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What’s the Best Registry Cleaner? What to Use and What to AvoidRegistry cleaners can be dangerous. I'll review when they might be appropriate, which I'd use, and how to use them safely.2026-10-05 - #2710 |
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What External Drive Should I Get?I'll review what matters when buying an external backup drive, plus a few current picks worth considering. Capacity, USB speed, SSD versus traditional hard disk, and portable versus desktop can all be confusing.2026-10-02 - #17616 |
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Should I Repair or Replace My Computer?Is it time to fix or replace your computer? The right choice depends on your budget, the machine's age, your warranty, and how much time you're willing to spend. I'll review the key factors and tell the story of my own laptop replacement.2026-10-01 - #138316 |
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Why Do They Make It So Hard to Recover Accounts?There's a good reason why getting back into a locked account can feel impossible. I'll discuss why account recovery has to be difficult, what you can do to make it easier on yourself, and how to avoid losing an account for good.2026-09-30 - #196377 |
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Checking and Repairing a Disk with CHKDSKYour computer has a built-in tool for catching hard drive problems before they turn into bigger headaches. I'll walk you through running CHKDSK from Windows Explorer and the command line, explain what it checks, and show you where to find results after a scheduled scan.2026-09-28 - #8363 |
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Does All This Talk of AI Mean I Should Choose a Different Career?Worried that AI is making coding skills useless? Understanding how to code still gives you an edge, even in the age of AI tools and vibe coding. Find out why your passion and interests, not trends, should guide your tech career choices.2026-09-26 - #196133 |
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Responses to Your Three Common Password Manager ObjectionsMany people avoid password managers because they seem hard to set up, difficult to trust, or easy to lock yourself out of. I'll look at each objection and show you why they're not as concerning as they seem. Security experts say a password manager is the smartest step you can take.2026-09-25 - #136938 |
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How Do Websites Keep Passwords Secure?I'll give you a high-level overview of how websites know you typed the right password without actually storing it. The trick is something called hashing, and once you understand it, you'll know what to look for the next time a data breach hits the news.2026-09-24 - #136163 |
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The 50-year TakeawayI'll look back at the pace of change in my 50 years in tech and ask the question, "What should today's kids learn for a future none of us can predict?" The answer isn't a skill at all. It's a way of thinking that remains critical no matter what you choose to do.2026-09-23 - #67362 |
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I’m Drowning in Spam. What Can I Do?Three hundred spam emails a day? You're not alone, and no, blocking senders won't fix it. I'll discuss why blocking is pointless, why a full spam folder means things are working, and how to trains your email program to keep more junk out of your inbox.2026-09-21 - #13576 |
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What Happened When My “Bank” Called MeYour bank calls about a suspicious charge. The caller ID matches, they know your account details, and everything sounds legit. But is it really your bank, or is it a scammer? It happened to me. I'll share the steps I took to protect myself.2026-09-19 - #195987 |
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5 Steps to Better Wi-Fi In Your HouseI'll walk you through easy ways to place your router, cut interference, pick better channels, and boost your signal so every device connects faster.2026-09-18 - #123219 |
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How to Reformat a DiskI'll walk you through four easy ways to erase and prepare a disk in Windows using File Explorer or the command line, plus tips on choosing the right file system and format type.2026-09-17 - #135005 |
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How Passkeys Work (A No-Tech Version)Passwords are on their way out. I'll discuss what passkeys actually are, how they work, what happens if you lose your device, and how they protect you from phishing, malware, and data breaches... without the technical jargon.2026-09-16 - #195933 |
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How Do I Protect My Laptop Data From Theft?Lose your laptop, and your data could end up in the wrong hands. I'll walk you through the best ways to encrypt your files, from simple zip passwords to full disk encryption with BitLocker, VeraCrypt, or Cryptomator, so your secrets stay safe no matter what.2026-09-14 - #2343 |
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Why Are There So Many Jerks Online?Are people are getting ruder online? You're not imagining the jerks, but you might be missing the bigger picture. I'll discuss why the internet doesn't really create more jerks, and why the good people around you still outnumber them by a mile.2026-09-12 - #13887 |
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I’m Told to Change My Password. Why?If you get a warning that your password has leaked, don't panic, but don't ignore it, either. I'll talk about the difference between a real password breach and a scam, why passwords are risky once exposed "in the wild", and the habit that keeps you safe no matter what.2026-09-11 - #145068 |
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Back Up Your Email Using ThunderbirdIf your email only lives in your inbox online, it's not backed up. I'll show you how to use a free program to download a full copy of your email to your own computer, plus how to save your contacts. That way, a hacked account never means losing everything.2026-09-10 - #17883 |
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What’s the Best Two-Factor Authentication Method?Not all two-factor authentication works the same way. Some methods are more secure, some are more convenient, and some leave you open to sneaky attacks like SIM swapping. Here's my breakdown of hardware keys, authenticator apps, texts, email, and voice codes so you can pick what fits you best.2026-09-09 - #195723 |
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How Do I Recover My Outlook Account?Whether you forgot your password, got hacked, or can't verify your identity while traveling, I'll point you to the steps to try if you're locked out of your Microsoft account.2026-09-07 - #4445 |
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Should I Avoid Windows Update? It Burned MeA bad Windows Update can cripple your computer. Once it happens to you, it's tempting to swear off updates forever. I'll explain why that's the wrong move, and share one habit that makes any update failure, from Windows or anything else, easy to recover from.2026-09-05 - #4489 |
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Why Don’t I Get Sound From My Computer?Computer gone silent? Here's a checklist to get your sound working again in minutes.2026-09-04 - #11930 |
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If Too Many Bad Password Attempts Cause Account Locks, How Do Hackers Hack In?Ever wonder why hackers don't get locked out after a few failed password attempts, the way you do? It turns out they rarely even try. I'll describe the sneakier "back door" methods -- data breaches, malware, and phishing -- that hackers use to break into accounts, and what you can do to stop them.2026-09-03 - #5549 |
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What’s Better, NAS or Cloud Storage?NAS or cloud? Each has real strengths and real risks, and a recent story about a broadcaster losing 50TB of archives shows what can go wrong. I'll detail pros and cons for each and show how combining both keeps your data safer than relying on just one.2026-09-02 - #195499 |
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What Security Software Do You Recommend? (2026 Q3 update)My updated guide cuts through the hype with four no-nonsense steps to keep your PC safe. Learn what works, what to avoid, and how to stay secure without overspending or overcomplicating.2026-08-31 - #3517 |
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How Do I Fix Windows Update?Windows Update can get stuck, and it's rarely obvious why. I'll walk you through Microsoft's troubleshooter, and provide a full manual reset using command line tools, so you can get your updates flowing again.2026-08-29 - #21798 |
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Facebook Hacked? What You Need to Do NOW!Facebook account hacks happen. Here's how to recover access, lock down your password and recovery info, warn your friends, and protect yourself from it happening again.2026-08-28 - #7708 |
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How Do I Make Sure I Don’t Have Malware?The hard truth is that you can never fully prove your computer is malware free... but you can still stack the odds in your favor. I'll discuss why, the habits that keep you safer online, and what to do if something slips through.2026-08-27 - #44103 |
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How Often Should I Scan My Computer for Malware?Find out when a manual scan makes sense, and how often you should run one for peace of mind.2026-08-26 - #195348 |
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Will Ransomware Encrypt My Backups?Worried that ransomware could sneak past your defenses and encrypt your backups? Most ransomware won't, but it's not impossible. I'll discuss how ransomware picks its targets, why your backup image files are usually safe, and one simple habit to keep your files protected.2026-08-24 - #21259 |
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Where Do I Get Driver Updates?I'll explain when driver updates matter, why most scanning tools aren't worth your trust, and where to find real updates when you truly need them.2026-08-22 - #4487 |
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Why ANY Two-Factor Is Better Than No Two-FactorYou may have heard that hackers can sometimes beat two-factor authentication. It's true, but that doesn't make it useless. I'll describe how each type of two-factor works, which ones hackers can trick, and why skipping 2FA is still the riskiest choice of all.2026-08-21 - #70786 |
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Why You — Yes, You — Are a Target of HackersEvery online account you own is valuable to criminals looking to steal your identity, spread malware, or empty your accounts. Here's why you're a target no matter what, and how to protect yourself before it's too late.2026-08-20 - #153830 |
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Clickfix: What It Is and How to Avoid ItClickFix is a scam that turns a simple "prove you're human" (or other fake message) pop-up into a malware trap, using your own keystrokes to install it. I'll discuss how it works, where you'll find it, and the one red flag that gives it away every time.2026-08-19 - #195093 |
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Why Did My Security Software Not Detect a Virus on My PC?Malware can slip past even a good antivirus program. Using my silliest metaphor yet, I'll explain vulnerabilities, exploits, and what actually keeps you safe. Learn how infections happen and what you can do about it.2026-08-17 - #6276 |
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The Easy-to-Avoid Two-Factor Loss RiskTwo-factor authentication keeps your accounts safe, but what happens if you lose your phone or key fob? I'll walk you through what you need to do now so you never need to worry about being locked out later.2026-08-15 - #17345 |
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Your 6 Strongest Practical Password Techniques, RankedNot all passwords are created equal. Some resist hackers for centuries; others fall in seconds. I'll rank six password techniques from strongest to weakest, including one horrible password I still remember from 45 years ago, and how even that can be made secure.2026-08-14 - #132876 |
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How Do I Make Sure Windows is Really, Completely Up to Date?Windows Update usually keeps your PC current, but not always right away. I'll show you how to check for updates until none are left, so you can be confident your Windows computer is as up to date as it can be.2026-08-13 - #132414 |
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Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for Sharing LinksSharing a link seems simple, but some methods create long, broken, or trackable URLs. I'll show you how to copy clean links, strip out tracking codes, shorten long URLs, link to a highlight or video moment, and check that the link will work.2026-08-12 - #195019 |
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How to Avoid RansomwareRansomware can lock up every file on your computer and hold it hostage until you pay. I'll discuss defenses that work, why backups are your best insurance, and why you should never, ever pay the ransom.2026-08-10 - #6232 |
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Is Using the Cloud Safe?Is the cloud really dangerous, or is that just a lack of understanding? I'll break down what "the cloud" actually is, why it's no riskier than email or online banking, and the simple habits that keep your data safe no matter where it lives.2026-08-08 - #5701 |
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A One-Step Way to Lose Your Account ForeverMost people who lose an account never get it back, and it's usually their own fault. I'll discuss why alternate email addresses and phone numbers are the key to account recovery, and the habit most people forget that locks them out for good.2026-08-07 - #15584 |
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Why Ask Why?Wonder why software makers make the choices they do? Me too. But asking "why" rarely brings relief... except in one case.2026-08-06 - #13312 |
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How Do I Change My Windows PIN?Changing your Windows sign-in PIN isn't a setting in your Microsoft account; it's set on each device. I'll show you where to find it, why a PIN is safer than you might think, and when you should change it.2026-08-05 - #194704 |
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My Email Is Hacked. How Do I Fix It?Getting locked out of your own email is scary, and the fallout can spread to your bank, social media, and contacts. I'll walk you through the steps to take right now: recovering your account, locking it down, and protecting everything connected to it.2026-08-03 - #5415 |
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I Got a Pop-Up Virus Warning. Is My Computer Infected?A big pop-up that claims your computer is infected and pushes a specific download cleanup tool can be scary. I'll show why these warnings almost always come from a website, not your PC, and what steps will keep you safe from real threats.2026-08-01 - #3107 |
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My Machine’s Full of Malware; Should I Get a New Computer?If malware has you ready to give up and buy a new computer, don't. I'll explain why your old one can be completely restored to a malware-free state, using steps to wipe out even the worst infections without spending a dime on new hardware.2026-07-31 - #17067 |
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Is it Safe to Allow Remote Access?Is it safe to allow a tech support company to control your computer from far away? It depends on who they are, how you found them, and whether they called you first. I'll share the one rule you must never violate.2026-07-30 - #3767 |
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How Do I Tell If an Email Was Written by AI?Does that email feel a little off? Maybe AI wrote it, maybe it didn't. I'll discuss why the old warning signs are disappearing and what matters when judging any message.2026-07-29 - #194560 |
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Why Is It So Important to Have Different Passwords on Different Accounts?Using one password for every account doesn't save time; it adds risk. Hackers count on you doing it. I'll show you why a single stolen password can unlock your email, your bank, and everything else, and share the easy way to use strong, different password on every site without having to remember them all.2026-07-27 - #4931 |
