Wi-fi Passcode: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I have a problem. My computer automatically connects to my home Wi-fi network, but I have no idea what the security passcode is. So I can’t connect any other computers or smartphones or tablets to it. I don’t remember how I set it up in the first place, so I can’t just do that again. Can you help? I have a Windows 10 laptop and an iPhone 6s. Here are two ways you […]
Pair Airpods to Watch: a reader asks… I just got a new Apple Watch (series 3). I’d like to use it with my Airpods. Is there an easy way to set that up? Yes, direct from Apple (at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204218) are the simple instructions to pair your new Apple watch with your Airpods. On the Watch, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Then with your Airpods (in their case) close to your Watch, see if they show up on the Watch screen and […]
iPhone Security: a reader asks… I’m looking at the new iPhones, it’s time for an upgrade from my old 5S. I’m considering the 8 or the X (on the Apple upgrade plan which I’m planning on switching to). I know it’s going to be a lot bigger than my trusty 5S and I’m prepared for that, but I’m a little bit concerned about the FaceID thingy in the X – I remember seeing a year or so ago that facial […]
Which Thumbdrive? a reader asks… Hi Chris, do you have a recommendation on what thumbdrive I should use to backup my files on my 2014 Macbook Air? I don’t have a whole lot, so I don’t think I need a really big external hard drive. thanks! There are plenty of cheap thumbdrives out there, but I should warn you that the quality can vary. I’d suggest you stick with good brand-name drives from companies like Kingston, Crucial, PNY and SanDisk. […]
Which Amazon Alexa? a reader asks… I’m a little confused about which Alexa device to get for my mom. She’s in an assisted-living facility and I’d like to get her one that works in her small, 1-bedroom apartment, so she can ask for the time, get the news and other stuff. Can you give me the low-down on the major differences between each of them? The most-common Amazon devices that have Alexa embedded are the Echo, the Dot, the Show, […]
iCloud storage needs: a reader asks… Hi Chris, can you tell me how much additional iCloud storage I need to purchase for my iPhone? I wish it was a simple answer, but it depends. Are you a photo hound? Do you have multiple iOS devices (iPads, iPhones, iPods) using the same Apple ID for iCloud? Do you have a Mac with OS X Yosemite and use Cloud Drive? Yes answers to any of these point the way towards upgrading your […]
Small Biz Hacker Protection: a reader asks… I have a small business and am getting worried about getting hacked. Not my website, my on-premises infrastructure. Everywhere I read about how hackers are starting to target people like me. I don’t have a lot of IT infrastructure, just a few computers, a file server and some laptops that my sales team uses all over the territory. Do you have a short and sweet hit list of things I should do/don’t? Short […]
LastPass/Browser Password Conflict: a reader asks… I’m a long-time LastPass user but now every browser I use asks me to save passwords and declares that they are secure. This has an advantage on IOS devices because LastPass requires a copy/paste. What is your view on this trend? I get this request on Chrome all the time, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it shows up on the new Firefox 55.0.3 I just installed. I haven’t bothered to look how to […]
Which iPhone: a reader asks… I have an iPhone 6s (on Verizon) and usually upgrade every other year. So I guess it’s time, but Apple’s announcement left me feeling confused. Should I get the iPhone 8 or the X? I make calls, do email, surf the web, and do a little social networking, but I don’t have or use a lot of apps on my phone. I don’t use an installment plan, just plan to buy the phone outright. Hmm, […]
Kaspersky? A reader asks… I recently bought a computer from MicroCenter and the sales guy recommended that I get Kaspersky Total Security. I did and installed it. This week I read about how the US Government is banning Kaspersky products from being used in federal agencies. Do I need to switch to another product? I have a Windows 10 computer, and don’t do a lot of online surfing. I do online banking, shopping and social media, as well as email. […]
Switch to iPhone: a reader asks… I read your article on switching from iPhone to Android at https://positek.net/switch-to-android/ but what about the other side of the equation? I have an older Moto smartphone and want to switch to iPhone. Anything I need to watch out for? First off, Apple has an app for that (of course!) the Move to iOS app on the Google Play Store. After you have purchased your iPhone and got it up and running, install the app […]
Locked Up Macbook: a reader asks… Hi Chris, my Macbook Pro (early 2011 with Yosemite) is running very slow and locking up on me all the time. Is there some way to fix it or should I just get a new laptop? Before I answer your question, let me first tell you that you should back up the files on your Macbook Pro as soon as possible. You can simply copy the files onto a thumb drive, or better yet […]
Switch to Android? A reader asks… I’ve been using an iPhone for a few years now, and am about done. I am ready to switch to Android and am looking for tips on how to make an easy transition. Can you help? While the iPhone is an excellent smartphone, we recognize that not everyone is happy and is perhaps thinking about or making the switch to an Android smartphone. Apple has a great guide for the reverse (going from Android […]
Your Company’s Website: a reader asks… I have a website for my small company that’s been hosted by one service provider (Bluehost) for awhile. They also provide me with email for my domain. I’m switching to another company, and they gave me an IP address to change my DNS settings so the website they’ve designed will show up under my domain name. But when I tried to switch the DNS (I’m using Network Solutions), the change won’t accept an IP […]
Simple Protection Primer for Win10: a reader asks… I have a home with a husband, 2 school-age kids, a dog and one computer. It’s a fairly new Windows 10 laptop PC. Everybody uses it, but we really can’t afford to have more than one computer. Can you give me a quick primer on how to best configure and use the computer to keep it (and us) healthy and sane? You’re asking for a prescription that just about every consumer is […]
NordVPN for iPhone: a reader asks… Ok, I read your article https://positek.net/vpn-for-iphone/ and am still convinced that I need to protect myself from snooping with a VPN on my iPhone, iPad and computer. I’ve looked at the options and settled on NordVPN. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee, and seem to be one of the better ones out there. What should I do next? I agree that NordVPN is probably a good choice for you, partly because they are generous with […]
FIOS Router Label: a reader asks… I have my internet service from Verizon FIOS and have their router (picture attached). I recently got a new laptop but have mislaid the paperwork that came with the router, meaning the password to connect to wifi. Can I find that info online or do I have to call Verizon? Neither. On the router, look for a label that will show you the Wi-Fi SSID (that’s the name of your Wi-Fi network) and the […]
Leave your PC on: a reader asks… I got a new Windows 10 desktop PC. Should I turn it off every night? Nope. As an update to my previous article Leave Windows Running, Windows (since the Windows 7 days) has been designed to be left running for extended periods. In fact, Microsoft schedules the automatic updates to happen in the middle of the night. Turning your PC off at night will keep this from happening, and for almost every Windows […]
Start using Facebook 2-Factor: a reader asks… My facebook account got hacked and it took me awhile to get things restored and back to normal. A friend told me that I need to turn on 2-factor authentication to protect my account. What is it and how do I do that? I suggest you read my article 3 Things to Know about 2-Factor Authentication (and some advice) to get an idea of what two-factor authentication is. It basically adds another (2nd) step […]
VPN for iPhone? a reader asks… I read an article on using VPN on an iPhone (at https://www.payetteforward.com/vpn-on-an-iphone-what-is-best-vpn-for-iphone-apps-services/) – what do you think about this? I last wrote about the VPN subject in April, check out https://positek.net/vpn-not-vpn/. But I’m going to take a fresh look at the subject, particularly in the arena of iPhones. The article you referenced is a decent, basic primer on VPN, but I’d be real hesitant about making decisions just based on it. I wouldn’t trust any […]
Add Google Sheet to Web Page: a reader asks… I have a wordpress website and I want to add a a table to a page. The table is currently a google spreadsheet. I’d like to be able to edit the spreadsheet (changing existing content) from time to time, and not have to update the website page for every change. Is there an easy way to do this? If your table is reasonably small, then the easy solution is to use […]
New All-in-One PC: a reader asks… I’ve been using an HP laptop for many years now, but I think it’s time to get a new computer. So what should I get? I use Outlook and Word, go on the internet, do very little online shopping, and print pictures transferred from my iPhone to my computer. My laptop sits on a table in my bedroom and has never moved, so I really don’t need a laptop. I’m getting older, so a […]
Avoiding the Echo Chamber: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I have a facebook account and use your recommended news aggregator, Flipboard to get my daily feed of current events and such. I also get the Washington Post and the New York Times in print, plus I have apps on my iPhone and read news stories there (more often than waiting for the print edition to hit my doorstep). One thing I’ve noticed is that as time has gone on, my […]
Upgrade Malwarebytes: a reader asks… I have Malwarebytes Premium installed on my Windows 10 PC. I read your note about keeping it up-to-date, but the program doesn’t give me any warning about updating or upgrading. Is there something I should do? Yes. One of my few disappointments with Malwarebytes is that they are really bad about telling their uses when a new version is released. Their software doesn’t get around to telling you until weeks or months have passed, they […]
The Perils of Old Software: a reader asks… I don’t get it. Why can’t I buy software and keep using it, why have to keep buying upgrades and installing updates? Can’t they make software that isn’t buggy? I use Office 2003 on my Windows XP computer and everything is working. Your question is like asking why, after all we spend on police forces is there still crime. The answer is that the police are fighting against crime, but can’t prevent […]
MacOS Won’t Start: a reader asks… I neglected to clean out my files on my Macbook Air and now it won’t start. The error says Hard Drive Full. What can I do? The first thing to do is try to start in safe mode. Start or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key. The white Apple logo appears on your display. Release the shift key when you see the login window. If your Mac starts up, then the […]
Refurbished Mac: a reader asks… I’m looking to buy a new Macbook Pro, but am on a budget (I’m a student). Can you give me some advice? I’m looking at the 13″ Macbook Pro, and I can spend up to $1,400. That’s going to be tough to find a new Macbook Pro model that’s within your budget. You might want to consider a refurbished Mac, which could save you several hundred dollars. Also, you could get away with buying less […]
Internet Weather: a reader asks… Even though I have a high-speed FIOS internet connection (75/75), I notice that sometimes things are slow to download, pages take a long time to show up, email doesn’t come quickly (or at all), and other indications that my internet speed isn’t as fast as it should be. I’ve run the speed tests that show my FIOS speed is reasonable, and there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with my connection nor my computer. So […]
Keep Android Safe: a reader asks… I have a Sony smartphone that’s running Android on my AT&T cell phone service. I get that Google won’t issue updates to my phone, so what else can I do to keep it from getting infected? First off, it isn’t Google that won’t update your phone, it’s a combination of the manufacturer (Sony) and your service provider (AT&T). The problem is that while Google makes the Android operating system for smartphones, there are literally […]
Safe Android Apps: A member asks… How can I tell if an Android App is safe to install on my Android smartphone? Your first move should be to avoid installing any app on your Android smartphone that doesn’t come from the Google Play Store. Google has gotten a lot better at vetting apps before they allow them on the app store, and making sure the apps are legit and have no malware. If you get your apps from any other […]
"I'm all about helping you deal with our 21st century high-tech digital world so you can enjoy a healthy and secure digital life!"
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