Imagine walking out to your mailbox at the end of the driveway, opening the door, and having a hundred random catalogs, magazines, and flyers come tumbling out onto your shoes. You never asked for a single one of them—there are gardening newsletters from England, boat repair catalogs from Florida, and cooking club sign-ups in languages you don’t even speak. What would your first instinct be? For most of us, we’d scoop up the entire pile and toss it straight into the recycling bin without … [Read more...]
October 29, 2026 By Computer Techs
October 29, 2026 By Computer Techs
The Great Patch Flood: Why Your Devices Won’t Stop Updating (And What AI Has to Do With It)
Have you noticed lately that just when you sit down to check your email, play a game of solitaire, or look at family photos, your phone or computer pops up with a message saying, "Software Update Available"? If it feels like these interruptions are happening way more often than they used to, you aren't imagining things. There has been a massive wave of updates over the last few months. The reason behind it isn't that your phone or computer is broken. Instead, it comes down to a brand-new … [Read more...]
October 15, 2026 By Computer Techs
Don’t Take the Bait: Why You Should Never Reply to “Misdirected” Texts or Unexpected Emails
It starts with a simple ping on your phone or a new message at the top of your inbox. Maybe it’s a text from an unknown number that just says, “Hi,” or “Are you still living in Reno?” Maybe it’s an email claiming, “Check out these photos,” or a sudden alert stating, “You’ve been charged $399 for your annual computer protection renewal.” When you receive a message that seems meant for someone else, human nature—and common courtesy—tells you to reply and let the sender know they have the … [Read more...]
August 11, 2026 By Computer Techs
Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Why You Should Question Every Email You Get
We’ve all been there: you open your inbox and find a message that sets off alarm bells. Maybe it’s a “critical security alert” from your bank, an unexpected delivery failure notification, or an urgent invoice. Cybercriminals are getting better at crafting these fake messages, known as "phishing," but they still leave behind a trail of breadcrumbs. Here is our comprehensive guide on how to spot a fake email before you click, reply, or download anything dangerous. Treat all unexpected emails as … [Read more...]
August 10, 2026 By Computer Techs
The “Helpful” Trap: How Everyday Websites Trick You Into Downloading Unwanted Software
You're searching for a quick dinner recipe, trying to download a user manual for your refrigerator, or looking for a fast way to view a PDF online. You click a link, and suddenly a pop-up appears: "To view or print this document, you must install the PDF Helper Extension." It sounds reasonable enough, so you click "Allow" or "Install." Without realizing it, you've just fallen into one of the most common web traps around: downloading a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) or adware. The … [Read more...]
August 3, 2026 By Computer Techs
Imposters may use information leaked in data breaches to trick you
Every year, data breaches expose the personal information of millions of people. While many worry about outright identity theft, there is another growing threat that stems from these leaks: highly convincing imposter scams. Armed with your name, phone number, and snippets of your financial or personal history gathered from the dark web, scammers can easily pose as trusted entities to steal your money. When someone claiming to be from the FTC, the FBI, or your bank's fraud department recites … [Read more...]
July 28, 2026 By Computer Techs
FTC: Scammers ask you to pay a certain way
A recent report by the Federal Trade Commission details a way to spot scams - how someone asks you to pay. Let’s say someone contacts you unexpectedly and says you have to pay to fix a problem, get a prize, or something else. But then they say the only way to pay is by bank transfer, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment app, or gift card. Well, reports to the FTC show that’s a scam. Last year, people reported the largest losses — more than $4 billion in total — to scams where they … [Read more...]
July 21, 2026 By Computer Techs
The End of the Text Message Code: How to Keep Your Accounts Safe
Keeping up with technology can sometimes feel like an endless chore, especially when the rules for staying safe online seem to change every day. However, a major shift is currently happening that is incredibly important for protecting your digital identity and finances. Microsoft recently announced that they are phasing out SMS (text message) codes as a way to verify your identity when logging into personal accounts. Because Microsoft is leading this charge, it’s highly likely other major … [Read more...]
July 21, 2026 By Computer Techs
Do this now before scammers or hackers take over your email, financial or other online accounts
In today’s digital age, our personal information is more valuable than ever. We use our computers and smartphones for almost everything—from checking bank balances to keeping in touch with family. But that convenience also opens doors for hackers and scams. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for easy targets, and losing access to your accounts can range from a minor headache to a catastrophic event. Your email account, in particular, is the “master key” to your digital life. It's where you … [Read more...]
June 9, 2026 By Computer Techs
How to Spot Phishing Scams Instantly Using Gemini in Chrome or Copilot in Edge
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...]