Rick's Daily Tips - Page 4 of 563 - Tech Tips, Tricks and Tutorials

Caution: Your surge protectors could be giving you a false sense of security

Posted on June 20, 2019

You’re probably aware that lightning and power surges can damage electronic devices such as computers and TV sets.

I’m also guessing that you have your expensive tech gear plugged into surge protectors.

But did you know that surge protectors don’t last forever?

Well, they don’t. In fact, if you live in a region that gets frequent thunder storms or your local power grid is hit with frequent outages and power surges, your surge protectors likely won’t even survive a single storm season. [Read more…]

Q&A: What is Two-Factor Authentication (and do I need to use it)?

Posted on June 19, 2019

Question from Mary L.: I’ve been reading your blog for a while and several of your posts recommend using something called Two-Factor Authentication.

What exactly does that mean? I’m confused. And is it really something I need to use?

Rick’s answer: That’s a great question, Mary. I’m glad you asked it because I’m sure there are plenty of other folks who are interested in the answer as well.

Two-Factor Authentication (sometimes referred to as Two-Step Authentication) simply adds a very secure second authentication step to the login process for any online account that supports it. [Read more…]

Q&A: Will a ‘Modified Sine Wave’ battery backup device damage my computer?

Posted on June 19, 2019

Question from Celina Y.: I have a question about battery backup devices, Rick.

I went to Office Depot to buy one for my iMac and the man I talked to said I needed to pay extra for one that provides “Pure Sine Wave” AC current.

He said the cheaper “Modified Sine Wave” models can damage my iMac because it was designed to only accept only a pure sine wave signal.

I’m a very frugal person and I’d hate to waste money by buying a battery backup that’s more expensive than it really needs to be, but I don’t want to damage my computer either.

What’s your opinion on this?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Do I really need to scan my Smart TV for viruses?

Posted on June 19, 2019

Question from Deidre M.: I have a Samsung Smart TV and my mom told me she heard on the news that viruses are hitting smart TVs and we need to scan them for viruses.

I didn’t even know a TV could catch a virus! Is that true? And how do I run the scan if it is?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to make Windows start up with your last-used programs and websites already open

Posted on June 19, 2019

I have a friend who recently bought a Windows laptop after her MacBook went belly up on her, and she asked me if Windows would ever have a feature like that.

My answer? It already does!

Windows has a special shutdown mode that saves a copy of everything that’s in the system’s RAM to the hard drive, then uses that stored information to re-create the same exact state the system was in the next time you turn on your computer.

This special mode is called Hibernation, and if you select it instead of clicking Shutdown the next time you power down your PC you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off when you start it back up.

[Read more…]