Turn your old mobile into an alarm system

Salient Eye will turn your old Android phone into an intruder buster, making a noise if an inturder is spotted, meaning you don't have to splash out on an expensive CCTV system.

The app uses the camera on your phone as a motion detector. It will then take a photo and email it to you automatically, or send you an SMS.

Without a power source it will last for up to 10 hours and will work even when the device's screen is turned off.

See at a glance how your data is collected, used and handled

By using Privacy Icons from Disconnect you can quickly and simply see which websites are collecting your data, tracking your location and leaving your details vulnerable to bugs and the like.

This browser add-on will present these icons for all the sites you visit, each providing insight into how your data is being handled and colour-coding them as a quick usage guide.

Too many tabs slowing your computer?

I keep tabs open on my browser so that I don't have to remember all the web sites that I want to visit or haven't finished using yet. Problem is that as I keep so many tabs open it's now my computer that runs out of memory and becomes painfully slow.

Another example of a digital irony, as discussed by Edward Tenner in his book Why Things Bite Back.

However on this occassion there is a fix and it's called OneTab, a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome.

So, when you've got a load of tabs open, just click the OneTab button on your toolbar and all your tabs will be converted into a list of URLs.

When you want to use the tabs again you can restore them all at once or individually.

You can export your list and share it with others, re-order your list and, very importantly, if you accidentally close the OneTab window, if your browser crashes, or if restart your computer, you will not lose your list of tabs.

Remote control your mobile

Left your mobile at home? Got clammy hands and anxious palpitations? 

 

Worry no more! You don't have to turn around and be late for that meeting, as you can now control your mobile remotely using AirDroid (sorry Apple users, NFI'd this time!). 

 

 

You can send and receive texts, make phone calls, move and copy photos and videos from one device to the other, from any web browser. It also allows you to copy something from your computer and paste it on your phone, as its syncs your clipboard.

AirDroid also provides safety features, such as: find, lock and wipe your phone, activate the camera and take photos remotely (although this does require a premium membership).

Throwaway email addresses

Companies call it the value exchange. They say, "You give us some information about yourself and we will give you give access to something and/or a more personalised service."

Well that's fine for brands you actively engage with but for those moments when a site or app wants your email address and you want to remain anonymous then use MailDrop.

It is simply designed for those times when you don't want to enter your email address.

Honey, did you find a saving?

On this occasion I'm not referring to the trouble and strife, but to the cool tool that automatically saves you cash and time.

Sound too good to be true?

Well maybe, but how often do you find yourself at a checkout hopelessly and desparetly scouring the web to find something to stick in the 'apply coupon' field. I'm sure that it costs me more in time looking for codes than I actually save in cash but for some reason I still feel compelled to take part in this ritual.

So, when I discovered Honey, I was pleased that finally someone had solved this problem for me, as Honey will find applicable codes for the site you're shopping on, like magic. Genius. It will do the coupon hunting for you and automatically apply them during your online checkouts.

Honey is an add-on for Firefox or Chrome, and once you've installed it a 'Find savings' button will appear in your shopping basket.

 

When you click this button, Honey will go and find any relevant coupons that can then be applied to your order.






My natural skepticism has also been allayed as testing this on my system confirmed that it had no adverse impact, ie no gimmicks, spyware etc.

Someone (next to you) is watching you

Chances are that form time to time you browse the internet in a cafe using their (probably unsecured) wifi.

If so, there is a very real risk that you are being watched. Not in the sense that someone is standing behind you looking over your shoulder at your screen. Worse, as they are doing it without you knowing it:

They can connect to your machine and watch what you're doing on your screen from their screen.

If they know what they're doing they could even access your files and record your keyboard activity, ie work our your passwords.

I now use a tool called HotSpot Shield which is available free on PC, Max, iOS and Android.