Ask Leo! #607 – Agnosticism, Privacy, Avoiding Ransomware, Finding Answers, and more…

The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet - Expanded Edition

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I've been putting the finishing touches on the latest version of my internet safety book: The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet - Expanded Edition. I'm very pleased to announce its release.

  • If you purchased the previous version: make sure you've registered your book using the link in the book, and you'll find the new version ready for download on your registered owners page. That's what "Digital Updates For Life" is all about.
  • If you downloaded the FREE version: this is a different, expanded version, slightly over twice the size, available for sale in The Ask Leo! Store.

For a limited time The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet - Expanded Edition is on sale for 25% off. and you can use your newsletter subscriber bonus coupon code (near the bottom of every emailed newsletter), for an additional 20% off.

The topic's vitally important, so if you haven't already I hope you'll check it out and buy your copy today.

Leo's Blog

What It Means to be "Platform Agnostic"

I describe myself as being "platform agnostic". I think that's a pretty useful thing to be. I discuss what that means, and why many passionate proponents and opponents of various platforms make me sad.

Continue Reading: What It Means to be "Platform Agnostic"
https://askleo.com/22762

Featured

Facebook Privacy


As I've said before, one way privacy issues happen is through people's own actions. Over-sharing on social media is the most common example.

Nowhere is that more common than on Facebook, where privacy settings are so complex it's often difficult to know exactly who can see what, when, and where.

Let's review Facebook's privacy settings, and perhaps most importantly, what they might imply.

Continue Reading: Facebook Privacy
https://askleo.com/22689

How Do I Avoid Ransomware?


How can I prevent this new risk of criminals encrypting files on my hard drive and then demanding a ransom to unlock the data? Is having a router and software firewall enough?

In other words, how do you avoid ransomware?

Let's look at ransomware – software that holds your computer hostage until you pay up – and how best to protect yourself.

Spoiler alert: you already know the answer.

Continue Reading: How Do I Avoid Ransomware?
https://askleo.com/6232

Where Do You Get Your Answers?


Where do you get your answers?

Unlike search engines such as Google or Bing, Ask Leo! is a real person: me, Leo Notenboom. That means when I get a question (and I get lots of questions), there are various steps I take to come up with the answers I post here.

Did I mention I get lots of questions? Unfortunately, that means I can't answer every single one. However, I can outline some of the resources I use when I need them.

Continue Reading: Where Do You Get Your Answers?
https://askleo.com/2192

Sponsor

The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet
Expanded Edition

You can use the internet safely!

Learn how to protect your computer, your data, your accounts,
and most of all, yourself!

All digital formats included.
The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet - Expanded Edition

Previous Issue

Most recent forum posts

Questions recently posted at The Ask Leo! Forum. If you see "Answer Needed!", maybe you can help!

More: All forum questions in need of an answer.

Glossary Term

ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that denies access to all or part of the information on a computer, and demands payment of a fee, or ransom, to regain access.

Typically, ransomware encrypts a significant portion of the computer's hard drive so it's no longer accessible to the user. The encryption is often a strong public key encryption that is practically impossible to defeat. Once the ransom is paid, the person or people behind the malware may offer a method to decrypt the data and restore access… or not, simply taking the money.

It's important to realize that ransomware is simply another form of malware, and is often delivered in the form of a virus or trojan. As such, it's best avoided by all of the same techniques that one uses to avoid any malware: up-to-date and properly configured security software and settings, keeping your system up-to-date, and using safe online behavior.

Glossary Terms are featured selections from The Ask Leo! Glossary.
Have a term you'd like defined? Submit it here.

Featured Comments

4 Alternatives for Windows Live Mail and Outlook.com

Nanette Mowat writes:

I'm too old to understand all of this. Will I have to pay someone to do it for me.

Leo writes:

You've given up before you've even started. Very sad every time I see this. You're never too old!

How Can I Keep Data on My Laptop Secure?

Peter writes:

Hi Leo

If I use encryption, how will I be able to leave my PC at a repair shop? I assume I would have to leave it un-encrypted to allow them to work on it.

My main concern would be Word Files, which I am led to beleive the passwords can be cracked easily by a techie.

Regards

Leo writes:

You are correct, in general. If you use whole-disk encryption, then the technicians would need access to your machine to help you.

Ask Leo! on Business

Recent posts...

Product, Service, or Cause?

Product, service, and cause are three types of efforts I've characterized as needing web sites. I'll elaborate on what those mean.

Read: Product, Service, or Cause?

Leo's Books

Backing Up 101 Saved! - Backing Up with Macrium Reflect - 2nd Edition Saved! Backing Up With EaseUS Todo
Saved! - Backing Up with Windows 7 Backup Saved! - Backing Up with Windows 8 Backup
Just Do This: Back Up! The Ask Leo! Guide to Internet Safety The Ask Leo! Guide to Routine Maintenance Maintaining Windows XP - A Practical Guide

More Ask Leo!

Facebook - YouTube - Google+ - Twitter
Amazon - GoodReads
More..

Administration

Need more help with or have questions about the newsletter? Check out the newsletter administration page.

Help Ask Leo! Just forward this message, in its entirety (but without your unsubscribe link below) to your friends. Or, just point them at https://newsletter.askleo.com for their own FREE subscription!

Newsletter contents Copyright © 2016,
Leo A. Notenboom & Puget Sound Software, LLC.
Ask Leo! is a registered trademark ® of Puget Sound Software, LLC

Posted: July 5, 2016 in: 2016
Shortlink: https://newsletter.askleo.com/7503
« Previous post:
Next post: »

New Here?

Let me suggest my collection of best and most important articles to get you started.

Of course I strongly recommend you search the site -- there's a ton of information just waiting for you.

Finally, if you just can't find what you're looking for, ask me!

Confident Computing

Confident Computing is the weekly newsletter from Ask Leo!. Each week I give you tools, tips, tricks, answers, and solutions to help you navigate today’s complex world of technology and do so in a way that protects your privacy, your time, and your money, and even help you better connect with the people around you.

The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet – FREE Edition

Subscribe for FREE today and claim your copy of The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet – FREE Edition. Culled from the articles published on Ask Leo! this FREE downloadable PDF will help you identify the most important steps you can take to keep your computer, and yourself, safe as you navigate today’s digital landscape.



My Privacy Pledge

Leo Who?

I'm Leo Notenboom and I've been playing with computers since I took a required programming class in 1976. I spent over 18 years as a software engineer at Microsoft, and after "retiring" in 2001 I started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place to help you find answers and become more confident using this amazing technology at our fingertips. More about Leo.