Software Review: AutoRuns for Windows

Software Name: AutoRuns for Windows
License: Free
OS: Win XP
Rating: * * * * * (5 out of 5 stars)
Download File Size: Less than 1 MB
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Since my early days as a computer user, I have tried to keep a close check on the programs that are loaded into computer's memory. They may include programs that startup when I logon to my Windows, various device drivers or even the Windows services. In order to control which program loads and which doesn't, I had to learn what each program did. If the program was essential, I would allow it, otherwise the program need not use up my computer's precious resources.

Finding these auto-loading programs was the hard part. In Windows, auto-loading of such programs is handled from various different locations. Some of these locations are easy to find, while others would have you baffled. Say, for example, if a spyware were to make its home in your computer, it would probably make its autorun entry quite hard to find.

"AutoRuns for Windows" seemingly took care of all my problems. This program exhaustivly lists every possible auto-start locations, and gives you a choice to either disable/enable the autorun entry for future startups, or delete the entry, in which case you won't be able to re-enable it.

I should warn newbie users to tread lightly with this program. First learn what a file does before disabling its auto startup. Avoid deleting entries unless you are 100% positive that it is a malcious program. Other than these, enjoy a better computing experience.

The software is available for download from Microsoft's website. Find more functions that this software has to offer by following the Download Now! link above.

Software Review: TrueCrypt

Software Name: TrueCrypt
License: Free
OS: Win 2000/XP/Vista,
Linux Open Suse (x86, x64)/Ubuntu (x86, x64),
Mac OS X 10.4/10.5
Rating: * * * * * (4 out of 5 stars)
Download File Size: 2.52 MB
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Most of us have personal data on our computers that we would like to keep private. There are many ways to achieve this goal. Microsoft Windows XP allows you to keep your 'My Documents' private so that only you can access the files when you login. There is a downside to this. Say your OS gets corrupted and you are unable to login. You can try to boot your computer from other sources such as bootable CDs and browse through data on your drives. But this still won't allow you to access your 'My Documents' folder. You have to go through the ordeal of repairing your Windows just to access those files.

Creating WinRAR archives with password protection is also another option. But with large data, it can be cumbersome to extract or add files to the archive.

Not to worry, TrueCrypt offers relief for you. With TrueCrypt you can create so-called containers or volumes which are encrypted (password protected as well). You can then copy your data in these containers (by mounting them first). These containers appear as ordinary files, which you can copy, move and rename as per your liking. When you want to access files and folders in these containers, you just have to mount them on a virtual drive through the TrueCrypt software. Unless mounted, the data in this file/container is inaccessible. Once mounted, it behaves as a drive to which you may copy files or delete them or do anything that you would like with the files and folders within the container. Once you are done accessing the container via the drive, just dismount the drive and the container again is just an ordinary file, with your latest changes. Your container is password protected so that only you are able to access the data within.

One true strength of TrueCrypt is the hidden container functionality. The purpose of this is to create a hidden container within a normal container discussed above. While creating these containers, you are asked to set separate passwords for the normal and the hidden container. While mounting your container, if you provide password for the normal container, the normal container is mounted and if you provide the password for the hidden container, the hidden container is mounted. If you are forced to reveal your password, you should give the password for the normal container and not the hidden one. According to the developers of TrueCrypt, no one can prove if there is a hidden container in the normal one.

It is a great software and quite fast. Your file can be mounted and dismounted in seconds. There is much more to the software than I have discussed in this article. You may read about more features and download this software from their official site: TrueCrypt. The interface is quite user-friendly, and there are wizards to guide you smoothly through the operations. User Guide is also included with the software, so you won't have any trouble getting started.