HeroicStories

Running a small business, especially from home, puts your data at risk in ways you might not expect. I'll discuss what I see as the five biggest security threats facing small teams.

Think the Recycle Bin on your PC is the last stop for deleted files? Not always. I'll show you a second, often-overlooked Recycle Bin hiding in your cloud storage. It might rescue files you thought were gone for good.

Ever wonder why Microsoft never fixes that one thing that drives you crazy? It's not personal. I'll break down why some annoyances stay put, how Windows chooses what to fix, and why even simple changes can be surprisingly risky.

Social media often shows you what it wants you to see, not what you asked for. I'll explain how those algorithms work and the steps you can take to see more of what matters to you.

Ever wonder how your computer or phone “knows” where you are, and why it sometimes gets it wrong? I'll break down the clues your devices use, why location mistakes happen, and what you can do when websites think you're somewhere else entirely.

Tired of being asked if you're human? I'll explain what site owners like me are dealing with behind the scenes and why you'll probably be clicking “I'm not a robot” a lot more often.

Did ya miss me? Did ya notice? I'll explain what was happening behind the scenes.

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

QR codes are a nifty way to encode web addresses and other text in a way that's easy for your smartphone to decode, but they are not without risk.

Apps don't last forever, and when one you rely on disappears, it can take your data with it. I'll show you how to protect yourself so you stay in control.

Trying to print a cute photo from a website and wondering why it looks fuzzy on paper? I'll explain why that happens, what you can do, and when high-quality results are possible.

Do you think your passwords don't matter because you use 2FA everywhere? I'll break down why weak passwords still put you at risk, how attackers work around 2FA, and the steps that keep your accounts safe.

Windows 11 proved the old “Windows 10 is the last version” claim wrong, but was it that claim a lie? I'll look at where it came from, what Microsoft actually said, and how headlines can twist a message.

Tired of chasing updates for all your programs? This tool pulls all of them into one place and keeps them up to date for you. I'll show you how UniGetUI can save you time, reduce clutter, and make managing your apps almost effortless.

RAID might sound like a clever backup shortcut, but it's not. In fact, relying on it could make things worse. Learn what RAID does, how it helps (and doesn't), and why it still won't save your data when disaster, malware, or mistakes strike.

Emailing your entire contact list with a notice that you've changed your email address is NOT the way to change your email address. I'll show you what to do instead.

Pagefile.sys is the paging file that contains Windows' virtual memory. You can easily remove it, but you need to understand the ramifications.

Outlook.com accounts are hacked into and lost every day. Here's how to ensure you won't lose email or contacts if it happens to you.

Scammers' favorite tricks include old lies told in new ways. I'll show you how these scams work, how to spot them before it's too late, and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your money, and even your identity.

Ever get an email from yourself that you didn't send? You've likely been spoofed. I'll show how spammers fake your address without touching your account at all, why it happens, and what (little) you can do about it.

AI tools like ChatGPT sound smart and sure of themselves. I'll explain why blind trust in AI answers can be risky, how its confidence can fool you, and what simple habits will keep you from being misled while still getting the most from this amazing technology.

Does whole-disk encryption slow your computer? You might be surprised. The bigger risk is losing access to your data if you're not careful with your encryption keys and backups.

Buying a new computer? Whether you click Buy Now online or walk into a local store, both have perks and pitfalls. I'll help you weigh convenience, cost, and trust so you can make the best choice for your situation and know where to turn if things go wrong.

I swapped out two old computers for a pair of tiny but mighty mini-PCs, and I'm impressed. If you've ever wondered whether one of these small machines could replace your bulky desktop, this peek behind my setup might surprise you.

Ever wonder why your antivirus program didn't catch that virus? It's not broken. Security is a race, and the bad guys are usually ahead. Learn why security tools can't stop everything, what that means for you, and the most important step you can take to stay safe.

Lost your password vault? You're not locked out forever. It's just an inconvenience. With some patience and the right steps, you can reset your accounts, rebuild your vault, and protect yourself from future mishap.

Want to email a big group without looking like a spammer or getting blocked? I'll show you why the usual tricks don't work well and walk you through safer, smarter ways to send group emails, from simple groups to full newsletter services.

Gmail is taking away the handy “Check mail from other accounts” feature in 2026. If you use it to manage multiple email accounts in one place (Gmail), you'll need an alternative approach. I'll cover what's changing, why it matters, and the options you have left before your mail disappears.

Thinking of skipping or delaying Windows 11? You can keep using Windows 10 safely, but changes are inevitable. From security updates to app support, here's what happens if you stay put. Learn how long you can expect things to keep working before problems appear.

Some system cleaners cry wolf, showing scary error counts to pressure you into buying. Others disagree on what counts as “dirty.” I'll unpack the scare tactics, the lack of standards, and the risks of using these utilities, plus safer ways to keep your PC running smoothly.

A blue screen that won't go away feels like the end, but it may not be. Learn how to boot from other media, rescue your files, and figure out if it's Windows or hardware at fault. Most importantly, backing up now saves heartbreak later.

Wonder what those strange strings of numbers labelled things like MD5 or SHA mean next to a download? They're a way to double-check that a file is safe and complete. Here's how checksums work, why they matter, and when you might want to use them.

Ever right-click the Start button and wonder why you sometimes see Command Prompt, other times PowerShell, or maybe something called Terminal? They look similar, but each has its own role.

AI is rewriting the rules of the web, and sites like Ask Leo! are feeling the squeeze of fewer clicks, more bots, and uncertain futures. What does that mean for the content you rely on? I'll look at the challenge, the irony, the fear, and what you can do to help.

Tempted to hit "reply" and tell spammers to knock it off? Don't. Here's why replying makes things worse, and what you can do to keep spam under control.

Thinking of backing up your files to another partition on the same hard drive? Learn how this puts your data at risk and discover smarter, safer ways to back up before disaster strikes.

Not all websites protect your password the same way. Some do it well, others badly, and a few dangerously poorly. I'll walk through the good, the bad, and the ugly of password storage, and share one simple step you can take to keep your accounts safe.

Want Windows 11 without tying it to a Microsoft account? There's still a way. I'll walk you through a simple but slow two-step trick. The result: a fresh Windows 11 setup with only a local account... at least until Microsoft closes the door again.

Is your PC slowing down, acting odd, or just feeling old? A full reset might be the fix, but how often should you do it? I'll share when it makes sense, when it doesn't, and how to decide if your computer needs a fresh start.

When people find their posts or comments removed or altered from websites they visit, sometimes they claim that their right to free speech has been violated. That's rarely the case.

Internet cafe owners can monitor the activity on open WiFi hotspots. Whether or not they take the time to do it is another story!

Think a VPN makes online banking safer? Banking is already protected by strong encryption, but a VPN adds a twist. I'll explain what's really protected, what isn't, and where the real risks lie when you bank on the go.

With USB-A and USB-C, things have gotten simpler, but not always obvious. I'll walk you through what cables really do, how devices and chargers “talk,” and why missing charger blocks isn't a big deal.

Worried that staying signed in leaves you open to hackers? I'll explain why your router, firewall, and smart habits protect you, what the real risks to your accounts are, and the simple steps you can take to stay safe online.

Possibly being labeled a spammer is another reason not to forward political and other emails. Do it enough, and your normal email may not get delivered.

Worried you need a new rescue disc every time your backup program updates? Relax. I'll explain when it matters, why it usually doesn't, and how you can get one at the last minute.

Think those old files on your hard drive are gone forever? Maybe not. I'll walk you through what affects your chances of recovery, the tools you can try, and why sometimes, it all comes down to luck.

If your computer refuses to start, the problem might be the Master Boot Record (MBR). Fixing it isn't as scary as it sounds. I'll show you how to use Windows' built-in Startup Repair and a couple of handy command-line tools to get your machine running again.

Accidentally run or opened something suspicious? We've all done it. I'll walk you through the options from scans to resets, and consider what to learn from the experience.

What's the difference between your email service, account, address, and program? I'll break it down so you'll know what each term means, why it matters, and how not to get tripped up next time you want to change your email or ask a question.

Wondering why Microsoft charges for Extended Security Updates when Windows Defender will get updates through 2028? They're not the same. I'll explain the difference between malware database updates and actual Windows fixes, and what you really need to know to stay protected on Windows 10.