Audience Questions

Audience QuestionsHour 1

Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3

Why doesn't my Windows account have administrative rights?

Watch Ken from Santa Monica, CA Comments

Ken wanted to install a program, but he doesn't have administrative rights in Windows. Leo says that's a good thing. In fact, this is why he shouldn't have admin rights, because malware could easily be installed if he did. He should try using his user login, which should have admin rights. If it doesn't, he should go to the User Accounts Control Panel and see what's going on there. He'll be able to see all of the accounts on the computer there.

The chat room says that user accounts can get mixed up, and in that case, Ken will have to reinstall Windows. Since it's happened to two of Ken's computers, there may be malware.

How can I transfer my files from one laptop to another?

Watch Randy from Dallas, TX Comments

Randy wants to transfer all the data from his old laptop to his new laptop. Leo says just transfer the data himself. He shouldn't use the transfer wizard or anything like Laplink. It's in his best interest to start over here. If he has a backup of his data, he can easily restore it. He can also get a USB key and transfer all of his data that way.

What antivirus should I get with my new laptop?

Watch Jim from Yorba Linda, CA Comments

Jim is buying a new Dell computer and wants to know what antivirus software he should get? Leo says first, an antivirus can't protect him against yourself. It should just be used as a backstop. He will be the first line of defense.

Windows actually has a good antivirus solution built into Windows 8 called Windows Defender. That'll work just fine as long as he keeps it up to date. He should also make sure he runs as a standard user, not an administrator. And don't click on links in emails.

Leo also recommends spending extra to get a higher resolution display. If he can afford it, he should get an SSD. Will a 5400fpm hard drive be okay? Leo says it's a bit slow, but since Jim is getting a lower end laptop anyway, it'll be fine for what he needs.

Audience QuestionsHour 2

Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3

Can I use a DVR with an HD antenna?

Watch Jim from San Diego, CA Comments

Jim is in the process of "cutting the cable," and he's looking to get a good HD antenna. Leo says that over-the-air signal is the best quality HD because it's uncompressed. Leo advises using AntennaWeb.org. It'll not only tell him what stations work best, it'll also give him recommendations for the best antennas. There's also TVFool.com.

Jim also wants to use a DVR with it. Leo says that TIVOs are still around and that would be the best option. Leo says he should go to Weaknees.com for it. Leo recommends the TIVO Roamio (base model) Series 5. It has 150 hours of recording, and it has a Netflix interface, so he wouldn't even need the Roku.

How can I protect myself when banking online?

Watch Dave from Bellflower, CA Comments

Dave wants to know the best way to protect himself when banking online. Leo says that it's obvious that banking personally is far more secure than banking online. But coupling the convenience of online banking with very limited liability, it's hard not to take advantage of it.

Leo recommends using two factor authentication to protect his password because it requires an authentication code sent to his phone. He should make sure he is using "https://" when connecting to his bank's site. His bank should be using that automatically.

As for the infamous "secret questions" for password recovery, Leo says not to use real answers! Lie about it. They are too easy for someone else to figure out, based on information they can find online. Use bogus answers that he can remember.

It also would help for him to use a password manager like LastPass to manage and generate his passwords online. They are impossible to guess. It works on his mobile devices as well ask his desktop.

Is an old version of Office safe to use?

Watch Bob from Potsville, PA Comments

Bob has a very old version of Microsoft Office and he wants to know if it's safe to continue using. Leo says that this week, a "zero day flaw" was found in Microsoft Office through the RTF rendering engine, and hackers have been taking advantage of that. So if there's an update, update it. Leo also says not to use Internet Explorer. Use Google Chrome instead. He should turn off the feature that automatically launches an app when he goes to a website as well. If he's careful, he should be able to keep using his version of Office, though.

Audience QuestionsHour 3

Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3

Can I get arrested for downloading music from BitTorrent?

Watch Mario from El Paso, TX Comments

Mario downloads music and he wants to know if he'll get sued or arrested for it. Leo says that when he's sharing or downloading, law enforcement doesn't know who he actually is because it's all based on IP addresses. Both the recording industry (RIAA) and the movie industry (MPAA) often have phoney torrents in order to find out what IP addresses are downloading them. Then they have to find out who owns that IP address from the ISP.

In the US, ISPs have agreed to a "six strikes" rule, so if a user gets caught, they get warned several times. Then after six strikes, the ISP could cut them off. That's realistically the worst thing that'll happen. The ISP could give over Mario's information to the RIAA and MPAA, though. Then there is a possibility that he could get sued. But he won't get arrested.

There's really no reason to steal music anymore. For $10 a month, Mario could get access to all of the music he'd want from a wide variety of sources. So Leo suggests just paying for it. If the industry makes it easy and fair to do so, people will get it the legal way.

What's the best camera for a school trip?

Watch Samson from California Comments

Samson is going on a trip with his history class and wants to know the best point and shoot camera for him. Leo says that he got his daughter a water proof camera that takes good pictures and video. So he gave her the Olympus Tough TG2. The Olympus V is another good one, but not as robust.

Should I clone my old hard drive and put it on my new computer?

Watch Tony from Los Angeles, CA Comments

Tony needs to move the data from his old Windows XP machine to his new laptop. Should he clone it? Leo says no! If he clones it, he'll overwrite the new OS with the old Windows XP. And that's counter productive. Just backup the data and put it on the new computer. He can use a thumb drive to do it. He'll just have to reinstall all of his programs, but it's far better to start fresh.

How can I make my Android phone run fast again?

Watch Joe from Huntington Park, CA Comments

Joe bought a Galaxy Mega from Metro PCS, but it's gotten really slow. Leo says do a complete reset of the phone, turn off anything that's running in the background and he should have it running fast again.

What's a good convertible laptop?

Watch Pam from Studio City, CA Comments

Pam bought a netbook instead of a tablet and she just hates it. So she's getting a new computer. Leo says that they're rather junky, very cheap, and woefully underpowered. She's thinking about getting the Lenovo Ideapad.

Leo likes the Yoga. It's well built, can convert into a laptop, and worth every penny considering Pam already experienced what Leo calls "a false economy" with netbooks.

Can I have an XP machine safely in my network if I don't allow it online?

Watch Monny from Roxbury, NJ Comments

Monny has a bunch of XP machines that he has to upgrade. Leo says that he doesn't necessarily have to. It is possible to operate XP safely online. Here's what you can do -

1. Stop using XP as an administrator. Use it as a limited user instead. Add an account as an administrator and then demote your existing account to limited user. This will stop over 90% of all the exploits out there.
2. Stop using Internet Explorer. Go with Google Chrome. It's free and far more secure.
3. Don't click on links in email.
4. Only get your software from original vendors.
5. Keep your anti virus software up to date.
6. Stop using Java.

You do these things, you'll be fine moving forward after April 8th.

But Monny wants to have his XP computers in the network, but not available online. Leo says to make sure the XP firewall is turned on. He should change the settings of the XP computer so it doesn't have the gateway address. Modify the router to block it by MAC address, and hide all the browser icons.