20+ essential programs for your new Windows computer

Our regular readers can probably rattle off a list of their 20 favorite apps without breaking a sweat -- as the comments on this post will no doubt prove. But for our less in-the-know friends, family, and co-workers, it can be challenging to figure out where to download high quality programs that actually do what they need them to do.

We've put together an assortment that will help you hit the ground running with your new Windows PC. If you've got your own suggestions to add, feel free to post them in the comments.

Now let's take the jump and check out the apps!

Continue reading 20+ essential programs for your new Windows computer

20+ essential programs for your new Windows computer originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/23/20-essential-programs-for-your-new-windows-computer/

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Facebook now the most-visited website in the world

You hear that, Mr Google? That is the sound of inevitability.

Hitwise has just released two sets of data for 2010: the top 10 most-searched terms, and the top 10 most-visited websites. Rather unsurprisingly, Facebook is at the top of both charts. It leads the most-visited chart by some way, too: almost 9% of all Internet visits in the U.S. were to Facebook, while Google only accounted for 7.2%.

These stats are made all the more insane when you compare them to Hitwise's 2009 figures. In 2009, Facebook only accounted for 4.3% of Internet visits -- it has more than doubled in size and activity. Google, on the other hand, with 6.7% in 2009 has shown a small amount of growth. Yahoo's homepage has stayed the same in 2010, at 3.3%, but Yahoo Mail has slumped significantly from 4.4 to 3.5%, but still ranks as the third-most visited site in 2010.

Facebook is still some way off Microsoft and Google when you factor in all of their properties (Hotmail, Bing, MSN, YouTube), but as a single website, Facebook is now by far the most visited in the world.

Facebook now the most-visited website in the world originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/30/facebook-now-the-most-visited-website-in-the-world/

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KinEmote controls Boxee or XBMC via your Kinect

The Microsoft Kinect hacks just keep on coming, and we'll probably be seeing even more cool apps released now that first-party drivers are available for download. Today, we've got a glimpse at a new open source project called KinEmote in action. It's designed to take advantage of your Kinect in its natural habitat: the living room.

KinEmote is a -- you guessed it -- remote control app which allows you to interact with both Boxee and XBMC from across the room. Check out the video demo after the break to get a look at what controlling your media center PC could be like with a Kinect plugged into it!

Continue reading KinEmote controls Boxee or XBMC via your Kinect

KinEmote controls Boxee or XBMC via your Kinect originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/27/kinemote-controls-boxee-or-xbmc-via-your-kinect/

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McAfee: Smartphones, Apple devices to be top malware targets in 2011

Traditionally, Windows' massive user base has made it a juicy target for malware authors, but a new report from McAfee suggests there could be a major shift in 2011. The security company is predicting that attacks on the exploding smartphone segment and Apple devices will increase significantly.

Mac trojans have already become increasingly common in 2010, and McAfee finds that "lack of user understanding of proper security for these devices, will increase the risk for data and identity exposure." This lack of understanding, coupled with the increased presence of iOS devices in business environments, will make Apple users a prime target for malware.

The report also finds smartphone users will face increased danger in 2011. With hundreds of millions of new users purchasing more powerful phones and spending more time browsing on them, increased attention from malware authors is a natural (albeit unwelcome) side effect. If the app store for your phone offers security applications, there's no time like the present to read some reviews and get one installed.

Apart from smartphones and Apple devices, social engineering attacks (e.g. scams via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and social networks) will continue to be big in 2011. McAfee asserts that personal information made available via geolocation apps and privacy lapses will allow attackers to better craft their attacks on individuals. There's also no sign of viral attacks on social sites like Facebook and Twitter slowing down, and short URL services will continue to be used to hide malicious links. Here's hoping more URL shorteners will look into pre-scanning their links to ensure our safety.

McAfee: Smartphones, Apple devices to be top malware targets in 2011 originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/29/mcafee-smartphones-apple-devices-to-be-top-malware-targets-in/

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Gigabyte slips out Atom N550-based M1005, Q2005 netbooks

We're guessing we'll see a more official announcement about these soon enough, but for now we'll have to make do with some product pages that have quietly turned up on Gigabyte's website for two new Atom N550-based netbooks: the M1005 and Q2005. As Netbook News notes, the latter of those (pictured above) looks to be remarkably similar to the Jolicloud Jolibook, also based on the same dual-core N550 processor, while the M1005 appears to be a relatively minor update to the company's M1022 model, right down to the same docking station (check it out after the break). Still no indication of pricing or availability for either of them, but you can find the complete specs for each at the links below.

Continue reading Gigabyte slips out Atom N550-based M1005, Q2005 netbooks

Gigabyte slips out Atom N550-based M1005, Q2005 netbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/gigabyte-slips-out-atom-n550-based-m1005-q2005-netbooks/

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News flash: everything on the Internet is hackable

This weekend, Gawker Media had its primary database compromised. In this monstrous breach, not only did 1.5 million users have their privacy breached and email address stolen, but they also had their passwords cracked. In a day and age where the currency of our email address and password -- and thus our identity -- is only superseded by our bank details, it's fair to label the Gawker breach as abominable.

Like all major disasters, though, this hack serves a higher purpose: it's now blatantly clear that you should not trust a website with sensitive details about yourself. There have been other hacks, of course; higher profile hacks (like the TJ Maxx debacle), with millions of credit card and social security numbers vanishing into the ether, causing billions of dollars of damage.

But they pale in comparison to the Gawker hack for one reason: it directly affected a huge swathe of the noisy, foot-stomping and petulant tech blogging minority.

Continue reading News flash: everything on the Internet is hackable

News flash: everything on the Internet is hackable originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/14/news-flash-everything-on-the-internet-is-hackable/

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App Launcher for Chrome is like a start menu for Web Store apps

If opening Google Chrome's new tab page just to fire up an app feels a bit too clunky for your liking, check out a new extension from Google itself: App Launcher.

Once installed, you'll have access to a drop down menu which lists all your apps in alphabetical order -- unlike previously reviewed AppJump Launcher, which doesn't appear to list them in any particular order. Google's offering also features built-in search -- which could be handy if you've been able to find a whole pile of apps you decided to keep installed. Keyboard navigation is supported as well, allowing you to arrow up and down and tap enter to launch.

The extension currently lacks an options screen -- which would be a great place for Google to slap in another missing feature: hotkey support.

Install App Launcher for Google Chrome

App Launcher for Chrome is like a start menu for Web Store apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/app-launcher-for-chrome-is-like-a-start-menu-for-web-store-apps/

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