Internet Security Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to choose ‘unguessable’ answers to security questions

Posted on March 29, 2026

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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…]

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

Posted on March 28, 2026

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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…]

Q&A: Does my WiFi network really need a password on it?

Posted on February 8, 2026

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Question from Deborah: I’ve been using my wireless router without a password on the WiFi connection for some time.

My boyfriend told me I need to put a password on the WiFi connection but I don’t think it’s necessary because I don’t have any neighbors living close by to piggyback off of it.

I like being able to let guests connect to my network without having to hassle with a password.

Do you think it’s ok if I leave it without a password? [Read more…]

Scam alert: Are you being spied on via your own webcam?

Posted on May 12, 2025

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The ingenuity of hackers, thieves and other miscreants is unlimited it seems.

Every day they come up with new ways to scam, hack and break into computers in order to steal bank account and credit card numbers, photos, addresses, phone numbers and other pieces of sensitive information.

One of their most devious tricks is hacking into people’s computers and spying on them via their own webcams. [Read more…]