Q: I plan on doing my taxes on my computer this year and want to make sure that I don't have any viruses that will steal my information. Is a virus scan enough or should I do more checks? - Michael

Q: Is the Internet really running out of IP addresses and if so, what does it mean to me? - Mike

This week's advice column is a compilation of some of our favorite tips from 2010:

Q: My daughter was sent a link from one of her Facebook friends and became infected just by clicking on it. How do I keep this from happening in the future (Windows XP)? - Roger

Q: I'm still using Windows XP and keep hearing about it no longer being available and no longer being supported by Microsoft updates? Is it time for me to stop using Windows XP? - Marcus

Q: What’s the best way to get my data and programs from my old computer to my new Windows 7 computer? - Kevin

Q. I am currently using a 3-year-old Windows XP laptop and am planning to buy a new laptop. Could you please suggest to me whether I should go for a Mac or a Windows 7 laptop? I would really appreciate your analysis. — Aman

Ken Colburn: Q. What exactly is Windows 7’s XP mode, and what’s it used for? — Brian

Ken Colburn: Q. What makes Windows 7 better than Vista or XP? - Jacob

Data Doctors: Q. I heard someone call your radio show saying that all public Wi-Fi is completely unsecured, and anyone around you could easily see anything that you were doing. Is this true, and, if so, what should I be doing to protect my computer? - Nathan

 Data Doctors: Windows 7 is shaping up to be one of the better releases from the folks at Microsoft, based on our testing of the soon-to-be-released (Oct. 22, 2009, as of this writing) operating system.

Q. I have Norton Internet security, yet my computer has been infected with the Antivirus 2009 program. How can this happen, and how do I get rid of it? - Glenn

Q: What exactly is a "netbook" and how is it different from a laptop computer? - Michael

 Q: I want to scan my documents and have them turned into PDF files for e-mail. Any suggestions? - Pat

Despite what you see in stores, the Friday after Thanksgiving begins the traditional Christmas shopping season. It's called Black Friday to mark the day retailers make profits and are "in the black." It's also the day for extended shopping hours, crowded stores and deeply discounted prices.

Q: I have a 6- or 7-year-old computer (that) works very well. Will I need a new computer for Windows 7? - Leonard

Q: I keep getting the yellow exclamation mark at the lower left corner telling me to install Service Pack 3. It has been out for a while now. Should I install it? — Laura

Q. If your computer is stolen, is there any way to track it down based on someone using it and downloading program updates, or some other method? — Richard

How'd you like to increase your office productivity by as much as 50 percent? Add a second monitor to your computer setup. Once you do, you'll never go back to using only one monitor again.