Daily Tech Bits

Laptop Security When You Travel

Did you know that when you enter the US, your laptop can be searched? In fact, everything that’s stored on it can be downloaded, by law. A recent court ruling allows border agents to rifle through your hard drive or keep your computer for days while they establish that it’s safe. If you leave the US and fly back in, and you must take your laptop, then you need to clean up your data.

A customs agent can’t read what you don’t have. You don’t need five years’ worth of email and client data. You don’t need your old love letters and those photos (you know the ones I’m talking about). Delete everything you don’t absolutely need. And use a secure file erasure program to do it.

The Guardian article gives some tips on how to hide your data securely. (Thanks to doshdosh for the pointer.)

Google Reader On Your IPhone

Everyone wants a great way to keep track of their feeds. Google Reader is the best one I’ve tried so far, and IPhone users now have a version of Reader designed especially for them. Google says:

This new version is designed to offer many of the same features as the desktop, while making it quick and easy to act on items.

You’lll be able to do all the things you take for granted when using Reader with your usual web browser, and you’ll be able to do them fast.  Check out the full announcement.

User feedback so far indicates that this new version is an improvement, but there are still some features that IPhone users would like to see, such as being able to email items easily or use the zoom function.

How To Secure Your Wireless Network

Do you know your WEP from your WPA? Do you even understand why you should? I don’t get all the acronyms, either, but I do know that they have to do with creating a secure wireless network. If you want to know how to do that - and get a grip on the alphabet soup at the same time - check out The ABCs of securing your wireless network over on Ars Technica.

The first thing to understand about wireless security is that by default, you have none. The router you buy from Newegg or Best Buy is going to come preconfigured for open access, which means that all of your neighbors can hop on and begin snarfing up MP3s with your bandwidth.

Don’t panic. The article shows you how to close down those loopholes fast.

Skype To Go Mobile

Can Skype get any better? It seems that it can. Hot on the heels of the news about flat rate international call plans, comes more good news. Skype is going mobile.

It’s only in the beta stage, but some users will be able to use Skype on their cell phones. They will still be able to make free Skype to Skype calls or dial other numbers at SkypeOut rates. Whoopee!

Of course, it’s not all good news. Cell phone network carriers will probably charge something for using their networks, but I think it’s a positive step. It means that one day soon, you’ll be able to use Skype without having to be within 50 ft of your computer.

More on that news here.

Laptops Going Cheap

They’re light, they’re cheap and they’re small. Who says that a functioning laptop has to cost a bomb? Most of the major manufacturers have been releasing low cost laptops and there are several of them on the market. If you’re not sure where to look, a good place to start is with Liliputing’s comprehensive list of low cost laptops. Brad Linder highlights the specs of 23 models, and gives a pointer to a few new ones that might be coming out. If you’re looking to go portable on a budget, then this one’s for you, as some laptops cost as little as $200.

Flat Fee International Skype Calls

If you’re doing business online, then you’re probably using Skype. So it’s good news that making Skype calls is now even cheaper. The Ebay subsidiary has now launched calling plans, just like the ones you get for your home phone or cell phone. The difference is that these plans are worldwide. The calling subscription plans offer a flat rate when calling landlines in 34 countries. If you’ve ever had to watch your Skype credits ticking away while you made a business card, then this news couldn’t have come at a better time.

The calling subscription plans vary depending on where you are located. In general, they allow unlimited calls within the country at one price, unlimited calls within the region at a higher price, and unlimited calls worldwide for a third price. The call plans start at 1.95 euros a month for calls within the US and Canada and rise to 8.95 euros a month for calls from anywhere in the world to one of the 34 countries in the zone.

The countries include the US, Canada, UK, Australia, countries in Europe and Eastern Europe, Japan, China and others. Depending on the package you choose, you can also make calls to cell phones in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the US at the same flat rate.

Of course, unlimited isn’t really unlimited. If you need more than 10,000 minutes a month (or five hours a day) then you will fall foul of Skype’s fair use policy (and you probably spend WAY too much time on the phone). But for most of us, this type of call package ought to be enough.

If you want to sign up for a package, visit the calling subscriptions signup page. I’m tempted, because I’m sure this is cheaper than my local telephone company.