👍 #858 – Can Browser Extensions See My Bank Account?

This week's articles & videos

Installing extensions is a convenient way to extend the capability of web browsers. Ad blockers, Facebook-fixers, clipping-tools, password managers, and more are all examples of useful features we can add to our web browsers with a simple download and install.

But, it is safe?

As always, it depends.

This week's featured article, Can Browser Extensions See My Bank Account? goes into some of the things you should really consider before you install the next extension. (Spoiler: the answer is "Yes".)

Also this week

• The external drive that's supposed to have everything seems to have nothing! What to do?
• You want a single place to learn all about Windows 10? I wish I had a better answer.
• Change. Our old friend. What to consider when change hits Facebook (or any site you like "as-is").
• Reinstalling Windows 10, but you have no media? No problem!

TEH Podcast

As predicted, the Apple announcement last week took Gary's attention, so no podcast. Hopefully we'll get one together this week.

Semi-to-not-related

I have so many different things I'm playing with that I have a hard time keeping track of what I've mentioned. In no particular order:

Ask Leo! is likely moving servers. There's no real impact to you (other than perhaps the site being down for a little while in a few weeks), but I thought I'd share a little more of the process as I experiment (OK, as I play) with the new technologies involved. The first update is on the Ask Leo! Twitter account. However that may be moving, because...

I'll probably keep the behind the scenes stuff, as well as some random, hopefully daily, personal observations about work & life, over on my personal Twitter account. That'll keep Ask Leo! on Twitter about your tech, and my personal account about mine. And the occasional Corgi.

I'm still having fun with 7 Takeaways, a weekly summary designed to force me to read something useful/substantial/real every day. Coincidentally the 7takeaways.com website was one of the first to move to the new server technology, and it's been working well. (HeroicStories.org, NotAllNewsIsBad.com, and my personal blog have all also moved over smoothly.)

Speaking of playing, there's a new short-form online audio chat / blog / not-sure-what-to-call-it service called Racket. You'll find me out there experimenting with a few posts. Gary's out there too, telling a few entrepreneurial stories. Check it out, see what you think.

I'm having fun.

How about you? Hope so!

This Week's Featured Article

Can Browser Extensions See My Bank Account?
Something important you need to consider for every extension you install.

Browser extensions are often installed with little thought to the immense security risk they present.

https://askleo.com/131915

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

My External HDD Shows Not Formatted -- But It Has All My Data! The steps you need to carefully take next.
Occasionally, when moving a drive to another machine it'll show up as unformatted. I'll look at some possible causes and actions to take. https://askleo.com/5001

What's the Best Place to Learn About Windows 10? So many places.
There are as many sources of beginner's information as there are beginners, it seems. The best approach is to try a few and see which works best for you. https://askleo.com/131927

How Do I Switch Back to the Old Facebook Layout? Dealing with things that keep changing.
Every time Facebook makes a change to its interface, many people want to go back to what was. I'll discuss just how realistic that desire is. https://askleo.com/131952

How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Media The steps to do it yourself.
The best way to prepare for needing an installation disc is to create one before you need it. I'll review some approaches. https://askleo.com/90182

Ask Leo! on YouTube

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How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Media The best way to prepare for needing media to reinstall Windows 10 is to create one before you need it. I'll review some approaches. https://youtu.be/BdeFTM5lB7Q

How Do I Switch Back to the Old Facebook Layout? Every time Facebook makes a change to its interface, many people want to switch back to what was. I'll discuss just how realistic that desire is. https://youtu.be/Xy8PS8HwgiM

What's the Best Place to Learn About Windows 10? There are as many places to learn about Windows 10 as there are beginners, it seems. The best approach is to try a few and see which place works best for you. https://youtu.be/lFsaYQe4k98

Can Browser Extensions See My Bank Account? Browser extensions are often installed with little thought to what they can see in your account, and the security risk they present. https://youtu.be/jbcmvGR9Rpk

Support Ask Leo!

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Here are examples of tips published this week:

• Tip of the Day: the Clip Command
• Tip of the Day: Check Your Data Usage
• Tip of the Day: Test a Chromebook by Using Only Chrome
• Tip of the Day: Mouse Wheel Click
• Tip of the Day: Pin Settings to Start

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