I’m often asked about how I handle passwords for all the different sites that require passwords.
The questioner’s eyes get pretty big when I mention that I use random mixtures of letters and numbers for my passwords, and even bigger when I say that I use a different password on every site.
The immediate question is “How [...]

Occasionally when I’m installing a new program, or updating an existing program, I run into a special issue. Yes, that’s probably the right term for it — when my security software does exactly what it’s supposed to do — and blocks the software installation or upgrade/update.
Such was the case this week with the surprise update [...]

I recently updated from NOD32 version 2.7 to the latest v3.0. I found that Eset has dramatically simplified the structure of the NOD32 controls. They had been criticized in the past as creating a great product for advanced PC users.
The new version has a simplified “Standard Mode” that is much easier to use.
The Advanced Mode [...]

Once upon a time, Netscape was THE Internet web browser — and it was a commercial product. Then, along came the big bad wolf. He dreamed of world (wide web) conquest and so he wrote his own web browser; then, he gave it away with the operating system he sold.
It was bad, but it [...]

In every issue of my weekly online computer tips newsletter, I have my current security software recommendations. In that article, I write about the programs that I choose for antivirus, antispyware/antiadware, firewall and antispam. I also include a paragraph in the article on using a cable / DSL router.
But, I guess I haven’t had enough [...]

I guess it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten on the Firefox versus Internet Explorer subject in my newsletter. For a while last year, I beat it to death…
But, recently, in responding to a reader’s question, I mentioned that I recommended Firefox over IE for web browsing. His response was “You Do?”
The reason that [...]

Are you safe when you use the wireless network at your local coffee shop or airport? Maybe. Maybe not.
Are you accidentally sharing your files on your computer? Is your computer “trusting” connection attempts from the other computers at the hostspot?
A reader asked me
To improve security when using Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or traveling, [...]

I received a question from subscriber and friend Ralph Campbell, who asked:
A number of times I have seen you refer disparagingly of “Active-x controls”.
I have seen downloads that require Active X to run properly. I have read the definition of the program, but, I guess I am [...]

First, be sure to connect to the router using an Ethernet cable for your configuration work – otherwise, with the first change, you’ll get locked out. If you are using wireless to login to the router, if you get locked out, you’ll have to wait for the router to time out and close that login.
Know [...]

Those of us with home networks usually share files, or at least printers, across our network.
This nice feature allows several computers to share and use one or more printers. At my house, we share an HP Laserjet 1200 and an HP ColorJet printer. That way, any printer can print color pages when we need them [...]