Articles in Category: Security

Login

How Can I Delete an Old Account If I Can’t Log In?

If you’ve lost your password, there may be recovery steps. If you’ve also lost your email address, recovery becomes significantly more difficult.

A Dead Phone

I Lost My Phone With My Second Factor for Authentication. How Do I Recover?

My phoned died, and with it, all the two-factor authentication methods I’d used it for. Here’s how I recovered.

leo@askleo.com has been Pwned!

What Should I Do About the Latest Breach?

Another week, another breach. What steps should you take in the wake of the latest large-scale data breach?

LastPass Password Manager

LastPass Password Manager and Vault

One of the challenges with current online safety advice is keeping track of multiple different secure passwords. LastPass not only does that, but does it securely across multiple devices.

Password Entry

I’m Told to Change My Password. Why?

If you’ve been told to change your password, do so, but do so in the right way. I’ll explain what that means and why it’s important.

Locked Computer

Lock Your Computer When You Walk Away

If your device is not physically secure, neither the machine nor your data is.

A Bad Day on the Network

Can Malware Infect Other Computers on My Network?

There are forms of malicious software that attempt to travel from machine to machine on your local network. There’s good news, though.

Hacked!

How Was My Bank Account Hacked When I Did Everything Right?

Even with all the right things in place, stuff happens. I’ll review the additional steps you can take to protect yourself.

Padlocked Gmail.

Lost Gmail Account Recovery With No Phone or Alternate Email

The Google Account Recovery process may be able to help you get your account back. Maybe.

How Safe is Kaspersky Internet Security?

Any software company with ties outside the U.S. comes under scrutiny. Should you be worried?

Bridge of Trust

Protecting Your Privacy: Points of Vulnerability

Tracing the privacy and security of the path from your fingertips through the services you use to your information’s final destination.

Nuclear Power Plant

How Do I Scan Nuclear Power Station Computers Without an Internet Connection?

Scanning your nuclear power station’s Windows computers for malware can present some challenges if the machines have been secured properly.

Please?

Would You Please Recover My Password?

Every day, I’m asked to reset lost passwords, recover hacked accounts, or retrieve lost information in them. Here’s my answer.

Ransomware!

How Do I Prevent a Repeat of Ransomware?

All malware is scary, especially ransomware due to the damage it can inflict. Here’s how to avoid a repeat performance.

VPN

What VPN Should I Use?

VPNs protect from certain types of surveillance and more. I’ll discuss what they’re good for and what to consider when selecting one.

Safe?

Am I Safe?

There is no such thing as absolute safety. But there are definitely steps you can take to be as safe as possible.

A hacker typing?

Someone Is in My Computer, Controlling it. What Can I Do?

When things behave unexpectedly, many people assume their computer has been compromised by remote hackers. Many of those people are wrong.

Windows Sign-in

Is a Password-protected Windows Login Secure?

Your Windows log-in password gets you surprisingly little real security. I’ll look at why that is, why you might still want one, and what I do instead.

Secure Your Account -- Please

Why Your “Unimportant” Accounts Matter

Regardless of your initial thoughts, every account is important, and we are all targets.

Scan

How Do I Run a Full Scan Using Windows Defender?

A full scan scans things a more common “quick scan” bypasses. Here’s how to run one using Windows Security.

Computer Despair

My Machine’s Full of Malware; Should I Get a New Computer?

For some reason, many people’s gut reaction to a malware infestation is to consider getting a new computer. That’s unnecessary.

Malware for You

How Hackers Use Malicious Attachments to Give You Malware

Another day, another report of hackers exploiting vulnerabilities. Here’s how you stay safe.

Looking at your keystrokes . . .

Will Using a Password Vault Thwart a Keylogger?

A password tool may bypass a few keyloggers, but not all. Think about your overall computer and account safety first.

Stalker

What Do I Do If I’m Being Harassed, Bullied, or Stalked Online?

Online harassment is common problem, and prevalent among children. I’ll review some of the issues and steps to be taken.

No Password!

Is Passwordless Authentication Safe?

Passwordless authentication removes the need for a password and replaces it with something else. But can that be secure?

Virus Detected!

What’s the Best Anti-Virus?

There just isn’t a best. Knowing that will (hopefully) lead you in a safer direction.

Three Random Words

Do Random Words Make Better Passwords?

As few as three random words make better passwords than strings of random characters — but not, perhaps, for the reasons you think.

Password Vault

Responses to Your Three Common Password Manager Objections

Password vaults are a common recommendation by security professionals to improve your online security. Why do so many resist?

Massive Data Breach

A Data Breach Has My Data. What Do I Do?

Another day, another breach. What should you do if you’re involved?

Hard Disks (HDD & SSD)

How Should I Wipe My Hard Drive in Windows Before Giving It Away?

Erasing your hard drive before you give it away is important. Exactly how thorough an erase you need depends on your data and level of paranoia.

A Server Farm / Data Center

How Do Websites Keep Passwords Secure?

A high-level overview of how websites and services should store passwords security, so next time there’s a breach you’ll know what to look for.

Encryption (Concept)

Find Your Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key in Your Microsoft Account

BitLocker might be turned on without your knowledge. That’s fine, but make sure you have the recovery keys stored somewhere should you ever need them.

Computer Locked

How Do I Access the Computer of Someone Who’s Passed Away?

If no preparations have been made beforehand, accessing the machine of a deceased loved one can be anywhere from easy to impossible.

The LastPass message

No Email from LastPass? Dealing with Sign-In Problems

While travelling, I signed in to my LastPass account only to be told I needed to confirm an email message that never arrived — or so I thought.

Worry

What if I Forget My Passwords If I Use Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication is different than passwords, but they both share important recovery steps if there’s a problem.

Infected

How Do I Safely Back Up an Infected Drive?

Once your machine is infected, system backups are likely to include the infection, but are still important. I’ll look at what steps to take.

Off

Can My Computer Be Hacked If It’s Off?

Hacking a turned-off computer requires a few mistakes on your part. It’s unlikely, but possible.

Kid for Hire

Should I Just Hire a Hacker to Recover My Account?

Desperation can lead you to consider hiring so-called “legit”, “ethical”, or “white-hat” hackers to regain control of a your account. Don’t do it.

Sereotypical Hooded Hacker Image

Just What Is a Hack?

Hack or hacking can mean several different things — both good and bad — depending on the context. I’ll review the most common definitions.

Google Search

It’s Important You Know: There Are Ads in Search Results

It’s absolutely critical you learn to recognize the difference between advertisements and actual search results.

Sign in to Gmail

How Do I Access Gmail Without Phone Verification?

There are a number of ways to confirm your identity if you don’t have your phone. The catch is that most have to be set up before you need them.

Guaranteed?

How Do I Make Sure I Don’t Have Malware?

It’s impossible to know your machine has no malware. What does that mean for your safety?

Questoning Flash

Should I Take the Flash Update I’ve Been Offered?

Adobe Flash player is dying dead and should be avoided. I’ll explain why you should be cautious if you think you still want it.

Extensions page in Microsoft Edge.

Can Browser Extensions See My Bank Account?

Browser extensions are often installed with little thought to the immense security risk they present.

Virus Detected!

How Do I Remove Malware that Blocks Downloads?

Some malware goes to great lengths to prevent you from downloading, running, or applying a fix. I’ll tell you what steps to take.

System Login Dialog

Should Your Username be More Like a Password?

Occasionally people suggest that usernames should be treated like passwords. While there’s some merit to the idea, it’s ultimately impractical.

A two-factor key fob.

The Easy-to-Avoid Two-Factor Loss Risk

Two-factor authentication is an important tool to keep accounts secure, but prepare for losing the second factor so you don’t lose your account.

Ransomware

How to Protect Your Cloud Storage and Backups from Ransomware

There are additional protections for your data if your machine becomes infected with a form of malware known as ransomware.

All the eggs - One basket.

Isn’t Storing Your Passwords In One Place a Security Risk?

Yes, password managers put all your information in one place. It better be a very good place.

Password

Are Longer Passwords Better, Even If They’re Simpler?

A longer password of repeating characters is more secure than a short complicated password — but there’s more to security than cracking.