Latest Security How-To Stories
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How-To
How to create strong, secure passwords by learning how to crack them
Learn why strong, secure paswords matter by seeing how easy it is to crack passwords with a common tool. Longer, more complex passwords are best, and you'll see why.
How-To
How to pick the perfect password
What's the best password? We'll show you the rules and strategies we'd recommend to pick a safe, strong password that will keep your data secure.
How-To
How to tell if your password has been stolen
How can you tell if your password has been stolen or compromised as part of a password breach? We'll discuss free and paid services you can use, from websites to your browser or paid password managers.
Updated
How to set up a VPN in Windows
Step-by-step instructions for configuring the built-in VPN client in Windows 7 and Windows 10.Tip
Tip: You can still upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free
Windows 7 went end-of-life today, but you can still take advantage of Microsoft's offer of a free Windows 10 upgrade, even though it officially ended years ago.
How-To
Windows 7 is dead: How to stay as safe as possible after the security updates stop
Windows 7 is officially end of life, meaning it will no longer receive security updates. If you're going to keep using it, here's how to stay as safe as possible.
Updated
How to remove your login password from Windows 10
Sure, you can remove your password from your Windows 10 PC, as long as it's in a very safe place. Here's how.
Updated
Windows Sandbox: How to use Microsoft’s simple virtual Windows PC to secure your digital life
Microsoft's Windows Sandbox creates a safe space where you can try suspicious software or sites without risking your 'real' PC. Here's how to use it.
How-To
How to protect yourself from online scams including ransomware and more
Protect yourself from online scams with these tips, including a detailed account of attempts to remove ransomware.
How-To
How to avoid Internet fraud, scams, phishing and other cybercrime
Internet fraud takes many forms, but they share a common goal: Extracting money or personal data from an unsuspecting user. Here's how to avoid their traps.
Updated
How to remove malware from your Windows PC
Has malicious software taken your PC hostage? Our malware-removal guide will help you clean out your PC and restore it to a pristine state.
How-To
How to send anonymous emails
How to create an anonymous email account that's not connected to your daily identity.
How-To
Surprise, Opera’s free VPN is back! Here’s how to get it on your Android phone
Opera's VPN has returned as a browser feature after the standalone app was shut down last April. Here's how to get it on your phone.
How-To
How to secure, protect, and completely lock down your Android phone
Whether you just got a new Android phone or have had one for a while, it's probably not as secure as it could be. Here’s how to lock it down.How-To
How to check if Facebook shared your personal info with Cambridge Analytica
Cambridge Analytica harvested personal information from 87 million Facebook users. Here's how to tell if you were affected.
Updated
How to find your motherboard’s Spectre CPU fix
Finding and installing Spectre CPU firmware updates for DIY PCs is complicated and involves updating your motherboard BIOS. Here's how.How-To
How to download your Facebook data
What exactly is on your Facebook profile? You can peruse your profile online, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The easiest way to see your Facebook data is to download it.
Updated
Is your VPN secure? How to check for leaks
A trusted virtual private network is a great tool for security and privacy, but if it's not configured correctly it may not be so private.
Updated
How to build the best free PC security software suite
By combining the best free PC security software available, you can fortify your PC against all manner of attacks.
Smart Mobile Tricks
6 ways to make the most of 1Password for iOS and Android
You'll be a happier 1Password user once you master these mobile tips and tricks, from unlocking 1Password with your fingerprint to entering passwords with the 1Password keyboard.
Smart Mobile Tricks
6 easy ways to keep your Android phone secure
There are plenty of ways to keep your Android handset safe from the most common security threats, all with a minimum of effort. Read on to learn about the right passcodes, security settings and other safeguards.
Answer Line
4 ways to bolster your online privacy
Total online privacy is almost impossible, but these steps will get you a lot closer to being as anonymous as possible.
Updated
How to rescue your PC from ransomware
Ransomware is a serious headache. Don't negotiate with e-terrorists. Be a hero and rescue your hostage PC.Hassle-Free PC
The three laws of smart PC backups
Creating a solid backup strategy is easier than you think. Here's how to back up your PC the right way.Updated
Three privacy tools that block your Internet provider from tracking you
The government may soon allow your ISP to sell your browsing data. Here's how to fight back.
Hassle-Free PC
Three steps to make managing passwords easier
Dealing with passwords will probably never be painless, but you can at least simplify the process.Smart Mobile Tricks
5 alternative (and easier) ways to unlock your Android phone
You can set your Android phone to unlock itself when it's in your pocket, while you're near a certain location, when it hears your voice, and more.Hassle-Free PC
How to quickly check that your home IoT devices are secure
Don't let your smart clock expose you to hackers. A web app from BullGuard can help.Hassle-Free PC
How to turn off Windows Defender’s enhanced notifications in Windows 10
Windows Defender in the Anniversary Update loves to tell you what it's doing. Here's how to stop that.
Updated
A beginner’s guide to BitLocker, Windows’ built-in encryption tool
Here's how to set up BitLocker, the encryption tool Microsoft built right into many versions of Windows.
Hassle-Free PC
How to make sure you’re using the latest version of LastPass for Firefox
LastPass just patched a major security flaw that allowed an attacker to remotely compromise an account. Here's how to make sure you're not vulnerable.Answer Line
Why you should use two-step verification even if it’s a hassle
No one really likes two-step verification. It's annoying. And yes, it can be hacked. But you're still far safer with it than without it.How-To
How to secure your router and home network
Many users don't realize it, but their internet router is the most important electronic device in their home and is an attractive target for attackers.
Updated
How to tell if your Android phone has spyware
You know that Google, your service provider, and Facebook follow what you do on your phone. But what about your employer, your spouse, or a criminal? Find out if you have spyware on your Android phone and what to do about it.Answer Line
When to choose a password, when to choose a PIN
You understand that you need to protect your PC, phone, and online accounts. But do you always have to use a long and complex password?Answer Line
5 ways to stop spam from invading your email
We're all sick of spam, whether it's Nigerian banking scams, pseudo-sexy invitations, or click-for-malware buttons. Here's how to get them out of your life.Security Measures
All about your ‘fullz’ and how hackers turn your personal data into dollars
Piecing together a full financial and medical profile—a so-called "fullz"—is how hackers turn your data into dollars. We talk to the experts about the fullz problem and what you can do about it.Security Measures
How to keep USB thumb drive malware away from your PC
Maybe you know not to plug strange USB drives into your computer, but trends indicate that most people think nothing of it. Here's how security experts keep USB malware at bay.
Hassle-Free PC
How to change your passwords automatically with Dashlane and LastPass
It's a pain to change your passwords manually. These two password managers make it easier by doing it for you.Answer Line
How to stop ransomware: Backup can protect you, but only if you do it right
No one wants to give hundreds of dollars to extortionists. But if you take the right precautions beforehand, ransomware probably can't hurt you.Security Measures
What to ask your doctor, lawyer, and accountant about protecting your personal data
Criminals file for fraudulent tax refunds using consumers' information. Law firms are being hacked. The trend is clear: People have to worry about the security of their third parties. Lessons for consumers on what they should do to check out their providers' security.Answer Line
Windows 10 picture password: Draw your own conclusions about its safety
Windows 10's picture password gives you an alternative to traditional passwords and PINs that could be easier to remember. Whether it's as safe is a good question–we go over the issues here.
Security Measures
Online privacy: 3 ways to ward off cyber criminals and snoops
Keep yourself safe with these online security tips, from anonymous browsing to hiding your digital tracks.Hassle-Free PC
Pure URL simplifies web addresses for safer surfing
The Pure URL extension for Chrome and Firefox makes web addresses that appear in your browser easier to read and less of a potential security risk.Hassle-Free PC
Why you need a cloud backup service, and how to use one
Cloud backup is the easiest way to get the security of off-site backup for your important files. Here's how to choose and use one of these services.Hassle-Free PC
How to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords saved on your PC
If your PC knows your Wi-Fi password, but you don't, these tips will help.
Hassle-Free PC
How to easily secure your web browsing with Hotspot Shield’s free, unlimited proxy
VPN provider Hotspot Shield has add-ons for Firefox and Chrome to help keep your web browsing secure quickly and easily.Security Measures
Ransomware’s latest threats: What to do about CryptoWall, Chimera and their ilk
In the past, if you had a backup of your files, you could avoid paying ransomware. Malware developers claimed to have added a new twist, threatening to publish the data of anyone who has not paid.Answer Line
Why Lenovo’s PCs have less bloatware or spyware than ever before
Lenovo consumer PCs used to have a lot of bloatware, but the company cleaned up its act after getting burned on one bad program earlier this year.Answer Line