Ask Bob Rankin tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2 2013-05-24T15:54:36Z Need tech support? Go ahead... Ask Bob Rankin about computers, viruses, spyware, search engines or almost anything about the Internet. Movable Type 3.21 Computer Security: The Missing Link tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3967 2013-05-24T15:44:43Z 2013-05-24T15:54:36Z Is your computer really secure? If you have antivirus software, malware scanners and a firewall, you might think you're safe from hackers, crackers and identity thieves. But chances are, you're missing one critical piece of the security puzzle. Read on... Bob Rankin Is your computer really secure? If you have antivirus software, malware scanners and a firewall, you might think you're safe from hackers, crackers and identity thieves. But chances are, you're missing one critical piece of the security puzzle. Read on to learn how to secure your software and truly lock down your computer...

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]]> How Does Antivirus Software Work? tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3966 2013-05-23T15:53:44Z 2013-05-23T15:55:25Z Antivirus software’s first job is to detect viruses and other types of malware before they do their damage. There are two ways to identify malware, and a number of variations on these basic strategies. Here's a plain-English description of how... Bob Rankin Antivirus software’s first job is to detect viruses and other types of malware before they do their damage. There are two ways to identify malware, and a number of variations on these basic strategies. Here's a plain-English description of how antivirus software gets the job done...

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]]> Geekly Update - 22 May 2013 tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3965 2013-05-22T16:16:14Z 2013-05-22T16:18:18Z Was Elmer Fudd a true visionary when he saw the future possibility of Smell-o-Vision? Will robot bartenders be demanding your carkeys after your second drink? And how about some tasty food-like objects, served up by your 3D printer? Get answers... Bob Rankin Was Elmer Fudd a true visionary when he saw the future possibility of Smell-o-Vision? Will robot bartenders be demanding your carkeys after your second drink? And how about some tasty food-like objects, served up by your 3D printer? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

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]]> Is Someone Stealing My WiFi? tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3964 2013-05-21T16:11:42Z 2013-05-21T16:15:35Z Is your wireless Internet connection sometimes mysteriously slow? It's possible that you're sharing it with a stranger. But how can you know for sure if a neighbor or a malicious hacker has tapped into your wifi? Read on to learn... Bob Rankin Is your wireless Internet connection sometimes mysteriously slow? It's possible that you're sharing it with a stranger. But how can you know for sure if a neighbor or a malicious hacker has tapped into your wifi? Read on to learn how you can detect bandwidth bandits, and give them the boot...

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]]> Send Money With Gmail tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3963 2013-05-20T17:20:10Z 2013-05-20T17:22:03Z Google has announced a new feature that will make it possible to send money from using Gmail. If you already know how to send a photo or document in an email attachment, you'll have no problem sending money with Gmail.... Bob Rankin Google has announced a new feature that will make it possible to send money from using Gmail. If you already know how to send a photo or document in an email attachment, you'll have no problem sending money with Gmail. So how does it work, and how does it compare to similar features offered by Paypal? Read on to learn more...

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]]> Why Does Malware Exist? tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3962 2013-05-17T16:24:15Z 2013-05-17T16:26:32Z Computer viruses are everywhere. Spam is abounding. Computer intrusions, identity theft, denial of service attacks and other cybercrimes are commonplace. Who does this stuff, and what’s wrong with them? Let's take a look at what motivates the miscreants who menace... Bob Rankin Computer viruses are everywhere. Spam is abounding. Computer intrusions, identity theft, denial of service attacks and other cybercrimes are commonplace. Who does this stuff, and what’s wrong with them? Let's take a look at what motivates the miscreants who menace millions on the Internet...

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]]> Best Browser for Malware Protection? tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3961 2013-05-16T14:11:08Z 2013-05-16T19:38:44Z Web browsers are used to interact with the Internet more than any other type of software. So it’s no surprise that the latest malware tries to infiltrate computers via Web browsers. But which browser does the best job of protecting... Bob Rankin Web browsers are used to interact with the Internet more than any other type of software. So it’s no surprise that the latest malware tries to infiltrate computers via Web browsers. But which browser does the best job of protecting you? Read on for some surprising test results...

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]]> Geekly Update - 15 May 2013 tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3960 2013-05-15T17:03:57Z 2013-05-15T22:18:06Z Oh no... is Youtube going to start charging to watch videos? How are some parents connecting their baby's diaper to the Internet? And can an iPad literally stop your heart from beating? Get answers to these burning questions, and the... Bob Rankin Oh no... is Youtube going to start charging to watch videos? How are some parents connecting their baby's diaper to the Internet? And can an iPad literally stop your heart from beating? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

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]]> Download Free Clip Art and Stock Photos tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3959 2013-05-14T18:17:40Z 2013-05-14T18:19:24Z If you're a student working on a school project, a volunteer creating a brochure, or a webmaster for a personal or non-profit website, you need clip art images, icons and stock photos to make it look professional. But your budget... Bob Rankin If you're a student working on a school project, a volunteer creating a brochure, or a webmaster for a personal or non-profit website, you need clip art images, icons and stock photos to make it look professional. But your budget is limited, or zero. Fortunately, the Internet is a treasure trove of free artwork and photography. Some can even be used for commercial uses as well. Here's where to look for free clipart and stock photos...

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]]> The Truth About Discount Ink Cartridges tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3958 2013-05-13T17:25:00Z 2013-05-13T17:26:18Z A reader asks: 'Are discount inkjet cartridges a good deal? I've heard they can ruin your printer, void your warranty, and that the quality is lacking. Others have told me they're great and can save you lots of money. What's... Bob Rankin A reader asks: 'Are discount inkjet cartridges a good deal? I've heard they can ruin your printer, void your warranty, and that the quality is lacking. Others have told me they're great and can save you lots of money. What's the scoop on cheap ink cartridges?' Read on for my advice about inkjet cartridges...

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]]> HOWTO: Clean Up Your Hard Drive tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3957 2013-05-10T15:08:34Z 2013-05-10T15:20:59Z Are you running out of space on your hard drive? Does it take forever to do backups? Maybe you're getting that annoying LOW DISK SPACE message. Don't ignore it, or your computer could soon begin to malfunction. Here are some... Bob Rankin Are you running out of space on your hard drive? Does it take forever to do backups? Maybe you're getting that annoying LOW DISK SPACE message. Don't ignore it, or your computer could soon begin to malfunction. Here are some free tools to clean up your hard drive and make sure your computer is running smoothly...

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]]> Secure Backup: Solves TWO Problems tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3956 2013-05-09T16:03:02Z 2013-05-09T16:08:22Z A backup copy of your data is not insurance against viruses and other malware infections, if the backup copy is also infected. The obvious solution is to scan and clean your files before they get backed up. Now, a popular... Bob Rankin A backup copy of your data is not insurance against viruses and other malware infections, if the backup copy is also infected. The obvious solution is to scan and clean your files before they get backed up. Now, a popular Internet security developer makes that easy, and throws in cloud storage as well. Here's what you need to know...

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]]> Geekly Update - 8 May 2013 tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3955 2013-05-08T16:16:55Z 2013-05-08T16:18:35Z When is it okay to spy on people through their webcams? Is now a good time to buy real estate on the Moon or other planets? And what's the most reliable Windows laptop? (Hint: Cupertino) Get answers to these burning... Bob Rankin When is it okay to spy on people through their webcams? Is now a good time to buy real estate on the Moon or other planets? And what's the most reliable Windows laptop? (Hint: Cupertino) Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

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]]> Awesome 3D Printers for Everyone tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3954 2013-05-07T16:14:43Z 2013-05-07T19:08:24Z There's a new manufacturing revolution happening. 3D printers are empowering the masses to make their own stuff. With some entry-level printers selling for less than $500, there's never been a better time to try your hand at 3D printing. Read... Bob Rankin There's a new manufacturing revolution happening. 3D printers are empowering the masses to make their own stuff. With some entry-level printers selling for less than $500, there's never been a better time to try your hand at 3D printing. Read on to learn more about these little wonders...

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]]> HOWTO: Convert VHS Tapes to DVD tag:askbobrankin.com,2013://2.3953 2013-05-06T16:40:08Z 2013-05-06T16:42:38Z Let's face it... your old VHS tapes with treasured family memories won't last forever. Even if the VCR doesn't eventually jam and eat the tape, a VHS recording uses fragile magnetic tape that degrades over time, whether you watch it... Bob Rankin Let's face it... your old VHS tapes with treasured family memories won't last forever. Even if the VCR doesn't eventually jam and eat the tape, a VHS recording uses fragile magnetic tape that degrades over time, whether you watch it or not. Don't count on those VHS tapes (or your VCR player) lasting forever -- convert your VHS tapes to DVD format today, and save those memories for posterity...

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