A developer friend sent me a screenshot in July of a “coding challenge” a recruiter had … How Fake Job Offers Are Being Used to Install Malware in 2026Read more
Cyber Security
A practical look at cyber security, from career paths, salaries, and what it actually takes to break into the field, to the real terminology and attack types like phishing, social engineering, and insider threats.
How Hackers Actually Crack a “Strong” Password (And What Actually Stops Them)
I ran a password I genuinely thought was solid, twelve characters, mixed case, a number, a … How Hackers Actually Crack a “Strong” Password (And What Actually Stops Them)Read more
Is It Worth Paying for Identity Theft Protection, or Can You DIY It?
A relative asked me to help her cancel a LifeLock subscription she’d been paying for three … Is It Worth Paying for Identity Theft Protection, or Can You DIY It?Read more
What Is a SIEM and Why Every SOC Analyst Job Posting Mentions It
I remember scrolling through SOC analyst job postings when I was researching this career path for … What Is a SIEM and Why Every SOC Analyst Job Posting Mentions ItRead more
How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Router: A Step-by-Step Guide
I logged into a friend’s router last month to help with an unrelated Wi-Fi dead zone … How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Router: A Step-by-Step GuideRead more
Is Biometric Login (Face ID/Fingerprint) Actually More Secure Than a Password?
I watched someone unlock a coworker’s phone with a printed photo held up to the camera … Is Biometric Login (Face ID/Fingerprint) Actually More Secure Than a Password?Read more
Are Free VPNs Actually Selling Your Data? What to Check Before Trusting One
I dug through a free VPN app’s privacy policy last year for a friend who’d been … Are Free VPNs Actually Selling Your Data? What to Check Before Trusting OneRead more
Should You Actually Pay Ransomware Attackers? What Experts Say
A small manufacturing company I read about last year got hit on a Friday night, every … Should You Actually Pay Ransomware Attackers? What Experts SayRead more
Is a Cyber Security Career Path Realistic Without Any IT Experience?
A reader emailed me a version of this question that stuck with me: she’s a 34-year-old … Is a Cyber Security Career Path Realistic Without Any IT Experience?Read more
Is CompTIA Security+ Still Worth It vs Newer AI-Security Certs
A reader emailed me after my Security+ difficulty piece asking a fair follow-up question: with CompTIA … Is CompTIA Security+ Still Worth It vs Newer AI-Security CertsRead more