AskBob's Best of 2022 - Part One

Your Favorite AskBob Stories of 2022

As always, there were some key concepts that dominated the year in tech. Email... Security... Privacy... Those phrases, along with tips, tricks and computer troubleshooting advice also popped up often in the most popular items published here during 2022. Whether you're a long-time reader, or a recent subscriber, I'm sure you'll enjoy reviewing the first installment of my "Top Ten" list below. Part Two will be arriving tomorrow...

1. Yes, You Can Get Free Satellite TV

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...

2. Can Simply Opening an Email Trigger a Virus?

Is it possible to get a computer virus by simply opening an email? It's true that email has been and remains one of the most popular attack vectors. Hackers, spammers, scammers, phishers and other cyber-miscreants are all knocking on the door of your inbox. But is it really that easy to slip in, and wreak havoc on your computer? Let's find out...

3. [ALERT] Smishing Scams On The Rise

Scammers and other cyber-crooks are endlessly adaptable, switching to new attack vectors as rapidly as users catch on to old ones. One of the “new” vectors is actually many years old, but it’s achieving some prominence now as mobile phones have become nearly ubiquitous and users have raised their guards against email phishing scams. Read on for the scoop, and how to protect yourself from “smishing” attacks...

4. Who is The Most Dangerous Person on the Web?

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...

5. Test and Fix Your Computer Hardware

Is your computer acting strangely? If you've already ruled out a virus, it might be gremlins. But more likely, a software error is being caused by a hardware component that's flaky, damaged, or overheated. Here are some tips and tools to help you diagnose and fix those annoying or intermittent computer problems that just seem to pop up for no apparent reason...

6. Telltale Signs Your Identity Been Stolen

A missing wallet or purse sets off an instant alarm, but many victims of identity theft don't realize it until months after the fact, when the damage has been done to their finances and credit. Nobody wants to be a victim of identity theft, but if you're lucky (or you know the signs), you'll quickly realize when your identity has been stolen. Here's what to look for if you're concerned about possible identity theft...

7. Can You UN-erase a File or Folder?

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...

8. Tips and Tricks For Chrome (and Edge) Browsers

Google Chrome is the most popular browser, with a dominant worldwide market share. Perhaps you've been using it for years, but there's always a new trick to discover. And now that Microsoft Edge is built on the same Chromium codebase, they look and work much the same. Read on to learn about some awesome, advanced, and semi-secret features of Chrome and Edge that can make them even more useful...

9. What Happens to Your Data When You Die?

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 about Digital Estate Planning...

10. Time To Replace Your Computer?

Is Your Computer Obsolete? An AskBob reader asks: 'Our computer is just three years old, but my teenager says it is obsolete. He wants us to buy a new computer with more speed, more memory, bigger hard drive, and a larger monitor. Can you give me some pointers on how to determine if I really need to buy a new computer?' Sure, here's my advice...

I hope you enjoy reading (or re-discovering) each of these, and of course, leave your own comments! If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for AskBob Updates, or forward this to a friend who would enjoy it. Tomorrow I'll publish Part Two of AskBob's Best of 2022, so stay tuned!