Articles in Category: Security

Sometimes, the Threat Is in the Hardware

When it comes to security, you probably think about viruses and scams, but what about the hardware you touch every day? I’ll cover four hardware threats and the habits that can keep you safe from all of them.

Don’t Finish Authorizations You Didn’t Start, and Be Cautious With Those You Did

There are scams that don’t need your password or even your two-factor code to get into your account. They use real sign-in pages and a fake app with a harmless name to sneak in. I’ll describe how it works and remind you of one simple habit that keeps you safe.

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.

Responses to Your Three Common Password Manager Objections

Many 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.

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.

What Happened When My “Bank” Called Me

Your 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why ANY Two-Factor Is Better Than No Two-Factor

You 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.

Why You — Yes, You — Are a Target of Hackers

Every 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.

Clickfix: What It Is and How to Avoid It

ClickFix 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.

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.

The Easy-to-Avoid Two-Factor Loss Risk

Two-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.

Your 6 Strongest Practical Password Techniques, Ranked

Not 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.

How to Avoid Ransomware

Ransomware 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.

A One-Step Way to Lose Your Account Forever

Most 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How Do I Run a Full Scan Using Windows Defender?

If you’re worried your computer might have malware, running a full scan with Windows Security is one of the best ways to check. I’ll walk you through updating, launching, and completing a full scan, plus explain why it’s not a guaranteed fix on its own.

Do Data Removal Services Work?

Data removal services promise to erase your personal information from the internet. Can they? I’ll break down how these services work, where they succeed, where they fall short, and what that means for protecting yourself once your data is out there. (Spoiler: it’s already out there.)

How Long Should a Password Be?

The old advice was eight characters, including uppercase, lowercase, digits, and symbols. Modern computers can crack those passwords in hours. I’ll describe why length matters more than anything and how long your passwords really need to be.

The Biggest Risk to Your Privacy, Revealed

We worry a lot about privacy, but our concerns are often misplaced. The biggest risk to our personal privacy is right under our nose — and that’s good.

Can Hotel Internet Traffic Be Sniffed?

Hotel internet isn’t necessarily private. Wired or wireless, it’s as exposed as any open hotspot, and the people running it can watch what you do. I’ll describe why hotel networks are risky and list the steps that keep your activity safe wherever you connect.

How Can I Tell If a Download Is Safe?

How do you know that download you want is safe? Before you run it, I’ll show you how to scan it, when to trust the results, and the simple habits that keep malware off your machine for good.

More Tips to Protect Yourself from AI Scams

AI has entered the chat. And the email. And the voice call. And the video. It’s making scams even harder to detect.

How to Remove PUPs and Other Unexpected Things From Your Computer

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.

12 Steps to Keep from Getting Your Account Hacked

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.

How to Protect Data on a Laptop

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.

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.

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.

It Pays to Be Skeptical

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.

Please Set Up and Maintain Account Recovery Information

Locked 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.

Your Password May Not Be Used to Encrypt Your Data, and That’s Okay

There’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.

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.

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.

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.

Has BitLocker Been Broken? What YellowKey Means to You

A 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.

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.

How Two-Factor Authentication Works and Why You Need It Right Now

Your password alone might not be enough to keep hackers out. Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection that stops intruders even when they know your password. I’ll explain how it works, why you need it, and how to set it up without making your daily log-in a hassle.

Why Can’t I Paste a Password Into This Site’s Password Field?

You’ve got a password manager and you’ve done everything right. Then you encounter some website that won’t let you paste your password. It’s maddening. And here’s the kicker: whoever designed it that way actually made the site *less* secure.

How Do I Hack Someone’s Account? How Do I Hack My Own?

Someone’s cheating on you, or maybe you just lost access to your own account. Either way, you want to hack in. Before you go looking for help in all the wrong places, let me share the truth about hacking accounts.