The Ask Leo! Podcast

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 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.

Good news for Windows 10 holdouts: Microsoft quietly extended its Extended Security Updates program by another year. Here's what changed, why Microsoft may have done it, and what you need to do next (spoiler: probably nothing).

Believing and spreading manure -- lies, falsehoods, and misleading implications -- makes you look bad and makes the internet a dumber place. Become more skeptical, even of things you agree with.

I'll explain how keyloggers work, why a virtual keyboard doesn't help, and how to keep your typing safe.

Your files are in OneDrive, so are they backed up? Not necessarily. Cloud storage and cloud backup are not the same thing, and confusing the two can cost you everything. I'll give you four simple rules that keep your files safe.

AI has entered the chat. And the email. And the voice call. And the video. It's making scams even harder to detect.

BitLocker encrypted your drive, intentionally or otherwise, but now you want it gone. Turning it off is easy whether you run Windows Home or Pro. I'll walk you through both, explain what you're giving up, and remind you why saving that recovery key matters.

Your backup software says everything's there, but is it? Too many discover the truth only after disaster strikes. I'll walk you through practical, low-risk ways to test your backups so you can trust that your files will really be there when you need 'em.

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.

Everyone says to use common sense online, but what does that mean? I'll show you how to use to spot scams, dodge bad advice, and decide what's trustworthy.

When you install Windows 11, you have the chance to influence what information it collects about you. I'll show you which setup screens matter, which settings to turn off, and the one backup offer you should always refuse.

Is LEO different than leo? That's a definite sometimes. I'll break down when case matters for email addresses, web addresses, filenames, and passwords, with opinions on what to use when.

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.

Don’t risk losing everything! I’ll show you how to back up Windows step by step, using free tools you already have. Protect your files, photos, and memories so you’re ready when, not if, disaster strikes.

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.

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.

With AI Mode, ads, and AI summaries crowding the page, it's getting hard to find real search results. I'll break down what Google is really doing, how it compares to ChatGPT, Kagi, and DuckDuckGo, and what to watch for.

Can digital photos and files really be lost forever? Yes, but it's almost always easily avoidable. I'll describe two simple habits that keep your precious files safe for decades, perhaps even centuries, to come.

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.

Open Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops and other public places are opportunities for hackers. I'll review how to stay safe.

Many routers arrive with weak default settings that could put your whole network at risk. I'll share eight simple steps to lock it down, plus two popular tricks that feel safe but do nothing at all.

Many people fear their files stored in the cloud get scanned, stolen, or used to train AI. I'll break down the most common objections and share how easy it is to keep your data private.

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.

Why do I recommend backing up before almost everything? A complete system image backup is much more than lost-file insurance. It's the closest thing to a silver security bullet for your computer.

An external drive stopped working, and important files lived on it. One simple habit can keep you from ever facing loss like this.

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.

Drowning in 300 junk emails a day? You can't stop spam completely, but you don't have to suffer, either. I'll cover why blocking and unsubscribing make things worse, and share one simple habit that trains your inbox to clean itself.

Wondering why your promo emails go unanswered? There is a good chance they are going straight into spam folders. I'll describe three things that make your emails look like spam, and what you can do to fix them.

The moment you hit Post, copies of what you shared start spreading. Marking it private won't stop it. Deleting it won't fix it. I'll describe what happens to everything you put online, and why it matters.

Your computer goes to sleep just fine, but waking it up? Sometimes it comes back without a hitch. Other times, the screen stays dark and nothing works. I'll discuss why sleep mode can be unreliable and what you can do about it.

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.

Instagram just killed its encrypted DMs. But here's the real story: most people never had it turned on to begin with. If you care about keeping your conversations private, I'll share which apps I recommend.

Device drivers are behind-the-scenes software that make your hardware work. I'll discuss the right way to update drivers and explain why to avoid driver update services.

Cloud storage is one of the most useful tools around, but it brings two real risks along for the ride.

When your computer goes to the shop, can you trust a stranger with your personal files? I'll share how to keep your data safe before handing your machine over, and what your options are when it's too late.

Your router's default password might as well be no password at all. Changing it is an important step you can take to secure your home network. I'll show you how to find your router's settings and lock it down with a strong password.

A new AI just found thousands of security vulnerabilities in nearly every major operating system, and its maker decided the world wasn't ready for it. What does that mean for you?

Tech support always says the same thing: "Have you tried rebooting?" It sounds lazy (and perhaps crazy), but there's a reason it works so often.

Think the most important skill in tech is coding? Nope. Whether you're asking for help online, applying for a job, or using AI, writing and speaking English well matters more than you'd expect. I'll explain why it might be the most valuable skill of all.

Typing the same email address dozens of times a day gets old fast. AutoHotkey is a free program that lets short key combos do your typing for you. I'll show you how I use it every day to make a few keystrokes replace long blocks of text.

Can you tell if this article was written by AI? You can't... but that might not be the right question. What really matters is whether you can trust the information.

If you don't back up, it's probably not because you're lazy. A disaster will get your attention fast, though. I'll dig into why backing up is so easy to ignore, why it shouldn't be, and what it would take to fix the problem.