F-Secure’s 2014 lineup adds new banking, Facebook tools
F-Secure has today launched its revamped range of security products, including F-Secure Anti-Virus 2014 and F-Secure Internet Security 2014.
Top of the new Internet Security features list is probably the extended Banking Protection feature. This automatically kicks in at online banking and payment sites, and, the company says, "elevates security settings" so that "consumers can be sure that their banking transactions are safe and private".
ClipboardFusion Free automatically strips formatting from clipboard text
You’ve found some text you need on a web page, and so you copy it to the clipboard, paste it into a document. But now there’s a problem. Not only have you got the text, but it’s also come with links, colors, and a host of other formatting you really didn’t want at all.
If this only happens occasionally then there are a few tedious workarounds you could try (copy the text into Notepad, select and copy the converted plain text to the clipboard). But ClipboardFusion will strip formatting entirely automatically -- and it comes with some other interesting clipboard options, too.
SendMessage can control applications from scripts, shortcuts and more
Most Windows programs are controlled by "messages", signals which keep it up-to-date with what’s happening (you’ve moved the mouse) or tell it what to do: close down, perhaps.
If you’re thinking "so what?", then you may have a point. The typical PC user doesn’t have to know anything about this at all. If you’d like to automate common tasks via scripts or shortcuts, though, it may be worth looking at how this system can work for you.
Stream torrents, IPTV, HTTP streams and more with ROX Player
ROX Player is a compact, lightweight and entirely free media player, which supports all the main audio and video formats, without having to clutter your system with codecs, filters or anything else.
Yes, we know -- that’s not the most compelling of program descriptions. ROX Player does stand out rather more in its web support, though, with the ability to stream files via HTTP, IPTV, and even BitTorrent.
DeepSound lets you hide confidential documents inside audio CD tracks
When you need to send confidential documents to someone else steganography can be an effective technique. Use SteganPEG to embed your files inside JPEGs, say, then just email them as normal, and casual observers will see only normal pictures. They’ll never realize your hidden data is inside.
And at first glance, DeepSound seems to carry out much the same function, but with audio files. Point the program at a WAV or FLAC file, hide a few personal documents inside, and you’re done: the audio files will still play just as before, and only someone who knows the secret will be able to extract your hidden content.
CyberLink PowerDirector and PhotoDirector head deeper into Adobe territory
CyberLink has unveiled the latest version of its flagship video creation tool, PowerDirector 12, and image editor, PhotoDirector 5. And these are major updates, too, with some particularly interesting high-end additions.
Multicam editing isn’t something you’d expect to find in a consumer video editor, for instance. But PowerDirector 12′s new MultiCam designer might just change all that with its ability to easily combine, organize and edit footage of the same event from up to four cameras.
AVG's 2014 range adds new privacy tools, better disk cleanup
AVG has announced the public availability of its 2014 product range, including AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014, AVG AntiVirus 2014, AVG Internet Security 2014, AVG Premium Security 2014 and AVG PC TuneUp 2014.
All the security applications now include a File Shredder, which allows users to securely delete files or folders so that they can't be recovered at some later date.
VMware Workstation 10 extends Windows 8.1 support, adds virtual tablet sensors
VMware today announces VMware Workstation 10 ($249, $119 upgrade), the latest release of its virtualization software, as well asVMware Fusion 6.0 and VMware Player 6.0.
If you’re thinking that a virtual machine is probably the best way to trial the upcoming Windows 8.1, then VMware Workstation 10 comes ready to help. The regular Easy Install feature has been updated to recognize Windows 8.1, as well as the latest Linux distributions, automating the installation process. And physical Windows 8.1 systems can now be converted into virtual machines in a few clicks.
Create stylish photo collages with Collagerator
Photo collages can be a very effective way to present a group of your favorite digital images. They’re also very time-consuming to produce manually, though, so if you’re interested in collage creation then you might prefer the free Collagerator.
The program starts with some basic configuration options, like choosing your preferred collage design (background color, how the images will be arranged), its size and orientation (portrait or landscape). Add a few images and they’ll immediately be organized according to your rules.
IObit Advanced SystemCare 7 Beta 2 adds welcome new features
IObit has released the second public beta of Advanced SystemCare 7.0, its flagship PC maintenance suite, with even more new tools and options.
The package comes bundled with IObit Uninstaller 3, for example, which now supports listing and removing browser plugins.
FastPreview lets you add image previews to Explorer right-click menus
The Windows Explorer Preview pane can be a convenient way to display the currently selected image without launching a separate viewer. This also consumes a large chunk of screen space, though, which is why many people prefer to leave it turned off.
You could still preview graphics files by turning on a folder’s icon view, of course. But if that’s rather less than convenient, FastPreview (from the author of the popular Firefox add-on DownThemAll) offers a simpler and more lightweight approach: just right-click any image and you’ll find a thumbnail embedded in its context menu.
Hidden File Finder lets you quickly identify hidden files on your PC
If a malicious program wants to hide objects from you, then the simplest approach is to mark those files or folders as "hidden". By default they won’t be visible in Explorer, and even if you’ve changed that setting (see Folder Options in Explorer) they’ll still be just a few files out of many. You may never notice their existence.
When you’re checking a PC for malware or similar issues, then, it makes sense to highlight hidden content, and Hidden File Finder makes that very easy indeed.
Grungetastic transforms ordinary photos into grimy works of art
Most graphics software will do its best to clean up your photos, removing noise, optimizing brightness and contrast, and generally leaving them bright and polished.
If you’re bored with this approach, though, you could always try Grungetastic ($0.99 iPhone -- $7.99 Windows, Mac), which prefers to reduce colors, add layers of scratches, dirt and grime, tear image borders, and generally leave your pictures looking as though they’ve been left in a box in your garden for a very long time.
Acronis True Image 2014 fully integrates online backup, adds Premium edition
A speedy six weeks after its beta release, Acronis International has announced the first full release of Acronis True Image 2014 ($49.99), as well as a new Acronis True Image 2014 Premium edition ($79.99).
This release is all about the cloud. There’s now 5GB of free storage space included with the program (though only for a year, unfortunately), which can be expanded up to 250GB at extra cost. And you can now back up files, folders, or your entire system image to the cloud, just as easily as any other destination.
Burd’s Proxy Searcher lets you easily find, test and set up free proxies
Finding free public proxy servers isn’t difficult, at least in theory. A few seconds at Google will reveal plenty of useful resources to point you in the right direction.
You’ll still have to locate a reliable site, though; find a proxy; check its type, confirm it’s still working, and that you can use it. Tedious? Absolutely, which is why you might prefer some automated assistance from Burd’s Proxy Searcher.
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