PC cleaners promise a faster computer. Only one of their four jobs actually helps speed, and Windows already includes it. Here is what each one does.
Portable software skips installation because Windows installers do five specific jobs. Here is what you gain, what you lose, and when to choose it.
AES-256 encryption is real protection with a narrow job. What it actually covers, what it never touches, and the settings that decide the difference.
A firewall decides which connections reach your device. Here is what it blocks, the main types explained simply, and where to find the ones you already own.
Freeware, open source and shareware are not three words for free. Here is what each licence actually lets you do with the software you download.
A virus signature is your antivirus's memory of known threats. Here is how signatures work, where they fail against new malware, and what fills the gap.
One long read on the week's biggest shift, every Sunday.
