Rick's Daily Tips

Nvidia has recalled 88,000 Shield Tablets due to potential fire hazard

Posted on August 2, 2015

nvidia-shield Did you purchase an Nvidia Shield tablet between July 2014 and July 2015? If so, it might have just been recalled.

The tablets affected by the recall contain defective batteries that can potentially over-heat and cause a fire.

83,000 of the recalled tablets were sold in the United States. The remaining 5,000 were sold in Canada.

Nvidia is asking everyone who owns a Shield tablet that was purchased during the time-frame mentioned above to follow the steps below to determine if your unit is subject to the recall: [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I find the Windows Product Key on my HP laptop?

Posted on July 30, 2015

Question from Devona T.: Hi Rick. I have what is probably the silliest question you have ever heard. Where in the world can I find the Windows Product Key on my HP laptop?

I have owned four other laptops prior to this one and they have always had the Windows Product Key printed on a label on the bottom of the case. But this one doesn’t have it printed anywhere as far as I can tell, and I’ve looked everywhere!

I want to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 so I need the Product Key. Can you please, please, please tell me where to find it? I have already created my Recovery Media.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I block strangers from messaging me on Facebook?

Posted on July 29, 2015

Update: Facebook has removed the setting to prevent strangers from contacting you, making both this question and my answer moot.

I recommend that you read this post that explains why privacy simply doesn’t exist on Facebook.

Original post continues below…

Question from Hanna C: I used to have my Facebook settings configured to block people who aren’t my friends from sending me messages, but somehow that has got changed and I’ve started getting messages from people I don’t know.

I can’t figure out how to find that setting anymore. Can you tell me where it is?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Caution: 95% of Android phones can be hacked simply by sending them a text message!

Posted on July 28, 2015

android-malware Mobile security firm Zimperium zLabs has discovered a flaw in Android that potentially leaves up to 1 billion Android phones susceptible to being hacked simply by receiving a malicious text message.

And guess what? You don’t even have to open the message in order for a hacker to gain access to your phone!

Dubbed “Stagefright”, this super-bug is being referred to in the security industry as the largest potential security threat in history. [Read more…]