BitDefender Offers Half Off Total Security 2012 for Back to School

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September 30th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

Is your kid headed off to college? Do they need to protect their computer with some Internet security software? Well, you’re in luck. BitDefender is offering 2 years of their top-rated security software for half off! BitDefender’s Total Security 2012 is a sleeker, more silent version of its former self. With a never-ending grab bag of new extras and the new AutoPilot feature that essentially turns the software “silent” unless there is a major security threat (a perfect feature for study time), the new version of BitDefender does not disappoint. BitDefender Total Security 2012 also offers a slick new user-friendly interface and enhanced performance features. Go here to read our review of BitDefender and get this deal.

Will my credit score be affected if I apply for a credit card?

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September 30th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha

Q: Will my credit score be affected if I apply for a credit card?

A: In general, if you already have a strong credit history and score, then applying for a new credit card shouldn't affect your score much (if at all).  It if does change, it would only be by a couple of points.

However it's important to know that whether your credit score is affected by applying for a new credit card depends on several factors. Most credit score agencies take 5 things into account when they are calculating your credit score; your payment history, the amount you owe, the length of your credit history, the type of credit you have and and new credit (learn more about how your credit score is calculated).

If you have a positive credit history, than applying for a credit card (which falls into to "new credit" bucket) shouldn't really affect your score. Just don't apply for too many credit cards in a short period of time, as this can be construed by the credit score companies as a need for money, and lower your score. It's best to do your research ahead of time and then apply for the credit card best for your situation.

If you don't have a positive credit history, than continually applying for new credit cards won't help your score. However, it may be that you also need to examine the other factors involved in calculating your credit score. For example, when your score is calculated the cumulative amount you owe is usually counted more than opening new lines of credit. If you are carrying a large balance on your cards, you can probably help your score more by paying this balance off than you can hurt your score by applying for one new credit card.

If your credit isn't the best you might want to consider a credit card for those with poor credit like the Household Bank Rewards Mastercard. It helps improve your credit history by reporting to all 3 credit bureaus every month so you can rebuild your credit, has a 0% introductory APR for the first 9 months and even earns users 2 points for every $1 spent. And since it's application process pre-qualifies users for either an unsecured or secured credit card, you are likely to be accepted. Or take a look at all our poor credit card reviews and choose a card that works for your situation.

My phone service has been disconnected. Will I still be able to sign up for VoIP?

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September 29th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

Q: My phone service has been disconnected. Will I still be able to sign up for VoIP?

A: It depends. All you need for VoIP to work is an active Internet connection with a router. Most VoIP adapters hook up directly to your router, so it uses the Internet connection to make the call. If you receive your Internet through your phone service, then it won’t work if your service has been cut off. If on the other hand you receive your Internet over a cable line, then you should be able to hook up your VoIP adapter to your router and use the VoIP services. Check out our VoIP reviews to see which service best fits your needs.

NextAdvisor Releases McAfee Total Security 2012 Review, Plus a $30 Discount

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September 28th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

McAfee’s 2012 version of Total Security has just been released and we’ve got all the details for you, along with a $30 discount for NextAdvisor readers. The award-winning security software continues with its strong protection, but adds a few cool new features that could make some heads turn. McAfee has introduced safe URL sharing in their 2012 version of the software, which allows you to post links to social media sites without worrying they are corrupted. The company also introduced a USB and remote drive scanner, which will detect any viruses or malware that might be transferred by a remote drive. These updates, along with McAfee’s proven record of security, make the new Total Security a best bet. Want to know more? Check out our review of McAfee Total Security 2012 here.

NextAdvisor Releases Eset Smart Security 5 Review

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September 27th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

If you are looking for security software without all the extras that also won’t break the bank, then Eset Smart Security 5 is the perfect security software for you. While the new version of Eset adds new features like parental controls and cloud-based security detection, it leaves most of the bells and whistles to the larger security suites. The simplified software makes it easy for Eset to do what it does best: security. Eset Smart Security 5 rated the highest in both dynamic testing and performance testing, and did so without being too intrusive on the computer. Want to know more? Check out what we thought of Eset Smart Security 5 here.

How secure is Carbonite online backup?

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September 27th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

Q: How secure is Carbonite? I am very concerned about a companies' ability to keep my data safe and secure if I am going to store my data off-site in this way. I don't see this mentioned here or discussed in comparison to other companies.

A: Carbonite, like most other top-ranked online backup companies, has an elaborate system for keeping your data safe. First, Carbonite encrypts all of your files on your own computer before copying them over to their servers through a secure SSL connection, which further encrypts and secures your information. Carbonite also utilized RAID 6, which is a complicated program of organizing your data to better protect. The Carbonite File System, where your data is stored, has further encryption and security features to help keep your data safe. Carbonite employees also do not have access to your information, adding an extra layer of security.

Most of the other top online backup companies use similar encryption techniques to protect your data, so you should be safe regardless of which of the top online backup companies you choose. If you want more information about any of those companies, please visit our Online Backup review page.

Can you send the same Internet fax to multiple numbers at the same time?

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September 26th, 2011 - Posted by jeff

Q: Can you send the same fax to multiple numbers at the same time? If the receiver is still a fax machine and not a computer will it print on their fax machine?

A: Great questions. MetroFax does allow you to send the same fax to up to 250 recipients when you fax from the email that you’ve synced with the service, as long as your email provider doesn’t limit the number of email recipients. If you are using MetroFax Dashboard, you can send one fax to up to 50 recipients.

Also, yes, faxes from MetroFax can be sent to normal fax machines. First, make sure you are using an email that is synced with MetroFax. In the “To” section of the email, type in the 10-digit fax number you wish to fax to, followed by “@metrofax.com”. Anything that you type in the body of the email is the cover sheet, and the order that you upload attachments are the order that they are received. MetroFax will convert your attachments in to 200dpi black and white documents that will be received by the standard fax. If you have any other questions or want to compare Internet fax services, please check out our Internet fax review page.

What is the best online genealogy service with documentation dating back to the 1900's?

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September 26th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha

Q: I am interested in genealogy and want as much documentation as I can get on marriages, divorces, etc as early as possible beginning in the 1900's. What would be the best genealogy service to use?

A: Ancestry.com would be the best genealogy service for your specific requirements. Ancestry.com is the most comprehensive of all the online genealogy services we've reviewed, and it has the largest resource base. You'll have access to birth, marriage & death records, U.S. Census records back to 1850, Social Security death indexes, voter records, immigration and passenger lists, newspaper articles, photos, maps and memoirs. In addition, you can see and connect to other Ancestry members who have compiled their own family trees and made them public—a great feature if you share relatives and want to leverage their information.

Right now Ancestry.com is offering a free 14-day trial, so you can start your family tree research free of charge. After the 14-day trial period the U.S.-based membership is $12.95 per month while the International membership is $24.95 per month.

NextAdvisor Releases Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 Review

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September 23rd, 2011 - Posted by jeff

What a difference a year can make? For Kaspersky, this year meant making some major improvements to their security software. The installation process is easier. The interface is simpler and more user-friendly. The performance is faster, due to their new cloud-based security feature. And all of this, combined with their already impressive protection performance, convinced us to add an extra star to our Kaspersky review. It’s a good year for Kaspersky. Find out why here!

Download "Moneyball" Audiobook for Free or Cheap

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September 23rd, 2011 - Posted by jeff

Want a more in-depth look at Brad Pitt’s new movie “Moneyball”? Then check out the original book by Michael Lewis. Lewis’ book gets in to the details behind the Sabermetric analytics that Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane used to create a winning team with small revenue. These tactics are used by many MLB teams today, including the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. Check out what “Moneyball” is all about:

Audible.com: New subscribers can get “Moneyball” for just $7.49 (regularly $24.50). That's the introductory price of the subscription service, which includes one monthly credit good for one book as well as 30% off all other books. One book a month might not seem like much for a voracious listener, but the deal includes additional reading in the form of a daily subscription to the The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. After three months, the membership goes up to $14.95 a month, which is still less than the cost of “Moneyball” without a membership. Click here to download the audiobook!

eMusic: Why not just get “Moneyball” for free? An eMusic free trial plan includes one audiobook credit. After two weeks, a membership is only $9.99 a month. As with Audible.com, this subscription would provide you with one book a month. Click here to join eMusic.

Simply Audiobooks: If you go with the monthly download option, it’s $14.95 a month for one title credit but with no free trial. If you use their CD rental program you can rent an unlimited number of CDs, two at a time, for $26.98 a month, with a 15-day free trial to start. Or you can buy the CD of “Moneyball” for $17.99

iTunes: iTunes offers the audiobook with no subscription plan for $5.95. This is a great choice for casual listeners who are Apple fans as you can only listen to the book on the iPod, iPhone, iPad, or a computer with iTunes installed. Click here to download the “Moneyball” audiobook!