Most Recent Entries

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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

Why Am I Seeing So Many CAPTCHAs?

Tired of being asked if you're human? I'll explain what site owners like me are dealing with behind the scenes and why you’ll probably be clicking “I’m not a robot” a lot more often.
2026-01-21 - #187517

Is it Safe to Put Two-Factor Codes in My Password Vault?

Storing 2FA codes in your password vault might slightly reduce security, but the risk is minimal compared to the convenience.
2026-01-19 - #168687

Find Your Microsoft Account Recovery Email

Your Microsoft account recovery email address is an important part of making sure you never lose access to your account.
2026-01-15 - #169010

An Unexpected Way Videos Can Expose Your Location

Something many people do every day may expose their location in ways they aren't aware of.
2026-01-14 - #167448

So, Leo, Where Ya Been?

Did ya miss me? Did ya notice? I'll explain what was happening behind the scenes.
2026-01-14 - #188504

How Can I Tell If a Web Address Is Safe?

URLs are simple in concept, but can be constructed in ways that might fool you. I'll look at some examples and discuss what's important.
2026-01-12 - #4399

Don’t Be Scammed When Recovering an Account

Don't let your panic open the door to scammers.
2026-01-10 - #173764

How Do Spam Filters Work?

Spam filters can be sophisticated or simple. I'll look at some of the characteristics of email that spam filters check.
2026-01-09 - #18972

Six Signs of a Phishing Attack

A friend received a fairly convincing phishing attempt. I'll cover the signs that showed it was spam.
2026-01-08 - #136589

Can I Trust Cloud Backups?

Backing up data using an online backup service can be an important part of an overall strategy, but it's important to understand its limitations.
2026-01-07 - #20208

Does the Recycle Bin Take Up Space, and Where Is It?

The Recycle Bin is your friend. I'll show you where it lives and how to control the space it uses.
2026-01-05 - #173788

Can I Delete Temporary Files in Windows?

Temp files can pile up. Why is that, and do you need to worry about them?
2026-01-02 - #173949

How Do I Find My Downloads on My PC?

Downloading a file from the internet is easy, but controlling where downloads go takes a little more understanding.
2026-01-01 - #2775

Help! Someone Is Inside My Computer, Controlling It!

When things behave unexpectedly, many people assume their computer has been compromised by remote hackers. Most of those people are wrong.
2025-12-31 - #142596

What’s a QR Code, and Can You Trust Them?

QR codes are a nifty way to encode web addresses and other text in a way that's easy for your smartphone to decode, but they are not without risk.
2025-12-29 - #143703

Privacy and Searching for Phone Numbers Online

You have an email address and you want the associated phone number. It's unlikely you'll find it, but there are a few things to try.
2025-12-27 - #166374

How Do I Tell If an Email Address Is Fake?

It's hard to determine whether an email address is fake.
2025-12-26 - #164415

How to Deal with Spam

Spam is inevitable; just don't ask for more.
2025-12-25 - #161851

Four Risks With Free Wi-Fi

Freely accessible Wi-Fi is almost everywhere, and most systems are set up to use it safely. There are a few things to pay attention to in order to stay safe.
2025-12-24 - #158026

Backups Are GREAT Security

Don't overlook backing up as part of your computer security. When the worst happens, it's your backup that will save you.
2025-12-22 - #147489

What to Do When Your Outlook.com Storage Is Full

Microsoft changed the free storage allocation for Outlook.com and OneDrive.
2025-12-20 - #156094

Will Google Delete Inactive Accounts?

Google deletes accounts that are inactive for two years -- including Gmail, Drive, Photos, and even YouTube content. I’ll explain what “inactive” means, how to keep your accounts safe, and why this change could erase important cultural history.
2025-12-19 - #157080

Backing Up a New Computer

Backing up your new computer on arrival can be an important safety net. But there are degrees of what's good enough.
2025-12-18 - #154141

7 Ways to Increase Internet Speed in Windows

Internet speed: we all want it. Here's how to improve yours.
2025-12-17 - #165912

Why I Rarely Panic

So much of we hear about just isn't panic-worthy, even if news reports make it seem like it is.
2025-12-15 - #14069

Three Reasons You Can’t Get Your Account Back

I hear from people who have lost their accounts permanently way too often. Here's how to avoid being one of them.
2025-12-13 - #151447

Do I Really Need a Recovery Email?

Alternate email addresses can allow you to regain access to your account if it's hacked or you forget your password.
2025-12-12 - #151482

Two Reasons to NOT Reuse Passwords

Reusing passwords -- even strong ones -- is risky. If one site gets hacked, attackers try that same password elsewhere. Worse, once exposed, it’s saved bv hackers and reused in future attacks. I’ll discuss why this matters, how to check if your password’s out there, and what to do instead.
2025-12-11 - #151962

Are You Afraid of Tracking Cookies

Cookies are placed on your machine by websites -- often more websites than you realize. We'll review cookies and how third parties use them.
2025-12-10 - #3513

What Happens When Applications Die?

Apps don’t last forever, and when one you rely on disappears, it can take your data with it. I'll show you how to protect yourself so you stay in control.
2025-12-08 - #15642

How Do I Print Pictures From Websites so They Look Good?

Trying to print a cute photo from a website and wondering why it looks fuzzy on paper? I'll explain why that happens, what you can do, and when high-quality results are possible.
2025-12-06 - #45996

Do Complex Passwords Still Matter If You Use 2FA Everywhere?

Do you think your passwords don’t matter because you use 2FA everywhere? I'll break down why weak passwords still put you at risk, how attackers work around 2FA, and the steps that keep your accounts safe.
2025-12-05 - #187291

Did Microsoft Lie About Windows 10?

Windows 11 proved the old “Windows 10 is the last version” claim wrong, but was it that claim a lie? I'll look at where it came from, what Microsoft actually said, and how headlines can twist a message.
2025-12-04 - #134705

UniGetUI – Keep (Almost) All Your Apps Up to Date Automatically

Tired of chasing updates for all your programs? This tool pulls all of them into one place and keeps them up to date for you. I'll show you how UniGetUI can save you time, reduce clutter, and make managing your apps almost effortless.
2025-12-03 - #187335

Should I Use RAID for Backup?

RAID might sound like a clever backup shortcut, but it’s not. In fact, relying on it could make things worse. Learn what RAID does, how it helps (and doesn’t), and why it still won’t save your data when disaster, malware, or mistakes strike.
2025-12-01 - #4372

The Wrong Way to Change Your Email Address

Emailing your entire contact list with a notice that you've changed your email address is NOT the way to change your email address. I'll show you what to do instead.
2025-11-29 - #22453

Can I Delete Pagefile.sys?

Pagefile.sys is the paging file that contains Windows' virtual memory. You can easily remove it, but you need to understand the ramifications.
2025-11-28 - #15171

How to Back Up Outlook.com Email

Outlook.com accounts are hacked into and lost every day. Here's how to ensure you won't lose email or contacts if it happens to you.
2025-11-27 - #4483

Scammers’ Three Common Lies

Scammers' favorite tricks include old lies told in new ways. I’ll show you how these scams work, how to spot them before it’s too late, and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your money, and even your identity.
2025-11-26 - #186962

“From” Spoofing: How Spammers Send Email That Looks Like It Came From You

Ever get an email from yourself that you didn’t send? You’ve likely been spoofed. I’ll show how spammers fake your address without touching your account at all, why it happens, and what (little) you can do about it.
2025-11-24 - #3370

Why I Cringe When I Hear People Are Using ChatGPT to Look Things Up

AI tools like ChatGPT sound smart and sure of themselves. I’ll explain why blind trust in AI answers can be risky, how its confidence can fool you, and what simple habits will keep you from being misled while still getting the most from this amazing technology.
2025-11-22 - #186743

Does Whole-disk Encryption Impact Computer Performance?

Does whole-disk encryption slow your computer? You might be surprised. The bigger risk is losing access to your data if you’re not careful with your encryption keys and backups.
2025-11-21 - #97268

Should I Buy My Next Computer in Person or Online?

Buying a new computer? Whether you click Buy Now online or walk into a local store, both have perks and pitfalls. I'll help you weigh convenience, cost, and trust so you can make the best choice for your situation and know where to turn if things go wrong.
2025-11-20 - #186697

My Two New PCs

I swapped out two old computers for a pair of tiny but mighty mini-PCs, and I’m impressed. If you’ve ever wondered whether one of these small machines could replace your bulky desktop, this peek behind my setup might surprise you.
2025-11-19 - #186688

Why Don’t Anti-Malware Tools Work Better?

Ever wonder why your antivirus program didn’t catch that virus? It’s not broken. Security is a race, and the bad guys are usually ahead. Learn why security tools can’t stop everything, what that means for you, and the most important step you can take to stay safe.
2025-11-17 - #4728

I’ve Lost My Password Vault. What Do I Do?

Lost your password vault? You’re not locked out forever. It's just an inconvenience. With some patience and the right steps, you can reset your accounts, rebuild your vault, and protect yourself from future mishap.
2025-11-15 - #39194

How Do I Send an Email to Many People?

Want to email a big group without looking like a spammer or getting blocked? I'll show you why the usual tricks don’t work well and walk you through safer, smarter ways to send group emails, from simple groups to full newsletter services.
2025-11-14 - #130487