McAfee protects 3 computers. Do you have any info on the numbers of computers the others protect?
Posted by kent on November 5th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: You state how many computers McAfee claims to protect. Do you have any info on the numbers of computers the others protect?
A: Thanks for the question. If an Internet security product has licenses for more than one PC, we list that in the chart with the price. We try to be current with all price/license information, but you should always make sure that the product you're purchasing supports the required number of PCs when you're at checkout. Here's a list of Internet security products we've reviewed that support multiple licenses:
Norton (3)
McAfee (3)
Trend Micro (3)
CA (3)
Webroot (3)
ZoneAlarm (3)
Kaspersky (3)
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Can I transfer Carbonite to my new computer?
Posted by kent on October 30th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I purchased your product about a month ago then I bought a new computer because my old one was so stinking slow. Can I transfer Carbonite to my new computer (It even has my old hard drive in it)?
A: It's a great question, but first we should clarify that while we do review and provide links to Carbonite, NextAdvisor.com is a separate company. With that out of the way, here's the answer to your question:
In short: Yes. That's the great thing about a subscription-based services like Carbonite. I found these instructions on the help section on Carbonite's web site. I'm assuming you reformatted your drive when you put it on the new machine, so the first step probably doesn't apply to you. The main thing you need to do is access your Carbonite account online and transfer your subcscription to your new computer, but here are detailed steps:
1) If the computer that Carbonite is currently installed on is still in use, Uninstall Carbonite (using Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel). Otherwise, proceed to step 2.
2) Log into your account from your new computer (the computer to which you would like to transfer your subscription)
Click the My Protected Computers tab
3) If you want to transfer your subscription without restoring any files, click the Transfer button. To transfer your subscription and restore files to your new computer, click the Restore button
4) Follow the instructions to download and install Carbonite
Again, some of these steps will depend on whether or not you reformatted your drive. And if you did reformat the drive, you can use Carbonite to restore the files that were on your old machine.
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Will a reduced credit card limit hurt my credit score?
Posted by Caitlin on October 26th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: My bank is lowering my credit card limit, even though I always pay on time. Will this hurt my credit score?
A: Unfortunately, yes. Lately, many lenders have been cutting credit limits, even for consumers with high credit scores. And the ratio of the balance you carry to your available credit is an important factor in calculating your credit score. Sometimes, a credit limit is cut due to underuse, rather than failure to make payments. So if that is a concern, be sure to use your oldest credit card, or the card with the highest limit, from time to time. Depending on the limit and the balance you carry, you may also be able to offset the negative impact by paying off more of your balance. Or, if necessary, it may make sense to open a new credit account with a high limit.
See our reviews and comparison charts to learn more about credit reports and scores and credit cards.
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How to I switch to Jenny Direct?
Posted by Caitlin on October 14th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: How do I switch from a center to mail order because there is not a center near where I am moving?
A: Jenny Direct, Jenny Craig's at home weight loss program, offers the same food, tools, and personal support that are available at Jenny Craig's local centers. Your Jenny Cuisine and program materials will be delivered by mail, and you'll speak with your consultant over the phone. Current Jenny Craig memberships are transferable back and forth, from a Jenny Craig center to Jenny Direct and vice versa. To transfer your membership to Jenny Direct, just speak with your personal consultant or request an instant call back from a Jenny Craig customer service representative.
To learn more about Jenny Craig and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
Why do I have different credit scores from TrueCredit and Experian?
Posted by Caitlin on October 14th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I have a 3 score report from True Credit and one from Experian. They have totally different scores. Why would this be? I am trying to get Identity Guard but have not had success with that.
A: Your credit score is calculated based on the information in your credit report, and you have three different credit reports, one from each of the three major credit bureaus. Since some businesses choose to report to only one or two of the three bureaus, it is likely that each of your three credit reports contains slightly different data, which would result in different scores. The credit bureaus use different formulas to calculate their scores, which is another reason for variation. Your credit score also changes as new data is added to your credit report, so if you request credit reports and scores from different bureaus at different times, that would account for further variation.
The varying scores provided by the credit bureaus can help you gain an understanding of your credit health. But the vast majority of lenders rely on the FICO scoring system, created by the Fair Isaac Corporation. You have three FICO scores, one based on each of your three different credit reports.
You can purchase your TransUnion and Equifax FICO scores directly from MyFICO. MyFICO also offers a service that monitors your Equifax credit report and Equifax FICO score and alerts you to any changes. Equifax offers a similar service that provides your Equifax FICO score, but monitors all three credit reports. Identity Guard monitors all three credit reports and provides all three credit scores as calculated by the CreditXpert scoring system, which is similar but not identical to the FICO scoring system. It is not possible for consumers to access Experian FICO scores at this time.
If you are particularly interested in your FICO score, the best option would be to obtain all three credit reports and your FICO score from Equifax. Assuming that the data is consistent across all three reports, it would be fairly safe to assume that your Experian and TransUnion FICO scores will also be quite consistent with your Equifax FICO score.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the information on your credit report matters more than any individual credit score. You can't necessarily anticipate how a particular lender will choose to calculate your score, but you can ensure that the data on all three of your credit reports is positive and accurate.
To learn more about credit reports and scores, see our reviews and comparison chart.
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How does Weight Watchers' lifetime membership work?
Posted by Caitlin on September 14th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I'm a lifetime [Weight Watchers] member but I have not attended for a long time. I would like to join again. How does the lifetime membership work, are you charged for not attending a meeting or are you charged only for the meetings that you attend?
A: Weight Watchers meetings members who reach their goal weight and maintain that goal weight within two pounds for six consecutive weeks are awarded lifetime memberships. Lifetime members may attend Weight Watchers meetings at no charge, as long as they remain no more than two pounds above their goal weight.
Once you have reached lifetime member status, you will always be a lifetime member and will never have to pay another registration fee. You must weigh in at your first meeting of every month, and if you weigh more than two pounds more than your goal weight, you'll be charged the weekly fee. You will not be expected to pay for missed meeting unless you have not weighed in within a one month period. You are always eligible for lifetime benefits, and depending on your location, you may be eligible for discounted fees.
If you have misplaced your lifetime member number, you can call Weight Watchers at 800-651-6000, or by filling out a request form at WeightWatchers.com.
To learn more about Weight Watchers or other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
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What if I don't like the food?
Posted by Caitlin on September 2nd, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I want to try Nutrisystem, but I'm a picky eater and I'm afraid I might not like the food. Can I try it for free, or get my money back if I don't like it?
A: Nutrisystem does allow returns and offers a money back guarantee on non-frozen foods. After you recieve your first order, you'll have seven days to decide whether or not you like the food. You can call Nutrisystem at any time within those seven days and return the remaining food for a full refund, minus the cost of shipping.
If you do decide to continue with Nutrisystem, you'll also have the option to return or exchange any non-frozen food items that you don't care for, as long as the package is unopened and you return it within 30 days. Nutrisystem does not allow returns on frozen foods.
To learn more about Nutrisystem or other meal delivery diet services, take a look at our reviews and comparison chart.
Are online backup providers responsible for keeping customers' data unencrypted?
Posted by kent on August 28th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way. This question comes as a follow-up to a question asked earlier this week: If an online backup service provider is subpoenaed, would they have to hand over your data?
Q: As a data storage provider, if forced to turn over a clients data and it is encrypted, and me as a data storage provider that does not have any means to obtain my clients encryption code; I would just essentially be turning over jibberish. How does this play into the whole scenario?
A: Last week I noted that online backup providers must cooperate with search warrants, meaning they must hand over data, unencrypted to law enforcement if subpoenaed. I also noted that Carbonite requires that data not be encrypted, prompting a reader to ask if online backup service providers were required to screen for encrypted data.
I'm glad you asked because your question sent me back to the Terms of Service for a deeper read. It turns out that Carbonite only prevents you from using "the Carbonite Products or Services to decrypt data encrypted by others" as well as disallowing you to "permit others to Use the Carbonite Products or Services to access or decrypt data stored on servers provided by Carbonite…" Specifically this seems to refer to an unauthorized use of Carbonite's own encryption methods (which it uses to securely pull the files from your computer).
So, that entanglement is avoided, and I apologize for that misreading on my part (it seems obvious now). Still, it's important to note that these services are not routinely scanning your files for inappropriate content. That would actually make them liable for everything on their servers, a horrendous and unmanageable burden. Carbonite says it may decrypt your files if "it reasonably believes it must do so in order to comply with a law, subpoena, warrant, order, or regulation…" It may also due so for trouble shooting purposes.
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If an online backup provider was subpoenaed, would it have to hand your data over?
Posted by kent on August 27th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I have a question about online backup services. In both civil and criminal lawsuits, we have all heard or read about an individual's computer contents being used as evidence, and if the crime or individual is "newsworthy," the contents splashed all over the news.
Would the same situation apply to software backup services? If they were subpoenaed, would they have to hand them over? Or are there some services that provide some kind of encryption so no one could access the contents except the owner? Not planning on being in court – just that Dell has provided backup service software with my new laptop and I am hesitant to put the entire contents of my PC "out there."
A: That's a great question. First, I should say that I'm not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice, but I do spend a lot of time pouring through Terms of Service (TOS) agreements and have worked with legal departments at online service providers in the past. This morning I spent some time with the TOS's of several of our online backup providers.
My entirely non-legally binding findings are: Yes, if your online backup provider was subpoenaed to hand over your data, they would have to do it. Your online storage is, as you suspect, just like the drive on your computer when it comes to a search warrant. Furthermore, the backup service provider does not want to (and legally cannot) store data that they know to be in violation of the law. If the provider were to do anything to disguise your data (i.e, through encryption), they would be in breach of the law. In fact, at least one provider (Carbonite) expressly prohibits you from making your data unreadable, since it would prevent investigations.
In my professional experience, online service providers are sticklers for subpoenas, and will not hand over customer data without a proper court order. While they are required to help out law enforcement, there are consequences to violating a user's privacy (both in terms of public relations and litigation).
But, as you suggest, once that data does get turned over, the genie is out of the bottle. Still, the same would be true if you backed up your data on an external drive and it was discovered during a court-ordered search of your house.
For more on online backup services, check out our reviews and comparisons.
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Does Carbonite offer remote file access?
Posted by kent on August 25th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Your comparison chart and program details table for carbonite says \"No file access except for full system recovery\", while your review says \"Carbonite now offers Remote File Access, so you can access any single file from any computer that has web access.\"
A: It looks like you caught a little misprint in our online backup services comparison chart. Yes, at one time Carbonite only offered full-backups, but they now offer remote access to your files from any web browser. This makes it not only great for online backup, but also extremely useful for anyone who's ever needed to access a file remotely. With Carbonite, you're not only keeping your documents safe from hard drive crashes, but making sure your files are always available to you when you need them.
Carbonite gives you unlimited storage for $54.95 per year, and runs on Windows Vista, XP, and Mac OS X (10.4 or above).
- Will Carbonite also backup programs and applications in a form that would allow them to be installed and run without the hassle of rebuilding ones pc in a crash?
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- Wake up and backup!
- Can we buy one subscription of Carbonite to back up both our computers?
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