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Question from Andy: My girlfriend and I have a bet that’s riding on your answer to this question:
Is a six digit PIN really all that more secure than a four digit PIN?
It don’t seem like just two digits could make that much of a difference. She says it makes a big difference if someone ever tries to break into my phone.
So who’s right? [Read more…]
In the modern freelance economy, your home office is no longer a secondary workspace; it is the command center of your professional life.
As a virtual assistant and writer navigating the complexities of 2026, I have learned that productivity is not merely a byproduct of discipline and software—it is deeply rooted in the physical infrastructure of our environment.
The transition from a “makeshift” setup to a professional-grade office is a milestone every freelancer must face. However, the most effective approach isn’t just about buying a better chair or a larger desk in isolation. It is about understanding the synergy between your tools. [Read more…]
As businesses grow, data naturally accumulates. But when that accumulation turns into “data sprawl,” it stops being an asset and starts becoming a liability. You aren’t just paying for storage you need; you are paying to store redundant, obsolete, and trivial data that no one has touched in years.
This isn’t just a housekeeping issue—it is a significant financial drain. According to Security Magazine, most organizations are spending 30% or more of their IT budget on data storage. That is nearly a third of your resources tied up in maintaining digital clutter rather than driving innovation.
Cleaning up your cloud environment is about more than just tidying up folders. It is about recovering your budget, securing your infrastructure, and turning your storage into a streamlined, strategic asset.
[Read more…]
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Question from Wesley: Hi, Rick. I hope you’re doing well.
I recently read that you can speed up your computer by replacing the hard drive with a much faster solid state drive (SSD).
I’m leaning towards doing this but I have one concern that’s holding me back.
I’m worried that an SSD might not be as reliable as a hard drive, and I really can’t afford to lose my files if it were to crash on me.
What’s your opinion on this? Are SSDs as reliable as hard drives? [Read more…]
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If you ever get an email that appears to be from your bank or some other online service saying you need to click a link in the email to log in to your account and update your personal information, don’t do it.
These types of emails are almost always fakes. And even the rare few that are legitimate should never be trusted.
ALL such emails should be assumed to be malicious, regardless of how authentic-looking they are. [Read more…]