Recent Comments
Comment by Renaud OLGIATI on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 25, 2026 07:58 AM)
For added security and speed gain, invest $35 in a Raspberry Pi, install the PiHole distribution, and give your router its IP Address as primary DSN. ...
Comment by Renaud OLGIATI on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 25, 2026 07:54 AM)
For added speed gain ans security, invest $35 in ...
Comment by Robert on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 25, 2026 12:45 AM)
My Pixel 9s' options are "off,Automatic, and Private DNS provider hostname." "Automatic" is already selected. I never selected that. Am I good to go?...
Comment by Chuck Meyer on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 24, 2026 11:15 PM)
On my Google Pixel 9, Enter one of these hostnames, then tap Save. Google: dns.google Cloudflare: one.one.one.one Quad9: dns.quad9.net ...
Comment by Bev on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 24, 2026 10:55 PM)
In re to DNS Host names listed for Android, is one better than another....you have 3 listed. Ty....
Comment by Ken H on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 24, 2026 09:42 PM)
According to the Open DNS website you linked, "Open DNS does not work with Starlink routers."...
Comment by Ron on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 24, 2026 08:36 PM)
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but setting your router to use OpenDNS or another service in an effort to protect the devices in your house from acces...
Comment by Ryan James on Change These Settings to Boost Speed, Security, Privacy (February 24, 2026 08:27 PM)
You lost me here " By twiddling a few numbers in your router's setup screens" and you never found me again from that point on....
Comment by Horatio on Big Brother is Tracking You (and how you can fight back) (February 22, 2026 07:09 PM)
Don't forget about FLOCK and ring cameras. Whether walking on foot or driving a vehicle, Big Broker is watching. It's not just in China anymore. We...
Comment by Ernest N. Wilcox Jr. on Big Brother is Tracking You (and how you can fight back) (February 21, 2026 08:41 PM)
I live by the theory that anytime I go outdoors, I can be tracked, so I should have no expectation of privacy there. When I'm on the Internet, for me ...
Personal Articles
Your Electrons Needed (and a favor...)
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Doctor, My Eyes!
Hi All! Today I’m taking a break from my usual job as Translator for the Technology Impaired, to share an “eye opening” story with my AskBob readers. If you’ve noticed I haven’t been publishing as regularly as usual lately, read on to see the reason for that. I think you’ll be glad you did...
...Can You Spare a Few Electrons?
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Hey, It's My (digital) Birthday!
Today I'm celebrating a birthday. It was 24 years ago, in July 1995, that The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace. And ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on, with my continuing guaranteed to make you better looking and 146% smarter. Read on!
...A Big Milestone + Geekly Update
Today I'm celebrating an anniversary -- 20 years of online publishing! The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace in July 1995, and ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on. Today's Geekly Update is an expanded version, with twenty items that are guaranteed to make you 146% smarter. Read, think and comment!
...Announcing... The Rankin File!
I've started a new website, and what better day to officially announce it than on my birthday? The Rankin File offers 'small business tech and tips' for those who run their own business. If you have a home-based business, a small business with employees, or you're even thinking about starting your own business, The Rankin File is for you! And as the name suggests, it's not just for business owners. If you're a secretary, office manager, or wannabe techie, my tips will help you score points with the boss. Read on to learn more about what you'll find in the Rankin File...
...Tourbus - The Final Bus Stop
In case you haven't heard, The Internet Tourbus is rolling up to its final stop. After 16 years of online publishing, Tourbus is one of the longest-running email newsletters. But two things have happened this year, prompting me to hit the brakes. Here's the full story...
...Who is Bob Rankin?
Every so often, people ask about my background, and how I got started with computers and the Internet. I've published bits and pieces of my bio before, but never a detailed account of my professional life. So here it is, with a few interesting personal asides...
...My Cholesterol Level is Too High!
After a routine physical, I got the news from my doctor that my cholesterol is too high. My diet is pretty healthy, and I'm not in bad shape for a 48-year-old guy. But this LDL and HDL stuff is a wakeup call for me. Clearly I need to exercise more and be aware of foods to avoid high cholesterol. So here's my 4-month plan to knock 40 or 50 points off that cholesterol number, without using any prescription drugs...
...Bonzai - It's a New Puppy!
I know I'm supposed to write about computers, the Internet and nifty gadgets, but life is more than all that electronic stuff. I'm so happy with my new puppy that I've just got to show him off...
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