Google Introduces Encrypted Search

Today, whatever we do on the internet is virtually visible to anyone.

Questions have been raised against the heavyweights like Facebook and Google about the privacy of their users. Even though it was known to many, serious discussions about this issue have taken place only in the recent past.

Issues like these tarnished Google’s reputation.

So they came up with a new idea: Encrypted Search!

According to Google:

With Google search over SSL, you can have an end-to-end encrypted search solution between your computer and Google. This secured channel helps protect your search terms and your search results pages from being intercepted by a third party. This provides you with a more secure and private search experience.

This is a beta product so it is NOT ON by default. To use this service, go to https://www.google.com (instead of http it is https). But services like Image search, maps etc are not available. Try it!

Improve The Performance Of Windows XP! [2]

Disable Recent Documents History

When you open a file, it is added to the 'recent documents' list. Stopping this process can improve the performance a little bit. And also you can maintain your privacy.

Here's how to do it.

• Go to Start -> Run -> type regedit and hit enter.
• Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\ Explorer.
• Create a DWORD value (right click->new->DWORD value) with the key NoRecentDocsHistory and set the value to 1.
• Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Disable Prefetch

The 'prefetch' feature is the sixth sense of the operating system. It preloads programs that you use frequently. But it can reduce the amount of RAM available to you. So it is better to turn off this feature on low memory systems. Don't turn off this feature if you have more than 256 MB of RAM.

• Go to regedit
• Navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters\EnablePrefetcher]
• Set the value to 0.
  
• Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
  

Enjoy!
Prince