Rick's Daily Tips

How to fully protect your irreplaceable photos and documents

Posted on December 18, 2025

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I’m sure you’re aware that fires and other disasters destroy numerous homes and businesses across the country every year.

The total amount of property damage caused by these catastrophes boggles the mind, but in most cases insurance coverage helps the people affected at least rebuild their homes and businesses so they can move on with their lives.

Unfortunately, many families lose things that are even more precious to them than the structures they live and work in: All of their precious family photos and other irreplaceable documents. [Read more…]

Future-proofing sensitive data with Quantum Safe Technology

Posted on December 18, 2025

The data you protect today might become vulnerable tomorrow. Organizations worldwide store sensitive information with the assumption that current encryption methods will keep it secure for decades.

Medical records, financial transactions, government communications—all rely on cryptographic protocols designed in an era before quantum computing became a reality.

What happens when machines powerful enough to break these protections become widely accessible?

[Read more…]

Q&A: How do I print a receipt for an Amazon order?

Posted on December 17, 2025

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Question from Marisol: Hi, Rick. Thanks for all the help you give us on here. I have a pressing problem and I need your help ASAP if you don’t mind.

I ordered an Epson printer from Amazon and I received it a couple of days ago. Long story short, it doesn’t work. Can you help me with the return? [Read more…]

Q&A: Do you think I should try fixing my laptop myself?

Posted on December 16, 2025

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Question from Andrew: I have an HP laptop that I bought new just 3 months ago, and it already has a problem.

When I turn the laptop on I can smell a faint burning smell and see faint whiffs of smoke coming out of the keyboard.

The thing is it boots up normally and works fine and no part of the laptop seems to get hotter than it should (to the touch at least).

My question is do you think this might be something I can fix myself or do you recommend that I just go ahead and send it back? [Read more…]

Real-Time vs. On-Demand: Antivirus protection explained

Posted on December 16, 2025

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I’ve been receiving questions from folks who are confused about the terms Real-Time and On-Demand in regards to antivirus protection, so I thought it might be helpful to explain the difference between them here.

Both real-time and on-demand antivirus protection are important for keeping your computer free of viruses and other forms of malware, but while they are closely-related, they operate in very different ways. [Read more…]