Articles in Category: Security
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.
How Can I Send a Document to Someone Securely?
Sending private documents by email feels risky because it is. What’s the safest way to get sensitive information to the right person without it falling into the wrong hands?
What Can a Technician With Remote Access Do?
You thought it was tech support, but it was a scam. You gave a stranger full access to your computer. How worried should you be?
How to Protect Your Credit Card Information
Your credit card info can be stolen in stores or online. From tap-to-pay to virtual card numbers, I’ll walk you through the best ways to keep your credit card safe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware?
Prevention and preparation are the best solutions to ransomware.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
