Recent Comments
Comment by RandiO on Update Your Drivers? Here's my advice... (May 12, 2025 06:33 PM)
Thank you for all that you do for us, BobRankin, There are drivers than there are 'drivers'. My understanding is that during the initial install of a...
Comment by noah on Update Your Drivers? Here's my advice... (May 12, 2025 06:14 PM)
THANK YOU!!! My sound had been dead for the last 5 months and as soon as I updated the driver through microsoft it returned. ...
Comment by LT on Update Your Drivers? Here's my advice... (May 12, 2025 04:53 PM)
Thanks Bob. Basic Ccleaner constantly prompts me to update drivers, for a small upgrade fee. Glad to know it's not a necessity. ...
Comment by Rich on Update Your Drivers? Here's my advice... (May 12, 2025 04:35 PM)
"If it ain't broke don't fix it"...
Comment by bud on Does a Firewall Give Extra Security? (May 6, 2025 03:42 PM)
Years ago I had a program on my computer that would block and ask me to OK the sending of certain information before it was sent. The good thing abou...
Comment by Terry on Does a Firewall Give Extra Security? (May 6, 2025 03:02 PM)
Will PC Matic solve my problems that at the moment i am unsure exist....
Comment by Neil in Dallas on Does a Firewall Give Extra Security? (May 5, 2025 04:52 PM)
The process of including a "whitelisting" on PC Matic has me baffled. I don't know how and their instructions are woefully inadequate. I bailed on PC...
Comment by Mark Neville on Does a Firewall Give Extra Security? (May 5, 2025 04:52 PM)
What about things like pi hole which filters junk being sent on the internet? I have thought about making one of those. ...
Comment by Jonathan on Will ID Theft Protection Save Your Digital Bacon? (May 1, 2025 09:35 PM)
Steve_k2 We have always used a separate computer and follow the plan you outline. I don't think you are "missing something"! I would add you still n...
Comment by kristofau on Does Your Computer Need an Oil Change? (April 29, 2025 01:33 AM)
This is the first time in years that Bob has not endorsed PC Matic when talking malware. I've given up on PC Matic after working with them for months ...
Update Your Drivers? Here's my advice...
One common question from AskBob readers is “Do I need to update my device drivers?” They mention popups appearing on their screen, with warnings like 'Your drivers are out of date.' Some are getting emails or even phone calls to that effect. Some users upgrading to Windows 11 have experienced driver issues. Here's the scoop on device drivers, what they are, what they do, when (and when not) to update them...
Posted by Bob Rankin on May 12, 2025 | Category: Software
Does a Firewall Give Extra Security?
A curious and perceptive AskBob reader says: “I understand why I need a firewall to protect my computer from inbound threats. But a friend is telling me I need another type of firewall, which blocks outbound traffic as well. If I have good anti-virus software, do I really need this outbound firewall?” Good question, here’s my take on outbound firewalls...
Posted by Bob Rankin on May 05, 2025 | Category: Security
Does Your Computer Need an Oil Change?
A savvy AskBob reader says: “I know I need to clean and optimize my hard drive every once in a while. But are there any other regular PC maintenance tasks you recommend doing on a regular basis?” Well, yes! Here are more than ten free programs you can use to clean up and tune up your Windows computer...
Posted by Bob Rankin on April 28, 2025 | Category: Software
ZAP Your WiFi Intruders!
Is your wireless Internet (WiFi) connection being borrowed or hijacked by a stranger? If your home WiFi connection is sometimes mysteriously slow, it might be that a neighbor, stranger (or a malicious hacker) has tapped into your wifi. It happened to me! Read on to learn how to bust bandwidth bandits, and give digital leeches the boot...
Posted by Bob Rankin on April 23, 2025 | Category: Wireless
Forgot Your Windows Password? Do This Now...
So, you forgot your login password for Windows 10 or Windows 11? Or maybe you 'inherited' a Windows computer and you can't log in. There's hope, but resetting a forgotten password for a Windows 10 or 11 PC can be complicated by several factors. In this article, I’ll show you how to create a Password Reset disk as a preventive measure, and also how to reset your password if you don’t have the disk. Let's dig in...
Posted by Bob Rankin on April 08, 2025 | Category: Windows
Erase Your Hard Drive - The Nuclear Option?
How important is it to completely delete ALL data from a hard drive before disposing of it? Savvy users understand that deleting a file doesn't really make it go away. And even formatting a hard drive doesn't guarantee that your files are unreadable. So how can you be certain that every bit of your data is gone before selling, donating or disposing of your hard drive? Here's some good news on that front...
Posted by Bob Rankin on April 04, 2025 | Category: Hard-Drives
Geekly Update - 03 April 2025
Are creepy marketers salivating at the chance to buy your DNA? Has Microsoft finally killed off the Blue Screen of Death? Is that text about your unpaid tolls legit? And what should you do if an AI chatbot falsely accuses you of murder? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and comment!
Posted by Bob Rankin on April 03, 2025 | Category: Tech-News
Will ID Theft Protection Save Your Digital Bacon?
If you're concerned about identity theft in 2025, you're not necessarily paranoid. Frequent and massive data breaches provide scammers with the personal information they need to pull it off. If someone assumes your identity they can open new credit cards, raid your bank accounts, ruin your employment prospects, or even commit crimes for which you are blamed. With so much at stake, many people are paying $20 or more a month for identity theft protection services. But are they wasting their money? Here's the scoop...
Posted by Bob Rankin on March 31, 2025 | Category: Privacy
Geekly Update - 05 March 2025
Should you consider cheating when playing chess with an AI? Why should Jurassic Park be required viewing for all bioscientists? And have all the good guys in tech gone to the dark side? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and comment!
Posted by Bob Rankin on March 05, 2025 | Category: Tech-News
Here's How Creepy Marketers Capture Your Email Address
Has this ever happened to you? You visit an online store, and later get an email from that website, even though you never provided your email address? I find this disturbing, and you probably will too, when you learn how this is happening. Read on to learn the source of mystery marketing messages, and steps you can take to protect your inbox...
Posted by Bob Rankin on March 03, 2025 | Category: Email
Geekly Update - 26 February 2025
Are tech support phone reps deliberately wasting your time? Why are QR codes showing up on grave stones? And is it possible to become invisible online? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and comment!
Posted by Bob Rankin on February 27, 2025 | Category: Tech-News
Fileless Malware: Who You Gonna Call?
A clever but pernicious software technique that's been known for more than a decade is finding favor among today's malware authors, complicating the work of anti-virus developers and digital forensic analysts. Tracking down so-called “fileless malware” is to detection of regular malware what ghost-hunting is to catching a garden-variety burglar. Read on to learn about this resurgent threat and what you can do to stop it...
Posted by Bob Rankin on February 24, 2025 | Category: Viruses
Here's Why You Should X-Ray Your Computer
Do you know what's going on under the hood of your PC or Mac? Most people don’t, and most of the time they don’t need to know. But there are occasions when a detailed inventory of a computer’s components comes in handy. Read on to learn some surprising reasons why you SHOULD know what's going on inside your computer, even if you're NOT a techie. These software tools will let you “x-ray” your PC, so you can see what's inside without touching a screwdriver. Read on...
Posted by Bob Rankin on February 19, 2025 | Category: Hardware
[TIP] Try These Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Check out these handy Windows 10 and 11 keyboard shortcuts that can save time, wrist motions, and for some people, carpal tunnel pain. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of two or more keys (or a key and a mouse button) that, when pressed simultaneously, perform a task that would normally require moving the mouse around, clicking, and possibly navigating sub-menus. There's even a useful super-secret keystroke that very few people know! Here are some keyboard shortcuts you should know, and try for yourself...
Posted by Bob Rankin on February 14, 2025 | Category: Windows
How to TurboCharge Your Internet Connection
It's a common question: “How can I speed up my Internet connection?” Unless you enjoy watching paint dry, a slow internet connection can be very frustrating, especially when you're trying to stream a movie, play an online game, or download a file. Sometimes the slowdown is beyond your control; the Internet is subject to traffic jams and congestion, just like any other highway. However, there are several steps you can take to speed up your internet connection. Here's a trove of tips and tools that can turbocharge your telecommunication tranmissions. Or maybe just increase the speed of your Internet connection...
Posted by Bob Rankin on February 11, 2025 | Category: Networking