Recent Comments
Comment by Daniel G on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 10:18 PM)
I want to put the 'users' folder in a different partition. There are instructions on the internet on how to do it correctly...
Comment by cho on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 10:17 PM)
In my tower I have 3 separate Drives. Windows et.al. on one. 2 partitions, 1=OS, 2=data A separate drive for backups and imaging. And a separate driv...
Comment by Doug W. on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 10:06 PM)
I agree with Nigel. I too have two separate hard drives in my desktop PC, an SSD "C" drive for Windows and programs, and an HDD "F" drive for data. M...
Comment by Nigel A on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 09:27 PM)
I just have one hard drive which has everything in one partition. But my wife has 2 drives in her PC, an SSD for a "C" d=rive which has all the operat...
Comment by Bob K on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 08:41 PM)
In my case, my primary desktop machine runs Linux. I have a 2nd HD on it, and that is for my /home directory tree. Since most personal files end up ...
Comment by petefior on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 08:41 PM)
I agree with Walter; it makes sense to me to set up a separate large partition (D or E) to store all my personal data files that are independent from...
Comment by John on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 08:40 PM)
I agree with Leo mostly, but I prefer to keep my data IN a separate partition because if Windows has to be re-installed, I'm not reliant on a backup t...
Comment by GegC on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 08:38 PM)
I couldn't agree more that partitioning is a relic from the past for most users. But never forget that modern Windows install creates up to 4 partitio...
Comment by Alfredo Ramirez on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 08:15 PM)
I agree 120% with Bob. Partitioning drives belongs to another era, and it sitll survives. It's like the floppy disk icon: it will take a while to go a...
Comment by Walter on Hard Drive Partitioning: Myths, Mistakes and Misconceptions (April 25, 2024 08:00 PM)
My laptop computers have relative small drives, and I don't do any partioning on them. But for my main desktop PC, which has a larger drive, I do have...
Viruses Articles
Can You Get a Virus By Opening an Email?
A concerned AskBob reader wants to know... “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 for hackers, spammers, scammers, phishers and other cyber-miscreants that are jiggling the latches 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...
...Malware and Spam: Why Do They Exist?
Philosophers have pondered the nature of evil for ages. Perhaps you also have wondered how a medium meant for information sharing has become a minefield of privacy and security risks. Spam, viruses, ransomware, identity theft, data breaches, phishing, malicious links and other cybercrimes have become commonplace. Who does this stuff, and what the heck is wrong with them? Let's take a look at what motivates the miscreants who menace millions on the Internet...
...Is Your Flash Drive Infected?
Security research firm Sophos found malware on two-thirds of fifty USB flash drives that had been lost aboard Australian trains. That might suggest that you should avoid computing on Australian trains, but the broader lesson is that USB flash drives are highly vulnerable to malware infections. Here's what you need to know, and how to protect your computer from viruses that may lurk on flash drives...
...Where Do Viruses And Spyware Come From?
Several thousand new viruses and spyware programs are detected every day by security analysts. Have you ever wondered who creates these plagues, and why?
...Virus Alert - XP Total Security 2011
Somehow I got a virus called XP Total Security, and I can't get rid of it. It blocks my security software, and it won't let me download any new anti-virus tools. It's even asking me for money... how do I get rid of this thing?
...Should You Call The Geek Squad?
My computer is running really slow, and I think it might have a virus. There's also a ticking sound inside the computer. I'm not very technical, so I'm thinking about calling the Geek Squad. Do you think that's a good idea?
...How Does a Virus Spread?
I love your site and your Tourbus Newsletter! I would like to know how a virus propagates over a network? If you get a virus on one computer - do other users on the network have to do anything to get infected? Is there a good way to protect against this?
...Free Virus Scan
My computer has been acting strangely... at times it's very slow and I'm getting lots of popups. I'm afraid I have a virus, and the anti-virus software that came with my computer has expired. Can you recommend a good (and preferably free) virus scanner?
...How can I avoid computer viruses?
When I wrote in a previous article that You CANNOT get a virus just by opening or reading your email I fully expected it would unleash a torrent of emails in response. I knew this would happen, because Ask Bob Rankin readers are generally smarter and better-looking than the rest of the online population. Read on for Virus Prevention 102 -- even more information on virus prevention and the merits of anti-virus software.
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