Computer and online security is a game of cat and mouse. Stay one step ahead of the cat by protecting yourself with these helpful tips.

Ok, so maybe “unhackable” is a bit strong. It’s impossible to ever truly be bulletproof online. But don’t let that stop you from protecting yourself; there many easy ways to keep your online accounts, Wi-Fi network, PC, and mobile devices secure – and that’s exactly what you should be doing. Here are a few key things everyone should be doing in order to keep the bad guys (or bad software) from sneaking into their machines and wreaking havoc.

Usernames and passwords

When crafting a username for online bank accounts or other sensitive services, don’t use the most obvious choices. That means, don’t use your name, any version of your name, your dog’s name, or any version of a family member’s name – all that information is likely readily available on the Web. And don’t use any username that you’ve employed for other accounts. Instead, use something that you’ve never used anywhere else online.

Passwords may be an antiquated way to protect our online accounts. But right now, they are the only option for most online accounts and gadgets. To craft a good password (which most people don’t do) it must be complex – lower-case and capital letters, numbers, and symbols are a must. I would suggest creating an acronym for your favorite phrase, then throwing symbols and your zip code or part of your childhood phone number at the end.

For example, turn the phrase “We mean no harm to your planet” into “WMnHtYP.” Then add in a symbol or two: WMnHtYP*$. And finally, your selected number, to give you the full password: WMnHtYP*$5172. Now, do that for each of your online accounts, including apps and iTunes or other online market places.

Of course, that’s a lot to remember, and writing down passwords can be just as dangerous if there’s a chance your password document falls into the wrong hands. Another option is to use a password manager app, like LastPass or 1Password, which does much of the hard work for you.

Wireless router

If you connect to the Internet over Wi-Fi, you need to make sure you have a secure connection. The first step is to password protect your router. (Each router is different; so if you don’t know how to do this, look up the instructions for doing so online.) And as mentioned above, make sure it’s a good password – the more complicated the better.

The next step is to turn on “broadcasting” of your network. This will make it so your Wi-Fi router doesn’t show up in other people’s lists of available connections. Most routers have this feature, which can be accessed through the router’s management software. (You can probably download this, if you don’t have it installed.) From there, you want to turn off the option that says “Enable SSID Broadcast” (or something like that). And you’re done!

Finally, you can stay extra secure by downloading network monitoring software like Fing, which allows you to check if anyone is on your Wi-Fi connection who’s not supposed to be.

Computer

We’ve all heard of antivirus software by now, so we don’t need to get into the nitty gritty of that. But you do need to install one, if you haven’t already. And then you need to keep it running. Malwarebytes is one of the best options out there, with both a free and paid version available. (Though, at $25, I’d recommend going for the Pro version.) Another good option is Bitdefender Total Security 2013, which will cost you about $52 right now, but has a slew of features that protect everything from your home PC to your social media accounts to your online bank accounts and more.

Note to Mac users: Cybersecurity experts predict that Macs will be increasingly targeted by hackers and malware in 2013, so don’t think you’re safe just because you have an Apple-made machine. You need antivirus software, too.

Smartphone or tablet

While not as vulnerable as a Windows PC, smartphones and tablets are still susceptible to viruses. Luckily for us, there are an increasing number of antivirus products out there for our mobile devices. For Android, check out either Avast! Mobile Security, or Lookout Security & Anti-virus. For iOS, your options are more limited, but VirusBarrier is a good, inexpensive option.

General don’ts

While software is a must-have, there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself just by creating good habits. Here are a few tips:

• Never use the same password across multiple accounts. It’s hard to do, but it makes it possible for a hacker to ruin your life more easily.
• Don’t fill out online questionnaires or quizzes that ask for information like your date of birth, hometown, mother’s maiden name, or other data that is often used for security questions.
• When filling out a security question (in case of a lost password, for example), don’t give an easy answer. For instance, if the question is “What is the name of your first pet?” Don’t just write “Rover.” Write “Rover451″ or some other variant.

Don’t click ads on porn sites – they are one of the primary ways malware is spread.

Heard the term "Ultrabook" but not sure what it means? We help explain what an Ultrabook is and how it's different from a regular laptop.

In the market for a new laptop? By now, you’ve probably heard the term “Ultrabook,” but what exactly is it and how is it different from a normal laptop? Intel coined the term in 2011 to describe a laptop that’s lightweight, yet powerful and sleek. Available in a variety of models and sizes, ranging from about 13 to 20 inches, and from about 3 to 18 pounds, these laptops must fit within a very specific weight and size spectrum to be called an Ultrabook.

With respect to Ultrabooks, these computers refer to a specific category of laptops created by Intel to compete with the increasingly popular tablets and the well-designed MacBook Air. Ultrabooks are ultimately meant to offer a reasonable compromise between portability and performance. For instance, while netbooks may be extremely portable, there is no question that these same netbooks do not operate at a high performance level. Ultrabooks, however, are extremely portable and boast more muscle than that of the typical netbook on the market today.

What laptops qualify as Ultrabooks?

By Intel standards, in order to qualify as a second generation Ultrabook, the laptops must first be less than 0.7 inches thick for laptops with 13.3-inch displays and smaller. Laptops must be less than 0.8 inches thick with 14-inch and larger displays, and less than 0.9 inches thick for convertible tablets. In addition, these types of laptops must run via low-powered Intel processors and boast a battery life of at least five hours. They also need to be able to resume from hibernation in less than eight seconds. These second generation Ultrabooks also require USB 3.0 and a minimum internal transfer rate of 80MB/s for storage.

What can you expect from an Ultrabook?

Intel’s second generation Ultrabooks use a speedy Intel Ivy Bridge processor.  In addition, most of the models on the market have Intel integrated graphics. That being said, if you are a gamer, you should not expect to do serious gaming on Ultrabooks. Also, the graphics may not be sufficient if you do a lot of audio conversion or video rendering.

It is also important to keep in mind that Intel does not have specific requirements for storage, RAM, screen size, or output or connectivity. For example, while most Ultrabooks feature Wi-Fi, if you require more specialized ports, such as a VGA output for instance, this type of port may not be available on your Ultrabook. These components are left up to the manufacturer’s discretion.

How much do Ultrabooks cost?

According to specifications from Intel, Ultrabooks should be priced in the range of $1,000. Generally speaking, Ultrabooks are available from manufacturers between the $800 to $1,400 price points. Of course, Ultrabooks with more features and a larger screen inevitably will be more expensive.

Are Ultrabooks a good option for you?

Without a doubt, Ultrabooks are an excellent choice if portability and design are highly important to your lifestyle. For example, if you travel often, or if you use your laptop to write, conduct Web research, and perform similar activities, an Ultrabook is definitely the way to go. However, if you require the use of heavy graphics and portability is not a priority for you, it might be in your best interest to consider other options.

Interested in buying your own Ultrabook? Check out our How to Buy an Ultrabook guide to help you get started before you get to the store.

Creating an iOS app isn't as hard as you think - just follow this respected guide and you'll be on your way to the App Store. That's today's DT Deals.

So you think you have the great big idea, but you don’t know how to go about developing it into a mobile app? It’s actually not as hard as you think – as long as you have a trusty guide to help you along the way. Today’s DT Deals is the $29 comprehensive guide to developing an iOS app. The step-by-step process helps you understand all the bits and pieces involved in creating a mobile product – from technical advice to tips on how to develop business off your brand new app. If you don’t enjoy what you’re learning, there’s even a 30-day money back guarantee.

If we’re doing our math correctly, $29 can get you a few hamburgers, a Blu-Ray movie or two, a pair of flip flops, a two-person movie date, or a standard iPhone case. With this investment, $29 might just make you the next big thing in tech. Aren’t you up for that challenge?

This week in Jetsetter we sweep across the European continent to look at PlayStation 3 sales, look at a little Belarusian company's success in Russia with World of Tanks, and stop off in Japan to lament Zynga's fall in the country.

Geseende Kersfees! Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah! Nadelik looan na nlooan blethen noweth! Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad! You feel what I’m laying down, reader? I’m saying Joyeux Noel to y’all. La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou. Feliz Navidad, you dig?

It’s how you say Merry Christmas the Jetsetter way. So Nadolig Llawen, bros and sisters. Welcome to the second to last Jetsetter of 2012, when we take one last look at the international world of video games in Digital Trends premiere column about the international world of video games. YA HEARD!

* PlayStation 3 hits 30 million sold in Europe.

The Xbox 360 was certainly a success for Microsoft, but even with 70 million sold globally that machine is as American as apple pie. The US is the source of most Xbox sales, while it’s the rest of the world that’s keeping Sony warm at night. Sony also has 70 million HD consoles sold worldwide, and European countries are the source of its delight. As announced on Wednesday, Sony has sold a total of 30 million PlayStation 3s across the UK and continental Europe. “This is a major milestone for us and clearly shows just how popular the PlayStation brand and products are within Europe and PAL territories,” said Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s Jim Ryan, “We are really pleased with the success of the PS3 system over the last six years, and are committed to continuing our support of the platform with high quality products and titles that are of the caliber that PlayStation fans have come to expect.” Cool, SCEE. Now how about convincing Sony Japan Studio to finish The Last Guardian already.

 

* Russia loves World of Tanks.

Belarus-based developer Wargaming.net is fast becoming a major power in the video game industry. Who’d have thunk it? It’s all thanks to its MMO World of Tanks. People love that World of Tanks. How much? Over the past three years, World of Tanks has racked up a player base of 45 million users. That’s more than two times the number of Gamecube’s Nintendo sold over the course of seven years! The game’s got huge followings across Europe and China, but no one loves World of Tanks as much as Russia. Wargaming reported that 600,000 World of Tanks players in Russia were playing simultaneously on a single server one day this year. That would be like the entire city of Boston playing a single game together at the same time. If that doesn’t blow your mind, nothing will.

 

* Zynga shuts down its Japanese studio.

A year can change everything. In December 2011, Zynga was the hottest video game company in the world with Farmville still blowing up and the company raking in 12 percent of all the money made on Facebook. Today, the company’s executives keep jumping ship, it’s getting sued for stealing other people’s games, and Facebook has cut off its exclusive agreements with the company. Rough! Zynga’s global operations are contracting as well. Zynga Japan’s CEO Kenji Matsuraba announced on Friday that the studio would be shuttered at the end of January. It’s not all bad news. Zynga Japan’s most popular game, Ayakashi (pictured above), will remain online. 

Despite Microsoft’s efforts with Windows Phone, the two biggest players in the smartphone game continue to be Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. Just when we thought that Android was on the rise, it appears that the iOS smartphone market share is actually growing, breaking the 50% mark in the United States.

Last month, a report was issued saying that iOS had a 48.1% market share when it came to smartphones, compared to the combined 46.7% enjoyed by Android devices. The lead was slight, but it was there. Now, a more recent report is saying that the iOS market share has increased to 53.3%. The assumption is that this has to do with the launch of the iPhone 5, despite the many troubles that it has faced. Android’s market share shrank to 42% over the same period.

The outlook is that the iPhone’s smartphone market share will continue to rise in the US now that it’s broken the 50% mark. It should be noted that Android is still much larger elsewhere, though, getting 61% of the smartphone market in Europe.

Interestingly, it’s possible that Android will continue to shrink in the US as some people make the switch to Windows Phone 8. After all, it’s the same companies — HTC, Samsung, etc. — that are doing both WP8 and Android. And then there’s Nokia with WP8, too. It should also be noted that these figures are for smartphones only. It appears clear enough that the iPad continues to dominate the tablet arena for now.

One of my most beloved holiday gifts was my Tamagotchi virtual pet. But 16 years later, are people still playing with the toys? In a word: holycrapyes. We found a Tamagotchi fan who not only plays with them; he has an arsenal of more than 400!

Besides nail polish, Beanie Babies, and “Jock Jams Vol. 1,” there was only one thing I wanted to unwrap during the Chanukah of 1996: a Tamagotchi virtual pet. I gleefully returned to school from winter vacation with my very own blue Tamagotchi and matching blue fingernails. The virtual pet craze hit my elementary school hard, and it seemed like everyone in the fifth grade was carrying around the keychain-sized toy. And if you weren’t 10 years old in the mid ‘90s you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Tama-huh?”

The toy was launched by Japanese manufacturer Bandai in 1996 and they’re still around today. It’s an egg-shaped gadget that features a basic LCD screen with three buttons below. There’s a “backstory” to the toy, about an alien species that lays an egg on Earth and it’s your job to raise the baby to an adult, through various stages of life.

As someone who had her Tamagotchi taken away by her teacher more than once, I can tell you that school is partly to blame for the toy fizzling out just two years from its release. The first versions of the digital pet didn’t include the pause button that later versions would add, and the pets were prone to dying very quickly if left unattended. Many schools ended up banning the toys from classrooms because the beeps of a hungry Tamagotchi frequently disturbed lessons.

After a rather long lull, the updated version hit the States in 2004, reviving the Tama revolution. Realizing that Bandai is still selling Tamagotchi models today on its TamaTown site, I wondered how many people are still buying the virtual pets in the age of the iPad.

Turns out, Tamagotchis not only still exist; they actually have quite a cult following. But spend some time on the forums they frequent – TamaTalk and Tama-Zone – and you’ll soon discover that few fans of the toy compare to a 25-year-old Virginia man named Erem J. Memisyazici.

Since 1996, Memisyazici has collected more than 400 Tamagotchis and the value of his collection is well into the thousands of dollars. But Memisyazici isn’t just known for his collection; he also maintains his extensive YouTube channel where he reviews the virtual pets in great depth. Going by the name of Ra in the Tamagotchi community, Memisyazici is a celebrity among Tama fans. 

The virtual pets have greatly affected Memisyazici’s life. A graphic design student at New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia, he says Tamagotchis have influenced what he does in school. He’s based marketing finals on their international popularity.

We spoke with the ardent fan about his love for the virtual pets, his mammoth collection, how Tamagotchi has changed over the past 16 years, and how the toys have changed his life …

DT: When did you start collecting Tamagotchis, and how did you get started?

EREM: It all started back in 1996. Prior to that year, we had never had anything like virtual pets before. Of course times were different then. We grew up without cellphones, computers or even the Internet! So many of the things children take for granted today weren’t around. Therefore, as silly as a pixel pet on an LCD screen may seem to some technologically spoiled children today, it was nothing short of magic to me! It was simply alive! That fascination never died out for me. Even though the Tamagotchi craze died in 1998, I held on to my passion. When at last they were re-introduced to the world in 2004, the flame of my Tamagotchi passion was rekindled.

How has Tamagotchi changed over the past 16 years? Is it relatively the same, or have there been major improvements?

When Tamagotchis were reintroduced in 2004, they came with several new features. The biggest of course would have to be its ability to connect with other Tamagotchis via an infrared port at the top of its shell. This way, the new modern Tamagotchis were able to connect and play games with others and even get married! The winter of that same year, Japan released the Keitai Tamagotchi, and its equivalent in America was the V2. This version introduced new characters and also the Gotchi Points system. Gotchi Points, which is Tama money, gave you the ability to shop for food, items and accessories! A new Tama Shop was added to these models and through playing games you could earn Gotchi Points to spend there.

 The end of 2008 ushered in a revolutionary new concept for Tamagotchis when Japan released the first Tamagotchi ever to be in full color! Since then, several different incarnations (all in full color) have been released, the latest of which is the Tamagotchi P’s released last month, and will hopefully continue. The color Tamagotchis introduced wallpapers, where your Tamagotchis live in actual places rather than the black and white Tamagotchis of the past, which featured no backgrounds. With this, we are now able to create our own custom-made wallpapers, toys, clothes, accessories, food items and much more, and send it over to our Tamas via IR port! It made Tamagotchis customizable and allowed people to relate to their Tamagotchis in a way not possible before.

What’s your favorite vintage Tama?

My favorite vintage era Tamagotchi would have to be Devilgotchi [pictured at right]. These are very rare and very expensive but well worth it these days. 

Do you still play with your Tamagotchis? If so, how often?

Absolutely! I often participate in group hatchings (where everyone who has agreed to join pull the tabs and start up their Tamagotchis at the same time), and I blog my progress with narratives and pictures. I usually have at least one Tama running at all times.

Have you ever been embarrassed by, or embarrassed about, your collection? 

No, if I were embarrassed, I wouldn’t be collecting them. As well as something I like, I view my collection as an investment.

How many Tamagotchis have you had living at one time?

The most I could realistically manage and look after without neglecting them is five. Anything more, and I’d have to neglect them, and I just hate that. Virtual or not, when you start up a Tamagotchi, you feel an emotional connection.

If your house was on fire, which Tamagotchi would you save?

Probably the most expensive one, as it would be the most valuable. Perhaps my Yasashii [pictured at right]? I saw one sell for $1,000 last year, which is the highest I’ve seen them sell for.

What is his highest high and lowest low as a Tamagotchi owner? 

I think the lowest [low] of being a Tama owner is definitely when one of your Tamagotchis stops working or breaks down completely. A lot of Tamagotchis, if not handled with proper care, will fall victim to battery corrosion or rust from humidity. When you’re buying a new-in-box vintage Tamagotchi online, it’s always a risk because you never know if it’s going to work or not when you pull the tab. This is why I always store the ones in my collection without batteries and with silica gels to keep out the humidity. As for the highest high, it’s either when I win a particularly rare Tamagotchi for a really cheap price online, or when I manage to get a secret character that’s really difficult to achieve!

From your experience, is the Tamagotchi community more male than female, or vice versa?

Although there are a fair number of male fans out there, the majority are female. In fact, one of the complaints we male fans have had with Bandai has been all the girly colors they release Tamagotchis in! Since they mainly target a female customer base, they release lots of pinks!

Do you spend more time with friends in real life, or online?

Oh my goodness. I’m not some anti-social hermit living out in the woods or anything. Definitely real life. I do have a lot of friends online, but talking to someone face-to-face versus on a computer screen isn’t the same. 

Have you made any friends via Tama forums that you’ve met in real life? How about any relationships?

I’ve made lots of friends via Tama forums! Though I haven’t met any in real life, I consider them dear friends! I keep in touch via Facebook and, of course, Tama-Zone. As for relationships, I did get close with someone I met through a Tama forum once, but alas, as with most long-distance relationships, it didn’t get very far.

Could you ever date someone who has never heard of Tamagotchi? If so, what if this person knew what Tamas were but didn’t have any interest?

That’s like not wanting to date someone because they didn’t have the same favorite color as you. It’s absurd. Of course I would date someone regardless of how they felt about Tamagotchis. Once more, I think it’s important to assert that Tamagotchis aren’t my life, they’re simply a hobby. No more than that.

Have you ever owned a real pet?

I grew up with real pets of all kinds and I currently have a cat. 

How do you think Tamagotchi differs from other gaming communities?

In the same way that playing with your house pet differs from playing a board game! Games are fun and all, but in the end there’s no personal connection the way you’re able to connect with a Tama. The main objective of most games (though I’m sure there are exceptions) is to play and win and be done. With Tamagotchis, you hatch a helpless little baby and take care of it and watch it grow. There’s an emotional connection there. You care about your little Tama.

Do you feel even the slightest bit weird about developing personal connections with a piece of plastic?

I don’t live out in a mountain like Gollum from Lord of the Rings, holding on to a Tamagotchi going, “precioussss…” Think of the emotional connection one might have for their virtual pet like someone’s game save on an Xbox. They’ve put effort and time into getting to that point, and they’d be pretty upset if the game save was lost all of a sudden, right? Same thing with a Tamagotchi. You put effort and time into caring for it, and you’d be upset if it was wiped all of a sudden. I wouldn’t break down and fall to pieces or anything.

This past week, many states have been attempting to attract a major semiconductor manufacturer said to have ties to Apple Computer.  New York, Oregon and Texas are all the front runners in a race to bring a new major manufacturer to the US.

Currently Samsung builds its custom A series processors for Apple’s iOS devices at a plant in Texas.  These processors include the newest 32mm A6 chip, which is currently used in the iPhone 5, and the A6X chip for use in the 4th generation iPad.  But there have been rumors surfacing that Apple is looking to defect from Samsung to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

Currently New York and Oregon are facing off to be the new home of Azalea, the chip manufacturer who is actually thought to be TSMC.  New York officials have revealed that they have been pitched a 3.2 million sq ft manufacturing factory which is believed to be making components for Apple.

Azalea would be Apple’s attempt to break free of Samsung completely and start a relationship with another maker as their A-series chip manufacturer.

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