Monday, August 24, 2015

VMWare Player Version Issues

 May be my post help to some one  and I got this error:  Invalid configuration file. File “filename.vmx” was created by a VMware product with more features than this version of VMware Player and cannot be used with this version of VMware Player.  Cannot open configuration file filename.vmx.







Search engine results were not plentiful.  I finally found the solution here.  What had happened was that the virtual machine I was trying to open had been created in a newer version of VMWare (4.0) than my Player was (3.1.4).  By opening the vmx file in notepad and changing the line virtualHW.version = “8″  to : virtualHW.version = “7″, I was able to open the virtual machine and carry on.  The other option is to do a free upgrade of your version of VMWare player.  The problem is the error message doesn’t tell you that clearly.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Tips To Make Your iPhone Secure

                                

Kaspersky Lab has discovered a vulnerability in the Darwin kernel of the Apple operating system that if exploited, leaves OS X and iOS 8 devices exposed to the remote activation of denial of service attacks on the devices.

Keep in mind that doing everything we mention here will deprive your iPhone of some of its helpful features, but at the same time it will better protect your private data. You don’t have to follow all of the tips, so feel free to choose what you’re ready to sacrifice for the sake of security — it’s completely up to you.

1.Use a strong password instead of a 4 digit code
    The simplest and most efficient way to protect your data is to use a strong password instead of a simple 4 digit pin code for unlocking your iPhone. It’s a good idea to use a combination of letters, digits and symbols. It’s even better if the password is requested immediately after the lock screen, without any delay. As an extra option, you can also turn the “erase data” feature on, so the device will wipe everything from its memory after 10 failed passcode attempts. But keep in mind that all the data will be erased forever and you won’t be able to recover it, so it’s best not to forget your password.

How will it help? It will reduce the chances of a criminal being able to guess your password.
Where can you set these requirements? Go to “Settings” –> “Passcode” (or “Touch ID and passcode”) –> “Require passcode: immediately”; “Simple passcode: off”


2.Turn off lock screen notifications

Any password, even the strongest one, won’t prevent your data from being revealed if it appears on a lock screen. Messages, emails, and other information in your apps can contain some sensitive data like confirmation codes, private appointments, financial data, etc. The less your iPhone shows on a lock screen, the safer your data is.

How will it help? It won’t let strangers oversee information showing up on a lock screen.
Where can you set these requirements? Go to “Settings” –> “Passcode” (or “Touch ID and passcode”) –> “Allow access when locked” section.

3.Turn on two-step verification for Apple ID and iCloud

One lock is good, but two is better. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you set up two-step verification whenever it’s available for Apple ID and iCloud. When you set up two-step verification, you register one or more trusted devices (devices you control) that can receive 4-digit verification codes using either SMS or the Find My iPhone service. Then, any time you sign in to manage your Apple ID, sign in to the iCloud, or make an iTunes, iBooks, or App Store purchase from a new device, you’ll need to verify your identity by entering both your password and a 4-digit verification code.

How will it help? It will prevent your Apple account from being used by somebody that is not authorized.
Where can you set these requirements? Go to https://appleid.apple.com –> “Manage your Apple ID” –> “Password and Security” –> “Two-Step Verification”.

Anybody can use Siri on a lock screen while you’re away from your iPhone.


4. Disable Siri on a lock screen

Anybody can use Siri on a lock screen while you’re away from your iPhone.

Siri is a great Phone feature, but sometimes this nice personal assistant can give away some information that you would prefer to keep confidential. It’s not necessary to turn it off completely, but you will be much more secure if you prevent it from activating from a lock screen or on a “Hey Siri” voice command. Don’t forget: Siri can communicate with anyone, not just with an owner of the device it works on.

How will it help? It will eliminate the possibility of data extraction from the smartphone using Siri.
Where can you set these requirements? Go to “Settings” –> “Passcode” (or “Touch ID and passcode”) –> “Allow access when locked” section –> “Siri: off” and “Settings” –> “General” –> “Siri” –> “Allow “Hey Siri”: off”.

5. Turn off automatic sync to iCloud

As you might know, a lot of pictures from a recent leak were originally stored on Apple’s iCloud servers, which drove many celebs crazy. They thought that deleting a photo from a phone would solve the problem, but it doesn’t: after syncing to the “cloud” the data stays there, even if you get rid of it locally. Actually it happens with almost any kind of data if we are talking about iPhones and iCloud: messages, notes, contacts, documents — everything syncs automatically unless you turn it off. And that’s what we’d recommend, especially if you have just a couple of Apple devices and don’t need to sync them on a daily basis.

How will it help? It will reduce the risk of compromising your data while it’s on the iCloud servers, or if you loose one of your Apple devices.
Where can you set these requirements? Go to “Settings” –> “iCloud”

6. Turn off cookies in your browsers

Cookies are small files which almost any website generates and leaves on your device. They may contain some information about you, your computer or smartphone, and your preferences. It helps websites keep you logged in, or to show you some relevant content including ads, but in some cases they may be very helpful to cybercriminals as they can contain credentials and other sensitive data. To be honest, turning off cookies might bring you more stress than relief, but it helps your data by being more secure. Plus, some discomfort is not the biggest price you have to pay for data protection.

How will it help? It will reduce the risk of unauthorized use of your login data and some other private information stored in cookie files.
Where can you set these requirements? For Safari: Go to “Settings” –> “Safari” –> “Privacy & Security” section –> “Do Not Track: on”, “Block Cookies: Always Block”; For third party browsers: see similar browser settings.

7. Turn off the AutoFill option in your browsers

The same goes for the AutoFill option: if somebody gets your iPhone, then chances are this person will be able to log in as you on a number of sites. You don’t want this to happen, do you? Then switch it off! Again, you’ll experience some inconveniences, but it’s worth it.

How will it help? It will reduce the risk of someone logging into websites with your credentials when your iPhone is stolen or given to somebody.
Where can you set these requirements? For Safari: Go to “Settings” –> “Safari” –> “General” section –> “Passwords & AutoFill”; For third party browsers: see similar browser settings.


8. Don’t let apps access your contacts, photos, messages and other private data

This tip is quite extreme, but if you already followed every single recommendation we gave, then you might as well go ahead with the last one. In iOS 8 there’s a significant number of features and data types that almost any app can access: from GPS, to contacts, to messages. For example, if you install a third party keyboard you must give it full access to everything you are typing in order for you to be able to use it. If this sounds quite non-secure to you, then you have no choice but to go to “Settings” and prevent all these corporation-driven apps from accessing your data. After that you probably won’t be able to use some of the apps that you have, but that’s the way it is.

How will it help? At least it will give you some confidence in knowing that large companies like Google or Facebook won’t get any information about where you are, what you are doing and what kind of pizza you like.
Where can you set these requirements? Go to “Settings” –> “Privacy”.






Thursday, April 9, 2015

How to Run Multiple Whatsapp Account on Your Android Phone





WhatsApp is one of the most popular messenger app that also lets you share pictures, videos, music files and so on. By now, everyone of us have WhatsApp in our smartphones. I prefer WhatsApp among other messaging apps due to its simplicity and instant messaging service.
Although each and everything is quite handy in WhatsApp, but "What’s the most disturbing part that you came across?" For me it is:
If you run dual SIM in your Android smartphones, you might be willing to enjoy two separate WhatsApp account for your two different telephone numbers on your smartphone. Isn’t it?
However, this is where WhatsApp puts limitations on its users. WhatsApp users can not use more than one WhatsApp account on their mobile devices.
However, you are probably wondering:
"How do I find an excellent solution for this problem that actually works?"
Today, I am introducing you two different Android apps -- OGWhatsApp and SwitchMe -- that allows users to run multiple WhatsApp accounts on a single smartphone.

METHOD 1: USING OGWhatsApp

OGWhatsApp is an Android app that allows you to use two separate WhatsApp accounts on your single Android device without any need to root your Android device.
While running your normal WhatsApp account on your smartphone, you can follow some simple steps (below) in order to run a different WhatsApp account on the OGWhatsApp.
Follow these simple steps to go:

Step 1: Take a complete backup of your WhatsApp data and restore it.

Step 2: Delete all the WhatsApp data by going to Settings>apps>WhatsApp>Clear Data.

Step 3: Rename the /sdcard/WhatsApp directory to /sdcard/OGWhatsApp. You can use any file manager for Android to do this task, or from Windows.

Step 4: Uninstall your original WhatsApp app from your Android device.

Step 5: Now install OGWhatsApp in your Android smartphone.

Step 6: Once installed, remember to verify your old number that was previously registered with the original WhatsApp to OGWhatsApp. That is it.

Step 7: Now re-install the official WhatsApp for your other number from the play store.
This is crazy:

Enjoy two separate WhatsApp accounts for both telephone numbers on your single Android device without even rooting your Android device.

METHOD 2: USE SWITCHME TO RUN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS


SwitchMe is another Android app that allows you to have two separate WhatsApp accounts on a single Android device, but this app requires your Android smartphone be rooted.
Here’s the deal:
Switchme multiple account app allows you to log in and out of multiple user spaces however it needs root access to do this. However, users cannot access the other profile from their current profile because each account within the multiple profiles will have its settings, applications, and data.
Follow these simple steps to go:

Step 1: Root your Android device.

Step 2: Make sure that you have WhatsApp app installed on your smartphone.

Step 3: Install SwitchMe Multiple accounts on your smartphone.

Step 4: Run SwitchMe Multiple accounts, it will ask for Superuser request that you need to grant.

Step 5: Now create a user profile with your name in SwitchMe app. This profile will be an administrator account containing all the current apps and settings, and will also reflect your WhatsApp profile that is already installed on your smartphone.

Step 6: Now create another profile using a different name by tapping on the Create Profile button in SwitchMe app, and then choose the Switch option by selecting this account.

Step 7: Now your smartphone will restart automatically and once it is ready to use, install official WhatsApp again from Google Play Store and register it for the different phone number. That is it.
Congratulations!

Now you can easily use multiple WhatsApp accounts on your single Android smartphone. The Free version of SwitchMe Multiple accounts app allows you to use only two user account.
So, I have made available solutions for both users who want to use multiple WhatsApp accounts on their smartphone without rooting their Android device and with rooting their Android device respectively.

Source: Thehackernews