Working on your computer means that there are several applications and files open, hundreds of processes and services running, not to mention disk activity, RAM and CPU usage, and Internet traffic. It’s very important to be in total control over everything that is going on, especially if you are concerned about computer security.

Of course, you can use the built in Windows Task Manager. However, it displays only a few applications and processes running on your PC. And it doesn’t show Windows services at all, despite the fact that services you never use take up a lot of RAM and can slow down your PC.  Windows Task Manager doesn’t provide any process descriptions, so it can be difficult to understand why those processes are there and what is their functionality.

Auslogics Task Manager is a brand new free Windows Task Manager alternative. It provides comprehensive yet easy to understand information about running applications, processes, and services, as well as disk activity, CPU, RAM and Internet traffic usage.

Not only does it display CPU and RAM usage by all applications and processes, but also by a selected program or process.

Auslogics Task Manager will let you know whether an application or a process is trustworthy or not, thus helping you detect possible security flaws.

Managing Windows services has never been easier. Auslogics Task Manager displays all services running on your computer. You can also view detailed information about each service.

The program is feature rich and has an intuitive interface – that’s why it’s ideal for both novice and experienced users. Auslogics Task Manager will help you manage your computer resources to fit your particular needs. There is also a free portable version of this application. It can be downloaded here.

How many times have you felt like breaking a public computer because it didn’t have the apps you need? I know from experience that having to use a public computer that doesn’t have the software you need is very frustrating. If only you could carry your PC with you without actually having to carry it! Well, actually the answer is simple – free portable platforms, that let you carry your computer with you on any portable drive (USB stick, iPod, etc.). Here are three that I really like.

1. PortableApps.com Platform and Suite

PortableApps.com Suite is a complete collection of portable applications. It lets you carry your computer with all your settings, bookmarks, emails, etc. wherever you go. It’s safe to use, as it won’t leave any personal data behind. Just connect your thumb drive to any Windows computer and enjoy your favourite apps.

All versions of the PortableApps.com Suite include the integrated PortableApps.com Menu and the PortableApps.com Backup utility along with a set of custom icons, an autoplay configuration, folders, and a quick start shortcut. Here’s what you get:

• Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition (web browser)
• Mozilla Thunderbird, Portable Edition (email)
• Mozilla Sunbird, Portable Edition (calendar/tasks)
• ClamWin Portable (antivirus)
• Pidgin Portable (instant messaging)
• Sumatra PDF Portable (PDF reader
• KeePass Password Safe Portable (password manager)
• Sudoku Portable (game)
• Mines-Perfect Portable (game)
• CoolPlayer+ Portable (audio player)
• OpenOffice.org Portable (office suite)

If you don’t need OpenOffice.org Portable, download the Light Suite – it includes AbiWord Portable (word processor) instead.

2. CodySafe

CodySafe lets you carry your programs with you, easily manage them, launch them from any PC without leaving any traces. It has a pretty cool menu and looks trendy. CodySafe is compatible with Windows 7.

The current version of CodySafe includes a set of useful features. With CodySafe you can:

• Add and remove portable applications
• Manage Auto-Run applications feature
• Keep your drive healthy with Drive Doctor
• Prevent and detect AutoRun viruses infection
• Set custom command line parameters
• Manage documents and pictures, music and video on your removable media
• Always know the amount of used and free space of your portable drive

3. MojoPac

MojoPac can be installed on any USB 2.0 device – a thumb drive, iPod, USB camera, USB-enabled mobile phone – and turn it into a portable computing environment. Just plug a MojoPac device into any PC and turn it into your own familiar desktop, with instant access to all your files and applications. Again, you won’t leave any traces on the computer you’ve been using. MojoPac won’t affect that computer and that computer won’t affect MojoPac.

First install MojoPac on your drive, then install your favourite apps and customize your desktop. Warning: It will ONLY run on a Windows XP computer (which, in my opinion, is a shame).

There are a lot of things you can do with an ordinary USB drive – from carrying a range of portable apps or even an operating system, to encrypting your files and a lot more. In this article I’m going to share with you top 5 USB tricks.

1. Take Programs Wherever You Go

I have lots of portable applications on my USB stick. They rescued me thousands of times, especially when I travel without my laptop. There are a lot of very useful portable apps – Firefox, IM clients, even anti-virus software. You can download everything you need from PortableApps.com. After you’ve downloaded the software, simply run the installer and install the program on your USB thumb drive. Now you can carry your favourite software wherever you go!

2. Lock Your PC

If you worry that someone might tamper with your computer while you’re away, it’s a good idea to lock it. Luckily you can lock your PC with USB drive. There is a very nice free program called USB PC Lock Pro. It works on Windows only and needs to be installed on the computer and not on the USB flash drive.

3. Hide Your USB Drive

Talking of security – if you are afraid that your USB stick might get stolen, you can hide it in a broken USB cable. You’ll need a very small USB drive to do it, but it’s worth a try. Here’s how you can do it.

4. Encrypt Your Data

If there is any sensitive information on your USB flash drive, then it’s best to encrypt it.  TrueCrypt is a nice free app to encrypt your files. Remember that you’ll need to be an administrator of a computer to access that data on the USB.

5. Keep Your Passwords Safe

When you are using a public computer, all your passwords and other confidential information are at risk. The computer might have a key logger running in the background – you never know. That’s where KeePass Password Safe Portable will help you. It’s a password manager that lets you an no-one else access your data. It will be safe even if you lose your USB drive.