Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Why can’t I remove the Antivirus app from my computer?

Posted on July 15, 2025

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Question from Dale: Hi, Rick. I have a problem that I hope you can help me with.

Following your recommendation, I recently bought the Premium version of Malwarebytes for our computers. I read your post about only running one antivirus app at a time and I’m trying to uninstall AVG Antivirus before installing Malwarebytes.

I was able to remove AVG from my wife’s computer with no problems at all, but when I try to uninstall it from my laptop it gives me an error and the uninstall fails.

Can you tell me what I need to do to remove AVG from my computer? [Read more…]

How (and when) to clear your YouTube ‘Watch History’

Posted on July 15, 2025

Did you know YouTube maintains a list of every search you’ve ever made via YouTube’s search box?

And did you know they also maintain a list of every video you have ever watched on their site?

This might not seem like a big deal to some folks, especially if the things they search for and the videos they watch aren’t controversial in any way.

However, you might consider it a huge deal if you go to great lengths to protect your online privacy.

[Read more…]

Scam alert: Why you should cancel all of your unused email accounts

Posted on July 14, 2025

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Email is a wonderful tool that allows us to correspond with family members, friends and associates all around the world in just a matter of moments.

Gone are the days of having to write a letter, address an envelope, buy a stamp and send it on its merry way through the postal system with no guarantee that the recipient will receive it in a timely fashion, if at all.

But as the massive Yahoo hack reminded us, all is not perfect in the world of email. [Read more…]

Rant alert: Why on earth do computers still crash after all these years?

Posted on July 13, 2025

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<rant>

One of the most irritating things about computers is how they stutter, freeze up or simply crash altogether, usually at the worst possible time.

That happened to one of my friends this morning, and it really got me thinking…

Why is it that after all these years computers still crash at all? [Read more…]

How to prepare your digital life for your (eventual) passing

Posted on July 12, 2025

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If you’re like most folks you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what will happen after you pass away.

After all, that isn’t the most pleasant of topics.

But taking a few minutes to prepare now can make things a lot easier on your loved ones when that sad day finally arrives.

And arrive it will since no one lives forever.

Chances are you’ve already made a few preparations such a writing a will and purchasing life insurance, but it’s also important to prepare your “digital life” for that fateful day. [Read more…]