Rick's Daily Tips

Scam alert: Don’t fall for this dangerous virus notification scam

Posted on June 9, 2024

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

As you probably already know, scams and hoaxes are everywhere these days, and some of them are quite believable and compelling.

It’s very easy to fall for some of these scams because they mimic actions that are taken by legitimate programs and online services.

One of the most dangerous scams that’s making the rounds right now is the insidious “Your computer has a virus!” scam. There are several variations of this scam, but they typically work something like this… [Read more…]

How to disable ‘Smart Compose’ in Gmail

Posted on June 9, 2024

If you use Gmail you’ve probably noticed how Google provides suggestions for how to complete your sentences as you’re typing out your emails.

This feature is called “Smart Compose”, and Google’s stated reason for providing it is to help you write your emails faster by providing suggested text snippets based upon your past writings.

As with all things, some folks love the Smart Compose feature, while others detest it. [Read more…]

This clock is perfect for people with memory loss issues

Posted on June 8, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

If you have a loved one who is dealing with memory loss issues due to Dementia, Alzheimer’s or simple advanced age, you’ve probably noticed that it’s hard for them to keep track of the current time, date, and day of the week.

Thankfully, there is a wonderful clock that can help ease that burden and restore part of their lost independence. [Read more…]

Scam alert: Don’t fall for this irritating Facebook Privacy hoax

Posted on June 8, 2024

It seems that the scammers and spammers rarely take a break from their Facebook activities, and right now they seem to be working overtime.

Every now and then a slightly new variation of the old “Facebook Privacy” hoax pops up, prompting millions of Facebook users to fall for the hoax and share it with their friends.

The latest incarnation of this hoax is actually a retread of an old one that makes the rounds several times a year. It reads something like this: [Read more…]

Did you know Google is an excellent ‘site search’ tool?

Posted on June 7, 2024

You’ve probably noticed that the built-in search tools on most websites often do a horrible job at helping you find the exact content you’re looking for on those sites.

For example, if you make even the slightest of a misspelling of a single word in your search term, the search will usually come up empty.

What’s more, most site search tools won’t suggest posts/pages from the site that are closely related to, but slightly different from the actual search term.

Google excels in situations like those, and that’s why I almost always use Google instead of a website’s native search tool.

[Read more…]