Man entering two factor authentication code on smartphone

Don’t Use SMS for 2FA (and What to Use Instead)

Reading Time: 4 minutesTwo-factor authentication (2FA) adds a vital layer of security to your online accounts, but unfortunately, not all methods are created equal. Many people rely on SMS-based 2FA, assuming it’s a safe choice. Unfortunately, SMS is far from foolproof. Here’s why I’ve stopped using SMS for 2FA and what I use instead… SIM Swaps Allow Hackers to Steal Your Phone Number One of the most alarming risks of using SMS for 2FA is SIM swapping, a Read more…

image of tri-band router in home

7 Router Placement Myths Busted (and What Really Works)

Reading Time: 4 minutesYou might be paying for the best internet plan your ISP offers, but the truth is that your router’s placement can make all the difference in how good or bad your Wi-Fi performs. That’s why I’m busting seven common router placement myths to help you make the most of your Wi-Fi’s speed and quality. Myth 1: You Can Keep the Router in the Corner to Reduce Clutter Proxima Studio/Shutterstock While tucking your router away in Read more…

old wifi router as wifi repeater

Always Disable These 3 Settings on My Router: Here’s Why

Reading Time: 4 minutesToday’s routers are loaded with features that make them easier for everyday consumers to use. However, some of these features are vulnerable to hackers, so I always turn off these router settings for better security. 1 WPS ASUS Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) sounds like a fantastic idea on paper. It lets you authenticate wireless devices on your network by simply pushing the WPS button on your router. Then, you go to a client device and Read more…

windows error screen with error bug vector

Windows Is a Secure OS, But Its Awful Reputation Persists for These Reasons

Reading Time: 3 minutesThese days, Windows is a very secure operating system. But there was a time when people dreaded the idea of hooking Windows up to the internet without a third-party antivirus. These days, doing so is totally fine. However, despite recent innovations from Microsoft, Windows still maintains the status of an insecure operating system. Windows Was the Only Virus-Ridden Operating System There was once a time when macOS simply didn’t get viruses. Because the operating system Read more…

laptop RAM

How to Upgrade Your Laptop RAM: A Step-by-Step Guide

Reading Time: 6 minutesLooking to upgrade your laptop RAM? Before getting stuck in, there are some considerations you’ll need to make, such as how much RAM you need, what type of RAM to buy, and your laptop’s RAM capacity. How Much RAM Do You Need? If you sense that your PC is slowing down, adding more RAM is a cost-effective way to boost your computer’s performance and run more modern apps. The total amount of RAM you need Read more…

person typing on laptop with secure wifi icon and password box floating above

How to Configure Windows for a Safer Wi-Fi Connection

Reading Time: 4 minutesSecuring your Wi-Fi connection is an absolute necessity, especially when you’re connected to public or shared networks. Without proper protection, hackers can exploit your connection, intercept your data, or infect your device. Here are some steps to protect your connection and device from potential risks. 1 Switch Your Network Profile Windows offers two Wi-Fi network profiles: Public and Private. The Public profile isolates your device from others on the network, reducing the risk of hackers Read more…

Windows Visual EffectsSmoother

Turn Off These Visual Effects to Make Windows Run Smoother

Reading Time: 3 minutesWindows 11 and 10 have multiple animations and visual effects for better presentability. However, if you find the effects choppy and imperfect, you can disable them to make Windows run smoother. Disabling Animation Effects The Settings app is the easiest way to manage the animation effects on your Windows 11 PC. Turning off this feature removes all the icons, elements, action center, and window-related animation. This eliminates delays in launching and opening windows, making your Read more…

Cyber crime victim

Think You Could Never Fall Victim to Cybercrime? Think Again

Reading Time: 3 minutesAnyone can fall victim to scammers. Cybercriminals don’t just focus on big corporations or easy targets. You could be hit by malware. So could your partner, your parents, your siblings, your friends—anyone. But not enough people believe this. That means we’re all even more susceptible to cyberattacks. Why Most People Think They’re Safe From Scammers According to the 2024 Consumer Cybersecurity Assessment Report, published by cybersecurity firm, Bitdefender, over 75 percent of people don’t believe Read more…

Human or AI?

Here’s How I Check Whether I’m Chatting With a Real Person or AI

Reading Time: 3 minutesCan’t tell if the person you’re chatting with is real or an AI bot? Until recent times, this wasn’t a significant concern, but with how quickly AI technology has advanced and affected practically every aspect of our lives, it’s all the more important that you’re able to distinguish between human and AI conversations. 1 The Conversation Style Is Overly Formal Kaspars Grinvalds/Shutterstock If you’ve ever read AI-generated content, you know how differently it reads from Read more…

How Does CPU Cache Work

How Does CPU Cache Work and What Are L1, L2, and L3?

Reading Time: 5 minutesComputer processors have advanced quite a bit over the last few years, with the size of transistors getting smaller every year, and advancements hitting a point where Moore’s Law is quickly becoming redundant. When it comes to processors, it’s not just the transistors and frequencies that count, but the cache as well. You might have heard about cache memory when CPUs (Central Processing Units) are being discussed. However, we don’t pay too much attention to Read more…