We’ve all been there: you open your inbox and find an email that sets off alarm bells. Maybe it’s a "critical security alert" from your bank, an unexpected delivery failure notification, or an urgent invoice from a vendor. It looks official, but something feels off. Now there's a built-in cybersecurity assistant right in your browser toolbar. Whether you use Gemini in Chrome or Copilot in Microsoft Edge, you can leverage sidebar AI to dissect a sketchy email in seconds. Here is how to do it … [Read more...]
June 9, 2026 By Computer Techs
June 8, 2026 By Computer Techs
How to spot a CAPTCHA scam
The FTC is reporting a new phishing scam that looks a lot like the CAPTCHA requests you might be used to seeing. Real CAPTCHAs give you image- or text-based tasks to prove you’re not a robot — something like typing letters and numbers exactly as they appear, or matching pictures of things like fire hydrants or traffic lights. Here’s how the fake CAPTCHA requests happen…and how you could wind up installing malware on your own device. You get an unexpected CAPTCHA request while browsing a … [Read more...]
May 28, 2026 By Computer Techs
The surprising things we’ve discovered with our cybersecurity checkups for individuals
In today's digital age, our personal information is more valuable than ever. From online banking to social media, we're constantly sharing sensitive data that could be a target for cybercriminals. That's why cybersecurity checkups have become increasingly important. These assessments can reveal vulnerabilities in our online presence that we may not even be aware of. Here are some surprising things we've discovered through cybersecurity checkups for individuals: 1. Weak or Reused … [Read more...]
April 23, 2026 By Computer Techs
Why YOU are the best protection against computer viruses
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...]
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 6/10/26: 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...]