#1071 – Should You Leave Your Backup Drive Plugged In? The Real Risk

Controversial Opinion Incoming

There's no shortage of controversial opinions about technology. (Heck, there's no shortage of controversial opinions in general these days, right?) I guess I just didn't expect this to be one of them.

Should you, or should you not, leave your external backup drive connected when it's not backing up?

I have a (strong) opinion on the matter. Turns out, others do as well. Article comments, and particularly YouTube comments have been diverse.

This week's featured article, Should You Leave Your Backup Drive Plugged In? The Real Risk is where the discussion starts.

Also this week

• Event Viewer
• Is your PC malware-free?
• A:, B:, C:
• So many ways to hack your account(s)

As always, links below.

TEH Podcast

Took another week off.

•

Take care,

Featured Article

Should You Leave Your Backup Drive Plugged In? The Real Risk
The real risk is not having it plugged in.

Some people are afraid to leave their external backup drive connected. They're trading a small risk for a much, much larger one.
Read: Should You Leave Your Backup Drive Plugged In? The Real Risk

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

The Event Viewer, Explained And why, when you look, it's full of errors.
Many Windows components log messages and use Event Viewer to display them. Sadly, the messages are often cryptic and inconsistent, and the result is a mess that scammers take advantage of. Read: The Event Viewer, Explained

Can You Really Know Your PC Is Clean and Malware-Free? Spoiler: nope.
It's common to want confirmation your machine hasn't been compromised in some way. We can get close, but we can't prove it. Read: Can You Really Know Your PC Is Clean and Malware-Free?

The Curious History of A:, B:, and Why C: Rules the PC Only the young folks ask.
Floppies come and floppies go, but C: is apparently forever. Read: The Curious History of A:, B:, and Why C: Rules the PC

Many Ways Your Account Can Be Hacked and What to Do About It Many ways, many protections.
There are many ways accounts can be compromised. There are also many simple ways you can protect yourself. Read: Many Ways Your Account Can Be Hacked and What to Do About It

Ask Leo! on YouTube

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So Many Ways Your Account Can Be Hacked and What to Do About It There are many ways accounts can be compromised, but there are also many simple ways you can protect yourself. Watch: So Many Ways Your Account Can Be Hacked and What to Do About It

The Curious History of A:, B:, and Why C: Rules the PC Why C:? Watch: The Curious History of A:, B:, and Why C: Rules the PC

Can You Really Know Your PC Is Clean and Malware-Free? It's common to want confirmation your machine hasn't been compromised in some way. We can get close, but we can't prove it. Watch: Can You Really Know Your PC Is Clean and Malware-Free?

Should You Leave Your Backup Drive Plugged In? The Real Risk I keep hearing from people who are afraid to leave their external backup drive connected. They're trading a small risk for a much, much larger one. Watch: Should You Leave Your Backup Drive Plugged In? The Real Risk

The Event Viewer, Explained Many Windows components log messages and use Event Viewer to display them. Sadly, the messages are often cryptic and inconsistent, and the result is a mess. Watch: The Event Viewer, Explained

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Here are examples of tips published this week:

• Tip of the Day: Reduce the Number of Extensions
• Tip of the Day: Periodically Check Installed Programs
• Tip of the Day: DO NOT Back Up your PC
• Tip of the Day: Have a Backup Sign-in Account
• Tip of the Day: Disable Startup Items Carefully

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