Be sure to also check out the Best Articles page!
|
Stop Spreading ManureBelieving and spreading manure -- lies, falsehoods, and misleading implications -- makes you look bad and makes the internet a dumber place. Become more skeptical, even of things you agree with.2026-07-13 - #9419 |
|
Will Using an On-Screen Keyboard Stop Keyloggers?I'll explain how keyloggers work, why a virtual keyboard doesn't help, and how to keep your typing safe.2026-07-11 - #3617 |
|
How to Use Cloud Storage SafelyYour 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.2026-07-10 - #16362 |
|
More Tips to Protect Yourself from AI ScamsAI has entered the chat. And the email. And the voice call. And the video. It's making scams even harder to detect.2026-07-09 - #176909 |
|
How Do I Turn Off BitLocker? What Happens If I Do?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.2026-07-08 - #27841 |
|
How Do I Test Backups?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.2026-07-06 - #14556 |
|
How to Remove PUPs and Other Unexpected Things From Your ComputerUnwanted 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.2026-07-04 - #14152 |
|
Just What Is Common Sense?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.2026-07-03 - #16473 |
|
Setting up Windows 11 for PrivacyWhen you install Windows 11, you have the chance to influence what information it collects about you. I'll show you which setup screens matter, which settings to turn off, and the one backup offer you should always refuse.2026-07-02 - #193851 |
|
To Capitalize or not to Capitalize? That Is the Question.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.2026-07-01 - #193828 |
|
12 Steps to Keep from Getting Your Account HackedHere 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.2026-06-29 - #2641 |
|
How to Back Up WindowsDon’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.2026-06-27 - #30103 |
|
How to Protect Data on a LaptopLaptops 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.2026-06-26 - #123964 |
|
How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?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.2026-06-25 - #3811 |
|
Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?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.2026-06-24 - #193528 |
|
If It’s All Digital, Won’t You Lose It Anyway?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.2026-06-22 - #10784 |
|
You’re Just Not That Interesting (Except When You Are)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.2026-06-20 - #22674 |
|
How Do I Use an Open Wi-Fi Hotspot Safely?Open Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops and other public places are opportunities for hackers. I'll review how to stay safe.2026-06-19 - #4790 |
|
8 Steps to Securing Your RouterMany 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.2026-06-18 - #11107 |
|
Common Cloud Objections: Yes, They Can See Your Data. No, You Shouldn’t Panic.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.2026-06-17 - #193269 |
|
It Pays to Be SkepticalA 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.2026-06-15 - #21535 |
|
Why Is “Back Up First” Your Recommendation for Everything?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.2026-06-13 - #33048 |
|
If It’s in Only One Place, It’s Not Backed UpAn external drive stopped working, and important files lived on it. One simple habit can keep you from ever facing loss like this.2026-06-12 - #16572 |
|
Please Set Up and Maintain Account Recovery InformationLocked out of an account for good? It happens more often than you think, and it's almost always avoidable. I'll explain the steps you can take today to make sure you're never permanently shut out.2026-06-11 - #149957 |
|
How Do I Stop Spam?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.2026-06-10 - #5979 |
|
Am I Sending Spam?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.2026-06-08 - #18468 |
|
You Can’t Un-Ring a Bell: What Really Happens to Your Data When You Post Anything OnlineThe 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.2026-06-06 - #24288 |
|
Why Won’t My Computer Wake Up From Sleep?Your computer goes to sleep just fine, but waking it up? Sometimes it comes back without a hitch. Other times, the screen stays dark and nothing works. I'll discuss why sleep mode can be unreliable and what you can do about it.2026-06-05 - #14677 |
|
Your Password May Not Be Used to Encrypt Your Data, and That’s OkayThere's a surprising and counterintuitive technique related to how some encryption tools work: your password is not what locks your data. I'll describe what keeps your data secure and why changing your password doesn't always mean re-encrypting all your data.2026-06-04 - #75685 |
|
End-to-End Encryption Was Removed From Instagram. Should You Care?Instagram just killed its encrypted DMs. But here's the real story: most people never had it turned on to begin with. If you care about keeping your conversations private, I'll share which apps I recommend.2026-06-03 - #192475 |
|
How Do I Update Drivers on My Computer?Device drivers are behind-the-scenes software that make your hardware work. I'll discuss the right way to update drivers and explain why to avoid driver update services.2026-06-01 - #3084 |
|
Yes, You Can Use the Cloud Safely — Here’s HowCloud storage is one of the most useful tools around, but it brings two real risks along for the ride.2026-05-30 - #128296 |
|
How Do I Secure a Hard Drive Before Sending It in for Repair?When your computer goes to the shop, can you trust a stranger with your personal files? I'll share how to keep your data safe before handing your machine over, and what your options are when it's too late.2026-05-29 - #17773 |
|
How Do I Change My Router’s Password?Your router's default password might as well be no password at all. Changing it is an important step you can take to secure your home network. I'll show you how to find your router's settings and lock it down with a strong password.2026-05-28 - #130435 |
|
Mythos About MythosA new AI just found thousands of security vulnerabilities in nearly every major operating system, and its maker decided the world wasn't ready for it. What does that mean for you?2026-05-27 - #192235 |
|
Are You Ready for Your Computer to Be Stolen?Losing a computer to theft or loss isn't just an inconvenience. Your personal data could end up in the wrong hands. I'll describe what steps to take now so that if your device disappears, your data stays safe and your recovery is quick.2026-05-25 - #12635 |
|
How to Reduce Your Frustration with TechnologyTechnology never stops changing, and your attitude affects how well technology works for you. I'll discus why accepting and even welcoming change might be the most useful tech skill you can develop.2026-05-23 - #85022 |
|
Can Malware Reach My External Drive?Can hackers really get to everything, including your external hard drive? I'll cover what malware can do and what you need to do before it happens to you.2026-05-22 - #192221 |
|
Does Deleting Browser History and Cache Really Delete Traces of My Webmail?Hitting "delete" on your browser history or emails doesn't mean they're gone for good. I'll cover what actually happens when you delete things, and what it really takes to make them disappear.2026-05-21 - #13011 |
|
Has BitLocker Been Broken? What YellowKey Means to YouA security researcher just showed that bypassing BitLocker on Windows 11 takes little more than a USB stick and a reboot. I'll discuss what we know, who needs to worry, what the risks are for most people, and what you can do about it right now.2026-05-20 - #192620 |
|
What Good Is an Image If I Can’t Restore an Old Backup to a New Computer?You're backing up regularly. Yay! But when you try to restore an image backup to a brand new PC, it doesn't go as planned. Image backups are good for many things, but not that.2026-05-18 - #3963 |
|
What’s the Best Password Manager in 2026?Overwhelmed by too many password manager choices? I’ll walk you through the best current options, what makes them different, and how to pick the one that fits you best.2026-05-16 - #148053 |
|
How Do I Report Spam to the Originating ISP?Want to report spam to the ISP it came from? These days, spam comes from massive networks of hacked computers, not a single traceable server. I'll explain why reporting spam to what you think is the source of that spam is mostly a waste of time.2026-05-15 - #191990 |
|
Which Cloud Backup Should I Use?Cloud backup sounds good until you realize that most options only cover part of your data, and some aren't real backups at all. What works is a layered strategy that combines local image backups with cloud sync to keep your files safe no matter what happens.2026-05-14 - #191968 |
|
How to Share Two-factor Authentication to a Single Account With Multiple UsersYour team shares one account, but two-factor authentication keeps locking everyone out. There are real solutions to this problem, and they don't sacrifice security. I'll show you how to set up shared two-factor authentication so everyone can get in.2026-05-13 - #191949 |
|
Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?Tech support always says the same thing: "Have you tried rebooting?" It sounds lazy (and perhaps crazy), but there's a reason it works so often.2026-05-11 - #2434 |
|
The Most Important SkillThink the most important skill in tech is coding? Nope. Whether you're asking for help online, applying for a job, or using AI, writing and speaking English well matters more than you'd expect. I'll explain why it might be the most valuable skill of all.2026-05-09 - #6166 |
|
AutoHotkey: Mouse and Keyboard Remapping, Macros, and HotkeysTyping the same email address dozens of times a day gets old fast. AutoHotkey is a free program that lets short key combos do your typing for you. I'll show you how I use it every day to make a few keystrokes replace long blocks of text.2026-05-08 - #3668 |
|
How Do I Get Into My UEFI Settings?Need to change your boot order or check a startup setting? You'll need to get in to UEFI first. There are three ways to do it, and at least one of them works no matter what situation your computer is in. I'll show you how each one works.2026-05-07 - #191715 |
|
How Do I Know You’re Not AI?Can you tell if this article was written by AI? You can't... but that might not be the right question. What really matters is whether you can trust the information.2026-05-06 - #191783 |
