Wireless Outdoor Security Camera System

Searching for a worthy security camera available in the market nowadays? I hope this piece will help you find a worthy spy camera that is appropriate for your needs. What is a security camera? Security camera or wireless security camera is a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera that will transmit a video and audio signal to a wireless receiver through a radio band. There are wireless security camera available in the market nowadays requires one cable for the power but there are also wireless security camera that are battery powered.

The growing need of a spy camera in every household has been growing to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from thieves and burglars. There are many options of spy camera that is gladly available in the market nowadays. Essentially, there are house owners that don’t know what they desire and need in selecting the right spy camera for them.

The first alternative is the outdoor spy camera. If you need to safeguard your house from the outside, then this outdoor spy camera is the best alternative for you. This will keep the intruders to stay away from your house because they know that your house is secluded and secured.

Try to think about that your outdoor spy camera is weather proof. Climate proof means that it can stand whatever the climate is. Also make sure that your spy camera is infrared so it can catch a sight at hours of darkness.

The next alternative is the indoor spy camera. This spy camera is constructed inside the house for security reasons. For example, that there is an intruder that will sneak in inside your house this spy camera will catch the picture of the intruder.

There are also security systems that have a activity detection device. In case that they will notice something or someone is moving, they’ll turn on the alarm its either in a flashing glow, sound signal or a combination of both, this will provide you the alarm or your neighbor in case that you are away.

So buy a spy camera now!

Wireless Air Freshener Camera, Discreet Form of Hidden Camera

Spy cameras have been for quite some while now; they are mainly used for security purposes. the world that we live in is no longer a safer place; we need protection from the potential dangers in the form of hidden cameras. the technology has reached great heights when it comes to the video industry. the earlier models were quite bulkier and cumbersome to handle but now the smaller sized ones make it so easy to place it anywhere of your choice.

If you are in constant suspicion of your nanny or your better half or your employees, the one solution that will put all your answers to bay is the wireless camera. the point of choosing a camera that is easily hidden is of crucial importance to catch the culprit red handed. Some years ago who would have thought that a normal looking air freshener would hold a camera that captures your every move. Well it is all possible now, and the best part is it beautifully blends in the environment enhancing the interiors. But, this decoy air freshener is the perfect location to place a full-color nanny cam that will capture and record everything that’s happening in front of it – and nobody but you will know about it.

It is the most hassle free device you will find in the market, with no installation of cables and wires it is so easy to set up. it operates on a battery that comes with a dual pack of rechargeable batteries making it all the more comfortable for you. the length of the video recording is entirely dependent on the model chosen; however it can store up to say 12 hours of data. When making a choice if the picture quality is grainy then the video is no proof against the crime. But with this latest innovation you get high quality picture.

Once you establish the connection, all you have to do is attach the transmitter to a PC, or a monitor for further supervision. Monitoring others is an invasion of privacy and however some of the nannies appreciate if they knew that a nanny camera is existent. they would see it as a bridging gap between the parents and kids. However it being discreet is the main reason if you were to catch your cheating partner.

Whatever the reason for spying, this security camera is in the affordable range of cameras. it gives you an edge over the peers and you can be in control as an owner and business man. Make the most of the technology for a secure future of your loved ones and protect your belongings.

Review Memorex iPod Dock Spy Camera

The Memorex iPod Dock Spy Camera (developed by Atlantic Electronic System, Inc.) is a cleverly conceived nanny cam that exploits the popularity of the ubiquitous iPod player. Replete with built-in speakers, the nanny cam can play music through an iPod in addition to covertly recording video. While we love that the spy camera offers robust dual functionality, built-in DVR and a motion detector, users will pay substantially more for this nanny cam than comparable models that are disguised as other common objects.

Features:

We love this all-in-one hidden nanny cam primarily because of its unique twofold functionality. A spy camera that can also play music is not only convenient but also offers a very convincing guise, perhaps more so than other household objects commonly used to hide covert cameras (think teddy bears or alarm clocks).

We were surprised to discover this particular camera has all the features we would expect to find on top-notch nanny cams. Apart from a motion detector and standalone recording (saved on an internal memory card), the spy camera boasts timed recording shut-off once motion in front of the camera ceases and auto-cycling recording (what the manufacturer terms as 'auto-recycle'). This feature ensures recording continues uninterrupted by automatically deleting the oldest recording once the camera's memory card is full. Furthermore, all of the camera's recordings are time and date stamped.

We were surprised that the spy camera does not have a compatible remote control; most regular iPod docks come with a remote control, so it seemed odd that this nanny cam didn't have one at all.

Recording Options:

The nanny cam fails to impress when it comes to recording options. Aside from the motion detector, the only other functionality worthy of a mention is its ability to take still pictures. However, this feature seems somewhat ineffectual since there's not a remote control that can be used to remotely take the image. It seems to us that having to push a button directly on the iPod dock to capture digital images would defeat the whole covert purpose of a spy camera.

Design:

While it may not score high marks when it comes to recording options, it offsets such shortcomings with decent design. A high viewing angle of 85 degrees ensures a broad field of view, while the camera's CCD image sensor (considered superior to comparable CMOS sensors) boasts quality color video.

A few things we really like about the spy camera are its low lux rating and RCA video output. The camera has a low lux rating of 0.5, which means it performs well in low-light conditions. Additionally, the camera's RCA video output allows users to connect the device directly to a television or monitor for instant viewing. Or the included memory card can easily be removed from the camera and inserted into a computer for viewing as well.

Our one complaint is that the device is a bit bulky for an iPod dock; however, price wins over aesthetics with this low-cost dock, as many comparable iPod dock hidden camera devices are priced well over $500.

Video Output:

The nanny cam's video output is mediocre at best. With a sole resolution of 320 x 240, the video is grainier and lower quality than that of most competitors. Additionally, the container format of the recordings is MPEG-2, which is compatible with most computers but relatively outdated, with much newer formats available in other recording devices.

Summary:

The Memorex iPod Dock Spy Camera definitely ranks average when it comes to nanny cams with built-in DVR. While it has limited recording options and a steeper price tag than comparable models, the nanny cam is ideal for homeowners who would actually take advantage of the spy camera's dual functionality.

Review Hidden HD Spy Sunglasses and Action Sports Camera for Outdoor Sports, Skiing

Review Hidden HD Spy Sunglasses and Action Sports Camera for Outdoor Sports, Skiing

Capture the world as you see it with our Hidden HD Spy Sunglasses and Action Sports Camera for Outdoor Sports, Skiing (8GB). These cool sunglasses bring a whole new dimension to your favorite outdoor activities. With its high impact body and polarized anti-glare lenses, these glasses let you easily record videos of all your favorite outdoor sports and share them on YouTube!

Take A Look At These Amazing Numbers
These amazing Spy Sunglasses take 30 frames per second videos in the popular AVI format and at high definition 1280 x 720 resolution! It also comes with a free 8GB micro SD card so you will have enough storage capacity to capture hours of high quality video and audio. But that's not all...

Record Video at the Touch of a Button
Recording video on the Sunglasses is as easy as wearing them. Power on the glasses then presses the record button. It’s just that easy! Even better, everything can also be controlled by a remote control, so you don't have to touch the device at all... unlike other spy cameras which arouse unwanted suspicion because you keep fidgeting with it.

Perfect for Your Active Lifestyle
These awesome Spy Sunglasses are also ideal for reliving the moment at carnivals, festivals, shows and outdoor concerts. Capture all of these events without anyone knowing that you are recording everything just by looking at it - How cool is that?! These Sunglasses literally captures everything you see, and they do it with amazing clarity and detail - and style!

Imagine yourself slinging dust down the Slickrock Trail in Moab or climbing the sandstone face of Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods - all captured on stunning video and audio that you can easily transfer to FaceBook and YouTube. Not only will you have bragging right to your adventure exploits, but you'll have proof of it too!

Functional and fashionable, the Spy Sunglasses Camera is the best choice for journalist, MT climbers, hikers, sports enthusiast, travelers and etc. Buy one for yourself today, or order in bulk to sell and profit. Available from your best source for wholesale electronics, Chinavasion.

At a Glance...

1. 8 GB micro SD card included!
2. User friendly
3. Stylish design
4. Virtually undetectable pinhole lens
5. Capture high quality audio and video
6. Records 30FPS video at 1280X720 resolution
7. Water Resistant

for further information, click here

Logitech Alert Security Camera Review: Surveillance Can Be Fun

The Logitech Alert motion-detecting security systems are pretty high quality cameras—15FPS/720p wide-angle lens—and convenient—they're powered and networked over your home's electrical system. I don't want to be a security guard, but monitoring my own house is now fun.

The Price
$300 for the 750i indoor version, $350 for the 750e weather-proof outdoor version with night-vision. An additional $80 a year if you want the Alert Web and Mobile commander—managing the camera via a web browser or your iPhone, Android and BlackBerry, inside or outside your home network. You can view the cameras for free, on web and mobile, but you can't get all the features of the desktop software suite on the web or on the phone unless you pay.

The Verdict
Convenient, useful and quite good quality when you compare them to video systems normally included with home alarm systems.

I tested the 750i internal system, and setup was quite easy—only one or two degrees harder than setting up a webcam. There are various ways to mount the device—on a stand, with a suction cup, or screwed into a wall with a rack-type mount.
How it works

It's completely wired. Unlike the Vue, which is battery-powered and wireless, or other security cameras, which are AC-powered and wireless, the Logitech Alert avoids both battery-replacement hassles and wireless interference. It even has audio! All you have to do is plug the powerline-enabled camera into a wall socket (power strip does not work), and a second powerline network receiver into another socket, next to a router or switch. The receiver then goes Cat5 into your home network, and out to the internet.

To view live or recorded streams, you can either use the Windows-only Logitech Alert Commander, or subscribe to the Alert Web to get the web-based, anywhere-accessible version and the cellphone viewer. If you don't need to do cellphone viewing, you can approximate the web-version by keeping a PC on at all times at home, and then VNCing into it when you're outside your house. Video quality will be a bit worse, but most of the time you don't need the video to be that smooth anyhow.

There's an included microSD card inside the camera to save triggered events, and you can also have your Logitech Alert software automatically download those events to your PC as well.
Eye in the sky, in your home

I tested an indoor version that was pointing out of a window looking over the front door—which is essentially the same task the outdoor version would accomplish. It allowed me to see who was at the door, or, if I wasn't home, to get motion-activated alerts when something happened. Some neat use cases:

Getting a full-body view of the person at the door, instead of just a chest-up peephole view
Emailed alerts of when the Fedex or UPS guy came
Automatically recording and archiving triggered events, so you could see whether or not the Fedex guy actually rang the bell or if he just threw the package and left


And if you place the camera, or multiple cameras inside your house:

Seeing if a pet or infant got into an area they weren't supposed to
Archived video in case you suspect your roommates are using your computers without permission
Documented evidence of sleepwalking and sleepeating
Pet cam
Baby cam

And so forth.
How it looks

The 750i has a 960x720 @ 15FPS camera with 130-degree wide-angle lens that covers a pretty big area at a decent frame rate. You can zoom in if you want, but I prefer the zoomed out full view. Here's a sample video of me coming back from a lunch run. It's pretty darn good—Logitech knows how to make webcams—especially compared to, again, more traditional home security cameras. This video's slightly compressed when uploaded to our system, but you can get a good sense of how it looks.

Is it worth it?

That kinda depends on you. If you live in an area where burglary is an issue, or if someone's regularly stealing your UPS packages, Logitech Alert is a decent idea. If you want to set up a quick and easy pet or baby cam, or if you have a maid or guests you don't quite trust with your valuables, there's the indoor version. At $300/$350, these cameras are cheap enough that you can start out with one, see how you like it, and have the option to expand to more if necessary.

SAMSUNG Introduces New 9 Series Laptop

Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, today announced the 9 Series, a durable, ultra premium, lightweight laptop computer at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The 13.3-inch 9 Series offers mobile professionals and power users a sophisticated laptop equally suited for work and entertainment. Thanks to a stunning design, Samsung’s hallmark SuperBright Plus display and Intel performance processing power, the notebook ushers in a new era in mobile computing. The 9 Series will be available on display at Central Hall booth #12006, January 6-9, 2011.

“Weighing less than 3 lbs., Samsung has designed the 9 Series to stand out, completely reimagining the notion of the traditional laptop,” said Scott Ledterman, director of mobile PC marketing at Samsung Enterprise Business Division. “When designing a premium laptop like the 9 Series, Samsung wanted to offer an unforgettable experience without limitations. The 9 Series laptop successfully combines elegant styling, performance and ease of use in an ultra thin and lightweight package.”

Unparalleled Styling
The 9 Series is made from material known as Duralumin, typically found in advanced aircrafts and offers construction quality twice as durable as aluminum, all while keeping the laptop weight under 3 lbs. To develop the 9 Series with the use of this new material, Samsung created an exhaustive testing process to ensure that the notebook is not only extremely sturdy, but also constructed with the perfect look and feel for technology savvy users.

The 9 Series’ naturally flowing design takes cues from the sleek styling and sophisticated beauty of a premium sports car. The silhouette evokes thoughts of speed and performance with an ultra-thin 0.64 inch profile. Additionally, the naturally flowing arch maximizes the laptop’s ergonomic appeal, making it easier to use and a natural fit for the human grip.

Ultra Vivid Display
The 13.3-inch 9 Series features a LED-backlit screen, offering users the highest quality visual experience expected from Samsung, thanks to SuperBright Plus display with 400- nit brightness. Digital images and multimedia are brought to life on the 9 Series, assisted by a 100,000:1 contrast ratio and true-to-life color reproduction (16 million colors), enriching the computing experience for end users.
Additionally, the wide 160-degree viewing angle allows users to appreciate breathtaking screen images from a variety of vantages points, making the 9 Series easy to use whether in a user’s lap, on a desk or shared in a communal space. The laptop’s ambient light sensor adjusts the display brightness based on surrounding lighting conditions and reduces user eye strain. This innovative feature is complemented by an automatically adjusting backlit keyboard that adapts to darker light conditions with greater illumination.

Innovation Inside
The 9 Series integrates the second generation Intel® CoreTM i5 processor, affording users the latest in performance computer technology. Intel HD graphics, combined with the new processor, deliver crystal-clear visuals, vibrant colors and smooth high-definition (HD) video and audio playback.
Ensuring users are ready anytime anywhere, the 9 Series makes use of Samsung’s new power-efficient lithium polymer batteries, and achieves up to 6.5 hours of battery life on average. Lithium polymer batteries extend the life of the product with double the lifespan for up to three years or 1,000 charging cycles. Additionally, various charging settings, like a “Battery Life Extender Mode” and “Express Charging Mode” empower users with options to get the most from their experience.

Signature Samsung Technology
Samsung’s Support Center ensures all content stays safe and can help troubleshoot any particular problem. Accessible with a keyboard shortcut, the Support Center helps users manage their system settings or arrange for a tech-support web chat. Samsung’s Back-up & Recovery Solution also allows users to create and restore back-ups of system data on the device, or on a network or removable storage device.

Lastly, focusing on convenience and connectivity, the new 9 Series boasts USB 3.0, Bluetooth 3.0, built-in WiMax and utilizes the latest in Wi-Fi and USB Sleep & Charge technologies.

The Samsung 9 Series is scheduled to be available in February 2011, starting at $1,599. All Samsung mobile PC products are available through Samsung resellers and distribution channels, which can be located by calling 1-800-SAMSUNG or by visiting www.samsung.com.

Key Specs:
• CPU: Second Generation Intel® CoreTM i5 Processor 2537M (1.40 GHz, 3MB; turbo up to 2.3 GHz)
• Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 bit) / Windows® 7 Professional (64 bit)
• Memory: 4GB DDR3
• Storage (max): 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Screen: 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit SuperBright Plus display (400 nit)
• Resolution: 1366x768
• Graphics: Intel HD GT2 Integrated Graphics
• Speakers: 3 watt (1.5W x 2) stereo speakers and 1.5 watt sub-woofer
• Battery: Lithium Polymer; up to 6.5 hours
• Wireless: 802.11b/g/n; WiMaxi
• Weight: 2.89 lbs.

About Samsung Electronics America Enterprise Business Division
Based in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division (EBD) is a division of Samsung Electronics America (SEA), a U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. (SEC), the world’s largest technology company based on revenue. As one of the fastest growing IT companies in the world, Samsung EBD is committed to serving the needs of consumers ranging from the home user to the Fortune 500 elite and supporting the valued channel partners who serve our customers. Samsung EBD offers a complete line of award-winning color and mono-laser printing solutions, desktop monitors, laptop computers, digital signage solutions and projectors. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com or call 1-800-SAMSUNG.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 174,000 people in 193 offices across 66 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

5 How to remove malware

If you suspect that your system is infected and you need to manually remove the malware, follow these steps:

• In order to remove malware manually, you should be in Safe Mode first. Press the F8 key when you start your computer in Windows, and select the 'safe mode' option on the screen. If this procedure does not work, try changing the start-up option, if necessary, to boot from floppy/CD and insert a clean boot disk or CD. Then reboot.
• Run an up-to-date antivirus program from a clean CD. Note all suspicious files it detects or save the scan report.
• Use malware-specific removal tools (see AntiVir Removal Tool). They can repair (if possible) infected files and registry entries and they can remove other malware-related files from the infected system.
• Manually disinfect the system:
  
  1. Find and terminate malware processes and remove non-malware files related and used by malware. Tips: apart from the suspicious file names enumerated in a scan report, identify irregular file names or directories, strange file properties (hidden files, no file version or supplier name, abnormal file dates…); look-up the malware name on the Internet, to find out more details about the files it uses to run;
  2. Eliminate malware entries from the Registry, INI files, Services (Windows NT), Start Menu, Task Scheduler;
  3. Check the installed screensaver programs, games and other utilities;
  4. Delete web browser cache (Temporary Internet Files) and browser history, cookies and other suspect temporary files;
  5. Empty the Recycle Bin.
• Install an up-to-date antivirus program on your system.
  Reboot.
• Run a complete disk scanning.
• Make a habit of elementary security rules!

Kind Of Viruses

Adware

Adware is software that presents banner ads or in pop-up windows through a bar that appears on a computer screen. Those advertising spots usually can't be removed and are consequently always visible. The connection data allow many conclusions on the usage behavior and are problematic in terms of data security.

Backdoors

A backdoor can gain access to a computer by going around the computer access security mechanisms.
A program that is being executed in the background generally enables the attacker almost unlimited rights. User's personal data can be spied with the backdoor's help, but are mainly used to install further computer viruses or worms on the relevant system.
Boot viruses

The boot or master boot sector of hard drives is mainly infected by boot sector viruses. They overwrite important information necessary for the system execution. One of the awkward consequences: the computer system cannot be loaded any more…
Bot-Net

A Bot-Net is collection of software bots, which run autonomously. A Bot-Net can comprise a collection of cracked machines running programs (usually referred to as worms, Trojans) under a common command and control infrastructure. Boot-Nets server various purposes, including Denial-of-service attacks, etc., partly without the affected PC user's knowledge. The main potential of Bot-Nets is that the networks can achieve dimensions on thousands of computers and its bandwidth sum bursts most conventional Internet accesses.
Dialer

A dialer is a computer program that establishes a connection to the Internet or to another computer network through the telephone line or the digital ISDN network. Fraudsters use dialers to charge users high rates when dialing up to the Internet without their knowledge.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Botnet drones are usually able to attack servers, too: by sending numerous requests to a server from many infected clients simultaneously, they slow the server down. The server can no longer answer regular user requests.
EICAR test file

The EICAR test file is a test pattern that was developed at the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research for the purpose to test the functions of anti-virus programs. It is a text file which is 68 characters long and its file extension is “.COM” all virus scanners should recognize as virus.
Exploit

An exploit (vulnerability) is a computer program or script that takes advantage of a bug, glitch or vulnerability leading to privilege escalation or denial of service on a computer system. A form of an exploit for example are attacks from the Internet with the help of manipulated data packages. Programs can be infiltrated in order to obtain higher access.
Grayware

Grayware operates in a way similar to malware, but it is not spread to harm the users directly. It does not affect the system functionality as such. Mostly, information on the patterns of use is collected in order to either sell these data or to place advertisements systematically.
Hoaxes

The users have obtained virus alerts from the Internet for a few years and alerts against viruses in other networks that are supposed to spread via email. These alerts are spread per email with the request that they should be sent to the highest possible number of colleagues and to other users, in order to warn everyone against the "danger".
Honeypot

A honeypot is a service (program or server), which is installed in a network.
It has the function to monitor a network and to protocol attacks. This service is unknown to the legitime user - because of this reason he is never addressed. If an attacker examines a network for the weak points and uses the services which are offered by a Honeypot, it is protocolled and an alert sets off.
Keystroke logging

Keystroke logging is a diagnostic tool used in software development that captures the user's keystrokes. It can be useful to determine sources of error in computer systems and is sometimes used to measure employee productivity on certain clerical tasks. Like this, confidential and personal data, such as passwords or PINs, can be spied and sent to other computers via the Internet.
Macro viruses

Macro viruses are small programs that are written in the macro language of an application (e.g. WordBasic under WinWord 6.0) and that can normally only spread within documents of this application. Because of this, they are also called document viruses. In order to be active, they need that the corresponding applications are activated and that one of the infected macros has been executed. Unlike "normal" viruses, macro viruses do consequently not attack executable files but they do attack the documents of the corresponding host-application.
Polymorph viruses

Polymorph viruses are the real masters of disguise. They change their own programming codes - and are therefore very hard to detect.
Program viruses

A computer virus is a program that is capable to attach itself to other programs after being executed and cause an infection. Viruses multiply themselves unlike logic bombs and Trojans. In contrast to a worm, a virus always requires a program as host, where the virus deposits his virulent code. The program execution of the host itself is not changed as a rule.
Scareware

The term scareware refers to software which has been designed with the intent to cause anxiety or panic. The victim could be tricked and feels threatened and usually accepts an offer to pay and have the inexistent threat removed. In some cases the victim is seduced to cause the attack himself by making him think this intervention will successfully remove the threat.
Script viruses and worms

Such viruses are extremely easy to program and they can spread - if the required technology is on hand - within a few hours via email round the globe.
Script viruses and worms use a script language such as Javascript, VBScript etc. to infiltrate in other new scripts or to spread by activation of operating system functions. This frequently happens via email or through the exchange of files (documents).
A worm is a program that multiplies itself but that does not infect the host. Worms can consequently not form part of other program sequences. Worms are often the only possibility to infiltrate any kind of damaging programs on systems with restrictive security measures.
Security Privacy Risk (SPR)

The term "SPR/" ("Security or Privacy Risk") refers to a program which can damage the security of your system, trigger program activities you do not want or harm your private environment.
Spyware

Spyware are so called spy programs that intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the user's informed consent. Spyware is designed to exploit infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements. AntiVir is able to detect this kind of software with the category "ADSPY" or "adware-spyware".
Trojan horses (short Trojans)

Trojans are pretty common nowadays. We are talking about programs that pretend to have a particular function, but that show their real image after execution and carry out a different function that, in most cases, is destructive. Trojan horses cannot multiply themselves, which differenciates them from viruses and worms. Most of them have an interesting name (SEX.EXE or STARTME.EXE) with the intention to induce the user to start the Trojan. Immediately after execution they become active and can, for example, format the hard drive. A dropper is a special form of Trojan that 'drops' viruses, i.e. embeds viruses on the computer system.
Zombie

A Zombie-PC is a computer that is infected with malware programs and that enables hackers to abuse computers via remote control for criminal purposes. The affected PC, for example, can start Denial-of-Service- (DoS) attacks at command or send spam and phishing emails.

Google Adds Site-Filtering Feature to Search

Ever wish you could keep certain sites from showing up in your Google search results? Thanks to a new feature being rolled out right now, you can. Google announced the debut of a site-blocking search tool via its official company blog on Thursday. The tool is simple to use: When you click on a site in a Google search and then go back to Google -- presumably because you weren't satisfied with what you found -- you'll see a new option on the results page to block the site from future searches. All you have to do is click it, and the site will never show up for you again.

Your search site-blocking preferences are saved in your Google account, so you'll have to be logged in for the feature to work.

And don't worry: Your search-blocking changes aren't set in stone. Anytime a site is omitted from a search because of your blocking, Google will display a small message letting you know something's been removed. You'll have an option to unmask the hidden results, if you're so inclined. You can also manage your virtual blacklist via your Google search settings.

The Google search-blocking feature will become available to everyone over the next few days. As of now, it'll function only in English and only for users on Chrome 9 or higher, Internet Explorer 8 or higher, and Firefox 3.5 or higher.
Google Search Filtering: The Bigger Picture

If this whole thing has you feeling a sense of déjà vu, don't worry: You aren't losing your mind. Google announced a similar search-filtering feature about a month ago in the form of an extension for the Chrome browser. The extension did almost the same exact thing as this new feature, except for the fact that it worked on the browser-level instead of on Google's own servers.

It's all part of Google's steady efforts to combat the presence of search spam -- a fancy term for low-quality entries that show up in search results. Google has increasingly come under fire for search spam in recent weeks, with some bloggers and pundits saying the company's level of search-result junk is spiraling out of control. The concerns revolve largely around so-called "content farms," or sites that generate lots of pages with little real value. Many of these sites monitor popular search queries and create pages for the sole purpose of attracting traffic, even though they have no original or relevant content to offer.

Google also recently adjusted its search algorithm to try to keep those sites from cluttering up results. The change, announced in late February, is designed to reduce rankings for low-quality sites and give higher rankings to sites with more original and in-depth material.

Origin Genesis: Liquid-Cooled Behemoth Masters Benchmarks and Budgets

Origin GenesisThe performance desktop category plays host to all manner of pricey, powerful PCs. Despite being a relative newcomer to our rankings, Origin has fit right in, topping our charts and our benchmarks with premium components and generous overclocking. The company's latest update to its Genesis is no exception. (The Genesis line is also one of the priciest, though the new version will cost less than its near-$7000 predecessor -- specifically, $6399, as of 1/12/2010.)

The all-new Genesis packs Intel's second-generation Core i7-2600K CPU -- overclocked to a staggering 5GHz, and kept stable with liquid cooling. Origin has further outfitted the machine with 16GB of RAM, and just over 2.1TB of storage -- which includes a pair of 128GB solid-state drives in RAID 0. It earned a score of 223 on our WorldBench 6 benchmark suite, making this overclocked goliath the fastest machine we've seen to date.

Gaming performance was equally impressive, thanks to the three Nvidia GTX 580 GPUs arranged in SLI. In S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, it reached an average of 101 frames per second. And in the graphically intensive Just Cause 2, we saw an average of 47 frames per second.

Like its predecessor, the latest Genesis is housed in the Corsair 800D chassis. In fact, apart from the updated hardware, it is largely identical. The case is large and spacious, offering hot-swappable hard-drive bays on the front, as well as room inside for more 5.25-inch drives. It's also largely tool-free, with side walls that pop off at the push of a button. The graphics cards are held in place by thumbscrews, but the rest of the bays are accessible by way of sliding plastic latches.

My favorite new chassis feature? The remote-controlled lighting. You can pick your preferred color or simply cycle through them, bathing the interior of the machine with psychedelic rave lights. Sure, it serves no functional purpose. But sometimes bragging rights are their own reward.

Despite the cavernous chassis, there's actually little room for tinkering. Like its predecessor, the Genesis is liquid-cooled. A network of tubes across the CPU and the GPUs make the case's internals cramped, and the 5.25-inch bays are largely blocked by the reservoir. The Genesis packs a multiformat card reader, a Blu-Ray burner, and audio controls up front, but you aren't going to be able to fit much else in there. The motherboard's PCI slots are similarly blocked by the liquid-cooled GPUs.

Connectivity options abound. Hidden behind a panel on the face of the machine are four USB ports and one FireWire port, along with the headphone and microphone jacks. The aforementioned multiformat card reader offers a fifth USB port.

On the rear, you'll find a Serial PS/2 keyboard and mouse combo port, dual gigabit ethernet ports, a pair of eSATA ports, 7.1 analog and optical audio ports, a Bluetooth receiver, and a whipping eight USB 3.0 ports, making this one of the first machines we've reviewed that's focused on next-gen connectivity. The graphics cards offer a total of six DVI ports, and three Mini-HDMI ports.

Origin's updated Genesis outpaces Maingear's $8000 Shift Super Stock in general performance, and price. But that's largely a testament to the the impressive performance we've seen out of Intel's Sandy Bridge offerings. And when you don't have a $1000 Core i7-980X CPU or a custom paint job on your balance sheet, you can afford to lower costs -- or in Origin's case, to add more RAM and an internal light show. But despite being the first of many Sandy Bridge desktops to pass through our gates, you can bet that this behemoth won't be bested any time soon.

IDC: Windows Phones to Overtake iPhone iOS by 2015

The Windows operating system for smartphones is expected to gain market share in the next few years thanks to Nokia, eventually leapfrogging the iOS system used on Apple's iPhone. But Google Android will remain atop the field.
That's according to International Data Corporation's latest Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report. IDC predicts Android will have 43.8 percent of the market in 2015, followed by Windows Phone at 20.3 percent. Apple's iOS will trail at 16.9 percent. The future projections would be a significant improvement for Windows Phone, which will account for just 3.8 percent of the market by the end of this year, according to IDC's figures.
At the end of this year, Android is projected to have the most market share at 38.9 percent, IDC says, followed by Nokia's Symbian at 20.6 percent, and then iOS at 18.2 percent. However, Nokia has declared Symbian dead and its current market position relates largely to Nokia's traditionally dominant position in global markets, particularly those outside the U.S. IDC noted in its Thursday report that Nokia has committed to support Symbian devices until 2016.
Last year, Nokia declared an audacious switch to Windows Phone for its mobile devices. This is what fuels IDC's predictions, although IDC hopes Nokia's take-up of Microsoft's mobile OS will be trouble-free. Bearing in mind Nokia is far from healthy these days, with sales forecast updates putting its stock price into free-fall, this is far from assured. The Mango update of Windows Phone 7, due at the end of this year, is also fuelling IDC's predictions.
IDC expects nearly 1 billion smartphones to ship in 2015, more than double the 472 million projected to ship this year. It says expanding markets as well as falling handset prices and cheaper data plans will fuel the growth. IDC also says feature phones, which dominate the handset market right now and are built around features such as music playback, will decline in number.
If true, IDC's estimates for 2015 represent a mirror of the early personal computer market in the mid-1980s when Apple pioneered technological standards and gained significant market share but then lost ground to the clone market of PCs running the identical, easily-licensed operating system. The difference here is that Google Android takes the role of MS-DOS and in IDC's projections Microsoft is largely relying on a single hardware vendor -- Nokia -- for an upward surge in its fortunes.
Success in the mobile arena would be new for Microsoft, which despite investing millions of dollars in mobile since the 1990s, has never seen the kind of return on its investment it's found elsewhere. While the smartphone market has been growing, Microsoft's market share has been plummeting.
An issue not taken into account by IDC is Google's legal troubles relating to Android software patents, which could stunt its growth and even make manufacturers less likely to use it on their handsets.
Apple might also diversify its iPhone range, which could significantly increase the iOS market share. After launching the iPod, Apple split the product line into Touch, Shuffle and Nano models, and could easily do so with the iPhone. There have been many rumors suggesting Apple might launch an iPhone Nano, for example, which as well as being smaller than the iPhone, could also be targeted at a more budget conscious audience that simply can't afford the premium-priced existing models.
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