Two-factor authentication: How and why to use it

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-and-why-to-use-two-factor-authentication/


https://pixelprivacy.com/resources/two-factor-authentication/

Find out how two-factor authentication works, why you should use it and how to set it up

You might not realize it, but you regularly use two-factor authentication. When you swipe your debit card and are asked to enter your PIN code or write a check and are asked to show your driver's license? Each is a form of two-factor authentication. The first example requires you to possess your card and know your PIN code. The second requires you to possess your checkbook and prove your face matches the mugshot on your ID.

Two-factor authentication requires two ways of proving your identity and can also be used to protect your various online accounts. It doesn't offer perfect security and requires an extra step when logging into your accounts, but it does make your data more secure online.

How does two-factor authentication work online?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) -- also known as two-step verification or multifactor authentication -- is widely used to add a layer of security to your online accounts. The most common form of two-factor authentication when logging into an account is the process of entering your password and then receiving a code via text on your phone that you then need to enter. The second layer in two-factor authentication means a hacker or other nefarious individual would need to steal your password along with your phone in order to access your account.

There are three types of authentication:

• Something you know: a password, PIN, zip code or answer to a question (mother's maiden name, name of pet, and so on)
• Something you have: a phone, credit card or fob
• Something you are: a biometric such as a fingerprint, retina, face or voice

How does the second factor work?

After you enter your password -- the first authentication factor -- the second factor usually arrives by SMS. That is, you'll get a text with a numerical code that you'll then need to enter to log into your account. Unlike a PIN code for a debit card, a 2FA code is used only one time; each time you log into that account, you'll be sent a new code.

Alternatively, you can use a dedicated authentication app to receive codes instead of having them texted to you. Popular authentication apps are Google Authenticator, Authy and DuoMobile.

Should I use SMS or an app?

Many sites and services, including Amazon, Dropbox, Google and Microsoft, give you the option of using SMS or an authentication app. Twitter is the biggest example of a site that forces you to use SMS. If you have the choice, use an authentication app.

Receiving codes via SMS is less secure than using an authentication app. A hacker could intercept a text message or hijack your phone number by convincing your carrier to transfer it to another device. Or if you sync text messages with your computer, a hacker could gain access to SMS codes by stealing your computer.

An authentication app has the advantage of not needing to rely on your carrier; codes are sent to your phone based on this shared secret and the current time. Codes expire quickly, usually after 30 or 60 seconds. Since an authentication app doesn't need your carrier to transmit codes, they will stay with the app even if a hacker manages to move your number to a new phone. An authentication app also works when you don't have cell service, another bonus.

Using an authentication app requires a little extra setup but offers better protection than SMS. To set up an authentication app, you will need to install the app on your phone and then set up a shared secret between the app and your accounts. This is usually done by scanning a QR code with your phone's camera. Once set up, however, an authentication app saves you the step of needing to enter a code; you simply tap on the app's notifications to log into one of your accounts.

What if I don't have my phone on me?

Many online services such as Dropbox, Facebook, Google and Instagram let you create backup codes, which you can print out or screenshot. That way if you lose your phone or don't have a cell signal, you can use a backup code as a second authentication factor to log in. Just make sure you keep your printout of backup codes in a safe place.

Will 2FA make my accounts more secure?

No security product can claim to offer perfect, foolproof protection, but by combining two of the above three types of authentication, 2FA makes it harder to get into your account. You not only make your accounts more difficult to attack, but you also make your accounts less attractive targets.

Think of it in terms of home protection. If you have a home security system, you lower the odds of a burglary. If you have a loud, large dog, you also lower the odds of a burglary. If you combine a security system with a big dog, then your house becomes even more difficult to break into and a less attractive target. Most burglars will simply find an easier mark -- one without an alarm and the potential for a dog bite.

Similarly, two-factor authentication prevents a large portion of hackers from targeting your account; many will simply move on and find easier accounts to break into. And should they target you, they'll need more than just your password. In addition to your password, a hacker would need to also have your phone -- or gain access to the tokens placed on your phone by the authentication mechanism via a phishing attack, malware or activating account recovery where your password is reset and 2FA is then disabled. That's extra work.

Is 2FA a hassle to use?

I don't know if I would call it a hassle, but 2FA does require an extra step when logging into your accounts. You'll need to enter your password, wait for a code to arrive via SMS, and then enter that code. Or if you use an authentication app, you'll need to wait for notification to arrive that you can then tap to verify it's you.

I use 2FA authentication on many of my online accounts and find it less of a hassle to use than using a strong password or passphrase that combines upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. And while I'm on the topic of strong passwords, let me state that using 2FA as an excuse to use weaker, easier-to-enter passwords is a bad idea. Don't weaken your first factor just because you have added a second factor.

How do I enable 2FA?

Many sites and services offer 2FA but call it by a variety of names. Below are quick primers for enabling two-factor authentication on some of the more popular online destinations.

Amazon

Sign in to your Amazon account, click Account & Lists at the top right and then go to Your Account > Login & Security Settings and click the Edit button for Advanced Security Settings. Click the yellow Get Started button and sign up to receive codes via SMS or an authenticator app. You'll also need to add a backup phone number to lessen the odds of getting locked out of your account. For more, see this Amazon help page.

Apple

From an iOS device, go to Settings > iCloud, sign in if you aren't already and then tap on your Apple ID. From your Apple ID page, tap Password & Security and then tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication. On a Mac, you can enable it by going to System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details > Security and clicking Turn On Two-Factor Authentication. For more, see this Apple Support page.

Dropbox

Click your name at top right in your Dropbox account and go to Settings > Security and you'll see a status listed at the top of the page for Two-step verification. Next to the Disabled status, click the (click to enable) link and then click Get Started. You can then choose to get verification codes via text on your phone or an app like Google Authenticator. For more, see Dropbox's instructions.

Facebook

Click the triangle button at top right, go to Settings > Security and then click Edit to the right of Login Approvals. Next, click Enable next to where it says that Two-Factor Authentication is currently disabled. For more, see this Facebook help page.

Google

Head to Google's 2-Step Verification page, click the blue Get Started button and sign into your account. You can choose to receive codes via text or a voice call. You can also set up and print backup codes, add a backup phone number and set up Google's Authenticator app. You can also sign up to use Google prompt, which sends a notification to your phone that you can simply tap instead of having to enter a code.

Instagram

From the app, go to your profile page and tap the gear icon in the top-right to open the Options panel. Tap Two-Factor Authentication and then tap to toggle on Require Security Code. Instagram will then send you a six-digit code that you'll need to enter to enable the feature. (If your account doesn't have a confirmed phone number, then you'll be asked to enter your number.) Instagram will also send you five backup codes to screenshot. For more, see this Instagram help page for account and notification settings.

LinkedIn

Go to LinkedIn's Security Settings page and click Add a phone number if you haven't already done so for your account. With your phone number added, click Turn on next to where it says Two-step verification is turned off, enter your account password and then enter the verification code that LinkedIn sent to your phone.

Microsoft

Go to the Security settings page, sign in with your Microsoft account and click Set up two-step verification. You can choose to receive codes via email, text or via the Microsoft Authenticator app. You'll also need to create an app password to continue to use Microsoft devices and services that don't support 2FA such as the Xbox 360 and Outlook.com email on an iPhone or Android phone.

PayPal

Log in to your account and click the gear icon in the top right to enter Settings. Click the Security tab and then Update next to Security Key. Enter your mobile phone number and then enter the verification code that PayPal sends you.

Slack

Sign in to your team and go to your Account page at my.slack.com/account/settings. Click the Expand button to the right of Two-Factor Authentication and then click Setup Two-Factor Authentication. You can sign up to receive code via SMS or an authentication app. You can then get backup codes to print out.

Snapchat

Open the app, swipe down to access your account, tap the gear icon to open Settings and then tap Login Verification. You can sign up to receive code via SMS or an authentication app and create recovery codes. For more, see this Snapchat Support page.

Twitter

From the Twitter app, tap your profile icon and then tap the gear icon and tap Settings. Go to Account > Security and toggle on Login verification. You'll get codes via SMS. You can then request a backup code, which you can screenshot to keep handy. For more, see this Twitter support page.

Yahoo

In your Yahoo Account, go to Account security and toggle on Two-step Verification. If you have Yahoo's Account Key enabled, you'll need to disable it. Account Key looks and smells like two-factor authentication but it is really only one-factor; it lets you skip the first factor of entering your password and only enter a code sent to your phone. Yahoo's two-step verification is the more secure option of the two. You can also create app specific passwords for any apps that don't support 2FZ and use your Yahoo account.

If you use other website and services, check out the comprehensive Two-Factor Auth site for categorized lists of sites, services and apps to see which support 2FA and those that do not. Categories include banking, cloud computing, communication, email, health, social and many more.

10 BEST OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE IN 2017

1. LibreOffice
2. FlatPak
3. Rocket.Chat
4. Mattermost
5. Odoo
6. iDempiere
7. SuiteCRM
8. Alfresco
9. Camunda BPM
10. Talend Open Studio

Google launches new open-source software site

Google is giving its open-source projects and initiatives a new place to live. The company announced a new site, https://opensource.google.com/, designed to provide information on how Google uses, releases, and supports open-source software.

Google believes that open source is good for everyone. By being open and freely available, it enables and encourages collaboration and the development of technology, solving real world problems.

2,000 Projects and Counting

At Google, we’ve always used open source to innovate. We want to give something back; we enjoy being a part of the community. We often release code to push the industry forward or share best practices we developed. But sometimes, it's just fun and interesting code. The list of projects we've released and contribute to is long and continues to grow.

Free Online Collage Maker | Graphic Design | Photo Editor - FotoJet

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https://www.fotojet.com/

FotoJet Online Photo Editor brings you access to perfect tools at anytime, anywhere as per your ease. This online photo editor brings you all the features of a conventional photo editor packed with some amazing other features such as filters, frames, overlay designs, etc.

Alcatel Move Time track & Talk watch listed for Rs. 4799 (Kids watch phone with location)

http://www.gogi.in/news/alcatel-move-time-track-talk-watch-listed.html

A smart watch made especially for kids called the Alcatel Move Time Track & Talk watch is listed and available on Flipkart with a price tag of Rs. 4,799. Key highlight about the Alcatel Kids watch phone is that it can track the user location and also comes with call functionality. 

Alcatel Move Time smartwatch sports a 0.95 inch color OLED screen supporting 96 x 64 pixels resolution. This Bluetooth smart watch is compatible with Android and iOS platforms. Watch weight is 40 grams. You do need an active SIM card with data enabled. There is SIM slot, just insert the SIM and the watch is ready to use.

By default the smart watch will show the time, date, signal bar and battery level. This is tracking device you can use this to track your kids location using GPS locator. In case of emergency your kids will be able to make calls to any of the pre-registered numbers or reply to 10 preset contacts. Apart from this parents can make calls and also send voice messages when their kids leave a preset safe zone.

Other features are Bluetooth 4.0, Built in GPS, WiFi, Call function and 2G.  This smart watch is also water and dust resistant (IP65 certified). There is 380 mAh battery that takes about 1 hours to charge and gives standby time of up to 96 hours.

Alcatel Kids Watch Phone with location tracking is available on Flipkart for Rs. 4,799.

ChatSim

ChatSim is the world's first SIM card that lets you connect your ChatApps wherever you are. For just ₹950 a year you can send unlimited text messages and emoji with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, LINE, Telegram and many other Instant Messaging apps. Thanks to ChatSim you can keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues. Plus another 3 billion people around the world

https://www.chatsim.com/chatsim

8 Tips to Protect Your Phone and Money From Hacking

http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2016/08/25/8-tips-to-protect-your-phone-and-money-from-hacking/

A growing number of Americans use mobile phones to access their bank accounts, giving savvy criminals an opportunity to remotely hack into devices and steal banking credentials. The following are some tips that can help protect your device – and your money.

+ Even though your phone likely came with software that is on the lookout for bad guys, you may want to install an anti-malware program – particularly if you use the device for banking transactions.

+ Know what you are installing. Only download apps from official sites and only download what you really need.

+ Be careful about using open wifi connections in public places if you are conducting personal transactions, especially financial ones.

+Don’t mess with your phone’s operating system. There may be a good reason why it won’t let you download a particular app.

+ Use additional authentication features that are offered on the phone, such as a fingerprint. If you’re using a password, make sure that it is different from your non-banking passwords.

+ Don’t click on unusual text messages, particularly if you don’t recognize the sender.

+ Keep track of your bank accounts and keep an eye out for unauthorized transactions. Even a seemingly small withdrawal could be the work of a hacker who may be testing the credentials with the intent of doing more damage at another time.

+ Quickly report any unauthorized transaction to your bank. The sooner you do so, the more likely you are to get your money back without complications.

25 reasons to love Linux

https://opensource.com/life/16/8/25-things-love-about-linux

25. There is no autopilot. I am the king of my machine. —Anupam Datta

24. Nowadays stuff just works. No hunting for obscure firmware etc. Plug and play. Done in the open. That's truly, wow. —Jan Wildeboer

23. It is possible to customize Linux in multiple ways: via the kernel when compiling it and in user space. Plethora of free apps. —Eugene J. Markow

22. One thing I like about Linux is the fact that it's absolutely free. That includes price, ability to modify the code to your own specs, etc. No restrictive licensing, etc. —James Takac

21. Don't ask what Linux can do for you, it is already done, but what code you can apply for Linux! —Vladimir Cicovic 

20. Working in the terminal is awesome. Makes me look like a badass tech guy in front of the people around me when typing those commands. —Nilesh Sarkar 

19. When I ask "How do I send data via the serial port?" on a Linux forum, I get relevant answers and help. Other forums responses be like "Have you tried the parallel port? —Eric Lovejoy 

18. The freedom to edit my GUI however I see fit without worries about end user license agreements. —Jesse Woodside 

17. A huge selection of applications, tools, widgets, and other software. —Nathan Leach 

16. It gives you the feel of being a real programmer, or a hacker! —Sai Charan

15. There is no limit to what you can do. If you can imagine it, you can make it. —Jeroen Tuijn

14. It is less risky when it comes to virus attack... and of course its an open source! —Kefilwe Mosesanyane

13. The power to customize and create my own specific operating system to be used for any purpose. —Rasyid Sahputra

12. The main thing I like about Linux is there are no wizards. When installing software, it just does it and that includes all the dependencies. —Shaun Henderson

11. My machine loves it! The way I have total control over everything. It's a love story that is inexpressible. —Rhitik Bhatt

10. There's always something new to learn. —Alexander Golubets

9. Stability, resource friendly, safety. —Alwan Rosyidi

8. The freedom. —Maja Isaksson

7. Terminal <3 alizai="" hahrukh="" nbsp="" p="">

6. The commands :) file handling and big data analysis :) —Sum Aira

5. Light-weight, flexible, stabile, safe. —Tomasz Mikołajko

4. There is more than one topic why I love Linux. But I think because it is available for everyone for free, makes the world a little more free. —Tux von Kybermann

3. The ability to freely download, run, change, and distribute the operating system to as many computers as I want. Not everyone can afford to purchase a copy of Windows every 3-4 years. Everyone can afford Linux! —Jonathan Niccolls

2. It's the Swiss Army knife of computing. —Gary Alexander

1. Everything. —Ayoub Arahmat

Galera Cluster for MySQL

The World’s most advanced open source database cluster

Galera Cluster for MySQL is an easy-to-use high-availability solution with high system up-time, no data loss, and scalability for future growth

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Introducing WhatsApp's desktop app

https://blog.whatsapp.com/10000621/Introducing-WhatsApps-desktop-app

Today we're introducing a desktop app so you have a new way to stay in touch anytime and anywhere - whether on your phone or computer at home or work. Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device.

The new desktop app is available for Windows 8+ and Mac OS 10.9+ and is synced with WhatsApp on your mobile device. Because the app runs natively on your desktop, you'll have support for native desktop notifications, better keyboard shortcuts, and more.

To download the app, visithttps://www.whatsapp.com/download from your desktop browser. Then, open the app and scan the QR code using the WhatsApp app on your phone (look for WhatsApp Web menu under Settings).

Just like WhatsApp Web, the new desktop app lets you message with friends and family while your phone stays in your pocket.

How to calculate income tax? (See example)

https://cleartax.in/paytax/TaxCalculator

How to Enable the Linux Bash Shell in Windows 10

http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/use-bash-shell-windows-10


Linux geeks rejoice. As of build number 14328, Windows 10 allows you to run a special flavor of the Bash shell (on Ubuntu) in a window. Using Bash, you can navigate around the file system, install and run Linux command line apps like the vi text editor or, with some unofficial tweaks, try to load windowed programs. However, before you can use Bash in Windows 10, you have to turn it on. Here's how.
1. Navigate to Settings. You can get there by clicking the gear icon on the Start menu.

2. Click Update & security.

3. Select For Developers in the left column.

4. Select Developer Mode under "Use developer features" if it's not already enabled.

5. Navigate to the Control Panel (the old Windows control panel). You can get there by hitting Windows Key + X and selecting Control panel from the pop-up menu that appears.

6. Select Programs and Features. If it's not visible, make sure you select "Large icons" from the "View by" menu.

7. Click "Turn Windows features on or off."

8. Toggle "Windows Subsystem for Linux" to on and click Ok.

9. Click the Restart Now button.

10. Search for Bash in the Cortana / Search box and click its icon.

11. Type "y" and hit Enter when promoted to install Ubuntu. The system will then take a few minutes to install Ubuntu in the command prompt window.

12. Create a username and password.

You can now use the Bash shell as if you were on a a computer with Ubuntu installed as its primary OS. There are a few command line apps built-in, including the vi and pico text editors, and you can add more by using the apt-get command. There's also a program which allows you to run windowed Ubuntu apps in Windows 10.

Microsoft is adding the Linux command line to Windows 10

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/30/11331014/microsoft-windows-linux-ubuntu-bash?utm_campaign=theverge&utm_content=article&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook


https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2016/P488/player


Microsoft is reaching out to Linux developers in a way that the company never has before. "The Bash shell is coming to Windows. Yes, the real Bash is coming to Windows," said Microsoft's Kevin Gallo on stage at today's Build 2016 keynote. The announcement received an uproarious applause from the crowd. The new functionality will be enabled as part of this summer's Anniversary Update to Windows 10.
"This is not a VM. This is not cross-compiled tools. This is native," he said. "We've partnered with Canonical to offer this great experience, which you'll be able to download right from the Windows Store." Third-party tools have enabled this sort of thing for years, but a direct partnership between Microsoft and Canonical should offer even more flexibility and convenience for developers who prefer using these binaries and tools.

More importantly, it represents Microsoft's refreshing stance on open-source development. VP Terry Myerson teased "more coming soon" in regards to other possibilities signaling a modernized and extremely open Windows 10. This blog post by Microsoft's Scott Hanselman offers a deeper explanation of the move. "This is brilliant for developers that use a diverse set of tools like me," he said. "This is a genuine Ubuntu image on top of Windows with all the Linux tools I use."

Update: Microsoft has posted a very in-depth video covering Bash on Windows, which we've embedded at the top of this article. It should answer just about any question you might have.

Windows 10's Bash shell can run graphical Linux applications with this trick

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3055403/windows/windows-10s-bash-shell-can-run-graphical-linux-applications-with-this-trick.html


Microsoft said it wouldn’t support graphical applications in Bash on Windows. But enterprising geeks like w2qw on Reddit have already figured out how to run graphical applications with Bash on Windows 10. The underlying code is much more capable than Microsoft initially let on.

Install an X server

This is possible because the Bash shell for Windows is more than just a shell. Microsoft built an entire “Windows Subsystem for Linux” that allows Windows 10 to natively run Linux applications, even graphical ones. Install Bash for Windows 10 and you’ll actually have a complete operating system layer for running Linux applications and a full Ubuntu userspace environment—that is, everything above the Linux kernel.

The only missing piece is an X server that allows those graphical applications to appear on your Windows desktop. This is basically the same technique people would use to run graphical Linux desktop applications over a network.
The Xming X Server for Windows works well for this, although there are other X servers for Windows and they should also work. Download and install it on your Windows 10 PC to get started. You can just use the default settings and it’ll work fine. Launch Xming and it will appear in your system tray, running in the background and waiting for you to launch a graphical Linux program.

w2qw

This is Windows 10 running Linux desktop applications.

Launch applications from Ubuntu’s Bash shell

You’ll now need to install a graphical application, which you can do with the standard apt-get command in the Bash shell environment. The apt-get command has access to Ubuntu’s entire software repositories, so you can use it to install graphical applications without any additional tweaks.
For example, to install the Linux version of Firefox from Ubuntu’s repositories, you’d just run the following command:
apt-get install firefox
Once you’ve installed the program, you can specify the X server and then launch the application. For example, to launch Firefox, run the below commands. (To launch another graphical application, just specify its name instead of “firefox.)”

export DISPLAY=:0
firefox
Assuming you’re running an X server like Xming on your Windows PC, the graphical application should run. It may not run as speedily—applications can’t use direct rendering to run on your hardware directly.
This is currently a bit unstable. Many applications I tried were unable to run reliably. Some people report better success. But bugs are no surprise, as the Windows Subsystem for Linux is beta and this is its first release. As Microsoft improves the underlying code, applications—even these graphical applications—should work better and better over time.

Ttech Skills That Will Gives You Huge Salary

PaaS
Cassandra
MapReduce
Cloudera
Apache H Base
Pig
Advance Business Application Programming
Chef
Flume

WhatsApp introduces end-to-end encryption: Six things you need to know

http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/whatsapp-introduces-end-to-end-encryption-six-things-you-need-to-know-307643.html


Last night, millions of users worldwide were greeted with a message in the chat section stating “Messages you send to this chat and calls are now secured with end-to-end encryption.” and with that we are pretty sure that many government organisations may have panicked. But to the casual WhatsApp user, there was a panic of a different type.
Clearly, WhatsApp could have put out a slightly longer explanation instead of the one above, that lead to mass panic with everyone trying to get on board the encryption bandwagon by trying to verify themselves on their chats.
WhatsApp did provide one on its blog (it’s lengthy and detailed) but here are few simple pointers that you need to keep in mind:
WhatsApp’s encryption is turned on by default for all users.
Users so far have no choice to opt out of the encryption for now (considering the number of encryption cases popping up worldwide, we are pretty sure nobody would want to opt out). As long as you have an updated version of the WhatsApp app on your supported mobile platform, you and your friends can now enjoy the perks of secure and end-to-end encrypted conversations turned on by default without any extra taps.
How do I know that encryption is switched on?
Well you simply tap on the profile or the info page(tap on the name in the header) of your contact, where you will find a section describing the status of the encryption of your chats and calls.

WhatsApp Encryption on Android.

WhatsApp Encryption on iOS.

The latest version of Whatsapp app
No matter which platform you are on, you may have noticed a slew of updates (like on iOS) that claimed “Bug fixes” coming in the past few days. Indeed, this was the WhatsApp team making a couple of tweaks, with most of it coming from the server side and some for a user’s smartphone. With that said, you and your friends will need update their respective WhatsApp apps on their respective smartphones that run different mobile operating systems (Android, iOS etc.). If your friend has not updated their app to the latest version you will be notified about the same in the info page under encryption.
The verification mess
Upon accessing the info page, you will be able to check on the status of your encryption. The point to be noted here is that it is turned on by default, meaning you do not need to go any further.

To Verify, click on Encryption in Info page and then hit the Scan Code button.

Only those who updated their app later or changed their smartphone after the time the encryption was rolled out who will need to access this area to verify (or check) whether their encryption is working or not (in all probability it will be, but more on that in our next pointer). So for the most of us, we will not need to tap on the Encryption section.


It is still a bit of a mess
Even though most will not need to access the Encryption section on the info page, users may have noticed that some of their friends even with their updated versions of the app still show that their messages are not encrypted. While the WhatsApp states that their apps may not be updated to the latest one, we think that this is a bug. We tested out the same in our office and with one iOS user connecting to an Android user, things worked fine.

With another Android user however, it kept showing encryption turned off even though the iOS user was greeted with a chat encryption turned on message. This could either be a bug, or its just that the feature is gradually rolling out server side, so there is absolutely no indeed no need to panic.
End-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption on WhatsApp applies to everything or every feature that is available on WhatsApp. Whether it’s calls, messages, photos, videos, files, and even voice messages, all of them will be encrypted. So technically nobody apart from you or your friend will be able to understand them. In transit from one device to another the data will only appear to be garbled text without the keys to put that text together, which resides on devices being used to communicate. Moreover, there are separate keys for each conversation or chat so WhatsApp has provided something really secure indeed.

Budget 2016: Highlights

http://blog.hrblock.in/highlights-of-budget-2016/

1. On home loans worth upto Rs. 35 lacs, you can claim additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 if you are a first time home buyer.
2. Professionals like doctors, freelancers, etc. can now file an ITR-4S if your income is less than 50 lakhs. Tax filing has been simplified for them (ITR-4S is 2 pages vs. 30 pages for ITR-4).
3. As a tax payer, if your income is less than 5 lakhs, you will get tax benefits of up to Rs. 5,000 (under section 87A).
4. Under Section 80GG, you can get deduction of Rs. 60,000 on rent paid if your company does not provide you any house rent allowance. This was earlier set to 24,000.
5. The rate of surcharge on income tax has been increased to 15% from 12% for income above Rs. 1 crore.
6. Business owners also get a benefit. They can file ITR-4S up to Rs. 2 crore in revenue. Earlier limit was Rs. 1 crore.
7. 40% NPS withdrawal at time of retirement will be exempt from tax.
8. For taxpayers with dividend income exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs, an additional tax of 10% will be charged.
9. Govt. proposes to pay EPF contribution of 8.33% for all new employees for first three years with salary less than Rs. 15,000.
10. Good news for all who are subject to tax audit as they will now be eligible for deductions under section 80JJAA. It was earlier restricted to only manufacturing companies.

Other Budget 2016 Updates

• Start-ups can now register in a day, thanks to amendments in the Companies Act.
• INR 55,000 Cr for roads and highways have been allocated in budget 2016, summing up to a total investment of INR 97K crores in Road Sector.
• A new credit rating system will be developed for infrastructure.
• Government allocates INR 19,000 Cr in Gram Sadak Yojna.
• 500 Cr will be allocated to Stand-Up India for SC/ST and Women entrepreneurs.
• Rs. 100 crores will be provided for higher education financing.
• INR 30,000 Crore coverage to be provided for senior citizens (above 60 years).
• Government proposes to launch a new health care scheme for the poor with families getting Rs. 100K as medical cover.
• A new Krishi Kalyan cess to be imposed on all taxable services.

Mr. Arun Jaitley says, Budget 2016 will focus on infrastructure and enhancing quality of life. According to him Budget 2016 aims to work on tax reforms to reduce burden of compliance. He further added that the Indian economy has held its strong ground despite a global economic slowdown. GDP growth rate has accelerated to 7.6%.

10 Tools to Make a Bootable USB from an ISO File

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-tools-make-bootable-usb-iso-file/

Installations from a USB flash drive have become one of the easiest ways to update your computer with a new operating system. A USB installation is quick, extremely portable, and has the added bonus of reverting back to a storage device following the install. I cannot tell you how many discs I ruined over the years by messing up the write process, but I have a lot of very shiny drink-coasters in my living room.

You’ll find a fair few ISO to USB tools out there, and they feature a range of tools for beginners and advanced users. To keep this test fair, I’m going to use each tool to burn a copy of Windows 10 Insider Preview 10130 x64 to an 8GB Integral drive, formatted each time. Let’s take a look at the burn time, and the resources available to each software. For science!

By the way, we’ve previously covered how to legally download Windows ISO files.

A Mini-Glossary

Before we plough into the testing phase there are a handful of acronyms I’d like to spell out, and a few other bits of ISO to USB jargon we’ll clear up.

• Bootloader Options: the bootloader loads the operating system. Some ISO burners allow you to choose the Bootloader you’ll need for your desired operating system installation.
• grub4dos: a bootloader package designed to allow users to select between multiple operating systems installed on a single system.
• syslinux: a lightweight bootloader package designed to allow users to select between multiple Linux or Unix installations.
• QEMU Emulator: short for Quick Emulator, is a hardware virtualization tool. In this context, it allows users to test their USB before proceeding with the burn process.
• Cluster Size: defines the smallest available space for storing data. Instead of assigning individual disk sectors, the file system assigns contiguous groups of sectors, called clusters.
• File System: controls how data is accessed and stored. Without it, your data would lump together with no beginning or end. A file system offers definition for easy access. There are different file systems available, though your burning tool should be discern your requirements via the ISO you use.
• Bad Sector: Some ISO to USB tools allow you to perform a bad sector check. Before the burn commences, your USB will be scanned, fixing any irregularities to ensure your installation is smooth. Somewhat similar to defragmenting your desktop, but on a much smaller scale.

1: Rufus

Features: Partition schemes, file systems, mode of bootable, bad sector check

First up, Rufus. Rufus comes as a very small executable with minimal options for tinkering, aside from partition scheme, file systems, cluster size, and the type of bootable you’ll be creating. Once you’ve selected the bootable disk type and theISO image you’ll be burning, you can happily hit Start and wait for the process to finish.

Rufus clocked in with a 16m55s according to my phone, but also has its own timer, which showed 17.02, though the built in timer did fluctuate throughout the process. At one point, it was over 10s behind my phone, but closed the gap to a mere 7s at the finishing line. Obviously, I am right, but it is still a good time.

2: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

Features: None

Such an eloquent name. You select your ISO. You select your media type; USB or DVD. You click Begin Copying, and off it goes. In what is the most basic of basic GUIs, and with only two options, the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool is almost sublimely simple, comparable only to ISO to USB.

Timing-wise, it clocked in with 16m53s, leaving it sitting pretty. A definite winner for those wanting a serious no-frills burning tool.

3: RMPrepUSB

Features: Bootloader options, file systems and overrides, grub4dos, syslinux, QEMU Emulator

RMPrepUSB is one of the most complete ISO to USB packages on this list. Aside from the above mentioned features, it comes packed with a host of other BootLoaders, DiskDoctor, Speed Tests, and individual user configurations for those drives you constantly prepare.

With a time of 22m36s RMPrepUSB isn’t the fastest of the bunch, but certainly makes up for it in customization. Bonus points for the centralized tooltip, constantly updating as you scroll over menu items.

4: WinSetupFromUSB

Features: Bootloader options, three formatting tools including RMPrepUSB, QEMU Emulator

WinSetupFromUSB offers a mid-range of features. It isn’t quite RMPrePUSB, but it has so much more to offer than the other basic burners we have already covered, particularly the inclusion of FBinst Tool, Bootice, and RMPrepUSB. Each of these additional tools come with popup instructions detailing their use alongside WinSetupFromUSB, but can all be used with their original functions i.e. RMPrepUSB opens in its own dialogue with the customizable ISO/USB interface mentioned above.

As for speed, 23m29s represents one of the slower tools on the list, but is included due to the wealth of customization available to users.

5: UltraISO

Features: Write method, Hide boot partition

You can use the UltraISO trial version an ISO to USB tool. Whilst the trial version restricts the size of ISOs created, it does nothing of the sort if you’re burning something created elsewhere. On opening UltraISO, browse to your ISO location in the bottom half of the file explorer. Once located, double click. This loads the ISO image for burning. Then head to Bootable > Write Disk Image. Be sure to use the USB-HDD+ option for best results, unless advised otherwise. Hit Write and off you go!

UltraISO clocked in with a 20m24s, sitting nicely in the middle of the pack, and made the cut against the very similarly timed WiNToBootic through its additional features such as image mounting and ISO creation.

6: YUMI

Features: Multiboot, inbuilt download selector

YUMI, or Your Universal Multiboot Installer, is another multiboot installer with settings for a massive range of ISOs. Unlike Xboot, YUMI asks if you’d like to add another ISO or Distro to your USB following a successful burn, so don’t worry if you cannot find the multiboot builder.

It clocked in with a stupendously fast 14m50s and takes the crown by just over two minutes, plus it has the best name on the list, so obviously another massive point for that.

The ISO to USB Winner Is…

YUMI! If we are talking time, plus the bonus of being able to create a multiboot USB packed with everything you might ever need.

However, let’s not discount those more advanced ISO to USB tools, RMPrepUSB and WinSetupFromUSB. While their speed performance couldn’t match YUMI, the massive range of tools and customizable settings more than make up for it.

Finally, I’ve been using the ISO to USB tool for its ridiculously simple interface and fairly reasonable burn time, but even that has been bested by Rufus, so now I don’t know what to do, other than switch to something faster.

Other Tools We Tested…

I tested a full 10 different ISO tools, as you can see from the above table, noting their speed. But speed isn’t only variable we look for in a burner. Here are the fallen few:

• XBoot is another multiboot tool featuring an inbuilt downloader, but timed in over 24 minutes. YUMI blew it away!
• WiNToBootic fits into the basic features category, alongside the Windows 7 USB/DVD Tool and Rufus, but clocked a slower 20m14s.
• Passcape ISO Burner is a multifunction burning tool, but it wouldn’t work for me. I have read other positive reviews, so it could be worth a look for other individuals.
• ISO to USB is another very basic burner, and one I’ve used extensively. However, it didn’t make the cut through a slow time and lack of features.

Hopefully you’ll have a clearer picture of the USB to ISO offerings available to you as more and more of us switch to a world without optical disk drives.