The Ask Leo! Podcast

If your email only lives in your inbox online, it's not backed up. I'll show you how to use a free program to download a full copy of your email to your own computer, plus how to save your contacts. That way, a hacked account never means losing everything.

Not all two-factor authentication works the same way. Some methods are more secure, some are more convenient, and some leave you open to sneaky attacks like SIM swapping. Here's my breakdown of hardware keys, authenticator apps, texts, email, and voice codes so you can pick what fits you best.

Whether you forgot your password, got hacked, or can't verify your identity while traveling, I'll point you to the steps to try if you're locked out of your Microsoft account.

A bad Windows Update can cripple your computer. Once it happens to you, it's tempting to swear off updates forever. I'll explain why that's the wrong move, and share one habit that makes any update failure, from Windows or anything else, easy to recover from.

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.