data recovery Archives

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Download BleachBit (free) for Windows, macOS and Linux

BleachBit is an open-source system cleaning tool that helps users enhance disk capacity by removing unnecessary files and improving privacy. It permanently deletes files to prevent recovery, making it suitable for users handling sensitive information. The tool offers features such as shredding unused disk space, clearing browser histories, and removing software logs. BleachBit is free to use, lightweight, and compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS (with limited functionality). It supports cleaning for multiple applications and provides command-line functionality for advanced users. Additionally, BleachBit can be run from a USB drive without installation. Alternatives to BleachBit include CCleaner, Advanced SystemCare, and DaisyDisk, each offering different functionalities and features.

Tech Optimizer

February 23, 2025

Top 10 Best Ransomware Protection Tools

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency. Ransom demands can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, causing significant disruptions and financial losses. Key examples of ransomware include WannaCry, Petya, CryptoLocker, Ryuk, REvil, and Snake. To protect against ransomware, it is crucial to keep software updated, use anti-virus solutions, be cautious with unknown attachments or links, and regularly back up important data. Effective protection tools include backup solutions, anti-virus software, firewalls, and ransomware-specific solutions. Free protection options include Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware, Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware, Avast Anti-Ransomware, and Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business. Ransomware can be categorized into locker ransomware, screen ransomware, and encrypting ransomware.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2025

Essential tips to protect your computer from malware

Malware includes various types of malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Email attachments and links are common methods for malware distribution, with cybercriminals often disguising malicious files as legitimate communications. Regular software updates are essential for protecting against security vulnerabilities. Pirated software frequently contains malware and poses risks to computer security. Installing antivirus and antimalware software is crucial for defense against attacks, with recommendations for programs like Windows Defender and Malwarebytes. Encrypting sensitive data can prevent unauthorized access, and maintaining cloud backups is vital for data recovery in case of ransomware attacks. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is recommended when accessing the internet on public networks to protect personal information. Users should monitor their devices for suspicious activity, such as system slowdowns or unexpected pop-ups, and conduct malware scans if symptoms arise.

Tech Optimizer

December 13, 2024

Benchmark Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL with Dedicated Log Volumes

Organizations face challenges in maintaining the performance of mission-critical databases under demanding workloads. Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) offers a managed, cost-effective, and scalable solution. In PostgreSQL, transactions are logged in a Write-Ahead Log (WAL) buffer before being stored in a WAL segment, which is crucial for data recovery and replication. The performance of these transactions is linked to the storage system for WAL segments. By default, PostgreSQL stores all files, including WAL, in one location, but separating WAL storage can enhance performance. Amazon introduced the Dedicated Log Volume (DLV) feature, allowing users to store WAL segments on a separate volume of 1,024 GiB with 3,000 Provisioned IOPS. DLV features write coalescing, reducing IOPS demand by consolidating log writes into larger operations, improving throughput and efficiency while potentially lowering costs. A benchmarking solution involves executing a script on an Amazon EC2 instance to evaluate performance across two RDS for PostgreSQL instances: one with DLV enabled and one without. To benchmark, prerequisites include launching an Amazon EC2 Linux instance, installing pgbench, and creating two RDS instances—one with DLV and one without. The benchmarking script resets WAL statistics and simulates a workload with 64 concurrent clients processing half a million transactions each. The infrastructure for benchmarking includes an EC2 instance with 16 vCPUs and 128 GiB memory, and two RDS instances with 64 vCPUs and 512 GiB memory each, using IO2 storage with 10,000 PIOPS. Key database configuration parameters impact performance, particularly those related to commit, checkpoint, and WAL settings. The benchmarking script uses pgbench to create a TPC-B-like workload and measures performance metrics such as transactions per second (TPS) and latency. Results indicate that enabling DLV significantly reduces runtime from 77 minutes to 40 minutes (a 92.5% improvement), increases TPS by 91.83%, and reduces latency by 95.56%. Key WAL statistics show improvements in write and sync times, confirming DLV's effectiveness in enhancing database performance. Monitoring techniques for DLV include using Amazon CloudWatch for metrics like IOPS and latency, and PostgreSQL's pg_stat_wal for detailed WAL activity statistics. The DLV feature is compatible with PIOPS storage types and supported in specific PostgreSQL versions across all regions.

Tech Optimizer

September 30, 2024

Avast Premium Security: Everything You Need to Know

Avast Premium Security is a paid antivirus solution designed to protect devices from online threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It can protect up to 10 devices and includes features like continuous antivirus and malware protection, a Ransomware Shield, an integrated firewall, phishing protection, a Webcam Shield, a Data Shredder, and a Sandbox for safely opening suspicious files. Pricing options include a Single Device Plan and a Multi-Device Plan. Unlike Avast One, which includes performance optimization tools and a VPN, Avast Premium Security focuses primarily on security features.

Winsage

September 29, 2024

Wiping a Windows laptop? Here’s the safest way to erase your personal data – for free

Individuals upgrading their technology must consider how to handle their old Windows PCs, ensuring the permanent deletion of personal files. For desktop PCs, swapping out the system drive can erase data, while laptops may require a full reset. On Windows 10, this can be done via Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and on Windows 11 via Settings > System > Recovery, selecting the Remove Everything option. Users can also utilize the Clean Disk option or perform a clean installation by deleting disk partitions. However, Microsoft warns that these methods may not meet stringent data erasure standards, leaving the possibility of data recovery by skilled individuals. For systems with solid-state drives (SSDs), manufacturers often provide Secure Erase commands through management utilities. Third-party tools like MiniTool Partition Wizard also offer wipe disk options. Users can enhance security by encrypting the system drive using Windows’ built-in encryption tools before performing a clean install. If a Microsoft account is used on a device with BitLocker Device Encryption (BDE), the system drive is likely encrypted by default. Users can check for BDE support using the System Information utility. For Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro users, the Manage BitLocker utility allows for full drive encryption. If BDE is unavailable, the command Cipher /W:C: can be used to overwrite unused disk space, though this process may take a significant amount of time.

Winsage

September 25, 2024

Advanced Tech Recovery Systems

NeuShield has introduced a new feature for its Data Sentinel product that allows users to recover unbootable Windows systems directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The One-Click Restore feature addresses common causes of system failures, such as software updates and application conflicts, enabling users to revert to a stable state and reduce concerns about data loss. This recovery can be initiated during a reboot, enhancing speed and reliability compared to traditional methods, and can be accessed automatically or manually via a bootable USB or DVD.

Winsage

August 15, 2024

Wiping a Windows laptop? Here’s the safest free way to erase your personal data

When upgrading from an old Windows PC to a new model, users can choose to gift, donate, trade in, or sell their previous device. Before passing it on, it is crucial to permanently delete all personal files. For desktops, this can be done by swapping the system drive, while laptops may require resetting the PC to remove personal files and reinstall Windows. In Windows 10, this is done via Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and in Windows 11, under Settings > System > Recovery, selecting the Remove Everything option. Microsoft warns that their data erasure methods do not meet government and industry standards, and skilled individuals may recover some deleted information. For SSDs, manufacturers often provide utilities with a Secure Erase command, and third-party tools like MiniTool Partition Wizard can wipe disks. Windows also offers built-in encryption tools to encrypt the system drive before a clean install, with BitLocker Device Encryption automatically applied on supported devices. Users can check for BDE support using the System Information utility and can encrypt drives using the Manage BitLocker utility on Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro. If BDE is unavailable, the command Cipher /W:C: can be used to overwrite unused disk space.

Winsage

August 13, 2024

Microsoft Windows users beware: Govt warns of multiple vulnerabilities in Windows 10, Windows 11 devices

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a warning for Windows users regarding vulnerabilities in various versions of Microsoft Windows that could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges. The affected Windows versions include: - Windows 10: Versions 1607, 21H2, 22H2, and 1809 (32-bit, x64, and ARM64-based systems). - Windows 11: Versions 21H2, 22H2, and 24H2 (x64 and ARM64-based systems). - Windows Server: 2016, 2019, 2022 (including Server Core installations). Microsoft has not yet provided security patches, so users are advised to activate their firewall, update antivirus software, be cautious of phishing attempts, consider disabling unused features like Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and Windows Backup, maintain up-to-date backups of important files, and stay informed about updates from Microsoft and CERT-In.

Winsage

July 23, 2024

MyRecover Introduces Advanced Windows Recovery Solutions for Seamless System Restoration

MyRecover is a Windows data recovery software developed by AOMEI Tech that supports various Windows platforms and can retrieve a wide range of file types. It offers up to 500MB of free data recovery, has a success rate of up to 95%, and can scan 100GB of data in just a few minutes. The software supports over 200 file formats, maintains the original file name, path, format, and quality of recovered files, and includes a preview feature. It does not support Mac or Linux systems and does not include a backup function. Tests conducted on MyRecover confirmed its efficiency in recovering deleted files with quick scanning and recovery processes.