The Ask Leo! Podcast

I'll review what matters when buying an external backup drive, plus a few current picks worth considering. Capacity, USB speed, SSD versus traditional hard disk, and portable versus desktop can all be confusing.

Is it time to fix or replace your computer? The right choice depends on your budget, the machine's age, your warranty, and how much time you're willing to spend. I'll review the key factors and tell the story of my own laptop replacement.

There's a good reason why getting back into a locked account can feel impossible. I'll discuss why account recovery has to be difficult, what you can do to make it easier on yourself, and how to avoid losing an account for good.

Your computer has a built-in tool for catching hard drive problems before they turn into bigger headaches. I'll walk you through running CHKDSK from Windows Explorer and the command line, explain what it checks, and show you where to find results after a scheduled scan.

Worried that AI is making coding skills useless? Understanding how to code still gives you an edge, even in the age of AI tools and vibe coding. Find out why your passion and interests, not trends, should guide your tech career choices.

Many people avoid password managers because they seem hard to set up, difficult to trust, or easy to lock yourself out of. I'll look at each objection and show you why they're not as concerning as they seem. Security experts say a password manager is the smartest step you can take.

I'll give you a high-level overview of how websites know you typed the right password without actually storing it. The trick is something called hashing, and once you understand it, you'll know what to look for the next time a data breach hits the news.

I'll look back at the pace of change in my 50 years in tech and ask the question, "What should today's kids learn for a future none of us can predict?" The answer isn't a skill at all. It's a way of thinking that remains critical no matter what you choose to do.

Three hundred spam emails a day? You're not alone, and no, blocking senders won't fix it. I'll discuss why blocking is pointless, why a full spam folder means things are working, and how to trains your email program to keep more junk out of your inbox.

Your bank calls about a suspicious charge. The caller ID matches, they know your account details, and everything sounds legit. But is it really your bank, or is it a scammer? It happened to me. I'll share the steps I took to protect myself.