Old-school fax machines are the dinosaurs of the communications world, but sending a fax from your computer is a convenient, money-saving way to communicate with people who insist on paper documents. There are several ways to send a free fax right from your computer, even if you don't have a fax machine. Here's how you can start faxing from your PC, Mac or mobile device...

Are Internet Service Providers ganging up with cybercriminals to spread malware? Will politicians be exempted from Gmail's spam filtering algorithm? Is NASA launching microwave ovens into space? And did you hear about the dyslexic insomniac agnostic who stayed up all night wondering if there really is a dog? 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!

An AskBob reader says: “I've been using Gmail for over a year, and it works great. But I'm a little nervous that there's no obvious way to backup my contacts and email messages, just in case. Is there a solution you can recommend?” Yes, read on to learn how to back up your Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook.com email data.

A reader asks: “I accidentally deleted two folders that contained some very important files. I tried one of those free undelete programs, but it didn't find my files. Can you recommend a more powerful recovery tool? I'm willing to spend a few bucks if it really works.” Yes, I do have a recommendation. Read on to learn about this data recovery power tool...

Have you seen those TV commercials for an odd-sounding gadget called Ooma that promises to replace your landline, virtually eliminate your phone bill, and give you crystal clear voice quality? Read on to see if this home phone device lives up to the hype...

If you live in a rural or remote area, your Internet access options are limited. DSL, fiber and cable internet service are not available in many thinly-populated areas. Forget about 5G and even 4G cellular access. For many rural residents, Internet access boils down to a choice between miserably slow dial-up and satellite Internet access. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of satellite internet service...

Can your old smartphone tell if you are likely to develop Alzheimer's? Has a Google artificial intelligence project achieved sentience and human emotions? And have we finally "kist" cancer goodbye? 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!

Security software vendor McAfee publishes a list of the 'most dangerous celebrities.' It has nothing to do with how many times they've been in rehab, or how 'bad' their screen persona may be. It's their popularity that induces cyber-criminals to create malicious websites. Here's what you need to know before you head off to your favorite search tool...

Benjamin Franklin famously said that nothing is certain except death and taxes. Sooner or later, we'll all kick the bucket, cash in our chips, or shed the mortal coil. Sure, you may have a will, but what happens to your digital assets – your data and online accounts? That's where digital estate planning comes into play. Think of it as having a backup plan to give those left behind, so they can access your data. Here’s what you need to know…

A computer monitor (also called a screen or display) is often kept for many years, even longer than the computer to which it was originally connected. So when it’s finally time to replace your monitor, you may find that that new rules apply to its purchase that were unheard of when you bought it. Here are some of those new rules, without getting too geeky or extravagant...

Is that handy app on your phone watching and tracking your every move? Can you sell your digital soul for cash, or at least a gift card? Is there an app to help locate the best local gasoline price? And is there really Nothing to see here? 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!

You know a technology is catching on when malware creeps start using it to snare unwary users. QR codes, those little squares of black and white patterns that you see in various places are typically benign shortcuts for mobile users, but they can carry a nasty (and expensive) payload. Read on for the scoop...

An AskBob reader wonders: “How can I speed up my laptop? It's so much slower than my desktop for most tasks, and it bogs down when I try to open more than one program. Should I replace the hard drive, add more memory, or take some other actions?” Check out my advice on how to improve the performance of your trusty laptop. Most of these tips will help if you have a desktop, too! Read on...

The U.S. broadband market is dominated by just a handful of companies that provide high-speed Internet, TV and phone service. And most of their customers pay far more than they should for those services. Here’s why, and how to avoid money grabs from your phone company or cable operator...

An AskBob reader asks: “Can I really get satellite TV for free? I've heard about free satellite TV channels one can receive with a free-to-air satellite receiver and dish. Is this true? If so, what satellite channels can I get, what equipment do I need, and is it legal?” The short answer is YES, you can. Read on to learn about free satellite TV options...