Is it safe to store sensitive docs in the cloud? Here’s my answer, in one minute.
Ask a tech expert: What is the best way to keep private photos hidden?
I’m a fashion photographer and I’ve taken tasteful intimate photos of my gorgeous wife that we don’t want anyone else to see. I know I can’t just save them on my Windows computer or iCloud. What should I do?
— Listener in Miami, FL
You’re on the right track! I don’t recommend relying on Google Drive or iCloud alone. For one, they’re obvious targets for hackers. If someone gets their hands on your Google login or Apple ID, they get access to all your photos, including those meant for your eyes only.
The most secure option is a trustworthy cloud storage company that lets you set up a private encryption key. That means only you can unlock the photos, videos and documents you store there. My pick is IDrive.
Another option is to compress and encrypt sensitive images. On a PC, try a free service like 7-Zip. You’ll add files to a folder and then compress them into a ZIP file. You don’t need to create an account or download anything to use this open-source software.
Here’s how it works: Open 7-Zip, select the file or folder you want to compress and click Add.
After you save the folder to your computer, you can encrypt it. To do this on a Windows PC:
- Right-click on the file or folder.
- Click Properties > Advanced.
- Select the box that says Encrypt contents to secure data.
- Select OK > Apply > OK.
You can use Disk Utility to password-protect a folder to get the job done on a Mac. This works like a ZIP file, using Mac’s encryption method. Here’s how it works:
- Click the magnifying glass in the upper right corner and type Disk Utility. Hit enter.
- In the top menu, click File > New Image. Find the folder you want to encrypt and click Choose.
- Give the folder a name and choose where you want to save it.
- Under Encryption, choose 256-bit for the strongest encryption. Click Save, then set a password.
Give the folder time to process. This could take a bit, depending on how large the files are.
There are ways to password-protect photos on your phone, too.
3 best methods to store your favorite recipes in the cloud
If you value family traditions, you should store recipes in the cloud. Replacing tattered cookbooks makes life easier and your kitchen cleaner. It’s easy with recipe management software.
A cloud-based library allows you to access your recipes while away from home. This means you can pull up a recipe on your phone to get all the ingredients at the grocery store. While you’re there, use these seven strategies to save money on groceries.
Divorcing your spouse: How to safely remove them from shared accounts
When you host a show on over 400 radio stations in the U.S. about all things tech, this question comes up quite a bit: “How can I tell if my partner is cheating?”
My best advice is to have an honest conversation with your partner, with the support of a couple’s therapist. Still, cheating does leave a ton of tech breadcrumbs. You have to know where to look.
3 steps to make your (or a family member's) phone safer
When it comes to tech questions, I’ve gotten them all. More than ever, I’m hearing from people inundated with requests from older family members to fix their devices.
Maybe they clicked a bad link, and their computer is acting up. Tap or click for eight signs it’s infected with malware or other malicious software.
5 easy ways to convert audio files to text
What comes to mind when you think of the word transcription? Does it evoke images of leaning over your computer, headphones on, while trying to stop and start an audio recording as you type?
It’s one thing to turn written notes into typed text. Tap or click here to find out how. But transcribing audio files on your own can be a huge pain, especially if you aren’t trained in transcription.
3 smartphone tech tips everyone over 50 must know
Embracing the digital age can improve your life, both personally and professionally. But it can be hard to keep up with the crowd if you didn’t grow up with high-tech gadgets like smartphones or tablets. That’s why we’re sharing a few tech skills all folks over 50 should know.
Revive your old PC or Mac with this free download
Many computer users feel the need to keep their devices up to date with the latest hardware. After all, if you don’t have the latest components or accessories, your laptop or desktop computer might not be compatible. Tap or click here for seven laptop maintenance steps you should do regularly to keep yours happy.
Free up space on your Android by updating a single app
No matter the size of your Android phone’s internal storage capacity, ensuring enough space can be complicated. As applications and mobile games grow, so too does their size. Tap or click for eight simple tips to speed up and clean out your Android phone.
The safe way to save your tax files from years past (do this now!)
We’re down to the eleventh hour: Tax Day is coming up on April 18. If you’re one of the millions of Americans filing electronically, watch out! A popular e-file tax site was caught spreading malware for weeks. Here’s what you need to know.
Listener question: ‘Where’s the safest place to store my wife’s naked pictures?’
Fibbing on the internet is as easy as stealing candy from a baby. So, when a Kim Komando Show listener wrote to me and said he was a world-renowned fashion photographer, I raised an eyebrow. Then he asked me for advice on storing nudes safely, and both eyebrows shot up.
Opt-Out Tuesday: Stop Adobe from using your work to improve its AI
Our Opt-Out Tuesday series was created to help you remove yourself from invasive people search sites. The opt-out process isn’t always easy, so we put detailed instructions for the biggest culprits out there. The list has been growing by the week and now includes over 30 entries.
Criminals are going after password manager logins - What to watch out for
Password managers are a great way to keep track of all your online account credentials. But they are also a treasure trove of information for cybercriminals if they gain access. And that is exactly what hackers are after.
Here are 7 Windows key shortcuts you'll use everyday
Keyboard shortcuts make our lives easier, but they’re not always so obvious. Did you know the Shift key does more than just capitalize letters? It actually reverses your other keyboard shortcuts! Tap or click here for five ways to use the Shift key that you may not know about.
Cellphone and tech clues that your partner is cheating on you
People underestimate intuition. If your gut tells you something is off, don’t ignore it.
Stalkerware is surprisingly easy to plant on someone’s phone, and trackers follow you online and offline. Tap or click for signs whether you’re being watched or just paranoid.
Do this now with your Amazon storage so you don't lose everything
Next year, the Amazon Drive shutdown could wipe away your photos, files and other important documents. On the bright side, Amazon Prime users have time to take action. The company will permanently stop supporting Amazon Drive on Dec. 31, 2023.
5 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel
When Excel first hit the market, businesses flocked to use it for their management needs. But it’s far from the only option. There are many free alternatives to Microsoft Excel you should know about.
Many people are so married to Excel they won’t consider other spreadsheets. At first glance, it seems like the perfect one-stop-shop for scheduling, accounting, compiling data, tracking sales and more. Tap or click here for three tips and tutorials that help you make the most out of Excel.
Store 100,000 songs for free in the cloud
Do you have a bunch of vinyl records, CDs or cassettes lying around? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a free way to put them in the cloud so you can listen to them wherever you go.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have an iPhone, iPad or Mac? Here's how to set up Apple's built-in storage
Regarding storage, two important factors must be considered: Capacity and security. You want enough space to store your files, and you want them stored safely.
Cloud storage is an excellent choice for storing photos. You don’t have to worry about cluttering and slowing down your phone, and you can access them from your computer, phone or other connected devices. We’ve broken down a few options for you. Tap or click here to check out our report on Google Photos vs. iCloud vs. IDrive.
Organize your messy photo collection in 6 simple steps
Almost everyone today has a high-powered camera in their pocket and can take photos with reckless abandon. The days of “I wish I had a camera to capture this moment” are over. While it’s great to be able to take as many photos as you want, the drawback quickly becomes clear.