AskBob's Best of 2016 - Part Two

In AskBob's Best of 2016 - Part One I focused on living with Windows 10, improving security, and going wireless. Looking at today, I see some of the same themes, but other key concepts that jump out at me are Google, saving money on your phone bill, ransomware, and keep your computer running optimally. I hope you'll enjoy today's final Top Ten of 2016...

1. Should You Trash Adobe Flash?

Adobe Flash is a favorite target of hackers and malware writers because it's old (dating back to the mid-1990s), complex, and riddled with hidden bugs. This year, Adobe issued dozens of critical security updates that fixed serious vulnerabilities, including one that could be exploited to deliver ransomware infections. Is it time to stick a fork in it?

2. Unwanted Windows 10 Features

Windows 10 comes with a myriad of new features in the core operating system and in standalone apps bundled with it. They can make Win10 confusing for some users; others are leery of features and apps that seem to invade privacy. If you don’t want a feature or app, you can get rid of it in most cases, but not all. Here are some things that many Windows 10 users don’t want, and how to get rid of them...

3. GMail Tricks You Probably Haven’t Tried

Google's GMail is the world’s best email system, in my opinion. With over a billion active users, it's also the most popular. GMail has many features that make life in your inbox more pleasant and productive, but today I'll show you some tricks it can do that most people have not discovered. Read on for the scoop…

4. STOP Wasting Money on Your Cell Phone

Your phone bill is probably one of the major monthly expenses in your budget. The average smartphone user spends $90 per month, while lucky iPhone owners spend about $111, according to a survey by Cowan and Co. Here are some tips for paring down that bill and keeping it under control…

5. Searching The Deep Web

There are over 60 trillion individual Web pages as of this writing. But that's only the very tip of the iceberg. Beyond what popular search engines offer up, there is a universe of information that's online and discoverable -- if you have the right skills and tools. Here's how to gain access to the rest of the Web...

6. Can MagicJack Replace Your Landline?

A reader asks: “I've seen commercials for Magic Jack, a device you can plug into your computer for really cheap phone service. It sounds too good to be true... is MagicJack a scam, or does it actually work? Can it really replace my landline?” Read on for answers...

7. The “No More Ransomware” Project

Ransomware is the fastest-growing scourge on the Internet. This diabolical form of malware, which encrypts one’s hard drive and demands payment for the key, has exploded in recent months. Here's what you can do to prevent a ransomware attack, and quickly recover if it does happen...

8. Restore Your PC To Factory Defaults?

A despairing reader writes, “I’ve managed to mess up my Windows PC to the point of no return. I give up; I just want to reset it to its factory-fresh condition and start all over. How do I do that?” Read on and I'll tell you how, and why you might NOT want to do this...

9. Tricks You Didn’t Know Google Chrome Can Do

Google’s Chrome browser is the most widely used browser, worldwide. Perhaps you've been using it for years, but there's always a new trick to discover. Read on to learn about some awesome, advanced, and hidden features of Chrome that can make it even more useful...

10. Improving Google Chrome Performance

The popular Chrome browser is where I spend most of my work day. But Chrome is known to consume vast amounts of system resources, sometimes slowing its own performance and that of everything else running on the same computer. Here's how to speed things up...

I hope you've enjoyed reviewing the most popular topics from the last twelve months. Please leave a comment, and don't forget to tell a friend about AskBobRankin.com, or share a link via Email or Facebook. Happy New Year!