This post brought to you by Bitdefender. All opinions are 100% mine.

While all of us are living in 2012, some vendors, in this article I mean security makers, have already had a well-prepared plan for the next one. There is a fact that whenever we mention or cover about security application, Bitdedenfer is always considered as one of the most trusted names, an actual big fish in the sea. In this article, I will take a look at Bitdefender ‘s newest version Total Security 2013.

Today, it seems that keeping your network secure and blocking threats to sensitive information are undoubtedly your top priorities, but with the Internet becoming overwhelming important in our everyday functions, outside threats can make their way into your home when you least expect them.

As one of the leading companies in the security field, which CNET, PCMag and other prestigious online magazines have ranked #1, Bitdefender is introducing the newest generation. The 2013 version has been improved with various new features. The solution, therefore, could be seen as one of the first choices on the market for normal customers and business as well.

The first impressive thing I see in the new version is that it has a more controlled, simple and cleaner interface. You can take an overview of the main window, then choose a task or feature you want to operate, simply click and go with it.

However, the new versions not only come with a new interface but also integrate some new features. Bitdefender 2013 continues to provide proactive protection from threats such as such as viruses, spyware, hackers, spam, and phishing attacks. They also offer more advanced safeguards and rich features, including parental controls, online backup, social networking protection! Bitdefender’s 2013 solutions are designed to operate on multiple computer environments, including PCs that function mostly off-line or in a secure LAN, to computers with always-on, unfiltered Internet connections. Here, in my opinion are some of the most notable features:

Honestly, at first, there are not many things to mention about the program because it has worked smoothly and quickly since the moment I installed it. However, I have been paid attention at two noticeable features: high-speed scanning and little resource consuming.

Easy to Install

I found that the installation process is usual like many other Windows based programs with just few clicks. Since it was the first time the program was installed, VIPRE automatically got the latest virus definition and carry out a quick scanned my PC. I had to wait a couple of minutes to get started becoming familiar with the new protector. You can see some pictures I took during the process.

It is obviously that fast installation, quick update virus database and high-speed scan are what we tend to expect in an antivirus suite and I was pretty satisfied with VIPRE ‘s performance.

Little Resource Consuming

Due to my zero virus computer, I could not give many comments about actual VIPRE ‘s capacity in term of removing malware. So I decided to take a glance at its resource consuming. When I was installing the application, Windows Task Manager indicated that the antivirus suite consumed only 32 MB.

Since almost of our PC todays have at least 2 GB of RAM, this firgure is really decent.

Useful Tools

VIPRE antivirus has some integrated useful tools which could be a cure for users on Windows environment which includes Secure File Eraser, History Cleaner and PC Explorer. You can securely delete files, remove histories of all application and access hidden computer settings with the last one.

If so, it is time for you to download Multi Skpe Launcher, a very popular handy program to manage and open multiple Skype account at the same time. It works great, as an implement option/feature of Skype app because by default, this P2P based voice IP service only allows you to login and open one account on one computer. As a Skyper fan, I highly recommend you to get download it to open multiple Skype accounts simultaneously.

Do you know, before that, to use more than one account on Skype app, we have to configure Program Files directory or by the most simple way, log out the first account and then log in the second one!

Image credit: Softpedia

I have just uncovered  another tool as you see in the title of the post, SkyMI 1. This free tiny application has just been released and announced on Softpedia. In my opinion, SkyMI 1 can be a good alternative of Multi Skype Launcher with more choices.

After you install the tool, SkyMI will help you manage your Skype account easily. Besides that, SkyMI allows you to protect your private Skype account with a master password. To get started, in the main interface, you can hit the “Add Skype accounts” option. I recommend you choose “Start with Windows” option. However, you should take notice that if you use a master password, each time the tool opens, you will have to provide that confidential information to start using it.

Last but not least, SkyMI does not work on my Windows 7 64bit laptop, so that I am not able to bring you more screenhosts than one from Softpedia. I will give you more detailed about my experiment with SkyMI when I back to home to test it on my PC that are using Windows 7 32 bit.

Updated: I just got a new idea: Install Skype and SkyMI on Windows XP Mode and it works. By default the tool uses Español language. You can see the image above. After few minutes playing with SkyMI, I can say that it only helps you to manage multiple Skype accounts, not open or run multiple Skype accounts simultaneously as Multi Skpe Launcher does! Be ware of that my buddy!

Symantec is one of the leading vendors over the world in the security field. Their most well-known product Norton Antivirus, with the the most updated version recently, 2012 brings various new features, lightweight with a pretty compelling interface. Basing on my experience more than 6 months, I can come to a conclusion that Norton is the best antivirus solution on the market for home-user at the moment. It works really well with a self-protection engine that will make sure your computers are always virus-free.

Honestly, about 4 or 5 years ago, I have ever got a bad impression with Norton due to its rugged interface, sluggish performance and especially, it was too hard to remove completely Norton Antivirus from your computer. At that time, I had no idea about uninstall applications so my Pen III based computer was always being choked with it. However, that thing has been gone by far when Symantec released more innovative versions recently. When running in the background, Norton Antivirus 2012 consumes a little of resource in comparison with other rivals.

One of the most interesting features is that Norton Antivirus 2012 can silently and automatically detect threats on your computer and remove them. On Norton Antivirus 2012, there are some noticeable features including Norton Insight and SONAR 4.0 which can help you monitor your system at a deep level.

Back to the main topic, you probably know that recently Facebook has given away a couple of free antivirus software for their members in which you can get  a free genuine license of Norton Antivirus 2012. Visit this link for more detail.

As you can see in the image above, Symantec said that “6-month Norton AntiVirus offer is available to new customers only“. To get started, you can hit the Download button on the website (in fact, it is not a real application but a agent tool to help you download Norton Antivirus 2012 with free key). Otherwise, I recommend you download this special package with direct link. It is here.

All you need to do now is to install this package. It has been integrated free 6 months subscription.

Keep in mind that the install process may take you a few minutes. You may have to remove the old antivirus on your computer which are not compatible with Norton. Nevertheless, you may choose Skip & Continue.

After finishing the install process, you can check the application. It will show that you will have remaining 180 days subscription.

From now onwards, at least in next 6 months, your computer will be protected with a powerful antivirus. I am sure Norton Antivirus 2012 will soon become your safe shield and this give away is really great! Do not miss it!

Choosing a proper cloud storage service is indeed not easy but I think at the moment Dropbox, SkyDrive, SugarSync and Google Drive are more preferable ones that the remain, especially for home users like me. As I see, a lot of loyal users and fans are fighting for their choice and the cloud service they gave their trust! In this post, I want to show you up a very handy, compelling feature on SkyDrive that may draw your attention for sure. SkyDrive can help you remote control the PC with fast speed and secure providing that you have already installed the app on the computer you are trying to access.

In fact, you have to notice that it does not work same as what some actual remote control apps and services as TeamView or Logmein are offering. But thank to SkyDrive, you can always take your whole data on your computer on the go. For more exactly, it can be explained like that, whenever you install SkyDrive on any computer and login with your account, you can go to SkyDrive “dashboard” via web-based to control all data on these computers. Here are what can do for that purpose.

First, you have to get a Windows Live or Hotmail account. It is free and easy to do. Visit http://live.com and hit the Sign up button. Login at http://skydrive.live.com. You can also download SkyDrive app on here. Just install it as normal! Assuming you are using Windows 7, then there will be a new folder called Skydrive with an icon on the left appearing on your Favorite list, same with Google Drive and Dropbox.

Now, when you login to your SkyDrive account, there will be a new PC ‘s name appearing on the left as the image below.

As the image above reveals, I have already installed SkyDrive app on two computers: my father one and mine. If I want to control my daddy ‘s PC remotely, I just need to click on Daddy link.

That feature may somehow benefit you. Assuming that you are on the go and want to immediately  access your computer at home to get some missing document files on the disk, SkyDrive is a great tool. Just make a phone and someone can help you power up the PC. Then login into SkyDrive to look for the files and download them easily!

Bear in mind that you have to provide a code that sent to your mobile phone or use alternate email address to pass the two-factor authentication. The process will make sure that you are the real owner the computer or at least the person who has actually installed SkyDrive on these computers.

When you are remotely surfing file or folder on a local disk, you have 2 options: download right to the current computer or upload to your SkyDrive account. You can easily opt the more convenient ways to use for yourself! The speed is really fast and it works well. I think this feature is an actual remarkable  upside from SkyDrive. Do you agree with it?

Currently, in my opinion, Dropbox is still one the leading cloud storage services thanks to its excellent synchronization feature which supports almost platforms and devices without limit, no matter you are using a free account. As many others, I have been a fan of Dropbox so long and needless to say, completely satisfied with it.

But do you think a free 2GB account from Dropbox is enough in a long run? The answer is of course no. Here Oxygencloud, which offers many advanced options including synchronization is a good Dropbox alternative you can try.

In fact, there are a number of cloud storage services on the market. You can even increase your cloud storage up to 50 GB for free at Box.com, providing that you use an Android device. Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Box, Dropbox and many other providers may let you feel confusing in choosing a suitable cloud storage service. As a normal Internet user, I love Dropbox the most because it has an amazing synchronization feature which almost others do not offer. You can access your data on the go via many ways such as computer, tablet or web-based thanks to its exclusive apps. That is also the critical feature /option that you can not find out on other cloud based storage services. In fact, it is quite hard to look for a really Dropbox alternative.

Oxygen Cloud main features:

Is Oxygen Cloud a reliable, secure and convenient cloud based storage service since it is still a new name? Here are some main features:

- Oxygen Cloud offers free 5 GB for users, more than double with what Dropbox brings to you.

- The most noticed feature Oxygen UltraSync which allows users to synchronize  files across various platforms such as desktop clients (available on Windows and Mac), mobile clients and Web client. Besides that, UltraSync  automatically pushes updated files to entire co-workers so they can access to use them on any device.

- Oxygen supports apps on many mobilizing devices including iPad, iPhone, Android and Web clients as well. Unless other services, you can even edit the content of the data via apps or web- based. Oxygen supports many productivity such as Quickoffice, PDF Expert, Goodreader and more. So you will have no hassle when working on the move.

- Is it safe? If you are worry about protecting your data, Oxygen MobileVault feature is what you are looking for. It can encrypt your files from the storage to the end point device, protecting users against unwanted access and lost devices.

How To Use Oxygen Cloud?

1. Register a free account at OxygenCloud. Activate your account by clicking on the link in your email. Then you will be able to use Oxygen Cloud via a browser. Just log-in with your confidential information.

2. Of course, for more convenient, you should download OxygenCloud ‘s application at the Download tab on the homepage. Comparing to Dropbox apps for Windows environment, it is too larger (around 70 MB). You have to install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2 as well. Install it and get started.

3. You have to log-in with your account information at first. There will be a new 5 GB drive /partition named Oxygen on your computer, but luckily, it does not consume your storage space on the local drive.

4. There are two ready folders on the new drive: Admin users and Shared. Notice that, ironically, you can not create folder (or put data in) on the root drive when trying to operate it on the computer. Instead of that, you have to put your data inside two folders, one for private and the other for sharing purpose. If you want to create a sub-folder in the root, like the two in the default, you have to log-in to the cloud via web. Similar to Dropbox, you can copy and paste or drop and drag files to Oxygen drive as you are working with a normal locally drive. Then the data will be automatically synchronized to other devices and cloud as well.

5. You can invite others to access your entire cloud or a separate folders. This feature is quite helpful in business and collaboration environment.

A final though, I think Oxygen is quite compelling to Dropbox, especially the free space you can get. 5GB is too enough to store frequent data such documents, software or even photos. The synchronization speed is really quick. Synchronization is completely automatic and it works in the background like Dropbox. Visit OxygenCloud.

Those are the major reasons why we should use a better alternative which allow you to manage Android on PC via Wi-Fi connect. We have done a careful search query on Android Market and Android related forums to compile here 5 best tools to help you remote control Android devices on Windows via wireless connection. They will surely help you get rid of cable and normal frustration each time you make an effort to control your Android devices.

At first, you have to agree with me that currently there are probably a bundle of apps on the Android Market (please call it as Google Play now) which allow you to remote Android device on PC or even vice versa. However, in this collection we only choose the apps that can help you control Android on PC via wireless connection.

1. AirDroid

AirDroid is not the first app that can help you remotely control your Android device on your computer via Wi-Fi connection but at least in my opinion this is   one the best choice on the Google Play. AirDroid is completely free but you might be surprised with its advanced features.

AirDroid is really a fast, free app that lets you wirelessly manage & control your Android device from a web browser. All you need to do is install the app on your Android device then open it. The next step is so simple when you not need to configure anything. After you hit the Start button of the device, you will receive the IP with unique password. Then you just access any browser on your computer (on the same Wi-Fi network) and connect with these information to get started remotely control Android device.

AirDroid allows you to do a lot of task such as transfer/sync apps between computer and Android devices, even data on SD card. It is very easy to install or remove apps on the browser without touching the smartphone or tablet. Moreover, AirDroid is handy at managing SMS content. You can read, send or forward and delete as you are working on the devices. There is no convenient offer than that. I highly recommend AirDroid for Android users. Download AirDroid on Google Play here.

2. WiFi File Transfer

As its name reveals, in case you want to transfer data between computer and your Android device over Wi-Fi connection, WiFi File Transfer is one the reasonable choices you can give it a chance. This app is quite popular among Android community despite that there is a limit in free version (WiFi File Transfer free version only allows you to upload less 4 MB files).

Using web-based interface, WiFi File Transfer allows you connect with devices on computer. You can upload or download more than one file simultaneously. You can delete, rename, copy ect… files using the built-in file manager.

Remember that your device and computer have to work on a same local network. Though the app is still lacking many advanced features like others offer, it is still a famed remotely control solution for Android device. Download Wifi File Transfer on Google Play here.

3. Android Sync Manager WiFi

The main feature that make Android Sync Manager WiFi is quite prominent among this list is the synchronization capacity, beyond a normal remotely control app.

First, Android Sync Manager WiFi works well as a tool to manager your Android devices on PC. You can back up your data easily no mater they are contacts, messages, photos, music, video or application etc…

In my opinion, Android Sync Manager WiFi is the best choice in this list because it offers a comprehensive solution to control and maintain your handsets, specially backup, a headache task. There is at least a small downside however that is you have to install specific app on Android and your computer as well. Nevertheless, you have to do one times only that will surely let Android Sync Manager WiFi becomes the top choice and a five start must-have app for all Android users. You can download it here.

4. DropSpot

Another brilliant remotely control solution for Android users, I promise. DropSpot is designed to let you access your Android devices via browser on the computer without cable, providing that the handset and computer are working on a same local network.

There are two DropSpot version and we of course highly recommend you go with the Pro one. However, Lite version which is free has only one limitation. You cannot upload a file larger than 5 MB.

Unlike the above solution, you have to install Dropspot on your devices only. Then you will be given a unique ID and password to control Android handsets via browser on the computer. It supports drag and drop so you can easily upload or download files between the two.

If you need a simple solution to remotely control Android device without wire, DropSpot maybe a handy tool. It works with Android OS v2.2 or higher only. You can download here.

5. WiFi File Explorer

In fact, there are some other apps on the Google Play market claiming that they can help you manage your Android devices on computer without cable. But WiFi File Explorer is the last app I want to mention in this post. Why I choose this app instead of others? Simply for 2 reasons. The first impression is that it is offering free and the second, a lot of Android users are using WiFi File Explorer. I just saw its total downloaded times are really high.

With WiFi File Browse, you are able to download and stream files that are on your phone via a WiFi even with drag and drop option. There are two versions. The free one works seamlessly like the pro but you can choose only one file each time.

All you need to do is to install the app on the devices then use the given secret information to access via a browser. You can download the whole directories with only one click. The app allows you to view photos and video, music directly in a web browser. You can download it here.

Those above apps, I think, are enough for us to remotely manage our Android devices on PC via Wi-Fi. Each one has its own pro and cons but from my experience Android Sync Manager WiFi is the best since it offers many advanced features, not only suite for controlling purpose but also maintain our Android handset. However, it is just my point of view. We would like to hear from you soon. Do not hesitate drop us your comment!