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!

Mobile phone service plans can be confusing. You pay for a bucket of minutes, text messages, and mobile data. But at the end of each month, you may see that you didn't use all you paid for. Or worse, you have to pay EXTRA for going over your allotment of minutes or data. And then there are the hidden fees, and inscrutable contract stipulations. Ting Mobile feels your pain, and promises not to rely on confusion to turn a profit. Read on to check out some of the Ting plans that can save you money on your mobile phone bill...

Hey, did you catch Part One of my “Best of 2025” series? Well, buckle up, because today I’m serving up another round of ten wildly popular AskBob articles! These gems were carefully curated with assistance from a secret cabal of quantum robots, obscure blockchain vaults, poorly encrypted satellite feeds, and a questionable AI toolkit allegedly sourced from “Vinny the IT guy” who may or may not have a keycard to the Hadron Collider. I hope you'll dive in, leave your own comments, and share them with your email buddies and social media contacts. Let's go!

I want to give a big THANK YOU to you, and to the 130,000+ amazing people who’ve subscribed to the AskBob newsletter since it all started back in 2005! This year marks the 20th anniversary of the newsletter, with more than 3,000 articles (and counting) on the site. I’m especially grateful for all of you who read regularly, and share your thoughts in the comments. And since I’m a bit of a numbers geek as well as a word guy, I asked my trusty robot helper to dig through the server logs and find the most popular articles of the year. Here are ten of the top picks for you to check out. Take a look, leave a comment, share a favorite with a friend, and invite them to sign up for more AskBob tips in the year ahead!

Artificial intelligence is changing how people work, play, and connect online. But it's also changing how cybercriminals operate. Experts say 2026 will bring faster, smarter attacks powered by AI. These threats won’t just target companies, they’ll come after regular people too. Here's what you need to know, and do...

Almost every television sold these days is advertised as a Smart TV. Behind the screen, these TVs are computers with an operating system, a hard drive, and Internet connectivity. They also have cameras, a microphone, and sophisticated software that allows them to collect and sell your viewing data. And because they are constantly connected, the same risks (malware and hacking) that apply to computers also apply to smart TVs. Read on to learn about the privacy and security risks of smart TVs, and what you can do to minimize them...

The gift-giving season is upon us. Should you buy device insurance, protection plans, or extended warranties for your shiny new electronics or appliances? I make no bones about my disdain for these “protection rackets,” which are all heavily rigged in the seller’s favor. Why else would they try so hard to sell these plans at the point of purchase? Here's what you need to know about mobile device insurance, extended warranties for your gadgets or appliances, and my thoughts on what’s wrong with them...

Do you know the best month of the year to shop for a new or used car? Are auto prices rising or falling? Today I have some tips for car buying that will help you avoid scams, save money, and get the car you want. You may not even have to set foot in a dealer showroom. Read on...

Do you need an alias for your email? In today’s digital landscape, the answer is increasingly “yes.” Email aliases offer a blend of privacy and security, unmatched by traditional single-address email setups. The idea is to cloak your real address behind unique, disposable alternatives, helping you keep your inbox cleaner and your private information safer. Read on for my tips...

A desperate AskBob reader says, “I’ve managed to mess up my Windows system to the point of no return. It seems hopeless, so now I'm ready to hit the reset button, and return Windows to factory-fresh condition. How do I do that?” Read on and I'll tell you how, and why you might NOT want to use the Nuclear Option...

Have you noticed that smart phones and other electronic gadgets become obsolete almost as fast as the news these days. If you like to stay on the bleeding edge, you'll upgrade your tech gadgets at every opportunity. But what's the best way to get cash for your used iPhone, Android smartphone, or other electronics, without getting scammed? And is it a good idea to buy a used phone? Here are several ways you can sell (or buy) a used cell phone, tablet, laptop, digital camera, video game, or other gear...