Kwikset Smart Key Rekeying Set

If you have a Kwikset Smart Key lock, this is the perfect solution for rekeying it. The kit comes with everything you need: the Smart Key tool, four new keys, plus two alternate keys, and easy and clear instructions. Rekeying took me about 30 seconds.

The only downside to the kit is getting it open. It's packaged in what seems like bullet-proof plastic. Be careful if you use a box knife to open it. It's tough. Opening the package took me at least five minutes, maybe ten.

A clearer way to describe the included keys is to say the kit includes one set of four keys and another set of two keys, allowing you to rekey your Smart Key lock twice (or change it back and forth). One suggestion is that you can  use the two-key set (the "alternate" keys) to temporarily rekey the lock  so that a repairman can have access to the house. After the repair or whatever is finished, you can rekey back to the other key set.

Finally, considering the cost of having keys made, buying a new lock cylinder, or hiring a locksmith, the price of this set is a bargain.

Highly recommended.

Caveat: You must have a Kwikset Smart Key lock to use this kit.

Epica 4 in 1 Immersion Hand Blender

Having seen and heard about hand blenders, I did some research on them and ended up with this midrange item. The Epica 4-in-1 Immersion Hand Blender sells for in the $40-$50 range. Hand blenders go as low as about $29 and as high as $100+.

The Epica is a nifty tool for whipping up smoothies and blended drinks in a flash. The stainless steel blade unit detaches from the motor and can be cleaned with a short stream of warm water. The unit comes with the blade attachment, a whisk attachment, and a small food processor attachment. I use the blade attachment with the plastic cup.

My drink of choice includes a banana, some blueberries, some pomegranate juice, yogurt, apple juice, sometimes a few prunes, some water soluble fiber, and five or six ice cubes. The blender liquefies this in about ten seconds.

Highly recommended. Excellent quality and performance.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium 3 Error Message System Not Fully Protected

Well, I've been around the block a few times on this one. I wanted my PCs to be fully protected, so I upgraded them from the free version of Malwarebytes to the premium version 3. Soon thereafter, my PCs began slowing down, not responding, and showing a Malwarebytes error message saying that Web protection had been turned off. I tried to turn it on, but it would either not respond or just say, "starting," and wander off into bitspace.

I contacted Malwarebytes technical support and they gave different suggestions on three occasions. I reinstalled, tried changing settings, rebooted, and so forth, to no avail.

To the chase: Finally, after a lot of research on the Web, I discovered that this issue has been known since at least 2014. It's this: Malwarebytes and Kaspersky antivirus/ Internet protection simply do not like each other. The solution was to uninstall Malwarebytes.

Question #1. Since this is a years' old issue, why doesn't Malwarebytes technical support know about it?

Question #2. Since this is a years' old issue, why haven't Malwarebytes and Kaspersky gotten together and fixed their incompatibility?

Bottom line: If you use Kaspersky antivirus, don't upgrade your Malwarebytes to the premium edition. If you already did and are getting these error messages and pulling out your hair, uninstall Malwarebytes 3 and ask for a refund.