Articles in Category: Security

Why Your “Unimportant” Accounts Matter

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

How Hackers Use Malicious Attachments to Give You Malware

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

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.

Is Passwordless Authentication Safe?

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

What’s the Best Anti-Virus?

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

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.

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?

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

Data breaches are everywhere but what should you do if your info shows up in one? I’ll break down the risks, explain what really matters (hint: it’s not just your email), and give you steps to protect yourself. Don’t panic, but do get informed and stay safe.

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

Giving away your old computer is a great idea, but handing over your personal data along with it is not. I’ll show you the difference between a wipe that works and one that just looks like it does.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can Browser Extensions See My Bank Account?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, SMS Two-Factor Authentication is Broken; Use it Anyway

SMS messaging has some serious security vulnerabilities, but does that mean you should always avoid it? No.

9 Ways Your Account Can Be Compromised, Even with a Super-strong Password

Strong passwords are important, but they don’t protect you from everything. I’ll look at other ways your account can be compromised.

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, and Cryptomator, so your secrets stay safe no matter what.

What’s the Best Two-Factor Authentication Option?

The best two-factor authentication approach varies based on your needs, and what’s offered by the service you’re trying to use it with.

What Should I Do About the Changes to LastPass Free?

LastPass is changing the terms of their free service. Find out if you’re affected, and what to do if you are.

What Can a Computer Thief See If I Password Protect My Windows Sign-in?

Password-protecting your Windows login does not protect your computer’s data, particularly if the computer is stolen.

Is Passwordless Sign-in Safe?

Signing in without a password seems almost nonsensical, yet it can be more secure than traditional sign-ins. More convenient? That depends.

Granting Location Permission: Why You Should and When You Shouldn’t

Granting location permission gives apps and web sites a more accurate idea of exactly where you are. The question is: do they need or do they abuse it?

Can People Track My Email Address Location?

Email addresses can be used to locate public information, which could allow someone to track your location from your email address. Use caution when sharing it with someone you don’t trust.

Why Is It So Important to Use Different Passwords for Everything?

Using different passwords on different sites is not only good practice, it’s necessary to keep your accounts safe. I’ll review why, and how best to handle a plethora of passwords.

Online Shopping: Just How Safe Is It?

Online shopping is ubiquitous, and yet some avoid it completely. Why are some people afraid to shop online when it’s arguably safer than offline?

Yes, Your Security Software Might Slow Down Your Computer – What to Do About It

Security tools are asked to do an important, sometimes resource-hungry task. Here’s how to mitigate their impact on your ability to use your computer.

Resist Those Dancing Bunnies

Scammers and malware authors often make fantastic promises to try to get you to drop your guard. I’ll discuss why it’s important to stay skeptical.

Another Reason Your Computer Might Be Slow: Prevention, Presence, or Removal of Malware

Malware can impact your computers performance before it arrives, once infected, and even after removal.

Five Reasons Ransomware Will Be Around for a Long Time

There are several reasons ransomware will be a scourge for some time to come. Most boil down to, well, us.

How Do I Bypass Keyloggers? The Guaranteed Way to Avoid Having Your Keystrokes Maliciously Recorded

I hear about techniques to bypass keyloggers often. The problem is, keyloggers can log much more than keystrokes. There’s really only one solution: avoid them in the first place.

What If I Lose My Second Factor?

When you lose your second factor, there are two things to be concerned about: getting into your own account — for which you should be prepared — and someone else having access to your second factor — which isn’t as scary as it sounds.

How Do You Delete Things from the Internet?

Realistically, it’s impossible to delete things from the internet. Yet in an apparent contradiction in terms, if you happen to delete something in your control, you also can’t get it back.

Why Can’t Online Services Tell Me My Password?

It’s for your own protection, and the result of fascinating mathematical wizardry. And if they can tell you your password? They’re doing security wrong.

Can My Work Spy on My Home Computer?

Using a computer at work puts you at their mercy. It’s technically possible your workplace could spy on all your activities.

What’s the Difference Between Windows Defender, Windows Security, and Microsoft Security Essentials?

Windows Security is Windows Defender is Microsoft Security Essentials, by any other name. Windows Defender has also had different meanings over the years.

Who’s Trying to Change My Password?

If your account has not actually been hacked, there’s little anyone can do to find out who’s trying to log in as you. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself from would-be hackers and phishing scams.

Microsoft Account Recovery Code

Possession of a Microsoft account recovery code is proof you are the account owner and should be allowed in should you ever lose account access.

Can My Workplace See What Else I Do When I Work from Home?

Working from home can be convenient, or even a necessity. Does it open up your other online activity to scrutiny by your company?