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Essential tools for building, repairing, and upgrading PCs (and other electronic devices)

<h1 style="margin:0px 0px 12px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-weight:500">There's an old saying apropos to building a new PC or upgrading an old one: "Use the right tool for the right job." Sure, you could use a butter knife to loosen a screw, or a pair of pliers to tighten a motherboard stand-off, but it won't make the job go any smoother, and you can bet it might do some harm. Using the right tool for any given job simply makes the job easier, and it usually improves the ultimate quality of the finished product. </h1> Every system builder needs a number of tools to complete any PC build or upgrade with the efficiency and precision of a surgeon. Some of the tools will be obvious, others less so. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Screwdrivers and nut drivers</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/drivers-and-bits-100160953-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="pc building repair upgrade tools screwdrivers" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/drivers-and-bits-100160953-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> It's best to have numerous screwdrivers or a bit-driver and multiple bits on hand to accommodate any type of nut or screw.For the vast majority of PC builds and upgrades, a basic No. 2 Phillips screwdriver will be the only tool you'll need. As you start working with more diverse hardware and accessories, or if you delve into the warranty-voiding world of PC modifications, you'll need different-size screwdrivers and nut drivers. I keep an array of screwdrivers on hand, as well as a bit-driver and an assortment of magnetic bits. I also like to have a small electronics toolkit handy, on the off chance that I'll need to disassemble a drive or other accessory that's held together with a less-common type of screw. Most small electronics toolkits will feature Allen (hex), Torx, Phillips, and flat-head bits. Another screw type that's becoming more common is the five-pointed Pentalobe, which is used on some Samsung SSDs and mobile devices. If you're constantly building and upgrading systems, it may be worth investing in a power screwdriver. I use one when working with larger screws that are less likely to strip, like the ones used to secure a case's side panel or when mounting drives. Low-cost power screwdrivers are available, but it's typically the more expensive offerings that are best suited to PC-building. Look for a model that has an adjustable clutch and a handle that can flip to different positions. The adjustable handle will make it easier to squeeze into tight spaces, and the adjustable clutch will reduce the likelihood of stripping screws or mounts. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Pliers, cutters, and strippers</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/power-driver-100160955-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="pc building repair upgrade tools power driver" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/power-driver-100160955-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> A power screwdriver will save your forearms from a ton of abuse, especially if you have multiple systems to build.I'm finicky when assembling systems. I hate to leave anything inside a rig when I know it won't be used. Unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly common to find extra connectors dangling inside some cases (when was the last time you used an AC'97 digital-audio connector?), and many cooling fans have both 3- and 4-pin power connectors attached (you'll need one or the other, not both). Removing unused connectors not only cleans things up, it also minimizes confusion for less-savvy upgraders. To remove those connectors, I like to use a small wire cutter to snip any wires attached to the connector. Wire cutters are also handy for snipping excess nylon from zip ties and other types of tie-downs. A good wire stripper is immensely useful any time you want to do more advanced electrical or wiring modifications. I can't count the times I've swapped out a floppy-drive power connector on a cheap power-supply unit (PSU) when I've needed an additional SATA power connector. A pair of needle-nose pliers or long tweezers is ideal for picking up dropped screws and grabbing small connectors or wires to manipulate them in tight spaces. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Let there be light!</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/light-100160951-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="pc building repair upgrade tools flashlight" height="299" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/light-100160951-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> A headlamp or adjustable clip-on flashlight can be invaluable when building a system, especially one that has a dark-colored interior.A good head-mounted lamp or adjustable clip-on light is incredibly useful when building or upgrading a system. I know this seems obvious, but it's often overlooked. Many of today's more popular cases have black or dark-colored interiors, which can make it difficult to spot small screws and other components unless you're working in a perfectly lit room (and we both know those don't exist). Do yourself—and your eyes—a favor and spring for a head-mounted lamp or other small, adjustable light. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">PSU Tester and Multimeter</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/meters-100160952-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="pc building repair upgrade tools multimeter" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/meters-100160952-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> A good multimeter and a power-supply tester can save countless hours of troubleshooting when tracking down electrical or wiring-related problems.Few things are more frustrating than painstakingly assembling a system, closing it up, pressing the power button, and—finding that nothing happens. If you don't have a power-supply tester or multimeter on hand, you might spend hours troubleshooting and swapping out components until you stumble across the culprit. If you do have one of these devices, it'll take only seconds to ensure that your power supply is in good working order, that voltage is being output properly, and that simple components, such as the power switch, are functioning. On numerous occasions I've encountered systems that wouldn't power on because of a defective power switch. With a mulitmeter, it's a simple matter of testing for continuity. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Thermal-interface material</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/thermal-paste-100160956-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="thermal paste pc building repair upgrade tools thermal paste" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/thermal-paste-100160956-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> You'll want to keep a quality thermal paste on hand for those times when you need to reseat a heat sink or simply want to replace an inferior thermal-interface material. It's essential to apply a fresh layer of thermal paste anytime you mount or reseat a heat sink. This is the best means of ensuring that heat transfers from the processor to the heat sink, where it can be dissipated by a cooling fan or water block. Resist the temptation to reuse whatever's there—that material has done its job. Scrape or scrub it off (isopropyl alchohol and a paper towel will help) and apply a fresh coat. Thermal paste costs next to nothing compared to the component it's intended to protect. I like to keep two types of thermal paste on hand: A silver-based paste for high-performance applications, and a ceramic-based or other non-electrically-conductive paste, for applications where there may be electrical contacts or other surface-mounted components exposed. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Straps, zip ties, and tie-downs</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/tie-downs-100160957-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="pc building repair upgrade tools tie-downs" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/tie-downs-100160957-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> Adhesive tie-downs, zip ties, and Velcro straps will go a long way toward ensuring a neat and tidy wiring job.Effective cable management is paramount to a clean and cool-running system. But you can't simply will the rat's nest of wires and cables inside a typical system into place. You'll need a variety of straps, adhesive tie-downs, and zip ties, along with a dollop of creativity and patience. I always keep a tub of nylon zip ties of various sizes and colors on hand, in addition to a roll of thin Velcro straps. Most cases will have locations to tie everything down; adhesive tie-downs come in handy for those that don't. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">PC cleanup</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/cleaning-100160950-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="pc building repair upgrade tools swans cleaning" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/cleaning-100160950-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a> Cotton swabs, micro-fiber cloths, isopropyl alcohol, and some canned air should be all that's necessary for the vast majority of PC-cleaning tasks.Whether you're working with a brand-new pile of parts or are refurbishing an old system, keep a collection of cleaning materials in your toolbox. For the vast majority of jobs, cotton swabs, microfiber cloths, and canned air are all I need to clean up the fingerprints, dust, and other crud that builds up inside a PC. As mentioned earlier, you should also keep some isopropyl alcohol and paper towels on hand to clean up old thermal paste. Other tools and accessories that PC builders use include antistatic wrist straps, rotary tools, spare screws in several sizes, and clamps, just to name a few. If there's something you find invaluable when building or upgrading systems, we'd love to hear about it. Please give us your feedback in the comments below.

Essential tools for building, repairing, and upgrading PCs (and other electronic devices)

The re's an old saying apropos to building a new PC or upgrading an old one: "Use the right tool for the right job." Sure, you...

8:39 am

Essential tools for building, repairing, and upgrading PCs (and other electronic devices)

Essential tools for building, repairing, and upgrading PCs (and other electronic devices)

The re's an old saying apropos to building a new PC or upgrading an old one: "Use the right tool for the right job." Sure, you...

8:39 am

Target says 40 million cards likely skimmed in security breach

Target has confirmed that data from about 40 million credit and debit cards was stolen at its stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. The statement from the retailer Thursday follows <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2081860/target-customers-card-data-said-to-be-at-risk-after-store-thefts.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">reports</a> that thieves had accessed data stored on the magnetic stripe on the back of credit and debit cards during the Black Friday weekend through card swiping machines that could have been tampered with at the retailer's stores, a practice known as card skimming. The data could have been used to create counterfeit cards that could even be used to withdraw money at an ATM, according to the reports. The card information that may have been compromised includes the name of the customer, credit or debit card number, the cards expiration date and the three-digit CVV security code, Target said in a note to customers. Shoppers at its online store Target.com or at physical stores outside the U.S were not affected, it added. Target said it "is working closely with law enforcement and financial institutions, and has identified and resolved the issue." It also said it was working with an outside forensics firm. Customers who suspect unauthorized activity should contact the company, Target said. Security news writer Brian Krebs<a href="http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/12/sources-target-investigating-data-breach/#more-24054" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">reported Wednesday</a> that it was first thought that the breach extended from just after Thanksgiving 2013 to Dec. 6. But investigators found evidence that the breach may have lasted up to Dec. 15, which has now been confirmed by Target. Millions of cardholder accounts may have been vulnerable after the breach that is believed to have affected about 40,000 card machines at store registers, The Wall Street Journal said, quoting people familiar with the situation. Sources at two of the top 10 card issuers told Krebs that the breach had affected nearly all Target locations in the U.S.

Target says 40 million cards likely skimmed in security breach

Target has confirmed that data from about 40 million credit and debit cards was stolen at its stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. The st...

8:04 am

Target says 40 million cards likely skimmed in security breach

Target says 40 million cards likely skimmed in security breach

Target has confirmed that data from about 40 million credit and debit cards was stolen at its stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. The st...

8:04 am

How to share Internet service with your neighbors, and why you shouldn't

Mrs. Reddy and her neighbors want to get on the same network, and share the same Internet connection. You can do this, and depending on your homes' geography, it might even be relatively easy. I'm going to tell you how to do it, but I'm also going to tell you why you probably shouldn't. If your router's Wi-Fi signal is powerful enough to be accessible throughout your neighbor's home--or if their router's signal is powerful enough throughout yours--the logistics are easy. All you have to do is share the Wi-Fi password. And the signal probably is powerful enough if you live in adjoining Manhattan apartments. But in large suburban, stand-alone houses, the signal may need a boost. See <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2053948/extend-your-wi-fi-network-throughout-the-house.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Extend your Wi-Fi network throughout the house</a> for some suggestions. But however far the Wi-Fi reaches, there are plenty of good reasons not to share a connection. With more people on the same Internet connection, you're likely to experience a performance hit. You may be able to fix this problem by paying more for faster service, but that would cancel out some of the savings you get from sharing an Internet connection. And there are other potential complications. Ever lose your Internet connection, and fix it by rebooting your modem and router? You can't do that if the modem and router are in your neighbor's house and they're on vacation. They'd have to leave you a key. Which brings up another issue: How well do you trust your neighbors? After all, you'll be sharing a network with them. You protect your Wi-Fi networks from strangers for a reason, and you'll need to be sure that the neighbors won't use your network against you. What's more, law enforcement agencies may mistake a neighbor's questionable online activities for yours. Finally, should your ISP find out about your little arrangement, it won't be happy. Chances are this practice violates your service agreement. Before sharing the network, read your service agreement carefully.

How to share Internet service with your neighbors, and why you shouldn't

Mrs. Reddy and her neighbors want to get on the same network, and share the same Internet connection. You can do this, and depending on ...

7:59 am

How to share Internet service with your neighbors, and why you shouldn't

How to share Internet service with your neighbors, and why you shouldn't

Mrs. Reddy and her neighbors want to get on the same network, and share the same Internet connection. You can do this, and depending on ...

7:59 am

Security to go: Three tips to keep your mobile data safe

Keeping your mobile gear secure while you're zipping across the grid is tricky business. Laptops and tablets—veritable gold mines of personal information—are popular targets for thieves. Law enforcement officials, meanwhile, could confiscate your smartphone and then examine the data—merely as a result of a<a href="http://www.aclumich.org/issues/privacy-and-technology/2011-04/1542" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"> routine traffic stop</a>. If you're packing an Android device, it gets even trickier, because with such a device, you stand a better chance of falling prey to the booming mobile malware market. Independent malware testing lab <a href="http://www.av-test.org/en/home/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">AV-Test</a> had less than 10,000 Android malware samples in its database by late 2011. Now, two years later, that number has blossomed to around 1.3 million. Data security is never easy, and security with mobile devices—smartphones, tablets, and, of course, laptops—is no exception. But you cantake a few steps to meaningfully improve your mobile security. Join me as we walk through three of the best strategies. (Note: Click on the smaller images below, to enlarge them.) <h2 dir="ltr" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Encrypt everything</h2> One of the easiest things you can do to protect an Android or iOS device is to take advantage of built-in hardware encryption. This feature will turn the data on your phone into nearly unreadable junk—unless it's properly unlocked with your password. Let's start with the easy one: iOS. Owners of iPhones or iPads can rest easy knowing the data is <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2050765/the-7-best-crime-fighting-features-of-ios-7.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">already encrypted</a>, provided you create a passcode from the lock screen. Here's how to password-protect your iPhone: In Settings, tap on General > Passcode Lock.<a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/passcode-100057122-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/passcode-100057122-small.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="140"></a> You'll need to choose whether to use a four-digit numeric PIN or something more complex. Longer is always better. A four-digit PIN means some 10,000 possible passcodes—enough to deter amateur thieves (unless they get lucky), but not sophisticated attackers. To set a harder password, slide the "Simple Passcode" setting to "off." Keep in mind that you'll have to enter any longer passcode every time you want to open your phone, so don't overdo it. A six-character passcode will suffice for most people. Once you've crafted your passcode, tap "Turn Passcode On" and enter your password. You'll be asked to enter it twice to confirm it. Before you show off your super-secure phone, however, consider activating the<a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/erasedata-100057119-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="210" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/erasedata-100057119-small.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="140"></a> Erase Data setting at the bottom of the Passcode Lock settings screen. Once enabled, your device will erase all data after ten failed passcode attempts—a good safeguard in case your phone ends up in the wrong hands. Android users face a slightly more complex, more traditional encryption procedure. The process is really pretty easy, but the one thing you need is time. Android devices have to go through a lengthy disk-encryption process, just as your PC or external hard drive does. Depending on the size of your device, encryption could take up to an hour or more. During the process, you need to have the device plugged in at all times, and the battery must be charged. Otherwise, the encryption process could fail, and you could lose some or all of your data. Two more things to keep in mind: First, some users report that encryption on Android caused a performance hit on their devices during everyday use. Second, encryption is irreversible—short of a factory reset. All that said, if you want to encrypt an Android phone, here's how I did it on a device running the latest version of Android (4.3 Jelly Bean). <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/encrypt-100057120-large.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="233" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/encrypt-100057120-small.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="140"></a>Android encryption The screen at left shows paragraphs explaining exactly what Android app encryption involves. Once you're okay with that, tap Encrypt phone. If you don't have a PIN or passcode set for your phone, you'll see a warning to set a passcode first. To set a passcode or PIN, go back to Settings > Security and tap Screen lock at the top of the page. From there, choose the option for either a PIN or a password. Android allows PINs to be greater than four digits. After you've set up your PIN or password, go back to the encryption page and tap Encrypt phone again. You'll be asked to enter your PIN, and then you'll be given one last chance to back out. If you're ready to commit, tapEncrypt phone one last time. Now, all you can do is sit back and wait for your phone to encrypt itself. During the process, your phone could reboot several times. Don't touch it until you see the lock screen return. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Keep malware at bay</h2> Android users are particularly vulnerable to malware. Google, unlike Apple, doesn't vet applications before they go live on Google Play. This has proven an easy way for malware creators to sneak malicious apps onto Google's app store. Malware-laden apps range from those offering free device wallpaper to games, and even to impostors that try to look like popular apps. That's why security vendors such as Avast, Kaspersky, and Lookout offer antivirus and security apps for Android to help keep you secure online. But how good are these <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/251345/which_android_security_tools_are_worth_your_time_.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">apps</a>, really? Back in late 2011, results from the AV-Test lab found that the <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/t/android/free-android-antivirus-software-useless-says-testing-firm-178823" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">free solutions were nearly useless</a>. The firm tested seven of the top free apps at the time and said that the best free solution detected only one-third of any malware present on a device. Even paid solutions weren't doing that great at the time of the 2011 tests, with the top paid apps detecting only around <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/243593/for_android_paid_mobile_security_is_better_study.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">50 percent of malicious code</a>. <img alt="" border="0" height="512" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/08/lookout_2up-100026082-large-100037660-large-100052251-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580">Lookout's Android security app consistently gets high marks from industry analysts, though it's not the best you can get. "When our report was published in 2011 the AV industry and the threat landscape was in a very early stage on Android," says Hendrik Pilz, director of AV-Test's technical lab. "Only a few malware existed but there were already several apps pretending to be an essential utility on each Android device." (Full disclosure: PCWorld regularly teams up with AV-Test to examine security software for PCs and mobile devices). Nearly two years later, however, the usefulness of many free solutions has improved dramatically. During its most recent look at Android security apps in July, well-known security apps for Android, including those from <a href="http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=132728" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Avast</a>, <a href="http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=132740" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">F-Secure</a>, <a href="http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=132746" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Kaspersky</a>, <a href="http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=132751" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Lookout</a>, and<a href="http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=132774" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">TrustGo</a> all earned high marks from AV-Test. The lowest score in that group went to Lookout, which still earned an impressive 98.6 percent detection rating. Besides antivirus and malware scanning, security apps for Android also offer a full <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/livesafe-android-2-100057637-large.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="McAfee LiveSafe 2014 Android screenshot" border="0" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/livesafe-android-2-100057637-small.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="140"></a>McAfee for Android security suite with features such as device location, remote wipe, backup, and suspicious-URL blocking. These extra features usually require a premium subscription, but most apps offer a minimal, basic level of protection for free, including malware scanning. Even if you do pay for the full security experience, there's only so much an app can do. It can't stop a thief from nabbing your device, for example, or prevent a thief from raiding your phone's data if you didn't use a screen lock. However, a security app's backup features can save your data if that data is not automatically backed up to Google. And remote lock and wipe features can prevent a thief from getting in even after your device is stolen. Google also offers remote wipe and lock for free for Android users running a device with Android 2.3 and up, via the <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2049308/how-to-use-the-new-android-remote-lock-option.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Web-based device manager</a>. Security apps for Android may have come a long way in the past couple of years, but they still have room to improve. In March, researchers at Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina showed that they were able to build a piece of malware that Android security apps couldn't detect, <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/060613-android-antivirus-270573.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Network World</a>reported. <h2 dir="ltr" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Crossing borders</h2> You might think that the minute you land at JFK from a trip overseas that your rights are immediately protected under the U.S. Constitution, but you'd be wrong. Special rules apply at border crossings into the United States, as well as other countries, that give border agents leeway to interrogate you and search your belongings. That includes confiscating any mobile devices and laptops you might have with you or copying their contents. While these laws are primarily meant to deter terrorism, they've also been used to pull aside activists like Jacob Appelbaum, a computer security researcher and member of the TOR project, and journalists like <a href="http://www.onthemedia.org/story/my-detainment-story-or-how-i-learned-stop-feeling-safe-my-own-country-and-hate-border-patrol/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">NPR's Sarah Abdurrahman</a>. Wind up on the wrong list, and you could be, too. You can't do much to prevent yourself from being interrogated, but you can protect your data from being nabbed by an agent and downloaded into some massive data silo in the Utah desert. The <a href="https://www.eff.org/wp/defending-privacy-us-border-guide-travelers-carrying-digital-devices" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a>suggests an interesting option: Leave the hard drive at home and boot your laptop from an SD card. (We've also published full instructions on how to create a Ubuntu boot disk or USB boot drive in our <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030132/the-ubuntu-guide-for-displaced-windows-users.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Ubuntu guide</a> for displaced Windows users.) <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/dell-xps-13-dev-edition-ubuntu-100057387-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="345" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/dell-xps-13-dev-edition-ubuntu-100057387-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>Using Ubuntu on your laptop while traveling may seem extreme, but it helps to ensure that your private data won't be confiscated while crossing borders. By turning your SD card into a secret Ubuntu boot card, you can leave the country with a "clean" installation of Ubuntu, with no user data on it at all, and your boot drive looks like an innocuous DSLR memory card. Use Ubuntu overseas, connect to your secure cloud accounts for important documents, and simply wipe the SD card of any files before you head home. Even if you don't have any sensitive data to protect, this is such a great, secret-agent-style use for your laptop that you might want to try it simply for the cool factor. But you do have to ensure that your laptop's BIOS cooperates. The easiest way to install an OS onto an SD card is to create a Live CD of Ubuntu Linux, or some variant, such as Mint. Ubuntu is the best choice, because this Linux distribution gives you step-by-step instructions on how to create a live CD. From there, installing Linux is no different from installing Windows: Just pick the drive on which to install Ubuntu (that 32GB or 64GB SD card), then follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure your laptop's BIOS can boot from the SD card reader. We already have a tutorial on <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/241032/how_to_enter_your_pcs_bios.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">how to enter your BIOS settings</a>, so in the BIOS utility, look for a category that says "boot order," "boot priority," or something similar. Then make sure your card reader is first in line. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/bios-boot-order-5137405-100057673-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="434" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/bios-boot-order-5137405-100057673-large.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>Enter your BIOS and set your flash drive or SD card reader to be your primary boot device. If you stick with the EFF's SD card recommendation, make sure your SD card reader is capable of serving as a boot device. Note that even if your BIOS lets you put the SD reader in your boot order, your peripheral may not be capable of booting the PC. Check with your device manufacturer to confirm this capability. Even if you can't boot from the SD card reader, you can still install Ubuntu onto an SD card and just use an inexpensive SD card-to-USB adapter, many of which look just like USB drives with a slot for the SD card. Once you're up and running, do a few test runs at home with your hard drive removed. The last thing you want to deal with after a red-eye flight to London is a snazzy, secret-agent setup that doesn't work. But if the test runs go without a hitch, you should be all set.

Security to go: Three tips to keep your mobile data safe

Keeping your mobile gear secure while you're zipping across the grid is tricky business. Laptops and tablets—veritable gold mines of per...

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Security to go: Three tips to keep your mobile data safe

Security to go: Three tips to keep your mobile data safe

Keeping your mobile gear secure while you're zipping across the grid is tricky business. Laptops and tablets—veritable gold mines of per...

7:49 am

Block online spoilers with Unspoiler for Google Chrome

The Web can be a dangerous place for the spoiler-averse. You can't so much as look at Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or news sites without learning what happened to Walter White, who bought it on "Game of Thrones," and so on. That's fine if you're all caught up, but if you're trying to avoid headlines, comments, and other revealing info about a particular show or episode, you practically need to impose a Web blackout. Or not, if you're a Chrome user and you install <a href="http://www.unspoiler.tv/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Unspoiler</a>. This clever extension filters out all online mentions of specified TV shows, meaning you can continue your browsing and social-media activities without worrying about spoilage. Once installed, you'll see an Unspoiler icon on your Chrome toolbar (to the right of the address bar). Click it, then type the name of a show you want to "unspoil." You can also right-click the icon and choose Options for more detailed settings. And that's really all there is to it. If you want to test-drive the filter, head to a site like <a href="http://www.ew.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Entertainment Weekly</a> and look for mentions of your show. Where you'd normally see a headline for, say, "The Walking Dead," Unspoiler will instead display a red banner. If you want to go ahead and read what's behind it, click show spoiler. Alternately, you can click save spoiler; the extension will collect them for you (for future reading) at <a href="http://www.unspoiler.tv/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Unspoiler.tv</a>. For anyone who wants to steer clear of spoilers without having to steer clear of the Web, this is must-have addition to Chrome.

Block online spoilers with Unspoiler for Google Chrome

The Web can be a dangerous place for the spoiler-averse. You can't so much as look at Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or news sites without le...

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Block online spoilers with Unspoiler for Google Chrome

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