Q: I’ve heard rumors that there are viruses that can take over your computer and demand a ransom to allow you back in. Can this really happen? — Kris

“Your entry last month has WON! Go to www.****.com to claim your FREE $1,000 Target gift card within 24 hrs.”

“Your entry last month has WON! Go to www.****.com to claim your FREE $1,000 Target gift card within 24 hrs.”

A: I have an old computer with (Windows) XP that is running very slow (I think it has a virus). I would like to get a new computer and transfer things to the new computer but I’m afraid it will transfer the virus. What should I do? -- Maureen

"By saving frugally, we reap liberty, a golden harvest.” The Spartan King, Agesilaus, spoke those words 24 centuries ago, and they are still true today. Here are some financial goals to consider when choosing your New Year’s Resolutions.

Guided by executive producer John Lasseter, Walt Disney Animation Studios has clearly devoted significant resources and talent to "Wreck-It Ralph," recruiting a top-notch cast and a diverse array of animation, visual effects and lighting artists to contribute to the distinct and varied vid-game styles. With a mix of retro eye-candy for grown-ups and a thrilling, approachable storyline for the tykes, the film casts a wide and beguiling net.

Are your computers safe and secure? As part of the national Stop.Think.Connect campaign against cyber threats to computers in the private and public sector, the city of Mesa and the Department of Homeland Security are hosting a cyber security summit at the Mesa Arts Center on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Microsoft has announced the launch date for the new Windows 8 as the last week in October. Big deal, huh?

I was probably about 11 years old when I had my first experience with Internet safety.

If you ever watch old mystery movies, there is usually a scene where a guy is walking down a side street on a rainy night when he hears a “Psst. Hey fella. I have a secret to tell ya” coming from a dark alleyway. Well I am giving you the same “Psst. I have a secret to tell you.” It is an easy way to tell if your computer is running well and your Internet is slow and some simple things you can do to fix this.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Internet users scanning their Twitter feeds or Facebook accounts Sunday might want to add one more quick click to check their computer for malware.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Internet users scanning their Twitter feeds or Facebook accounts Sunday might want to add one more quick click to check their computer for malware.

Q: Can my Android smartphone really get a virus from the Internet? — Joel

Q: Can my Android smartphone really get a virus from the Internet? — Joel

Q: About a year ago, I heard you guys mention having a couple of browsers on a computer, so I installed Firefox. My Web browsing has gotten HORRIBLY slow these days. BTW, I installed Chrome and everything loads fine. Should I assume I picked up a virus that affects Firefox? — David

Q: About a year ago, I heard you guys mention having a couple of browsers on a computer, so I installed Firefox. My Web browsing has gotten HORRIBLY slow these days. BTW, I installed Chrome and everything loads fine. Should I assume I picked up a virus that affects Firefox? — David

Do you know you’re dying? From the day we’re born — especially after we stop growing — our bodies are continuously deteriorating. Organs don’t do their jobs quite so well, digestive systems can get sluggish, fat is easy to amass and muscle is in short supply with each passing year.

Do you know you’re dying? From the day we’re born — especially after we stop growing — our bodies are continuously deteriorating. Organs don’t do their jobs quite so well, digestive systems can get sluggish, fat is easy to amass and muscle is in short supply with each passing year.

Forty years after Richard Nixon and America declared war on cancer, the numbers stood out in Anna Barker’s presentation last Friday at the East Valley Health Care Summit in Gilbert.

By now, the majority of New Year's resolutions have fallen by the wayside and if remembered at all, they are recalled in sentences like, "What was I thinking? Every time I organize my office, I cannot find anything for weeks!" So how about a few things that are easy to do and will make a difference in your computer life?

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers to beware of a scam involving emails sent from fake entities that are using the Better Business Bureau’s logo. Consumers have been telling the attorney general they’ve gotten deceptive emails with the BBB logo and the subject line of “Complaint from your customers.” A link or attachment often contains malicious malware, a computer virus that could harm your computer or steal information.

Q: I was told that when a fake warning pops up on my screen that if I click on the X to close it, I will get infected. Is this true? - Tony

Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, "I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." Autumn is a time to reflect on how well we managed to get through another hot summer and the annual arrival and departure of the monsoons. This year seemed fairly tame in comparison to recent years, but it did leave some work for every computer owner.

Q: My antivirus program is about to expire, so do I renew it or buy new antivirus software?