Internet Security Archives - Page 2 of 8

Q&A: Can someone still access my laptop when it’s in Airplane Mode?

Posted on March 30, 2024

Question from Lawrence: I’m getting ready to take my first trans-Atlantic flight in over 20 years to visit family in Italy.

I’m hoping to be able to use my laptop to play solitaire and Mahjongg while we’re in the air to pass the time.

My concern is this: I’ve heard that hackers can break into a laptop via WiFi and I have info on there that I need to keep private.

I know my laptop has an Airplane Mode. If I turn it on will that prevent other passengers from being able to break into my laptop? [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it safe to use an online password checker?

Posted on January 27, 2024

Question from Charise: I read that with all the hacking going on we need to check the strength of our passwords with an online password checker.

I did a Google search for the term “password checker” and a bunch of them came up. The thing is, I’m wondering if it’s safe to use them.

I’m a little leery of typing my passwords into a form on a website that I don’t know anything about.

Are those password checker websites safe to use? [Read more…]

How to choose ‘unguessable’ answers to security questions

Posted on January 26, 2024

Have you ever forgotten the password to one of your online accounts and clicked on the “Forgot password?” link in order to reset your password?

If so, you might have been prompted to input the answer to the security question(s) you created when you opened the account.

Security questions are intended to identify you as the legitimate account owner in the event that you forget your password and need to reset it.

What’s more, they are also sometimes used as a second level of security to augment the security provided by the password. If you can’t answer the security question(s), you won’t be allowed to log in to the account, even if you know the password. [Read more…]