Hey, I know you guys have your iPads and your laptops and are out and about. I curious to know what kind of VPN programs you run when using hotspots for internet connections. I'm looking for some feedback on whichever program you run.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and it's an absolute must for anyone that ventures outside their homes with the intent of hooking up in hotspots. It's a major security risk in not using any kind of VPN. Internet snoopers hang out at hotspots for the sole purpose of intercepting your connection and getting into your computer and stealing your data (passwords, credit cards numbers, etc....). There aren't any numbers to back it up, but you should just assume that Snoopers are at every hotspot in the world. Mac, you need to find yourself a trusted VPN to use at home or on the road. VPN's also give you anonymity online so that no one else can track you (F*ck you NSA!!).

You connect online as you do at home or if you're at a WiFi spot (they should tell you which username to use) if it's not readily obvious. If you're at Starbucks, it should say 'Starbucks' or something like that. Depends on who the proprietor is and they choose what name they are going to use per location. So, once you are online, just activate whichever VPN you are using. Once you are connected via your VPN of choice, depending on which VPN you use, it will normally give you a popup box saying you are now 'Anonymous and your IP Address has changed'. Only when you fully protected do you start your everyday use (passwords, usernames, etc....). So, in short, log in online, activate VPN and then surf. For ease of use, you can get VPN's like CyberGhost. You will need to download the software and run it like any other program. Once it's installed, all you do is open CyberGhost, select a country or IP Address you want, wait for it to connect (it will show you on it's virtual map) of where it's connecting to. Once connected, you're good to go. FYI, CG has a free option if you want to try it out. The paid options just have more servers to choose from and is unlimited access. The free option will disconnect you after 3 hours, but you can immediately reconnect when it does.

I forgot to mention that one of the main features you need to look for in a VPN is a Kill Switch. As is the case, connections come and go and in the case of VPN's, when you lose a connection to the VPN servers and disconnect, you may still be online surfing the net, buying stuff and what have you without the added VPN protection you want. With a Kill Switch, when it's enabled, when you lose the VPN connection, it kills everything, including your online WiFi connection. This is to protect you from carrying onward under the assumption you still have a VPN connection. Now, going into CyberGhost, I can't find any Kill Switch options. It may be there under a different name (not likely) or it's not included in the Free Version. The walkaround way is just to be aware of your VPN disconnecting. If it does, stop surfing and reconnect before resuming any surfing.

You're killing me Smalls!

I wouldn't ditch Windows just yet, especially just 5 days before the launch of Windows 10, which is a free upgrade to anyone that currently runs Windows 7 or 8.1.

Plus, I think we're due for a new iMac in the next year... outside of retina display, there hasn't been a proper new iMac in about five years (I noticed this watching a compilation of their commercials) AND there were almost no iMacs in the Apple Store last time I looked.

Is that speculation or something a little more concrete?