Keep that Inbox Under Control
Are you using an email client to read your email? If so, it could probably use a cleaning out. Old emails build up like layers of dust. The archive function of most email software is your friend: it’ll compact those messages into tiny files, yet still give you access to them if necessary. Most of […]
Turn that old Android Tablet into a Live Picture Frame
Do you have an old Android tablet you’re no longer using? Turn it into a live photo display. I use Digital Photo Frame Slideshow, which will read network shares. That means I can view the thousands of photos on my main computer.
Insanity?
Some have defined insanity as trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results. That may be true in most cases, but of something quits working right on your phone, tablet, or computer, oftentimes a reboot and another try will make it work again. Give it a try.
Windows 10: It Actually Doesn’t Suck
Microsoft made a lot of bone-headed mistakes with Windows 10. For one, they relentlessly nagged users into upgrading to it from 7. They also gave it an out-of-the-box UI that included giant tiles, a nosy search feature that’s nearly impossible to turn off, and the world’s most ugly and feature-poor web browser. But once […]
Wifi has been Kracked
There’s a bad new bug out there called Krack. It allows interception of WPA-protected Wifi traffic. That’s what your phone is using, as well as your router, and practically every other wireless device in your house. First of all, don’t panic. If you have a secure password on your router, then it’s going to […]
Stay Updated, My Friends
Our houses are getting full of smart devices: refrigerators, security systems, thermostats, TV’s, etc. Never forget that these devices connect to the internet, and thus are vulnerable to hackers. Make sure you’ve set a tough password on your router. Make sure you’re keeping the smart devices updated. That includes your router as well. If you […]
Be Smart. Know Domain Structure
Phishing is a huge problem. Thieves can create some amazingly realistic looking requests to log into various websites, capturing your password in the process. A basic understanding of how domain names works helps. If the linked website is yourbank.com, you’re safe. If it’s yourbank.somethingelse.com, it’s not. The last name before the .com is the highest […]
Keep that Password!
Do you hate changing passwords? Good news: a tough password, never changed, can be just as secure as tough passwords changed regularly. If you work for a company, you’re at the mercy of their security policy. But in your own domain, a good tough password can stay with you for life, and you can still […]
Spring Cleaning
It’s not a pleasant job, but your computer (either laptop or desktop) needs to have the dust blown out of its interior once a year or so. The cleanest method is to take it into the garage and either use canned air or the exhaust from a shop vac. Blast the dirt loose, and make […]
Block Nasty Ads
There are a lot of good reasons to block ads. First of all, if you use Adblock+, polite ads are let through by default. Second, hostile Javascript in ads is a favorite way for hackers to get into your Windows computer. Third, ads, intrusive ads, just suck. If you’re using a desktop or laptop computer, […]