Google has tried to give an answer to one of the most frequently asked questions of Gmail users. Google will now on explain about the reasons why a particular mail lands up in the Spam folder rather than the Inbox?

The effort that Google makes to filter our e-mails and segregate them according to their priorities is appreciated when we are saved from useless mails and spam. It is meant for our benefit and to save time. But sometimes, it becomes problematic when some of the important and much-awaited mails are marked as spam. Google has now decided to give you the reasons and the process that lead that particular mail fall under the category of ‘Spam’. If you want to know about the reasons, all you need to do is to click ‘Learn More’ on the mail or message in your Spam folder. The reasons can vary according to the complexity of the issue.

While some explanations may relate to virus or malware suspicion, others may give you a proper reason for putting that particular mail in the Spam folder. These explanations will be further guided by the steps to eradicate spam or the virus. The suggestions by Google can now give you the peace of mind over the mails distribution and security of your PC.

Filing your tax returns to save your hard-earned money must be one of your priorities this month. However, there is another thing that needs your prompt attention. It is safeguarding yourself from tax-related phishing and e-mail scams.

This is a vulnerable situation as you will end-up sending all the essential and required details of your account via Internet or e-mails to scammers and hackers lurking at your PC. There are also chances that they can steal your refunds and returns sent from the tax and revenue departments. They may use the weapon to lure or panic you. Like you may receive an e-mail stating that you are eligible for more tax returns than already quoted on your paper. In such a situation, you may unknowingly provide all your account information with the passwords in wrong hands.

To avoid any such instances. you should keep in mind that the Revenue Department will only communicate through postal mail; and they never request you for your password or other crucial information. Neither do they send any attachment from unsolicited IDs to your mail account. Also, avoid opening any attachments from unknown persons as they may infect or hack your PC. To know more about the guidelines to avoid e-mail tax scams, click here.

Microsoft takes full preventive measures when it comes to online Internet security of the company. Recently, it has blocked all the TelstraClear users in New Zealand from sending e-mails from their Hotmail accounts to the Microsoft site. This step was taken due to phishing attacks on the company’s website from the hotmail accounts of TestraClear users.

TestraClear is a leading voice and data company, known for its innovative market products and services for various sectors like business, government, wholesale, and residential. Such a ban from Microsoft has definitely caused an outrage for TestraClear, due to inconvenience caused to its users. “Spam email is an international problem and rejection of emails affects many internet providers from time-to-time,” said Gary Bowering, spokesperson, TestraClear. Bowering also said that the company is taking full measures to educate their users on changing their password and to protect against such further attacks.

Microsoft has explained that the move was an important lesson for its Hotmail users to use antimalware software for protection against such phishing attacks. “A timely reminder to all email users to use free tools like Microsoft Security Essentials to guard against viruses, spyware and other evil software,” said Lucy Powell, spokesperson, Microsoft.

The stringent action from Microsoft may have caused trouble for TestraClear users, but it is a good reminder of the importance of having proper Internet security for safer browsing.

Microsoft Outlook is going to get a major enhancement in its video conferencing facilities. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of two leading software developers, myVRM and Whygo, Microsoft Outlook plug-in will soon be able to incorporate more than 3000 public video conferencing and telepresence facilities.

Users who are using Whygo public room network and myVRM scheduling platform will be able to conduct meetings via Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes. They can easily hold multiple private and public video conferencing rooms and even view the availability of the people who are invited. The most amazing aspect is that one can load and book over 3000 public room over the entire global network.

The new facility of video conferencing will revolutionize the way people use Microsoft Outlook. “This will be the utopia of scheduling platforms that has been talked about for so long,” said James Matthews, CEO, Whygo. myVRM is also looking forward to enhance the scope of video conferencing options on Microsoft Outlook. “We are very excited to add the Whygo network and service of public video conferencing rooms to our scheduling platform. This gives new and existing users a huge added value in using the myVRM Outlook plug-in or Lotus Notes integration for their room scheduling,” said Larry Roher, CEO, myVRM.

Let us hope that the new video conferencing facility is developed and released soon so that user can have a new way of interacting with each other on Microsoft Outlook.

Commtouch, a leading provider of cloud-based Internet security services, has developed enhanced antivirus software for the protection of e-mail against all forms of malware attacks. The antivirus software is built on complex scanning systems that ensure instant identification and prevention of malware attack.

Commtouch has incorporated complex detection techniques into the antivirus that make it a form of reliable protection against malware. “Commtouch’s expertise and range of services enable us to provide a unique combination of cloud-based zero-hour detection and antivirus technologies that strengthen the offerings of our service provider and vendor partners,” said Amir Lev, chief technology officer, Commtouch.

The antivirus software operates on GlobalView Cloud Zero hour Detection system that analyzes the patterns in e-mail structure for identification of malware attacks. The software also uses various techniques like heuristics, algorithmic scanning, signature-based scanning, etc., for precise detection of malware in e-mail attachments.

For detailed information about the antivirus, visit the Commtouch website.

Web crimes such as phishing, hacking and spamming spread like an epidemic during this Christmas season. The rise in online shopping, Black Friday shopping deals and other web transactions gave a good excuse to the malicious minds to wreak havoc.

Recently, Mac users became the latest hacking target of the cybercriminals. In the latest phishing attack, which took right after Christmas, a malicious e-mail from fake Mac support address was sent to the Mac users. The culprit was an e-mail that asked the users to sign-up for a fresh account and update their latest billing transaction, along with the credit card information.

The malicious minds behind the attack crafted the e-mail so well that it appeared genuine and seemed as if it is being sent directly from the company’s address. Even the link appeared to be similar to Apple website’s link.

“These well-crafted e-mails could fool many new Apple users, especially those who may have found an iPhone, iPod or iMac under their Christmas tree, and set up accounts with the iTunes Store or the Mac App Store for the first time,” says security firm Intego that provides antivirus for Mac. Intego also reported that the specific target of the scam were people who started using new Mac, iPhone and other Apple products, purchased recently.

Since the rate of cyber crimes is accelerating with each coming day, you should make sure to take extreme precautionary measures by not clicking on any suspicious links attached to e-mails. Copying the URL in a fresh browser or directly accessing the company’s website would surely be a safer option instead. Your safety is in your own hands now.

Google has introduced a new feature called ‘Scribble’ to its Gmail app for iOS.

Now when something excites you beyond measure the next time and you have to share it with a loved one, take out your smartphone comprising the Gmail app for Apple iOS, click on the ‘Scribble’ button in Compose View in order to open up the drawing window, and give vent to your excitement by scribbling down all your thoughts.

For instance, you finally got the pay hike that you had long been waiting for. Got to tell it to your spouse immediately! Get your mobile out and just scribble it.

No one will enjoy this new feature more than today’s youngsters as it gives them the liberty to be as informal as they can while writing e-mails. With Scribble, they won’t be just dependent on keyboard functions, smileys and the different font styles. Although it is not really meant for your workplace, the ‘Scribble’ feature can surely be used to infuse more life in the e-mails sent to friends and family.

You will not come across a better feature to add a personal touch to your communication with others and the reasons behind introduction of the Scribble function by Google are quite reasonable:

“From prehistoric humans etching in caves to the modern-day thinker sketching a stroke of genius on a napkin, scribbling is a natural form of human expression. Not constrained by formatting or font styles, scribbling is a versatile outlet for expressing individuality and creativity. Not to mention it’s a lot of fun.”

Use this new feature with abandon with your friends but be circumspect when you feel like scribbling something to your manager.

Developer: Tout App Inc.
Platform: Google Chrome

Sending multiple e-mails can be really a headache when you have to monitor large amount of details and data. If you are in marketing field, your work increases even more as you would be required to keep a track of all the outgoing as well as incoming e-mails. Amidst all this, you also need to find out whether your e-mail campaign is a success or not by checking on who is viewing your e-mails and who is ignoring them.

Wouldn’t it be easier if you get a helping hand in managing your e-mail related tasks? Don’t worry; ToutApp is a free e-mail tool to help you manage your e-mail tasks in a much sorted fashion.

The app works with your existing e-mail client as well as the server and provides you with an insight as to who recently opened your e-mail and viewed it. There is a convenient tracking screen that helps you in doing so. What’s more? You can also check if your e-mail recipients have clicked any of the links inside the e-mail or not.

Not only this, the app helps users in creating and saving e-mail templates as well. ToutApp provides deep integration with popular CRM’s as well. It updates CRM systems such as Highrise and Batchbook by tracking the e-mails you have sent. You can schedule the e-mails that you want to send later on.

Whether you are sales and marketing professional, job seeker, entrepreneur or simply someone who loves sending numerous e-mails, ToutApp will be your perfect e-mail pal by making your work streamlined.

ToutApp is available as Gmail Extension and can be installed on to your Google Chrome browser for easier access.

According to a recent survey conducted by SecureEnvoy, a security firm, half of the working class is likely to log in to their e-mail accounts during the Christmas holidays. UK employees are considered to be more addicted to checking e-mails. In the survey, the firm questioned around 1,000 people who are working full time.

According to the survey report, younger employees between the age group of 18 and 24 are more inclined to check their mails than the older people who are above 50 years of age. The study also found out that people who often check their mails possessed the fear of losing their jobs.

Out of the 1,000 people who were surveyed, 31% said they would check their e-mails occasionally during the holiday. 15% confessed that they would check their e-mails frequently, even during the holidays, while 34% said they have no interest in checking the mails during the holiday season.

According to Vanessa Robinson, head of HR at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, employees in their twenties may be addicted to checking e-mails, but it is so because, “The younger generation is more digitally connected than its older peers, but they will probably also be checking their Facebook and other online communication systems over the holiday period. They may just wish to be connected to work, not because they are insecure but just because they wish to feel as if they are still informed.”

Experts suggest, if e-mails were used correctly, they can be the best way to communicate. This is because a person does not need to be online to receive e-mails, unlike phones that need both the parties to be present on either side.

Check this link if you are looking for ways to take backup of your e-mails from Gmail and Hotmail.

Call your pals and talk to them for free!!

It seems that communication is getting accessible to each and every person with the introduction of new technologies in the field of electronics and telecommunications, voice calls being no different. Not only this, the cost of voice calls is also getting cheaper with time. Gone are the days when only financially well people used to call their secluded relatives and used to be in touch with family and friends staying far away. Now almost all of us have mobile phones or landlines to talk to anyone at any point of time.

But what if you want to call your pals and talk to them for free?

Well, Google has come up with something that will certainly bring smile to your face. Google has announced that the company is going to extend the time period for free voice calls (made from Gmail) within U.S. and Canada. Voice calling, as a feature, was added to Gmail in August 2010. That time, Google announced that this feature will be available for free throughout the year in U.S. and Canada. In other countries also, the voice calling feature was made available for free for some time.

At the end of 2010, Google again announced that the voice calling through Gmail will be free in U.S. and Canada for the whole of 2011 as well. But it seems that the recognition it expected for this feature has still not been achieved. Probably that is why Google has not yet started charging for the voice calling feature of Gmail in these two countries and now it has been announced once again by the company that this feature will remain free in the upcoming year 2012 as well.

There is no doubt that Google Chrome is very popular among users, but with Google charging for its voice calling feature through Gmail internationally at “insanely low rates”, there arises a question as to what could be the reason behind its unpopularity in U.S. and Canada. Are there still some technical faults in this feature?

Google! Are you listening!!