Rick's Daily Tips

Bloggers beware: The MailPoet plugin is letting hackers take over thousands of WordPress sites

Posted on July 25, 2014

If you’re a blogger and you use the popular MailPoet plugin on your WordPress blog, you need to update it to the latest version immediately.

MailPoet adds several useful features and capabilities to a blog, but an extremely serious issue has arisen for its users.

A previously unknown vulnerability in the plugin allows hackers to access full control over your WordPress installation, including the ability to add malicious code to your WordPress core files, theme files and plugins. They can also alter your posts and pages. [Read more…]

ATTN Firefox users: Update your browser now to patch several critical security holes

Posted on July 24, 2014

Mozilla has just released a new update to Firefox that patches several critical security holes in the popular browser.

The most critical flaw allows hackers to infect your PC with viruses and install malicious software when you simply visit an infected web page. You don’t even have to click on anything! [Read more…]

Scam Alert: Beware the latest Facebook virus scam

Posted on July 23, 2014

Well, the Facebook hackers and scammers are at it again (as if they ever take a break).

The latest scam tries to entice users to click on a fake video of a scantily clad lady who is apparently in the process of taking off her clothes.

But this is no video. It’s actually just a photo that links to a virus-laden web page. If you click the link, your PC can become infected with an insidious piece of malware known as Trojan.Agent.BDYV. [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I get to the Power Options in Windows 8.1?

Posted on July 22, 2014

Question from Marcel Q.: My old HP laptop stopped working a few days ago and I decided it was time to replace it instead of having it fixed (again!).

I bought a new Lenovo laptop and I like it OK, but making the leap from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 is turning out to be a pain. It’s so different from earlier versions of Windows!

For 3 days now I’ve been trying to figure out how and where to adjust the power options. Can you tell me how to find them?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I make my Tumblr posts private?

Posted on July 18, 2014

Question from Ellis R.: Rick, I just created a blog on Tumblr and I’d like to make it private. In other words I don’t want anyone except myself to see it.

I know this is a strange request, but I have a reason for it. So can you tell me how to make my blog private? I’d really appreciate it.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]