Here\u2019s a free one that works in Chrome and Microsoft Edge.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nYou can turn it off and on within your browser and you can switch VPN servers with a click. Since it\u2019s free and it\u2019s a browser extension you can turn it on and off or leave it on or off or easily remove it, it\u2019s an effective way to test the VPN waters without installing a VPN on your computer that changes all your network settings and browser settings.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nSue wants to know if she needs to use the software that came with her external hard driv<\/strong>e<\/span>
\nI LOVE your Newsletters! In this day and age of scams and fake news, your Newsletters are so refreshing, offering trustworthy programs and answers to great questions! Thank you EVER so much!\u00a0 My question: I\u2019m running Ashampoo for backup onto a Passport external drive. Is it safe to uninstall WD Backup as well as their toolkit, etc.? I don\u2019t see the need for it unless I start having trouble with Ashampoo? Thanks so much, please stay with us, we so need you!! \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\nOur answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Sue. Thank you and thanks for being with us through the years! Yes, Western Digital software is completely unnecessary and can be removed.<\/span><\/p>\nWe are not going anywhere! <\/span>
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\nSusan wrote back: \u201cSo good to hear you\u2019ll continue to be helping us! Honestly, I don\u2019t know where we would all turn without you. Thank you so much for doing what you do! Thanks for answering my question so quickly, you guys are amazing! Faithfully yours, Sue \u201c<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\nBill asks about a registry cleaner and Norton LifeLock<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Neighbors! Yup still above the sod\u2014at least for some time yet I hope. Suppose you two are ready for the winter temps and such? It\u2019s coming a tad too early. Had about 4\u201d here, but that\u2019s mostly gone.<\/span><\/p>\nI had a question that I\u2019ve been wanting to write you about so just decided to write you directly. I\u2019ve had a program entitled Registry First Aid that I\u2019ve been using for several years. I know what you\u2019re going to say\u2014I think, but I can handle it. (Smile) I got it from my AU pal. She was using it at the time. I must have been using it for a couple of years or so. I\u2019m not an expert here by any means as it seems to be doing well, but I\u2019d like your take on it. The reason is that I\u2019d like to assist you a bit again in your efforts to survive a bit longer in this computer business by purchasing your Reg Organizer when my program is due to renew.<\/span><\/p>\nIsn\u2019t Life Lock associated with Norton? I thought I read that somewhere. Anyway, I wouldn\u2019t have Norton stuffed up my nose anyhow. I used to use it way back in time when I was running Macs, which I loved btw, but it let some crap in even after I was keeping it current, or thought I was. I don\u2019t want to hurt your feelings either, but I detest Facebook too. I feel the same way about all those social programs. Maybe I\u2019m getting too old and cranky?<\/span><\/p>\nAnyway, you two take care and keep up the good work. Good to hear from you. Oh, and another thing, I\u2019m having trouble keeping current with your InfoAve Premium. Too fast for me anymore.<\/span><\/p>\nOur answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Bill. It\u2019s good to hear from you again.<\/span><\/p>\nRegistry First Aid is not something we think highly of \u2013 it\u2019s a registry cleaner that is not necessary. These kinds of programs can get you into trouble. Luckily it has not gotten you in trouble yet, I hope.<\/span><\/p>\nAs far as LifeLock, Norton bought it and it sure belongs with Norton which is still riding on the reputation it earned way back in the 1990s when it was one of the only antivirus programs available then. Those were the days when viruses were everywhere. Now more sophisticated malware means most computer viruses are things of the past. Norton has only gotten worse it doesn\u2019t do a very good job of protecting its users from the malware they are most likely to encounter. Rather than improving the software, they just keep adding things to it like VPNs and LifeLock.<\/span><\/p>\nLifeLock has a long reputation for not delivering on its promises. LifeLock has been sued many times and it has been fined by the FTC for false advertising. Currently, LifeLock is involved in a class-action lawsuit. If someone wants to throw away $120 to $240 a year, I wish they\u2019d throw it our way!<\/span><\/p>\nHere\u2019s part of that article\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cA new class action lawsuit alleges that LifeLock, an identity theft protection service, fails to deliver on the promises it makes to consumers in its TV, radio, and online advertising.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nThe LifeLock class action states that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has even brought legal action against the company on two separate occasions, but LifeLock continues to misstate the services it purports to provide to consumers.<\/span><\/p>\nPlaintiffs Joe Weingarten and Darrell Hunter allege that they each paid hundreds of dollars to LifeLock based on advertising that promised protection from identity theft; however, the company did not live up to its promises.<\/span><\/p>\nWeingarten says he discovered that his Social Security number and personal credit were being used fraudulently. Further, LifeLock failed to notify him that his address had been changed with the United States Postal Service without his knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\nHunter alleges that he paid for LifeLock services in 2014 and 2015, but when he tried to use LifeLock to resolve a credit inquiry, the company failed to do anything about the problem even months later\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 To read more see this page<\/a>..<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe best way to keep your identity safe is not to buy Norton\/LifeLock but to use common sense and reasonable care when giving out your personal information (social security number, home address, credit card numbers, etc.) online. Most identity theft begins with an email designed to look like it came from the government, a bank, or a credit card company asking the recipient to \u201cverify\u201d his\/her personal information. A link is provided. Click the link and you will see a site that looks just like you expect. But it is only a very good counterfeit of the site you\u2019re expecting to see. These criminals are clever and talented and they can design emails and websites that look exactly like the real thing. But no bank, no credit card company, and no government will ask you to click a link to verify anything \u2013 if they need you to take action, they will tell you to \u201cLog in to your account\u201d or call. Never click a link in an email asking you to verify your personal information or update your password.<\/span><\/p>\nWe\u2019ve taken steps to shorten our InfoAve Weekly newsletter, so it should be easier to read.<\/span><\/p>\nIt\u2019s good to hear from you, Bill. I agree \u2013 every day above ground is a good day!<\/span><\/p>\nWe hope this answers your questions.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHeinz has a problem with a website form that\u2019s being auto-filled by his browser<\/strong><\/span>
\nI am a Disabled American Veteran service officer. I work in VA claims for Veteran Compensation. Here is the issue: I go to VA Forms for the latest forms that they have. They change frequently. When I pull in a form from the VA website, I get a form that I previously filed out for a veteran instead of getting a new blank form. I have cleared the cache and cookies, but it still happens. How can I find this filled-out form on my computer and permanently delete it? Hope you understand this issue.<\/span><\/p>\nOur answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Heinz. Incognito, Private, and InPrivate browser modes would solve your problem since no browser saves anything in these modes. But since I\u2019m not sure of what browser you\u2019re using, I\u2019ll try to cover all of the popular browsers and show you the easiest way to open incognito or private browser windows.<\/span><\/p>\nChrome<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nIf you\u2019re using Chrome, with Chrome open press the CTRL+SHIFT+N keys to open a new incognito window. In incognito mode, Google Chrome does not store anything or save anything, so this should work for you every time.<\/span><\/p>\nFirefox<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nIf you are using Firefox, with Firefox open, press CTRL+SHIFT+P to open a new private window, like incognito mode in Chrome, Firefox does not store or save any data from your browser sessions.<\/span><\/p>\nMicrosoft Edge<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nIf you are using MS Edge, right-click on the MS Edge shortcut and click \u201cNew InPrivate Window\u201d. InPrivate mode is the same as Incognito mode in Chrome and Private mode in Firefox.<\/span><\/p>\nLet us know if this helps you. If it does, and if you\u2019d like, we can show you how to make shortcuts to open your browser directly in incognito or private modes.<\/span>
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\nHeinz wrote back: \u201cThank TC, for your response. I will try all of those examples on Monday, where I work for DAV. I would like the shortcuts to browsers\u2026 Heinz\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\nEarl wants to know how to make his mouse pointer easier to see<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi. First thanks so much for all you do to keep us safe and informed. My question is this: Is there some way to make the pointer bigger, so it is easier to see and find? I\u2019m using Windows 10. Thanks!<\/span><\/p>\nOur answer
\n<\/strong>Hi Earl.\u00a0 Windows 10 makes it easy to change your mouse pointer and your cursor so they\u2019re easier to see.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/span><\/p>\nCustomize the Mouse Pointer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nYou can make the mouse pointer very small or very large \u2013 or any size in between by using the size slider. And you can make your mouse pointer any color you want.<\/span><\/p>\nFirst, let\u2019s open Ease of Access the easy way. Hold down the Windows Key and press the U key. On the Ease of Access page, click on Mouse pointer on the left. And you\u2019ll see a slider that allows you to choose custom pointer sizes and an option that allows you to change the pointer color.<\/span><\/p>\n
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