Articles in Category: Security
How to Securely Wipe the Windows System Drive
Reformatting the system drive takes a little more effort than other drives. Here are three ways to get it done.
How to Find a Phone Number With an Email Address
You have an email address and you want the associated phone number. It’s unlikely you’ll find it, but there are a few straws to grasp at.
Yes, You Should Give Google Your Mobile Number
Google uses your mobile number for verification if you lose access to your account. Some people don’t want to provide it. They should.
How Do I Change My Password for Google Mail?
There are times when a new password is what you need. Here’s how to change it.
How Do I Fix “The App You’re Trying to Install Isn’t a Microsoft-Verified App”?
“The app you’re trying to install isn’t a Microsoft-verified app” message is the result of a simple setting you can change.
How to Use Just a Single Password for Everything
It’s very tempting to use only a single password everywhere. That’s dangerous, and there are better alternatives.
How Can I Password Protect My Documents?
There are several options to keeping information private on your computer.
How Do I Prevent a Service From Logging Me in Automatically?
Preventing someone else from accessing your account is as easy as signing out before you leave.
Passkeys and Disaster Planning
Passkeys are new, convenient, and secure. I’ll review how they affect your disaster planning. (Not very much.)
How Do I Tell If an Attachment Is a Virus?
You can’t prove a file isn’t malicious, but you can certainly stack the deck in your favor.
Why Won’t My VeraCrypt Volume Back Up?
When using VeraCrypt containers, the default setting may interfere with backing up your container. Here’s how to fix that.
Can I Password Protect a Folder?
Keeping data secure is important. Being able to password-protect a folder seems an obvious approach. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
My Computer Is Infected With Malware. Should I Just Throw It Out?
Malware is just software. It doesn’t destroy your computer’s hardware in any way. Some work will get you back up and running without needing to destroy anything.
How Should I Keep Recovery Codes Secure?
Recovery codes protect you against account loss. The issue? Where to store them safely.
Password Update Without Re-encrypting: How?
If your password is used to encrypt your hard disk, how can you change your password and still be able to decrypt your disk?
Preparing for the Ultimate Disaster
If you’re not around to unlock all the digital data you take such care to secure, who will be able to access it, and how?
Should I Disconnect My Backup Drive When I’m Not Backing Up?
Some people disconnect their backup drive when not backing up because they fear ransomware. I explain why that’s a Really Bad Idea.
Can Everything I Do Online Be Monitored at the Router?
While it’s not easy, your internet traffic can be monitored at or near your router. I’ll look at how this might be done.
Google Account Hacked? What You Need to Do NOW!
Google/Gmail account hacks happen. Take these steps to recover your account and prevent it from being hacked again.
What Should I Do If I Lose Access to My Password Vault?
Losing access to your password vault is something you can recover from.
No, Don’t Write Down Passwords
The world’s largest magazine dispensed some bad tech advice. Here’s why I so strongly disagree.
Do I Need More Than One Anti-malware Tool?
It’s tempting to think more is better when it comes to security software. In reality, too many can cause trouble.
Is It Really That Easy to Get Someone’s Password?
We’ll look at some ways that someone else could access your account — or at least look like they have.
Does Turning Off Remote Access Keep Me Safer?
Turning off remote desktop is incrementally safer, but it is a very small piece of a much larger puzzle.
Is It Safe to Download from Download Sites?
Download sites are just too risky these days. Don’t use them unless there is no way to avoid them, and even then, be very careful in your selections.
How Do I Create and Use Public Keys with SSH?
SSH and SFTP Public Key Authentication requires you to create a public/private key pair. We’ll look at how to create and then use those keys.
What’s a Dictionary Attack?
A dictionary attack is a common brute-force way of achieving a hacker’s goal. The goal of a dictionary attack could range from compromising your system to sending spam.
How Can Four Random Words Possibly Be More Secure Than 16 Random Characters?
Passphrases are just as secure as passwords — perhaps even more so — and are easier to remember if needed.
What Is Public Key Cryptography?
Public key encryption is the workhorse of security online. I’ll review just what it is and how it’s used at a high level.
How Does a Hardware Security Key Like YubiKey Work?
Hardware security keys like YubiKey provide an extra-secure level of two-factor authentication.
Can’t I Just Delete My Hacked Account?
Deleting an account you don’t have access to is kind of the same as deleting an account you don’t own.
Privacy Begins with the Operating System
Privacy is a complex and far-reaching topic. One of the most basic and often overlooked players is the operating system on your device.
Why ANY Two-Factor Is Better than No Two-Factor
Headlines are proclaiming that two-factor authentication has been hacked. That in no way means you shouldn’t use it. Your account is still much safer with two-factor enabled.
What Is a Passkey?
Passkeys are a new form of authentication that promise to be both easier and more secure.
Can I Still Use LastPass Safely?
Selecting another password manager is now the common recommendation. I’ll review what you can do if you elect to keep using LastPass.
Is “Juice Jacking” Real?
The FBI released a warning against “juice jacking”, but is it really something you need to worry about?
My Computer’s Been Compromised. What Should I Do?
The news is grim if someone’s broken into your computer, but there are steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
Will AI Crack Your Passwords?
We’re seeing AI associated with many things. Cracking your passwords is now on the list.
What’s the Best Password Manager for 2024?
The best password manager is the password manager you’ll use (within reason, of course).
How Do I Prevent Credit Card Theft?
There are some practices to help you avoid having your credit card compromised, but most card theft is out of your control.
Can I Check for Malware before Downloading Something?
Files cannot be checked for viruses before being downloaded, but there are precautions you can and should take.
If Someone Gets Into My Gmail Account, Can They Get Into Others?
Like a row of dominos, gaining access to one account can lead to others being compromised.
Why You — Yes, You — Are a Target of Hackers
Even if your bank account is zero or you’re just not that interesting, hackers are still after your accounts. Here’s why, and what you can do.
Are Facial Recognition and Fingerprint ID Safe?
Facial recognition and fingerprint ID are quick, convenient approaches to signing into or unlocking your devices. But are they safe enough?
What Encryption Software Do You Recommend?
There are many different tools for encryption. The right one depends on what you’re attempting to accomplish.
Why Is It Important to Have Different Passwords on Different Accounts?
Using a different password for every login is crucial — and it doesn’t have to be difficult.
How Can a Hacker Try All Possible Passwords If Systems Block Failed Login Attempts?
Some hackers go for the low-hanging fruit and try the most common passwords, but there is one scenario where brute force works very well.
