Featured Articles - The Best of How-To Geek

Is Your Old Router Still Getting Security Updates?

Security researchers from Fortinet recently discovered security holes in some D-Link routers. Many of these routers are still sold online, but D-Link no longer manufactures them and won’t patch them. So how do you tell ...

How to Use the mkfs Command on Linux

You must create a file system before you can use any data storage device connected to a Linux computer. Learn how to use mkfs and other utilities to do just that for all sorts of file systems. We show you how....

Dave McKay 2d ago

Windows 10 Is Getting Built-In Support for Network Cameras

Network cameras have existed since before the Wyze Cam and Nest Cam. They send their data over your local network rather than relying on a cloud service. Now, Insider builds of Windows 10 20H1 have built-in support for these...

Chris Hoffman 3d ago

AirDrop Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

AirDrop lets you send files, photos, and other data between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Like all wireless tech, though, AirDrop can be temperamental. And getting devices to “see” each other can sometimes be a challe...

Tim Brookes 3d ago

Did Linux Kill Commercial Unix?

Sales of commercial Unix have fallen off a cliff. There has to be something behind this dramatic decline. Has Linux killed its ancestor by becoming a perfectly viable replacement, like an operating system version of Invasion ...

How to Use Port Knocking on Linux (and Why You Shouldn’t)

Port knocking is a way to secure a server by closing firewall ports—even those you know will be used. Those ports are opened on demand if—and only if—the connection request provides the secret knock....

Dave McKay 4d ago

What Is a “Hot Take,” and Where Did the Phrase Come From?

Hot takes are everywhere online. You’ve probably seen the phrase “hot take” thrown around, but what exactly does it mean? Where did it come from, and how do you use it?

Andrew Heinzman 4d ago

How Windows 7’s “Extended Security Updates” Will Work

Windows 7 isn’t long for this world. On January 14, 2020, Microsoft ends “extended support” for Windows 7, and it will stop getting security updates. But there’s a way around it: Paying for “Exte...

Windows 10’s Phone Calls Will Support All Android 7+ Phones

Microsoft announced Calls on stage at a Samsung event in August, but this feature is coming for all phones with Android 7 or newer. Part of the Your Phone app, “Calling” is now rolling out to Windows Insiders....

Chris Hoffman 4d ago

What Is Patch Tuesday for Windows, and When Is It?

Microsoft’s “Patch Tuesday” occurs on the second Tuesday of each month. This is the day when, like clockwork, Microsoft releases large update packages for Windows 10, Windows 7, Microsoft Office, and its oth...

Chris Hoffman 5d ago

How to Disable Interactive Pop-Up Ads on Your Roku TV

Roku TVs are now displaying pop-up advertisements over commercials on live TV. Whether you’re watching cable TV or free OTA channels via an antenna, you’ll see an occasional Roku advertisement above a commercial. ...

Chris Hoffman 5d ago

What’s New in macOS 10.15 Catalina, Available Now

Apple’s macOS Catalina arrives today, October 7. This free upgrade lets you use your iPad as a second display, draw with an Apple Pencil in Mac apps, and run more iPad apps on your Mac.

How to Work with Variables in Bash

Variables are vital if you want to write scripts and understand what that code you’re about to cut and paste from the web will do to your Linux computer. We’ll get you started!

Dave McKay 6d ago

Does Your Computer Have a Virus? Here’s How to Check

Windows computers sometimes do get viruses and other malware, but not every slow or misbehaving PC is infected by malware. Here’s how to check if you actually have a virus—and whether that suspicious process is da...

Wi-Fi vs. ZigBee and Z-Wave: Which Is Better?

For most of the modern smarthome era, ZigBee and Z-Wave have been the dominant communication protocols. But now, Wi-Fi is a strong contender, and more Wi-Fi smart gadgets arrive every day. So, which should you use? The answe...

What Does “FWIW” Mean, and How Do You Use It?

While FWIW isn’t the most popular piece of slang on the internet, it routinely finds its way into Twitter posts, message boards, and chat rooms. But what does FWIW mean, where’d it come from, and how do you use it...

How to Automatically Delete Your YouTube History

Google now offers a tool that automatically deletes your search and activity history from YouTube. By default, your data is stored forever, but it can be wiped from Google’s servers every 3 or 18 months....

Justin Duino Oct 4th

What Is “Mixed Content,” and Why Is Chrome Blocking It?

Google Chrome already blocks some types of “mixed content” on the web. Now, Google announced it’s getting even more serious: Starting in early 2020, Chrome will block all mixed content by default, breaking s...

How to Manage Multiple Mailboxes in Outlook

A significant advantage of using Outlook on your computer is you can have multiple email accounts in one place. Here’s how you can manage everything successfully.

Rob Woodgate Oct 3rd

How to Move Your Linux home Directory to Another Drive

Want to move your Linux home folder to another drive? Here’s a straightforward and step by step way to do it that should work on any distribution. Moving your home folder means you can reinstall Linux and not have to w...

Dave McKay Oct 3rd

Just Updated to iOS 13? Change These Eight Settings Now

Did you know you can now reject all unknown calls on your iPhone to block telemarketing and scam phone calls? This is just one of the useful new settings Apple included in September’s iOS 13 update for iPhones and iPads...