Ask Leo! #416 – Encrypting a file, USB 3, large files on the desktop, blurry pictures and more…


The Ask Leo! Newsletter

*** Featured

How do I encrypt a file?

In a recent answer, I confirmed that sending an encrypted document as an attachment is a pretty reasonable approach to sending information securely in what is otherwise an unsecure medium - email. Even though there are approaches to encrypting email, they're either obscure or complex and not as ubiquitous as we'd like.

I'll look at two approaches to encrypting a single file that can then be sent securely in email that can typically be decrypted by just about anyone.

I'll also take special care to call out what is the weakest link and the thing that is most likely to allow your encryption to be cracked. It may not be what you think.

Continue reading: How do I encrypt a file?
http://ask-leo.com/C6139

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*** Answercast

Answercast #79 - USB 2 or 3, touchpad features, cluttered desktops, backing up Linux, website questions and more...

Have you ever wondered how to back up a Linux computer or a website? Do you have too many files on your desktop or odd certificates in your browser? Want to receive phone calls from overseas or get special functions back on your touchpad? All that and more in this Answercast from Ask Leo!

Listen

Continue reading: Answercast #79 - USB 2 or 3, touchpad features, cluttered desktops, backing up Linux, website questions and more...
http://ask-leo.com/C6137

What's a good inexpensive VoIP solution for people in the US to call me overseas?
A good inexpensive VoIP can be hooked up in several ways to a fast internet connection. We look at a few popular VoIP services.
Continue reading: What's a good inexpensive VoIP solution for people in the US to call me overseas?
http://ask-leo.com/C6138

Can I use a USB 3 drive on a computer that supports only USB 2?
Using USB 3 on a USB 2 computer is absolutely an option! There is a lot of compatibility built into the way USB is designed.
Continue reading: Can I use a USB 3 drive on a computer that supports only USB 2?
http://ask-leo.com/C6140

Are there problems if you put too many large files on your desktop?
Putting files on your desktop isn't a good idea in general. While it can cause a few technical problems, there are certainly more efficient ways to organize your computer.
Continue reading: Are there problems if you put too many large files on your desktop?
http://ask-leo.com/C6141

Why are pictures I email arriving blurrier than what I sent?
Email pictures could be arriving blurry if your sending function is resizing them. We'll take a few steps to track down the culprit.
Continue reading: Why are pictures I email arriving blurrier than what I sent?
http://ask-leo.com/C6142

My touchpad stopped supporting multi-touch features. How do I re-enable them?
Touchpad multi-touch features are enabled through the drivers installed on your computer. The place to go is the manufacturer's website.
Continue reading: My touchpad stopped supporting multi-touch features. How do I re-enable them?
http://ask-leo.com/C6143

Why are there so many odd certificates listed in my browser?
Understanding certificates in your browser is tricky and deleting them not recommended. They are "by definition" supposed to be secure.
Continue reading: Why are there so many odd certificates listed in my browser?
http://ask-leo.com/C6144

Where can I best register an anonymous domain?
Registering an anonymous domain will hide your personal information from the easily accessible public records, but it does not insure complete anonymity.
Continue reading: Where can I best register an anonymous domain?
http://ask-leo.com/C6145

How do I backup a website?
Backing up a website is an important step in web development. The best method is to design locally.
Continue reading: How do I backup a website?
http://ask-leo.com/C6146

Can I create a backup image of Linux using Macrium or Acronis?
Backing up Linux computers with Windows backup programs (such as Macrium Reflect or Acronis) is possible, but not necessarily practical.
Continue reading: Can I create a backup image of Linux using Macrium or Acronis?
http://ask-leo.com/C6147

How do I correct "An object could not be found" when closing a folder in Outlook?
Closing Outlook folders can be a problem if Outlook's PST file is corrupted somehow. Scanpst may fix the errors.
Continue reading: How do I correct "An object could not be found" when closing a folder in Outlook?
http://ask-leo.com/C6148

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*** Last Issue's Articles

*** Word o' the Week

encryption

Encryption is the process of mathematically processing data using an encryption "key" - such as a password or passphrase - in such a way that the result of the combination is unrecognizable as the original. Encrypted data can be restored to its original form by reprocessing it using the original encryption key (symmetric encryption) or the matching key of a key pair (asymmetric encryption).

Word o' the Week features a computer term or acronym taken from the Ask Leo! Glossary. If there's a word you're not sure of and would like to see defined, click here to let me know.

*** Thoughts and Comments

Yes, there'll be an Ask Leo! newsletter on Christmas day. Fortunately the newsletter is created in various stages ahead of time, ranging from several days to the day before. If my elves and I have our act together, we won't be working Christmas Eve. Smile

But I also realize that, hard as it might be to believe, reading Ask Leo! on Christmas Day might not be at the top of your priority list.

Because of that I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and/or the best wishes for whatever other holiday you might be celebrating this time of year. (If that's "none", then ... Happy Tuesday!).

All that assumes, of course, that the Mayan Calendar end of the world prediction is wrong.

Have a great holiday, everyone,

Leo
Leo A. Notenboom
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