Practical tech advice, minus the jargon
Short, useful reads on security, Microsoft 365, home tech and getting more from your technology — for businesses and households alike.
Featured · Security The Essential Eight, in plain English
A no-jargon guide to the eight controls that stop most cyber attacks — what each one means, why insurers and clients increasingly expect them, and where a small business should start.
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Home tech When a computer won't turn on
Three different faults look identical from the outside. Working out which one you have takes about five minutes and changes what happens next.
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Home tech Moving to a new computer without losing things
Most people move the Documents folder and think they are done. The things that go missing turn up a fortnight later, usually when the old machine has already gone.
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Security Someone has got into your email
Changing the password is the obvious first step, but often not enough. Here's how to check for the settings that let someone keep reading your mail.
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Home tech Why your computer can't find the printer
Most "the printer is broken" calls turn out to be a network problem. Here is how to tell in about two minutes, and the setting that stops it recurring.
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Security The pop-up that says your computer is infected
Full screen, alarm noise, a phone number to ring. It's a web page designed to scare you into calling, and your computer isn't infected.
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Security You think you have been hacked. The first hour.
What to do, in what order, when something looks wrong — and the one step almost everyone skips.
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Wi-Fi Office Wi-Fi is not home Wi-Fi
The modem in the corner works fine until the eighth person joins. What actually changes when Wi-Fi has to carry a business.
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Home tech Your phone is not backing up your photos
iCloud and Google Photos sync your pictures. Syncing and backing up are not the same thing, and the difference matters when photos get deleted.
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Microsoft 365 Which Microsoft 365 plan do you actually need?
Basic, Standard or Premium? The plan names don't tell you which ones include the security and device management most businesses need.
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Business tips When someone leaves: the IT checklist
Most small businesses hand back the laptop and stop there. Here is what actually needs to happen, and in what order.
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Security MFA: what to turn on, and what to turn off
Not all second factors are equal. A quick guide to which ones actually stop an attacker, and which give false comfort.
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Microsoft 365 Windows 10 support has ended — what now?
Still running Windows 10? Here’s how to plan a smooth, secure move without the panic.
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Business tips 5 signs you’ve outgrown break-fix IT
Frequent downtime and surprise bills can mean you’ve outgrown pay-as-you-go IT support. Here’s what to watch for.
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Wi-Fi Fix slow home Wi-Fi in 5 steps
Simple things to try before you call anyone — most dropouts and dead spots have an easy fix.
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Security Spot a scam email before you click
The tell-tale signs of a phishing message — and the invoice scam that costs businesses most.
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Home tech Repair or replace your old laptop?
A quick guide to deciding when it’s worth fixing and when it’s time to upgrade — without overspending.
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Business tips Backups that actually work: the 3-2-1 rule
Backups often stop working without anyone noticing. Here’s the simple rule that makes sure yours will be there.
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