The Ask Leo! Podcast

Computer gone silent? Here's a checklist to get your sound working again in minutes.

Ever wonder why hackers don't get locked out after a few failed password attempts, the way you do? It turns out they rarely even try. I'll describe the sneakier "back door" methods -- data breaches, malware, and phishing -- that hackers use to break into accounts, and what you can do to stop them.

NAS or cloud? Each has real strengths and real risks, and a recent story about a broadcaster losing 50TB of archives shows what can go wrong. I'll detail pros and cons for each and show how combining both keeps your data safer than relying on just one.

My updated guide cuts through the hype with four no-nonsense steps to keep your PC safe. Learn what works, what to avoid, and how to stay secure without overspending or overcomplicating.

Windows Update can get stuck, and it's rarely obvious why. I'll walk you through Microsoft's troubleshooter, and provide a full manual reset using command line tools, so you can get your updates flowing again.

Facebook account hacks happen. Here's how to recover access, lock down your password and recovery info, warn your friends, and protect yourself from it happening again.

The hard truth is that you can never fully prove your computer is malware free... but you can still stack the odds in your favor. I'll discuss why, the habits that keep you safer online, and what to do if something slips through.

Find out when a manual scan makes sense, and how often you should run one for peace of mind.

Worried that ransomware could sneak past your defenses and encrypt your backups? Most ransomware won't, but it's not impossible. I'll discuss how ransomware picks its targets, why your backup image files are usually safe, and one simple habit to keep your files protected.

I'll explain when driver updates matter, why most scanning tools aren't worth your trust, and where to find real updates when you truly need them.