Tools to make Windows shine

Question:I have files — documents and videos — on both my desktop PC and my notebook that I'd like to keep private. Do you know of a sure way to do it?

I'll admit to using Nero, the behemoth disc-burning tool that just seems to grow with each release. At the other end of the functionality spectrum is ImgBurn, a lean but still-powerful tool that, well, burns discs — CDs, DVDs, and, if your optical drive supports it, Blu-ray, too. It runs on every Windows platform, as well as Linux. One bloated app I do avoid is Photoshop; its complexity scares me. That's why I love Paint.Net, a free photo and imaging tool that is packed with features — multiple-image support, layering, unlimited undo, and plenty of filters — but isn't so overwhelming that you won't use what it has to offer.

The Fix: If you just want to tuck away one or a few folders, use Free Hide Folder. This menu-driven and password-protected tool creates obscurely named, hidden folders to hold your private data. But it isn't secure: Directory Opus, an ordinary file manager, displayed the hidden folder when I tried it. And if someone on your machine searches for a file name in the folder (or even part of the file name, such as *.jpg), they can find the files and their locations. If you want to keep your folders hidden and secured, use TrueCrypt. A free, powerful tool, it creates an encrypted volume that you use as you would any other drive — but only you can access the files. To avoid losing your data, it's essential that you read the tutorial.

Question:I use antivirus and antispyware software, but I still worry about getting nailed by malware. Give me more protection ideas!

The Fix: Even paranoids have enemies, right? Seriously, I agree that fortifying your PC is a good idea. I get an extra edge with Javacool's SpywareBlaster, a freebie that blocks nasty ActiveX controls and stops them from installing on my system. To test SpywareBlaster's skills, I uninstalled it and scrolled to a couple of unsavory sites. CounterSpy, my antispyware app, detected and stopped five Web-based, ActiveX malware attacks. I then reinstalled SpywareBlaster, and it invisibly blocked those same five Web assaults. Very cool!

If you're still worried, use the Try & Decide feature in Acronis TrueImage 11 while browsing. It acts as a virtual machine, writing disk changes to a hidden recovery partition. If anything goes awry, you can restore a pristine prebrowsing version of Windows from the recovery partition. It's slow and it requires a reboot, but it can save your system from disaster.