Shows / The Ask Leo! Podcast
Episodes
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Often Should I Scan My Computer for Malware?
Find out when a manual scan makes sense, and how often you should run one for peace of mind.
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Will Ransomware Encrypt Backups?
Worried that ransomware could sneak past your defenses and encrypt your backups? Most ransomware won't, but it's not impossible. I'll discuss how ransomware…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Where Do I Get Driver Updates?
I'll explain when driver updates matter, why most scanning tools aren't worth your trust, and where to find real updates when you truly need them.
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Why ANY Two-Factor Is Better Than No Two-Factor
You may have heard that hackers can sometimes beat two-factor authentication. It's true, but that doesn't make it useless. I'll describe how each type of…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Why You — Yes, You — Are a Target of Hackers
Every online account you own is valuable to criminals looking to steal your identity, spread malware, or empty your accounts. Here's why you're a target no…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Clickfix: What It Is and How to Avoid It
ClickFix is a scam that turns a simple "prove you're human" (or other fake message) pop-up into a malware trap, using your own keystrokes to install it. I'll…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Why Did My Security Software Not Detect a Virus on My PC?
Malware can slip past even a good antivirus program. Using my silliest metaphor yet, I'll explain vulnerabilities, exploits, and what actually keeps you safe…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
The Easy-to-Avoid Two-Factor Loss Risk
Two-factor authentication keeps your accounts safe, but what happens if you lose your phone or key fob? I'll walk you through what you need to do now so you…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Your 6 Strongest Practical Password Techniques, Ranked
Not all passwords are created equal. Some resist hackers for centuries; others fall in seconds. I'll rank six password techniques from strongest to weakest…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Make Sure Windows is Really, Completely Up to Date?
Windows Update usually keeps your PC current, but not always right away. I'll show you how to check for updates until none are left, so you can be confident…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for Sharing Links
Sharing a link seems simple, but some methods create long, broken, or trackable URLs. I'll show you how to copy clean links, strip out tracking codes, shorten…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How to Avoid Ransomware
Ransomware can lock up every file on your computer and hold it hostage until you pay. I'll discuss defenses that work, why backups are your best insurance, and…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Is Using the Cloud Safe?
Is the cloud really dangerous, or is that just a lack of understanding? I'll break down what "the cloud" actually is, why it's no riskier than email or online…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
A One-Step Way to Lose Your Account Forever
Most people who lose an account never get it back, and it's usually their own fault. I'll discuss why alternate email addresses and phone numbers are the key…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Why Ask Why?
Wonder why software makers make the choices they do? Me too. But asking "why" rarely brings relief... except in one case.
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Change My Windows PIN?
Changing your Windows sign-in PIN isn't a setting in your Microsoft account; it's set on each device. I'll show you where to find it, why a PIN is safer than…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
My Email Is Hacked. How Do I Fix It?
Getting locked out of your own email is scary, and the fallout can spread to your bank, social media, and contacts. I'll walk you through the steps to take…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
I Got a Pop-Up Virus Warning. Is My Computer Infected?
A big pop-up that claims your computer is infected and pushes a specific download cleanup tool can be scary. I'll show why these warnings almost always come…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
My Machine’s Full of Malware; Should I Get a New Computer?
If malware has you ready to give up and buy a new computer, don't. I'll explain why your old one can be completely restored to a malware-free state, using…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Is it Safe to Allow Remote Access?
Is it safe to allow a tech support company to control your computer from far away? It depends on who they are, how you found them, and whether they called you…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Tell If an Email Was Written by AI?
Does that email feel a little off? Maybe AI wrote it, maybe it didn't. I'll discuss why the old warning signs are disappearing and what matters when judging…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Why Is It So Important to Have Different Passwords on Different Accounts?
Using one password for every account doesn't save time; it adds risk. Hackers count on you doing it. I'll show you why a single stolen password can unlock your…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Don’t Trust Your Ears
From just a few minutes of audio, AI can clone a voice well enough to fool people who know that voice well. I'll share real examples, explain how easy it is to…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Find Good Local Computer Help?
Do you need someone to physically look at your computer but don't know who to trust? I'll walk you through smart ways to find local help you can count on, from…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Run a Full Scan Using Windows Defender?
If you're worried your computer might have malware, running a full scan with Windows Security is one of the best ways to check. I'll walk you through updating…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Do Data Removal Services Work?
Data removal services promise to erase your personal information from the internet. Can they? I'll break down how these services work, where they succeed…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Long Should a Password Be?
The old advice was eight characters, including uppercase, lowercase, digits, and symbols. Modern computers can crack those passwords in hours. I'll describe…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
The Biggest Risk to Your Privacy, Revealed
We worry a lot about privacy, but our concerns are often misplaced. The biggest risk to our personal privacy is right under our nose -- and that's good.
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Can Hotel Internet Traffic Be Sniffed?
Hotel internet isn't necessarily private. Wired or wireless, it's as exposed as any open hotspot, and the people running it can watch what you do. I'll…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Can I Tell If a Download Is Safe?
How do you know that download you want is safe? Before you run it, I'll show you how to scan it, when to trust the results, and the simple habits that keep…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Windows 10 Extended Support Extended
Good news for Windows 10 holdouts: Microsoft quietly extended its Extended Security Updates program by another year. Here's what changed, why Microsoft may…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Stop Spreading Manure
Believing and spreading manure -- lies, falsehoods, and misleading implications -- makes you look bad and makes the internet a dumber place. Become more…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
More Tips to Protect Yourself from AI Scams
AI has entered the chat. And the email. And the voice call. And the video. It's making scams even harder to detect.
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Turn Off BitLocker? What Happens If I Do?
BitLocker encrypted your drive, intentionally or otherwise, but now you want it gone. Turning it off is easy whether you run Windows Home or Pro. I'll walk you…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Test Backups?
Your backup software says everything's there, but is it? Too many discover the truth only after disaster strikes. I'll walk you through practical, low-risk…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How to Remove PUPs and Other Unexpected Things From Your Computer
Unwanted toolbars, extensions, and other junk software can sneak onto your computer when you install something else. I'll walk you through removing these so…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Just What Is Common Sense?
Everyone says to use common sense online, but what does that mean? I'll show you how to use to spot scams, dodge bad advice, and decide what's trustworthy.
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Setting up Windows 11 for Privacy
When you install Windows 11, you have the chance to influence what information it collects about you. I'll show you which setup screens matter, which settings…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
To Capitalize or not to Capitalize? That Is the Question.
Is LEO different than leo? That's a definite sometimes. I'll break down when case matters for email addresses, web addresses, filenames, and passwords, with…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
12 Steps to Keep from Getting Your Account Hacked
Here are 12 practical steps to take about passwords, two-factor authentication, recovery options, and the skeptical habits that keep hackers out. Set them up…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How to Back Up Windows
Don’t risk losing everything! I’ll show you how to back up Windows step by step, using free tools you already have. Protect your files, photos, and memories so…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How to Protect Data on a Laptop
Laptops get lost and stolen all the time, and a password alone will not protect what is on yours. I'll cover four steps that lock down your data plus a real…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?
I'll walk you through the steps to clean an infected computer, from backups and full scans to the one method guaranteed to work... plus how to avoid the whole…
- The Ask Leo! Podcast
Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?
With AI Mode, ads, and AI summaries crowding the page, it's getting hard to find real search results. I'll break down what Google is really doing, how it…