Will Using an On-Screen Keyboard Stop Keyloggers?

Don’t bother.

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I'll explain how keyloggers work, why a virtual keyboard doesn't help, and how to keep your typing safe.
A close up of a Corgi attempting to use the Windows virtual keyboard displayed on a Windows 11 computer screen.
This keyboard has other problems, and it still won’t help. (Image: Gemini)
Question: Will using the on-screen keyboard in Windows stop keyloggers?

No, it will not.

I get a surprising amount of pushback on this, but the truth remains: while virtual keyboards might stop some keylogging, it’s nothing you can count on to be 100% effective. It doesn’t stop most keyloggers these days.

Keyloggers are malware that record your keystrokes. The goal is to capture login usernames and passwords so hackers can get into your accounts. Let’s look at the various ways your keystrokes can be intercepted and logged.

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How to Use Cloud Storage Safely

Four rules to prevent disaster.

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Your files are in OneDrive, so are they backed up? Not necessarily. Cloud storage and cloud backup are not the same thing, and confusing the two can cost you everything. I'll give you four simple rules that keep your files safe.
A corgi shoveling files and folders into a cloud
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I now have 1 TB of Microsoft OneDrive storage. How should that affect my backup strategy? Most of my data files are now on OneDrive; do those need to be backed up? Can I use OneDrive space as my “external hard drive” for backups of my other files? How about for image backups? Can/should Macrium Reflect put a system image onto OneDrive? Any other advice re the wise and safe use of cloud storage?

The availability of “cloud” (or online) storage has greatly expanded our options for keeping data both safe and accessible.

While it’s expanded our cloud backup options, it’s also expanded our ability to get it wrong. It’s now easy to think you’re backed up when you’re not, or to accidentally expose yourself to additional risks.

Let’s review some rules about backing up and about cloud backup specifically.

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More Tips to Protect Yourself from AI Scams

Be skeptical and know what to look for.

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AI has entered the chat. And the email. And the voice call. And the video. It's making scams even harder to detect.
A sleek AI-style humanoid robot holding a sign that says 'Trust Me' in bold letters.
(Image: DALL-E 3)

There are plenty of essays and podcasts discussing scams that trick people out of scary amounts of money.

When AI enters the picture, it only gets worse. The risk and danger are higher than ever.

The best defense? Well, besides a healthy dose of skepticism, it’s education: knowing what to look for.

Here’s a summary of a more extensive list of scams from the FBI.

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How Do I Turn Off BitLocker? What Happens If I Do?

Turning off BitLocker in both Home and Pro editions of Windows is easy.

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BitLocker encrypted your drive, intentionally or otherwise, but now you want it gone. Turning it off is easy whether you run Windows Home or Pro. I'll walk you through both, explain what you're giving up, and remind you why saving that recovery key matters.
Ann over-the-shoulder view of a Corgi in a home office sits in front of a Windows PC with an extra large screen displaying the BitLocker configuration screen.
Corgi adjusting my BitLocker settings, the rascal! (Image: Gemini)
Question: I don’t need or want BitLocker, yet it’s been turned on. How do I turn off BitLocker?

I’m going to assume you’re talking about BitLocker’s full-disk encryption, which can be turned on unexpectedly in Windows Home and Pro editions.

It’s important to understand that with BitLocker turned off, anyone who steals your computer can access all the files on it, even without knowing your Windows login password. That said, not everyone needs the security of full-disk encryption.

Turning off BitLocker and decrypting your drive is a snap.

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How Do I Test Backups?

Three practical steps to make sure the safety net will work.

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Your backup software says everything's there, but is it? Too many discover the truth only after disaster strikes. I'll walk you through practical, low-risk ways to test your backups so you can trust that your files will really be there when you need 'em.
A Corgi looking distressed at a Window computer screen which is displaying a message "Restore Failed!"
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I back up my data using Windows, but it’s not maybe as retrievable as I would like it to be. I don’t know exactly how to test backups to know whether they’re really there. It says they are, but are they? I’ve had to use the system image to restore function once when my computer became infected with something. I basically just transferred the system image back to my C drive and it solved all my problems. I must say I’m thankful to you for strongly encouraging everyone to do backups. I can’t tell you how many friends and family have lost stuff – everything – because of not backing up. Pictures, important data. Loss of pictures seems to be the most heartbreaking.

Yeah, I hear those heartbreaking stories all the time, and they are indeed one reason I talk so much about backing up.

Your concerns about backups are common, as is the desire to test.

Let’s review how you can gain some confidence that your backup will be successful when you need it.

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How to Remove PUPs and Other Unexpected Things From Your Computer

Removing digital pests and vermin.

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Unwanted toolbars, extensions, and other junk software can sneak onto your computer when you install something else. I'll walk you through removing these so called PUPs step by step, plus how to keep them out for good.
A Corgi mom protecting a basket full of Corgi puppies.
Not these pups — they’re neither pests nor vermin! (Image: Gemini)

Ending up with random software on your machine you never wanted in the first place is annoying as heck.

So-called PUPs (for Potentially Unwanted Programs, although there’s rarely any “potentially” about it) are tools, settings, utilities, browser toolbars, extensions, and other types of software that arrive on your computer as a result of installing something else. PUPs are rarely related to what you’re installing.

I’ll talk a little about prevention, but first, let’s walk through the steps I recommend when you realize you’ve been saddled with software you didn’t ask for and certainly never wanted.

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Just What Is Common Sense?

It’s not so common.

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Everyone says to use common sense online, but what does that mean? I'll show you how to use to spot scams, dodge bad advice, and decide what's trustworthy.
A Corgi looking puzzled at his Windows 11 computer
(Image: Gemini)

When it comes to internet safety, the most oft-cited advice is:

Use common sense.

The most common response is:

Great. What does that mean?

When it comes to technology and safety, “common sense” is important, poorly defined, and quite uncommon.

Let’s see if we can define it with some familiar rules.

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To Capitalize or not to Capitalize? That Is the Question.

It’s not always simple.

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Is LEO different than leo? That's a definite sometimes. I'll break down when case matters for email addresses, web addresses, filenames, and passwords, with opinions on what to use when.
A Corgi professor pointing to a chalkboard that has "Corgi, corgi, CoRgI" written on it.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: Are email addresses case-sensitive? How about URLs? File names? Passwords?

What we have here is a can full of worms. I kid you not.

What we’re talking about is whether uppercase1 letters are treated as different letters from their lowercase counterparts. Is “LEO” the same as “leo” in an email address, URL, etc.?

The answers to the four questions above are: no, mostly no, it depends, and always.

It’s enough to drive you CrAzY.

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12 Steps to Keep from Getting Your Account Hacked

Steps to take now to prevent issues later.

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Here are 12 practical steps to take about passwords, two-factor authentication, recovery options, and the skeptical habits that keep hackers out. Set them up *before* you need them, and you'll never have to start over.
A closeup of a Corgi looking at a Windows PC desktop computer screen which has prompts for: "Strong Password:", "Recovery email:", and "Recovery phone:"
(Image: Gemini)
Question: My account has been hacked into several times. If I’m able to recover it, it just gets hacked again. Sometimes I can’t recover it, and I have to start all over with a new account. What can I do to stop this all from happening?

I don’t get this question a lot, but I really wish I did. What I get instead, repeatedly, is “I’ve been hacked, please recover my account/password for me!” (Which, for the record, I cannot do, no matter how often or how nicely, or not so nicely, I’m asked.)

The only salvation is prevention, and this applies to email, social media, and pretty much any online account you have.

What can you do to make sure your account doesn’t get hacked in the first place?

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How to Back Up Windows

You know you want to. You know you should.

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Don’t risk losing everything! I’ll show you how to back up Windows step by step, using free tools you already have. Protect your files, photos, and memories so you’re ready when, not if, disaster strikes.
A Corgi sitting in front of a Windows laptop showing a progress bar labelled "Backing Up..."
(Image: Gemini)

You may have sensed by now that I’m a huge fan of backing up.

Microsoft Windows includes several tools that, when used in conjunction with a third-party tool, provide a backup strategy that will protect you from almost anything that can go wrong.

Let’s learn how to use those tools properly so we can get your backup strategy started.

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How to Protect Data on a Laptop

The four most important steps.

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Laptops get lost and stolen all the time, and a password alone will not protect what is on yours. I'll cover four steps that lock down your data plus a real story about what can go wrong.
A Corgi carrying a laptop wrapped in chains with a padlock through an airport.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: How can you set a strong password in a laptop so that data can’t be stolen?

It takes much more than a strong password. In fact, it takes at least a couple of passwords, plus some settings, plus some encryption on top of it all.

Given that laptops are so easily lost and/or stolen, let’s walk through the four steps I recommend to protect the valuable data you have stored on them.

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How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?

Steps to take in the face of infection.

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I'll walk you through the steps to clean an infected computer, from backups and full scans to the one method guaranteed to work... plus how to avoid the whole mess next time.
A Corgi holding a giant magnifying glass passing over a computer screen, revealing tiny hidden critters scurrying away.
(Image: Gemini)

One question that shows up frequently in the Ask Leo! inbox is how to remove malware.

The scenarios differ, but the problem is the same: a machine has been infected with spyware, a virus, ransomware, or some other form of malware, and that machine’s owner is having a tough time getting rid of it. Often, anti-malware software has been installed that “should” have taken care of it before it got to this stage.

Hopefully, that’ll never be you.

Let’s review the steps I recommend for removing malware and reducing the chances it’ll happen again.

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Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?

Apparently not, though they’re pushing it hard.

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With AI Mode, ads, and AI summaries crowding the page, it's getting hard to find real search results. I'll break down what Google is really doing, how it compares to ChatGPT, Kagi, and DuckDuckGo, and what to watch for.
A Corgi in a home office looking at a Windows PC with the attached image on the screen.
(Image: Gemini)

It’s no secret that major companies have been pushing AI hard. Whether or not users want the functionality, they’ve been shoveling it into products and websites.

Google recently added something called “AI Mode” to their search bar. They also announced some changes to AI search that made many wonder if AI mode will become the default and preferred search mechanism.

It’s… complicated.

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If It’s All Digital, Won’t You Lose It Anyway?

If you do, you’re not doing it right.

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Can digital photos and files really be lost forever? Yes, but it's almost always easily avoidable. I'll describe two simple habits that keep your precious files safe for decades, perhaps even centuries, to come.
Photo Album Page
A page out of an old photo album. Click for larger image. (Image: Leo Notenboom.)
Question: I had a thought about everything being digital: is there a chance that important information can be lost? From important and historical information to irreplaceable pictures, etc. I was holding a picture of me from 1980 (yes, genuine film). Had there been digital scanners and fast enough computers back then, the 5¼-inch disk would be unreadable by today’s drives. The disk would probably have errors, if you could find a used hard drive to even read it for your precious memories. Never mind historians, scholars, and the young storing all of their Facebook information in the cloud only. I use external media and more than one type. I don’t know anyone who backs up a single thing, no matter how many speeches I give them.

Yes, it’s true: digital information can be lost quite easily, but I don’t see that as an indictment of digital technology at all.

In fact, digital data opens up more possibilities for data retention than it closes.

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You’re Just Not That Interesting (Except When You Are)

You’re probably worrying too much and about the wrong things.

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If you're worried about being tracked online, you may be stressing over the wrong things. I'll describe two kinds of privacy, why companies don't really care about you as a person, and the choices that can protect you today and years from now.
A Corgi working at a Windows computer in a home office. Eyes can be seen peeking in the blinds over the window in the background.
(Image: Gemini)

Privacy is a huge and controversial topic — so huge I can’t tell you what steps to take, what settings to change, what apps to avoid, or what services to choose. Not only are there seemingly infinite options, but the options keep changing.

There are also about as many opinions on the topic as there are internet users. Anything I say is just one more voice in the crowd… but that’s not going to stop me.

Let’s take a realistic look at your privacy and your options.

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How Do I Use an Open Wi-Fi Hotspot Safely?

It’s easier than it used to be, but still important.

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Open Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops and other public places are opportunities for hackers. I'll review how to stay safe.
A Corgi in a coffee shop looking at the sign on the wall that says "Free Wi-Fi!"
(Image: Gemini)
Question:

I’ve returned to the same coffee shop where I was a few months ago, where I noticed my email had been hijacked/hacked. This time, I’m using my phone, but the last time, when I noticed the hack, I was using my computer and doing email over an open-internet, free Wi-Fi network.

Do you think that could be the source of the problem or just a coincidence? I’m still afraid to email from here.

It definitely could have been. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say for sure; it could have been something else. As we can’t really diagnose the past, let’s look ahead instead.

It can be safe to send and receive email, or even other tasks, in a coffee shop or other location providing unsecured or “open” Wi-Fi. In fact, I do it all the time.

But to ensure your safety, you do have to follow some very important practices.

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8 Steps to Securing Your Router

Your first and most effective defense against internet-based threats.

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Many routers arrive with weak default settings that could put your whole network at risk. I'll share eight simple steps to lock it down, plus two popular tricks that feel safe but do nothing at all.
A Corgi working on a router's administration screen displayed on his windows PC, changing the administration password.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I’d like to know how to clear the history of my Linksys router. I’d also like to know how I can make it more secure and protect it from hacking.

The topic is an important one: how do you make sure your router is secure? It’s your first line of defense against automated malware attacks trying to get at your computer from the internet to install more malware.

You want to ensure there aren’t big gaping holes. And sadly, very often and by default, there are.

Here are the most important steps to a more secure router.

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Common Cloud Objections: Yes, They Can See Your Data. No, You Shouldn’t Panic.

Cutting through some of the fear mongering.

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Many people fear their files stored in the cloud get scanned, stolen, or used to train AI. I'll break down the most common objections and share how easy it is to keep your data private.
A Corgi in a press-conference setting, promoting the use of cloud storage, taking questions from a small crowd of people.
(Image: Gemini)

Every time I post something about using the cloud, I hear from people who worry that their uploaded data is being used for nefarious purposes.

I want to address some of those objections.

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It Pays to Be Skeptical

There are people trying to fool you.

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A pop-up says malware was found. An email claims your package couldn't be delivered. A caller insists they're from Microsoft. Here's one simple skill to keep you and your technology safe.
A concerned Corgi looking at a computer screen with the message "Malware Found!"
(Image: Gemini)

A message pops up warning that malware has been detected on your computer.

What do you do?

The answer may not be as clear as you think.

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Why Is “Back Up First” Your Recommendation for Everything?

Because I want you to have a safety net.

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ACorgi at a Windows computer in a home office. The computer has an external hard disk connected. On the screen is a progress message that says "Image Backup 75% Complete".
(Image: Gemini)
Why do I recommend backing up before almost everything? A complete system image backup is much more than lost-file insurance. It's the closest thing to a silver security bullet for your computer.
Question: In your response to the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities, the first thing you recommended was to back up. Why? How does that relate to anything? How does backing up help protect me from malware and vulnerabilities?

I harp on backing up a lot, I know. But it’s on purpose.

As I’ve said elsewhere, nothing protects you and your data like a complete, recent backup.

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If It’s in Only One Place, It’s Not Backed Up

A story of data loss.

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An external drive stopped working, and important files lived on it. One simple habit can keep you from ever facing loss like this.
A Corgi at a desk holding a small external drive, staring at a laptop showing a "device not recognized" error.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I have a WD Elements external hard disk. It is not recognized anywhere. Not in connected devices nor in disk management or anywhere. Before that, I could not format it. I need help. I tried it on three other laptops, but it was same problem. Please help me, it’s urgent. It has very important data on it.

And a short while later:

Question: Please, I could not find a solution for my problem. I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me some small tip for my problem.

I do have a tip, but you’re not going to like it.

This is a question I see all too often. It frustrates the heck out of me every time.

I’ll share what I would do.

More importantly, I’ll share what you should have done and what you must do from here on out to avoid being in this situation again.

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How Do I Stop Spam?

You can’t, but you can manage it.

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Drowning in 300 junk emails a day? You can't stop spam completely, but you don't have to suffer, either. I'll cover why blocking and unsubscribing make things worse, and share one simple habit that trains your inbox to clean itself.
Corgi emerging from a pile of spam.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I receive about 300 emails daily. I have no one to help me and I would like to be able to block all this crap. I am not very smart about PCs and need some simple instructions to follow. If I continue to receive certain pornographic or offensive emails, how do I ban them? If I open it up to get their email address to try to block them, what happens then? I need all of the help that I can get because this is too much to take care of daily. I do delete my history daily, but I don’t think that helps in blocking them. I use Yahoo! as my mail provider and I am on Windows.

Assuming that you mean you get 300 spam emails a day, I agree that’s a fair amount. Between all my various email accounts, I suspect that I probably get around that many.

The question is not how to stop spam. There’s no way for you or me to stop spam. The better question is how to deal with it so it’s a minor annoyance rather than an overwhelming chore. And of course, how to avoid or at least minimize it in the first place.

Sadly, as I update this article 12 years after its initial publication, very little has changed.

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Am I Sending Spam?

You may not think you are, but others may feel differently.

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Wondering why your promo emails go unanswered? There is a good chance they are going straight into spam folders. I'll describe three things that make your emails look like spam, and what you can do to fix them.
A Corgi lifting his leg over and peeing on a small pile of messages labeled "SPAM".
(Image: Gemini)
Question:

I am a musician. Every couple weeks or so, I sit down and send a large number of emails (on average 150 – 200) to radio stations, magazines, etc., in order to promote my music. My email will usually consist of an attached mp3 and/or links to YouTube videos, etc., along with a bio/description about myself and my music. Though I have had many responses through email, there are still several that have never replied. It suddenly occurred to me, as well as not being interested in the music I am sending (can’t please everyone), could some of my emails be getting marked as spam?

I use a Hotmail account, which I know you say is bad. But I fear that suddenly changing my email will result in a loss of business. I used to send each email individually, personalizing each one, but since my contact list has grown, there are not enough hours in the day to do this. So I use Bcc and send them all in one go.

My question is, do my infrequent emails qualify as spam? Despite the fact that they are spread out over weeks, do the large quantities mean that only a certain number are getting through?

In short, yes. It’s likely your emails are being delivered directly into many spam folders.

Several things could contribute to this. I’ll review those and suggest what to do instead.

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You Can’t Un-Ring a Bell: What Really Happens to Your Data When You Post Anything Online

Copies. So many copies.

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The moment you hit Post, copies of what you shared start spreading. Marking it private won't stop it. Deleting it won't fix it. I'll describe what happens to everything you put online, and why it matters.
A Corgi holding his ears next to a large "social media" bell that's just been rung
(Image: Gemini)

When we post something online — say on social media — there’s a reasonable expectation that what we post will remain in our control and be shown only to the audience we care about.

Reality is exactly the opposite: you lose all control of anything you post online, and it can end up in the hands of people (and corporations) you know nothing about. Even with privacy settings set to Private.

The service makes copies. Viewers get copies. Search engines, spiders, researchers, AI scrapers, and archivists make copies. And all of those entities generate more copies when they back up their data.

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