How to Set Up Google Chromecast : Windows 8

1.   Chromecast is a 2.83-inch (72 mm) HDMI dongle ,a digital media player developed by Google that plays audio/video content on a high-definition display by directly streaming it via Wi-Fi from the Internet or a local network. Users select the media to play using mobile apps and web apps that support the Google Cast technology. Alternatively, content can be mirrored from the Google Chrome web browser running on a personal computer, as well as from the screen of some Android devices.This post further brings you screen shots of the Chromecast setup as I set it up on one windows 8 Laptop...sadly it doesn't have a straight setup for UBUNTU OS...though I have seen few forums wherein a plugin mention in regular chrome browser would set the cast working...but alas not tried that...here it is a simply setting it up on Windows 8.

Step 1 : As you plugin the chromecast powered by USB Power in the HDMI slot ,you get a similar looking screen.

  

On your Chrome browser log onto google.com/chromecast/setup

As you click the above link you get a download setup file...around 800 kb...download that and your installation begins....

Typical Next Next.....

You get the device number as detected by the Laptop machine

Once connected a unique code is seen as below on the TV...just confirm that you see the same on your PC too as shown further below :

Unique code replicated on Laptop screen as below :

Click on That's My Code and continue as seen below :

Seen connecting to the network SSID

Setting up the Device on joining the network

and you are ready to cast :

The first time the device is ready to cast,expect recent update on the Chromecast dongle like seen below...likely to take few minutes...mine took 7-8 minutes

Updating still....12%

Updating still....61%

Updated and now applying updates

and the first look of the device on way to cast a Youtube stream as below :

What do I cast first ?...off course Rajinikanth....:-)

Few things to ponder and for info first time users :

- Why is not ready for Opensource OS?
- Works equally ready with Android devices with ease
- Does not work on a Windows OS running in Virtual Box/Machine.

Harden PRIVACY : PRIVACY BADGER Tool

1.    Till few years back PRIVACY as a word meant the state of being free from unsanctioned intrusion in physical life from your peers/friends/strangers but the whole meaning has taken a new dimension since Snowden released his HIDDEN FILES last year around June.Today not only NSA but a plethora of third party agencies are after you all to track you..profile you...read you.Though in my earlier posts here,I had given a mention of few tools like disconnect.me,Adblock Plus,Ghostery etc but with time technology has further improved and here in this post I discuss about PRIVACY BADGER that is a browser add-on that stops advertisers and other third-party trackers from secretly tracking where you go and what pages you look at on the web.  If an advertiser seems to be tracking you across multiple websites without your permission, Privacy Badger automatically blocks that advertiser from loading any more content in your browser.  To the advertiser, it's like you suddenly disappeared.Looks Interesting..!!!

3.   Once installed as seen above we get a red hexagon..indicating installed and this has color indicators as follows :

• Green means there's a third party domain, but it hasn't yet been observed tracking you across multiple sites, so it might be unobjectionable. When you first install Privacy Badger every domain will be in this green state but as you browse, domains will quickly be classified as trackers.

• Yellow means that the thirty party domain appears to be trying to track you, but it is on Privacy Badger's cookie-blocking "whitelist" of third party domains that, when analyzed, seemed to be necessary for Web functionality. In that case, Privacy Badger will load content from the domain but will try to screen out third party cookies and supercookies from it.

• Red means that content from this third party tracker has been completely disallowed.

4.   Currently available for CHROME,here I have used the beta for Mozilla browser ...though the site says they will soon release the extension for other browsers incl opera and safari too.....!!!!

Google joins the ENCRYPTION Race : End-to-End Extension

1.    After Snowden leaks,one thing that has been most sought after is privacy and encryption and there have been a horde of tools and extensions that offer u the same vide many companies.Like in the last mail I mentioned about PROTONMAIL,there is another one in the offering from the horses mouth itself...ie Google offering an extension by the name of End-to-End extension...that

means data leaving your browser will be encrypted until the message’s intended recipient decrypts it, and that similarly encrypted messages sent to you will remain that way until you decrypt them in your browser.It’s a Chrome extension intended for users who need additional security.

2.    Though it is not yet available since still in Alpha stage but as per the Google blog at http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.in/2014/06/making-end-to-end-encryption-easier-to.html,it is likely to be available soon for all chrome browser users as an extension.Google wants to make it harder to spy on email by encouraging maximum providers to adopt server-to-server encryption. The new tool is based on OpenPGP and is meant to be a more user-friendly encryption option than programs such as PGP, which can be difficult to configure and use.

3.   So till it releases.....no options other then to wait.....

Reduce Tracking/Increase Privacy : Start Mozilla in PRIVATE MODE by default

1.   Earlier in one of my posts I had shown on how to start chrome in "INCOGNITO" mode to avoid any cache storing and also at the same time remove cookies at the end of the session....the following steps make way to start the mozilla browser by default in a private mode.

2.   As shown in the screen shot below...go to the Edit drop down menu and select preferences and then go to the privacy tab and select NEVER REMEMBER HISTORY

(Click on the image to enlarge)

(Click on the image to enlarge)

(Click on the image to enlarge)

 3.     The video cast below :

Browser Updates

1.   Without emphasizing on the need of why we should always keep our browsers updated,I am briefly bringing out here how to check and update your browsers.These browsers are invariably the most commonly used one's ...so I just updated few of them although the browsers exists in plenty!!!!

Firstly

To check the version of your Web Browser, Open the  Browser 

and do the following actions :

For Opera Browser

Click on “Main Menu > Help > About Opera”.

For Firefox

Click “Main Menu >Help> About Firefox.

For Internet Explorer

Press Alt+H and Click on “About Internet Explorer”.

For Apple Safari

Press Alt+H and Click on “About Safari”.

Secondly

To check whats the latest version doing the surfing....i advise two options...either you can simply ask google or check form the respective websites of the web browser...or another easy(but third party) way out is to check the latest versions available for download at http://www.filehippo.com/software/internet/browsers/

How to install Chrome browser in Fedora 18 ?

1.   It actually became confusing after few forums that I went to made me to "vi" etc of the repo file but then I came across a good one at http://www.if-not-true-then-false.com/2010/install-chromium-on-fedora-using-yum/ that made my fed 18 machine experience Chrome

 
Login to root and command the prompt as follows :

[root@localhost ~]# cd /etc/yum.repos.d/

[root@localhost yum.repos.d]# wget http://repos.fedorapeople.org/repos/spot/chromium/fedora-chromium-stable.repo

[root@localhost yum.repos.d]# yum install chromium

thats it....the Chrome is ready to run....

Internet Explorer : Vulnerable as always!!!

1.   Microsoft IE vulnerability CVE-2012-1889 is the latest to generate interest amongst avid cyber security readers. The special thing about this vulnerability is that it focusses on users using Gmail, MS Office and Internet Explorer. And the sad thing is that this is still a ZERO day exploit...... Rapid 7,Security software company,explains the vulnerability as follows:

“This is an uninitialized memory bug found in MSXML. According to Microsoft, such a component can be loaded from either Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office. This vulnerability is rumored to be “state-sponsored”, and what makes it really critical is it’s still an 0-day hijacking Gmail accounts. That’s right, that means if you’re using Gmail as well as Internet Explorer or Microsoft Office, you’re at risk. We expect this vulnerability to grow even more dangerous since there’s no patch, and it’s rather easy to trigger.”

2.    Whatever may say...majority of the users still by default keep using IE across the globe....when I see my own blog stats,about 60 % of the visitors use IE...and as we all keep seeing the exponential growth in the users of internet across the globe....but sadly the awareness level of how vulnerable they all are is unknown and is growing at a similar rate!!!

3.    Got the reference from here.Thanks https://community.rapid7.com.

The Lightest Browser : BROWZAR

1.  In the world of browsers when we have chrome...mozilla...safari...opera..and many others.fight it out at ACID3 benchmarking levels...we have a small browser here....thats only in KBs....by the name of BROWZAR.Few good things and features are mentioned below :

-  Takes seconds to download

-  No installation

-  No registration

-  One of the smallest, fastest browsers in the world

-   Just download and go

-   Doesn't save Cookies, History, Temp files, Passwords, Cache

-   Secure delete

-   Great for Banking and Cloud applications

-   Carry it with you on a USB stick

-   Great for shared computers

-   Use it on a friend's PC, Internet Cafe, Work PC, on Holiday

-   Automatically cleans up when you've finished

-   Only 222Kb...u read that right!!!only 222Kb

2.   Test and Download at http://www.browzar.com/.

CHROME INSTALLATION ISSUES IN UBUNTU : SOLVED

1. Recently tried installing Chrome browser in Ubuntu 11.10....so I downloaded the .deb file and tried installing it from the terminal via this command

sudo dpkg -i './Downloads/google-chrome-stable_current_i386.deb'

...which showed some error in between installation and came out on the terminal prompt....

2. So googled and found this solution that involves prior installing of few library files as follows :

sudo apt-get install libnspr4-0d libnss3-1d libxss1 libcurl3

this command will install the missing lib files and then on it is the repeat of the earlier command ie

sudo dpkg -i './Downloads/google-chrome-stable_current_i386.deb'

3.   Should solve...let me know if u have any thing unsolved!!!

CONTROL COOKIES TAKING CONTROL FROM UR BROWSERS

1.  In my earlier post here about cookies and types,I had mentioned about types and some relevant details.Now this one mentions about the steers and control available in prominent browsers to disable cookies digging into ur privacy !!!

Google Chrome

Go to 'Tools Menu'

Click on 'Options'

Click on 'Under the Hood'

'Cookie Setting' should be selected. Once done select 'Block all Cookies'

Now all cookies should be blocked on your Google Chrome

To clear existing cookies:

Go to 'Tools Menu'

Click on 'Options'

Click on 'Under the Hood'

Under 'Privacy' section select "Show Cookies'

A new window should open called 'Cookies' In here you can see all the cookies within your Google Chrome Browser.

Click on "Remove All" to remove all traces of cookies

If you wish to only remove a certain cookie, simply highlight and click "Remove"

Firefox

Go to 'Tools' in the menu bar

Click on 'Options'

Click on 'Privacy Tab'

Disable the box that says 'Accept Cookies From sites'

To clear existing cookies:

Go to 'Tools' in the menu bar

Click on 'Options'

Click on 'Privacy Tab'

Click on "Clear Now"

Select "Cookies"

Click on "Clear Private Data Now"

Internet Explorer (IE) 9.0+

Go to 'Tools' in the menu bar which should drop down then click on 'Internet Options'

Click on 'Privacy' Tab on top

Move the slider up to the 'Block all Cookies' button

Important Notice: Blocking all cookies may prevent you from entering alot of sites.

The next two Internet Explorer privacy levels, High and Medium High, may be more suitable.

To delete existing cookies:

Go to 'Tools' in the menu bar which should drop down then click on 'Internet Options'

Click on 'General' tab which should be under 'Browsing History' and click 'Delete'

2.  Thanks http://www.allaboutcookies.org

Our Browsing History Is Leaking into the Cloud!!!!

1. You do it on INCOGNITO mode or the PRIVACY mode or keep removing cookies to ensure that you are not being tracked or u think like your browsing history does not exist....this is going to shock you.....watch this video "DEFCON 19: Tracking the Trackers: How Our Browsing History Is Leaking into the Cloud"....click down to see....

2.  The summary goes like this....

 - 350 services get at least 1 % of your browsing activity

 - 33 services get at least 5% of your browsing activity

 - 16 services get at least 10% of your browsing activity

3.  Any solutions for avoiding......yes...the video itself gives you the solution ....and as on date millions have already adopted it...now that includes me tooo.....download the plugin for your respective browser from http://www.disconnect.me/

MAKE incognito YOUR DEFAULT SETTING

1.    We all know how to browse hidden ie Pages you view in this window won't appear in your browser history or search history, and they won't leave other traces, like cookies, on your computer after you close the incognito window. Commonly it is known as "incognito" or "privacy browsing".......an avid user of chrome ....I always had to open the browser and then select "New Incognito Window" to work...but not till today....a simple amendment in the target setting of properties of chrome shortcut will always make you open the incognito window......simply append "--incognito" at the end of the link address as shown below : 

C:\Users\???????\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe --incognito

2.    More clearly ...right click on the chrome shortcut on the task bar or on the desk top and click properties.In the target text box append "--incognito" to what is already there defining the location of the chrome browser....

3.     Thats it......

Full stop from being tracked online :An attempt from FIREFOX

1.  Firefox is working on a system which will provision web surfers to stop from being tracked online.We all know how  behemoths viz Google,Facebook and a plethora of OWMs use such information to sell targeted adverts and make money without ever asking the consent of the user.Such a move would be welcomed by privacy campaigners who have long complained that Google & Facebook are taking indecorums with the information .Currently these information seeking companies make use of 'cookies' that automatically save themselves onto users computer when they surf the web, and then keep a track of the browsing history.This data is then sold on to advertisers who put highly lucrative targeted ads on the individual's screen, depending on what internet pages they have recently been looking at. 

2.  Vice president of engineering at Mozilla,Mike Shaver,summed up the plan by saying the aim was to "put the user in control but not overwhelm them".And this would not only be a welcome step being used against information thefts but also actually be a booon for users who have been taken on a ride for so long on which they never ever desired to also......

CANURE : 100 on ACID3 Test

1.    Last year in March 09,I wrote on my acquaintance with ACID3 and then CHROME scored the highest among the then present browsers.....now here comes a little known CANURE and u believe it or not...whats the score?...100 on 100......perfect 100....m sure worth a try...when chrome is scoring about 80 in 100 ,this claims getting 100/100 in Acid 3 Web Tests and 145/160 in HTML 5 Test.

2.   Download here.

CLEANERS & FOOTPRINTS

1. Off late I have been experimenting with few software's which claim to do a 100% cleansing action of removing every browsing marks and history of any kind on your computer that u use for work and surfing.These incl the following :

- CyberScrub Privacy Suite v 5.1

- PC Tools Privacy Guardian v4.5

- Webroot Window Washer 6.5.5.155

- MilEraserSetup_XP2k

- Privacy-eraser

- Notrace-setup

- Eraser 6.0.7.1893

2. Among these I have no doubts of who is leading?....CyberScrub Privacy Suite v 5.1 & PC Tools Privacy Guardian v4.5.Though CyberScrub Privacy Suite v 5.1 does leave Chrome traces and does't have Chrome included in its list of browsers......It does a pretty neat job by giving options of wiping that include Navy Staff Office Publication (NAVSO PUB) 5239,Russian Gost,Brouce Schneier algorith and many others with options of selecting passes......on the other side ie PC Tools Privacy Guardian v4.5...includes chrome as a option to be selected with similar wiping algorith options.....

3. Try you must.......all of them to know the real difference or simply follow the recommendations......

xB Browser - Makes you anonymous

1. xB Browser is a free and open-source anonymous web browser in the world which is just a click away from anonymous surfing right now! With xB Browser you can securely and anonymously surf the internet, and bypass firewalls and website censorship.

2. The main advantage compared to other anonymous web browsers is that xB Browser requires no configuration or technical knowledge in order to achieve anonymity. xB Browser is open-source so you can feel safe knowing what goes into our code. Additionally, it is even portable on a USB stick .

3. xB Browser was previously known as Torpark. It does not store a cache on the user hard drive, nor does it store cookies, so there is no mess to clean up with eraser programs. xB Browser also has advanced features such as SSL MD5 RSA certificate vulnerability detection, DOM object and flash cookie protection,cross-site scripting attack prevention, user-agent cloaking, and java proxy control. xB Browser also detects and disables malicious browser addons that are hidden in the windows registry.

4. I recently downloaded the same from http://download.cnet.com/windows/3055-2144_4-10660326.html?tag=pdl-redir and I am really impressed with the same......the only thing I got perturbed was with the speed.Having ridden on chrome for over a year...the speed is not a match.It is about 45 Mb in size...isn't that heavy...well any way...CHROME rules still.

Fight of the Browser's : ACID3 TEST

1.         I recollect the first interaction with the web with the services of Internet Explorer 3.0 some time in 1997.Then there was a alternative of Netscape Navigator 3.0 only.So between the two in those days,there was sinewy competition and I would appreciate that the choice between the two mattered owing to individual’s personnel choices. I liked browsing with Netscape Navigator and Ujjwal (my only IT savvy friend then…) liked it with IE 3.0. 

2.         So there were no standards then to decide upon which one is actually better. Time graduated to the early 2000’s and in came a lot many browsers each arrogating to be the best amongst lot. These included Amaya, Konquerer, Phoenix, Galion and the list is endless. Anyone interested in knowing about these unheard names today may just google and inquire about them…..now on way to superannuation!!! 

3.         Those which endured the decade long fight of the browsers included Safari, Opera, Mozilla to name a few and few new one’s to include Google Chrome, Flock. 

4.         Now after a decade of evolution , few standards spranged up to finally one make adjudicate about which one is actually better.The standard I am going to mention is ACID3 TEST. Nothing to do with Sulphuric or Hydrochloric acid. 

5.         Acid3 is a test page from the Web Standards Project that checks how well a web browser follows certain web standards, especially relating to the Document Object Model and JavaScript.

 

6.         When successful, the Acid3 test displays a step by step increasing percentage counter with colored rectangles in the background. I tried on mine ie Google Chrome and it scored 78/100(Picture In Set).The percentage displayed is based on the number of sub-tests passed. It is not representing an actual percentage of conformance as the test does not keep track of how many of the tests were actually started (100 is assumed). In addition to these the browser also has to render the page exactly like the reference page is rendered in the same browser. 

7.            Further to this I inquired about why Chrome scored 78,it was because prior to conduct of test it was supposed to be set to its original default settings which I did not do. So I surfed few forums on what has been the score of other browsers. This lead me to conclusion that as on date Chrome scores over others at least in ACID3 test and being a sincere Chrome user my self...believed the same quickly....thanks for wiki for info!