AskBob's Best of 2024 - Part Two

Your Favorite AskBob Stories of 2024

In AskBob's Best of 2024 - Part One, some of the topics were focused on dealing with Windows 11, Free Software, Privacy, and Television. Looking at today, some of the key concepts that jump out at me are Spam, Speed and Safety. I hope you'll enjoy today's final Top Ten of 2024...

1. Which People Finder Sites are Legit?
A good man is hard to find, or so the saying goes. I first offered tips for “Finding People Online” way back in 2006, and updated that article with “Free People Search Tools” in 2020. Now I have to say it’s getting harder to find free information about people and places. If you’re looking for a name, address or phone number, I have some tips on websites you should avoid, and some that actually do what they say, for free. Here's the scoop...

2. Computer Problem? Test and Fix it Yourself
Has your computer been acting strangely? If you've already ruled out viruses and gremlins, a more likely reason is an error 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.

On a related note, if a sluggish computer is slowung you down, see SLOW Internet? Here's Why for my advice on diagnosing (and fixing) a slow Internet connection...

3. The Curious Case of the Accidental Spammer
Do your friends think you're spamming them? An anxious AskBob reader said: “Several of my email friends are complaining that I’m sending them spam emails. I’ve looked in my Sent folder and nothing odd shows up there. How can this be happening? Am I spamming in my sleep? Is it possible that someone has hacked into my email account, or is there another explanation?” Read on for the most likely answers to this mystery...

On the flip side, if spam is slipping into your inbox, see
My Almost-Perfect Spam Filter to learn how you can block 99.9 percent of all spam, phishing and malware emails, and declutter your inbox...

4. 10 Things That Cause Computer Crashes
Have you ever experienced the dreaded Blue Screen of Death? Does your computer lock up, freeze, crash, or display cryptic error messages?. This sort of problem can be very difficult to diagnose, because many things can cause a computer to crash (and even burn!). Before you blame those mischievous gremlins, here are ten common causes of computer crashes and some tips on how to deal with them...

One of the most common (and costly) failures in a hard drive crash. See Your Hard Drive Will Crash in 3, 2, 1... to learn the tell-tale signs of impending hard drive doom, some things you can do NOW to protect your data, and what to do if it's too late.

5. 14 Computer Facts That Are Not True
Hey... did you know? At midnight on March 31st, the Internet will be temporarily shut down for the annual Spring Cyber Cleaning? Read on to get the scoop on this, Abraham Lincoln's opinion on fake news, and other dubious facts, half-truths, and fictions about computers and the Internet...

6. [ALERT] Fake Facebook Profile - What to do?
A few weeks ago I got a message from an AskBob reader, alerting me that someone had made a fake Facebook profile in my name. The malefactor pretending to be me stole my profile picture, reposted some of my updates, and was already running a scam. Fortunately, that reader wasn’t fooled, and was kind enough to let me know about the bogus account. Sadly, this happens all the time. Here’s what I did, and what you need to know about fake Facebook profiles...

7. The Click That Could Cost You
Your mouse hovers over a link... your trembling finger is poised to click... but then you stop to think. Is there danger lurking behind that link? Do you know how to tell right away if a website (or link) is going to lead you into a world of hurt? A single click can trigger an unwanted download, a malware infection, stolen login credentials, ransomware, or identity theft. Here are some practical tips and tools you can use to click smarter...

8. REVEALED: How Creepy Marketers Get Your Email Address
Have you ever visited an online store, and later got an email from that website, even though you never provided your email address? I find this disturbing, and you probably will too, when you learn how and why this is happening. Read on to learn the source of mystery marketing messages...

9. How to Do Online Genealogy Research (your family tree)
Roots, the 1977 television mini-series based on Alex Haley's book, sparked a renewed interest in genealogy for many people. Back in the 70's, learning about your ancestors was a tedious job. But now, personal computers and the Internet make it MUCH easier. Are you curious about your relatives and ancestors, or wanting to create a family tree? Are you looking for software or websites where you can do genealogy research? Read on for some of the best online genealogy tools...

10. What Happens to Your Digital Assets 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, and one VERY important thing you should add to your will. Read on...

I hope you enjoy reading (or re-discovering) each of these stories, and of course, please leave your own comments! I'd also be grateful if you forward this to a friend who would enjoy it. If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for AskBob Updates. Happy New Year, I'll see you in 2025!