9f'4]2ou is my Password!

Welcome to Freedomstar Tech Guide 8!

Keyloggers.... what are they and what do they do? To keep things short, they basically track all your keystrokes (yes, including passwords and credit card info), then secretly sends them to third parties. How harmful are they? Very very high. You could fall victim to identity theft. So.. protect yourself!

KeyScrambler Personal (Pro/Premium Version available too)
Developer: QFX Software

Recommended by PC World as part of 15 Great, Free Privacy Downloads.

I am NOT affiliated with QFX Software in any way. The following is for Windows ONLY.

The free "Personal" version is a free add-on to Mozilla Firefox, Flock, and Internet Explorer. Its available on the Mozilla Add-ons site however it requires a local install first so I suggest you get it from the main site, which usually has the more updated version. After installing, if it doens't automatically open Firefox and install, go to C:\Program Files\KeyScrambler or where you installed it, and drag keyscrambler.xpi into the Firefox add-ons window (or sidebar if you use AiOS).

Unlike antivirus and antispyware software, this works at the keyboard driver level to encrypt all your keystrokes then decrypts it at your browser so keyloggers in between will not see you actual keystrokes. As of Version 2.0, the free version protects all parts of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Flock.

See how a little overlay window comes up showing you the encrypted keystrokes. Thats what keyloggers would see. A meaningless string of random characters.

Very light weight and unobtrusive software at around only 1.22 MB installed. You also control where the window comes up and how it comes up or if it comes up at all.

KeyScrambler is a lightweight, non-obstrusive essential addition to your computer's security. Protect from both known and unknown keyloggers!

Make sure you use the latest version. Previous versions were known to have bugs such as excessive CPU usage in Firefox and failing to decrypt it, therefore submitting the encrypted keystrokes. I have not encountered any of these bugs in Version 2.4.1.1.

KeyScrambler Pro and Premium formerly protects all parts of the browser with Premium protecting some other apps. However, as of Version 2.0, Personal protects all parts of browser, so Pro protects nearly 80 applications with Premium protecting more than 100. Comparison chart is here. Protected apps of Pro include Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, 7-Zip, Pidgin, Trillian, and much more. Premium even protects Windows Log-in and UAC (Vista and 7) Controls.

Note that even though Chrome and other Pro supported browsers is a browser, its not protected by Personal because it does not support extensions. The Pro and Premium are not add-ons. They run all day on your computer.

Remember that Mozila Add-ons often does not have the latest version. To check for updates, it should do so automatically or go to KeyScrambler options (right click on taskbar icon) and click on Options. If you disabled the icon, click on the Tools icon in the overlay window.
GREEN indicates KeyScrambler is on. YELLOW means its inactive (not in a protected application). RED indicates that you turned it off.

Once again, I am not affiliated with QFX Software in any way.

Download KeyScrambler today!

That's all folks for today! Please comment on tech as we need comments to improve on the tech guide. Thanks!
By - Freedomstar & Creastery™ 2009

Get A Browser safer than Firefox!!

Welcome to Tech Guide 7 from Freedomstar!

Security is always very important for your computer although at least 50% of web users completely disregard it.

Obviously, having up to date antivirus, antispyware, firewall, and computer updates is important (even though most people disregard this also), but that might not be enough, as certain threats can bypass security controls. So, protect yourself from security threats, both known and unknown!

All platforms supported, but Gecko (Mozilla) based browsers ONLY.

"Whats more secure than Firefox? Firefox with NoScript!!"

First, get a recent Gecko based browser such as Mozilla Firefox (recommended), Flock, or Seamonkey. Only these browsers can you install a special add-on known as NoScript. Awarded as one of the best 100 products of 2006 by PC World.

Recommended Installation Locations:
Official Mozilla Add-ons Site
NoScript Download Site

I am not affiliated with Informaction (developer of NoScript) in any way.

You may have read that the best way to stay safe from online threats is by disabling Javascript. But what does that leave you with? Nearly every single site wouldn't work properly with some not working at all. Online threats often execute through Javascript, Flash, Java, and other plugins. So how do we let Javascript run, yet still stay completely secure.

The answer is NoScript, a simple yet extremely powerful add-on. Scripts only run from trusted sites, which are those that you explicitly allow.
A side effect is that it also blocks certain ads. To fully block ads, use Adblock Plus along with an add-on to Adblock Plus known as Adblock Plus: Element Hider Helper, both of which are fully compatible with NoScript.

NoScript is the one and ONLY Clickjack and Clearclick protection available. Also known as "UI Redressing" is hiding an element behind an interface element that you trust. If you don't use a supported browser, then you're basically out of luck for protection. Click here for more info on Clickjacking and Clearclick Protection from NoScript.

You can also temporarily allow scripts for a certain domain(s) to just allow them for the current session. There is also an untrusted blacklist. Sites you add there will not be allowed to run scripts and also removes the option to allow it until it is removed from the blacklist.

Most browser exploits come from scripts and plugins, making NoScript the absolute best protection you can get in a web browser.

Nice bonus: You are invulnerable to "Rick Rolls" The concept of the "Rick Roll" doesn't directly involve this however many sites of this gives you an endless stream of dialogs and moves your window preventing you from closing it. With NoScript and the site not allowed, you are unaffected.

If you find it annoying (which you shouldn't), you can Allow Scripts Globally (not recommended) and still use the add-on for Anti-XSS, Clickjacking, and Clearclick protections as well as Force HTTPS and other useful features.

Once again, I am not affiliated with Informaction in any way.
Get a browser thats safer than Firefox today! (Requires Gecko based browser)

If you have questions, contact me in the Digsby widget in the sidebar, leaving a comment in the comments section, and/or sending an email to techpedia.mail@gmail.com.