In this post you will unearth all types of assorted patterns; for example fabrics, arithmetical shapes, fancy, retro, vintage, grunge, swirls, lines, paper… and much more. We are fairly certain that this vast a collection should be able to satisfy any and all of your pattern cravings. Each set in this compilation contains a variety of popular formats such as .ai, .eps, .pat, .png, and .jpg.

The Pattern Sets

Vector Patterns Set 12 Patterns (.ai, .png & .pat)
This set contains six seamless vector patterns in blue and brown colors. The files are available in: .AI, .PNG and .PAT.

Grunge Stripes Patterns (.jpg and .pat)
12 Free High Resolution Grunge Stripes Photoshop Patterns in one set. They range in resolution from 512px x 512px to 512px x 1024px.

Spring Pattern (.ai, .eps and .svg)
Have fun adding this to backgrounds, illustrations, or your next design project that calls out for a bit of decorative flair, available in AI EPS and SVG format.

Floral Vector Pattern (.ai, .png & .pat)
This set contains six floral vector patterns. Since patterns are in vector format you can change their size and adjust the color to suit your needs. The download includes 6 vector patterns, 6 PNG files and 6 Photoshop patterns.

Geometric Vector Pattern Set (.ai, .png & .pat)
This set contains six vector geometric patterns. This set contains .AI file, 6 PNG files and .PAT file which includes 6 Photoshop patterns. The patterns are made in cyan-blue but you can change the color and size according to your needs.

Renaissance Spring (.eps, .png, & .psd)
This set contains 1 Damask Pattern with 3 Color Options, included EPS, and 300dpi PNG, JPEG, PSD files.

Abstract Patterns (.pat .png)
This pack contains 16 abstract patterns that includes PAT file and 16 PNG pattern images.

Paper Flowers Pattern (.ai)
A set of 7 patterns inspired by floral paper-cuts. Created in Illustrator.

Diamonds and Gears Pattern (.svg)
A cool muted colored seamless pattern featuring diamonds and gears. Great for web backgrounds and print materials.

Abstract Patterns (.pat and .png)
This pack contains 20 abstract patterns that includes PAT files with 20 PNG pattern images.

Blue Patterns (.jpg and .pat)
This is a set of some beautiful blue patterns. Includes the pat file for Photoshop as well .jpegs.

Seamless Camouflage Pattern Background Vector (.eps)
This set contains free seamless camouflage vectors and Photoshop pattern backgrounds in 4 colours.

Pattern Kit One (.ai)
This beautiful set contains 6 patterns that are sure to dress up your next project.

Free Christmas Seamless Pattern (.ai, .eps and .jpg)
This set contains a beautiful free Christmas themed seamless pattern.

Seamless Flower Patterns (.eps)
Set of 5 nice vector seamless flower patterns for your spring designs. EPS stock vector clip art.

Horrific Pattern Vectors (.ai)
Horrific Patterns contains 4 Illustrator CS5 patterns with Halloween elements.

Hand-drawn Floral (.eps, .jpg and .pat)
A subtle hand-drawn seamless vector pattern that you can download and use in your own work. The pattern repeats on all sides so you can use it to fill shapes and areas in your designs.

Christmas Frames (.ai)
This set contains some beautiful Christmas frames patterns to help with all of your seasonal needs.

Gray Seamless Pattern Set for Web Designers (.png and .pat)
This set contains 12 elegant seamless pattern sets in shades of gray.

TipClique Patterns (.Pat)
This set contains high quality 500px x 500px seamless patterns. Ready to use with the paint bucket to fill with the pattern, or use them in a style with the pattern overlay, and bevel texture options.

Vector Seamless Christmas backgrounds (.eps)
This set contains 5 cute vector seamless Christmas backgrounds for your greeting cards, covers and other holiday designs. Format: EPS stock vector clip art. Free for download.

NixVex Free Jagged Pattern (.ai)
This set contains beautiful jagged-edged patterns made in Illustrator CS3.

Four Seamless Vector Patterns (.ai)
These free vector patterns are a combination of waves and squares. The file is available in AI vector format.

Vintage Floral (.eps, .png and .pat)
Here’s a beautiful vintage-style seamless vector pattern that you can download and use in your own work. The pattern repeats on all sides and you can use it to fill shapes and areas in your designs.

Vector Pattern Set 02 (.ai, .png and .pat)
This seamless vector pattern set contains six different patterns. The files are available in: .AI, .PNG and .PAT formats.

Zebra Print Vector Pattern (.ai)
This set contains a simple zebra print vector pattern you can use to make your designs a little wilder.

Branches (eps and png)
A high contrast pattern with detailed branches that would be great for layer overlays in your Photsoshop design works. Or use as is for a high impact background. As usual, repeats on all sides so will fill any areas in your designs.

Free Vector Guilloché Patterns (.eps)
This set contains 6 beautiful vector guilloché patterns.

Seamless Floral Backgrounds Vector (.eps)
Set of 5 beautiful vector seamless floral backgrounds with colorful flowers and leaves. Colors: pink, green, lilac (violet, purple) and brown.

Colour Pattern Pack (.pat, .psd and .png)
Each pattern can be changed in colour in the PSD file, and the jpeg files included can be used for website backgrounds. This download includes 8 jpegs, PSD files of patterns and the PAT file.

Free Seamless Vector Pattern (.ai, .png and .pat)
This seamless vector pattern set contains three different patterns in two colors. The available files are: .ai, .png and .pat.

Mandala Madness Vector (.svg)
This set contains beautiful mandala type vector patterns that can help add an interesting bit of flavor to your designs.

Patterns With Flowers Vector Set (.ai and .tiff)
Set of 3 nice vector seamless patterns with some flowers for your summer related designs and backgrounds.

Planes and UFO Pattern (.ai)
It contains seamless patterns filled with planes and ufos in vector and raster formats

Compositions Patterns (.pat)
This set contains some beautiful patterns made from scans of notebook paper and a good ‘ol composition book, the .pat file and 5 .pngs.

Assorted (.Pat)
17 Adobe Photoshop Patterns in one .pat file (most of them are vertically striped). These patterns were made with Photoshop CS.

Baby Pink Pastel Tileable Patterns (.jpg and .pat)
It is a free combo pack of seamlessly tile-able baby pink pastel patterns in .jpg format as well as a corresponding Photoshop pattern (.pat) set.

Photoshop Pattern Pack (.pat, .psd and .png)
Each pattern can be changed in colour and opacity in the PSD file. This download includes 6 pngs, PSD file of patterns and the PAT file for Photoshop.

Indonesian Batik Vector Pattern 04 (.ai, .eps, .svg, .pat)
This wonderful set contains an Indonesian Batik vector pattern. Contained in the zip file are the various formats mentioned above.

Seamless Christmas Backgrounds Vector (.eps)
Set of 5 beautifully designed Christmas backgrounds with gifts, bells and other Christmas decorations for your holiday designs (cards, postcards, posters, covers, etc). Format: EPS stock vector clip art.

Skulls and Hearts PS Patterns (.pat)
This set contains 3 whimsical pink, black and white Photoshop skull patterns that can be used in various ways.

Flower patterns vector 2 (.eps)
Set of 5 beautiful vector flower patterns that are simply perfect for your spring designs.

Vintage Retro Grunge Patterns (.jpg and .pat)
Free combo pack of seamlessly tile-able vintage retro grunge wallpaper patterns in .jpg format as well as a corresponding Photoshop pattern (.pat) set.

Snowflake Patterns (.jpg and .pat)
This is a set of 12 assorted simple snowflake patterns. Included are the pat file for Photoshop as well as 600 x 600 jpegs for those of you who do not have Photoshop.

Seamless Vintage Floral Backgrounds Vector Set (.eps)
Collection of 5 beautiful vintage floral vector backgrounds with ornaments for your designs.

Flower Pattern Pack (.pat and .jpg)
Want to have a funky website background? These flower patterns are great at adding colour and design to any work. This download includes 8 jpgs of the flower patterns and a PAT file for Photoshop.

Feliz Navidad (.eps, .pat and .jpg
This set contains 1 damask pattern with 3 different color options. Includes the EPS, PAT, and 300dpi transparent PNG, JPEG

New Seamless Pattern Background (.jpg)
This seamless pattern background is designed to be used for large posters or at least printed in high resolution. This free pattern is in JPG format.

Micro Patterns (.pat)
The Micro Patterns set contains a staggering 54 Patterns for Photoshop

Gold Free Pattern (.jpg and .pat)
A wonderful set of six Photoshop patterns for any of your artworks, cards or websites that could use some golden accents. There is one Photoshop .pat file and six individual and seamless .jpg files. The patterns are made on PS CS5.

http://www.noupe.com/design/50-useful-and-free-seamless-pattern-sets.html

Click Redeem from the Quick Links section located on the right of the Mac App Store.

Enter your redemption code into the text field exactly as it appears on your gift card or gift certificate. You may be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Click Redeem.
You will receive a thank you message.

Your Mac App Store credit balance will be displayed in the Quick Links section. When you redeem a code on the Mac App Store, your store credit balance will be updated for both the Mac App Store and iTunes Store.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4480

1: Clear application caches

If you want to free up hard disk space, you should start out by clearing any application caches that might exist. Application caches can contain a lot of data. For example, some older versions of Internet Explorer are designed to consume up to 10% of your total hard disk space with temporary files. Newer versions use a default cache size of 50 MB.

A better example is a video editing application I frequently use. This application caches all source video files. The last time that I cleaned out the cache, I managed to recover almost 200 GB of disk space.

2: Look for signs of disk corruption and system upgrades

Hard disk corruption and operating system upgrades can both cause disk space to be wasted. I recommend opening a command prompt window and executing CHKDSK with the /F switch. This will cause Windows to scan the hard disk for corruption and repair any problems that it might find. (Be sure to make a backup first.) In certain situations, this can free up quite a bit of disk space.

Even if no corruption is detected, that doesn’t mean that no corruption has occurred in the past. When CHKDSK encounters files that can’t be repaired, it stores the file fragments in .CHK files. Unless you are attempting to recover lost data, you can safely delete any .CHK files you find on the system. While you’re at it, you might also look for temporary files (.TMP files) and log files (.LOG files), both of which can usually be safely deleted.

Another thing to check for is an old Windows installation. If Windows is reinstalled (or if a new version of Windows is installed) from outside the Windows operating system, Setup will attempt to preserve the previous operating system by creating a folder named Windows.old. As long as you don’t need anything from the previous Windows installation, you can safely delete the Windows.old folder.

3: Run Disk Cleanup

Desktop versions of Windows come equipped with a tool called the Disk Cleanup Wizard. It searches the system for unneeded files that are safe to delete (such as memory dump files). You can run the Disk Cleanup Wizard by opening My Computer, right-clicking on the drive you want to clean, and choosing the Properties command from the shortcut menu. When the drive’s properties sheet opens, click the Disk Cleanup button on the General tab.

4: Look for unneeded applications

Almost every new PC includes a ton of trial applications and nagware that are installed by default. I always recommend blanking the hard drive on a new PC and starting with a clean Windows installation, but often times I encounter PCs that are still running the factory configuration.

In these situations, you can go through the Control Panel and remove any of the trial applications that are not being used (as well as the nagware). While you’re at it, check for any other applications that might have been installed by the system’s owner but that are no longer used.

If the system contained a Windows.old folder, there’s a good chance that there are also application remnants in the Program Files folder. These remnants won’t appear in the Control Panel because the applications were installed on the old operating system. The only way to get rid of them is to manually delete them from the Program Files folder.

5: Remove manufacturer partitions

In addition to all the trial applications and nagware that manufacturers install on PC hard drives, PCs usually contain a recovery partition. This partition exists so that the PC can be reset to factory defaults in the event of a problem. In some cases, it may be possible to delete the recovery partition and then merge the empty space with another volume on the system. I prefer to just back up the system, delete all the partitions, create one big partition, and then restore the backup.

Of course, if you get rid of the recovery partition, you can’t use it to rebuild the system. As long as you have a Windows installation DVD, that shouldn’t be a problem (unless you actually want some of the applications that are loaded on the system by default). The recovery partition is often outdated anyway. For example, if a system shipped with Windows Vista but has been upgraded to Windows 7, the recovery partition will contain an outdated operating system (Vista).

Don’t forget to defrag

All of these techniques have the potential to recover quite a bit of lost hard disk space. Any time you manage to recover a significant amount of disk space, it is a good idea to defragment the system afterward.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-freeing-up-pc-hard-disk-space/844

Speakeasy Solutions Inc. is committed to your success with the technology we provide to you, and as such, offer advice which is designed to optimize your computer system and continued experience.

Software, particularly of Dragon’s calibre, will function at its peak if your computer is well maintained.  We also offer several other check-up routines below which may be of interest.  To receive these newsletters directly in your inbox, subscribe today.

Disk Cleanup is an application within the Microsoft Windows operating system that removes temporary files, empties the recycle bin and removes various system files that are no longer required.

Performing Disk Cleanup every few months will help maintain your hard drive.

Disk Cleanup can be found under the Start menu> All programs> Accessories> System Tools

Once you have performed Disk Cleanup, you may wish to also defragment your hard drive.

Temporary files not only take up (sometimes) valuable space on a hard drive, but contribute to a slower functioning PC.  By removing these files monthly (or every few months), you will streamline your computer’s operation.

CCleaner is a reputable application for cleaning your system of unnecessary files.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider using Windows’ Disk Cleanup.

While hard drives are of a size these days that we needn’t be as diligent about regularly emptying our computer’s recycle bin, it is, nonetheless, a good idea to do so on occasion.

If you have the tendency to temporarily download substantially sized files to your desktop or computer and shortly thereafter delete them, they do “add up” in terms of hard drive space.

Regardless, take a moment to empty your recycle bin.

http://www.speakeasysolutions.com/blog/2012/05/25/computer-maintenance-reminders-disk-cleanup-reycle-bin/

As if foreshadowing the birth of social media and the hue and cry around online privacy and security issues, Marshall McLuhan summed it up in one succinct sentence: Publication is a self-invasion of privacy. And in a day and age when everyone and their mother (literally) is a publisher, whether via Twitter or LinkedIn, through a blog or on a Facebook page, it begs the question: If you are putting yourself out there, then where does online privacy and security even fit in? What if, when it comes to social media and its many platforms, privacy and security have gone the way of the Dodo bird?

Let’s face it, before social media crashed the online party, security and privacy tended to be more of an ‘in versus out’ issue. Corporations needed security to make sure nothing came ‘into’ their online corporate bubble, to make sure their online properties were secured so information wasn’t easily accessible by outside individuals. ‘Hack’ was the new four-letter dirty word. Corporations used firewalls for security lest employees ventured somewhere unsavoury. They also made things secure for their consumer with encrypted payment pages for online buying, that sort of thing.

As for the general public, they had to be careful of what they were putting ‘out’ onto the Internet, that their blog privacy settings were set and secure, that they didn’t use their birthdays or their kids names as passwords, and maybe, most importantly, that they didn’t reveal too much sensitive or private personal information — birth dates, where they live, where they were born, job info — you know, the stuff identity thieves use.

Then along came social media. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networking sites are fundamentally non-private and by extension not secure. Their value, for business, and their fun, for everyone else, lies in the sharing and publishing of personal information. And it’s a level of online sharing that even those of us at a *ahem* reasonably young age still find astonishing. Yet these networks seem to be at the root of more privacy/security concerns than anything else online. Huh?

We mentioned the business value of social networking sites up there, and we talk about it here daily. It’s no secret that corporations make money using customer information and statistics. The sudden tsunami of personal data available online — published voluntarily, however, via social networking sites — raised that bar, and blurred the lines between what companies should have access to and what they shouldn’t.

For the sake of argument only, let’s use Facebook as an example. Google ‘Facebook’ and ‘privacy’. What you’ll see is article after article describing one or another attempt by Facebook to tweak its privacy settings, and the inevitable backlash by its members who rabidly protest these changes as an attack on personal privacy. And here’s why: With the latest software, everything from our age range, what neighbourhood we live in, our average salary, what car we drive and whether Black Swan or Inception might tickle our fancy can be determined from a few clicks of a mouse or select keywords. The Wall Street Journal wrote a great article on data sharing, which is extremely lucrative, and one of the fastest growing businesses on the web.

There’s no denying that Facebook is a business, and a mighty successful one at that. And in 2007 it got its hand slappedfor exactly this type of data sharing. For members who thought it was more of a benevolent sorority club that anyone could join, the idea that their personal information might be ‘used’ was a bit of a shock. And they freaked out. Online petitions were circulated. Pundits wondered if this might be the tipping point, if people were going to be scared away from Facebook and social media in droves because of risks of privacy invasion. But, a bit like Chicken Little, that didn’t happen. And it’s still not happening. Just last April, the company was called on the carpet for the same type of data sharing. Yet, today, Facebook has 500 million active users. Think about that. For all the teeth gnashing around its privacy hiccups, people still joined — and are still joining — in droves. Here’s why: What Mark Zuckerberg does in response to the rallying cries of ‘off with their heads’ is a little bit of crafty and a whole lot of smart. He gives people the tools to opt out, the opportunity to change their settings. Which makes them feel more secure. Are they completely private? No. Is their information completely secure? No. But as long as they can control, within reason, their page settings, they feel better.

The bottom line is, social media changed the Internet landscape. It’s always seemed a bit hypocritical to get up in arms about online privacy and security in between posting to Twitter, sharing on Facebook, detailing your job history on LinkedIn and becoming mayor of your local Starbucks on Foursquare. (And we haven’t even touched on sites like Blippy, where you share your credit card purchases with friends.) In researching the online privacy/security issue, and asking relevant questions regarding where and how it fit into this new world of social networking, we concluded it didn’t. It couldn’t. Privacy and security are virtually the antithesis of the transparency and immediacy of social media. There has been an evolution, though. What you can have — indeed should insist you do have — is CONTROL.

Below are some tips that will give you a bit more control, both personally and professionally, while adapting to and adopting social media.

Personal Control

Tighten your privacy settings: Remember that Facebook, MySpace, and other social sharing sites want your information to be shared. That’s why the default privacy settings are usually as loose as they can be. But Facebook, and many other similar sites, offer customizable privacy settings that allow you to limit who can see what. Limit sensitive data, like email addresses and phone numbers, to only your friends, to better protect your privacy.

Share less: If there’s something about you — information or a picture — that you don’t want the world to potentially see, then don’t share it online. Pictures showing you out drinking or at a party, for example, might be something you want to keep to yourself and out of the hands of possible employers or even from family. The easiest way to keep info private is to not share it at all.

Use dedicated e-mail accounts: Thinking of signing up for a new social network or starting a blog? Worried that you’ll be flooded with spam and phishing emails if you do? Then take the steps to protect your e-mail and set up dedicated email addresses, something like “myspamaccount@gmail.com”, for example. Use this account for your social networking sites and other online activities. That way, if you do become a victim of spam or other unwanted emails, your primary email is still safe and protected.

Corporate Control

Increase employee awareness: People can change the way they behave in social networks only if they are aware of the security risks. Therefore, organizations should inform their employees about the risks present in the social media and raise their awareness of the fact that even seemingly harmless information can reveal too much about the company or people’s private lives. Providing continuous information about new threats and maintaining rules of conduct can further help with employee awareness. It is helpful to appoint a social media expert within the company who acts as a permanent contact for employees with questions and concerns.

Establish firm processes: Administrators need to remain up-to-date about the most recent risks on the web. It is therefore advisable to establish firm processes that are systematically linked to daily workflows. For example, administrators should make sure to download the latest security updates. These seemingly mundane mechanisms enable IT administrators to identify network attacks quickly or to avoid them altogether.

Maintain a strong set of rules: With in-house guidelines, network administrators can define the network areas and applications that can be accessed by specific people at specific times. This makes it possible to control and monitor access to critical data, and to track such access at any time, which reduces the risk of information falling into wrong hands through unauthorized channels. Companies should also take compliance requirements into account. The important thing is to keep the policies up to date and adapt them to changing circumstances.

http://www.radian6.com/blog/2011/02/is-online-privacy-dead/

Wikipedia states as follows with reference to this concept:
Internet security is a branch of computer security specifically related to the Internet. Its objective is to establish rules and measures to use against attacks over the Internet.
Now, thinking about for a minute, you will understand the value of knowing a little bit about this phenomenon in your own general networked environment as you must would have heard about people loosing their hotmail accounts, facebook ids, twitter passwords to hackers. Why? Simply because of their lack of knowledge of taking key steps of securing their computers or devices regarding internet usage. After all internet is the grand dady of all networks – a huge network of networks. And everyone else is in the network along with you. Therefore, you need to take steps to handle issues regarding your own safety.
Read about very basic steps to how to break into a network through the following guide. You will find simple methods to hack into sessions and steal passwords (do not start impressing anyone as these tips are only of basic nature and include more information to increase your knowledge).

Internet Security and Your Own Privacy
If you are not actually interested in knowing in detail about the topic but want to know about the basic steps to tackle the problem, here is a simple set of tips:
1- Make sure you use an updated antivirus software
2- There is nothing bad about using internet security suits.
3- Try to avoid browser toolbars
4- Malware removal tool should be a must as well
5- Never leave your sessions without logging out of any service
6- Wi-fis are dangerous. Make sure you password protect your networks.

http://freewb.blogspot.com/

I hope I’m not alone in my disdain for this alarmist and arguably ignorant view of how the Internet works.

I should be clear of course; I’m not against internet privacy. Neither am I advocating any kind of Big Brother-esque government monitoring of internet traffic. My beef lies with the panicky reactions we’ve seen from the media, governments, the EU and many internet users in regards to internet privacy.

Barely a month goes by without a story about how Facebook is planning to sell customer details to advertisers. This then sparks inevitable outrage from users who feel they’ve been wronged in some way before Facebook backs down again, forced to go back to the drawing board and work out how it can actually make money from its social media machine.

The Facebook example is a particularly good case study, actually. I find it constantly amazing that people will be splashing around drunken photos of themselves on it one week, and then the next week will denounce Facebook for telling an advertiser they’ve listed fashion in their interests. Granted they’ve made the choice to put up the pictures but haven’t had a say in whether Facebook has shared their details or not, but is the value of what Facebook is sharing really so great to them?

It gets even more paradoxical when you point out that Facebook can’t share information it doesn’t have; users have to make the choice to upload personal information such as their interests, location and relationship status. I know that this information is then only available to friends, but I find it’s those with a friends list numbering in the high hundreds or even thousands that often complain the loudest when they feel their privacy has been violated. How much privacy did you think you had exactly while you were broadcasting every status update, photo and even your location to every person you’ve ever met?

The fact that Facebook has always been and will always be free also seems to be forgotten, lost in the backlash at Facebook’s audacity at actually trying to make some money while keeping its service free.

The majority of the fuss centres on the cookies that get downloaded to consumers’ PCs that can track their movements and report back on what they’ve been viewing. Advertisers can then use this information to better target adverts at that particular PC, hopefully improving their effectiveness and their relevance to the user.

This sounds like a win-win situation to me, but for those who don’t like the sound of it then privacy controls have existed in web browsers for years. There are even privacy-specific browsers out there, free to download for whoever wants them. These options have been consistently ignored by consumers, though, who only seem to take net privacy seriously when it’s accompanied by a scare mongering headline.

It’s also ironic that internet privacy will often make news headlines right next to articles about the latest celebrity relationship gossip, or paparazzi snaps of the royals. We love to pry into other people’s lives but don’t like it so much when the boot is on the other foot and it’s our own details being shared.

A part of the problem is down to the fact that companies are still trying to work out how best to make money from the Internet, especially in the current economic climate. This is forcing companies to investigate other revenue streams beyond the traditional advertising model; a strategy that’s going to lead to a number of conflicts as companies attempt to find where the line of acceptability lies.

Unfortunately for us, though, public opinion needs to change too. The opinion that the Internet is free seems commonplace, but behind most news stories, articles or online services is someone who needs to earn a wage. The first moves have been made in changing this perception – the recent move by The Times of charging for online content is the obvious example – but it’ll be a long hard road to get people to pay for what has been free for so long.

How successful the approach adopted by The Times has been will only become known with time, but changes are definitely afoot on the big old World Wide Web. Regardless of what shape these changes take, it’ll be an interesting place to watch for the next ten years. Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

http://www.bit-tech.net/blog/2011/03/22/on-privacy-in-facebook/

It’s one of those things that seems to have been around for as long as computers themselves, like Windows or Solitaire, yet most people don’t know that there wasn’t always a Portable Document Format, more commonly known as PDF, or that it took years for the world to be convinced of its usefulness. Now, most organisations wouldn’t dream of producing and distributing their documents in any format other than Adobe’s flagship container but how did it all start?

The ideology of the PDF was an honourable one; Adobe, and in particular their co-founder John Warnock, wanted to create a file format that could be opened on any hardware, independent of software. This format, originally codenamed ‘Camelot’, would change the way that electronic documentation was produced and although it isn’t entirely independent of software (over 99% of PDFs are opened using Adobe’s free PDF Reader), Warnock’s vision has been realised.

Now an Indiana University Bloomington professor in the School of Informatics and Computing whose research focuses on technology, security and society is helping make such decisions easy for us. L. Jean Camp, whose work has focused on privacy and trust issues in technology, has been awarded over $2.4 million by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Security Division, to give people the information they need to stop a range of attacks.

The IU team led by Camp will focus on developing user-centered security software that reduces cyber-attacks by making sure people have the information they need to support a security decision when they need it. As opposed to annual training on how to spot a phishing email, the computer will ask when you open an attachment whether you realize this is from outside the company when opening it. If you still want to open it, Camp said, “We will then limit the document’s ability to change the machine. In contrast, people today are asked about every document, or asked something inscrutable like, ‘enable macros?’”

People often fail to see the dangers in sometimes simple actions like downloading files, or they disable security functions thinking they slow the computer down. Computers also completely fail to identify pertinent facts at decision time: If you are entering a bank password at a site you have never visited before, it would be nice if the computer made sure you knew that you had never been there before.

The computer knows it is not a site with which you have interacted, and with Camp’s technology it will finally tell you what you need to know to spot a fraud, at the time you need to know it. The Department of Homeland Security project, called CUTS: Coordinating User and Technical Security, aims to implement these human factors that are often overlooked when security systems fail in different applicable contexts, like banking, Web browsing or working from home. Joining Camp as a co-principal investigator on the research is Jim Blythe of the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California.

“People reason analogically about security; they infer what they know about security in general and place that into the context of technology,” Camp said. “We’re looking, at least in part, to design warnings and remedies that use common mental models in developing intelligent and automated resolutions to security issues that today would require excessive user interaction.”

By understanding the models people bring to computing, the researchers can address how problems are identified and how information about those problems is communicated. They can then put forth a prototype that knows when and how much to communicate to the user about the problem, automating responses that are intuitive and timely.

“Unfortunately today, user involvement appears to be required too often and usually in terms that non-technical users have difficulty understanding,” Camp said. “Security decision-making lacks effective decision support.”

People don’t want to be warned too often, and the biases that we have in place — amount of security knowledge, the cost of distraction in making a security decision versus the time-dependent value of the advice — have to be identified and weighed into the models.

“We’ll be designing with simulations of human error in play,” Camp said. “When a system fails systematically because of human behavior, then it is the fault of the system, not the human.”

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/23570.html

This is why you need privacy software. You need to be able to keep certain things personal and confidential, and the only way to do that is by getting a privacy software.

You see, when you delete files and documents, it goes to the Recycle Bin. You then empty out this bin thinking that everything is gone permanently. This is where you’re wrong. The files may leave your recycle bin, but not your PC. Some become hidden files while other just sit in your hard drive waiting to be written over.

With privacy software, you can get a free scan that will show you exactly what you have in your computer. It will show you all your internet  hidden files,activity history, and deleted files. These are all information that can be retrieved by a malicious person with data recovery software. You can make sure this does not happen by choosing what files you want erased permanently. Now, you’re not vulnerable.

http://computer.mypkweb.com/why-you-need-software-for-privacy-in-order-to-keep-your-activities-on-your-computer-private/#comment-49053