Data encryption makes it almost impossible for someone to access a protected file without the correct decryption key or password. Many apps use encryption to protect your data, including Password manager, VPNs, and even some messaging apps– but you should do more than just encrypt the data you share online.

We all store important files and information on our computers and USB hard drives, and if that data isn’t properly backed up, it’s an easy target for snoops, thieves, and even hackers.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can quickly encrypt your Mac or Windows devices. So we’re going to cover every option available for both platforms – that way, you can add an extra layer of security to every file, folder, and app stored on your computers, and hard drives.

Mac

Mac computers contain a built-in encryption tool called FileVault that is available to all Mac users. You can use it to encrypt the Mac yourself or add password protection to external USB drives.

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How to encrypt a Mac computer

1. Click the Apple icon, then go to System Preferences> Security & Privacy> FileVault.
2. Click the Lock button.
3. To choose “Enable FileVault.”
4. Set up a secondary recovery method when prompted. This will help you get inside your encrypted files if you forget the password.
5. click “Keep going.” The encryption process takes place in the background.

How to Encrypt External USB Drives on Mac

1. Connect the USB drive to your Mac.
2. Open Finder and right-click the USB drive name in the left menu.
3. Select an encryption method.
4. Enter the password you want to protect the drive with, then start the encryption process.

window

Windows PCs are a little more difficult to encrypt. While Microsoft offers encryption tools such as Device Encryption and BitLocker in most versions of Windows, these are only available to corporate users. Neither option is available to Windows Home users, who are likely to make up the majority of general Windows users.

We’re going to discuss using device encryption and BitLocker for Windows business users, but Windows Home users should jump down to learn more about third-party options.

How to encrypt a Windows PC using device encryption or BitLocker

1. Make sure you are logged in to the computer’s administrator account
2. Open the Start menu, then click the Settings icon.
3. Go to in the settings menu Update & Security> Device Encryption.
4. To choose “Turn on.”

Not all PCs are equipped with the correct hardware to enable device encryption. However, Windows Enterprise users can also use Windows BitLocker to encrypt drives.

1. Find and open in the search bar of the taskbar “Switchboard.”
2. Go to Control Panel System and Security> BitLocker Drive Encryption> Manage BitLocker.
3. To choose “Turn on Bitlocker.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set everything up.
5. To encrypt a drive on your PC, select it from the device list in the Manage BitLocker window, then click “Turn on” and follow the instructions on the screen.

BitLocker can also encrypt external USB drives:

1. Connect the USB drive to your PC.
2. Open the Control Panel and go to System and Security> BitLocker Drive Encryption> Manage BitLocker.
3. Select the USB drive from the device list.
4. To choose “Turn on Bitlocker.”
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

How to encrypt PCs and USB drives in Windows Home Edition

Because Device Encryption and BitLocker aren’t available in Windows Home editions, most Windows users will need a third-party encryption app to protect their PCs and local hard drives. There are lots of solid opportunities out there, like AxCrypt, Folder Lock, and NordCrypt, but most cost money – typically around $ 30 to $ 50 a year, depending on product features.

This encryption is well worth paying for, however, and most programs come with bonuses like password ratings, two-factor authentication, and more.

You can also use many of these programs to encrypt external USB storage devices. Some hard drive manufacturers like Seagate also use proprietary encryption methods for their storage devices. The exact steps differ between apps, but the general process is the same:

1. Back up the drive’s files (as you will need to erase and reformat the drive).
2. Use the encryption software to format and encrypt the drive.
3. Transfer the files back to the encrypted drive.

Whichever method you use, don’t forget to save passwords (or other decryption methods) securely for you can access your locked files, folders and drives at any time.

[Mashable]

Photo: SunCity (Shutterstock)

Certain plants like Azaleas and Rhododendrons, like moisture, but they don’t like long standing water. There is a delicate balance between keeping plants adequately hydrated and drowning their roots, which can lead to disease. But you can prevent root rot and keep your plants moist longer – all you need is a couple of sponges.

What is root rot?

Root rot is a disease that affects the roots of a plant when they become overwatered or when excess water cannot drain from the pot. As Elite tree care explains: “Soaked conditions prevent the roots from taking in all of the oxygen they need to live. When the deoxygenated roots die off and rot, their rot can spread to healthier roots. ”

Once the plant is no longer receiving oxygen from the roots, you will see withered leaves, stunted growth, and early leaf drop. And in some cases, suffocated roots can produce soil fungus that infest the roots.

How to prevent root rot

The best way to prevent root rot is to buy it real pot. Plants that love moisture are best in Plastic or glazed ceramic pots to hold back water, but they need drainage holes to drain the excess. Water only when needed and stick to the recommended amount for your particular plant.

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Test the moisture by sticking a finger on it two inches into the ground-If your finger comes out with dirt or something wet, the soil is damp and you can water another day (depending on the type of plant).

How sponges can help

One way to keep the water level in your houseplants in balance is to Sponges in the bottom of the pot. Before potting your plant, collect a few sponges, cut them in half (or smaller, as needed), and place them in the ground. Cover with soil and plant and water as usual.

The sponge soaks up the excess water in the soil and the holes allow ventilation, which prevents the roots from drowning and losing oxygen. Sponges also slowly release water and keep moisture levels constant. As a result, you don’t have to water as often and your plants should enjoy normal, healthy growth.

Photo: JPRFPhotos (Shutterstock)

Not only do humans suffer from memory loss and impaired brain function as they age – it can happen to our pets too. In dogs, it is known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS, and unfortunately, many of its symptoms are dismissed as “normal” aging.

Of course, a significant loss of mental sharpness is anything but normal. To get a better idea of ​​how CDS presents and what the treatment is like, I asked Dr. Elizabeth Stelow, DVM, DACVB, a veterinary behaviorist at the University of California, Davis, interviewed her Veterinary Teaching Hospital Behavior Service Program. This is almost all you need to know to keep your pet healthy today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Know the signs of cognitive dysfunction

You can’t help your pet if you don’t know what to look for. So the first step is to know what CDS looks like. It usually presents with symptoms similar to age-related cognitive decline in humans; the classic characters are used under the acronym DISHAAL. summarizedwhich stands for:

• Disorientation
• Changes in Interactions with owners, other pets, and the environment
• Sleep-wake Menstrual cycle disorders, sometimes with pace or panting
• House pollution
• Changes in activity, either increase or decrease
• Increased fear
• To learn and memory changes, such as failing to learn new tricks and / or forgetting the ones they once knew

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The diagnostic criteria can vary from case to case, but generally speaking, a middle-aged dog with two or more of these symptoms indicates a “high index of suspicion,” explains Dr. Stelow. Some of the symptoms are obvious: If your dog doesn’t seem to recognize you anymore, suddenly sleeps during the day (and wanders around wailing at night), and seems to have forgotten trained commands, he is probably suffering from cognitive dysfunction.

But dr. Stelow tells Lifehacker that sometimes the signs aren’t always clear. “This [sounds] so random, but it’s not like that: if you ever see a dog walk to a closed door and stand on the hinge side waiting for the door to open, assume that it is a dog cognitive dysfunction acts, ”she says. “They just go to the wrong side of the door and insist that the door open there … It doesn’t happen to all dogs with cognitive dysfunction, but it does to dogs that do [this] invariably have [it]. ”

Cognitive dysfunction in cats looks a little different; the list of symptoms is much shorter. Loss of home training and increased vocalizations – “So a cat that walks around the house and cries in front of nothing,” as Dr. Stelow puts it – are usually the only signs cat owners get. Any of these symptoms alone could be reason enough for investigation, but if your cat is doing both it is important to ask about a possible cognitive cause.

Monitor all symptoms

You can’t prevent or reverse CDS, but as a pet owner, there are a few things you can do to help. The first and most important thing is to know what all of the symptoms look like, not just the ones that might be making your life difficult. “We tell veterinary students that the [symptoms] what the owners are yelling into you is the loss of home training … and the change[s] on the sleep-wake cycle … those other things, sometimes they just shrug their shoulders and say, ‘Well this is the age for you,’ “says Dr. Stelow.

Don’t be too quick to write down strange behavior as “just old age”. If you have a middle-aged or older pet, don’t wait for it to poop on the carpet or keep you up all night before you take it to the vet. These might be your only symptoms, but the idea is to make sure you don’t miss any others.

Try puzzle feeders, exercise, and exercise for a mental workout

Exercise is important to pet health, but when it comes to CDS, Dr. Stelow that mental exercise is just as important. Feeding puzzles and toys are some of the best tools we have to keep our pets mind occupied: “Almost everyone should feed their pets with food toys and puzzles anyway – it helps ward off stagnation in the brain, ”she says.

In the same way, Dr. Stelow interactive training, even (and especially) for cats – but for fun, not obedience. Learning new skills will keep your pet’s brain busy and interesting for both of you. If you’re not sure where to start, think of cute or otherwise desirable things your pet is already doing. “It’s easy to sense behaviors,” explains Dr. Stelow. “You don’t think about teaching cats to sit, but it’s a behavior they do.” High fives, handshakes and coming when you call are everything great starting tricks for a cat.

Dogs can of course learn new tricks too, but if you really want to challenge them, Dr. Stelow to get involved in a sport. Your options are almost limitless: agility, scent tracking, musical canine freestyle (also known as dog dancing), dock jumping, dog surfing, disc dog, canicross (cross-country running with dogs), sled racing, and search and rescue, to name a few to name little. Even the restrained dog sport requires a tremendous mental effort, which is exactly what you want it to be.

Exercise and exercise are more than just mental training – they also strengthen your relationship with your pet, which is extremely important for their mental and emotional wellbeing. They can’t get this connection from anyone else: you’re their best buddy.

Change (or add to) your diet

Switching your pet’s diet to one high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can also help relieve CDS symptoms. MCTs, which are usually made from coconut oil, have been used in Diets for Brain Health for years. The theory is that MCTs break down into ketones that the brain can absorb and use for energy instead of or in addition to glucose. Basically, MCTs (and ketones) provide the brain with another source of energy to power various brain-related activities. which can be helpful for people with impaired brain function for one reason or another.

The same goes for dogs, at least in theory. It’s limited Research Suggesting MCTs-Enriched Dog Foods Help CDS Symptoms. Dr. Stelow recommends Purina Bright Mind because it is available over the counter and is “moderately high” in MCTs. (Higher values ​​are geared towards treating epilepsy and may be exaggerated for CDS.) However, there are several MCT-fortified pet foods out there, so be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian.

Diet supplements can also help your pet, especially those with antioxidants. Dr. Stelow says denamarine and senalife are most commonly used to support the brain. They won’t turn back the clock, but they fall firmly into the “can’t hurt, could help” category.

Do not wait

The cool thing about all of these interventions, from puzzle feeders to nutritional supplements, is that it’s never too late to get started. “Once a dog or cat reaches middle age, it is perfectly appropriate for an owner to say, ‘I’m going to change your diet to something that contains MCTs, I’m going to give you an antioxidant supplement.’ “Says Dr. Stelow. “But when you start seeing clinical signs, turn them into full swing.” She also points out that pet owners often drop out of training and high-intensity games when their companions are middle-aged, precisely when both are becoming particularly important to cognitive health. So keep playing with your older pets: challenge them with puzzle feeders, interactive toys, exercise, and even exercise.

As helpful as special food and training may be, the most important thing to do is to observe your pet’s behavior for a lifetime. This is the only way to tell what is normal and what is not. Dr. Stelow put it best: “Old age is not a disease,” she says. “When you see clinical signs of illness, don’t call it age.”

Photo: FotoDuets (Shutterstock)

In a recent post, we have a couple of options for Removing mold from hard-to-clean surfaces like wood and upholstery, but what about the wettest room in the house? It may seem easy to clean your bathroom tub and tiles, but areas like grout and caulking are a little more difficult. Don’t worry, there are ways to get rid of stubborn mold in the bathroom without having to vigorously scrub or reseal anything.

Is Mold Really Dangerous?

Mold in your bathroom isn’t actually as dangerous as it sounds. Mold inevitably occurs in rooms where moisture often comes into contact with surfaces can be harmful in small doses it will not cause immediate harm to allergy sufferers or respiratory problems. But with any bacteria or fungus in your home, just worry about them before they become a major problem.

Remove mold from mortar and seal

Removing small amounts of mold and mildew from grout or caulking is easy as long as you have water, an abrasive sponge (or an old toothbrush), water, and some bleach. Make sure you wear gloves and a mask if you want and if you have a bathroom window it should be left open to ventilate the room.

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First, you should clean the area of ​​dirt. Molly maid suggests using a broom or vacuum cleaner to pick up dirt and wash with soap and water to remove as much debris as possible before tackling the mold.

Next, mix one part bleach and ten parts water in a spray bottle and soak the molded area. Let the solution sit for at least five minutes, then scrub with your sponge or old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies of the tub.

Finally, rinse and wipe with a clean cloth to reveal your now pristine tile grout and grout. If bleach is too much, you can use Alternatives like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.

How to remove stubborn mold from bathroom corners

The tub corners are the hardest to get to and often have the most mold and mildew. An easy way to remove this baked-on mold is with bleach and Toilet paper or cotton balls. TikToker Lilstepha_ demonstrates how well toilet paper and a generous amount of cleaning solution can remove mold in the hard-to-scrub area of ​​your tub.

First, you’ll want to get a piece of toilet paper. A strip long enough to cover the affected area. Twist the strip so that it has a long twist. Place the toilet paper strip on the corner and soak it in bleach or a bleach-based bathroom cleaner. You need to leave the solution on for 12 hours to remove the mold (so make sure the bathroom is well ventilated).

Leaving the solution to sit for 12 hours may seem like a long time, but if you start cleaning your house early in the morning it will stop when it gets dark or just let it sit overnight. Then, remove the soiled toilet paper (make sure you wear gloves) and wipe the area as you remove the paper. The shape will instantly peel off with the paper. Rinse well and you’re done.