Internet Security Archives - Page 7 of 8

Why you should remove Adobe Reader from your computer

Posted on April 2, 2013

If it seems like you’re prompted to update Adobe Reader more often than you visit the grocery store, there’s a reason: It’s an inherently insecure program that requires more patches than a NASCAR driver’s racing uniform in order to keep hackers from breaking into your system.

Yep, hackers love Adobe Reader – which means you shouldn’t.

The good news is you don’t really need Adobe Reader on your computer at all, even if you tend to read lots of PDF files. If you use Google Chrome or Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, those browsers now display PDF files by default without having to load Adobe Reader at all. [Read more…]

Q&A: Why does my Yahoo email account keep getting hacked?

Posted on March 7, 2013

Question from Theresa: Rick, I have a serious problem and I desperately need your help! Someone keeps hacking into my Yahoo email account by changing my password and I don’t know how to prevent it. I contacted Yahoo support over a week ago but they haven’t responded. I’m pretty sure it’s my ex-boyfriend who’s doing it but he denies it.

Is there any way I can stop him from changing my password? I’d just abandon the account an open a new one but I use it for EVERYTHING and changing email addresses would be a major hassle! I’d GREATLY appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Complete Internet Repair – Restore your corrupted Internet connection

Posted on February 23, 2013

complete-internet-repair-softbox Malware can wreak havoc with your Windows installation, and ironically some of the most irritating problems won’t even become apparent until after the malware has been removed from your system. One of the most common of these stealth malware-related problems involves your Internet connection.

Many malicious programs are designed to make it appear that your PC is working just fine while there are really all kinds of shenanigans going on in the background. There are often clues that can alert you to the existence of malware however (new toolbars that you didn’t install, redirection to web pages that you don’t recognize, etc.). When you notice these things a little light comes on above your head and you decide to run your malware removal program(s).

And now the problem: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I remove optional Windows updates that I don’t plan to install?

Posted on February 15, 2013

Question from Tina F.: Every time Windows Update tells me I have updates available it lists an optional update for Bing Desktop. I don’t use Bing Desktop and I probably never will. Is there any way to delete it so it’ll stop showing up on the Windows Update list?

Rick’s answer: Tina, there are a couple of unwanted optional updates that are always available for my computer too, and I agree that it’s rather annoying. While you can’t actually delete them, you an easily hide them to keep them from showing up along with other available updates. Here’s how: [Read more…]

How to turn on SSL Encryption for your Yahoo Mail account

Posted on February 9, 2013

The proliferation of free Wi-Fi access points has made it a lot easier to stay connected with the online world these days. Now, finding a usable Wi-Fi hotspot is literally just as easy as finding the nearest McDonalds or other fast food joint.

But along with the convenience of free Wi-Fi comes a real and serious danger. Unsecured Wi-Fi signals make your unencrypted emails readily available to hackers and snoops, and guess where hackers and snoops just love to hang out? In establishments that offer free Wi-Fi access! [Read more…]