The weekend is here.\u00a0 It’s Saturday and time for another edition of our Saturday Bonus Questions & Answers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Please consider giving us a helping hand!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Before we get started, we want to ask for your help. If our computer support & help or our tips and tricks have helped you or made your computer life easier or more productive, please help us with a small donation\u00a0 Your gifts help us to continue to help you.\u00a0 Take a moment and help us if you can.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes, the best tips and tricks are hidden in the published questions and answers.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n Today, as we do every Saturday, we\u2019re featuring some of the questions and answers from past issues of our InfoAve Weekly<\/a> newsletters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These questions & answers were selected at random from past InfoAve Weekly newsletters.<\/span><\/p>\n Please help us to continue to help you with your Windows computer questions and help you to stay safe in the crazy world of the Internet. We need your support – even the smallest gift helps us. Please… help us by donating.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 062423<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Mary wants our suggestions for a VPN<\/strong> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> We don’t recommend VPNs for most people… they don’t protect your identity, they don’t protect you from being scammed, and they don’t prevent your computer from being infected with viruses or malware. The advertising behind VPNs is mostly either false or hyperbolic.<\/span><\/p>\n If you work at home, your employer may require you to use a VPN, in that case, you’d need one. Another case is if you’re living in a country where censorship is a problem, a VPN can disguise your location well enough to fool most censorship attempts. This would come in handy if you wanted to access certain websites that are restricted to certain countries. A VPN would disguise your location well enough to do that. But a VPN won’t protect your identity, protect you from being scammed, or prevent your computer from being infected. Many VPN vendors claim they don’t keep logs, but you have to take their word for it. And if they keep logs, logs can be accessed by third parties and law enforcement (with warrants).<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to try a VPN, you can install a free browser-based VPN like CyberGhost for Chrome\/Edge<\/a>. With a browser-based VPN, you can disguise your location and easily turn it on and off as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Mary.<\/span><\/p>\n Annie wants a different picture on her sign-in screen<\/strong><\/span> Also, may I ask if there is a way to get different pictures upon signing into Windows? I find Microsoft’s photos that they randomly force on you to be somewhat depressing and tedious! Thanks so very much for your wonderful help! Annie<\/span> As far as the Windows 11 sign-in (log-in) screen goes — here’s how to change the picture, stop Microsoft from changing the picture, and\/or get rid of the picture on the sign-in screen altogether. <\/span><\/p>\n 1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Chose “Personalize”<\/span><\/p>\n 3. In Personalization click on “Lock screen”<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Next to “Personalize your lock screen” change it to “Picture” (Spotlight allows Microsoft to choose Lock screen pictures). See the screenshot below.<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Scroll down until you see “Choose a photo” then click the “Browse” button to choose a photo from your PC. If you don’t want any photo at all on your sign-in screen turn the switch next to “Show the lock screen background on the sign-in screen” to “Off”<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Annie.<\/span><\/p>\n Wayne gets an annoying message from American Megatrends when he starts up his computer<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> But if it is starting up without any input from you, you may have a problem with your hardware or your BIOS. Here’s a page<\/a> that can help you determine what is causing the American Megatrends screen to keep appearing on your computer. As you’ll see there are many different causes. But what you’re seeing is not a program -not something you can uninstall -it’s your BIOS settings screen and your computer cannot run without its BIOS (on most newer computers UEFI). <\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Wayne.<\/span><\/p>\n Jeanne says we’re wrong about the Brave browser<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> If you use Brave and you don\u2019t have to sign into Chrome, then you\u2019re not using Brave as a privacy browser \u2013 you\u2019re allowing it to save browser history, cache, and passwords – so you may as well use Edge, Chrome, or Firefox.<\/span><\/p>\n Most people would use Brave assuming it provided them superior online privacy. A truly private browser would not even allow saving log-ins and passwords. Brave can be set up to be totally private, but if you\u2019re going to use it the way you\u2019re using it, you\u2019re not gaining much privacy \u2013 you may as well use Edge, Chrome, or Firefox.<\/span><\/p>\n The idea of a privacy browser is not to save history, passwords, cache, or anything else that could compromise your personal information. Anyone with access to your computer or any malware connected to your PC could find your browsing history, passwords, and whatever else is in your browser\u2019s cache and history.<\/span><\/p>\n Now I\u2019m not that paranoid, so I just use Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. I really don\u2019t believe there\u2019s any privacy on the Internet to begin with. But if you\u2019re using Brave because you want to stay as private as possible, then you\u2019ll have to give up the convenience, bite the bullet, and not allow Brave to save your passwords or browsing history.<\/span><\/p>\n Johanna got a phishing email and now worries her accounts might be compromised<\/strong><\/span> I did open the email, but did not click on anything in the mail, nor did I call the 800 number that they requested I call. Should I forward this email to you so that you can just take a look at it?\u00a0 I have checked with my credit card company account, and happily, NOTHING has been charged by this fake company. The billing payment date was today 09\/16\/2022, so I felt relief that they hadn’t somehow broken into my account. Also checked with my Experian account, and all is well there. But I just wasn’t going to feel absolutely OK until I checked with my most trusted TC and Darcy to know for certain that I did all the things that needed to be done … Thank you SO, SO much as always for your irreplaceable and hugely appreciated help and guidance. Johanna <\/span><\/p>\n Our answer<\/strong><\/span> You did all the right things and there’s no need to forward the email to us. You can’t be scammed or charged anything just by reading an email, if that were the case we’d be getting scammed about 30 times every day (we get that much junk mail). As long as you don’t click any links in an email, don’t call the number(s) in an email, and don’t give the sender any personal information. The miscreants that send this kind of scam spam send them out by the millions hoping to catch a few “phish”. That’s why they call these kinds of emails “Phishing” emails. <\/span><\/p>\n You did a great job by thinking before clicking anything and not allowing yourself to be tricked by this phishing email.<\/span><\/p>\n Way to go, Johanna!<\/span><\/p>\n Don’t have a Cloudeight SeniorPass? It’s a great deal. Learn more here.<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Our Cloudeight SeniorPass is a great deal. You get unlimited support for one full year from the date you first use your SeniorPass. We can help keep your computer running well, fix all kinds of computer problems, clean up malware, and a whole lot more. Our SeniorPass is like having insurance for your computer. And it’s only $99 for an entire year.<\/span><\/p>\n Get your SeniorPass today for just $99.\u00a0 It’s just like having insurance for your computer – only better!<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n To learn more about our SeniorPass, please see this page.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Robert buys a Lenovo computer and now they want to sell him Wi-Fi Security & a VPN service<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> A VPN is not going to prevent someone from attacking your wireless network (your router). Your wireless network is protected by WPA2 encryption. All modern routers support WPA2. WPA2 is used on all certified Wi-Fi hardware since 2006 and is based on the IEEE 802.11i technology standard for data encryption.<\/span><\/p>\n When WPA2 is enabled, anyone else within range of the network might be able to see the Wi-Fi traffic, but it will be scrambled with the most up-to-date encryption standards. And this, your network is protected.<\/span><\/p>\n VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It does not protect the Wi-Fi traffic between devices in your home and your wireless router. It still depends on your ISP\u2019s internet connection service to work. A VPN works like this:<\/span><\/p>\n Home Wi-Fi network > ISP > VPN Server > Internet (web sites, etc.)<\/span><\/p>\n Emsisoft<\/a> protects you and your computer from malware, viruses, ransomware, PUPs, and all manner of nasty things you might encounter on the Web, but it does not protect your Wi-Fi connection; it is an antivirus and antimalware.<\/span><\/p>\n Make sure you\u2019re using WPA2 protection on your router to protect your home network and don\u2019t be tricked into buying a VPN thinking it\u2019s going to make your home network secure.<\/span><\/p>\n VPNs can be useful in some situations, but VPNs do not prevent identity theft \u2013 no matter what anyone says. Over 90% of identity theft occurs when people are tricked into giving up their usernames, passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other highly personal information. And no VPN in this world is going to prevent you from getting tricked. The only program that\u2019s going to do that is YOB \u2013 You Own Brain.<\/span><\/p>\n Hope this helps!<\/span><\/p>\n Roy wants to know how to enable his Windows 10 touch screen<\/strong><\/span> If you would please let me know, as I am baffled as to where to go to enable it again, did not think I used it that much till today when I turned on the system and it did not function. I know that it did work on this personal computer.<\/span><\/p>\n Any directions or help is greatly appreciated. Have a good day, Roy<\/span><\/p>\n Our answer<\/strong><\/span> 1. Right-click your Windows 10 Start button (or use the Windows key + X shortcut).<\/span> 4. Select \u201cHID-compliant touch screen\u201d from the list.<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Select the Action tab at the top of the window (as above).<\/span><\/p>\n 6. Select Enable device from the drop-down menu and confirm.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Roy.<\/span><\/p>\n Irwin doesn\u2019t have as many fonts on his new computer as he had on his old one<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
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\nI am so involved in my family history genealogy work that a great many things get set aside. Some of my ancestors that I have researched go back to 1100 or earlier–just a lot of verification must be done. I need to do better in checking things. And because I do extensive research, I so count on my Emsisoft to be working away. Now I need to investigate VPNs. Any suggestions?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Mary. Wow…Wow back to the 12th Century? Great work!<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHi Darcy & TC, “Manage your subscription” keeps giving me an error message when I try to change my email address. What can I do to change my address? <\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHi Annie. Please let me know what your new email address is and I’ll change your InfoAve subscriptions for you. I’m sorry you’re having problems. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2022\/lock.png%20\")
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\nOf late when I power up my computer I get an annoying message from American Megatrends that will not go away until I click my way through their program being very careful not to click anything too risky. How do I get rid of this program? Is it safe to use? Any benefits? Many thanks for all your help to us seniors. Regards, Wayne<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Wayne. American Megatrends makes the motherboard and the BIOS in your computer. It is not a program. It is not something you cannot uninstall. American Megatrends is the Basic input-output system or better known as the BIOS. It will show up depending on your machine if you press certain keys or a certain key. <\/span><\/p>\n
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\nThis email is about the Brave browser. I love your site and your tips are usually right on except for this one. You mentioned in your response to Christine that in Brave she would have to get used to signing into websites, such as Gmail, Amazon shopping, or any online shopping, etc. each visit. I use Brave and do not have to sign into my Gmail account. When I signed in, for the first time, I clicked on the ‘remember me’ button. Now I do not have to sign in next time. I do that for any site where I do not need privacy. Thank you for your wonderful website.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThanks for your nice comments.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nDear TC and Darcy, Just received what is surely a terrible phishing email from folks purporting to be from “Geek Squad” and hoping to charge me for over $400.00 for a phantom renewal of a Geek Squad service contract that I never had, nor ever would have. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Johanna. Thanks for your nice comments. <\/span><\/p>\n
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\nI am not a big fan of Lenovo, but they had a deal on a nice \u201cIdeapad320\u201d (8GB RAM 1TB Hard drive) that I couldn\u2019t pass up a month ago. I did one of their \u201csystem check-ups\u201d on the laptop today and it said my device\u2019s security is well protected by Emsisoft\u2019s Anti-Malware and Windows Firewall. They of course recommended McAfee which we all know is like a \u201csnake in the grass.\u201d One thing the security scan did point out is what was termed a \u201clack of Wi-Fi security\u201d. Of course, then they try to sell you on their partner\u2019s Wi-Fi Security (Coronet) program and\/or a VPN purchased through them. I know all of it is garbage (my term); but if the machines using the Wi-Fi are already protected by Emsisoft, there is no need for a separate Wi-Fi Security is there?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Robert. It\u2019s funny how some people will start making up fairy tales to frighten people into buying something. It\u2019s all about the money. PC manufacturers are famous for low-balling the price of computers and then trying to add profit by selling unnecessary extras. That\u2019s why some computers come loaded with bloatware and trialware.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nGood morning. I was wondering if you could tell me where I should go to re-enable the touch screen feature on my personal computer. Not sure what happened or what I did or didn\u2019t do or if it came down as part of an automatic upgrade that happens occasionally to the system.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Roy. Here\u2019s how to Enable your touchscreen in Windows 10<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHi. I\u2019m finding on my new HP PC, I have nothing like the range of FONTS which I was familiar with on my earlier unit. I have noted your articles on FONTS but wasn\u2019t requiring help then. Could you please let me have your recommendation to assist me? Again, many thanks for your help on many occasions. Regards Irwin T.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Irwin. Thank you!\u00a0 Windows 10 comes with several dozen fonts. If you\u2019re interested, you can see a list of all the fonts that come with Windows 10 here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
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