Rick's Daily Tips

Warning: Don’t let hackers take control of your WiFi security camera(s)

Posted on October 31, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Have you installed one or more WiFi security cameras to protect your home and family from intruders?

If so, it’s extremely important to protect your camera(s) with a password that’s both strong and unique.

If you’ve been watching the news of late you know there have been several very disturbing reports of hackers remotely accessing insecure WiFi cameras to intimidate and terrify homeowners. [Read more…]

Monthly Tech Giveaway – November 2025

Posted on October 31, 2025

Note: The links on this page are affiliate links.

October’s winner will receive a fantastic Lenovo Idea Tab 11″ Tablet with Pen.

This premium Android tablet can do most anything you need a tablet to do (and you’ll love the large 11 inch screen).

All subscribers to the Standard edition of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter have an equal chance to win.

Premium subscribers have two chances to win (their email addresses are added to the “pot” twice).

Not a subscriber? Just enter your email address in the sign-up form on this page.

Once subscribed you’ll be eligible to win each month’s drawing – starting with this month. Better yet, opt for a Premium subscription for double the chance to win!

The drawing for this month’s prize will be held on November 30 and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

How to quickly find out if your Internet service is down (without calling your ISP)

Posted on October 30, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Unfortunately, Internet outages are to be expected from time to time.

Storms knock down transmission lines, backbone cables get cut via construction mishaps, routing and switching gear go belly up… the reasons for Internet outages are many.

The thing is, when your Internet stops working it can be hard to determine whether the problem is an actual Internet outage or an issue you’re having with your own modem, your router and/or your connected devices. [Read more…]

Q&A: How do you take just part of a house off-grid to go solar?

Posted on October 29, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Keith: I just finished reading your post about taking your home office off-grid and I found it very encouraging because I’d love to that for just a couple of rooms in my own house.

My question is how do you take just part of a house off-grid while leaving the rest of it connected to the power line? [Read more…]