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Security, Privacy & Scams guides

Plain-English security, privacy & scams help from the Gorge Computers archive — 34 guides.

How ToHow to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Any AccountA password alone is no longer enough. Two-factor authentication adds a second check that stops most account takeovers — and it only takes a few minutes per account.September 20267 min read Artificial IntelligenceWhat Is an AI Assistant (and How Do You Use One Safely)?An AI assistant is a program that answers questions and writes text in plain language. It is useful, confident, and sometimes wrong — here is what it is and how to use it without getting burned.September 20267 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsHow to Spot a Phishing Email Before It Tricks YouPhishing emails look real and try to make you panic. The good news: they almost always give themselves away if you know the five signs to check before you click.September 20267 min read Technology ExplainedWhat Is the Cloud (and Where Do Your Files Actually Go)?“The cloud” sounds like your files float away into the sky. They do not — they go to a computer in a building somewhere. Here is what is really happening, in plain English.September 20266 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsHow to Tell If Your Computer Has a Virus (Before It Gets Worse)Most people don't realize they have a virus until it's already a problem. Computers usually give you warning signs first—learn to read them.March 20265 min read How ToHow to Check If Your Windows 11 PC Is Using Secure BootLearn how to verify Secure Boot on Windows 11 using Windows Security or System Information, and what to do if it’s off.October 20263 min read How ToHow to Stop Your Browser From Saving Passwords (and What to Do Instead)Learn how to disable password saving in your browser and switch to a password manager so your logins stay secure.October 20263 min read How ToHow to Stop Your Smart TV From Tracking You (and What You Can’t Control)Learn which smart TV settings reduce tracking: ad personalization, data collection, app sign-ins, and account permissions—plus realistic limits.October 20265 min read Technology ExplainedWhat “Your Password Was Found in a Data Breach” Really MeansA password breach warning does not always mean someone is inside your account, but it does mean you should act quickly if that password was reused.October 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsBefore You Let Someone Remote Into Your ComputerRemote computer help can be useful, but it can also be abused by scammers. Use this checklist before giving anyone remote access.October 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsThe Fake Tech Support Trap: What to Do When Your Computer Says It's InfectedHow to recognize fake infection warnings, close suspicious browser pages, and respond if you contacted a scammer.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsFake Virus Warnings: How to Recognize a Browser Scam and Close It SafelyLearn how to recognize fake virus warnings, close suspicious browser pop-ups, and respond safely to tech-support scams.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsWhat to Do If You Click a Suspicious Link on Your Phone or ComputerClicked a suspicious link? Learn what to do if you opened a webpage, entered a password, downloaded software, or shared payment information.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Give an App Permission to Access Your Photos, Read ThisLearn what photo access permissions mean on iPhone and Android, when limited access makes sense, and how to review app permissions.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsWhat to Do When You Receive a Password Reset Email You Didn't RequestReceived a password reset email you didn't request? Learn how to check your account safely, recognize phishing, and protect your login.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedAndroid Theft Protection Is More Than Just Find My DeviceAndroid theft protection includes more than device location. Learn about Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, Remote Lock and account preparation.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedWhat Is Windows 11 Memory Integrity—and Should You Leave It On?Learn what Windows 11 Memory integrity does, where to find it, why incompatible drivers can block it, and why disabling it casually is not a good troubleshooting shortcut.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedWhy Windows Is Updating Secure Boot Certificates—and What You Need to DoMicrosoft is updating Windows Secure Boot certificates as older certificates expire. Learn what home users need to do and why manual BIOS changes are usually unnecessary.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsBefore Using Gemini, Check What It Is SavingLearn what Gemini Keep Activity does, how Google handles Gemini activity and retention, and why privacy settings do not replace careful sharing habits.September 20265 min read Quick TricksAndroid Quick Share Has a Privacy Setting Worth CheckingCheck Android Quick Share visibility settings to control who can discover your phone and use temporary broad visibility only when you actually need it.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedFirefox Secure DNS Explained: What DNS Over HTTPS Actually ProtectsFirefox can encrypt DNS lookups using DNS over HTTPS, but the setting has several protection levels and can interact with parental controls, VPNs and managed networks.September 20265 min read How ToChrome Has a Built-In Safety Check—Here’s What It Actually ChecksChrome's Safety Check can flag browser updates, questionable extensions, unwanted notifications and old site permissions without requiring a third-party cleanup program.September 20265 min read How ToWindows Can Lock Itself When You Walk Away: How Dynamic Lock WorksWindows Dynamic Lock can use a paired Bluetooth phone to automatically lock a PC after you move away from it.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedYour Google Passkey Does Not Mean You Can Forget Account RecoveryGoogle passkeys make phishing harder, but recovery still matters when a phone or computer is lost. Learn why you need both strong sign-in and recovery options.September 20265 min read How ToFind Your BitLocker Recovery Key Before You Actually Need ItFind your BitLocker recovery key before you need it. Learn where Windows may store it, how to back it up, and why it should be kept private.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Review Who and What You're Sharing With on an iPhoneUse iPhone Safety Check to review sharing with people and apps, connected devices, privacy permissions, and account access while considering personal-safety consequences.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Whether Chrome Says One of Your Passwords Was CompromisedCheck Chrome and Google Password Manager for exposed, weak, or reused passwords and learn what to do when Password Checkup finds a problem.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsWhat Is iPhone Stolen Device Protection, and Should You Turn It On?Learn what iPhone Stolen Device Protection does, what Security Delay means, what you need to use it, and how to turn it on.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Which Apps Can Use Your Microphone in Windows 11Review Windows 11 microphone permissions, understand app versus desktop-app access, and troubleshoot microphone problems without disabling everything.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsBefore You Let Someone Remote Into Your Computer, Read ThisLearn when remote computer support is legitimate, how tech-support scammers misuse remote access, and what to do if you already let a stranger connect.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedWhat Is a Passkey, and Is It Better Than a Password?Learn what a passkey is, how passkeys differ from passwords, why they resist common phishing, and what to consider before switching.September 20265 min read Security, Privacy & ScamsThat Virus Warning Telling You to Call a Number Is Probably a ScamA frightening browser warning that tells you to call Microsoft, Apple, or another support number is a classic tech-support scam pattern. Don't call it.September 20265 min read Artificial IntelligenceWhat You Should Never Paste Into an AI ChatbotAI assistants are useful, but a chat box should not automatically be treated like a private notebook. Here's what to keep out and what to check before sharing sensitive information.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedWhy Software Updates Matter—and When You Should Install ThemUpdates aren't just about new features. They can fix security flaws and bugs, but a sensible update routine doesn't require clicking every button the instant it appears.September 20265 min read