The Web is full of wonder and knowledge, but as the amount of online information keeps growing, it's getting harder to find exactly what you need. A simple search for a keyword or phrase can turn up millions of results, and they're not always ranked by relevance. At the same time, search engines can sometimes reveal surprising answers to questions you would not expect them to solve. Here are a few tips to help you get more from search engines, or less, if that's what you need. Read on...

Here's a common reader 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...

Did you hear that sound?... another unwanted email with a fake “From” address just went "THUD" in your inbox. I'll bet you wish you could find out where it actually came from. And what about that email you got several days after it was sent? Read on to learn about some free tools that can help with both situations...

A worried AskBob reader looking for tech help asks: “My computer is very sluggish, and I think it might have a virus. There's also a ticking sound inside the computer. I'm not very technical, so I'm thinking about calling the Geek Squad. Do you think that's a good idea?” Here's my advice...

You lock your doors at night. You avoid sketchy phone calls. You’re careful about what you post on social media. But what about the information about you that’s already out there, without your permission? Did you know... your digital footprint can lead right to your front door? Read on to learn how to cover those tracks...

Did you ever wish you could jot down a text message now, but have it land in someone's inbox at the perfect moment, like later today, or first thing tomorrow? Scheduling your outbound messages lets you do just that, without staying up late or forgetting to send it later. In this article, you'll find practical reasons to schedule messages, self-reminder tricks, and step-by-step guides for Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp, plus a bonus on how to do the same with your email. Read on!

Craigslist is a free online classified ads site that's been around over 30 years, offering a way to buy and sell goods or services locally. In recent years, alternatives such as Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, OfferUp and Poshmark have also become popular. Lots of people use these sites every day for legitimate transactions, but if you're not careful, you could end up getting scammed by a Schmeckpeper. What's a Schmeckpeper? Read on for the answer, online marketplace traps to avoid, and my personal scam stories...

Computers and cars have one thing in common: both tend to accumulate junk in hard-to-reach places. Cleaning out your car can be a messy, sweaty job with plenty of opportunities for back injuries. Cleaning out a PC is a more civilized affair. Cluttered drives can make your computer feel sluggish, cause backups to take longer, and can even prevent updates from installing. Here are some free tools to clean up your hard drive, improve system performance, and make sure your backups run smoothly. Ready to jettison the detritus? Read on...

According to a report produced by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft affected over 18 million U.S. consumers in 2024, with losses over $27 billion. Spikes have been noted in 'new account fraud' and 'account takeover fraud' -- two of the most damaging types of ID theft. I haven’t found stats for 2025 yet, but we can assume they’re equally dismal. Read on for my tips on avoiding fraud and identity theft, and see if you've made any mistakes that can make it easier for scammers to victimize you...

Today’s topic sounds geeky, but I promise I'll explain it all in plain English and show you how to make your Internet usage faster, safer, and more private. In the past, I have recommended using alternative DNS as a means to a faster and more reliable Web browsing experience. But faster surfing isn't the only benefit of switching your DNS servers. Read on...

You’re driving to work, your phone in the cup holder, your EZ-Pass humming quietly on the windshield. Maybe you’ve got OnStar in the background, logging every turn, every speed bump, every time you hit the brakes. At home, your Wi-Fi router blinks, feeding your Netflix habit. But underneath all of that, there’s a quiet, invisible web of surveillance that can map where you live, where you shop, and who you hang out with, often without you even knowing. Here's what you need to know, and do...

Have you ever searched for someone’s phone number or address and found yourself watching a dramatic “searching databases” animation, only to be told that you must pay before you can see any real results? Behind the promise of instant access to public records lies a user journey built on endless progress screens, and a paywall that pops up only after you’ve invested time and attention. If you've experienced that moment when a supposedly simple lookup turns into a bait-and-switch rabbit hole, read on! I have both a warning and a promise of something that really works and is really free...

Have you ever experienced the dreaded Blue Screen of Death? Does your PC or Mac computer lock up, freeze, crash, or display cryptic error messages? Thess sorts of problem can be very difficult to diagnose, because many things can cause a desktop computer or laptop to crash (and even burn!). Before you blame those mischievous gremlins, here are some common causes of computer crashes and some tips on how to deal with them...

Air travel is back in full swing, so demand for flights is high. But finding the cheapest airfare for your business or pleasure trip takes a bit of cunning. It also helps to use specialized online search tools. But sometimes getting the cheapest flights has more to do with timing than tools. Here's what you need to know before booking your next flight, in order to get the lowest fares possible. I also have some nifty power tools for flyers. Read on...

Did you know that Nail-Biting Refreshes The Feet? Oh, sorry... I meant to say “The Best Things In Life Are Free.” How did that come out so wrong? I must have had my brain hooked up to that anagram generator too long. Read on for a batch of fun links that will help you improve your vocabulary, win at word games, and impress your friends with linguistic legerdemain, lexical labyrinths, and laugh-out-loud letterplay. Ready, set, go!