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SECURITY TIP: Preview Shortened URLs
http://askbobrankin.com/security_tip_preview_shortened_urls.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). SECURITY TIP: Preview Shortened URLs. URL-shortening services like TinyURL and Bitly are handy for a variety of reasons, but shortened URLs also represent a ubiquitous and very dangerous security vulnerability. You must use your head and technology to avoid becoming a victim of malware, phishers, and hackers when clicking on shortened URLs. Here's what you need to know. Wow, that's over 180 c...
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Whose Car Is It Anyway?
http://askbobrankin.com/whose_car_is_it_anyway.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Whose Car Is It Anyway? Is It Illegal to Tinker? Now this doesn’t mean you change oil, spark plugs, or tires at home. But it does mean you can’t legally tweak the software that controls your car’s engine to get better mileage or more horsepower, or to see if you can improve its emission control system. Nothing Downloads Like a Deere. There may be programs controlling safety features, such as ...
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Automated Shopping Refunds?
http://askbobrankin.com/automated_shopping_refunds.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). A free online service promises to scour the Web for price drops on items you've already purchased, and automate the process of getting refunds for you. It sounds like easy money, but is there a catch? Hint: Yes.) Read on to learn about Paribus. Of course, it’s rarely that simple. Some retailers like to load up their lowest-price guarantees with conditions like, lowest advertised, not-on-s...
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Who is Bob Rankin?
http://askbobrankin.com/who_is_bob_rankin.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Who is Bob Rankin? Every so often, people ask about my background, and how I got started with computers and the Internet. I've published bits and pieces of my bio before, but never a detailed account of my professional life. So here it is, with a few interesting personal asides. Over the years, my work has appeared in Yahoo! The popular online florist, and creator of the Lowfat Linux. Later, ...
askbobrankin.com
Compare Prescription Prices Online
http://askbobrankin.com/compare_prescription_prices_online.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Compare Prescription Prices Online. Retail prices for the same prescription can vary significantly from one pharmacy to another; there may even be big differences between stores of the same brand. It can pay big dividends to shop around, but shopping prescription prices is pretty difficult. Until now. Finding the Best Prescription Prices. That’s over $3,081 per household. Can you hold, please?
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Prepaid Phone Plans for 2015
http://askbobrankin.com/prepaid_phone_plans_for_2015.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Prepaid Phone Plans for 2015. Which Prepaid Phone Plan is Best? I really don’t think Verizon wants prepaid customers. It offers two plans, both of which are horrible. Yes, there’s unlimited talk and text. But $45 a month buys only 1 GB of data; $60 gets you 2.5 GB at 4G speed; after that, it’s 2G speed for the rest of the month. AT&T is almost as bad. Its cheapest unlimited voice, text, a...
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Are You Sharing Your Wifi?
http://askbobrankin.com/are_you_sharing_your_wifi.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Are You Sharing Your Wifi? Over the past few years, cable companies have built a network of several million WiFi hotspots open to the public. If you get your Internet access from one of these cable companies, you can use this nationwide WiFi network for free. However, you may unknowingly be providing one of those hotspots, also for free. Is it fair, safe, and legal? The Cable WiFi Alliance.
askbobrankin.com
Tech That Stops Distracted Driving
http://askbobrankin.com/tech_that_stops_distracted_driving.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Tech That Stops Distracted Driving. As of 2014, distracted driving causes more accidents than drunk driving, according to U. S. government statistics. Some may point fingers at mobile makeup artists, rambunctious children, cheeseburgers, and other distractions. But we all know that mobile phones are the real problem. Read on for some solutions. How to Stop Distracted Driving. The CDC reported...
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Geekly Update - 13 May 2015
http://askbobrankin.com/geekly_update_13_may_2015.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Geekly Update - 13 May 2015. Why were Thomas Edison's talking dolls pulled off the market after just two weeks? Is it legal to rob a bank if you ask politely for the money? And why are automated teller machines roaming the streets of Warsaw? The AskBobRankin Geekly Update. Thomas Edison marketed talking dolls. Plays precious LPs without touching the grooves. Only $15,000. Having failed to def...
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Microsoft Edge: New Browser on the Block
http://askbobrankin.com/microsoft_edge_new_browser_on_the_block.html
Need expert tech support? Ask Bob about Computers or the Internet! Enter search keywords, or ask your question.). Microsoft Edge: New Browser on the Block. What is Microsoft Edge? Out with the old, in with the new describes the evolution of Edge. Edge will not support Microsoft's ActiveX, Browser Helper Objects (BHOS), VBScript and third-party toolbars built for Internet Explorer. All of these things degraded performance and posed security risks. Edge will support PDF and Adobe Flash, as other br...While...
