HDD Pros
Hard Disk Drives, or HDDs, are a key component of many computers. Not only does the system run off of the HDD, but it also holds your important files. HDDs vary in size. They can be as “small” as 128GB to as large as 3TB, which is about 3 million GB. Long story short, they hold a lot of information that you need. There are also portable HDDs that have large capacities as well as the ability to transport documents from one computer to another easily.

HDD Cons
While HDDs may have the ability to store a large amount of data, they have an annoying habit of a limited lifetime. HDDs typically don’t last more than a few years. Unless you have made a backup of the drive, if it fails, your files are gone and they aren’t coming back easily, if at all. Most HDDs are in a computer to stay. They can’t, or shouldn’t, be taken out to be transported easily like a flash drive. Removing one involves opening the chassis of your desktop or laptop, disconnecting the correct connectors, lifting out the HDD and replacing it when finished. If not done carefully and correctly, you risk rendering the drive useless and your files deleted.

Cloud Pros
With the busy rush of everyday life, important documents and files are commonly forgotten. With the ever-improving Cloud, these files can be accessed from virtually anywhere. Just upload the file to one of the various Cloud services and it will most likely be ready when you need it. Services, such as SkyDrive or DropBox, offer 2GB or more of free Cloud storage space. More space can be bought for a fee depending on the service. Some services even have mobile versions to easily upload pictures from your mobile device to the Cloud.

Some cloud services also offer group access for business or school projects, making collaboration much easier across great lengths. Most Cloud Services offer pricing for businesses at a reduced rate with a larger storage allowance. DropBox even offers unlimited storage in their Team pricing.

Cloud Cons
Cloud storage is not without its flaws. Ask any IT person about information on the Internet and they will all tell you the same thing: “Once it’s on the Internet, it’s there for good.” Anyone’s files are easily accessible to anyone else with the knowledge to get where they are not supposed to go. Additionally, account crackers always look to take what they can get, so with an unsecure password, you might as well be handing them your account.

Security issues aside, these files are only accessible when both the service is working and you are connected to the Internet. Mobile uploading is also very resource intensive and only works with a connection to the Internet as well.

Our Advice
Keep your personal files on your HDD. Encrypt them and make a backup regularly. This should keep unwelcome parties from getting your personal information while also making a HDD failure a little less of burden.

For the Cloud, just use your own judgement. If you don’t want the world to see it, don’t put it on the Internet. Account crackers don’t target anyone in particular, but they will take over any account that is unsecure enough to let them.

• If you use a shared computer, like in a library or at a bookstore, never leave the “remember password” checkbox marked.
• When creating a password, try not to use a common word. If you need to, switch out some of the letters with numbers. For example, if you are going to use the word publish, try switching it to publ15h. It may look a little messy now, but it still resembles the same word and makes it easy to remember, but harder to crack.
• Never use the username of the account as the password for the same account. For example, if the account name is john.smith1221@gmail.com, account crackers would try johnsmith1221 as one of their first 5 attempts.
• It’s a good idea to write down passwords, but try to encode them a little bit. For example, if your password is encryption, use the opposite letter of the alphabet. A would be Z, B would be Y and so on. ENCRYPTION would then become VMXIBKGRLM. It may sound complicated, but if you have a decoding key with you, it will help.
• If you use a wireless network at home, never use the factory default settings for passwords. Many people think that as long as there is a password, it’s safe. This is not the case. Wifi connections can be hijacked easily if the factory default password is kept in place. Change the network name and the password to something agreed upon by whoever might live with you.
• Never use the same password for more than one account, such as having the same Facebook account password as your email account. If a cracker gets ahold of one, he/she will most likely discover the other account uses the same and cause even more damage.
• Never share your password with someone else. If you share it with one person, you share it with everyone. It’s a personal security risk you don’t need.

When it comes down to keeping your information safe, don’t take risks. Having your identity stolen is a hassle that can help be prevented if you keep yourself safe with a strong password.

Here are some tips to keep your online gaming experience fun:

• If you have a username that has numbers, do not include important numbers in the username. Use random numbers.
• Do NOT use qwerty, password, or your username as your password. There are account crackers out there that keep track of common passwords in an attempt to take control of your account.
• Within games such as Team Fortress 2, there is a community economy where players trade their items for other items of equal value. If a player offers you PayPal money for your item(s), do a little research. Check his/her reputation. If you are unsure, tell the player that you will be taking screenshots, and that you have noted down his/her ID. If he/she starts to get hesitant to make the trade, then deny the trade immediately. If you do get cheated, it will be next to impossible to get your item back, but through the correct channels, you can get a scammer tag put on the player and prevent others from experiencing the same fate.
• If there is a very valuable item that you want in your game, work your way up to it. Don’t look for cheats and hacks to get them. Working your way up will take longer, but it will keep your computer protected from the many different malwares that are lurking in those “free item” hacks. If an item generator requires you to turn off your antivirus to download it, it’s a fake.
• In games that have an economy, keep track of the pricing. Do research. Ask your fellow players what they would buy/sell the item for. Often, people do what is called sharking. Sharking is offering to buy extremely lower or selling extremely higher than what the item is worth. The pricing changes as the community sees fit.
• When making an online purchase for the game or in-game content, never leave the “Remember Payment Information” box checked. If you leave the box checked then your computer is stolen, your payment information will then belong to the thief who stole that computer, opening the door for identity theft and a multitude of unwanted purchases.
• And last, but certainly not least: Use common sense. Don’t give out personal or payment information. If you are less than 85% sure about a deal, don’t go through with it. It’s probably not a great idea.

The term mobile device once meant only a cell phone. However, any device with both storage and communication capabilities is considered a mobile device by law enforcement. A knowledgeable private investigator can gather this evidence and submit it to proper authorities and use as proof in a court of law.

When examining a phone for evidence investigators once just checked SMS and MMS messages (text and pictures) and perhaps video. The location of the caller can often prove pivotal as well. Since the advent of smartphones, tablets and devices like the Kindle we can also examine devices for browsing history, email, social media topics and more detailed location information.

It is extremely challenging to stay abreast of this ever-changing science. Phones and electronic devices are in a constant state of change making it impossible to be able to examine every type successfully. This form of forensics has only been in existence since the early 2000’s and is still forming.

Digital evidence is also frequently a factor in civil litigation. Mobile devices have more storage available than ever before making them capable of storing both personal and business information. Often highly incriminating evidence is found in cases of theft, divorce and employment issues.

Private matters are another area that mobile device forensics can be of help. Parents and spouses curious about their family members’ friends, activities and whereabouts can have a private investigator fully examine their mobile device and submit a report of the findings.

This complicated and progressive science is invaluable to a private investigator in the age of technology. Our expert investigators are with you every step of the way, from the initial forensic acquisition all the way through testifying in court as an expert witness if necessary.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, your own mobile privacy is equally important to us as it is to you. As hard as it is to face it, anyone with the right tools can gain access to another individual’s phone or mobile device. If you feel your mobile device has been compromised, bring it to us. We will do our best to protect your privacy and keep your personal information away from unwelcome parties.

Please contact us for more information on cell phone forensics and computer forensics.

As with any business, the private investigator reviews worth paying attention to should come from independent, third-party sources. Any business will praise itself on its own website or in its own advertising. However, businesses cannot control what outside sources are saying about them – these are the opinions you want to read to get a better understanding of the business, its owners, and its ethical practices.

But what private investigator reviews can you trust? There are many website online where people can share their opinions; some target Boise and some have a national focus.

1. Google Places reviews: Google is a household name when it comes to online authority. While the most popular website in the world is most famous for its search engine, Google also provides a service for consumers to review businesses. Simply type the business name into the main search, find the correct listing, and look for the “reviews” section on the bottom of the listing.

This is the section to look for.

After clicking on the “Google reviews” link, you will be redirected to a page containing consumer testimonials and star ratings. Google is very picky about their review process; businesses can’t promote themselves using this feature, and Google is very good about tracking businesses that abuse the review system. The results on this page are very likely all from real consumers, so read them and get a better understanding of the private investigator. Also, look at their star rating for an overall assessment of the business.

2. MojoPages: MojoPages is a review service that gets its information from other review websites. Put simply, this website does the hard work of sorting through reviews and gives you an overall assessment of the business. You can read testimonials on this website and also view a business’s “Mojo Score,” a cumulative assessment of the business based on all the information available online. Businesses are also ranked against the competition. Look for the top businesses with the highest Mojo Score.

3. Better Business Bureau: Make sure the investigative agency you are looking for is a BBB Accredited Business and has a high rating on the A-F scale. This demonstrates that the business has a history of resolving complaints, if any have been filed at all, and has a high standard of ethics and integrity.

Remember, both nationally and in areas like Boise, private investigator reviews are the key to knowing who you are dealing with. If you see many satisfied clients and high ratings, you can feel comfortable that the business is legitimate and professional. On the other hand, if you see mostly negative reviews, a history of unresolved complaints, and generally other suspicous signs, you should probably avoid dealing with that business.

If you have any further questions, or if you would like a free consultation, please contact us today.

Put simply, they can help you find answers to your questions of infidelity faster, more discreetly, and far more thoroughly than you could on your own.

So what kind of services can our trained infidelity investigators offer you?

1. Physical Surveillance: Our staff can investigate and record the activities of your spouse without their knowledge. We can produce videographic evidence and high resolution photographs of their actions, as well as detailed reports of their daily activities, without arousing suspicion. We can answer your questions of what they are doing when you aren’t around.

2. Online Surveillance: The internet has become a household tool for the majority of people, and this also extends to the activities of a cheating spouse, Boise or worldwide. Our technology experts can keep track of your spouse’s activities on the internet. We can document what websites they have been visiting, who they are interacting with on their social networking profiles, and who they are communicating with. We can produce full background reports of these individuals if necessary.

3. Forensics: Do you ever have questions of who your spouse is texting or emailing? Do you wonder who was calling at 3:00AM? We are fully equipped for digital forensics. Our computer forensic specialists can extract deleted files, images, and emails from PCs. We are the only company in Boise offering a full suite of cell phone forensic solutions, which means we can retrieve deleted text messages, call logs, picture messages, email, and sometimes even GPS locations from cell phones.

The amount of data storied on digital devices is almost immeasurable, and digital communication has opened the doors for a cheating spouse past Boise, so you owe it to yourself not to ignore the possibility.

Dealing with questions of infidelity can be difficult and oftentimes heart-wrenching. If you are suspecting a cheating spouse Boise’s premier private investigative agency can help. Call us today if you suspect infidelity in your marriage. We keep all conversations strictly confidential, and our initial consultation is completely free.

Contact us now for a free consultation. All calls and emails are kept strictly confidential, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

We have served as Idaho’s premier private investigative agency since 1995. Our clients have ranged from individuals to large corporations, all with varying needs and goals. Every case is different, and a good investigator needs to be able to come up with creative solutions to help their clients in the best way they can.

Do you need assitance with any of the following?

• Infidelity
• Surveillance
• Insurance Investigations
• Background Investigations
• Person or Asset Location
• Litigation Support
• Computer Crimes
• Judgment Recovery

We are a full service investigative agency. The only cases we do not accept are criminal defense cases.

Every Boise private detective employed with Custer Agency is an innovative thinker. We all come from different backgrounds, which leads to a great deal of combined experience. This means we can provide you with the solutions to address your needs.

No two cases are alike, and we are always prepared to put our combined creativity and experience to use. We help spouses find answers to their questions of infidelity. We aid businesses of all sizes in learning more about potential and current employees. We reconnect lost family members. Put simply, we help people in whatever way we can.

When you hire a Boise private detective, you should feel confident not only that you will get the best efforts put toward your investigation, but also that all results will be obtained ethically, legally, and in a manner that makes them admissable in court if your needs call for it. A Boise private detective does not need a state or city license to operate, so you should be very discerning about who you trust with your case.

At Custer Agency, we are licensed in Oregon, and have the professional certifications and experience to ensure you are getting the most effective investigative service possible. We always operate within the boundaries of the law, and ethical business practices are at the forefront of our operations.

Contact us today and see what we can do for you. We are happy to provide free consultations, no matter what your problem may be. Remember, all calls are discreet and confidential.

You have nothing to lose, so let us help you find your answers today.

We offer services that no other company in the area can match. Whether you are interested in a simple vulnerability assessment, or a full penetration test, we are the professionals for the job.

In case you are unfamiliar with these terms, here is a brief explanation:

A vulnerability assessment is exactly what the name implies – a professional evaluation of an organization’s information security flaws. Our Boise information security professionals will travel to your site, evaluate your network and computer infrastructure, and offer a report of our findings.

By contrast, a penetration test is a full simulated hacking attack on your organization. We play the role of the bad guys, using the same methods that hackers would to attempt to gain access to your system. Depending on the scope of the project, this can either be from the perspective of a complete stranger, a low-level employee on the network, or both. In most cases, knowledge of the penetration test is kept secret from the majority of employees; it is not only a test of your computer infrastructure, but of your employees themselves and your human security policies.

No matter what your information security needs may be, we are equipped to deliver discreet and professional results. Contact our Boise information security professionals today and see what we can do for you.

When you are faced with the task of finding a private investigator and you don’t know where to start, it can be very overwhelming. How do you tell the difference between a qualified, experienced investigator and somebody who lacks the right credentials?

Especially in states like Idaho, where there are no licensing requirements for private investigators, you want to make the best decision you can. You don’t want to waste your time, effort, and money on somebody who has no idea what they are doing.

Don’t just pick a name out of the phone book or from an internet search. You need to know what to look for first, and you owe it to yourself to make an informed decision. When it comes to hiring a private investigator, don’t just leave things up to chance.

We have created a simple PDF checklist for individuals looking to hire the best private investigator for their case. Print this out and seriously consider each of the points for your candidates.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, we’d love to hear from you. Just give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Depending on what you find on her facebook page – your teen’s posts, her friend’s posts, activities, etc. it may give you an opportunity to either give your teen your trust or watch her more closely.  If your teen’s facebook posts don’t do enough to keep your mind at ease, you can move on to cell phone apps.  There are some great apps to keep tabs on your kid’s smartphone, most notably the GPS apps available to give you updates about your teen’s whereabouts.  It will email you your teen’s location at regular intervals. You can also use apps to make sure she does not text while driving.  If all this is not enough, you can always hire Custer Agency Private Investigators to perform private Idaho surveillance on your teen to keep him or her safe.

If facebook and the cell phone still don’t give you peace of mind about your teen, it’s time to move on to the car.  If she’s driving, and you’ve given her a car  to drive, you might want to put a gps tracking device on it.  Your private investigator may be able to help you with installing the technology for this.  Of course, to keep your relationship with your teen positive and honest, it’s best to share with your teen that you intend to monitor her wearabouts with gps systems, etc.   You can do this with an explanation that you want to keep him or her safe.  Being a teen is a hard time in anybody’s life, and if your teen has the wrong group of friends you will want to do everything you can to keep her safe.  If that means using the technology at your disposal, it’s best to be honest with your teen.  Afterall, you are probably the one providing access to a phone and car, you have the right as a parent to do what you feel is necessary to keep your teen safe and use all the Idaho surveillance techniques at your fingertips.

Idaho Surveillance Solutions