Most Recent Entries

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I Lost My Two-Factor Authentication Device. How Do I Recover?

Losing your phone can lock you out of your accounts if it’s your second factor for authentication. Here’s how I recovered while traveling, the backup options that saved me, and the steps you can take now so you’re never stuck without access.
2026-03-26 - #145351

What If My Passkey Doesn’t Work or I Lose the Device It’s On?

Passkeys are supposed to make signing in easier and safer, but what happens when it stops working or your device is gone? I'll show you what to do if your passkey fails or is lost and a technique that makes passkeys work everywhere.
2026-03-25 - #190493

How Do I Find Who Hacked My Email Account?

Someone hacked your email and you want answers. Who did it? Where are they? Can you track them down? Here's what you should do.
2026-03-23 - #4044

What’s a Zero-Day Attack? A Diagram of the Vulnerability Timeline

Yes, your computer can get hacked even when it's fully updated. Zero-day attacks exploit vulnerabilities that your antivirus software doesn't yet know exist. I'll explain how these attacks work and what you can do to protect yourself.
2026-03-21 - #3195

Windows Administrator Explained

Why will your computer sometimes tells you "access denied" when you're the only user? Windows has a system of administrator account types that are easy to misunderstand. I'll describe which type of account you likely have, and what the other options can and can't do.
2026-03-20 - #190297

Why Doesn’t My Machine’s IP Address Match What I’m Told on the Internet?

Ever wonder why your computer shows one IP address, but websites see something totally different? They're both right. I'll describe how your router juggles two addresses behind the scenes and how that protects you every time you go online.
2026-03-19 - #2506

How Do I Uninstall Windows?

Stuck with a version of Windows you can't stand? You're not alone, and you're not trapped. "Uninstall" isn't a thing, but there are a few options you might not know about.
2026-03-18 - #130374

Why Password Managers Are [Still] Safer than the Alternatives

If you're not using a password manager, you're likely compromising your security more than necessary. Here's why using one is safer.
2026-03-16 - #5555

How to Identify Your Machine’s Network Connections

Your computer might be chatting with hundreds of servers right now, including sites you might not expect, without you knowing! I'll show you free tools that let you see what your machine is up to online.
2026-03-14 - #190089

Can I Have Different Passwords for YouTube and Gmail?

A Google account includes Gmail, YouTube, and much more. If you want to keep those services separate, you'll need separate Google accounts.
2026-03-13 - #128674

How Do I Tell Which Wi-Fi Protocols My Computer Supports?

Ever wondered if your Wi-Fi card can handle the latest speeds, or why it won't connect in certain places? I'll show you exactly how to check which Wi-Fi protocols your computer supports, and what those cryptic "802.11" labels actually mean.
2026-03-12 - #190015

Don’t Fall for It: Social Engineering and How Scammers Hack Your Brain

Think you're too smart to fall for a scam? Think again. Scammers aren't targeting your intelligence; they're targeting your humanity. I'll share the sneaky mind tricks they use every day and help you spot the red flags before it's too late.
2026-03-11 - #190031

How Do I Gain Administrative Access to a Secondhand Computer?

It’s important to understand the risks of buying a used computer.
2026-03-09 - #12356

How Do I Sign in to Windows If My Keyboard Doesn’t Work?

Keyboard not working, but you need to type to sign in to Windows? There's a solution for that.
2026-03-07 - #189827

Can You Get Hacked When Your Computer Is Sleeping?

Worried your sleeping computer might get hacked? The short answer is no, but there's a catch. I'll explain what that is and why you're still probably safer than you think with basic security in place.
2026-03-06 - #189803

OK, Boomer: Why Computer Literacy Matters to You

Technology isn't optional anymore. I'll explain why embracing computer literacy matters more than ever, and how complaining only isolates you further.
2026-03-05 - #110284

How Should I Format My Thumbdrive?

Looking to format a USB thumb drive but confused about FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS? I'll break down each file system's strengths and limitations and help you choose the best format based on compatibility needs, file sizes, and which devices you'll use it with.
2026-03-04 - #124976

Are Deleted Emails Really Deleted?

Deleted an email and think it’s gone forever? I'll explain what “delete” really means in webmail and desktop programs, why trash folders and database files can leave messages recoverable, how backups and even court orders can bring them back, and the inconvenient fact that the other person may still have a copy.
2026-03-02 - #17447

Before You Click: 3 Quick Checks for a Suspicious Website

Found a website you’ve never heard of and not sure you should click? I'll show you three fast clues -- domain dates, server location, and site history -- that can help you judge whether a site feels trustworthy or sketchy before you commit.
2026-02-28 - #189667

How Does Cloud Storage Work?

Cloud storage sounds mysterious, but it’s really just your files living on someone else’s online computer. Let's look at how synchronization moves your changes between devices, why it can feel like backup, and the big catch: deletes spread everywhere too.
2026-02-27 - #75658

Why Am I Being Asked for Additional Verification on Sign-in?

Traveling and suddenly locked out of Outlook.com? I'll explain why Microsoft asks for extra sign-in proof, what “something unusual” really means, and how to set up backup email, phone, or authenticator options before you leave so you can get your code and your account back when it matters most.
2026-02-26 - #92840

What Do I Do If I’m Being Harassed, Bullied, or Stalked Online?

Online harassment can happen to anyone, but what can you actually do about it? I'll break down whether it's illegal, how to identify who's behind it, ways to make it stop, and the critical mistakes to avoid so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
2026-02-25 - #15569

Dealing With Video Starts and Stops While Watching: Three Common Causes and Three Possible Solutions

There are common causes, and sometimes simple solutions, for a video that starts and stops as you watch it.
2026-02-23 - #2981

The Nirvana Fallacy

I'll explain the Nirvana Fallacy -- rejecting helpful tools because they aren’t perfect -- and show how that thinking can make you less safe.
2026-02-21 - #179344

Is It Safe to Look, Just Look, at Spam?

Curious about what’s hiding in your spam folder, but worried a single click could infect your computer? I'll explain the simple rules that keep you protected and how to view raw message source safely.
2026-02-20 - #6335

In Search of a Complete Photo Management App

Struggling to organize photos? Me too. I'll explore the features of my ideal photo management app.
2026-02-19 - #189407

How Microsoft Extortion Can Lead to Data Loss

OneDrive’s “backup” can quietly move your Desktop and Documents into the cloud, fill your free 5GB of storage, and start pushing you to “free up space.” Here’s the scary part: the wrong click can delete files everywhere.
2026-02-18 - #182312

Don’t Call Yourself Stupid

Feeling “stupid” about computers? STOP IT. I'll discuss why that label holds you back, how attitude changes what you can accomplish, and better words to use when you need help.
2026-02-16 - #13521

How Long Does Email Delivery Take?

Email is typically very fast, but sometimes it can take hours or even days. I'll explain why delays might happen, what spam filters and busy servers really do, and how long mail servers keep trying before they give up.
2026-02-14 - #3501

Three Ways Spammers Can Tell If You’ve Opened One of Their Emails

I'll share three simple ways spammers know you’ve read their email, and how you can avoid more spam in the future.
2026-02-13 - #189165

Lessons from a Fall

An injury turned everyday tech into a lifeline and exposed a few surprises. From what worked to what failed, I'll share my experience so you can be a little better prepared when life throws you an inevitable curveball.
2026-02-12 - #188836

How Do I Get Rid of Copilot Everywhere?

Copilot popping up everywhere? I'll show you how much of it you can disable or hide.
2026-02-11 - #177830

Ask Leo! Analysis via Claude Code

I asked Claude Code to analyze the last 20+ years of Ask Leo! content.
2026-02-10 - #189664

How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware?

Prevention and preparation are the best solutions to ransomware.
2026-02-09 - #20068

Can You Recommend a Cordless Keyboard and Mouse?

Tired of keyboards that fail too soon or slow you down? I’ll share what I think matters when choosing a keyboard and mouse, what I do, and why “wireless” may not be your friend.
2026-02-07 - #189040

Managing Windows File Explorer’s Navigation Pane

File Explorer’s messy left side driving you crazy? I'll show you how to clean up the navigation pane, remove clutter, and pin only the folders you actually use.
2026-02-06 - #188995

How Do I Get a Program to Auto-start When I Sign In to Windows?

Want a program to start automatically every time you sign in to Windows? There’s a simple, built-in way to do it.
2026-02-05 - #8111

Has My Computer Been Hacked?

It's easy to jump to the conclusion your computer has been hacked, but it's usually not the case. Regardless, preventing a hack is easier than recovering from one.
2026-02-04 - #4807

The For-Pay Email Providers I Recommend

People often use free email providers only to lose everything when a problem occurs. So what should you look for in a paid email provider?
2026-02-02 - #2824

Unexpected Authenticator Alerts: Annoying, Scary, or Harmless?

Random authenticator requests can be unsettling. Are you being hacked, or is something else going on? I'll discuss why these alerts might happen, what they really mean, and what to do.
2026-01-31 - #188936

How Do I Route My Email Through Gmail?

Google quietly removed the Gmail feature that let you pull all your email into one inbox. If you relied on Gmail as your central hub, it’s time to rethink your setup. Here’s what no longer works and the options that still do.
2026-01-30 - #4415

The Top Five Small Business Security Risks

Running a small business, especially from home, puts your data at risk in ways you might not expect. I'll discuss what I see as the five biggest security threats facing small teams.
2026-01-29 - #188874

The Recycle Bin You Might Not Know About (Perhaps Holding Data You Thought You’d Lost)

Think the Recycle Bin on your PC is the last stop for deleted files? Not always. I'll show you a second, often-overlooked Recycle Bin hiding in your cloud storage. It might rescue files you thought were gone for good.
2026-01-28 - #188843

Is Private Browsing Really Private?

Private browsing sounds safer than it really is. I'll explain what Incognito mode actually hides, what it absolutely doesn’t, and when it’s still worth using. If you think private mode keeps your online activity secret, you’ll want to see where the real limits are.
2026-01-26 - #27929

Why Didn’t Microsoft Fix My Pet Peeve?

Ever wonder why Microsoft never fixes that one thing that drives you crazy? It’s not personal. I'll break down why some annoyances stay put, how Windows chooses what to fix, and why even simple changes can be surprisingly risky.
2026-01-24 - #3345

How You Can Avoid Social Media Algorithms

Social media often shows you what it wants you to see, not what you asked for. I'll explain how those algorithms work and the steps you can take to see more of what matters to you.
2026-01-23 - #138044

How Does My Computer Know Where I Am?

Ever wonder how your computer or phone “knows” where you are, and why it sometimes gets it wrong? I'll break down the clues your devices use, why location mistakes happen, and what you can do when websites think you’re somewhere else entirely.
2026-01-22 - #187540