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Tip of the Week: Trace the route of your Internet requests
When you type a web address into your browser and hit the Enter key, your request begins its trip across the Information Superhighway by going from network to network until it reaches the system that hosts the website that you wish to access. Depending upon the number of networks and devices it has to go through, you request could load the website quickly or seem to take forever.
Windows has a built-in utility that allows you to trace the route it takes for you to get from your computer to any given website. The "tracert" (trace route) command is a diagnostic tool used by Internet brainiacs to troubleshoot network traffic issues, but you can use it even if you don't understand what everything on the screen means.
If you want to see what it takes to go from your computer to your favorite website, do the following: Click on Start, then Run and type "cmd", which will open a command line window (black background with white text). Type "tracert datadoctors.com" (without the quotation marks) to see how many "hops" it takes to get from your computer to our web server! (If you really want to know what it all means, go here...)
Headwhack of the Week: Comparing Documents in Word
Ever have the need to compare two Microsoft Word documents to see what the differences are? You can print both out and set them next to each other or install special software that will generate a report on the differences, but if you only need to do this on occasion, have we got a tip for you!
Microsoft Word has a little known option built-in that allows you to compare and scroll two documents side by side.
Geek Speak of the Week: Hop
An intermediate connection in a string of connections linking two network devices. On the Internet, most data packets need to go through several routers before they reach their final destination. Each time the packet is forwarded to the next router, a hop occurs. The more hops, the longer it takes for you to reach your destination.
Security: What is your stolen data worth?
You think your personal information is priceless. But everything has a price, even your stolen bank account information.
News: 10 Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts
We can't even begin to imagine that everyone hasn't already taken care of their Mother's Day gift for dear old mom, but for the few of you that haven't found that perfect gift, PC Magazine has compiled a list of 10 Last-Minute tech gifts for that special nurturer in your life!
News: Trojan Infects More Than 500,000 PCs
We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of participating in file sharing networks, especially when it comes to downloading copyrighted materials. We are much less concerned about the legal infractions, because the real risk is in contracting viruses, worms and Trojans from files that you think are the latest song or video.
Data Doctors Video on Cnn.com: Capturing Error Messages
Watch the video and help our rankings on CNN.com! You can watch us live every Saturday morning at 9:30AM Pacific, 12:30PM Eastern or watch the archived versions of our segments whenever you want at CNN.com/video.
News flash: Much more of your digital activities and assets are living online than you think—they're living in the clouds, so to speak.
"I've always had my suspicions, and now I can prove it" says Lance Ulanoff of PC Magazine.
Weekly Advice Column: Beware the IRS Stimulus Payment scam
Wondering where your "Stimulus Payment" from the IRS is coming? Well, some crafty "phishers" are hoping that you are so curious that you won't realize the e-mail they send you is not actually from the IRS and you'll fill out the online form that is supposed to track your payment (once you input your social security number).
This Week's Show: The Continuing Phight against Phishing!
The various attempts to fool you into thinking that you are interacting with a legitimate enterprise online continues to grow.
"Phishing" for your personal information usually starts with an e-mail in your Inbox that looks like it came from your bank, Ebay, PayPal, the IRS or any number of other real entities. If you get fooled by the e-mail and click on a link, you will be transported to a website that looks exactly like the real thing, but is designed to get you to give up some prime information about yourself.
What are the latest scams? How can you become more aware of this increasingly more sophisticated fake messages and sites? What should you do if you think you have already fallen for a phishing scam?
These questions and more are answered for you by the Data Doctors on this week's show!
Join us Saturdays from 12:00PM–2:00PM (Pacific) on News 92.3 KTAR or listen LIVE via the Internet at KTAR.com as we discuss your computer questions at: 602.277.5827 or ask your questions during (or before) the broadcast using the ask a question page.
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