Security insights & guides
Practical guide to cybersecurity, scam detection, and staying safe online.
How to Stay Safe Online in 2026: A 10-Step Checklist
A pragmatic, no-jargon checklist of the ten highest-impact things you can do this weekend to massively reduce your risk of being hacked, scammed, or compromised.
Read articleIs Windows Defender Enough in 2026?
Microsoft Defender ships with Windows and tests well in independent benchmarks. So do you still need a third-party antivirus? Here's a balanced answer.
Antivirus vs EDR vs XDR: What's the Difference?
Vendors have rebranded antivirus three times in five years. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what each acronym actually means and which one your organisation needs.
How Antivirus Engines Actually Work in 2026
Behind the friendly UI of every antivirus product is a layered detection pipeline: signatures, heuristics, behavioural analysis, machine learning, and cloud lookups. Here's what each layer does.
Supply Chain Attacks: When Trusted Software Becomes the Threat
From SolarWinds to npm package compromises, supply chain attacks turn your trusted vendors into your most dangerous attack vector. Here's how they work and how to defend.
HTTPS and TLS Explained: What the Padlock Actually Means
Everyone knows HTTPS is the "secure" version of HTTP. But what does the padlock really guarantee — and what doesn't it guarantee? Here's a no-jargon explanation.
MFA Explained: Why a Password Is Never Enough Anymore
Multi-factor authentication adds a second layer of verification that an attacker with only your password cannot bypass. Here's how each method works — and why they are not all equally strong.
Why You Need a Password Manager (and How to Pick One)
Reusing passwords is the most common cause of account takeover. A password manager solves it, and they're easier to use than ever. Here's what to look for in 2026.
Office Macro Malware: Why "Enable Content" Is Dangerous
Microsoft Office macros have been a favourite malware vector for thirty years. Here's why they're so effective and how Microsoft's recent changes have shifted the threat landscape.
Are PDFs Dangerous? Understanding PDF Malware in 2026
PDF files seem harmless — but they can run scripts, embed executables, and exploit reader vulnerabilities. Here's what makes a PDF risky and how to open them safely.
Guide: What to Do the Moment You Find Malware on Your Computer
A clear, step-by-step playbook for the panicked moment when your antivirus flags something — covering containment, eradication, and recovery.
Guide: How to Safely Use a USB Drive You Did Not Buy Yourself
USB drives remain a surprisingly effective attack vector. Here's how to inspect, scan, and safely use a drive when you do not know exactly where it came from.
Guide: How to Safely Open an Email Attachment
Step-by-step instructions for safely handling an unexpected email attachment — from verifying the sender, to sandbox-opening, to scanning the file.
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule (and Why It Saves You from Ransomware)
If a ransomware attack hit you tomorrow, would your backups survive? Here's the 3-2-1 rule, why it works, and a practical implementation for individuals and small teams.
Ransomware Explained: How It Works and How to Avoid It
Ransomware has become the most damaging form of malware of the past decade. Here's how a typical attack unfolds — and the practical steps that stop it.
What Is Malware? A Beginner's Guide to Viruses, Trojans, and Worms
Not all malware is the same. Learn the difference between viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware — and why the distinctions matter.
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC: The Three Email Security Standards Explained
Email spoofing is trivially easy without proper DNS configuration. Learn how SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work together to protect your domain from being used in phishing attacks.
The Most Common Phishing Tactics in 2026
Phishing has evolved far beyond Nigerian prince emails. Modern attacks are personalised, technically sophisticated, and increasingly hard to distinguish from legitimate communication.
HTTP Security Headers Every Website Should Have
Security headers are one of the cheapest and most effective ways to protect your website's visitors. Here's what each header does and why its absence is a risk.
Open Ports: What They Are and Why They're a Security Risk
Every open port on a server is a potential entry point for attackers. Here's what open ports are, which ones are high-risk, and how port scanning reveals a site's security posture.
How to Spot a Malicious File Before You Open It
From double extensions to macro-laced Office documents, attackers use predictable tricks to disguise malware. Learn the red flags to check before opening any file.
Why Regular Virus Scans Still Matter in 2026
With cloud security, EDR platforms, and AI-powered threat detection everywhere, do traditional virus scans still have a role? The answer is yes — and here's why.