Simple Tech Tips for Home Computer Users
Windows, Mac, and mobile tech support – networking – Internet safety – consumer technology
Fake apps are a real problem on the official app stores. Tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are all struggling to keep them at bay. Learn how to recognize and remove fake apps in my latest article for The Northwest Herald/Shaw Media: Tech Companies Struggle to Remove Fake Apps.
In this week’s member-exclusive How-To Tuesday on Simple Tech Tips, we’re talking about how to protect your computer from ransomware. Ransomware is a scourge that attacks consumers and businesses alike. According to a recent survey ransomware attacks nearly doubled in 2021, and experts expect those numbers to continue rising. Here’s what you need to know … Continue reading How to Protect Your Computer from Ransomware
Today’s Internet threats pose increasing risks to consumers. Is your antivirus protection adequate? What about your firewall? Are there other security features that can help? Learn how to find the right security solution for your home computer in my latest article for The Northwest Herald/Shaw Media: Modern Security Software Protects Against Today’s Threats.
In this week’s member-exclusive How-To Tuesday on Simple Tech Tips, we’re talking about how to recover a lost password. If you forget your password, it’s not always an easy task to regain access to your account. That’s by design - if the process was simple, hackers would be able to break in more easily. That’s … Continue reading How to Recover a Lost Password
Ever type the wrong Web address by mistake? Did you know that cybercriminals snatch up typoed domains in order to create tempting lookalikes? Typosquatting is the practice of registering a domain that is a typo of a common site, like goole instead of google or microsft instead of microsoft. Most people don't notice typos, especially … Continue reading Typosquatting: How Mistyped Web Sites Lead To Malware and Scams
Fake apps proliferate online, and it’s hard to tell the good apps from the bad. Scammers are getting sneakier by hiding their malicious apps behind the smokescreen of reputable ones. Your garden-variety fake app is typically malware disguised as a fun game or useful utility. Behind the shiny exterior lies code that can steal your … Continue reading When Good Apps Go Bad: How to Avoid Malicious Software
Your computer’s built-in antivirus software is no match against today’s Internet threats. Here’s why you should replace it with something stronger. Windows and Mac computers both have default antivirus programs, Windows Defender and Apple’s XProtect. (If you haven’t noticed XProtect running on your Mac, that’s because it runs silently in the background as part of … Continue reading You Need Better Antivirus Than Your Computer’s Built-In Software
If there's one thing you do for your own computer safety, please, use strong, unique passwords! Doing so decreases your chances of suffering virus infection, account hijacking, identity theft, and even financial fraud. People continually re-use passwords, or create weak passwords, or don't change the default passwords on important devices like routers and smart home gadgets. … Continue reading The Essential Guide to Strong Passwords (2021 Edition)
How do you know if a web site is safe? Do you look for the lock icon? Would it surprise you to learn that isn’t enough? Consumers have long been taught to look for the lock icon or “https” in the address bar to determine whether or not a site is secure. Years ago, when … Continue reading “Secure” Web Sites Aren’t Always Secure
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is an easy way to add extra security to your accounts. Here’s what home users need to know about setting up and using 2FA. How Two-Factor Authentication WorksTwo-factor authentication works in tandem with your password. When logging in, you’ll enter your password plus a one-time token, such as a code sent … Continue reading The Beginner’s Guide to Two-Factor Authentication
Simple Tech Tips for Home Computer Users 