“BSI ticked off Chrome’s anti-exploit sandbox technology, which isolates the browser from the operating system and the rest of the computer; its silent update mechanism and Chrome’s habit of bundling Adobe Flash, as its reasons for the recommendation.”

Unlike in the other countries, where Windows 7 automatically use Internet Explorer as the default browser, Germans are shown a default browser selections screen when they first run Windows.

Google Chrome is currently 2nd most popular browser in the world (after IE) and the most popular web browser in many countries, including Malaysia.

(via ComputerWorld)

Germany Government Recommends Google Chrome as the Most Secure Browser is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Do you have a secure password? How lazy are you to think of a hard-to-guess password? SplashData, an Internet security company, created a list of top 25 hacked password in 2011. Make sure your password is not in the list!

Guess what’s the No.1 worst password? Result after the break.

25 worst passwords in 2011

1. password
2. 123456
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football

Apparently, the worst password is, well, “password”, which you see when prompt for password. My favor lazy password was “qwe123″ which doesn’t make into the list.

The list was compiled from files containing millions of stolen passwords posted online by hackers. If you are using any of the passwords in the list, change your password immediately!

SplashData suggested some tips for more secure passwords:

• Use password of 8 characters or more with mixed types of characters.
• Avoid using the same username/password combination for multiple websites.
• Use password manager software to organizes and protects password, and can automatically log you into websites.

via Gizmodo

Image: Bruno Santos/Flickr

25 Worst Passwords Hacked in 2011 is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Facebook Phonebook has raised privacy concern about sharing phone numbers of yours and your friends. In this article, you will learn how Facebook get your phone numbers and how to delete the data.

Why worry?

Few days ago, my friend asked me to check if his phone number appears in my Facebook Contacts or not. Yes, his number is listed. My friend, who is very concerned about his online privacy, was worrying that everyone could see his phone number. I explained that the phone numbers are not public and only for myself only.

Why NOT to worry?

Later, TechCrunch published an article about the Facebook phone numbers and here is the Facebook official response:

“Rumors claiming that your phone contacts are visible to everyone on Facebook are false. Our Contacts list, formerly called Phonebook, has existed for a long time. The phone numbers listed there were either added by your friends themselves and made visible to you, or you have previously synced your phone contacts with Facebook. Just like on your phone, only you can see these numbers.”

How did Facebook collect your phone numbers?

Basically, it is either…

1. Phone numbers are shared by your friends to you on their Facebook profile.
2. You have chosen to upload/sync contact information from your phone to Facebook. (you might not remember that…)

Tip: You can customize Facebook Privacy to decide who see your contact information.

How to delete Facebook contacts phone numbers?

If you are worrying about Facebook misuses your phonebook contacts, you always have to choice to remove imported contacts.

By removing imported and synced contacts, Facebook “Friend Suggestions” for you and your friends may become less relevant. Though your synched contacts will be removed, but it will still display contact info of your friends who have included it on their profiles.

Do you think keeping a copy of your contacts on Facebook is a good or bad idea, and why?

Why Facebook Has Your Phone Numbers? How to Remove the Numbers?

At www.liewcf.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us (See this article to learn more about Privacy Policies.). This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.liewcf.com and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, www.liewcf.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
www.liewcf.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie

• Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on www.liewcf.com.
• Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to www.liewcf.com and other sites on the Internet.
• Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html.

These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on www.liewcf.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

www.liewcf.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. www.liewcf.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

Windows computer is often the target of computer virus, spyware, malicious software (malware). Once you received a new Windows computer, besides installing hundred MBs of Microsoft Windows updates, the first thing you need to do is installing antivirus, anti malware software to protect your computer. I would also recommend you to install system utilities to improve computer performance.

Check out the 5 useful freeware I recommended for every Windows users after the break.

5 Best Freeware to Improve Windows Computer Security and Performance

1. AVG Anti-Virus Free — popular free antivirus and anti-spyware, currently the top downloaded Windows software at download.com. Download size is over 100MB. [Free Download]

2. Panda Cloud Antivirus — My choice of antivirus for a clean system. It is lightweight and easy to use. Use cloud database to detect viruses. Read my previous review here [Free Download]

3. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free — 100 million downloads worldwide. Detect and remove all traces of malware including worms, trojans, root kits, rogues, dialers, spyware and more. [Free Download]

4. Advanced SystemCare Free — all-in-one tool to help protect, clean, and optimize your computer. [Free Download]

5. CCleaner — popular windows freeware for system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. Removes unused files and clean traces of online activities. Registry cleaner to remove unused and old entries. [Free Download]

Have I missed out any great freeware for PC security and performance? What are the antivirus and anti-malware you are using? How do you tweak system performance? Please share with us in the comment.

5 Best Freeware to Improve Windows Computer Security and Performance is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Google now can detect computers that are infected by malicious software (malware) that send traffic to Google through proxy servers, and warn you about it and recommend anti-spyware software to fix it.

The malware traffic was discovered by Google while performing routine maintenance on their data centers.

Malware on infected computers send traffic to Google through proxy servers, which could hijack your private information such as website login information.

If your computer is infected, you will see a “Your computer appears to be infected” notification at the top of Google web search results.

Here are the Google recommendations for (free) anti-spyware software to detect and remove malware:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Windows)
• Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus in Google Pack (Windows)
• MacScan (Mac OS)

Looking for best antivirus?

• Top 5 antivirus sofware for Windows 7
• 3 totally free antivirus for Mac OS X

Google Detects Malware on Your Computers and Recommends Anti-Spyware to Fix it is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

“Anonymous” hacker group next target of “Operation Malaysia” (OpMalaysia) is the website of Office Of The Prime Minister of Malaysia (pmo.gov.my)? The hacker group successfully attacked many Malaysian government websites on 15 June 2011 and caused website downtime.

According to a video published on YouTube, “Anonymous” will launch their 2nd hacking attack at July 4th, 2011, 13:37GMT. (1337 = Leet). Target is pmo.gov.my, Office Of The Prime Minister of Malaysia website.

Here is the video:

here is the video transcript:

Good evening, Malaysia.

Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, whereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone’s death or the end of some awful bloody struggle are celebrated with a nice holiday. I thought we could mark this day sixteenth of june, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn’t there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, think, and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well, certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now Prime Minister. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.

We have seen the censorship taken by the Malaysian government, blocking sites like The Pirate Bay, and WikiLeaks. Malaysia is one of the world’s strictest governments, even blocking out movies, and television shows. These acts of censorship are inexcusable. You are taking away a basic human right. The internet is here for freedom, without fear of government interference. Do not think that no one else notices. Your structured government has done the talking, and we hear loud and clear. Let this be an announcement to all your people. This is a sign, a warning, and an opportunity to listen to ideas above your own. In a way you are being stubborn. But how will this help anyone or your country. We fear that if you make further decisions to take away human freedom. We are obligated to act fast and have no mercy. For rules were meant to be broken. And corruption was meant to be washed away and forgiven. Now we will wash your corruption away so be prepared. Take this as a favor.

We shall bring down the entire countries national infrastructure. We shall make this a day to be remembered.

This is your second warning.

We are Anonymous.

We are Legion.

We do not forgive.

We do not forget.

Expect Us.

Operation Malaysia is the Anonymous group’s response to the blocking of websites like Wikileaks and The Pirate Bay within the Malaysia, which the group labels censorship of a basic human right to information.

My two cents

Forgive me, but I don’t think the government website would survive the attack (again) if it happens.

The attack method generally used is the Distributed Denial-Of-service attack (DDoS attack) to bring down the website server. In order to fight against the DDoS attack, Malaysia government could install Anti-DDoS hardware or outsource to DDoS protection company. It’s not bulletproof though.

Good luck, PMO.

[via Amanz]

Anonymous’ Operation Malaysia Second Hacking Target is Office Of The Prime Minister of Malaysia? is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Apple has released iOS 4.3.3 software update for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch to fix the crowd-sourced location database cache, which previously mentioned. (Read: “iPhone Tracker: I Know Where You Were Last Summer“)

The iOS 4.3.3 update size is few hundreds MB but does only 3 things:

1. Reduced size of the iOS crowd-sourced location database cache
2. No longer backs that cache up to iTunes
3. Deletes that cache entirely when Location Services turned off

You can update via iTunes, or manually download and install the update using the instruction here.

Apple iOS 4.3.3 Released, Fixed Location Database Cache Bugs is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

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In case you haven’t known about it, Apple iOS (both iPhone and iPad) is recording your movements without your knowledge.

iPhone Tracker is a Mac OS X software that generate a map with your location history based on the records saved in iPhone/iPad.

Simply download iPhone Tracker and run it on a Mac OS X computer where iPhone/iPad has been synced to, the application will then show you the location history on a world map.

Here is my iPhone location history…

Whoa! Now you know where were I in the past year.

Should you worry?

Many people so concerned about it that Apple had to release a press release to explain about the location data recorded on your iPhone/iPad. In short, it is a “crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower database” cached on the iPhone/iPad.

“Don’t worry about it”, told Apple. Apple will release a “bug fix” to reduce the cache size (down to few days, instead of a year), ceases backing up the cache, and delete cache when Location Services is turned off.

iPhone Tracker: I Know Where You Were Last Summer is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

In the Internet age, it is important to protect your information and data while surfing in the Net. Norton Internet Security 2012 is now in Beta version and you can be the first to download it, at free of charge!

What’s new in Norton Internet Security 2012?

• Norton Protection System which includes 4 layers of protection to proactively protect against latest threats.
• Customizable Control Center allows you to switch between simplified screen or traditional detailed view.
• Identity Safe alerts have moved to Norton Toolbar so that it’s less interruption while you are online.
• Bandwidth Management to limit Norton’s processes and updates when you have limited bandwidth or monthly downloads.
• Download Insight 2.0 now tells you how stable a download is before it creates harm to your computer.

Download Norton Internet Security 2012 beta.

Norton AntiVirus 2012 beta is also available, though Internet Security has more features: block spams, parental controls, identity protection. Check the Norton products comparison chart.

Download Norton Internet Security 2012 Beta. It’s Free! is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Today (31 March 2011) is World Backup Day. It was proposed last week by a Reddit user, adamjeff, to serve as a reminder to save all your important data to somewhere secure.

The date is set for March 31st. They have an official site: http://worldbackupday.net and on twitter: @WorldBackupDay

The website explains the importance of backup and the different ways to backup your data. There are also sponsored giveaway for online backup accounts, as well as exclusive offers.

LiewCF’s backup setup

Personally, I suggest to always keep at least 3 copies of your important data and keep them in different locations. Currently, I backup files using Mac OS X Time Machine to external hard disk and 2nd backup to online storage (backblaze). Both are automated backup so that I do not forget to do backups. What’s your backup setup?

World Backup Day 2011 is March 31 is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.