Best Free Open Source Software of 2021 for your Home or Small Business

The term OPEN SOURCE refers to software whose source code is freely available to download, edit, use and share, with no copyright restrictions and that's why we love it.

You will find open source versions of almost every software imaginable - from Operating systems, office suites, media to accounting, and productivity. With that in mind, here's our pick of the very best open-source software.

Operating System: Linux

Let's start with the main thing you need first is an Operating System for your PC or Laptop. In the past 10 years, the gap between the features in all the major operating systems has become smaller and smaller. Linux operating systems aren't just for geeks and nerds. Anyone can install Linux and use it for their everyday computing needs including browsing the web, watching Netflix, typing letters, sorting home finances, video editing, photo editing, and managing music collections. There is a lot of option to choose from for everyone from Novice to System Administrator to  Hackers and Security professionals everyone loves Linux as their OS.

Ubuntu: One of the most popular distros for good reason, Ubuntu is an open-source software operating system that runs from the desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.

Ubuntu is officially released in three editions: Desktop, Server, and Core (for the internet of things devices and robots). Ubuntu is a popular operating system for cloud computing. Ubuntu is released every six months, with long-term support (LTS) releases every two years.  Download form here

 

Linux Mint is a great ‘default’ distro for new Linux users, as it comes with a lot of the software you’ll need when switching from Mac or Windows, such as LibreOffice, the favored productivity suite of Linux users. It also has better support for proprietary media formats, allowing you to play videos, DVDs, and MP3 music files out of the box. Why not give it a go today.  

Office software: LibreOffice

The next is you required your productivity tool and here comes to the rescue. LibreOffice is a powerful office suite – its clean interface and feature-rich tools help you unleash your creativity and enhance your productivity.  LibreOffice is a full suite of workplace software package, together with wonderful apps for text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. These are all absolutely compatible with the most recent Microsoft file formats, thus you’ll haven't any hassle sharing files that employ with users of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

LibreOffice includes several applications that make it the most powerful Free and Open Source office suite on the market. You can download it form clicking on their official link here .

 

Email client: Mozilla Thunderbird

Email is a key part of our everyday life Thunderbird is a free and open-source email, news feed, chat, and calendaring client, that’s easy to set up and customize. One of the core principles of Thunderbird is the use and promotion of open standards - this focus is a rejection of our world of closed platforms and services that can’t communicate with each other. We want our users to have freedom and choice in how they communicate. You can download it form clicking on their official link here .

Web browser: Mozilla Firefox

Download Mozilla Firefox, a free Web browser. Firefox is created by a global non-profit dedicated to putting individuals in control online. Firefox is available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, illumos, and Solaris operating systems. Its sibling, Firefox for Android, is also available.You can download it form clicking to their official link here even you can download in your onw language .

 

Accounting / Small Business Accounting: GnuCash

GnuCash is personal and small-business financial-accounting software, freely licensed under the GNU GPL and available for GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows. Designed to be easy to use, yet powerful and flexible, GnuCash allows you to track bank accounts, stocks, income, and expenses. As quick and intuitive to use as a checkbook register, it is based on professional accounting principles to ensure balanced books and accurate reports. Download here

Clean Your System and Free Disk Space: BleachBit

When your computer is getting full, BleachBit quickly frees disk space. When your information is only your business, BleachBit guards your privacy. With BleachBit you can free cache, delete cookies, clear Internet history, shred temporary files, delete logs, and discard junk you didn't know was there. Designed for Linux and Windows systems, it wipes clean thousands of applications including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Adobe Flash, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, and more. Beyond simply deleting files, BleachBit includes advanced features such as shredding files to prevent recovery, wiping free disk space to hide traces of files deleted by other applications, and vacuuming Firefox to make it faster. Better than free, BleachBit is open source. Download link

Password manager: KeePass Password Safe

Today you need to remember many passwords. You need a password for the Windows network logon, your e-mail account, your website's FTP password, online passwords (like website member account), etc. The list is endless. Also, you should use different passwords for each account. Because if you use only one password everywhere and someone gets this password you have a problem... A serious problem. The thief would have access to your e-mail account, website, etc. Unimaginable.

KeePass is a free open source password manager, which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key file. So you only have to remember one single master password or select the key file to unlock the whole database. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish). Download link

Safeguard Your Data/ Disk Encryption: 

DiskCryptor is an open encryption solution that offers encryption of all disk partitions, including the system partition. DiskCryptor is file and drives encryption software with all the whistles and bells you will ever need. Just like in TrueCrypt, DiskCrypror can encrypt any of your files, system drives, and other external devices like CD’s and thumb drives. Moreover, DiskCryptor can encrypt your data with different encryption algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), Twofish, Serpent, and also uses a combination of cascaded algorithms for increased security. If you are previously using TrueCrypt for your encryption purposes, then DiskCryptor is the closest free option available with active development and support.

Media player: VLC Media Player

VLC media player (commonly known as VLC) is a free and open-source, portable, cross-platform media player and streaming media server.VLC offers everything you could need from a media player - comprehensive format support, streaming, downloading, and much more download here

 

Photo editor: GIMP

GIMP is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, OS X, Windows, and more operating systems. It is free software, you can change its source code and distribute your changes. Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins.Download Link

Video editor: Shotcut

Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor. Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. Major features include support for a wide range of formats; no import required meaning native timeline editing; Blackmagic Design support for input and preview monitoring; and resolution support to 4k. More features and download link here

Audio editor: Audacity

Free, open-source, cross-platform audio software. Audacity is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux  Download Here

What did we miss?

Is there an n-source application that we missed? These are just a few of the best open-source/ free software I use for my personal use. They offer terrific value and since most of them are open source they are more secure for your privacy and protection in this digital age. 

We think of this as a work in progress, so if you believe there is software that should be added to this list, please let us know in the comments section below.

If you like this post feel free to re and if you want to connect with me just add me up on LinkedIn  Faysal Hasan https://au.linkedin.com/in/faysalhasan

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ATO Scam Alert

 🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨 Be on the lookout for a new phone #scam claiming your #tax file number (TFN) has been suspended!

Recorded phone calls claiming to be from the #ATO and other government agencies are trying to trick people into providing personal information. These scammers will tell you there’s a legal case against you, and if you don’t follow instructions and provide the information requested, you’ll be arrested.

⚠️ Don’t follow the prompts, and don’t provide the information requested. We will never send unsolicited pre-recorded messages to your phone, or threaten you with immediate arrest. If you’re ever unsure whether an #ATO interaction is genuine, hang up and phone our scam hotline on 1800 008 540. Warn your family and friends to stay alert and visit scam alerts page to learn more:

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Phishing and spear-phishing method of stealing confidential information

 In the recent Stay Smart Online, Alert email advise that there is a significant increase in the past few months of COVID themed phishing scams, using all sorts of lures to try and trick people into handing over personal details.

#Phishing and spear-phishing is a method of stealing confidential information by sending fraudulent messages to a victim, through email or message platforms. They remain among the MOST common method used by malicious #cyber actors to target Australians.

Since the #pandemic's outbreak, the Government’s #Scamwatch has received over 3,060 coronaviruses themed scam reports with over $1,371,000 in reported losses.

#Phishing campaigns can be sent via email, SMS, social media, instant messenger or a phone call. They can look extremely convincing, often imitating legitimate messages from trusted senders in government or business.

See attached are an example of #scam #email that I usually get in my (test) mailbox. Look at the subjects all trying to attract you in a way to click a link or provide details. Especially now Corona and Tax return season they are more active than before.

Hope this helps to Stay safe and on alert don't lose your money or info to the scammers.

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Beware of COVID style scam

 Beware of COVID style scam. This is phone scam but COVID email, app, and web scam also present which I have shared previously

It goes like this
Scammer: Good morning, According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 14 days and take a COVID-19 test.

'OK. Can you tell me who that person was?'

Scam : 'I'm not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.

Right. Um... so ....

Scam : But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?'

Ok (gives address)

Scam : Thank you - and I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you.'

Sorry - a payment card? I thought this was all free?' - RED ALART here people

Scam : No - I'm afraid not. There is a one-off fee of $50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you're ready.'

No - that's not right

Scam: I'm afraid it is. Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.'

You should Put the phone down.

This is how #scammers work. And vulnerable people will fall for it.

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Commonwealth Bank SCAM Alert

#SCAM ALERT:

hashtag

Watch out for this #phishing scam from 'Commbonk'. The scam starts as an email using various display names, each containing the word ‘CommBank’. Unsuspecting recipients who click on the link to view ‘transaction details’ are each led to a different page which redirects to a page using the domain 'commbonk'. According the security company, MailGuard, this is a phishing page masquerading as a fake Commonwealth Bank sign-in page. Don't click on the link and delete email immediately. . The scam starts as an email using various display names, each containing the word ‘CommBank’. Unsuspecting recipients who click on the link to view ‘transaction details’ are each led to a different page which redirects to a page using the domain 'commbonk'. According the security company, MailGuard, this is a phishing page masquerading as a fake Commonwealth Bank sign-in page. Don't click on the link and delete email immediately. .

• use of a major brand name to inspire false trust; the usage of the supposed ‘Commonwealth’ display name boosts the email's credibility,

• inclusion of ‘Helplines’ typically expected of a well-established bank such as bank support numbers for local and overseas locations in the email & support links in the phishing page and,

• false urgency; a subject line such as ‘Action Required’ and a signature supposedly from 'Commonwealth Bank of Australia Fraud Security Support' creates a sense of panic and anxiety.

Commonwealth Bank impersonated in phishing scam; email asks users to confirm card ‘activity’

The hallmark of this scam lies in its ability to trick users by ironically using a security alert. Verifying irregular transaction activity is a common trait of well-established banks like Commonwealth and it’s this focus on security that cybercriminals behind this scam leverage on. Here are some of the specific techniques they’ve incorporated to trick recipients:

Despite these techniques to fool users into thinking the email is authentic, eagle-eyed recipients will spot red flags that point to its illegitimacy, with the biggest being the fact that the link doesn't actually point to Commonwealth Bank. Besides this, the email also contains spacing errors and grammatical mistakes like ‘are all transactions listed above clear for you?’.

This is another reminder for those who utilise online banking, to pay close attention to the emails they receive from their banks. To best protect yourself, it is imperative that you do not click any link contained within an email, especially if it does not address you by name (as in the scam above). It is best practice to type the website URL into your browser or use the official banking app in this instance.

As banks have been a major target for scammers, they have also been working hard to distinguish their legitimate correspondence from the ‘fakes’ and educating their customers on best security practices. This is also why any legitimate correspondence from your bank won't have links to their website. Banks will instead ask you to manually enter it into your internet browser. Also, if you are ever unsure if it is your bank genuinely trying to reach you, simply contact them directly to confirm.

Further information at - https://www.mailguard.com.au/blog/commonwealth-bank-impersonated-in-phishing-scam-email-asks-users-to-confirm-card-activity

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