In the early days of computing, the primary digital threat was the "computer virus"—malicious code designed to disrupt your system or delete files. Today, however, the digital landscape has shifted dramatically. While traditional viruses still exist, modern threats have evolved into sophisticated phishing and social engineering scams that target the user rather than the software. Because these scams rely on human psychology rather than technical exploits, your own vigilance is now the most … [Read more...]
April 23, 2026 By Computer Techs
February 1, 2026 By Computer Techs
The most dangerous new threat on your computer is not a virus, and may come from someone you know
Updated 4/24/26: One of the most dangerous scams this year is an email that appears to come from someone you know— a neighbor, friend, a professional service provider or even a family member. The message might say something like “RSVP for the celebration (of life)” ,“Click here to view the invitation.”, “Review this important document”, “Check out the pictures” or "We’re updating our records”. If you click the link, it discreetly downloads a remote access tool onto your computer. … [Read more...]
December 31, 2025 By Computer Techs
Fortress Inbox: The 4 Pillars of Securing Your Email Account
Your email is the "master key" to your digital life. It’s where you receive sign-in codes and password resets for your bank, social media, healthcare portals and even other email accounts that you likely have. If a hacker gets into your email, they can get into most everything else. Securing it doesn’t have to be complicated. By implementing these four layers of defense—unique passwords, passkeys, 2FA, and recovery info—you can make your account virtually impossible to breach. … [Read more...]
December 26, 2025 By Computer Techs
How to use a passkey on your smartphone to sign in on a computer
One of the best things about passkeys is that they aren’t trapped on just one device. Even if you haven't synced your passkeys through a cloud service like iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, you can still use your iPhone or Android phone as a "physical key" to sign into websites on any computer. This cross-device login uses a combination of Bluetooth (to prove the phone is physically near the computer) and a QR code (to establish a secure encrypted connection). If you aren't … [Read more...]
November 21, 2025 By Computer Techs
Do this now: Protect your browser passwords from prying eyes
Browsers are designed for speed. By default, if you are logged into your computer, your browser assumes it is safe to autofill your usernames and passwords the moment a login page loads. This creates a dangerous "single point of failure." If you step away from your unlocked laptop for just a minute, or if someone gains remote access to your computer, they have instant access to your bank, email, and sensitive accounts without needing to know a single password. You should fix this … [Read more...]
November 21, 2025 By Computer Techs
Browsing Made Easier and Safer: What’s New in Your Web Browser
The internet is always changing, and so are the tools we use to explore it—our web browsers (like Chrome, Edge, and Safari). In 2025, you might notice some exciting new features designed to make your time online easier, safer, and smarter, especially when it comes to logging in and protecting you from tricky scams. 🤖 Smart Helpers: The New AI Features Artificial Intelligence (AI) is like a clever assistant built right into your browser now. These new AI tools are designed to help you … [Read more...]
October 1, 2025 By Computer Techs
Beware: The Latest Tech Scams You Need to Know About
Updated 3/26/26: Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to trick people, and we at Computer Techs are seeing an uptick in scams that target computer and internet users. These scams often look convincing on the surface, but with a little extra caution, you can spot the red flags before becoming a victim. Fake Invitations and Social Security Statements One of the most dangerous scams making the rounds is an email that appears to come from someone you know—a neighbor, friend, … [Read more...]
August 19, 2025 By Computer Techs
Using the Same Password Everywhere Is Like Using Your House Key for All of Your Locks
Imagine if one single key unlocked your house, your car, your office, and even your safety deposit box at the bank. Convenient? Sure. Safe? Absolutely not. If you were to lose that key—or if someone were to steal it—they would instantly have access to everything important in your life. That’s exactly what happens when you reuse the same password across multiple accounts. The Convenience Trap It’s easy to see why people reuse passwords. With dozens of logins for banking, shopping, email, … [Read more...]
August 19, 2025 By Computer Techs
Check the Source to Help Stop Phishing and Scams
In today’s digital world, phishing and online scams remain some of the most common ways criminals trick people into giving up sensitive information. These attacks often look convincing—emails that appear to be from your bank, websites that resemble popular retailers, or texts that mimic delivery services. However, most phishing attempts can be uncovered with a simple habit: checking the source email address or website before taking action. Why Source Details Matter Scammers rely on urgency … [Read more...]
June 24, 2025 By Computer Techs
The Anxiety of Data Breaches and Dark Web PII Exposure: What You Can and Cannot Do
In today’s digital world, data breaches are no longer rare events—they are a near-constant threat. From social media platforms to healthcare providers to internet service providers, major organizations have seen their systems compromised, often resulting in personally identifiable information (PII), being leaked onto the dark web. Understandably, this has created a new wave of anxiety for individuals—many of whom have no idea their data has been exposed until it’s too late. But while the fear … [Read more...]