While it works well most of the time, problems with Windows Update can be very, very frustrating. There's often no specific fix for whatever specific situation you're faced with, other than to “keep trying” or “let it run”…

… neither of which helps in many cases.

Fortunately, Microsoft has added a troubleshooter, and also outlined what I'll call the nuclear option: resetting Windows Update completely. Regardless of the problem, if it involves Windows Update I suggest you give this a try.

Some time ago, a report about the most common vectors for data breaches and related issues was released.

You and I are the weakest link.

For at least one large segment of attack, it's our propensity to download and open email attachments that gets us into trouble.

A couple of scary numbers from that report include: 1 in 10 people will download and open an attachment attached to phishing email or spam. And the average time between a phishing email being sent and the first victim taking the bait? Twenty-two seconds.

What the heck is it about email attachments that makes them so darned irresistible?

Ultimately, you can't.

At least you can't do it easily, and even then, it depends on the data you're attempting to keep private and the technical savvy of the individuals who might try to access it.

There's nothing like your own computer. But if you have to share, there are a couple of things that might help.

A little.

“Https”, or secure http, is an important part of keeping you and your data safe online.

But it's only a part. Understanding what it does and does not do is important.

To begin with, https does two, and only two, things.