Sometimes we need a helping hand with our technology
Sometimes we need a helping hand with our technology
If you scan from your printer using the software that came with your Brother Printer or HP printer and it is a few years old, there is a chance that it no longer works. If you are presented with an ‘f’ when you open the program, this is a clue to the error – Flash Player. Both programs employ this obsolete technology - for Brother software there is a fix, but for HP you will have to use a workaround. I can help you with both.
I regularly see laptops in my office with sticky tape or plasters placed over the webcam, because a few years ago there was a scare about losing control of the camera without knowing. While there may have been some truth in the statement, a lot would have had to happen for this to take place. Anyway, nowadays, the Anti-virus Norton 360 (which I sell) has an additional element within it that protects your camera from unauthorised use. I suspect other software authors will do so as well, but if you are at all concerned, just ask and then maybe you can remove the tape?
You do NOT need a VPN. Unless of course, you live in the UAE, China or some other restrictive state, or you download questionable content from the internet. Otherwise, I cannot think of any reason why a run-of-the-mill domestic or business user (UK based) would ever need such a thing. In some cases, it actually restricts certain sites from being visited which can get in the way. So, if Kaspersky or Avast or AVG suggest you download their VPN, then resist the temptation. That goes for a lot of the extras offered by these software houses.
Finally, remember, if you are asked to restart your Windows 10 computer, shutting down and starting is NOT a restart. There is a very real difference and usually a true restart WILL fix things, whereas shutting down and starting again WILL NOT.
By Tim Lambie, Chez Vous PC