According to DTVAnswers.com, the U.S. Congress approved an extension of the Feb. 17th deadline for full-powered television stations nationwide to broadcast  exclusively in digital format.  The new deadline is June 12, 2009.

1. Get a google account
2. On your PC with Microsoft Outlook, you can use the Google Calendar Sync software to sync your outlook calendar with your google calendar.
3. Next Download the Iphone or Blackberry version of Google Sync to your phone.
4. Start Syncing.

Protect your computer while on WIFI public hotspots:

Public WiFi Hotspots are usually found in:

• Coffee/sandwich shops
• Airports
• Hotels

Unfortunately, most of the Public Hotspots do not use any type of encryption.  This leaves your laptop vunerable unless you take the neccessary steps to protect yourself.  Using a firewall will greatly improve your security for your laptop.  Both Windows XP and Windows Vista have a firewall.

Windows Firewall:
Windows XP with SP2: Click HERE to find out how to enable this.

Windows Vista Firewall:
Click HERE to find out how to enable this.

Here is what to do to protect yourself while near a WiFi Hotspot:

• Do not enter your credit card information or passwords while using a public wifi hotspot
  • If you must, make sure your browser shows a padlock that tells you that it’s a secure site.
  • Check the URL that you are connected to.  It must show https://….
• Turn off your wireless when not in use:  If you’re not using your wireless connection, but still need to use the computer, turn off your wireless network.  Most laptops now have a switch where you can turn it off.  See your laptops manual for more information.

Protect Your Laptop on the Road

Protect your information If you keep personal or financial information on your computer, there are tools to protect your information through a process called encryption. To learn how to encrypt your data in Microsoft windows, visit techwithmike.com and see the notes for this show.

An Example of another option would be to use TrueCrypt: www.truecrypt.org

Protect your laptop with a strong password If you travel with your laptop frequently, you should secure it with a strong password. Check your computer’s Help and Support service to learn how to add or change your system password. To find out how to create passwords that are tough for hackers to crack, but easy for you to remember, see the show notes for this show.  I will provide links on ho to create strong passwords.  

Strong passwords: How to create and use them

Microsoft Password Checker can help you create a strong password.

Back up your computer before going. Always back up your information before you take your laptop on a trip. You can’t always avoid the financial loss of your equipment, but you can avoid losing all your information in the process. Listen to show  13 – Backup Up on how to learn how to backup your data www.techwithmike.com/?p=181 .

Be careful what you store on your thumb drives  If you travel with a thumb drive, try not to store sensitive information on it. If you lose the drive or if the drive is stolen it’s easy for anyone to access that information. Thumb drives can also carry viruses like many other types of storage devices can, so remember to update the antivirus on your computer.  If you need to carry sensitive data on the thumbdrive use Truecrypt to secure the data.

Tracking down your stolen laptop:  Many if not mall laptop manufacturers will give you the option to install special software that can be used to track down your laptop in the event of it being stolen.  Some software can erase your hard drive at your request so that someone that stole your laptop will not be able to access your data.  Check with your laptop vendor.

Set a System boot password:  This can be done in your system settings upon boot up.  Some system passwords can also encrypt your hard drive so that you can not remove the hard drive and access the data on another computer.