👍 #842 – How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware?

This week's articles & videos

As I've mentioned before ransomware isn't going away any time soon. The best defense against it is the same as any other form of malware: security software, updates, and your own online safety hygiene.

But what if it happens to you? What if you wake up to your computer's files having been encrypted? Support forums are full of people in this situation.

This week's featured article -- How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware? -- discusses your options.

Even if it's not happened to you you'll want to prepare, just in case.

Also this week:

• Changing your browser's home page in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
• How cookies work, and how to delete them (and whether you should).
• Microsoft closing your Hotmail account because you, essentially, disappeared.
• The most popular, and commented on, Ask Leo! articles and videos; it's been quite a year.

TEH Podcast

Gary and I, and occasional guest Kay Savetz, kicked around what went well in 2020, tech-wise, and made a few predictions for what to expect in 2021. All that and the ubiquitous "more" in TEH 122: How well tech worked, Vaccine technology, Science is trending, Gargoles, Chip revolutions and Predictions.

Happy New Year!

We made it! 2021 is upon us! Not that we have exceedingly high expectations for the year, or anything.

If you'd like a daily dose of something positive, now might be a great time to subscribe to Not All News is Bad. It started as a personal project to remind myself of exactly that, but it's now a daily email with a link to a positive news or other story. A fine way to start the day, if I do say so.

One more time for good measure: May you be happy. May you be healthy. May 2021 treat you well.

Take care,

This Week's Featured Article

How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware?

Once your files are encrypted by ransomware, your options are few. If you're not prepared, there are a few straws to grasp at.

https://askleo.com/20068

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

How Do I Change the Browser Home Page in Windows 10? Take Control with Quick Instructions for Edge, Firefox, and Chrome Sometimes installers change your browser home page "for you". Other times, homepage content changes. I'll show you how to be more productive and set your homepage to what you want. https://askleo.com/14912

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How Do Cookies Work, and How Do I Delete Them? Deleting cookies is an easy task. Whether it's necessary or not is another matter. https://askleo.com/2032

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Will Microsoft Close My Hotmail Account If I Don't Sign In? You can lose your account, and everything in it, if you don't sign in often enough. Here's how often you need to, and other ways to protect yourself. https://askleo.com/128020

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2020's Most Popular Articles My annual roundup of which articles got the most attention and generated the most commentary in 2020. https://askleo.com/128683

Ask Leo! on YouTube

Subscribe to Ask Leo! on YouTube to get the latest on YouTube.com. Your subscription (and "Likes") help others find Ask Leo!, and the the answers they're looking for.

Does an Open Wi-Fi Login Page Mean It's Secure? An open Wi-Fi login doesn't imply security. If you connect to an open Wi-Fi hotspot without a password and your browser can display anything, it's not a secure connection. https://youtu.be/Ce-s_5vwv08

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Will Microsoft Close My Hotmail Account If I Don't Sign In? Microsoft may close your Hotmail account, and delete everything in it, if you don't sign in often enough. Here's how often you need to, and other ways to protect yourself. https://youtu.be/-FgLYl3uNrk

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How Do Cookies Work, and How Do I Delete Them? Deleting cookies is an easy task. Whether it's necessary or not is another matter. https://youtu.be/a2oINhkc3kA

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How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware? The Straws Available to Grasp At How Do I Decrypt Files Encrypted by Ransomware? https://youtu.be/VGB_Uwd_EFY

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How Do I Change the Browser Home Page in Windows 10? Quick Instructions for Edge Firefox and Chrome Sometimes installers change your browser home page "for you". Other times, homepage content changes. I'll show you how to be more productive and set your homepage to what you want. https://youtu.be/Ms-BEai_Uww

Support Ask Leo!

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Here are examples of tips published this week:

• Tip of the Day: Back Up Encrypted Data Properly
• Tip of the Day: Run As Administrator
• Tip of the Day: Look for the X
• Tip of the Day: Save a Facebook Image
• Tip of the Day: Get a Quick Disk-space Summary in Windows 10

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