Rick's Daily Tips

Facebook adds a “Privacy Checkup” tool to the Desktop version

Posted on September 6, 2014

One of the most irritating things about Facebook is the confusion surrounding our Facebook privacy settings.

There are so many of them that it’s difficult to get a grasp on exactly who can see all the various photos, posts and other bits of info that are posted on our Profile and Timeline pages.

And to make matters worse, the folks at Facebook seem to enjoy changing our privacy settings (often without our knowledge) just after we get finally get them set exactly the way we want them. [Read more…]

Apple: iOS 8 to include ‘Two-Factor Authentication’ for iCloud

Posted on September 5, 2014

As you probably know, Apple is taking a ton of heat after several celebrities had their iCloud accounts hacked and risque photos stolen and published online. Well, the company is apparently taking steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the soon-to-be-released iOS 8 will include an option for enabling “Two-Factor Authentication” on all iCloud accounts.

Two-Factor Authentication has been around for some time now, so it’s something of a mystery why it took such a high profile security breach to prompt Apple to finally make it available for their popular iCloud service. [Read more…]

How to install the free update from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1

Posted on September 4, 2014

windows-8-1 If your PC is running Windows 8, there is a free update to Windows 8.1 waiting for you in the Windows Store. And if ever there was a free update worth installing, in my opinion, this is it!

Some users have trouble installing the Windows 8.1 update however, and most of the time it’s because their Windows 8 installation is either infected with malware or not completely up-to-date.

With that in mind, here is my simple step-by-step guide to installing the free Windows 8.1 update: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I reset my Windows Password in Windows 7?

Posted on September 3, 2014

Question from Liam F.: I brought my old HP Desktop PC up from the basement so my daughter could use it while her laptop is being repaired, but I can’t remember the password for logging into Windows.

How can I reset the password so she can use this computer? It’s running Windows 7 Home Premium. Thanks in advance for your help.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why is Windows 7 not shutting down correctly?

Posted on September 2, 2014

Question from Enid H.: I have an Alienware laptop running Windows 7 Pro – 64 bit.

If I start the computer up and run it for just a few minutes it’ll shut down and power off just fine. But if I let it run for an hour or more it won’t shut down. It just stays on the Shutdown screen forever until you unplug the power cord.

Do you have any idea what’s wrong and how I can get my laptop to shut down correctly?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]