I want to say THANKS again to all those who have sent comments and questions about backups. I'm really excited about the launch of my new ebook 'Everything You Need to Know About BACKUPS' and since I mentioned it last week, lots of you have been asking how and when you can get it. I'll answer that question in today's issue, but I also want to share some Backup Success Stories and talk to you about my Personal Backup Strategy. Read on!

The Better Business Bureau is warning car sellers of a scam that can cost victims just a few dollars or all the hassles of identity theft. If you have bought or sold a used car, you’ve probably seen a “vehicle history report” from a service such as CarFax. Such a report may include information that can help you avoid buying a lemon, or help you get a higher price if you are selling. But it’s important to get vehicle history reports from reliable sources, to avoid being victimized. Whether you are buying or selling, here's what you need to know…

All I can say is THANK YOU... and Wow! Since my Tuesday post laying out 9 Good Reasons for Backups, I have received so much positive feedback about my upcoming ebook 'Everything You Need to Know About Backups'. Since we've covered the WHY, today I'm going to talk about WHAT you need to back up. (Do YOU have all the bases covered?) Read on...

Will soon-coming 5G wireless signals fry your brain? Is there a secret microphone in your home? Why did 62 million people enjoy a picture of an egg more than the Super Bowl half-time show? And is it a good idea to call Uber if you need a getaway car for a bank robbery? 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!

It's a really good question... why should you bother to make backups? It's especially understandable if you've never experienced any sort of data loss. But I've got a list of NINE reasons, some of which may surprise you. Read on for that list, and ANSWERS to some of the best questions I've received about backups...

Google has re-ignited a years-old feud with police departments by extending a feature of its Waze navigation app to Google Maps. The New York City Police Department has sent Google a cease-and-desist letter claiming that users “may be engaging in criminal conduct” by interfering with enforcement of traffic laws. Google replies that it merely helps motorists drive more responsibly with fewer delays. Read what’s at issue and form your own opinion…

A new Chrome browser extension from Google will alert you if the username and password you are about to enter on a website have been compromised. The Password Checkup extension checks your credentials against a database of four billion login credentials that Google knows have been compromised. I recommend that you give it a try, read on to learn the details...

Are geeks at MIT sending secret messages into your head with laser beams? Should you be concerned about the recent breach of 2.2 billion usernames and passwords? And why is some guy you've never heard of hailed as one of most influential people on the Internet? 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!

Another startup that brings free over-the-air TV to Internet users is gathering attention. Locast claims it is different from the ill-fated Aereo service that was sued out of existence by national broadcasters in 2016. Can it coexist peacefully with broadcasters and cable companies? Read on to learn Locast’s legal argument and business model, and if it's available in your area...

A reader asks: 'My 2-year-old hard drive is making a clicking sound. It started recently and seems to be getting more frequent. Sometimes I hear a repeated click-whir sound when starting or using my computer. Does this mean my hard drive is going bad?' Yikes! Read on to learn what that means, and what you should do if it happens to you...

Occasionally, readers ask me if they need to update their drivers. Do popups keep appearing on your screen, with warnings like 'Your drivers are out of date'? Are you getting emails or phone calls to that effect? One reader said 'I am not even sure what a driver is, but if everything seems to be working fine, do I really need to update them?' Here's the scoop on device drivers, what they are, what they do, and when to update them...

A few months ago, I asked if everyone was ready for a digital driver's license. I noted that limited trials of Digital Driver's Licenses (DDLs) were underway in Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Wyoming and the District of Columbia. Now, Louisiana emerges as the first State to offer a Digital Driver's License to the general public. Read on to see how it works and how it has been received...

We all know that photographs are easily faked. Audio recordings, too, are routinely manipulated or even created from whole cloth. Now it seems video is becoming a new frontier in which what you see and hear cannot be trusted. I’m not talking about simply editing video to omit or re-order parts of it. I mean computer-generated video that realistically depicts a recognizable person doing things he or she never really did. Here's what you need to know about deep fakes...

How good are you at identifying potentially malicious emails? (Take the phishing quiz and find out.) Will your smart toilet report your 'activities' to the government? And how likely are you to be a victim of 'friendly fraud'? 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!

Easy, no-hassle returns of merchandise have been critical to Amazon’s success. The e-commerce giant does not publish returns figures, but analysts estimate the MSRP value of returns runs into billions of dollars annually. What happens to all that returned merchandise? The answers may surprise you... read on!