Even with seemingly appropriate security in place, things can happen. I'll review what things, and the additional steps you can take to protect yourself.

Password security has never been more important. With occasional security breaches at service providers and rampant email account theft, make sure you're choosing and using secure passwords.

Terminology around routers and access points can be quite confusing. I'll describe each, how they relate, and why the differences matter.

The Windows desktop was intended to hold shortcuts to files located elsewhere, but it's not limited to that.

I can't always give a straight answer, mostly because every computer is unique. My most common answer? "It depends."

It's a worthwhile exercise to download the data made available by Google and Facebook, if only to realize exactly what information is being kept.

Phishing is epidemic. Legitimate-looking emails asking for sensitive information are often bogus. Phishing is on the rise, and you need to be aware.

Airflow through your computer is an important part of keeping it cool and running well. Dust and dirt often block fans.

Partitions may be hidden for good reasons. Here's how to peek inside.

"Device cannot be stopped" can be a frustrating error if there's no obvious cause. Turning off device power or unplugging anyway isn't really safe.