Category Archives: Security Tips

How to use Windows 10’s Dynamic Lock to secure your PC when you walk away

Dynamic Lock is a convenient, if somewhat imperfect, new feature that uses the proximity of a Bluetooth-paired phone to handle Windows 10 device access.

How to use Windows 10's Dynamic Lock-03

Credit: Thinkstock

When Microsoft released Build 15031 of the Windows 10 Insider Preview on February 8, 2017, it added a new OS feature for Bluetooth-equipped devices. It’s called Dynamic Lock, and lets you control access to your PCs based on how close they—and your Bluetooth-paired phones—are to them. That is, if the phone you’ve paired with your PC (it works for laptops, notebooks, tablets and desktops) is not found within radio range of your PC, Windows 10 turns off the screen and locks the PC after 30 seconds have elapsed. Thus, Dynamic Lock makes a dandy new security feature in Creators Update, one that most business users (or their IT departments) will find worth turning on and using.

4 ways to bolster your online privacy

We all know we’re being tracked online; here’s what you can do about it.

4 ways to bolster your online privacy

It is true you can never really be truly anonymous when browsing the web from any computer, but you can take several steps to make your browsing difficult to track and to make sure information you want to keep private isn’t being shared. 

How to update your PC’s BIOS

Only update your BIOS if you have a clear, concrete reason!

How to update your PC's BIOS

Credit: Brad Chacos

A tiny BIOS chip lurks inside every computer, sitting on your motherboard to breathe life into your system when you press the power button. BIOS stands for basic input and output system, and the BIOS chip initializes all the other devices in your PC, like the CPU, GPU, and motherboard chipset.

Why you should cover up your webcam

Why you should cover up your laptop’s webcam?
It could be hacked, though it would help if you were a celebrity.

Why you should cover up your webcam

Credit: nikkytok – iStock

As it happens a few high-profile folks have been spotted covering their webcams, including F.B.I. Director James Comey, who said in an interview, “I put a piece of tape over the camera. Because I saw somebody smarter than I am had a piece of tape over their camera.” He was most likely referring to a photo Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg posted: In the background, his work laptop shows tape applied over the webcam above the display, and the dual mic on the left side.

12 tips for safer Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping

Hackers will be in full force this holiday shopping season, so defense is vital.

12 tips for safer Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping

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During Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2016, consumers should watch out for scams that come through spam, insecure public networks and apps that might seem legitimate but could be taking over your phones and computers, experts say.

Here are a dozen steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim.