Rick's Daily Tips

Why you should (almost) always login to WordPress using an ‘Editor’ account

Posted on April 11, 2024

Is your blog powered by WordPress? If so, you should know that you have a virtual target on your back.

More blogs run on WordPress than any other blogging platform, and that makes WordPress blogs a preferred target for the hackers of the world.

Unless you’ve taken steps to harden your blog against hacking attacks, it’s fairly easy for a skilled and determined hacker to either guess your WordPress login password or intercept it from the data stream that’s created when you log in to your WordPress Dashboard.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Can you recommend a good full-size Bluetooth mouse?

Posted on April 10, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Kenny: I have an Ultrabook that only has two USB ports, and I need those for my external hard drive and portable scanner.

I’ve been looking for a good Bluetooth mouse since they don’t need to be plugged into a USB port.

I’ve tried three different Bluetooth mice and found all of them to be too small to be comfortably used for extended periods of time.

I just can’t seem to find one that’s normal size. Do you know of one? [Read more…]

Q&A: What’s the best way to learn Linux?

Posted on April 10, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Marvin: I recently replaced my 2016 era Acer laptop with a new Windows 11 PC.

I used the Acer both for business and personal use but I’ve never really felt comfortable with that.

I read your article about replacing Windows with Linux and I’d like to install Linux on the Acer laptop because that option sounds intriguing to me.

I plan to use the new Windows 11 machine strictly for my business and the older Linux laptop for general Internet use.

The thing is I know absolutely nothing whatsoever about Linux and I have a couple of questions about it: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can counterfeit RAM damage a laptop?

Posted on April 9, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Hailey: Rick, I think I’ve gotten myself into a mess and I need your advice.

I recently purchased two RAM modules on Ebay to go an older laptop I own.

The modules I bought were listed and sold as Kingston brand but I just found out that the seller was busted for selling counterfeit computer parts.

The new RAM seems to be working fine in my laptop, but I was wondering if it might cause problems down the road. [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it safe to ‘Undervolt’ a PC to make it run cooler?

Posted on April 8, 2024

Question from Cory: I have a laptop with Windows 10 on it and it always runs hot. And it’s been that way since day one.

I’ve researched things I can do to make it run cooler but nothing I’ve tried has really helped.

The fan still runs constantly and the CPU temperature is running higher than it should according to the Core Temp app.

A guy I know who does IT work for our local hospital said I should try “Undervolting” the laptop to make it run cooler. He said it’s safe but I’m a little leery because I’ve heard that overclocking a computer can damage it.

I have several questions about this: [Read more…]