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My Gmail account was hacked. I got it back because when I first set-up the account I answered some security questions and provided an alternative email address. How do I avoid future Gmail hacks?

The best way to prevent anyone from obtaining unauthorized access to your Gmail account is to turn on 2-step verification. 

Sign into your Gmail account.

Click on the gear icon on the top right of the screen.

Click on mail settings.

Click on accounts and import at the top of this menu.

Click on other Google account settings.

Click on using 2-step verification.

You will be asked for your password at this step.

Now you will add your mobile or landline phone number.

Now you choose whether to receive the code by text message or a phone call.

Send codes by:

SMS text message

Voice call

 

Next, enter the code you receive by text message or phone call in the box provided. 

Click on “the remember this computer for 30 days” box, so you will only have to receive phone verification codes once a month. 

If you use 2-step verification, hackers who steal your password will not be able to log into your Gmail account because they won’t be able to answer your phone to get the verification code Google will call to give you whenever you try to log into your Gmail from a different computer.

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I just had to have the screen in my iphone replaced because I dropped it. I have a bumper on my phone but it offers little protection against drops. Is there a case that will keep the phone safe from being dropped?

There are several cases that are supposed to help protect against drops and scratches.  The one I personally use is called Lifeproof.  It makes your iphone waterproof and shockproof.  This case doesn’t make the iphone indestructible, but it does greatly reduce the chance the iphone will be damaged if you drop it or accidently spill something on it. 

All of the features on the phone still work great even though it is completely encased.  It’s not a super-big or bulky case either. It’s not much bigger than the actual phone.  I highly recommend it.  The iphone costs way too much to leave it unprotected. 

 Computer Repair Wilmington NC

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I downloaded software that was highly rated by the website Top 10 Reviews. The software is named “Advanced Disk Recovery” which did not work. When I called for technical help, they were rude and demanded money to help. How can I get my money back?

First of all, the website Top 10 Reviews is not to be trusted.  The vendors who make their top ten lineup all paid to be placed on their list.  The reviews are not legitimate and most of the products/services listed here are substandard.  This website is nothing more than an advertisement.  If you paid with Paypal, you can dispute the charges for the software and ask for a refund.  You can also dispute the charges if you used a credit card.  You just call the credit card company you used and tell them what happened. 

It’s easy to be fooled by this site as they are careful to make it seem as if they have legitimately researched these vendors but that is far from true. 

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I have the beta version of Internet Explorer 9 on my PC. I keep getting a message saying to update, but the update fails. Any suggestions?

You are getting this message because at some point you installed the beta version of Internet Explorer 9 on your computer and didn’t update it to the standard version when it came out.  If you go to add/remove programs, you’ll find that Internet Explorer 9 beta version isn’t listed, so that doesn’t help.

You can try uninstalling Internet Explorer from your Microsoft Windows updates.  Go to control panel, then programs and features, then view installed updates.  Find Internet Explorer in the list and uninstall it.  This solution doesn’t always work either as some people say Internet Explorer isn’t listed there. 

None of the solutions Microsoft suggested worked for me when I had this problem.  I had to reinstall the operating system to get rid of this beta software. 

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I broke the screen on my HP Slate 500 and I want to replace it myself, but I haven’t been able to find a place to buy the screen. Do you know where I could purchase a new screen?

HP doesn’t sell the screen for the Slate 500 separately.  If you want the screen replaced, you’ll have to call HP and arrange to mail it to them.  They charge between $350.00 and $400.00 to fix it. 

No other company sells an OEM version of this screen, perhaps because so few people use it.  Occasionally you can find these screens for sale on Ebay but they are used and don’t usually come with any kind of warranty. 

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I went to several local websites that sell cars. I never entered any of my personal data at these websites, but the next day someone called me from one of those car websites and offered me a deal on a new car. How did they get my phone number and name?

Companies can install software on their website that will capture a visitor’s name, domain name, Country and city of Internet access.  The companies that sell this service call it lead generating, I call it invasion of privacy especially since the visitor to the website doesn’t know that personal information is being collected about them. 

You might try signing in using a proxy server.  There are several online companies that provide this service.  Some are free and some charge.  When you surf the net using a proxy server, your real IP address is hidden and all that prying eyes can see is one of the many hundreds or thousands of IP addresses used by the company that provides the proxy.

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What is the difference between standby, sleep, hibernate, and shut-down mode on my PC? Which is better?

Standby/Sleep—The computer uses a significant amount of electricity in this mode, but the computer starts up again quickly and it keeps your programs running and documents open.

Hibernate—The computer starts up faster than booting up from a complete shutdown but it still takes longer than it would to come out of standby.  The files and programs that you were using are saved to the hard drive and power is shut down to the computer.  When a computer comes out of hibernate all the programs and files you were using will be open and running just as they were before you hit the hibernate button.

Shutdown—The computer is powered off completely. It’s the best option when you won’t be using your computer for several hours as it saves electricity.  It is also best for the health and longevity of your computer as the heat that builds up inside computers slowly degrades and destroys them.  As most Microsoft updates require your PC to be rebooted, shutdown also allows updates and patches to take effect.

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I found out that several people in my apartment complex are using my Internet connection. I don’t know anything about comptuers. How can I make them stop?

To do this, you will need to log into your router and set-up your wireless connection as a secure connection with an encrypted password.  Find out what brand of router you have, then type one of the following IP addresses into the browser URL:

  • Linksys Router–http://192.168.1.1
  • Dlink & Netgear Router–http://192.168.0.1
  • Motorola Router–http://192.168.1.254

This will get you to the router sign-in screen.  Routers that haven’t been set-up will have a user name of “admin” and a blank password field.  Some routers will have “admin” for the user name and “admin” for the password.  Others will be “admin” for the user name and “password” for the password.

If a password was previously set-up, you will need to type it into the log in screen.  Once you are loged into the router, click on the section marked wireless then click on wireless security and enable it.  From here you will be able to set-up a WPA, WPA2, or WEP encryped password.  Choose WPA or WPA2 as they offer the most secure encryption.

Once you set your password, anyone that tries to connect to your wireless network will have to use this password.  You will have to enter this password the first time you connect to your network.  After that, yhour compter will remember it and connect you automatically.  Make sure you write down the password and store it someplace you can easily find it.

If you can’t set-up the router yourself, you can call a computer repair shop and have them come to your home to set it up for you.

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I allow my next door neighbor to use my Internet connection. He recently told me he has been downloading illegal movies and software. Could I get in trouble because he is doing this while on my network?

I asked a friend of mine, who happens to be a lawyer, what she thought.  She said you couldn’t be prosecuted because someone committed a crime while logged onto your network.  However, if he gets caught, the police might come to your house, and your computer could be seized.  If the police then found anything illegal on your computer you could be arrested for that.  You could be dragged into the investigation against the person who committed the crime.  It would be unpleasant, and you might have to retain an attorney.

Though it’s highly unlikely your friend will get arrested for his illegal downloads, it does happen.  Why take the chance?  Change your network password and make your neighbor get his own Internet service if he wants to commit cybercrimes.

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I dropped my Dell Streak Mini, and now the screen looks like it’s leaking inside. I have no warranty. Do I have to throw it away?

The screen on the Dell Streak Mini is replaceable.  You most certainly don’t have to throw away the device.  If you have the aptitude and feel comfortable working with electronics you can replace the screen yourself.  If you prefer, you can call a computer repair shop in your area and try to locate a technician who can replace the screen for you.  A lot of the handheld devices have screens that can be replaced. 

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