone.

• Avast! is free
• Avast! has fairly simple user interface
• Avast! will block sites that are potential malware threats (stopping you before you even get to the virus)
• Avast! can be set up to automatically update, and scan (set it and forget it)
• I personally have been using Avast! for well over 3 years on all of my computers (probably around 12 total) and haven't had any issues with it missing a virus or not blocking me from a page with malware

One thing I would like to note, if you do experience odd behavior on your computer and suspect you have a virus, DO NOT download multiple anti-virus programs.  This will only make your computer worse.  Avast! will have everything you need.

Now down to the good stuff, here is how you can get started:

Click the image below and it will take you to Avast! download page

Once on the download page, scroll all the way down to the bottom and click "Download" under the "Essential avast! Free Antivirus" (Circled in red)

(Yes, I know there are paid versions, but the free version has been great for me.  If you feel the need to support avast! and buy one of their other versions, feel free to do so.)

Once you have downloaded the installer, go ahead and run the install.  It will ask if you'd like to install an extra program (It changes from time to time. For me it was dropbox and I've also seen it ask to install Google Chrome), if you do not want this extra program, make sure to uncheck the box before you click "Regular Installation"

Once Avast! finishes installing it will perform a quick scan of your system.  You can see its progress in the right hand corner of your screen.

When the quick scan finishes, click the "Register" button at the top of the Avast! window

Make sure to select "Standard Protection" if you would like to use the free version.  It will ask you for your first and last name as well as your email.  This is OK.  The way that Avast! works is with licenses, and even free licenses need to be renewed every year.  This makes it so they are getting accurate reporting on the number of computers getting protection.  Make sure you register with an email you have access to.

Now, you can tinker around in the settings if you would like.  If you feel comfortable setting it up from here, by all means, explore and get your settings the way you would like.
If you don't feel comfortable messing with the settings, you can download the same settings that I use.  There are only a few things that I changed away from default.
-I set it up to automatically update for latest virus definitions
-I set up 2 scans that happen weekly, one full system scan that starts Sunday at 1 AM, and a short scan that happens Wednesday at 1 AM
If you would like these settings you can download my settings file here.
         Once you have downloaded this file, open the Avast! window and select settings

       Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the window that pops up and select "Restore Settings"

      In the window that pops up, navigate to where you downloaded my AvastSettings.avastconfig file to and select "Open"

Now you're all set!
If you do end up getting a virus that Avast! detects, you can view it by opening Avast! and selecting the "Status" tab on the left side

Leave comments below if you have questions, or ideas of other items you would like me to cover!

The Woes of Windows 8... and how to fix them!

Have you been debating on whether or not you should get a computer with Windows 8? Why is Windows 8 so horrible?  Those of you that have Windows 8 understand why… Does your start screen look like this or worse?

Are you tired of trying to figure out how to get to the ‘Good ole Windows’ desktop?

I have a solution for you!  There is a program that I use called Classic Shell that brings back the old Windows 7 button and menu.  Classic Shell allows you to make your Start Menu look like this:

This program can be set up to perform just like the Windows 7 start menu, even the function of pressing the windows key to bring up the menu!

If you are interested in de-Windows 8-ifying your computer, here are the steps:

1) Download and install Classic Shell

a. Go to www.classicshell.net and click the “Download Now” button

b. Install Classic Shell by double clicking the file you just downloaded

2) After Classic Shell has installed, it should run. If it doesn’t automatically run, press your Windows button and type “Classic Explorer Settings” and press enter.

3) Once your settings window comes up, you can either tweak it how you like, or if you want to import the same settings that I have, continue to the optional step

Optional: Nate’s Settings

1) Download this XML file Nate's Settings and save it where you can locate it again

2) In your classic shell settings window, click the backup down arrow shown here:

3) Select “Load from XML File…” and navigate to where you downloaded the file from Step 1, select the .xml file and select “Open” and then click “OK” in your settings window.

Now you have the same settings that I do.  Classic Shell will act just like the old windows 7 start menu, you can drag and drop items, you can pin items to your classic shell start menu (Select “Pin to Start Menu (Classic Shell”).  

Another nice feature is if you would like a different start button, you can replace it.  What I do to replace it is search google for “Classic Shell Start Button” and find the one I like. The pictures that will work the best will show 3 types of the buttons like this:

Once you have picked the start button you would like:

1) Right click your start button and select “Settings”

2) Check the “Replace Start Button” box

3) Select the “Custom” radio button option and click “Pick Image…”

4) Navigate to where you have downloaded your picture, select it and click “Open”

5) You should see your start button change and you can click “OK” to close the Classic Shell Settings

I hope this makes your Windows 8 experience better.  If anyone needs help or has questions or suggestions, leave a post here.  Make sure to check up next time for the next tech tip!

Welcome to 404 The Tech - Multiple User Accounts for Windows Users

Before I begin writing about my tips for everyday computer use, maybe you ought to know a little about me and how I know that these tips really do work.  There are three things you should know about me:

1) I love tech. I often get that “look” from my wife because I ask to upgrade our computer or smartphones nearly every week (but hey, at least I ask right?).  I could easily spend hours just taking my computer apart to clean it, or reorganizing my file system.  I love tech.  

2) I have been working with computers my whole life. I installed my first hard drive and operating system (Windows 95) when I was about 10.  First thing I did as a married man right after the honeymoon was build us a computer from scratch. I did all the research and ordered the parts and put it all together.  My wife was more easily impressed back then. Since then I have built 4 more computers, each customized for a different situation.  

3) I work as a Helpdesk technician.  I am always fixing things on my co-workers’ computers… not just their computers at work mind you, their personal computers too.  I have also built and sold computers to people and then end up staying at their house for an hour giving them tips to make the computer last the way it was intended.  I love helping people, and I am very excited about this opportunity that I have to write and give tips to people that need to use computers, but don’t have the time or energy to research how to effectively use their computers.

 So, now that you know a little bit about me, here is my first tip for you:

Windows has the ability to have multiple accounts

For those of you that have children, spouses, or parents that seem to click just about everything they see on the web, this is for you.  Windows has the functionality of creating user accounts for multiple people… What does this mean exactly?  It means that you can set up each child with their own account and their own password; your kids will love this because they will think they have control, and this is where tip number two comes in: 

Make yourself an Administrator and all of your children (spouse, parents, roomies, etc) standard users.  This will make it so they can’t install games and crap that they find on the internet without your permission.  Because with you in control, you can keep your browser from looking like this:

Tip: Don't install Toolbars (most of them are useless and have malware)

Now you’re asking, “But if my kids have their own password, how can I monitor what they are doing?”  I’ve got a solution for that.  If you set yourself as the administrator, you can change their passwords at any time… like if you have a child that needs to get their homework done before playing games.

So now you might be saying “OK, this sounds great, but how do I do it?”  Well, young grasshopper, that is why I am here.

STEP 1 KNOW YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM

Whether it be Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 8.  Find out by pressing the Windows Key (bottom left hand side in between Ctrl and Alt) and the Pause|Break key (Just above the number pad on the right side of the keyboard) at the same time.  A window will pop up and will look like any of these 3 pictures:

Windows XP

This could be Windows XP Home, or Professional

Windows 7

This could be Windows 7 Home, Professional, or Enterprise

Windows 8

This could be Windows 8, 8.1, 8 Pro, or 8.1 Pro

Each Operating System will need to follow slightly different steps.

MULTIPLE USERS FOR WINDOWS XP

MULTIPLE USERS FOR WINDOWS 7

MULTIPLE USERS FOR WINDOWS 8

Tip: You can install a program while logged on as a Standard User in Windows 7 and Windows 8, however you will have to enter your username and password to do so (it will pop up with a box asking for a password when you try to install something).

Having multiple users for a family will make it so that if another user on the computer does something to their browser (such as making their homepage yahoo), it won't affect your browser because you are on a different account.  It also makes it so that another user cannot accidentally delete your important documents.  My wife and I have separate accounts so that she can sign into her google chrome easier and not affect mine.

I hope this helps you with your computer woes.  If you have a question or a particular thing you want me to write about, comment on this article.  Make sure to check back next week for another tip!