Best of Computer Tips and Tutorials for 2013

2013 was a great year for information technology. Only few hours before the end of this year I�ve decided to share with you our best tutorials and articles that we�ve published during 2013 on different categories such as Software, Internet, Computers, Mobile, Windows, Games� It is also a good way to remember our old but interesting publications. So here is the Best of OpenHow publications of the year 2013:

Best of �Internet� Articles:

Convert text and images into ASCII art

Update your Facebook status via anything

FlightRadar24: International air traffic in real time

How to send FREE SMS worldwide

How to get a free Virtual Credit Card (VCC)

How to Receive SMS Online and Bypass SMS Verification

What is a VPN and How does it work ?

We know what you�re doing: a website to Raise Awareness for Social Networking Privacy

Magnifying the Universe: between the infinitely large and the infinitely small

The most beautiful 360� panoramas of the Martian soil

Nukemap: detonate a nuclear bomb anywhere

Breathtaking timelapse of the American landscapes

Best of �Mobile� Articles:

How to Make Free Calls Worldwide using your phone number

Secret codes and hidden menus on Android

Run Android apps on Windows pc with BlueStacks

Best of �Security� Articles:

How to Scan your files online

How to Lock your files with a Password

Lock your USB flash drive with a Password

Best of �Computer� Articles:

How to get a virtual computer online

Run Android apps on Windows pc with BlueStacks

Online emulator of the oldest Operating Systems (MAC-OS/MS-DOS)

Learn How To Type Faster on a Keyboard

ZenMate: Chrome extension for Free VPN with easy location switching

Best of �Games� Articles:

Play electronic games of your childhood with Pica Pic

Make your own video game with Gameglobe

Can You Run It: Find out if your Computer can run the latest games

ZenMate: Chrome extension for Free VPN with easy location switching

In a previous post we've learned What is a VPN and How does it work ? VPN is a network technology that creates a secure network connection over a public network such as the Internet.

ZenMate is a free extension for Google Chrome that will allow you to get a free VPN. A service that lets you connect anonymously and access sites that are blocked or censored in your country! Unlike other Chrome extensions � which are usually regular proxies without encryption - ZenMate will encrypt your browser traffic and build a secure tunnel around the data you send or receive. Your IP is hidden, your Internet unrestricted and your privacy protected.

How to use ZenMate and Change your IP:

Once you have installed this extension, a shield icon appears on the top right of your browser and you will be redirected to a new page that will ask you to enter you email to activate ZenMate. Then you will have a message saying that they �have sent you an eMail with your account credentials but you�re already signed in and can surf the web protected right away!�.

To access settings just click on the shield icon on the top right of your browser, to turn ON/OFF the service, (ON: the color of the shield turns green), you can even choose your location by clicking on �Change location�. ZenMate secure your connection and lets you access restricted content that only works in some countries such as Hulu.com or Pandora.com which only works in the USA, by changing the IP address location.

Download ZenMate for Google Chrome for free.

Note! The VPN is NOT a way to increase its anonymity for prohibited practices. A VPN does not make you completely anonymous and invisible !. It�s a way to protect your Internet privacy. 

How to Find your Lost or Stolen Camera with Camera Trace

A picture contains much more information than you might think. In its properties, EXIF tab includes a wealth of information: the settings of the camera during shooting, capture date, ISO, � And especially the serial number of the device. This last information allows Camera Trace locate the lost or stolen camera. If a photo taken with your device surfaced in the database, you will be notified by mail. Camera Trace also proposes to make the necessary arrangements with the police if necessary.

Today, Camera Trace recorded more than 11 million devices and over 300 different models of cameras and scans photos on popular photo sharing sites (like Flickr and 500px) and extracts the serial numbers from them if available.

Camera Trace is a useful tool to find your lost/stolen camera, however, the service is not free, you have to pay 10$ to register the serial number of your device in the database of Camera Trace.

Find your missing camera with Camera Trace.

What is a VPN and How does it work ?

VPN (virtual private network) is a network technology that creates a secure network connection over a public network such as the Internet. So Users are able to connect to the private network from a public network without sacrificing security concerns.

How do VPN�s work?

A virtual private network is based on a protocol called tunneling protocol, this protocol allows to circulate encrypted data from one end to the other, as if you are connected directly to the local network.

The principle of tunneling is to build a virtual path after identifying the sender and the recipient. Thereafter, the source encrypts the data and forwards it by taking this virtual path. To ensure easy and inexpensive communication, virtual private networks access simulate a private network, when they actually use a shared infrastructure, such as Internet access.

Advantages of VPN:

VPNs have many advantages, they are based on robust encryption technologies and the generation and implementation of encryption keys is under the control of the owner of VPN. The privacy level is very high.

• Inexpensive way of building a private network.
• Easy implementation (no particular skills required for users).
• Hide/Change your IP address.
• Security ensured using data encryption.
• No dependence on the security of your ISP.
• The relative ease, speed, and flexibility of VPN provisioning in comparison to leased lines.

Disadvantages of VPN:

As any technology, VPN has some potential disadvantages:

• Skills required for implementation (for service providers).
• The lack of Quality of Service (QoS) management over the Internet can cause packet loss and other performance issues.
• Adverse network conditions that occur outside of the private network is beyond the control of the VPN administrator.
• Vendor interoperability as VPN technologies from one vendor may not be compatible with VPN technologies from another vendor.

Note! The VPN is NOT a way to increase its anonymity for prohibited practices. A VPN does not make you completely anonymous and invisible !. It�s a way to protect your Internet privacy.

We know what you�re doing: a website to Raise Awareness for Social Networking Privacy

Many people are very open on social networks and spread a little too much their personal life. �We know what you�re doing� is here to sensitize these unwary people.

And about this, the website pulls no punches, as it publishes the simplest public information that users post on social networks. Examples? In the category of �who wants to get fired?� The application brings together all public status of users who hate their superiors (example:� I hate my boss so much !�).

The website doesn't stop here as it also reveals the Facebook status of unconscious users into categories such as �Who�s hungover?�, �Who�s taking drugs?� , �Who�s got a new phone number?�. The conclusion is clear. The website is intended to sensitize the users and make them aware of the personal data they publicly reveal on the internet.

To avoid the risk that these users are identified, the website �anonymise� their personal data (including their family name) but leaves their publication as it is.

�We know what you�re doing� hopes, to encourage users to make maximum use of the privacy settings they have on social networks. Ant they end it with:

Visit We Know What You�re Doing.

Cloakmy: Send secured messages and self-destructing emails

If you want to send a confidential message or top secret files to your colleagues, nothing more simple with Cloakmy.

Cloakmy is a free useful tool that allows you to send secure messages that only the recipient can read.
Its Operation is simple, just write the message on the website and set a personal password. You can plan the validity of the message with three choices:

• Self-destruct after reading the message.
• Set an aperture range of message between two dates.
• No restrictions.

The recipient will receive an email with a link to Cloakmy website,  and by opening that link he will be able to read your email.

Visit Cloakmy.

Lock your USB flash drive with a Password

We have seen in a previous post How to Lock your files with a Password, for this type of protection files are encrypted in your computer. Now, the data contained in your USB drive  can also be protected by adding a password to your USB.

Principal features of USB Flash Security:

Now with USB Flash Security you can lock your USB flash drive with a password. This FREE software will help you to protect your files with its principal features:

Blocking access: USB Flash Security is a protection tool for your data. Indeed, it allows you to lock access to your removable storage devices. So if you are used to store important data in your USB drive, this utility is for you.

Password: This software allows you to use a password to enhance the security of USB drive.

Release: to access the contents of the USB drive, just enter your password. To do this, every time you connect the device to a computer, authentication will be required, this is where you need to enter your password.

Security: with USB Flash Security, you can be sure that the data will be safe. In fact, in case you have lost your USB key, the data that has been stored can not be accessed if the user does not enter the correct password.

How to Lock your USB flash drive with a Password:

To secure your USB drive with USB Flash Security :

1. Download and install USB Flash Security.
2. Connect your USB drive to your computer and run the flash security program using the shortcut icon.
3. Select the desired USB drive and click on �Install�.

Warning! During the software installation, all files contained in your USB drive will be deleted. So, it is strongly advised to make sure that it is an empty drive before continuing.

4. Enter your Password and confirm. Then click �OK�.

When the installation is complete, only two files will be visible under the protected USB drive,autorun.inf and usbenter.exe. This indicates that your USB drive is now protected. Next time you insert the same USB drive, you should notice a password entry dialog. If you do not see it, just open the USB drive in Explorer and double-click on usbenter.exe. Enter your Password and your USB will be unlocked.

  Download USB Flash Security.

Download USB Flash Security (Up to 4Go USB).

Secret codes and hidden menus on Android

If you have an Android phone, you may like this. Today searching the web, I�ve found many secret codes to access hidden menus and obtain detailed technical information about your device, so I tried to group them in the same page.

Warning!  Some codes may cause data loss. Please do not try any of following methods if you are not familiar with mobile phones. We�ll not be responsible for the use or misuse of this information, including loss of data or hardware damage. So use it at your own risk.

information about your phone and battery

*#*#4636#*#*   This code can be used to get some interesting information about your phone and battery

• Phone information
• Battery information
• Battery history
• Usage statistics

Menus might differ for different mobile phones.

Factory data reset

*#*#7780#*#* This code will remove following:

• Google account settings stored in your phone
• System and application data and settings
• Downloaded applications

Service mode

*#*#197328640#*#* This code can be used to enter into Service mode. You can run various tests and change settings in the service mode.

change the 'End Call / Power' button

*#*#7594#*#* This code can be used to change the �End Call / Power� button action in your phone. By default, if you long press the button, it shows a screen asking you to select any option from Silent mode, Airplane mode and Power off.

You can change this action using this code. You can enable direct power off on this button so you don�t need to waste your time in selecting the option.

Get Firmware version information

• *#*#4986*2650468#*#* - PDA, Phone, H/W, RFCallDate
• *#*#1234#*#* - PDA and Phone
• *#*#1111#*#* - FTA SW Version
• *#*#2222#*#* - FTA HW Version
• *#*#44336#*#* - PDA, Phone, CSC, Build Time, Change list number

Launch various Factory Tests

• *#*#0283#*#* - Packet Loop-back
• *#*#0*#*#* - LCD test
• *#*#0673#*#* OR *#*#0289#*#* - Melody test
• *#*#0842#*#* - Device test (Vibration test and Back-light test)
• *#*#2663#*#* - Touch screen version
• *#*#2664#*#* - Touch screen test
• *#*#0588#*#* - Proximity sensor test
• *#*#3264#*#* - RAM version

Note! All above codes have been tested on Galaxy S with android 2.3.3.

Track and find your missing computer with Prey

Today I will show you a �mysterious� tool which will allow you to track your computer and collect informations that can help you to find your missing computer! This fabulous tool is called Prey, it can take a picture of the thief with the webcam, locate the computer by GPS using the WiFi connection, secure your computer and take screenshots, etc�

Prey is a free open source tool for monitoring your computer in case of theft � When using the web interface of Prey project, you can add all your computers in one place! You can even block the remote computer, or display a message to the person who found it.

Install Prey and track your computer:

Prey can be very useful,  here is how to use it:

1. Download and Install Prey from HERE (for Windows 32/64 bit), or from HERE (for other).
2. After the installation is completed Choose �New user�  on the Configuration page to create a new account, and press �Next�.
3. Fill out the form with the required informations, and press �Create�.
4. Congratulation! Now your account is created, just log to your Control Panel to see your devices

5. Re-open the �Configure Prey� page.
6. Select �Manage Prey settings�, and hit �next�.
7. Check �WiFi autoconnect� and �Enable guest account� and hit �Apply�.

How to track and find your missing computer:

After that you�ve successfully installed and configured Prey:

Log to your Control Panel.

Select your missing device, and set it as �Missing�.

Set time between each report, and hit �Save changes�.

For this tutorial we�ve set the Frequency of reports for 10, if you do so, you will have a report each 10 minutes and it should be something like this:

NB: .NET Framework 2.0  is required to complete the installation.