security Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to give your Google account a quick ‘Security Checkup’

Posted on March 30, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Do you have a Google account?

Chances are you do, even if you don’t realize it. Here are a few questions…

Do you use Gmail?

Do you sign into YouTube to watch videos?

Do you use Google Maps?

Do you use an Android smartphone?

Do you use any Google service or product that isn’t listed above?

If the answer to one or more of those questions is yes, then you do have a Google account. [Read more…]

Q&A: Is a 6 digit PIN really all that much more secure than 4 digits?

Posted on February 20, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

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…]

Review: SentrySafe Black Fireproof and Waterproof Safe

Posted on January 19, 2026

Want to make sure you never miss one of my tips?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

You probably know by now that I’m constantly driving home the importance of creating regular backups of your computer’s hard drive or SSD.

But truth be told, how you store your backup drive is just as important as creating backups in the first place because a backup that ends up getting destroyed in a fire or some other disaster cannot be used to recover your files onto a new computer. [Read more…]

Q&A: I lost my phone. Can I remotely sign out of Gmail using a different device?

Posted on January 18, 2026

Question from Carrie: I went to Costco this morning and when I got home my phone wasn’t in my purse.

I checked both my car and my apartment from one end to other and it just isn’t here.

Then I called Costco to see if anyone had found it and turned it in at the Service Desk, but they hadn’t.

I didn’t go anywhere else, just to Costco so that has to be where I lost it.

I’m not too concerned about the phone itself. It’s an older Straight Talk phone that I was planning to replace soon anyway.

The thing that worries me is my Gmail was open (I keep it that way, stupid me). I have a lot of sensitive info and photos in my emails that I really don’t want anyone else to see.

Is there a way to use my computer to remotely sign out of Gmail on the lost phone?

[Read more…]

Why you should travel with a Chromebook instead of your regular laptop

Posted on December 2, 2025

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Do you travel often for either work or pleasure?

If so, you probably worry about the possibility of a thief absconding with your laptop along with all the sensitive data that’s stored on it.

And that’s indeed a real concern since most Windows PCs, by default, do a poor job at protecting stored data from prying eyes – even if the machine is protected with a password or PIN. [Read more…]