Safer Internet: Offline Data

Introduction

There are only 2 kinds of users:...
What happens to your information if:
your devices and/or backups are lost, stolen, destroyed or corrupted -- at home or while travelling?
you neglect to install security updates -- and your system is compromised?
you lose/forget your passwords?
you donate or sell your computer?
you become forgetful, incapacitated, or deceased?

Summary

Safer Internet: Offline: Passwords Intro

Non-expert Online Practices
1. Use Antivirus Software
2. Use Strong Passwords
3. Change Passwords Frequently
4. Only Visit Websites They Know
5. Don't Share Personal Info

Expert Online Practices
1. Install Software Updates
2. Use Unique Passwords
3. Use 2-Factor Authentication
4. Use Strong Passwords
5. Use a Password Manager

Summary

Passwords are now covered in a separate 3-session OLLI course: P@s$w0rdz
As an introduction, each section below includes highlights copied from P@s$w0rdz --
each Heading links to the corresponding detailed P@s$w0rdz section for the latest information.
A later section Browse: Protect Passwords originally covered advanced password issues;
it now provides only an updated list of Reference articles about Passwords

Weak Passwords? Stronger Passwords

"Passwords are like underwear:...
"The 25 Most Popular Passwords of 2018 Will Make You Feel Like a Security Genius:...
During a recent password audit, an OLLI student was found using the following password:
"MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento"
When asked why such a long password, the student replied...
"Don't use 'beef stew' as a computer password... It's not stroganoff."
Crossword (by Steve) with weak passwords theme
Unique: don't reuse passwords on multiple sites; don't login to 3rd-party sites using Google or Facebook credentials (SSO)
Uncommon, Unpredictable: avoid common words phrases, patterns, etc.; sharing
Unchanging: change only if they're weak, reused or compromised
Long: the longer the stronger: 20-64 characters
Memorable / Typable: you should only need to remember 2+ passwords:
one for each device: random 8+ digits passcode/PIN for phone;
random 4+ word passphrase for desktop/laptop, e.g., correct horse battery staple
-- we'll discuss how/where to change these under Accounts
1 primary password for a password manager, which can generate/store/fill-in everything else
-- or, Complex / Pastable: normal upper/lowercase, digits, symbols, e.g.,
5iFt*b>Qyk[xpjrz@QoC2exanclhLvQ10izlX8hwxK6i=vwix14dwWVznQkvHrWh
Reinforced: passwords-alone are often not secure enough;
leverage other forms of authentication, if avail.: e.g., 'secret' answers, usernames, 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Unknown: other sections of this course will discuss other Privacy & Security practices to keep passwords private

Generate Memorable / Complex Passwords

Three types of passwords:
1. phone PIN/passcode -- memorable & typable; 8+ digits; optional: alphanumeric
2. computer/tablet passcode; password manager; some online accounts
-- memorable and/or typable; 4+ word phrases; optional: customize w/ digits, puncutation
3. most online accounts -- complex & pastable: 20-64 complex character sequences
Possible random password generators:
Your imagination -- not so random, really!
Diceware: roll die 5 times to select a word from a list of 7776 (6⁵) words in some language;
repeat 4+ times to generate a random phrase; e.g., "correct horse battery staple"
-- famous XKCD:cartoon
Diceware-like functionality in macOS and 1Password -- "Memorable"
OS: e.g., macOS: System Preferences > Users & Groups > Password > Change Password > "key icon": Password Assistant : Numbers Only; Memorable; Random
a password manager, e.g., 1Password > Generate Password: PIN, Memorable, Random
Misc. web sites: quality varies; not so private if site logs trial passwords!

Test Password Strength

Different web sites can rate the same password differently: Poor, Good, Excellent.
For more reliable, consistent result use one of these testers:
OS: e.g., macOS Password Assistant; only up to 31-characters
a password manager, e.g., 1Password, works for longer sequences
recommended online tester: zxcvbn
-- zxcvbn also directly embedded in P@s$w0rdz:Testing
optional: disconnect network after loading page to prevent possible password logging (not necessary for zxcvbn).
below demo heading, enter password/passphrase into input field
goal for important accounts: entropy value: 75+ -- with crack time: centuries; explanation provided.

Store Passwords Securely

paper: ok for accounts if well-hidden? good for backup in Safety Deposit Box.
human memory: good for 2+ strong passwords -- for devices, password file/manager
browser autofill: avoid -- possible exception: if all Apple devices via iCloud?
"Single Sign-On" -- avoid entering Google, Facebook, Twitter credentials on 3rd party sites
computer file: fine if strongly encrypted, e.g., Excel doc via 7-Zip or Keka (AES-256); more manual step;s
Password Manager (PM): best. features: strong encryption (AES-256); sync/share between devices & family members;
generate random passwords; autofill login credentials, organize/update passwords; credit cards; 2FA support; ...
downsides: learning curve, possible cost
recommended PMs: 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane

Updating Passwords

Only change passwords if they're weak, reused or compromised -- or site insists on it.
Check if any of your accounts have been hacked ('pwned')
Plan an upgrade strategy for many passwords -- to avoid overload / procrastination.
Use password manager, e.g., 1Password "WatchTower", to proactively identify Reused; Weak; Compromised; Vulnerable passwords.

Security Questions / Secret Answers

"I don't have a bank account because...
Some sites use so-called 'secret answers' to questions as a pseudo-authentication factor besides a password.
However, an answer isn't secret if hackers can find it in public records, from breaches from other sites,
or on social media sites -- don't post such personal details widely, or participate in 'fun' quizzes that reveal this info!
Instead, supply untrue, opposite, misspelled, foreign language, or unpredictable answers -- even random phrases.
If you're using a password manager, no need to remember these -- just store; then later, copy & paste

Recovery; User Names

Include email address and possibly phone # in account information, to facilitate account access and possible recovery , e.g., password reset.
For a primary email account, specify a secondary email address to receive notices about suspicious activity.
Most sites require an email address as a 'username';
if so, provide a 'permanent' email address (rather than an ISP email address), or an email alias;
if not, provide a unique username (not email) that marketers and hackers can't use to easily correlate your information.

Biometrics

You still need a strong passcode -- not only for initial setup and after updates / restarts,
but also if you want to grant access to someone you trust or if you injure your finger, face...
A fingerprint or facescan is fairly reliable, and fairly secure (though subject to spoofing).
Biometrics can be a convenient shortcut to avoid entering device passcode too frequently, but use apprpriate timeouts.
Be extra cautious if using with important applications / sites, e.g., password manager
Legally you can be compelled to provide a fingerprint or facescan -- it's considered public;
a password/passcode is considered private ("self-incrimination"), but courts or border crossing agents may try to compel you anyway.

2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Although unique user names & random secret answers provide minor additional protection,
for especially important accounts, e.g., financial, email, use a different second "authentication factor" (2FA)
-- in addition to a strong password.
Generally, a good 2nd factor is a temporary code, provided via SMS (texting); issues: spoofing, service access
Best 2FA is a TOTP (Time-based One Time Passcode) provided via an "authenticator app" or physical token
Once set up, both the site and app generate -- in sync -- the same, new random code, which changes frequently.
Examples of authenticator apps: 1Password (built-in), Authy, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator

Safer Internet: Offline: Accounts

Summary

[1] Set a strong account password / passcode:
on your computer, tablet, phone to protect access:
to still logged-in apps, e.g., messaging, email, browser windows;
to files -- and encrypt also?
to contacts
to notifications, e.g., received (SMS/email) or generated (TOTP) account access codes (2FA).
Don't forget other devices (IoT): home security/control systems, smart speakers/TV, ...
[2] Setup separate accounts for each user to control access, e.g., non-admin, Parental Controls
[2] Use non-admin account for everyday access -- require admin password for software install & updates
[3] Set passwords for firmware and/or SIM
References

[1] Set Account Password

After setting a strong random password: 8+ digit PIN passcode for phone, 4+ word phrase for computers,
set a suitable timeout to make sure it's required when others might try to access:
longer: at home -- to minimize inconvenience;
shorter: in public or travelling;
immediate: when crossing border or leaving device unattended, e.g.,
macOS: (apple) > Lock Screen
There's no handy 'Lock Screen' button in the iOS Control Center;
however, there is a workaround to display the Lock Screen and require a passcode -- maybe simpler to just shutdown device?
in iOS 11, clicking power button quickly 5 times displayed Lock Screen-- now this sequence makes an Emergency Call
iOS: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Assistive Touch: on -- enable Assistive Touch (handy if power button broken)
iOS: Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > iPhone Unlock: off -- disable Touch ID (so fingerprint can't be used on Lock Screen)
iOS: (assistive button) > Device > Lock Screen -- Lock Screen appears; passcode required
Limit number of login attempts? Auto-erase?
Add contact info maybe -- in case of loss (vs. Privacy) -- see Services: Location section
Avoid giving your password to to government entities who might access files, plant files or add spyware
-- or to tech support, esp. remote scammers; if you do, change it immediately afterwards, scan for malware, etc.
macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Change Password
System Preferences > Users & Groups > Password > Change Password -- to set initial password, or change other accounts
System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Require password > (time)
Use same strong admin password for whole disk encryption, i.e., encrypt main storage disk/SSD (FileVault) and backup drive/partitions: incremental (TimeMachine), clone(Carbon Copy Cloner via FileVault) -- see Backup section
iOS: Settings > Passcode > Turn Passcode On
iOS: Settings > Passcode > Change Passcode > Passcode Options: Custom Alphanumeric Code, Custom Numeric Code, 6-Digit Numeric Code
This code automatically encrypts your information (ditto for Android)
Use custom -- more than the default (4-6 digit); stronger, plus attacker won't even know length.
Although letters and symbols can be included, a much longer numeric PIN can be entered more easily on larger number-only keypad;
it would still difficult to brute force, esp. if OS limits login attempts -- unless law enforcement has a bypass cracking device.
iOS: Settings > Passcode > Require Passcode > After x minutes/hours shorter when traveling?
iOS: Settings > Passcode & gt; Allow Access When Locked : Today View, Recent Notifications, Control Center, Siri, Home Control, Return Missed Calls
iOS: Settings > Passcode > Erase Data after 10 failed passcode attempts
iOS: Settings > Touch ID & Passcode fingerprint sensor on selected models, e.g., iPhone 6
Win: Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options > Password > Add/Change
Enable whole disk encryption, i.e., BitLocker

[2] Setup separate accounts/permissions for each user

Admin account for installs/updates; 2nd admin backup account
Non-admin accounts for routine use to avoid accidental malware
Setup "Parental Controls" on shared computers?
When: now, or the next time you upgrade your OS or replace hardware, and migrate user info
macOS: System Preferences > Users & Groups
Win: Settings > Accounts

[3] Set Firmware password, SIM PIN

Prevent booting with other OS, accessing file system (though risk lessened with whole disk encryption)
Set a SIM PIN on cellular devices, e.g., iPhone, some iPads -- see Connection : WiFi section

References

sections: Refs: Android; Apple ID; iOS; macOS; Windows
While my son was tapping away on his home computer, his ten-year-old daughter sneaked up behind him.

Then she turned and ran into the kitchen, squealing to the rest of the family, "I know Daddy's password! I know Daddy's password!"

"What is it? they asked eagerly.

Proudly she replied,...
Wikipedia: User Account; System Administrator
How to Set Up Lock Screens on All Your Devices Wired; 2/13/2022
How Do I Get Into My Phone if I Forgot My PIN or Password? And, iOS; LH; 12/11/2020
The Safest Ways to Log In to Your Computer Win, Mac, Chrome; passwords, key fobs, fingerprints; Wired; 9/13/2020
How to Protect the Data on Your Laptop strong account authentication; system-wide encryption; use specific app protections (if they're available); enable 'Find My Laptop'; Wired; 8/30/2020
US district court rules that turning on a phone to view its lockscreen without unlocking it qualifies as searching the phone and would generally need a warrant Ars; 5/22/2020
District court judge rules that authorities don't have the right, even with a warrant, to force suspects to unlock devices via biometrics Forb; 1/14/2019

Safer Internet: Offline: Backups

Quotes

You can never be too rich, too beautiful,... or have too many backups. ~Anon
"When was the last time you backed up your work?"...
Back up my hard drive?... How do I put it in reverse?
"Having been erased,
The document you're seeking
Must now be retyped.

Three things are certain:
Death, taxes, and lost data.
Guess which has occurred.

With searching comes loss
and the presence of absence:
"My Novel" not found.

A file that big?
It might be very useful.
But now it is gone.

Rather than a beep
Or a rude error message,
These words: 'File not found.'" ~Haiku Error Messages

Summary

"Data loss is when you no longer have access to your own data...
"Data theft is when someone else gets access to your data illicitly...
Backup frequency poll (2020) -- never: 19%; annual: 39%; monthly: 20%; 12%: weekly; daily: 10%; ~Backblaze; 6/18/2020
"3-2-1" backups: 3 copies of your data; 2 different, local methods (formats); 1 offsite
Disks & solid state drives (SSDs) -- and CDs, DVDs and thumb drives -- will eventually fail /corrupt
Recover from accidental deletions, theft, ransomware (Malware, Encryption), and incomplete system updates
3Rs: Redundancy, Resiliency, Reliability
1. Incremental: user files, settings -- to local or network external drive;
often maintains some older file versions -- hourly/daily/weekly;
2. Complete: user files & settings plus system and applications
-- ideally an exact copy and bootable clone -- to local or network external drive -- weekly/monthly
3. Offsite: cloud service -- ongoing (with internet connection), preferably automatically;
partial: email, photos, contacts, notes, calendar, e.g., iCloud;
selected files, folders (manually), e.g., iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive;
passwords: synced between cloud & devices via password manager, e.g., 1Password;
complete: cloud backup service such as Backblaze
Backups don't usually take long, e.g., < 30 minutes -- start before a coffee break or meal
World Backup Day March 31st (just before April Fool's)
International Verify Your Backups Day every Friday the 13th; TB
Check periodically that your backups actually occurred and that you can restore files!
When changing device settings, it's best to 'backup' the current settings, either via paper or screenshot, in case you change your mind.
References

Where to Backup?

Device or disk manufacturer may provide backup software, e.g., Time Machine, Retrospect
What is the total size (used + available) of your internal disk/SSD?
Option 1: Separate external drives, one for incremental, one for clone
-- if you're concerned about the risk of a single drive failing or disappearing;
some (newer) partitioned drives don't support bootable clones
Incremental (TimeMachine): size: 4x internal -- or more, if you'd like more versions and deleted files to be preserved
format: Disk Utility > OS Extended Journaled -- Encrypted (recommended); save recovery key!
you can enable encryption later: Time Machine Preferences > Encrypt Disk, which uses FileVault also
-- however, enabling later is much s-l-o-w-e-r
Bootable clone(s) [Carbon Copy Cloner]: size: 1x internal -- or more, if you'd like multiple macOS versions, each in a separate partition
format: Disk Utility > OS Extended Journaled -- not Encrypted; CCC will convert to AFPS format (encrypt later)
before backing up [first time], System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy: exclude backup drives
before cloning [each time], disable any automatic cloud-based backup,
e.g., Backblaze Preferences > Settings > Schedule > Only When I Click Backup Now
after cloning [each time], renable any automatic cloud-based backup,
e.g., Backblaze Preferences > Settings > Schedule > Continuously
to encrypt bootable clone backup, option-Restart; in Startup Manager, select backup disk/partition
after clone booted, System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault: Turn On; save recovery key!
after clone encrypted, option-Restart; re-select internal disk/SSD
Option 2: [2] single local external disk partitioned to contain both incremental and clone backups -- convenient and economical; however, some cloned backups might not boot from newer partitioned drives?
e.g., 1x: 250G (clone); 3x: 750G (incremental; multiple versions/deleted files accessible)
Option 3: Cloud storage, e.g., iCloud, Backblaze. How secure is the cloud?
Very -- depending on how files are encrypted and stored, and who has access.
For brief explanation of different levels of security (via encryption) for Local and Cloud, see P@s$w0rdz:Storing:Encrypt
Option 4: [2] Shared local network drive (possibly with redundant drive arrays, e.g., RAID)

[1] Incremental Backup

Backup only what's changed, automatically: user files, multiple versions, settings, contacts, bookmarks
Frequency: hourly/daily/weekly -- esp. if many files added/changed; also, before any system updates
Alternatively, you could periodically backup selected files/folders manually to USB drive and/or cloud folder, e.g., DropBox, Box, Google Drive, Microsoft, OneDrive -- but, will you remember to do it?
macOS: Time Machine > Open Time Machine Preferences: select disk; Backup Now
(restore): Time Machine > Enter Time Machine [image]
Win: Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Backup Using File History
File History tool automatically saves multiple versions of a given file, so you can restore a file before it was changed or deleted

[1] Complete Backup

A complete, bootable clone contains everything, including applications and system files, and can help you recover from incomplete software updates
Frequency: weekly/monthly; also, before major system cleanup & updates -- and after successful updates
iOS (USB): Finder > Preferences > Sidebar > CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices
macOS (to disk): Carbon Copy Cloner
Due to increased security in macOS, backup apps need to be granted permission for 'full disk access':
macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Full Disk Access --
apps provide directions, e.g., Carbon Copy Cloner, Backblaze; permission needed also for system cleanup tools like Titanium's Maintenance or Onyx
Win: Settings > System & Security > Set up backup
Backup and Restore creates a single backup of the latest version of your files on a schedule. It can also create a “system image,” which is a snapshot of your entire system -- operating system, programs, documents, and all -- which makes it easy to restore everything

[1] Offsite: Cloud and/or Other Physical Location

Store backup(s) somewhere other than your house/office in case your device and local backups are damaged, stolen, hacked, ...
USB/external disk/DVD at a remote site, e.g., bank Safety Deposit box, trusted friend's house
For desktop systems, a cloud provider can provide an automatic, complete backup with 'unlimited' storage for relatively small cost, e.g., ~$5/mo.
Frequency: ongoing
macOS (to cloud): Backblaze
Initial backup may take days, depending on number/size of files, and speed of internet connection
Restore selected files via download; since restoring everything from a remote backup could take awhile, service may ship a loaner drive, e.g., Backblaze
see References for other products, e.g., Retrospect; Carbonite: Windows ok, but Mac not, due to lack of private keys
Other cloud options are available for mobile devices and selected data and settings -- often free if default storage used, e.g., iCloud < 5GB
A password manager can store/sync encrypted passwords, e.g., 1Password on 1password.com, iCloud or Dropbox
Email backup may not be necessary if using IMAP, i.e., messages already stored on ISP's mail server and cached on each device
Share -- and backup -- documents & photos via services like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive
Back up/sync system settings, bookmarks and certain types of documents and data via iCloud
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud: Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Notes, Safari, News, Home, Game Center, Siri, Keychain, Find My iPad/iPhone, iCloud Backup
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > Backups: device; Documents&Data
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > Family Sharing -- setup
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud > Manage Storage > Share With Family -- share iCloud storage
What's shared: Apple media purchases, Apple Music family plans, iCloud storage plans, Photo album, Calendar, Reminders, Locations, Find My iPhone family view
Not shared: songs in iTunes Match (not purchased in the iTunes Store), in-app purchases, items hidden by a group member, some apps from the App Store (this is left up to each developer)
macOS: System Preferences > iCloud: Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Safari, Notes, Keychain, Back to My Mac (File/Screen Sharing), Find My Mac
macOS: System Preferences > iCloud > Manage... (lower right)
macOS: icloud.com > Settings (home) > Storage
Is cloud storage safe?
Encryption depends on the strength & security of the encryption key -- in addition to the password you use to login to cloud provider (plus its security practices)
Encrypting in transit (via HTTPS:) is assumed; is file decrypted by provider before being re-encrypted?
If cloud provider has that key, files are vulnerable to hacking or government request -- only you should know / control separate 'private key' (which is not same as login password)
Conclusion: Extremely secure if file already encrypted 'end-to-end', e.g., password manager;
or cloud service uses a separate (non-account) key which only you have, e.g., Backblaze
Ideally, 2-step authentication is available to protect account login -- section: Passwords

What I Use

two separate external drives: for TimeMachine and for Carbon Copy Cloner
cloud services: iCloud, Backblaze
incremental [ext disk]: macOS: TimeMachine -- files; several times/week
incremental [cloud]: macOS, iOS: iCloud -- Safari, Settings, etc.; notes; ongoing; 1password.com
incremental [cloud]: macOS: Backblaze -- all files; ongoing (also external non-backup partitions);
if you subscribe to Backblaze, use this referral link (or code: 00gxf7) to receive a free month; Steve receives a free month credit.
complete [ext disk]: macOS: Carbon Copy Cloner -- files, apps, system; monthly, esp. before macOS updates
complete (via macOS) iOS: files, settings, etc. (Manual) before iOS updates -- see screenshot on right {???}

Other

[1] Paper: important device & account passwords (esp. for password manager!) in SD box
[1] Save .pdf of various paper documents, e.g., manuals for devices & appliances from manufacturers sites
[1] While travelling, backup digital photos to local drive, other device or cloud
[2] Customize photo storage settings to optimize space, cost, sync time, esp. if you have many GB of photos & devices
[3] If you host a blog or website, make backups, e.g., WordPress.com > Dashboard > Tools > Export

References

sections: Refs: Android; Backblaze; Carbon Copy Cloner; Cloud; Death; Dropbox; Future; Google; Hard Drive; iCloud; iOS; macOS; Natural Disaster, esp. Cascadia Quake; OneDrive; Paper/Other; Photos; Retrospect; SuperDuper; TimeMachine; Windows; see also Mobile Privacy
topics: hardware reliability, music, restore
Wikipedia: Backup; List of backup software; ransomware
Computer Backup Options pros & cons: manual, external, online (by Backblaze)
How to Back Up Your Digital Life Time Macine, Backblaze, iDrive, Duplicati; Wired; 3/31/2024
Back Up and Secure Your Digital Life
product reviews: Hard drive;
Online backup service; Cloud sync;
Local backup software; ... NYT; 3/7/2024
A Reminder That Trusting Everything to Cloud Storage Can Screw You Over
having just one copy of your files stored anywhere -- even if it's in the cloud -- isn't safe; LH; 11/29/2023
Start Looking for Drobo and Retrospect (StorCentric) Replacements TB; 5/16/2023
How to Prepare for a Lost, Stolen or Broken Smartphone NYT; 2/8/2023
Best file compression apps for macOS and iOS ApIn; 1/27/2023
International Verify Your Backups Day TB; 1/13/2023
How to Create a PDF From Any Website, on Any Device LH; 6/21/2022
The Best Mobile Scanning Apps
Adobe Scan, SwiftScan, Microsoft Lens, Apple Notes; NYT; 5/27/2022
Do I Really Need to Back Up All My Data? Wired; 4/25/2022
Steps to Simple Online Security: 6: Backups NYT; 4/8/2022
How to Back Up Your Computer NYT; 9/29/2021
How You Can Lose a File Despite Three Layers of Backup (and How To Avoid It) TB; 9/27/2021
What to do when your laptop is stolen (and how to prepare for it)
Before: Encrypt your data; Keep a current backup;
Enable your laptop’s tracking feature;
After: 1. Locate and lock your laptop (Find My Device);
2. Notify the authorities: File a police report, Tell your bank,
File a claim with your insurance company, Contact your computer manufacturer;
3. Protect your personal information: Wipe your data,
Change your passwords, Disable autofill and clear your browsing data,
Deauthorize your account and devices; PC; 7/14/2021
The Best Ways to Compress PDFs for Free LH; 6/14/2021
How to Back Up Your Most Important Emails Forward Emails to a Backup Account; Use POP and IMAP; Download Everything To a Desktop Client; Other Options; Wired; 1/24/2021
How to Restore Apple Watch from Backup OSXD; 1/19/2021
How to Backup Your Apple Watch automatically to iPhone; OSXD; 1/16/2021
Poll Shows Backup Frequency Increasing, Results Still Depressing never: 19%; annual: 39%; monthly: 20%; 12%: weekly; 10%: daily; Backblaze's poll/report; TB; 6/19/2020
How to create a backup strategy with terabytes of files MW; 1/29/2020
We're Living in a Subscriptions World. Here's How to Navigate It. avoid losing control of content/data; Maintain Your Own Backups; Create a Personal Entertainment Cloud; NYT; 1/15/2020
Get Those Records, Tapes and CDs Onto Your Smartphone NYT; 12/25/2019
Unencrypted hard drives with payroll data, including names, bank account numbers, compensation info of 29,000 Facebook employees, stolen in a car break-in Bloom; 12/13/2019
You Should Consider Replacing Your Old Surge Protectors every 3-5 yrs? LH 12/8/2019
Myspace apparently lost 12 years’ worth of music, and almost no one noticed User uploads corrupted in server migration, and Myspace seemingly has no backups; Ars; 3/18/2019
How to get your Mac or iPhone ready before you take it to Apple's Genius Bar AppleID email and password; device pw; sales receipt; backup! 3/16/2019
How to Declutter and Organize Your Personal Tech in a Few Simple Steps NYT; 1/23/2019
How to Delete Your Online Accounts but Keep Your Data Blogger, Facebook, Flickr, Foursquare, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Livejournal, Myspace, Pinterest, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter, Whatsapp, YouTube; LH; 1/7/2019

Android

Manage & restore your device backups in Google Drive
How to Back Up Your Android Phone Wired; 3/31/2024
How to share large video files on Android PC; 6/18/2020

Backblaze

Reminder: if you subscribe to Backblaze, use this referral link (or code: 00gxf7) to receive a free month; and Steve receives a free month credit.
Backblaze 8.5 TB; 9/21/2022
Backblaze Raises Prices to Address Changing Industry Conditions TB; 7/13/2021
Backblaze review: No-hassle online backup is a no-brainer decision unlimited storage, no decisions on what to back up, no pressure; PC; 4/20/2021
The Life and Times of a Backblaze Hard Drive TB; 11/4/2019
Backblaze 7.0 Extends Version History, Supports Catalina extra $ for file versions beyond 30 days; TB; 10/8/2019
Behind the Scenes of the Backblaze Price Hike amount of data being backed up increasing faster than the cost of storage was falling; TB; 9/18/2019
Two Factor Verification via Auth Apps BB; 7/14/2019
Introducing Furball -- Rapid Content Delivery ;-) BB; 4/1/2019
Backblaze vs. Cloud Backup Services; Backblaze vs. Cloud Sync Services BB price increases 3/11/2019
Backblaze Increases Pricing for Unlimited Backup higher prices after 3/11; TB; 2/12/2019
Backblaze 6.0 Promises "Larger Longer Faster Better" Backups TB; 1/18/2019

Carbon Copy Cloner (Mac)

Carbon Copy Cloner
Carbon Copy Cloner 6.1.10 TB; 2/24/2024
Carbon Copy Cloner Backs Up Cloud-Only Content TB; 10/6/2023
Carbon Copy Cloner 5.1.26 TB; 5/10/2021
[2] APFS Bug in macOS 10.15.5 Catalina Impacts the Creation of Bootable Backups MR; 5/28/2020
Preparing your backup disk for a backup of macOS CCC; 10/29/2019
Working with APFS Volume Groups CCC; 10/9/2019

Cloud

Wikipedia: online backup; cloud storage; file hosting; Dropbox
HowStuffWorks: How Cloud Storage Works; Cloud Quiz
HowStuffWorks: Do I need to back up files that are already in cloud storage?
HowStuffWorks: Are my files really safe if I store them in the cloud?
Take Control E-Books: Cloud, Dropbox, iCloud
free Take Control Cheat Sheets: Cloud
The Best Cloud Storage Services Wired; 3/3/2024
Online backup: We test the best services -- Carbonite, iDrive, Backblaze, Livedrive PC; 8/18/2023
The best cloud storage services for Apple users Google One/Drive, Apple iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox?; MW; 3/8/2023
The Best Online Cloud Backup Service Backblaze is top choice now; 1/24/2023
Cloud Storage Forecast Unsettled, with Possible Storms TB; 2/4/2022
7 of the Best Cloud Storage Services That Are Cheaper Than iCloud, Google One, and OneDrive
Microsoft 365 Family: 6TB storage, split six ways;
iDrive: 5/10TB personal storage for the price of 1TB;
TeleDrive: Free, unlimited cloud storage via Telegram;
pCloud: Own cloud storage for your lifetime;
Icedrive: A lot of storage, but privacy first;
Mega: Take 20GB for free, and 8TB for cheap;
WeTransfer: Free, but short-lived data transfer;
LH; 1/12/2022
How to Recover Any Version of a File
access to your edits in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Apple Pages are just a click away; Giz; 6/25/2021
WD My Book Live users wake up to find their data deleted Ars; 6/25/2021
How to Prepare for the Next Time the Cloud Goes Down Giz; 8/31/2020
The Cheapest Cloud Storage Services of 2020 for All Your Files LH; 8/13/2020
9 Tips to Keep Your Cloud Storage Safe and Secure
1. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication;
2. Audit Your File and Folder Shares;
3. Clear Out Your 'Deleted' Files;
4. Check Your Connected Apps and Accounts;
5. Turn on Account Alerts;
6. Deactivate Old Devices That Still Have Access;
7. Enable Account Recovery Options; Wired; 7/26/2020
Cloud storage plans you can use to replace your Mac’s external storage MW; 6/17/2020
What's the Diff: Sync vs Backup vs Storage BB; 3/31/2020
Cloud Computing More Energy Efficient Than Initially Thought TB; 3/3/2020
Dropbox and iCloud Drive: How each service approaches cloud storage different approaches to reducing storage on a local drive; MW; 2/21/2020
How to Deal with Running Out of iCloud, Google, and Dropbox Space TB; 2/17/2020
How to Share Files Securely Online Firefox Send, Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive, OneDrive, SendAnywhere, iCloud; Wired; 2/9/2020
Google Drive vs. Microsoft OneDrive PC; 12/19/2019
Stop paying monthly cloud storage fees with 3 lifetime options as low as $39.99 limited time; unknown companies? TNW; 11/11/2019
More From Our Annual Survey: Choosing the Best Cloud for Backing Up types of backup: HD/NAS, cloud backup/drive/sync; BB; 7/16/2019
[2] Backing Up VM Image Files to Internet Backup Services TB; 5/15/2019
CloudBerry Backup for macOS: Feature-Rich but Unreliable TB; 3/7/2019
Backblaze vs. Cloud Backup Services; Backblaze vs. Cloud Sync Services BB price increases 3/11/2019

Death, Divorce

Preparing for the Unthinkable: A Brief Guide to Digital Legacy Planning TB; 4/26/2024
How to Keep Anyone From Accessing Your iCloud Data After You Die Advanced Data Protection (encryption); LH; 1/26/2024
How to Close the Social Media Accounts of a Dead Relative LH; 1/3/2024
Why You Need a Digital 'Dead Man's Switch'
from alerting your family to trouble to ensuring folks have access
to your accounts, there are several reasons to set one up; LH; 9/25/2023
The Digital Fragments We Leave Behind After Death
the photos, texts, playlists and to-do lists that we find after loved ones die can offer poignant glimpses into their lives; NYT; 5/3/2023
There may be a problem with Apple's Digital Legacy feature ApIn; 3/7/2023
What Stories Have You Learned From Digital Messages Left Behind? NYT; 12/15/2022
Here's What Happens to Your Crypto When You Die LH; 12/8/2022
You can take it with you: How to destroy the data you leave behind MW; 8/15/2022
How to Preserve Your Digital Legacy (and Why You Should) LH; 5/10/2022
How to Leave Your Photos to Someone When You Die Wired; 3/17/2022
The Morbid War Over Online Obituaries
'Obituary pirates' scrape websites and publish their own versions of death notices, reaping commissions on flowers and gifts; Wired; 12/26/2021
How to arrange for your digital legacy Verge; 12/2/2021
How to Decide What Happens to Your Data When You Die Giz; 12/2/2021
Apple will soon let you pass on your iCloud data when you die
new program coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs, Digital Legacy allows you to
choose five Legacy Contacts who can see your stuff; MW; 11/10/2021
What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?
Anthony Bourdain’s A.I.-generated voice is just the latest example of a celebrity being digitally reincarnated.
These days, though, it could happen to any of us; NYT; 7/24/2021
What to do about Apple devices and iCloud content when the owner dies ApIn; 1/2/2021
How to recover data from a Mac with T2 or FileVault encryption and without a password short answer: it may not be possible; MW; 11/19/2020
How to prepare your digital assets in case of death
someone's passing could leave their data and devices locked up forever. But there are some preparations and techniques you could try;
Make a plan before it's too late;
Manage hardware;
Retain account access; MW; 10/21/2020
A look at startups that provide end-of-life services, from estate planning to online forums for grieving virtually, amid a surge in interest during the pandemic NYT; 7/16/2020
How to Request Access to a Deceased Family Member's Apple Accounts TB; 6/17/2020
Estate planning 101: Your guide to wills, trusts and all your end-of-life documents CNet; 6/8/2020
Can I keep my partner’s Apple purchases and account after they die? MW; 6/4/2020
What Happens to Your Domain When You Die? expires unless the hosting site exists and you've renewed ($); LH; 12/17/2019
Twitter halts plan to remove inactive accounts until it can memorialize dead users Verge; 11/27/2019
Get Your Digital Accounts Ready In Case of Death
1. Share your account logins and other secure information with a password manager
2. Record and save emergency info
3. Set up dead-man switches and assign custody for your digital accounts
4. Drill practice: teach your loved ones how to survive without you; NYT; 10/3/2019
Please get your digital affairs in order password manager, backup codes; TC; 9/15/2019
Who Gets Your Digital Assets: Heirs or Hackers? A digital executor can help ensure your heirs inherit online assets while protecting your privacy after death; NW; 8/29/2019
Here's how billionaires are planning their immortality TNW; 6/28/2019
We're all going to die -- what happens to our Facebook accounts? Verge; 6/12/2019
Hacking My Mother's Phone to Save Her Memories After she died, breaking into her phone was the only way to put together the pieces of her digital life; NYT; 6/10/2019
Dead Facebook users could outnumber the living by 2069 TNW; 4/29/2019
R.I.P. to a Startling Facebook Feature: Reminders of Dead Friends' Birthdays NYT; 4/10/2019
Facebook is introducing a new 'Tributes' section for memorialized accounts TC; 3/4/2019
The weird rise of cyber funerals Digital undertaking is the act of erasing and tidying up your public data after you die -- contacting the social media companies, search engines or even media companies who publish personal information, and request for it to be deleted when their client dies; Wired; 2/17/2019
What is a Facebook 'legacy contact' and why do you need one? allowed to have limited access to your account after your death; TNW; 2/15/2019
Planning For Your Digital Legacy In Seven Easy Steps 1. Digital Executor; 2. Inventory Your Digital Assets and How to Access Them; 3. Determine the Terms of Service for Your Accounts; 4. Ensure Your Key Estate Planning Documents Contain Relevant Language; 5. Store Your Information in a Safe Place; 6. Decide and Document the Fate of Your Digital Assets After Your Death; 7. Consult Your Estate Planning Attorney; .pdf; IPPF; 2/2019

Dropbox

HowStuffWorks: How the Dropbox Mobile App Works
free Take Control Cheat Sheets: Dropbox
Dropbox: What does Dropbox do to protect my stuff?
Had It With the Dropbox App? Here Are Five Alternative Dropbox Clients
Maestral, CloudMounter, Mountain Duck 3,
Transmit 5, Strongsync; MR; 12/1/2021
Replace a Shared Dropbox File without Changing Its Link TB; 12/13/2019
Are Dropbox's Paid Plans Worth It? free: 2Gb; Plus($12/mo): 2Tb; Pro($20/mo): 3Tb; LH; 10/4/2019

Future

A DNA-based storage system with files and metadata
queries can take days, but it's possible to pull out specific files; Ars; 615/2021
Microsoft's Project Silica offers robust thousand-year storage high purity glass extends storage reliability goals from "decades" to "centuries"; Ars; 11/7/2019

Google

What Is Google One, and Should You Subscribe? Wired; 3/27/2022
How to back up your Gmail Verge; 7/28/2021
Google is finally doing something about Google Drive spam Ars; 7/23/2021
How to Back Up All of Your Google Data LH; 3/11/2021
How to Prepare For Google's New Cloud Storage Restrictions LH; 12/7/2020
How to Access & Edit Google Drive Files from iPhone & iPad OSXD; 6/8/2020
Google Drive gains an important security feature on iPhone Privacy Screen: authenticate using Touch ID or Face ID; PC; 5/5/2020
How to get more space in your Google storage clear out the clutter; Verge; 3/19/2019

Hard Drive, SSD

HowStuffWorks: How to Back Up a Hard Drive
Best external SSD for Mac MW; 4/15/2024
How to Choose the Right SSD to Buy LH; 2/21/2024
Best external drives for backup, storage, and portability PC; 8/14/2023
The best SSDs: Reviews and buying advice PC; 7/24/2023
Best external hard drive for Mac MW; 6/26/2023
Backblaze's 2022 Drive Stats Reveal Manufacturer and Model Reliability Trends drive failures by brand; BB; 1/31/2023
Best external hard drive and SSD CNet; 11/17/2022
Backblaze's 2020 Hard Drive Reliability Statistics TB; 2/12/2021
How Do I Transfer Data When I Switch Out My Laptop's Hard Drive for an SSD? LH; 2/5/2021
[2] Six Lessons Learned from Dealing with an iMac's Dead SSD TB; 4/27/2020
The Shocking Truth -- Managing for Hard Drive Failure and Data Corruption BB; 7/11/2019
How to Partition Your Hard Drive and Why You Would Want To dual-booting OS; emergency recovery partition; Mac: DiskUtility; Win: Disk Management; Giz; 1/22/2019

iCloud (Apple)

Apple's Advanced Data Protection Gives You More Keys to iCloud Data
requires latest OS on all devices; TB; 12/8/2022
Apple will finally encrypt iCloud Backups as part of major security push
iOS 16.2 and macOS 13.1 will include several new features to protect your data; MW; 12/7/2022
How to use iCloud Folder Sharing and replace Dropbox ApIn; 5/30/2022
Bad Apple #5: iCloud Drive Folder Sharing Risks Data Loss TB; 5/12/2022
Apple turns off iCloud Documents and Data, but you can still find your files MW; 5/9/2022
How to Make Sure You Can Recover Your iCloud Data Wired; 4/24/2022
Apple will soon let you pass on your iCloud data when you die
new program coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs, Digital Legacy allows you to
choose five Legacy Contacts who can see your stuff; MW; 11/10/2021
How to use iCloud Folder Sharing and replace Dropbox ApIn; 2/23/2022
Apple releases iCloud for Windows version 13 update MW; 11/10/2021
How to Share iCloud Storage with Family on Mac OSXD; 11/1/2021
How to use iCloud Data Recovery Service MW; 10/11/2021
Apple Outlines Security and Privacy of CSAM Detection System in New Document
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) scanning on iCloud; MR; 8/13/2021
How to Share iCloud Storage with Family on iPhone & iPad OSCD; 7/29/2021
How to Free Up iCloud Storage Space on iPhone & iPad OSXD; 4/21/2021
Beware! iCloud Backups Deleted after 180 Days TB; 6/11/2020
How to Sync and Access Your Data Across Devices switch between your phone and laptop seamlessly; Wired; 6/2/2020
How to Access iCloud Drive Files from Windows PC OSXD; 5/27/2020
How to use iCloud to cope with a Mac that's low on storage MW; 4/27/2020
How use your Mac to get more info about your iCloud Drive storage Files for iOS and iPadOS omits nested information on folders; MW; 4/20/2020
How to Recover Lost or Deleted iCloud Drive Files or Documents OSXD; 2/18/2020
Folder sharing brings iCloud Drive closer to Dropbox, but there's work left to do MW; 2/7/2020
How to restore deleted files, photos, bookmarks, and more from iCloud iCloud keeps many items you delete for up to 30 days; MW; 1/2/2020
How to free up iCloud storage space MW; 1/1/2020
Find the parts of iTunes now spread throughout different apps in macOS Catalina: Finder MW; 10/21/2019
How iCloud Drive works with multiple users on a single Mac MW; 10/14/2019
EFF Calls on Apple to Let Users Encrypt iCloud Backups as Part of 'Fix It Already' Initiative with user's own key; 2/28/2019
Inside the illicit world of 'iCloud unlocking', where cybercriminals trick iPhone owners or Apple staff into removing an iCloud account to resell the iPhone MB; 2/6/2019
iCloud storage plans and pricing if you need more than 5 GB of free storageApple; 1/18/2019

iOS

Apple: Use Quick Start to transfer data from your previous iOS device to your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
How To Backup Your iPhone iCloud, iTunes, Google Photos; Wired; 3/31/2024
How to back up an iPhone or iPad MW; 9/8/2023
How restore an iPhone from a backup MW; 6/29/2023
How to transfer all your data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone MW; 1/5/2023
How to Borrow iCloud Storage for Free to Transfer Data to Your New iPhone temporary iCloud backup that can be deleted in 21 days; LH; 9/21/2021
How to Restore an iPhone Without the Password LH; 9/10/2021
How to Reduce Your iCloud Backup Data Size on iPhone / iPad OSXD; 5/19/2021
How to Open & Extract RAR Files on iPhone & iPad iZip; OSXD; 4/16/2021
Can't Remember Password for Encrypted iPhone Backup? Here's What To Do OSXD; 3/31/2021
How to set up a backup plan for your Mac, iPhone, and iPad for your New Year's resolution ApIn; 12/31/2020
iCloud Backup Failed on iPhone or iPad? Here’s How to Fix & Troubleshoot OSXD; 12/19/2020
How to Restore iOS Backups in MacOS with Finder (Big Sur & Catalina) OSXD; 9/28/2020
How to get back 'Other' storage on the iPhone or iPad ApIn; 9/7/2020
How to Backup iPhone or iPad to Windows PC OSXD; 8/24/2020
How to Delete iOS & iPadOS Device Backups from MacOS Finder in Catalina OSXD; 3/18/2020
How to open zip files on your iPhone or iPad MW; 2/19/2020
How to Backup iPhone or iPad to Mac in MacOS Catalina with Finder OSXD; 1/13/2020
Documents 7 review: Free iOS file manager puts Apple’s Files app to shame Documents 7 is a free iOS app for reading PDF, EPUB, Word, and Excel documents, opening ZIP archives, viewing images, downloading; MW; 1/2/2020
How to transfer all your data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone MW; 12/24/2019
Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Apple; 12/4/2019
macOS Catalina: How to make your iPhone and iPad appear on the Desktop Finder > Preferences > Sidebar > CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices (incl. iPadOS); MW; 11/11/2019
How you back up your iPhone and iPad in macOS 10.15 Catalina iTunes app may be gone, but you can still back up your iOS device to your Mac; MW; 7/26/2019
How to Archive an iTunes Backup of iPhone or iPad OSXD; 7/10/2019

macOS

Wikipedia: FileVault
Apple: FileVault 2
Take Control: Backing Up Your Mac; Online Appendixes; free cheat sheet
Carbon Copy Cloner; SuperDuper
How to back up a MacBook or Mac MW; 4/23/2024
Proton Drive encrypted cloud storage service arrives on Mac TC; 11/23/2023
Getting started with macOS Disk Utility: The basics ApIn; 5/13/2023
What to do if your Mac is stolen
Preventative measures: enable Find My, strong Lock Screen password, encrypt with FileVault, TimeMachine backup;
Locate your device using Find My; Put your Mac into Lost Mode;
File a police report; File an insurance claim; Erase using Find My;
ApIn; 6/3/2022
How much storage should you leave unused on a Mac’s SSD? MW; 5/30/2022
How to Use Extra Space on an APFS Time Machine Drive TB; 5/20/2022
Disk Utility in macOS 12 Monterey Manages APFS Snapshots TB; 11/11/2021
How to copy a failing drive to a backup using Mac Recovery MW; 9/3/2021
How to use Disk Utility in macOS to manage your hard drive MW; 8/25/2021
How to check if your Mac has a Recovery partition installed MW; 8/20/2021
How to verify your Mac's drive health using Disk Utility
Disk Utility: First Aid; MW; 7/14/2021
The best ways to back up your Big Sur Mac
bootable external backup less feasible w/ protected system volume;
focus on Data volume; MW; 6/4/2021
Apple's moves point to a future with no bootable backups, says developer ApIn; 5/24/2021
The Role of Bootable Duplicates in a Modern Backup Strategy TB; 2/23/2021
Can't find the Scheme menu in macOS's Disk Utility? for backwards or multi-platform compatibility; MW; 1/27/2021
How to restore a previous version of your Pages, Keynote, and other documents in macOS autosave; MW; 12/23/2020
[2] This quirky method could let you use drives that won’t mount on your Mac after a bad ejection MW; 9/14/2020
How to Create a New Disk Partition in macOS OSXD; 6/29/2020
How to clone a macOS Catalina drive Time Machine, Carbon Copy Cloner, SuperDuper; MW; 1/20/2020
What's the difference between Save, Save As, and Duplicate in macOS apps? MW; 12/16/2019
How to perform backups more complicated than Time Machine allows ChronoSync; MW; 12/12/2019
Why you might see a new "Data" disk in Catalina Catalina now splits the operating system and data files into two volumes, but they should never appear on the desktop; MW; 11/6/2019
How to manage the dance of disk images, Time Machine, and excessively large backups MW; 9/10/2019
How to Show All Drive Devices in Disk Utility for MacOS OSXD; 8/16/2019
Don't use cloud backup services to make copies of your Time Machine volumes MW; 8/2/2019
You need a backup plan before you move to macOS Catalina TimeMachines, online backup services; AI; 7/20/2019
[3] How to Work with and Restore APFS Snapshots TB; 5/9/2019
ChronoSync 4.9.2 TB; 3/6/2019
The most important thing to do if your Mac has a Fusion Drive: Backup your data the Fusion Drive combines data on an SSD and hard drive, so the loss of either is a huge problem; MW; 1/11/2019

Natural Disaster

OLLI Course: Disaster Preparedness: Almeda, Cascadia, Zombies
The Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies reviews; 12 essentials; WireCutter (NYT); 10/7/2020
Disaster Preparedness For Your Finances 10/7/2020
To Prepare for a Natural Disaster, Call Your Bank LH; 10/14/2019
Safe Deposit Boxes Aren't (Completely) Safe no federal protection; NYT; 7/19/2019
The 7 Most Important Supplies for a Starter Earthquake Kit
assembling relevant tools piecemeal is a better bet than buying a premade kit;
water storage; gas shut-off tool; emergency radio; portable headlamp; first aid kit;
phone chargers or battery packs; emergency contact numbers; NYT; 7/18/2019
Keep These Financial Records in Your 'Go Bag' LH; 7/1/2019

OneDrive (Microsoft)

Microsoft to Kill OneDrive for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 in Early 2022 11/6/2021
OneDrive simplifies document sharing by making it even more complex PC; 7/1/2020
Microsoft's OneDrive Personal Vault locks down a portion of your OneDrive cloud storage with time-limited two-factor authentication; PC; 9/30/2019

Paper, Other

Prey an app designed to help you find a stolen or lost tablet, laptop or phone. The app will help you locate these items by taking pictures from the camera on the device, screenshots from the computer or even wipe data remotely from the device. Prey is a type of software installed on your devices and then tracked with an online system. There is a free version as well as various pay versions available.
Stolen Property an international stolen property database. It allows users to report that their item has been stolen. You can also search the database to see if any device you are considering purchasing was stolen.
Stolen Lost Found Another online database offered to track, find and report found, lost or stolen property
Take Control of Your Paperless Office digitize your documents while reducing incoming and outgoing paper
Should You Keep That Document or Shred It? LH; 9/18/2020
What to Do If You Lose Your Credit or Debit Card While Traveling LH; 1/24/2020
How to Scan Documents into Notes App on iPhone & iPad OSXD; 1/21/2020
How to Go Paperless in Your Home Office NYT; 4/9/2019

Photos

Apple: iCloud: Photos FAQs, Setup: iCloud Photo Library; My Photo Stream; iCloud Photo Sharing
Apple: Reduce the size of -- your iCloud Photo Library: delete photos; optimize storage; buy more storage; your Photo Library: use just Camera Roll; manual backup of photos
Apple: iCloud Photo Library FAQ esp. Can I use iCloud Photo Library to save space on my device?
How to move photos to iCloud to save space on an iPhone MW; 1/12/2024
How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Mac Without iCloud OSXD; 12/6/2023
How to Transfer Your iPhone Photos to a Windows PC Wired; 10/18/2022
How to Keep Photos and Videos from Taking Up Space on Your Phone Wired; 10/17/2022
How to Leave Your Photos to Someone When You Die Wired; 3/17/2022
How to Batch Convert HEIC to JPG (Mac & Windows PC) OSXD; 1/25/2022
The Easiest Ways to Shrink Large Image Files on Your Mac LH; 1/19/2022
How to Rescue Your Photos From an Old Computer Wired; 12/28/2021
How to Lock Up Your Photos and Videos in Google Photos LH; 12/3/2021
How to back up iPhone photos and video with iCloud Photos turned off MW; 10/14/2021
How to copy your Photos library from one Mac to another MW; 8/25/2021
Stingle is a privacy-focused open source photo backup application Ars; 8/8/2021
How to Back Up All Your Photos Without a Cloud Subscription Giz; 3/11/2021
Apple now lets you automatically transfer your iCloud Photo Library to Google Photos some things won't xfer; Verge; 3/3/2021
How to Save All Photos from Facebook on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows PC OSXD; 2/27/2021
How to Back Up and Move Your Photos Between Services leaving Google Photos now that it's no longer free and unlimited? Considering Apple Photos or OneDrive? Here's how to take your library with you; Wired; 12/1/2020
How to Manage Your Google Photos or Move Them Somewhere Else LH; 11/13/2020
Understanding how iCloud Photos optimizes photo storage and keeps your originals MW; 7/29/2020
What the HEIC? Apple's Highly Compressed Image Format Still Confuses High Efficiency Image Container? HEIF and HEVC; TB; 6/26/2020
Your Google Photos video backups may have been sent to complete strangers CNet; 2/4/2020
iOS: What to do if iCloud Photos uploads are paused due to a low battery, but you’re actually near a full charge MW; 1/14/2020
How to Access iCloud Photos from Windows PC OSXD; 1/8/2020
How to switch from iCloud Photos to just plain Photos local only; MW; 10/15/2019
Thoughts on Sharing Vacation Photos TB; 8/26/2019
Can't download photos from your iPhone to your Mac? it could be a trust issue; MW; 7/3/2019
How to use iCloud to help manage Photos libraries too large for an internal Mac drive MW; 4/12/2019
Organizing Your Unwieldy Photo Collection Is Easier Than You Think on smartphone; People; Places; NYT; 4/10/2019
How to cope with a Photos library too big to fit on an internal Mac drive MW; 4/2/2019

Retrospect

Retrospect site
Retrospect 18.5.2 TB; 3/27/2022
Retrospect 17 Solo review: Backup software that gives you everything Win, macOS, Linux; PC; 4/23/2020

SuperDuper (Mac)

SuperDuper
SuperDuper 3.8 TB; 10/2/2023

Thumb / USB Drives

How to format a thumb drive for both Mac and Windows ExFat format allows larger file sizes than the old FAT32; MW; 10/8/2020
How to Back Up All the Devices That You're Not Backing Up Kindles; Games consoles; Memory cards and USB sticks; Media streamers and boxes; LH; 12/23/2019
USB Storage with iOS 13: The FAQ TB; 10/16/2019

TimeMachine (Mac)

Wikipedia: Time Machine
Apple: Time Machine
Apple Time Machine review MW; 4/19/2024
How to manage Time Machine snapshots using Disk Utility in macOS Monterey MW; 11/24/2021
How to encrypt Time Machine backups MW; 8/27/2021
How to delete Time Machine local snapshots in macOS ApIn; 6/26/2021
Take control of Time Machine backups with the TimeMachineEditor utility free; advanced options; MW; 5/4/2021
How to format a drive for networked Time Machine access
use OS Extended (Journaled) (HFS+) -- APFS prevents networked access; PC; 4/26/2021
How to reserve Time Machine space on an APFS drive MW; 1/19/2021
macOS Big Sur supports Time Machine on APFS-formatted drives, but there are a few catches MW; 12/15/2020
What to do when a Time Machine copy to an external drive is enormously larger than expected it's all about the hard links; MW; 7/8/2020
Howard Oakley's Deep Dive into Time Machine TB; 1/23/2020
[2] How to set your Mac as a shared backup destination for Time Machine MW; 11/18/2019
Can't find your Time Machine backup after upgrading to Catalina? Look for a backupbundle MW; 10/17/2019
Why you're prompted to erase an external drive when you use it with Time Machine not in the supported format; MW; 10/8/2019
Time Machine: No FAT or exFAT drives, only HFS+ and APFS MW; 9/12/2019
Understanding how Time Machine manages its file archive and how it affects what you can restore the deletion process only removes older versions of files; MW; 8/15/2019
How to Use Multiple Hard Drives With Time Machine BB; 3/7/2019

Windows

How to Reset Your Windows PC for a Fresh Start LH; 12/4/2023
The best Windows backup software PC; 8/28/2023
The best free backup software and services: Reviews and buying advice for protecting your data iDrive, iDrive Online Cloud Backup; PC; 12/6/2022
How to Read Mac Formatted Drives on Windows PC OSXD; 9/16/2000
How to check and monitor your hard drive's health PC; 7/31/2020
How to Install & Setup iCloud for Windows PC OSXD; 11/29/2019
How to partition a hard drive PC; 6/11/2019
[2] Update WinRAR on Your PC Right Now LH; 3/16/2019

Safer Internet: Offline: Software Updates

Quotes

Definition. software upgrade:...
A client calls to hotline of internet service provider.
Client: "I have a problem, internet stopped working two days ago, neither I nor my son nor anyone else can access it now."

Hotline: "I see. Do you know what's the operating system on your PC?"
Client: "Of course I do,... it's Facebook"
"Chaos reigns within.
Reflect, repent, and reboot.
Order shall return.

Program aborting:
Close all that you have worked on.
You ask far too much.

Windows NT crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams.

Yesterday it worked.
Today it is not working.
Windows is like that.

First snow, then silence.
This thousand-dollar screen dies
So beautifully.

A crash reduces
Your expensive computer
To a simple stone.

Serious error.
All shortcuts have disappeared.
Screen. Mind. Both are blank.

There is a chasm
of carbon and silicon
the software can’t bridge.

To have no errors
Would be life without meaning
No struggle, no joy.

Seeing my great fault
Through darkening blue windows
I begin again.

The code was willing,
It considered your request,
But the chips were weak.

Errors have occurred.
We won’t tell you where or why.
Lazy programmers.There is a chasm
of carbon and silicon
the software can’t bridge.

To have no errors
Would be life without meaning
No struggle, no joy.

Seeing my great fault
Through darkening blue windows
I begin again.

The code was willing,
It considered your request,
But the chips were weak.

Errors have occurred.
We won’t tell you where or why.
Lazy programmers.

I'm sorry, there's -- um --
insufficient -- what's-it-called?
The term eludes me." ~Haiku error messages
Dear Tech Support,
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a slowdown in the overall performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications that had operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, but installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0 and NBA 3.0. And now...

Summary

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?
Even if you don't care about bug fixes or new features, privacy & security updates are very important.
It's a myth (procrastination excuse?) that newer versions are always larger, slower, buggier.
Take note of software upgrade/update notifications, e.g., popups, emails -- -- but don't interact directly with them.
It's better not to click on links/buttons in unexpected notifications, even if they seem from legitimate sources;
browser popups about Flash are a notorious avenue for malware
Instead, check/update officially via app store, vendor, OS/app or settings.
Although most updates are generally reliable, it's a good idea to backup first anyway.
[1] Install Minor/Incremental Updates: System, Apps, Add-ons/Extensions -- within a few days
[2] Install Major Upgrades -- within a few weeks
[2] Consider replacing your device or browser -- if security updates are no longer offered; in the meanwhile, exercise extra caution when online; or run selected apps on a different more secure device.
[2] Don't forget other network(ed) devices, e.g., router, smart TV, IoT
[3] Run software and hardware diagnostics/repair utilities
References

When, What to Update: System, Apps, Add-ons

Backup!
If you minimize number of applications and add-ons, esp. if infrequently or not used (see Erasing section), there will be fewer items to update.
Each user will have different risk vs. benefit tradeoffs for what & when to update
Most tech-savvy user in family might do updates for everyone (whose accounts lack admin privileges)
Update sooner if the system or app security fixes are critical, i.e., browser, email, network, cloud
It's usually ok to wait a few days -- for a few weeks for major versions -- if you're travelling or extra busy, or to research incompatibilities.
Many bugs have already been detected and fixed during wider beta testing by developers (and daring users)
Any problem with a software update itself is usually remedied in a day or two -- plus, upgrade servers will be more responsive
Current/recent OS versions:
Usually, the latest version numbers/dates will be listed below -- and on Course Updates page:
The labels and color-coding suggest status/urgency for upgrading:
green: up to date
lighter green: Recent; incremental; upgrade soon
orange: Old; major; upgrade when convenient
red: Obsolete; upgrade asap, or replace -- if internet is used and security upgrades no longer avail

Operating System

system: e.g., Android, iOS, macOS (formerly "OS X"), Windows
for checking version / installing system update:
iOS: Settings > General > About : Version
iOS: Settings > General > Software Update
macOS: [apple] > About
macOS: System Preferences > Software Update
Win: Settings > System > About
Win: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
[2] Update software/firmware on other connected devices, e.g., router, smart TV
[3] Test/beta official OS versions -- only if you are a developer, bugged by a bug, can't live without a new shiny feature, or crave living on the 'bleeding edge'.

Apps

Individual apps: check for updates via app store, upon startup (app preference), or manually (via menu)
Ok to ignore updates for apps that you never use, e.g., built-in apps like GarageBand -- but why not remove if unneeded, or offload if easily re-downloaded?
Install system & application updates only from official store, from within apps, or reputable developers
Some apps offer option of automatically downloading and installing updates; it's up to you; I prefer to backup before installing most updates.
[2] Generally, don't download from 3rd party sites, e.g., CNet, Soft32, ZDNET, download.com, etc.
[3] Don't jailbreak your device with an unofficial OS, so that you can install nifty but questionable apps.
iOS: App Store > Updates
iOS: Settings > iTunes & App Store > Automatic Downloads > Music, Apps, Books & Audiobooks, Updates: ?
iOS: Settings > iTunes & App Store > Use Cellular Data: ?
macOS: App Store > Updates: apps installed from store
macOS: Adobe Reader > Help > Check For Updates
macOS: Backblaze > Check For Updates
macOS: Carbon Copy Cloner > Carbon Copy Cloner > Check For Updates
macOS: Firefox > Firefox > About Firefox
macOS: Google Chrome > Chrome > About Google Chrome
macOS: System Preferences > Java > Update
macOS: LibreOffice > Help > Check For Updates
macOS: Microsoft Excel/Word/Powerpoint > Help > Check For Updates
macOS: Skype > Skype > Check For Updates
macOS: Zoom > Check for Updates
Allow easier installation of free apps?
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iTunes & App Store > Password Settings > Free Downloads > Require Password: off
[2] Save $ by purchasing apps only once for each family device via accounts usually sharing same payment method
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > Family Sharing
macOS: System Preferences > iCloud > Manage Family
[3] macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > 'app was blocked from opening because it is not from an identified developer' > Open Anyway

Add-ons: Plugins, Extensions

add-ons customize/extend an app, esp. a browser
Once installed, most browsers check/update automatically, or via sytstem preference
Do not update browser extensions, e.g., Flash, or apps when prompted via a browser popup -- use app store, or app or extension's own 'Check for Updates' command
Look for install options -- often checked by default -- that might install unwanted extensions or adware, or change settings (home page, search engine); e.g., Oracle's Java installer
plugins: e.g., Adobe Flash; Oracle Java -- or consider uninstalling altogether
extensions: e.g., Adblock Plus, HTTPS Everywhere
macOS: Safari > Preferences > Extensions > Updates : Install Updates Automatically
macOS: System Preferences > Flash Player > Advanced > Updates

[1] Install Minor/Incremental Updates, e.g., #.1

Backup -- both incremental and clone -- before cleanup; again before actual installation;
see When, What to Upgrade; Backup section
If you always keep your device up-to-date, it should be easier to migrate to future system & app releases
You can usually wait a day or two -- or even longer if there are no security fixes for your particular device
Update may contain bug fixes, and minimal new features
Allow enough time for backup, download and install -- probably not before a trip or big presentation; updates usually go smoothly, but allow a little more time in case you need to troubleshoot or restore a previous system version.
General update info in previous sections, specific directions for different OS in subsequent subsections -- and References

Android

[Refs:Android]

iOS

[Refs:iOS]
iOS: Settings > General > Software Update
iOS: App Store > Updates
iOS users may want to use iTunes to update iOS: easy to backup first
for OTA (over the air) updates via WiFi or cellular
< iOS9: update can fail due to low device memory
≥ iOS9: update can be slower; apps are removed/reinstalled if needed to create temporary space

macOS

[Refs:macOS]
Out-of-cycle Security or Supplemental Updates may also be available, with no change to system version #
macOS: [apple] > About > Software Update
macOS: App Store > Updates -- macOS and selected apps
macOS (10.14): System Preferences > Software Update
macOS: System Preferences > App Store: download/install, password

Windows

[Refs:Windows]
Win: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

[2] Install Major OS Updates, e.g., #.0

Backup -- both incremental and clone -- before cleanup or running diagnostics;
again before actual installation; see When, What to Upgrade; Backup section
Install incremental or other updates to current OS and apps -- including Safari, iTunes for macOS -- before installing major updates
Allow even more time for backup, download and install -- to anticipate and remedy incompatibilities -- and if things don't go smoothly, for troubleshooting or restoring previous system version
Usually released about once/year: more major fixes, new features and possible incompatibilities
iOS: you should upgrade 'as soon as possible'; usually less complex than desktop upgrades; security fixes sometimes available for previous iOS version
macOS: incremental security fixes are still provided for previous system and browser for 1-2 years, so if there are really major changes, e.g., app incompatibility, user interface makeovers, missing features, performance issues, you could delay your upgrade -- though not indefinitely
Generally, you could wait a week or two for ".1" version to be released to avoid major bugs, especially if there are no critical security fixes and there are significant changes, e.g., file system
If there are multiple devices in a family, upgrade one first to test the process & outcome before upgrading others.
When you are ready to upgrade:
Read articles here about latest version, e.g., Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, or buy Take Control e-books to find out more about what's changed, compatibility/adequacy of your hardware (to run new os) and of apps (with new os), cleanup & backup steps, new features that you might actually like to have (or old features that might be removed that you can’t live without), installation advice
Remove unused applications and browser add-ons -- see Erasing section
Check if new OS version is incompatible with any important applications you have, e.g., upgrade info, release notes, vendor sites
Apple: macOS versions, compatibility; iOS, iPadOS updates
macOS: (apple) > About This Mac > System Report > Software > Applications: 64-bit(Intel) -- some 32-bit apps may still continue to work under High Sierra.
iOS10: Settings > About > Applications: 'these apps may slow down your iPad and will not work with iOS 11 if they are not updated'
For incompatible apps, consider upgrading version or finding a (free) alternative.
For example, instead of Microsoft Office 2011, which may not work with macOS 10.13 (High Sierra): HS 32-bit app incompatibility; plus, Microsoft has stopped providing support and security patches
offline apps: Microsoft Office 2016 -- $$; Steve's spouse upgraded to this
macOS/iOS iWork suite: Pages, Numbers, Keynote -- free; Steve switched to these
Open Office, LibreOffice, NeoOffice -- free
SoftMaker: Free Office (free); Softmaker Office: Std ($20+) / Pro; comparison
cloud-based storage & office suite (via browser): Microsoft: OneDrive: Word, Excel, PowerPoint Online -- free;
Microsoft 365 -- subscription; includes apps (And,iOS,Mac,Win), 1Tb OneDrive cloud storage, 60 Skype minutes/mo.
Google Drive: Docs, Sheets, Slides -- free
Apple's iCloud: iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) -- free
[2] Check disk permissions, repair (less necessary recently)
macOS (< 10.10): Disk Utility > Repair Permissions -- or run Maintenance (or Onyx) utility
[3] Restart from Recovery partition; check main disk; repair (if necessary)
macOS: restart w/ cmd-R > OS X Utilities > Disk Utility > Repair Disk
[3] Check hardware, e.g., memory
macOS: restart w/ D key; diagnostic runs automatically

[2] Replace Device?

Strongly consider replacing your device if security/privacy problems are no longer patched in your OS version -- and you can't upgrade, e.g.,
if your computer OS is more than 1-2 major versions behind -- see macOS, Win
usually if your tablet/phone OS is 1 or more major versions behind -- see Android, iOS
Your device doesn't support a newer OS -- or needs extra memory that you cannot (or do not want to) add
Apps you rely on are no longer provided/supported on your old OS (e.g., 32-bit when 64-bit will be required) -- and no updates are available
In the meanwhile, use an actively maintained browser, e.g., Firefox, Chrome -- rather than built-in browser, i.e., macOS Safari, Windows IE; and consider using the device only for casual (non-encrypted) browsing
Do you need just browsing, email, basic document creation/editing, and simple photo manipulation? If so, you might consider a tablet (iPad) or Chromebook -- less expensive, and much simpler to maintain/update than a full-blown desktop or laptop computer with macOS, Windows or Linux.
When purchasing a new device, especially a subsidized or less expensive one, request that vendor remove pre-installed bloatware, crapware, adware
If you're switching between different OS (versions or vendors), check if migration tools are available for contacts, bookmarks, settings, photos, accounts, etc.
When donating / discarding old device -- see Erasing section

References

sections: Refs: Android; Apps including browsers, but not Microsoft Office; ChromeOS/Book; Drivers, Firmware; iOS; macOS; Windows; Meltdown/Spectre; Microsoft Office (and other apps); Replace / Switch Devices
course section: Connection : Malware
topics: beta testing, bloatware, emulators, lifecycle
Wikipedia: Operating System (OS); firmware
Wikipedia: Mobile OS; App Store; "sandbox"
Wikipedia: plug-in software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application
Wikipedia: browser extension extends the functionality of a web browser in some way. Depending on the browser and the version, the term may be distinct from similar terms such as plug-in or add-on
HowStuffWorks: How Operating Systems Work
Why You Should Reset Your PC for the New Year LH; 11/30/2023
4 Helpful iPhone and Android Tricks You May Not Know About
Point the Way (map/camera); Scan Stuff;
Name That Tune; Emergency Help; NYT; 8/3/2022
Steps to Simple Online Security: 3: Enable Automatic Updates Everywhere NYT; 4/1/2022
How to Use Your Phone's Privacy-Protection Tools
iOS 15; Android 12; NYT; 12/8/2021
Emergency software patches are on the rise
zero-day flaws have become more common; NBC; 9/14/2021
Definitely not Windows 95: What operating systems keep things running in space? the updates don't come every spring and fall; Real-Time Operating System (RTOS); Ars; 10/2/2020
Boeing 747s Still Use Floppy Disks to Get Critical Software Updates Giz; 8/11/2020
Reset Your Computer Once a Year for a Happier Life restore your Mac, PC, or Chromebook to factory conditions; Wired; 3/8/2020
How Updates in iOS 13 and Android Q Will Change Your Smartphone dark mode; speed; privacy enhancements; NYT; 6/5/2019
Stop Ignoring Those "Update Your Device" Messages even though the Asus malware attack was spread through software updates, the best way to protect yourself online is to keep your software updated; NYT; 3/27/2019
Trick Your Friends Into Installing Smartphone Updates LH; 2/18/2019
[2] GPS devices with a poorly implemented GPS Time-to-UTC conversion algorithm may provide incorrect UTC following a week number rollover newer receivers built after, say, 2010 should be fine, provided they follow the specs and notice the rollover; older devices may fail after April 6 unless they've been suitably updated; Reg; 2/12/2019
How to Submit a Bug Report to Apple, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft plus Adobe, AMD, Asana, Dropbox, DuckDuckGo, Evernote, Facebook, Instagram, Lyft, Mozilla, Nintendo, Nvidia, Paypal and Venmo, Reddit, Slack, Snapchat, Sony, Trello, Tumblr, Twitch, Twitter, Uber, Valve, Wordpress; LH; 2/5/2019
42 of the Best Troubleshooting Guides from 2018 Mac, iOS; OSXD; 1/5/2019

Android

"Imagine if Windows patches had to...
Wikipedia: Android; Android versions 1.5-8.x: 1.5 Cupcake; 1.6 Donut; 2.0 Eclair; 2.2 Froyo; 2.3 Gingerbread; 3.0 Honeycomb; 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich; 4.1 Jelly Bean; 4.4 KitKat; 5.0 Lollipop; 6.0 Marshmallow; 7.0 Nougat; 8.0 Oreo; 9.0: Pie; 10, 11, 12
Wikipedia: Google Play (app store); Rooting
Google: android.com
HowStuffWorks: How Android Tablets Work; How do I upgrade the version of Android on my tablet?
Android 14 review Ars; 10/29/2023
The Android 13 Privacy Settings You Should Update Now Wired; 8/17/2022
Do This Android App Privacy Audit LH; 7/7/2022
These Android features will help protect your digital privacy TC; 4/30/2022
The Android 12 Privacy Settings You Should Update Now Wired; 11/28/2021
10 Practical Privacy Tips for Your Android Phone NYT; 10/19/2021
How to Speed Up Your Old Android Phone LH; 9/8/2021
Switching from Android to iPhone made easy MW; 3/9/2021
Samsung Promises 'At Least Four Years' of Security Software Updates for Recent Galaxy Devices MR; 2/23/2021
This Android 12 leak looks an awful lot like iOS 14 PC; 2/9/2021
7 Simple Ways to Make Your Android Phone More Secure Wired; 12/1/2020
Play Store identified as main distribution vector for most Android malware ZD; 11/11/2020
On Older Versions of Android, Many Let's Encrypt-Secured Sites May Stop Working in 2021 < 7.1.1; 11/6/2020
The Android 11 Privacy and Security Features You Should Know Wired; 9/27/2020
Android 11: The Ars Technica Review Ars; 9/21/2020
Android 11 is final with day-one updates from Google, betas for other OEMs Ars; 9/8/2020
The 11 Best New Features in Android 11 Wired; 9/8/2020
Android 11 is here, bringing minor changes to Pixel phones (and others soon) PC; 9/8/2020
Samsung's Android update guarantee might actually be better than Google's PC; 8/8/2020
Google says Android 11 Beta 1 is being pushed back to June 3 about a month behind schedule, but the final release is still on track for Q3; 5/6/2020
Install the October 2019 Android Security Update ASAP LH; 10/7/2019
Attackers exploit 0-day vulnerability that gives full control of Android phones Vulnerable phones include 4 Pixel models, devices from Samsung, Motorola, and others; Ars; 10/3/2019
Android 10: The Ars Technica Review Ars; 9/5/2019
Android 10 launches; Pixel phones get update Ars; 9/3/2019
Take These Steps Before Installing Android 10 on Your Phone LH; 9/3/2019
The Android 10 Privacy and Security Upgrades You Should Know About Wired; 8/22/2019
Buying an old Android phone? What you should know about privacy and security if your Android phone is not running the latest software OS, your security and privacy might be in jeopardy; CNet; 5/10/2020
Your old Android phone isn't dead yet: 7 ways to make it run faster and last longer PC; 5/4/2020
How Spies Snuck Malware Into the Google Play Store -- Again and Again malicious Android apps from the so-called PhantomLance campaign targeted hundreds of users, and at least two slipped past Google's defenses; Wired; 4/28/2020
Use Permissions to Keep Scammy Apps Off Your Android LH; 4/23/2020
How to Update Your Super-Old Android So It Doesn't Get Hacked Update your device (as much as you can); Get antivirus protection; Switch to a third-party OS; Or just get a new phone; LH; 3/9/2020
Google slams Samsung for 'unnecessary changes' to the Android kernel decreased security; 2/17/2020
Google & Samsung fix Android spying flaw. Other makers may still be vulnerable Camera and mic could be controlled by any app, no permission required; Ars; 11/19/2019
146 New Vulnerabilities All Come Preinstalled on Android Phones The dozens of flaws across 29 Android smartphone makers show just how insecure the devices can be, even brand-new; Wired; 11/15/2019
The Verge Guide To Android comprehensive resource that will help you learn how to use your Android phone's best features and further educate you about this popular and flexible mobile operating system; Verge; 10/14/2019
Your Samsung Device May Now Be Getting Less Frequent Software Updates LH; 10/8/2019
Inexpensive, unpatched phones put billions of users' privacy at risk users who connect only with cheap Android phones pay with their personal info; Ars; 10/7/2019
The Internet's horrifying new method for installing Google apps on Huawei phones Just make a Chinese website your device's remote administrator. It'll be fine! Ars; 10/2/2019
Goodbye Android Q, hello Android 10 Google's dessert-based code names are over; PC; 8/22/2019
The Open Source Project That Keeps Google's Hands Off Your Android Data MicroG gives users control over what data is used, where, when, and how; MB; 6/7/2019
Google bans 29 apps downloaded 4.3M+ times from the Play Store after researchers discovered they were being used to perform malicious acts like serve scam ads hard for many infected users to uninstall; Ars; 2/1/2019

Apps

see also: Office
How to Spot an App You Shouldn't Trust
check the user reviews -- carefully; check the developer's history;
check how the app is funded; check the permissions the app needs;
check the apps you're already using; Giz; 6/19/2023
Until further notice, think twice before using Google to download software
malvertising; use device's app store; Ars; 2/3/2023
Apps can pose bigger security, privacy threat based on where you download them countries; Ars; 9/27/2022
13 Reasonable Alternatives to Adobe's Expensive Apps LH; 4/19/2021
Unsecured Cloud Configurations Exposing Information in Thousands of Mobile Apps 3/4/2021
Declutter Your Devices to Reduce Security Risks
Summon your willpower and delete those apps you haven't used, but keep telling yourself
you will, because the odds are high that you won't use them; LH; 1/5/2021
More Android 'Fleeceware' to Uninstall From Your Phone an app hides its terms, fees, and/or subscription costs, or otherwise has some clever way to cajole you into signing up for a 'free trial' that actually expires very soon and costs you a lot more than you expected when it's over; LH; 9/4/2020
[2] How to Install Apps From Outside Your Phone's App Store sideloading apps removes the security protections that Google and Apple give you; better to stay within the 'walled gardens' most of the time; Wired; 8/9/2020
The Internet's Most Censored Space app stores; NYT; 6/17/2020
Alternatives for Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop and more PDF editors; PC; 6/15/2020
Fleeceware apps discovered on the iOS App Store Android earlier, now iOS; abuse of free trials and trial cancelation; ZD/ 4/9/2020
How to set up Family Sharing on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Purchase Sharing: Media you buy on iTunes, Books, and most App Store purchases (but not in-app purchases!)
iCloud Storage: If you have the 200GB or 2TB storage plan, you can share it with your family.
Location Sharing: Family members share location or the location of their devices. You can always just share location to an individual in the Find My app.
Screen Time: If you have a Child account in your family, you can set screen limits and view reports for it.
Apple Music: You need a family plan on Apple Music to share with your family (it costs $15 per month, rather than $10 for an individual account).
TV Channels: If you subscribe to a premium streaming service through the TV app you can share it with your whole family at no cost. This includes Apple TV+, which is technically a Channel.
Apple Arcade: Apple’s gaming subscription service includes Family Sharing at no cost.
Apple News+: If you have the premium magazine and newspaper subscription in the News app, you can share it with your family at no cost; MW; 1/8/2020
How to Change the Default Apps on All Your Devices Wired; 10/27/2019
More Than Half of PC Applications Installed Worldwide Are Out-of-Date Shockwave, VLC and Skype top the list; 1/22/2019

ChromeOS/Book

The Best Chromebook NYT; 8/2/2023
The best Chromebook to buy CNet; 7/21/2023
The Best Chromebooks To Buy Verge; 6/27/2023
Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops: Which should you buy? PC; 12/4/2022
How to uninstall apps from a Chromebook Verge; 9/9/2022
Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need They do almost everything you want, but cost less; CNet; 7/2/2022
Google announces early access to Chrome OS Flex, a version of Chrome OS for businesses and schools that is designed to run on old PCs and Macs
Chrome OS Flex; Verge; 2/15/2022
The world's second-most popular desktop operating system isn't macOS anymore Ars; 2/17/2021
Google updates Chrome OS (88) with security, smart display and personalization features PC; 1/27/2021
How to Run Alternative Browsers on Your Chromebook Linux (Beta): Firefox, Vivaldi; or Android Play Store; Giz; 11/6/2020
Is this Chromebook about to die? Why Google's expiration dates matter don't get stuck with a short-lived lemon; PC; 8/31/2020
How to use a Chromebook: 10 must-know tips, tricks, and tools for beginners PC; 12/4/2019
How to check which version of Chrome OS you're running Verge; 10/16/2019

Drivers, Firmware

How to Check Your USB Devices for Unsafe Firmware LH; 2/19/2020
[2] Getting Drivers for Old Hardware Is Harder Than Ever At least one major provider of hardware-level BIOS drivers is actively deleting old stuff it no longer supports, while old FTP sites where vintage drivers are often found are soon going to be harder to reach; MB; 12/12/2019

iOS / iPadOS

Wikipedia: iPhone/iPad iOS; iOS versions: 1.0 - 17.x; App Store; "jail breaking"
Apple: Manuals, Specs, and Downloads
Apple: security updates for all products: macOS, iOS, AppleTV, etc.
Apple: [3] Beta Software Program macOS, iOS;
[3] About iOS beta software Archive an iOS backup with iTunes; Download the final version of iOS; Go back to the current version of iOS
HowStuffWorks: How the iPhone Works; How the iPad Works
Take Control: iOS 9: A Take Control Crash Course
Q. How can you tell which one of your friends has the new iPhone 6 plus?...
A. Don't worry, they'll let you know.
iOS 17 superguide MW; 5/14/2024
iOS 17.5 Adds Cross-Platform Location Tracking Alerts TB; 5/13/2024
iOS 18: Everything you need to know about the next iPhone update MW; 4/17/2024
iOS/iPadOS 16.7.6, iOS/iPadOS 15.8.2 Released for Older iPhone & iPad Models OSXD; 3/5/2024
iOS versions: Every version of iOS from the oldest to the newest MW; 2/28/2024
OS Updates: iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3 TB; 1/22/2024
iOS 17 Cheat Sheet: Everything on Apple's Latest iPhone Update CNet; 1/9/2024
iOS/iPadOS 17.2
Apple's End-of-Year OS Updates Add Promised Features, Security Updates; TB; 12/11/2023
iOS 16 superguide MW; 9/23/2023
iOS compatibility: Find out the latest version your iPhone can run MW; 9/11/2023
iPadOS 17: Everything you need to know MW; 9/6/2023
Apple Releases 24-Jul-2023 Security Updates for All Active Operating Systems TB; 7/24/2023
iOS 16.6 has been released with a bunch of important security updates MW; 7/24/2023
Rapid Security Responses for iOS/iPadOS 16.5.1 (c) TB; 7/13/2023
iOS 16.5.1 is released with important security updates and a Camera Adapter fix
older devices get iOS 15.7.7; MW; 6/21/2023
The Real System Requirements for Apple's 2023 Operating Systems TB; 6/19/2023
iOS/iPadOS 16.5 TB; 5/18/2023
iOS/iPadOS 15.7.6 Incorporate Rapid Security Response Fixes TB; 5/18/2023
What Are Rapid Security Responses and Why Are They Important? TB; 5/2/2023
How Apple's commitment to software upgrades for older iPhones allowed the company to capture a part of the US market once cornered by inexpensive Android phones
the Unexpected Reason Apple Is Dominating the U.S. Smartphone Market; WSJ; 4/15/2023
Why You Should Enable Apple's New Security Feature in iOS 16.2 Right Now NYT; 12/14/2022
How to get apps for old iPhones and iPads
Account > Purchased > MyPurchases > Download an older version of this app?; ApIn; 9/1/2022
The top new iOS 16 features coming to your iPhone this fall MW; 6/6/2022
iOS 16 vs iOS 15: Should you update this fall? MW; 6/6/2022
Apple Releases iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, ... TB; 5/16/2022
How to Get Software and Security Updates on Your Old iPhone LH; 2/22/2022
The Macworld iOS 15 superguide: Tips, how-tos, new features, and more MW; 1/20/2022
How to Read Your iOS 15 App Privacy Report Wired; 1/9/2022
iPhone setup guide: How to transfer data and master your new phone MW; 12/25/2021
iOS 14.8.1 and iPadOS 14.8.1 Address Security Vulnerabilities TB; 11/2/2021
iOS 15: Update now or wait? MW; 9/27/2021
Apple Releases iOS 12.5.5 to Block Exploited Vulnerabilities TB; 9/23/2021
iOS 15, iPadOS 15 Now Available and watchOS 8, and tvOS 15; TB; 9/20/2021
Apple Issues Emergency Security Updates to Close a Spyware Flaw
Researchers at Citizen Lab found that NSO Group, an Israeli spyware company,
had infected Apple products without so much as a click;
upgrade iOS 14.8; NYT; 9/13/2021
iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8 Fix Security Flaws
and macOS 11.6 Big Sur, watchOS 7.6.2, Security Update 2021-005 Catalina; TB; 9/13/2021
iOS 14: Guides, tips, tricks, and everything you need to know about Apple's new iPhone OS MW; 9/13/2021
[3] How to Install AltStore on iPhone & iPad
sideloading unofficial apps from desktop; OSXD; 6/15/2021
How iOS 15 transforms the way we think of iPhone updates
older iOS security updates; MW; 6/16/2021
[2] Run iOS 4 on a Modern iPhone with OldOS OSXD; 6/16/2021
Apple Releases iOS 12.5.4 to Block Security Vulnerabilities in Older iOS Devices TB; 6/14/2021
Apple announces iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 Ars; 6/7/2021
Here are the devices that can run iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8 Verge; 7/7/2021
iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, macOS 11.4 Big Sur, watchOS 7.5, and tvOS 14.6 TB; 5/24/2021
Apple Releases iOS 14.5.1, iPadOS 14.5.1, macOS 11.3.1, and watchOS 7.4.1 TB; 5/3/2021
Apple Releases iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, macOS 11.3, watchOS 7.4, and tvOS 14.5 TB; 4/26/2021
Fix 'Unable to Install Update' Error for iOS & iPadOS OSXD; 3/24/2021
iOS 14.4.1, iPadOS 14.4.1, macOS 11.2.3 Big Sur, and watchOS 7.3.2 Address WebKit Security Vulnerability TB; 3/8/2021
How to Limit Google's Apps From Tracking You on Your Apple Devices LH; 2/25/2021
watchOS 7.3, iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, and tvOS 14.4 Address Serious Security Exploit TB; 1/26/2021
Apple fixes another three iOS zero-days exploited in the wild ZD; 1/26/2021
iOS 12.5.1 Released for Older iPhones with Exposure Notification Bug Fix OSXD; 1/11/2021
iOS 14: Tips, guides, tricks, and everything you need to know about Apple's new iPhone OS MW; 12/18/2020
Surprise iOS 12.5 and watchOS 6.3 Updates Bring Exposure Notification and a Security Fix TB; 12/15/2020
Apple Releases iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3 TB; 12/14/2020
iOS Update Failed? Here's How to Troubleshoot Failed Software Updates on iPhone & iPad OSXD; 12/6/2020
Apple developers can now let you share free copies of your in-app purchases with your family iOS & Mac; Verge; 12/4/2020
Apple Releases iOS 14.2, iPadOS 14.2, watchOS 7.1, HomePod Software 14.2, and tvOS 14.2 TB; 11/5/2020
Apple Updates Numerous Operating Systems for Exploited Security Vulnerabilities: iOS 12.4.9 TB; 11/5/2020
A bevy of new features makes iOS 14 the most secure mobile OS ever Ars; 9/18/2020
iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7, and tvOS 14 Now Available TB; 9/16/2020
iOS 13.7 Integrates Apple's COVID-19 Exposure Notifications TB; 9/1/2020
iOS 13.6.1, iPadOS 13.6.1 TB; 8/13/2020
iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS 10.15.6, watchOS 6.2.8, and tvOS 13.4.8 add News Features, Car Keys, Symptom Tracking; TB; 7/15/2020
Apple releases iOS and iPadOS 13.6, macOS 10.15.6, and watchOS 6.2.8 Ars; 7/15/2020
iOS 14 Will Completely Change the Way You Use Your iPhone Giz; 7/9/2020
How to Fix Your iPhone When an iOS Update Causes Issues LH; 7/2/2020
iOS 14, iPadOS 14 Features & Screenshots; OSXD; 6/22/2020
Kernel Vulnerability Causes Apple to Update All Operating Systems TB; 6/1/2020
Apple releases important security patches: iOS and iPadOS 13.5.1, watchOS 6.2.6, tvOS 13.4.6, and macOS 10.15.5 MW; 6/1/2020
[3] Jailbreak iOS 13.5 with unc0ver, Available to Download Now OSXD; 5/26/2020
Why You Shouldn’t Make a Habit of Force-Quitting iOS Apps or Restarting iOS Devices TB; 5/21/2020
iOS and iPadOS 13.5 now available with COVID-19 contact API, FaceTime and Face ID tweaks MW; 3/20/2020
Apple releases iOS 12.4.7, iOS 13.5, iPadOS 13.5, tvOS 13.4.5 updates ApIn; 5/20/2020
iOS 13.4.1 and iPadOS 13.4.1 Fix FaceTime Bug TB; 4/7/2020
iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4: Trackpad Support, iCloud Drive Folder Sharing, and More TB; 3/24/2020
Apple Releases iOS 13.3.1, iPadOS 13.3.1, watchOS 6.1.2, and tvOS 13.3.1 TB; 1/28/2020
Apple Pushes Out iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, iOS 13.3 for HomePod, macOS 10.15.2 Catalina, watchOS 6.1.1, and tvOS 13.2 TB; 12/10/2019
[3] What the newly released Checkra1n jailbreak means for iDevice security There are reasons to embrace it. There are reasons to be wary of it. Here's the breakdown; Ars; 11/15/2019
iOS 13.2.2 Stops Killing Background Apps TB; 11/7/2019
Quickly Access App Updates in iOS 13 tap&hold on App Store icon; TB; 11/7/2019
iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2 Serve Up Deep Fusion, HomeKit Enhancements, and HomePod Features TB; 10/28/2019
16 Useful Gems in Apple's New iOS 13 NYT; 10/24/2019
iOS 13.1.3, iPadOS 13.1.3, and Catalina Supplemental Update Tackle Bugs TB; 10/15/2019
Four More Apple Updates: iOS 13.1.2, iPadOS 13.1.2, watchOS 6.0.1, and watchOS 5.3.2 TB; 9/30/2019
How to Make the Most of Apple's New Privacy Tools in iOS 13 minimizing location sharing, silencing robocalls, 'Sign in with Apple'; NYT; 9/28/2019
iOS 13.1.1 Fixes Bugs and Keyboard Security Issue TB; 9/27/2019
iOS 12.4.2 Provides Important Security Fix to Older iOS Devices TB; 9/26/2019
Here's What Sets iPadOS Apart from iOS TB; 9/25/2019
Apple releases iPadOS 13.1, iOS 13.1, and tvOS 13 Ars; 9/24/2019
iPadOS: 5 best new security and privacy features for your iPad new permission controls; sharing pictures w/o location; Bluetooth permissions; Sign in with Apple; HomeKit upgrades; CNet; 9/24/2019
iOS 13.0 Now Available; iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 Moved Up to 9/24 TB; 9/19/2019
iOS 13: The first 6 things to do after you upgrade MW; 9/19/2019
19 Things You Can Do in iOS 13 That You Couldn't Before Giz; 9/19/2019
iOS 13: Here are the new security and privacy features you need to know TC; 9/19/2019
iOS 12.4.1 Update Available to Download Now OSXD; 8/26/2019
Apple Releases macOS 10.14.6, iOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3, tvOS 12.4 -- plus iOS 10.3.4 and 9.3.6 TB; 7/22/2019
How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 7 Plus & 7; iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini, Early iPad Pro; iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, X; iPhone 8 & 8 Plus OSXD; 6/13/2019
iOS 13 Compatible Devices List: All iPhone & iPad Supporting iOS 13 & iPadOS 13 OSXD; 6/5/2019
How to Check iOS Feature Availability Per Country OSXD; 5/25/2019
Apple releases iOS 12.3.1 fixes VoLTE & Messages issues; Ars; 5/24/2019
Apple Agrees to Tell Users If an iOS Update Will Slow Down Their iPhones MB; 5/23/2019
Apple Releases iOS 12.3, macOS 10.14.5, watchOS 5.2.1, and tvOS 12.3 and Debuts New Apple TV App TB; 5/13/2019
You Need to Update to iOS 12.2 Right Now to Fix More Than 50 Security Holes Giz; 3/26/2019
iOS 12.2 and macOS 10.14.4 Add Apple News+ and Enhance Apps; TB; 3/25/2019
How to Prioritize App Downloads in iOS requires 3D Touch: force-press on a grayed-out app to activate a context menu, and tap on the "Prioritize Download" option; LH; 3/20/2019
How to download prior versions of apps onto an older iPhone or iPad that can't run iOS 12 ApIn; 3/10/2019
Apple removes VoIP app clones from the App Store App Store Review Guidelines aren't always enforced; other duplicate apps for printing photos in Walgreens or CVS stores; TC; 2/27/2019
How to Completely Google-ify Your iPhone if you prefer Google's apps and services -- and can manage privacy settings; Giz; 2/25/2019
Get more familiar with your iPhone with this list of 30 easy to follow tips ApIn; 2/23/2019
How to Check What iOS Version is Installed on an iPhone or iPad Settings > General > About : Version; OSXD; 2/18/2019
How to Enable Automatic iOS Updates for System Software on iPhone or iPad OSXD; 2/15/2019
Dozens of porn and gambling apps found using iOS Enterprise Certificates to get to users outside the App Store, likely violating Apple's terms TC; 2/12/2019
Apple Re-Enables Group FaceTime with iOS 12.1.4 and macOS 10.14.3 Supplemental Update and other security fixes; TB; 2/7/2019
Apple issues Group FaceTime bug mea culpa, promises software update next week MW; 2/1/2019
Apple Releases iOS 12.1.3 with Bug Fixes and macOS 10.14.3, watchOS 5.1.3, and tvOS 12.1.2; TB; 1/22/2019
How to Cancel an Over-the-Air iOS Update in Progress MR; 1/20/2019
How to Passcode Lock an App in iOS Settings > ScreenTime; MR; 1/18/2019
How to See the Size of App Store Updates on iPhone or iPad App Store > Updates > more; OSXD; 1/9/2019

macOS

Wikipedia: macOS / OS X; Apple Software Update; App Store
Wikipedia: macOS (OS X) versions
10.0: Cheetah; 10.1: Puma; 10.2: Jaguar; 10,3: Panther; 10.4: Tiger; 10.5; Leopard; 10.6: Snow Leopard; 10.7: Lion;
10.8: Mtn. Lion; 10.9: Mavericks; 10.10: Yosemite; 10.11: El Capitan; 10.12: Sierra; 10.13: High Sierra; 10.14: Mojave;
10.15: Catalina; 11.x: Big Sur; 12: Monterrey; 13: Ventura; 14: Sonoma
Apple: Manuals, Specs, and Downloads
Apple: Identify Legitimate Emails From the App Store or iTunes Store tips about whether an email about an App store, iTunes store, iBooks store, or Apple Music purchase is legitimate; 2/23/2018
Apple: security updates for all products: macOS, iOS, AppleTV, etc.
Apple: [3] Beta Software Program macOS, iOS
Apple: How to reinstall OS X on your Mac from Recovery; from a Time Machine backup
HowStuffWorks: How Mac OS X Works
Application compatibility table
dosdude1: 10.12-10.15 patchers for unsupported hardware
macOS 14 (Sonoma) superguide MW; 5/14/2024
Here's what’s new in the macOS 14.5 update for your Mac MW; 5/13/2024
macOS 15: Everything you need to know about the next big Mac update MW; 4/19/2024
Every macOS and Mac OS X version -- including the latest update MW; 4/1/2024
Safari 17.4.1 TB; 3/26/2024
macOS 14.4.1 Sonoma and macOS 13.6.6 Ventura Fix Bugs and Vulnerabilities TB; 3/25/2024
Best virtual machine software for Mac 2023 MW; 3/22/2024
How to speed up a slow Mac MW; 3/19/2024
macOS Ventura 13.6.5 & macOS Monterey 12.7.4 Updates Available OSXD; 3/8/2024
macOS 14.4 is now available new Emoji, Podcast app updates, security and bug fixes; MW; 3/7/2024
Safari 17.3.1 Update for macOS Ventura & Monterey Fixes Overlapping Text Bug OSXD; 2/10/2024
MacOS Ventura 13.6.4 & MacOS Monterey 12.7.3 Released with Security Fixes OSXD; 1/23/2024
OS Updates: macOS 14.3 TB; 1/22/2024
macOS 14.2 Sonoma
Apple's End-of-Year OS Updates Add Promised Features, Security Updates; TB; 12/11/2023
macOS Sonoma can be installed on 83 unsupported Macs with this tool ApIn; 10/2/2023
macOS 14 Sonoma: The Ars Technica review
a better stab at usable widgets, an improved password manager, promising
gaming enhancements, but fewer new features for Intel Macs; Ars; 9/26/2023
macOS 14 Sonoma Now Available TB; 9/26/2023
How to Update macOS MW; 9/26/2023
macOS compatibility: Find out the latest version your Mac can run MW; 9/26/2023
How to get your Mac ready for new macOS update MW; 9/26/2023
How to clean install macOS MW; 9/25/2023
macOS Sonoma compatibility: The Macs that run macOS 14 MW; 9/25/2023
macOS Monterey 12.6.9 & macOS Big Sur 11.7.10 Released OSXD; 9/11/2023
macOS 13 Ventura superguide MW; 9/7/2023
OS Security Updates Plug Image and Wallet Vulnerabilities macOS Ventura 13.5.2; TB; 9/7/2023
Safari 16.6 macOS 12 Monterey and macOS 11 Big Sur; TB; 7/26/2023
Apple Releases 24-Jul-2023 Security Updates for All Active Operating Systems TB; 7/24/2023
Apple releases macOS Ventura 13.5 with nearly 30 security updates MW; 7/24/2023
Rapid Security Responses for macOS Ventura 13.4.1 (c) TB; 7/13/2023
Safari 16.5.2 Monterey; TB; 7/11/2023
Apple releases macOS Ventura 13.4.1 update with critical security fixes
for older Macs, updates to macOS Monterey (12.6.7) and macOS Big Sur (11.7.8) address the kernel issue; Safari 16.5.1; MW; 6/21/2023
The Real System Requirements for Apple's 2023 Operating Systems TB; 6/19/2023
macOS Monterey 12.6.6 and Big Sur 11.7.7, Safari 16.5 TB; 5/19/2023
macOS 13.4 Ventura TB; 5/18/2023
How to run multiple copies of the same app on your Mac Terminal or multiple users; MW; 5/16/2023
A detailed record of macOS and its security updates macOS 10.12 -; 5/8/2023
What Are Rapid Security Responses and Why Are They Important? TB; 5/2/2023
You Can Run Windows 11 on Your Apple Silicon Mac for Free with workarounds; LH; 4/19/2023
macOS Monterey 12.6.5 and Big Sur 11.7.6, Safari 16.4.1 TB; 4/10/2023
macOS 13.3.1 Addresses Serious Security Vulnerabilities, Fix Bugs TB; 4/7/2023
How to remove startup and login items on your Mac MW; 4/7/2023
How to download an old version of macOS: Get Monterey, Big Sur -- back to 10.7 Lion MW; 3/22/2023
Run MacOS Ventura on Unsupported Mac with OpenCore OSXD; 2/17/2023
macOS Big Sur 11.7.4, Safari 16.3.1 TB; 2/15/2023
You can run Mac OS 9 on your new Mac MW; 2/13/2023
How to use classic Mac, Lisa, NeXT, Apple II software on your Mac emulators; ApIn; 1/31/2023
Apple Releases macOS 13.2 Ventura with Hardware Security Key Support TB; 1/23/2023
macOS Monterey 12.6.3 and Big Sur 11.7.3, Safari 16.3 TB; 1/23/2023
Lock down your Mac with these 10 security tips
Choose a strong login password;
Change your Lock Screen settings;
Use Apple's password manager (or other PM);
Turn on Find My Mac; Set up multiple users;
Lock down your Mail; Limit your app downloads;
Keep your software up to date; Use a VPN;
Augment Apple’s XProtect antivirus; MW; 1/5/2023
Got a new Mac? Do these 10 things first MW; 12/25/2022
Run Mac OS 8 in Your Browser OSXD; 12/10/2022;
Run System 7 in a Web Browser with Infinite Mac OSXD; 11/22/2022
How to Allow Apps to be Downloaded & Opened from Anywhere on MacOS Ventura
modify System Settings via Terminal; or ctrl-click > Open; OSXD; 11/17/2022
Apple Releases macOS 13 Ventura, ... TB; 10/24/2022
macOS 13 Ventura: The Ars Technica review Ars; 10/24/2022
macOS Monterey 12.6 and Big Sur 11.7, Safari 16 TB; 9/12/2022
There's hope that older Macs will be able to run macOS Ventura
unsupported/slow via OpenCore Legacy Patcher; ApIn; 8/22/2022
Safari 15.6.1 for macOS 11 Big Sur and 10.15 Catalina; TB; 8/19/2022
macOS 12.5.1 Monterey and ... Address Serious Security Vulnerabilities TB; 8/17/2022
macOS Monterey superguide: How to update your Mac with the latest features MW; 7/29/2022
Ars Technica Tracks Mac Update Lifespans TB; 7/27/2022
macOS Big Sur 11.6.8 and Security Update 2022-005 Catalina, Safari 15.6 TB; 7/22/2022
Apple's Lockdown Mode offers extreme security for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
feature in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura is meant to protect those targeted by state-sponsored mercenary spyware; MW; 7/6/2022
Some Macs are getting fewer updates than they used to. Here's why it's a problem Ars; 7/1/2022
macOS 11.6.7 Big Sur Fixes Email Attachment Bug TB; 6/23/2022
Take a stroll through the history of Mac OS from 1984’s System 0.97 to Ventura MW; 6/21/2022
macOS Big Sur 11.6.7 update is now available MW; 6/9/2022
Apple Releases macOS 12.4, ... TB; 5/16/2022
macOS 12 Monterey: Features, known problems and fixes in the latest version MW; 5/16/2022
macOS Big Sur 11.6.6 and Security Update 2022-004 Catalina Safari 15.5 TB; 5/16/2022
Boot up classic Mac OS in your browser window with the “Infinite Mac” project System 7, Mac OS 8; Ars; 4/1/2022
Monterey 12.3.1 brings bug fixes and patches a critical security hole MW; 3/31/2022
Apple thinks macOS security is unacceptable -- here's how to keep your Mac safe
Keep your Mac updated;
Only downloads apps you trust (from places you trust);
Use a strong Mac password; Develop better online habits;
Enable FileVault encryption, and the firewall;
Review your privacy & security settings;
Turn on 'Find My'; Disable automatic Wi-Fi joining;
Back up your Mac; Consider security apps; Use a VPN;
ApIn; 3/31/2022
macOS 12.3 Monterey Bricking Some Repaired 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros TB; 3/17/2022
Apple Releases macOS 12.3 Monterey, etc. TB; 3/14/2022
macOS Big Sur 11.6.5 and Security Update 2022-003 Catalina TB; 3/14/2022
A Practical Guide to Securing Your Mac NYT; 3/4/2022
Google announces early access to Chrome OS Flex, a version of Chrome OS for businesses and schools that is designed to run on old PCs and Macs
Chrome OS Flex; Verge; 2/15/2022
What you need to know: macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina MW; 2/14/2022
Apple might have to break some of its biggest 2021 promises
iOS, macOS feature delays; MW; 12/12/2021
[2] How to download an old macOS installer ApIn; 12/3/2021
Apple isn’t actually patching all the security holes in older versions of macOS Ars; 11/12/2021
macOS Monterey: Update now or wait? MW; 11/5/2021
Apple fixes bug that caused macOS Monterey update to brick some Apple T2 Macs Ars; 11/5/2021
macOS 12 Monterey Upgrade Issues TB; 11/3/2021
macOS Big Sur 11.6.1 and Security Update 2021-007 Catalina, Safari 15.1 TB; 10/30/2021
Microsoft reports SIP-bypassing "Shrootless" vulnerability in macOS
patched in all three currently supported versions of macOS:
Monterey 12.0.1, Catalina with Security Update 2021-007, Big Sur 11.6.1; Ars; 10/29/2021
macOS 12 Monterey: The Ars Technica review Ars; 10/25/2021
Apple Releases macOS 12 Monterey TB; 10/25/2021
Device Software Updates Now Appear in Software Update Too TB; 10/20/2021
[3] How to Install the Latest macOS on an Unsupported Mac
OpenCore Legacy Patcher; limitations; LH; 10/6/2021
Apple releases rare Device Support Update for macOS
update ensures proper updating and restoring for iOS and iPadOS devices with a Mac; MW; 9/30/2021
Apple Releases Security Update 2021-006 for Catalina to Block Exploited Vulnerabilities TB; 9/23/2021
Safari 15 for macOS now available: New macOS tabs will transform your workflow for Big Sur & Catalina; MW; 9/21/2021
macOS 11.6 Big Sur and Security Update 2021-005 Catalina Fix Security Flaws and iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, watchOS 7.6.2; TB; 9/13/2021
How to reset the NVRAM, PRAM, and SMC on any Mac MW; 8/17/2021
Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.5.1 with a security update MW; 7/27/2021
Apple Releases iPadOS 14.7 and macOS 11.5 with Security Notes for Recent OS Updates TB; 7/22/2021
Security Update 2021-004 Catalina and 2021-005 Mojave TB; 7/22/2021
Safari 14.1.2 TB; 7/22/2021
Apple issues Safari update for macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave ApIn; 7/19/2021
Apple Makes OS X Lion and Mountain Lion Free to Download
previously $20; MR; 6/30/2021
How to Install Safari Extensions on Mac OSXD; 6/26/2021
Apple announces macOS Monterey, the next Mac desktop operating system Ars; 6/7/2021
Here are the devices that can run iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8 Verge; 7/7/2021
Security Update 2021-003 Catalina and 2021-004 Mojave, Safari 14.1.1 TB; 5/26/2021
iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, macOS 11.4 Big Sur, watchOS 7.5, and tvOS 14.6 TB; 5/24/2021
Clear Space to Fix Catalina Update Restart Loop TB; 5/12/2021
Apple Releases iOS 14.5.1, iPadOS 14.5.1, macOS 11.3.1, and watchOS 7.4.1 TB; 5/3/2021
Safari 14.1 TB; 4/30/2021
Apple Releases iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, macOS 11.3, watchOS 7.4, and tvOS 14.5 TB; 4/26/2021
Is It Safe to Upgrade to macOS 11 Big Sur? TB; 3/10/2021
How to revive or restore an unresponsive Mac from another Mac MW; 3/10/2021
iOS 14.4.1, iPadOS 14.4.1, macOS 11.2.3 Big Sur, and watchOS 7.3.2 Address WebKit Security Vulnerability TB; 3/8/2021
Safari 14.0.3 Catalina, Mojave; TB; 3/8/2021
macOS 11.2.2 Protects MacBook Pro and MacBook Air from Non-Compliant USB-C Hubs and Docs TB; 2/26/2021
Mac App Frozen? 9 Tips for How to Handle Freezing Mac Apps OSXD; 2/22/2021
macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update and Security Update 2021-002 (Mojave) TB;2/9/2021
macOS 11.2.1 Big Sur Fixes MacBook Pro Charging Bug and sudo Vulnerability TB; 2/9/2021
New features in macOS Big Sur 11.3: Safari customization options, enhanced support for iPhone/iPad apps on M1 Macs, and more MW; 2/3/2021
macOS 11.2 Big Sur Improves Bluetooth, Squashes Bugs TB; 2/1/2021
Security Update 2021-001 (Catalina and Mojave) TB; 2/1/2021
How to Download MacOS Installers for New & Old Versions if App Store is overloaded; OSXD;
macOS Big Sur Slow or Laggy? 8 Tips to Help Speed Up the Mac Again OSXD; 1/20/2021
[3] Can You Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Macs? Yes, But It's Not Simple; OSXD; 1/15/2021
macOS Big Sur: Guides, how-tos, tips, and everything you need to know about Apple's new Mac OS MW; 12/28/2020
Some Big Sur users are unable to update macOS due to an MDM bug Ars; 12/18/2020
35 free macOS apps every Mac user should have MW; 12/18/2020
Apple Releases macOS 11.1 Big Sur TB; 12/14/2020
Security Update 2020-001 (Catalina) and 2020-007 (Mojave) Safari 14.0.2 TB; 12/14/2020
How to check a Mac's OS upgrade history in System Profiler MW; 12/9/2020
How to upgrade from an older Mac operating system to macOS Catalina or Big Sur MW; 12/3/2020
How to set up a Mac to run either macOS Mojave or macOS Big Sur for 32-bit apps; MW; 12/1/2020
Safari 14.0.1 TB; 11/17/2020
Security Update 2020-006 (Mojave and High Sierra) TB; 11/17/2020
macOS Big Sur telling Apple what app you've opened isn't a security or privacy issue GateKeeper; ApIn; 11/15/2020
Big Sur Is Here, But We Suggest You Say 'No Sir' for Now TB; 11/13/2020
How to create a bootable macOS Big Sur (11.0) installer drive also macOS 10.7 - 10.15; MW; 11/13/2020
How to Prepare for MacOS Big Sur OSXD; 11/12/2020
macOS 11.0 Big Sur: The Ars Technica review Ars; 11/12/2020
Apple Updates Numerous Operating Systems for Exploited Security Vulnerabilities: MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental TB; 11/5/2020
macOS 10.14.6 Mojave Supplemental Update Fixes Problems with an Updated Safari 14.0 TB; 10/2/2020
Security Update 2020-005 (Mojave and High Sierra) TB; 9/28/2020
Safari 14 macOS Catalina & Mojave; TB; 9/17/2020
All Your Questions on Apple’s Move Away from Intel, Answered Wired; 9/7/2020
Moving to a New Mac: What's Left to Do After Migration? TB; 9/7/2020
What the 'Legacy System Extension' Mac Message Means & What To Do About It OSXD; 8/8/2020
This app lets you experience Mac OS (8.1) like it was 1991 all over again TNW; 7/29/2020
Security Update 2020-004 (Mojave and High Sierra); Safari 13.1.2 TB; 7/20/2020
iOS 13.6, iPadOS 13.6, macOS 10.15.6, watchOS 6.2.8, and tvOS 13.4.8 add News Features, Car Keys, Symptom Tracking; TB; 7/15/2020
Apple releases iOS and iPadOS 13.6, macOS 10.15.6, and watchOS 6.2.8 Ars; 7/15/2020
Kernel Vulnerability Causes Apple to Update All Operating Systems TB; 6/1/2020
Safari 13.1.1, Security Update 2020-003 (Mojave and High Sierra) OSXD; 5/27/2020
The macOS Catatina 10.15.5 update is now available with Battery Health Management, FaceTime updates and more MW; 5/26/2020
How to share downloaded apps across users on a Mac MW; 5/9/2020
How to use Mac Recovery Mode whether it's to fix problems with your Mac, or get it ready to sell on to someone else, macOS Recovery, also known as Mac Recovery Mode, is a powerful tool to help you; ApIn; 4/28/2020
How to Display User ~/Library Folder in MacOS Catalina OSXD; 4/23/2020
Apple Releases macOS 10.15.4 Catalina, watchOS 6.2, tvOS 13.4, and iOS 13.4 for HomePod TB; 3/24/2020
Security Update 2020-002 (Mojave and High Sierra), Safari 13.1 TB; 3/24/2020
[3] How to Downgrade a New Mac to Mojave from Catalina TB; 1/3/2020
[2] Solving the Mac OS 8’s Y2K20 Bug TB; 1/3/2020
Apple Pushes Out iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, iOS 13.3 for HomePod, macOS 10.15.2 Catalina, watchOS 6.1.1, and tvOS 13.2; Safari 13.0.4 TB; 12/10/2019
How to get an old macOS installer from Apple ApIn; 11/23/2019
[2] How to Install MacOS Catalina on Unsupported Macs DosDude Catalina Patcher utility; OSXD; 11/8/2019
[3] How to Download and Install Older macOS Versions With Terminal LH; 11/6/2019
Security Update 2019-001 (Mojave) and 2019-006 (High Sierra), Safari 13.0.3 TB; 10/30/2019
Apple Releases macOS 10.15.1 Catalina, watchOS 6.1, and tvOS 13.2 TB; 10/29/2019
Six Reasons Why iOS 13 and Catalina Are So Buggy TB; 10/21/2019
iOS 13.1.3, iPadOS 13.1.3, and Catalina Supplemental Update Tackle Bugs TB; 10/15/2019
Review: MacOS 10.15 Catalina Wired; 10/14/2019
The MacOS Catalina Privacy and Security Features You Should Know Improved Data Protection (more app permissions); Weak Password Warnings; Sender-Block in Mail; Better Screen Time Limits; Enhanced Gatekeeper Technology; View-Only Notes Sharing; 'Find My' Mac Location Smarts; Secure Activation Lock; Apple ID Access; Secure Home Video; Wired; 10/13/2019
Why macOS Catalina is breaking so many apps, and what to do about it 32-bit compat for legacy/obsolete apps; Verge; 10/12/2019
Should You Update to MacOS Catalina? Or Wait? Or Not At All? OSXD; 10/9/2019
Troubleshooting MacOS Catalina Problems OSXD; 10/9/2019
8 hidden features of macOS Catalina
Home theater at last; Revert after a bad upgrade;
Quick picture in picture; Stop typing passwords;
Make time lapses and animations in QuickTime Player; Find your missing devices
Copy files to iOS devices in Finder; Open unapproved software; MW; 10/9/2019
macOS 10.15 Catalina Ships, Upgrade with Caution backup apps; 32-bit compatibitility; likely bugs; TB; 10/7/2019
macOS 10.15 Catalina: The Ars Technica review iPad apps come to the Mac and old 32-bit apps go away in a wide-ranging update; Ars; 10/7/2019
[2] How to make your own bootable macOS 10.15 Catalina USB install drive Ars; 10/7/2019
How to find out if your Mac's software is 32- or 64-bit if you plan to use macOS beyond Mojave, you need to upgrade any 32-bit apps on your Mac to 64-bit; MW; 10/7/2019
MacOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update 2 Released Security Update 2019-005 for High Sierra, Sierra; OSXD; 9/26/2019
Apple's Fall OS release schedule is weird -- here's when your device will be updated Fall 2019 operating system updates for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV are staggered all over the place; MW; 9/24/2019
Safari 13 Released for Mac Mojave, High Sierra; get 13.0.1 (or later); OSXD; 9/20/2019
[3] Moving to Catalina: Keep Your 32-Bit Mac Apps Running with Parallels TB; 9/18/2019
How to Selectively Install Updates from MacOS Software Update OSXD; 9/17/2019
[2] What to do if you’re worried about the legitimacy of a downloaded software installer Apple developers get an extra layer of security that you can check; MW; 9/4/2019
New Supplemental Update for MacOS Mojave 10.14.6 Released OSXD; 8/26/2019
macOS Mojave 10.14.6 Supplemental Update wakeup from sleep issue; TB; 8/2/2019
Security Update 2019-004 (High Sierra and Sierra) TB; 7/29/2019
MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air: Which is the better buy? AI; 7/27/2019
Safari 12.1.2 for 10.13.6 High Sierra and 10.12.6 Sierra; TB; 7/25/2019
Apple Releases macOS 10.14.6, iOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3, tvOS 12.4, and More TB; 7/22/2019
Go64 review: Free utility preps Mac users for 64-bit Catalina app-ocalypse quickly scans your internal drive for 32-bit applications that won't be compatible after installing macOS Catalina and helps find potential upgrades to keep software working; MW; 7/15/2019
Browse Dozens of Retro Classic Mac OS Screen Shots from 1984 to 1999 OSXD; 6/30/2019
[2] Apple to Deprecate Scripting Languages in Future Versions of macOS Python, Ruby, Perl; TB; 6/25/2019
Can't download an app update? If you're using an older version of macOS, you may run into problems when trying to install the latest version of an app, so update OS; MW; 6/18/2019
MacOS Catalina Compatibile Macs List OSXD; 6/4/2019
How to Enable Automatic App Updates in macOS Mojave OSXD; 5/30/2019
[3] How to Turn a Windows Laptop Into the Touchscreen Hackintosh of Your Dreams MB; 4/26/2019
macOS Mojave 10.14.5 Supplemental Update for MacBook Pro (2018, 2019) TB; T2 security chip; 5/23/2019
Apple Releases iOS 12.3, macOS 10.14.5, watchOS 5.2.1, and tvOS 12.3 and Debuts New Apple TV App mitigates ZombieLoad; TB; 5/13/2019
iOS 12.2 and macOS 10.14.4 Add Apple News+ and Enhance Apps; TB; 3/25/2014
How to Check What Mac OS Version is Running on a Mac OSXD; 2/16/2019
[2] How to Fix App 'is damaged and can’t be opened. You should move it to the Trash' Error on Mac OSXD; 2/13/2019
Apple Re-Enables Group FaceTime with iOS 12.1.4 and macOS 10.14.3 Supplemental Update and other security fixes; TB; 2/7/2019
How to reinstall macOS if macOS Recovery is unavailable with internet connection; MW; 2/4/2019
Apple Releases macOS 10.14.3 with Bug Fixes and iOS 12.1.3, watchOS 5.1.3, and tvOS 12.1.2; TB; 1/22/2019

Meltdown / Spectre / ZombieLoad (hardware CPU flaws)

Apple Patches ZombieLoad Vulnerabilities in macOS 10.14.5 and Security Update 2019-003 for Sierra and High Sierra; TB; 5/15/2019
A side-channel flaw called ZombieLoad affects nearly all post-2011 Intel chips; Apple, Microsoft, Google release fixes today that, like Spectre, hit performance Zombieload; TC; 5/14/2019
All Intel chips open to new Spoiler non-Spectre attack Don't expect a quick fix; researchers say Intel won't be able to use a software mitigation to fully address the problem Spoiler exploits; ZD; 3/5/2019
[3] Google: Software is never going to be able to fix Spectre-type bugs Ars; 2/23/2019

Office Suites (Microsoft & others)

Ethical.net: Office
Microsoft Office for Mac 16.84 TB; 4/22/2024
Pages 14, Numbers 14, and Keynote 14 TB; 4/13/2024
BBEdit 15.0.2 TB; 3/21/2024
Microsoft Office For Mac buying guide
Microsoft 365 and Office 2021; MW; 3/20/2024
Office 2024 for Mac is coming and you won’t need a subscription to get it 'perpetual' (5 year) standalone license; MW; 3/20/2024
How to Use Microsoft Office (365) on the Web for Free login with free account into office.com; limited functionality; Giz; 2/19/2024
BBEdit 15 Adds ChatGPT, Minimap, Cheat Sheets, and More TB; 1/11/2024
Pages 13.2, Numbers 13.2, and Keynote 13.2 TB; 9/25/2023
How to get Microsoft Word for free on Mac Office 365; MW; 3/17/2023
Microsoft Office Updates Now Require macOS 11 Big Sur or Later TB; 12/10/2022
Pages 12.2, Numbers 12.2, and Keynote 12.2 TB; 10/31/2022
These G Suite Alternatives Are Cheaper or Free LH; 6/23/2022
How to Use Microsoft Word for Free Wired; 6/14/2022
How to Password Protect Pages, Keynote & Numbers Documents on Mac, on iPhone/iPad OSXD; 3/11/2022
LibreOffice, OpenOffice bug allows hackers to spoof signed docs update; BC; 10/11/2021
Pages 11.2, Numbers 11.2, Keynote 11.2 TB; 10/1/2021
Office 2021 will be available for non-Microsoft 365 subscribers on October 5 Ars; 9/16/2021
The best free office suites PC; 8/16/2021
BBEdit 14 Adds Simple Notes Management TB; 7/21/2021
How to set the default settings in TextEdit for macOS ApIn; 7/5/2021
[2] The Best Mac Site-Specific Browser for Google Docs
site-specific browser (SSB)—a utility turns a site/set of sites into a standalone app;
Coherence X; Chromeless; Flotato; Fluid; Unite; Wavebox; WebCatalog;
extensions: BrowserFairy, Choosy; TB; 6/18/2021
iWork update brings major changes to Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps
Keynote, Numbers, and Pages 11.2; MW; 9/28/2021
Microsoft 365 and Office 2019 updates arrive with Apple Silicon and Big Sur support ApIn; 11/12/2020
Fix 14 Security Issues by Updating Adobe Acrobat and Reader LH; 11/4/2020
Office 2019 vs. Office 365: Microsoft Office plans compared sStandalone Office is still available, but Microsoft makes its subscriptions far more appealing; PC; 10/12/2020
How to upgrade from Office 2010 to Office 365 PC; 10/5/2020
Microsoft ends support for Office 2010: What you can do lots of options, and some are even free: Microsoft 365 online (free), subscription ($); Office 2019 ($); Google, LibreOffice, FreeOffice; PC; 9/14/2020
Apple updates iWork apps with video embeds, iBooks Author book support macOS, iOS; ApIn; 7/9/2020
How to open ancient Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents in macOS MW; 6/12/2020
How to recover your Pages, Numbers, or Keynote document password probably in your keychain; MW; 6/11/2020
How to Convert from: Pages to Word, Numbers to Excel, Keynote to Powerpoint with iCloud; OSXD; 5/24/2020
Adobe patches Acrobat Reader security flaw that could allow root access on Mac ApIn; 5/14/2020
Pages 10, Numbers 10, and Keynote 10 TB; 4/3/2020
BBEdit 13 review: A lucky number indeed for revered macOS text editor MW; 11/11/2019
WPS Office: Full-featured Microsoft-style productivity suite for less review; MW; 10/21/2019
A look at LibreOffice's new 6.3.0 'fresh' release better import and export of Microsoft Office documents; performance increases, new features, e.g., redaction; Ars; 8/13/2019
Pages, Numbers, and Keynote productivity apps for iOS and macOS get major update MW; 6/25/2019
This Amazingly Simple Google Docs Hack Is a Game-Changer doc.net, slide.new, sheet.new; MF; 6/21/2019
iWork Update Brings iOS Apps Closer to Parity TB; 4/3/2019
Microsoft really, really, really doesn’t want you to buy Office 2019 Microsoft 365 is a subscription vs. Office 2019 (perpetual license); TC; 2/7/2019

Replace, Switch

see also: Backup and Erasing your devices
Apple: Use Quick Start to transfer data from your previous iOS device to your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
How to troubleshoot migrating from an older Mac to a new one MW; 1/5/2024
You can now access Apple's official diagnostics tool online for DIY repairs iOS 17+, macOS 14+; Ars; 12/13/2023
Which Mac laptop is best? MW; 11/17/2023
The Best Tablets NYT; 11/15/2023
The iPad Is the Best Tablet NYT; 11/13/2023
MW; 9/27/2023
iPhone comparison chart: Every iPhone compared MW; 9/15/2023
How to sell or trade in your old iPhone
You can get cash for your iPhone from buyback sites, trade it in to your wireless carrier for a credit on future bills,
or even swap it for a gift card to Target, Best Buy, Amazon, or Walmart.
Get an old iPhone ready for sale: Save your data; Unpair your Apple Watch; Sign out of your Apple account; Reset the phone;
Sell your iPhone online to a buyback site: Gazelle, Swappa, Amazon;
Trade in your iPhone for retail store credit: Apple, Target, Best Buy, Walmart;
How to sell your iPhone back to your carrier: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint;
Tips for selling your phone; MW; 9/6/2023
Best laptops we recommend CNet; 9/5/2023
The best laptops: Premium laptops, budget laptops, 2-in-1s, and more PC; 8/30/2023
The Best Laptops NYT; 8/22/2023
Best place to buy a refurbished iPad MW; 8/10/2023
The Best Laptops Verge; 8/7/2023
How much can you save at Apple's Refurbished Store? MW; 7/6/2023
Why you should buy a refurbished Mac MW; 7/4/2023
Best MacBooks: Which Model Should You Actually Buy? Wired; 6/20/2023
Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared MW; 6/12/2023
The Best MacBooks NYT; 6/12/2023
Which iPad You Should Actually Buy (and Which to Avoid); Wired; 3/29/2023
Does your laptop feel sluggish? Try these 9 things before you give up PC; 3/9/2023
When Does an Old iPhone/Android Become a Security Risk? LH; 1/25/2023
iPad Buying Guide MW; 1/5/2023
Stop Buying New Apple Devices
buy Certified Refurbished devices instead; LH; 12/8/2022
Thinking about taking your computer to the repair shop? Be very afraid
Not surprisingly, female customers bear the brunt of the privacy violations; Ars; 11/22/2022
Where to buy refurbished products LH; 11/21/2022
How to Revive an Old Computer for Your Kid -- or Decide on a New One NYT; 8/24/2022
11 Ways to Repurpose an Old Phone or Tablet LH; 7/19/2022
How to switch from PC to Mac and migrate your data from Windows to macOS ApIn; 5/30/2022
Yes, You Can Make Your Tech Survive Obsolescence
Keep your browser up to date;
As always, avoid suspicious behavior; Avoid shady apps;
Secure your online accounts;
Install a Different Operating System;
Repurpose Your Old Device; NYT; 3/23/2022
Reset Your Computer Once a Year for a Happier Life
it's easier than ever to restore your Mac, PC, or Chromebook to factory conditions
-- and you'll be surprised at how much zip it'll add; Wired; 1/8/2022
How to sell or trade in your old iPhone MW; 12/27/2021
8 Ways to Make Your Old Laptop Feel New Again LH; 10/27/2021
The True Cost of Upgrading Your Phone
buying a $1,000 phone can be equivalent to giving up $17,000 in retirement savings or 2,500 cups of coffee; NYT; 10/20/2021
The iPhone 13: An upgrader's guide 9/23/2021
Upgrading? Here’s What You Can Do With an Old Mobile Device. NYT; 9/22/2021
Buy or Wait? Here’s a Guide to Phone Upgrades NYT; 8/25/2021
Best laptop 2021: 15 best laptops we recommend in 2021 CNet; 7/7/2021
Consumer Desktop Mac Buying Guide: Which Is Right For You? TB; 6/23/2021
What to do with an old laptop: 10 clever ideas PC; 6/11/2021
How to make an old PC useful for someone else PC; 5/5/2021
How to Know When to Upgrade Your PC Giz; 12/25/2020
The Best Alternatives to Apple's MacBook and Mac Wired; 12/14/2020
How to transfer all your data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone MW; 12/4/2020
How to switch an old Windows laptop to Linux Verge; 11/6/2020
How to Shop for a Used Computer NYT; 10/29/2020
10 cheap or free ways to make your old PC run faster PC; 10/28/2020
When should you replace your PC? | Ask an expert PC; 10/15/2020
When You Shouldn't Repair Your Mac damage superficial? repairs > $1K? LH; 9/15/2020
How to test a used Mac before you buy it iCloud lock, firmware passwords, MDM (Mobile Device Management); diagnostics; battery; display; SSD; ApIn; 9/6/2020
How to Make Your Tech Last Longer NYT; 7/1/2020
What to Do if Your Old Device Can't Run a New Apple Operating System LH; 6/24/2020
iPadOS vs Windows vs Chrome OS: Which is the Best Tablet Experience Right Now? Giz; 5/25/2020
What Happened When I Switched From Macs to Windows Wired; 5/17/2020
Switching from Android to iPhone made easy MW; 5/7/2020
Apple's T2 Security Chip Has Created a Nightmare for MacBook Refurbishers previous owner needs to factory reset their machine before selling it or turning it in; MB; 5/4/2020
How Do I Get My Data Off an Old Computer? LH; 4/10/2020
Switching from Android to iPhone: Here's where Apple's phone wins and fails PC; 3/26/2020
Which MacBook Should You Buy? Wired; 2/21/2020
How to disable accounts on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you sold or gave away MW; 11/22/2019
What to do when your old iPhone or iPad doesn't run iOS 13 or iPadOS TR; 10/28/2019
[2] 'Collapse OS' Is an Open Source Operating System for the Post-Apocalypse MB; 10/8/2019
The iPad Can Finally Replace a Laptop for Most People iPadOS; LH; 9/19/2019
The Joys of Being a Late Tech Adopter new doesn’t always necessarily mean better, or better in ways that will matter; NYT; 8/29/2019
The 10 Best Laptops We've Tried favorite Windows Notebooks, MacBooks, and Chromebooks; Wired; 8/15/2019
A School Laptop Under $500 That Isn't Junk NYT; 8/6/2019
How to pick the perfect iPhone for you MW; 6/17/2021
The Best Phone You Can Buy Right Now Verge; 6/16/2021
7 ways to make use of your old iPhone
Make it a dedicated music player
Turn it into a kid's entertainment device
Make it an Apple TV remote
Make it a permanent car, bike, or kitchen fixture
Use it as a baby monitor
Turn it into your bedside buddy; MW; 6/10/2019
5 signs that you need to replace your iPhone
You can't get iOS updates any longer;
Your screen is trashed but isn't worth fixing;
You're embarrassed by your photos;
You can't find accessories for it anymore;
You're always out of storage space; MW; 5/15/2019
How to choose between iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro 5 models; Verge; 3/30/2019
Why Does My Laptop Take 30 Minutes to Start Up? TaskManager; check for malware; startup/helper apps? LH; 3/1/2019
Guidemaster: The least-awful Android phones over 400 Android devices were released in 2018; Ars; 2/21/2019
How to Save on Your Next Apple Purchase products are more expensive to make; trade in your old device; buy last year's model; wait for sales; buy used or refurbished gadgets; skip the upgrade altogether; NYT; 1/30/2019

Windows

Wikipedia: Windows; versions: 1.0-11.x; Windows Update; App Store
Microsoft: Downloads Center
HowStuffWorks: How Windows 8 Works
There was once a young man who, in his youth, professed his desire to become a great writer. When asked to define "great" he said, "I want to write stuff that the whole world will read, stuff that people will react to on a truly emotional level. Stuff that will make them scream, cry, and howl in pain and anger!"

He now...
"There are no significant bugs in our released software...
Microsoft Lifecycle Policy
Windows-as-a-nuisance: How I clean up a "clean install" of Windows 11 and Edge Ars; 2/23/2024
How to Stop Programs From Loading When Windows Starts Up Apps > Startup; Autoruns; Wired; 4/2/2023
Support for Windows 7 and 8 fully ends in Jan. 2023, including Microsoft Edge Ars; 12/12/2022
Microsoft releases Windows 11 22H2, formally dubbed the "2022 Update" Ars; 9/20?2022
Windows 11 22H2 update will be released on September 20
22H2 includes security upgrades, redesigned Task Manager, and other refinements; Ars; 8/16/2022
How to upgrade to Windows 11 (whether your PC is supported or not) Ars; 8/12/2022
Windows 10 tips and tricks that help you get stuff done faster PC; 5/30/2022
How to get Windows 10 cheap (or even for free) PC; 5/20/2022
How to Use Windows Security to Keep Your PC Protected Wired; 5/1/2022
The Easiest Ways to Install and Update All Your Windows Apps LH; 4/18/2022
How to Run Windows 11 on M1 Mac, for Free OSXD; 4/14/2022
These Windows Apps Are Outdated, Risky, or Scammy LH; 4/4/2022
Google announces early access to Chrome OS Flex, a version of Chrome OS for businesses and schools that is designed to run on old PCs and Macs
Chrome OS Flex; Verge; 2/15/2022
Major Windows 11 update, with taskbar tweaks and Android apps, coming in February Ars; 1/26/2022
Microsoft will now update Windows 10 annually with new features
matches Windows 11 update cadence; Verge; 11/16/2021
Windows 11 superguide: News, tips, reviews and more PC; 11/11/2021
Windows 11 FAQ: Everything you need to know PC; 11/10/2021
It's Windows XP's 20th birthday and way too many still use it BC; 10/25/2021
11 Security Settings You Should Know About in Windows 11 Wired; 10/24/2021
The Windows 11 upgrade checklist PC; 10/6/2021
You shouldn't upgrade to Windows 11 yet PC; 10/5/2021
This is what your PC will need to run Windows 11 PC; 10/5/2021
Windows 11: The Ars Technica review Ars; 10/4/2021
[2] How to update your PC's BIOS
only if needed; PC; 9/24/2021
Want Windows 11? Your PC better have these specs PC; 9/8/2021
Windows 11 arrives on October 5, Android apps will come later
phased rollout will see all compatible PCs updated by ~mid-2022; Ars; 8/31/2021
Why Windows 11 has such strict hardware requirements, according to Microsoft
security and stability are both much better on newer PCs; Ars; 8/27/2021
You'll be able to run Windows 11 on older PCs -- if you install the update manually
you won't see it in Windows Update, but Microsoft won't stop you from running it; Ars; 8/27/2021
When will Windows 11 ship? PC; 6/16/2021
Make way for Windows 11? Windows 10 end-of-life is 10/14/2025 Ars; 6/15/2021
10 truly helpful Windows 10 tools you might not know about PC; 5/24/2021
Windows 10: The best tricks, tips, and tweaks PC; 5/20/2021
Dell is issuing a security patch for hundreds of computer models going back to 2009 Verge; 5/4/2021
How to disable start up programs in Windows 10 to make boot times faster PC; 4/7/2021
Windows 10: Guides, tips, tricks, and everything you need to know about Microsoft's OS PC; 4/5/2021
Windows Turns 35: A Visual History from Windows 1.0 to Windows 10; Verge; 11/20/2020
Reviewed: Windows 10 October 2020 Update inches in the right direction PC; 10/20/2020
Windows 95 turns 25: Relive the glory days with this nostalgic app PC; 8/24/2020
How to manage Windows 10 updates to prevent them from ruining your life PC; 6/30/2020
Homeland Security warns over ‘wormable’ Windows 10 bug TC; 6/8/2020
Microsoft releases the Windows 10 May 2020 Update PC; 5/27/2020
The Best Way to Update Windows 10 and All of Your Apps LH; 5/11/2020
Black wallpaper bug from Windows 7's 'final' update will get fixed PC; 1/27/2020
N.S.A. Takes Step Toward Protecting World's Computers, Not Just Hacking Them Windows vulnerability; NYT; 1/14/2020
The Easiest Way to Switch from Windows 7 to Linux LH; 1/14/2020
Rumors mount that a major bug could be disclosed on the day Microsoft ends support for Windows 7 PC; 1/14/2020
Windows 7 is dead: How to stay as safe as possible after the security updates stop PC; 1/14/2020
How to remove your login password from Windows 10 PC; 12/20/2019
[3] How to Extend Your Windows 7 Security Updates Past January LH; 12/9/2019
[2] How to remove your login password from Windows 10 PC; 11/26/2019
What To Do If Your Antivirus Apps or Wifi Drivers Are Blocking Window 10 Updates update Avast/AVG; update Qualcomm drivers; LH; 11/25/2019
How to See Which Features Microsoft Killed in Every Windows 10 Update LH; 11/14/2019
The Best Features in Windows 10 Version 1909 LH; 11/13/2019
If You're Still Using Windows 7, You Need This Security Update BlueKeep miner; LH; 11/4/2019
Windows 10 November 2019 Update review: Fewer features now, bigger changes later Windows Search-powered File Explorer, some notifications improvements, and easy calendar appointment creation; PC; 10/17/2019
The Best Free MS-DOS Games Now Available From the Internet Archive LH; 10/16/2019
Windows 7 popup warnings to update to Windows 10 will soon reappear PC; 10/15/2019
Microsoft's next Windows 10 feature update gets a name: the Windows 10 November 2019 Update PC; 10/10/2019
The Best Features Coming in Windows 10 Version 1909 LH; 10/7/2019
Windows 10: What to expect in the next two releases 19H2, 20H1; PC; 9/24/2019
The Windows 10 Privacy Settings You Should Check Right Now Wired; 9/7/2019
How to 'Refresh' Your PC When Windows Says There's a Problem LH; 8/22/2019
Four wormable bugs in newer versions of Windows need your attention now Exploits against Windows 7 to 10 could spread from PC to PC--no user interaction needed; Ars; 8/13/2019
The Best Ways to Get Windows 10 for Free install & run w/o activating; upgrade from older version; student/alumni; cheap OEM key; LH; 8/13/2019
How To Undo and Prevent Windows Updates LH; 7/16/2019
Microsoft's 'Stranger Things' Gag Doesn't Make Sense Because No One Used Windows 1.0 cultural nonentity in 1985; MB; 7/8/2019
Microsoft is teasing Windows 1.0 and other 1980s software get MS-DOS Executive, Paint, and Reversi; Ars; 7/2/2019
Microsoft's fall release of Windows 10 will be deliberately anticlimactic PC; 7/1/2019
Microsoft Patches ‘Wormable' Flaw in Windows XP, 7 and Windows 2003 Krebs; 5/14/2019
You Can Run Windows 1.0 Right Now, in a Web Browser OSXD; 4/19/2019
Hackers Hijacked ASUS Software Updates to Install Backdoors on ~500K Windows computyers for at least five months last year, after its live software update tool was compromised; MB; 3/25/2019
Microsoft: Windows 10 can now automatically uninstall buggy updates along with blocks on releasing Windows 10 to certain users, Microsoft will now remove updates that aren't compatible with the installed version of Windows 10; ZD; 3/12/2019
Windows 7 end-of-life nag messages will start showing up next month Microsoft promises you'll be able to turn them off; Ars; 3/12/2019
Windows 10 should never reboot your PC without your express permission, researchers conclude What Microsoft could do better: Educate users, improve Windows Update controls, and commit to rebooting only when the PC is not in active use; PC; 2/26/2019
Mandatory update coming to Windows 7, Server 2008 to kill off weak update hashes phasing out SHA-1; Ars; 2/19/2019
How to Rediscover the Windows Start Menu's Utility Giz; 2/6/2019
How to Install Windows 10 on Mac with Boot Camp OSXD; 2/1/2019
Windows 10's April 2019 Update should be as straightforward as its name PC; 1/25/2019
Microsoft: Switch to iOS or Android because Windows 10 Mobile is ending Ars; 1/18/2019
Latest Windows Service Packs and Updates 1/15/2019
Windows 7 enters its final year of free support Up to three years of paid support will be available after the cut-off: 1/14/2020; Ars; 1/14/2019

Safer Internet: Offline: Encryption

Quotes

Summary

[1] Use a password manager to encrypt, store and access all of your passwords;
e.g., 1Password; see: P@s$w0rdz course
[1] Encrypt device and backups with a strong password to prevent access to sensitive files,
e.g., Mac: FileVault, Win: BitLocker
[1] Check encryption on cloud files/backups, i.e., private key?
Very secure-- depending on how files are encrypted and stored, and who has access.
For brief explanation of different levels of security (via encry ption) for Local and Cloud, see P@s$w0rdz:Storing:Encrypt
[2] Encrypt notes (less necessary if device & backups encrypted)
[3] Encrypt individual files or folders (ditto)
References

Encryption: Intro

We'll cover various kinds of encrypted internet connections later under Internet Connection: Wi-Fi, VPN and Web Browsing: HTTPS, shopping, Email, Talk and Chat
With today's faster processors, there's no perceptible delay for encryption/decryption.
For strong encryption, look for "AES-128" or "AES-256" (Advanced Encryption Standard) -- and create a strong password!
Avoid weak encryption, i.e., weak password (even with AES-128,-256), or older .zip format; standard .pdf or Office file
Backup any encryption or recovery key somewhere secure, e.g., password manager, SD box
If you also save recovery key in cloud (iCloud, Microsoft), you could conveniently access it, but so could government (legally or illegally) or hackers
Encryption becomes more vulnerable over time with faster processing, better algorithms, uncovered backdoors, more invasive laws / exceptions, quantum computers.
As a last resort, if you must share sensitive info, e.g., key, credit card, password, and end-to-end encryption is not available (email is typically decrypted at server, or your recipient may not be as careful as you are), communicate the information in fragments, e.g., separate emails, or use an alternate channel, e.g., text or phone

[1] Encrypt Entire Device / Disk -- and Backups

It's simpler to just encrypt entire drive rather than selected files.
iOS9+: automatic -- assuming strong (> 6 digit) passcode; also for recent Android
macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault;
i.e., FileVault 2; not recommended: "Legacy" FileVault (version 1) -- see Mac: FileVault references
You'll have to re-enter password after Logout / Shutdown, or sleep timeout; if you have a very strong macOS account password, you could encrypt using that same password and have it saved in KeyChain for convenience
Encrypt backup (incremental & clone) partitions/drives, e.g.,
macOS: Time Machine > Open Time Machine Preferences > (partition/disk) > Encrypt backups -- note much faster to encrypt during original partition/erase, rather than later
macOS: Carbon Copy Cloner: boot backup system, enable File Vault -- see Mac: Carbon Copy Cloner, FileVault references

[1] Encrypt Cloud Files & Backups

See Backups for earlier discussion of cloud storage
Files are normally encrypted in transit -- from your device to the cloud server
Many cloud services then encrypt the files based on their key and/or your account password;
the files are accessible not only to you, but also to the provider, and by subpoena, to the government;
also, if file/folder URL is shared or discovered, anyone could access file
More secure cloud services, e.g., BackBlaze, support use of a private key known only to you (different from your password).
The cloud service cannot decrypt files without this key, even under government demand -- more secure and preferable.

[2] Encrypt Notes

If you have a strong device password and full device encryption, this may be unnecessary
iOS: Notes > (share icon) > Lock Note
macOS: Keychain Access > Secure Notes

[3] Encrypt Individual Files / Folders

For individual files / folders, use "zip" utility w/ strong encryption, e.g., 7-Zip (Win, Linux) or Keka (macOS ), or recent WinZip -- not older original zip format
'Password protection' provided by some apps, e.g., Word, .pdf, may be weak
If you want to encrypt more than a few files, and don't want to encrypt entire disk (or have an older Mac system), you can create a 'Disk Image' (embedded, compressed volume)
macOS: Disk Utility > File > New > Blank Image > encryption, image format: sparse bundle

References

sections: Refs: Android; FBI (vs. Apple); Government; Backdoor; iOS; macOS; Quantum; Windows
see sections: Anonymity:NSA; Backup:Cloud, Backup:iCloud; Malware; Mobile:Border; Who:Government
topics: AES, backdoors, Cellebrite, certificates, CIA, DOJ, FISA, Graykey, NSA, PGP, public key cryptography, TLS, Wyden
EFF: What Should I Know About Encryption
Wikipedia: Cryptography; encryption; Multiple encryption; cryptographic privacy and authentication for data communication
Wikipedia: Steganography concealing a (secret) file, message, image, or video within another (ordinary) file, message, image, or video;
intended secret message does not attract attention to itself; example: cat hidden within tree image
Wikipedia: Symmetric Key e.g., AES; use the same cryptographic keys for both encryption of plaintext and decryption of ciphertext; for communication, requires secure initial exchange of one (or more) secret keys between the parties
Wikipedia: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 128-, 192-, 256-bit
Wikipedia: Data Encryption Standard (DES) obsolete, insecure 56-bit; target of 3/2015 FREAK attack
Wikipedia: Public Key aka asymmetric cryptography; e.g., SSL/TLS, S/MIME, PGP, and GPG; requires two separate (but mathematically linked) keys, one of which is secret (or private) and one of which is public; public key is used to encrypt plaintext or to verify a digital signature; whereas the private key is used to decrypt ciphertext or to create a digital signature; computationally infeasible for a properly generated private key to be determined from its corresponding public key
Wikipedia: Transport Layer Security (TLS); RC4 (Rivest Cipher 4)
Wikipedia: RSA; Certificate authority; digital, public key certificates
Wikipedia: postal analogy: symmetric vs. asymmetric
Wikipedia: Cryptanalysis Cryptanalytic attack; Key size; Brute-force attack; Backdoor
Wikipedia: Kleptography stealing information securely and subliminally, e.g., via cryptographic backdoor
Wikipedia: Pretty Good Privacy (PGP); Bitcoin: digital currency; Blockchain
HowStuffWorks: How Encryption Works; What is a digital signature?; How Code Breakers Work
Wikipedia: .zip file format; 7-zip
7-zip free; Windows; macOS (Keka); AES-128, AES-256; How to Use 7-Zip to Encrypt Files and Folders
WinZip commercial; Windows, macOS; AES-128, AES-256
SCIpher - A Scholarly Message Encoder encodes (not encrypts) text message within a fake "Call for Papers"; ;-)
Eight Secure Ways to Share Sensitive Information over the Internet
Data at Rest and in Transit?
Secure service like DocuSign
iMessage/Signal/WhatsApp
1ty.me or One-Time Secret self-destructing link
1Password limited link
Password-protected PDF
Password-protected disk image
Password-protected Zip archive
Cloud storage link that can be expired
TB; 1/23/2024
A Popular Password Hashing Algorithm (bcrypt) Starts Its Long Goodbye Wired; 5/25/2023
How to Encrypt any File, Folder, or Drive on Your System Wired; 1/22/2023
How to Password Protect Any File
Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides;
Apple Pages, Numbers, and Keynote; Wired; 6/19/2022
Steps to Simple Online Security: 4: Encrypt Your Computer's Storage NYT; 4/8/2022
Math That Helped Solve Fermat's Theorem Now Safeguards the Digital World
elliptic curve cryptography; NYT; 1/31/2022
What is encryption? PC; 10/1/2021
How to Encrypt Your Own Windows and Mac Devices (and Why You Need To)
FileVault, BitLocker, USB drives; LH; 8/17/2021
7-Zip developer releases the first official Linux version BC; 3/11/2021
NSA urges system administrators to replace obsolete TLS protocols ZD; 1/20/2021
How law enforcement gets around your smartphone's encryption Ars; 1/15/2021
How Law Enforcement Gets Around Your Smartphone's Encryption
iOS, Android: Complete Protection (when off) vs. Protected Until First User Authentication
-- aka After First Unlock (AFU); Wired; 1/13/2021
Zodiac Killer message known as '340 Cipher' solved after 51 years
the coded message was sent to the San Francisco Chronicle in 1969; CNet; 12/11/2020
Microsoft Office encryption evolution: from Office 97 to Office 2019 10/31/2019;
Dangerous SHA-1 crypto function will die in SSH linking millions of computers Ars; 5/28/2020
How to Get the Most Out of Your Smartphone's Encryption both iPhones and Androids are encrypted by default. But there are steps you can take to safeguard your data on backups and messaging apps; Wired; 1/29/2020
[2] PGP keys, software security, and much more threatened by new SHA1 exploit Ars; 1/7/2020
What Is End-to-End Encryption? Another Bull’s-Eye on Big Tech; NYT; 11/19/2019
[2] PDF flaw lets hackers read password-protected documents, researchers say TNW; 10/2/2019
[3] A Plan to Stop Breaches With Dead Simple Database Encryption MongoDB, Field Level Encryption; Wired; 6/18/2019
Cellebrite Says It Can Unlock Any iPhone for Cops Wired; 6/14/2019

Android

Google wants to bring encryption to all with Adiantum every Android device can be encrypted, even those with low-end processors; Verge; 2/11/2019

FBI (vs. Apple)

The FBI wanted to unlock the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone. It turned to a little-known Australian firm. Azimuth; WaPo; 4/14/2021
iPhone crypto hid al-Qaida link to naval base shooting, AG fumes investigators say they spent 4 months and huge sums to decrypt suspected iPhones; Ars; 5/18/2020
What Apple surrenders to law enforcement when issued a subpoena AI; 1/21/2020
Apple dropped plan for encrypting backups after FBI complained Reut; 1/21/2020
Apple Takes a (Cautious) Stand Against Opening a Killer's iPhones NYT; 1/14/2019

Government; Backdoor

US courts have generally accepted that telling the government a password or encryption key is "testimony." A police officer cannot force or threaten you into giving up your password or unlocking your electronic devices. However, a judge or a grand jury may be able to force you to decrypt your devices in some circumstances.
Wikipedia: Right to silence; self-incrimination; 5th Amendment; passwords; U.S. v. Fricosu
Wikipedia: Key disclosure law; key escrow; National security letter
NSA Says 'No Backdoor' for Spies in New US Encryption Scheme
NIST agency running competition for new encryption standards;
Quantum computing comes with risks for modern data protection; 5/13/2022
Another Illinois Appeals Court Handles Compelled Password Production, Says There's No Fifth Amendment Issue Here TD; 12/23/2021
NSA ducks questions about 'back doors' in tech products Reut; 10/28/2020
The Police Can Probably Break Into Your Phone
phone-hacking tools typically exploit security flaws to remove a phone's limit on passcode attempts and then enter passcodes until the phone unlocks. Because of all the possible combinations, a six-digit iPhone passcode takes on average about 11 hours to guess, while a 10-digit code takes 12.5 years; NYT; 10/21/2020
Russia wants to ban the use of secure protocols such as TLS 1.3, DoH, DoT, ESNI amendment to IT law would make it illegal to use encryption protocols that fully hide the traffic's destination (ok: https:); ZD; 9/22/2020
Iranian Hackers Can Now Beat Encrypted Apps, Researchers Say the hackers use a variety of infiltration techniques, including phishing, but the most widespread method is sending what appear to be tempting documents and applications to carefully selected targets; NYT; 9/18/2020
NJ Supreme Court ruled that compelling a suspect to unlock their cell phone doesn't violate Fifth Amendment following opposite ruling by Indiana SC in June; Ars; 8/11/2020
Is It Legal for Cops to Force You to Unlock Your Phone? Because the relevant Supreme Court precedents predate the smartphone era, the courts are divided on how to apply the Fifth Amendment; Wired; 6/27/2020
It's unconstitutional for cops to force phone unlocking US courts disagree; forcing people to provide computer or smartphone passwords would violate the Fifth Amendment (right against self-incriminating testimony, not the production of incriminating documents); Ars; 6/24/2020
Senators Launch Full On Nuclear War Against Encryption: Bill Will Require Broken Encryption, Putting Everyone At Risk TD; 6/24/2020
Law enforcement can crack iPhones just fine without a backdoor ApIn; 3/11/2020
The EARN IT Act Is a Sneak Attack on Encryption Wired; 3/6/2020
Trump Administration Targets Your 'Warrant-Proof' Encrypted Messages NPR; 2/21/2020
Man who refused to decrypt hard drives is free after four years in jail Court holds that jail time to force decryption can't last more than 18 months; Ars; 2/12/2020
Sources: CIA secretly owned Crypto AG, the leading supplier of encryption systems globally, and could read allies' and adversaries' communications for decades WaPo; 2/11/2020
US officials claim Huawei has, for over a decade, been able to covertly access mobile-phone networks globally through back doors designed for law enforcement WSJ; 2/11/2020
How Attorney General Barr's War On Encryption Will Harm Our Military TD; 2/7/2020
Microsoft CEO says encryption backdoors are a 'terrible idea' Verge; 1/13/2020
The CIA's Infamous, Unsolved Cryptographic Puzzle Gets a 'Final Clue' Kryptos sculpture; MB; 1/31/2020
Suspect can’t be compelled to reveal “64-character” password, court rules Ars; 11/23/2019
A technical critique on why even a well-intentioned effort to build a client-side scanning system for messaging will break key promises of end-to-end encryption EFF; 11/1/2019
The broken record: Why Barr's call against end-to-end encryption is nuts Barr, DHS Secretary, UK, and Australia say end-to-end encryption will help child abusers; Ars; 10/4/2019
Barr says the US needs encryption backdoors to prevent "going dark." Um, what? Ars; 8/4/2019
Here We Go Again: GCHQ's Ghost User Proposal to Circumvent Encryption ACLU 4-part series; TB; 7/30/2019
The Encryption Debate Is Over -- Dead At The Hands Of Facebook Forbes; 7/26/2019
Barr says Americans should accept security risks of encryption backdoors Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) AG's remarks: "outrageous, wrongheaded and dangerous... If we give this attorney general and this president the unprecedented power to break encryption across the board burrow into the most intimate details of every American's life -- they will abuse those powers"; TC; 7/23/2019
Sen. Wyden to NIST: recommendations for securely transmitting information not regular .zip; .pdf; 6/19/2019
Did Australia Poke a Hole in Your Phone's Security? NYT; 1/22/2019

iOS

How to Open 7z Files on iPhone & iPad OSXD; 3/10/2023

macOS

Wikipedia: FileVault; Time Machine
Apple: FileVault 2; Time Machine
Take Control: FileVault
Unarchiver extract only, including zip, 7-zip
Keka macOS version of 7-zip; see Malware section on how to download & open 'untrusted' app
Carbon Copy Cloner; how to create an encrypted, bootable volume using FileVault
How protected is your Mac without FileVault enabled? MW; 9/28/2023
Keka review: Compress, archive, and expand any Mac archive MW; 2/25/2022
How to unlock your Mac with its Recovery Key and FileVault active MW; 8/6/2021
How to encrypt files and folders on your Mac TR; 5/26/2021
How to encrypt a Mac storage device MW; 4/29/2021
How to recover data from a Mac with T2 or FileVault encryption and without a password
short answer: it may not be possible; MW; 11/19/2020
Migrated your FileVault-enabled Mac? Clean up and regenerate your Recovery Key MW; 8/24/2020
How FileVault and the T2 Security Chip work together in newer Macs MW; 8/21/2020
How to check a Mac's free hard drive space MW; 3/26/2020
Can't enable FileVault? An errant set of files may be blocking you
'A recovery key has been set by your company, school or institution' -- leftover from earlier installation? MW; 2/26/2020
How to cope with a FileVault recovery key disappearing while you write it down MW; 1/7/2020
[3] How to make FileVault work again when you're missing a 'secure token' MW; 6/11/2019

[2] Quantum; Future

see {TCYOP-3: 43}
Wikipedia: Quantum computing; Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
How Quantum Cryptology Works
New iMessage PQ3 Encryption Protocol Protects Against Post-Quantum Attacks TB; 2/23/2024
Quantum Computing’s Hard, Cold Reality Check hype is everywhere, skeptics say, and practical applications are still far away;
challenges in making fault-tolerant systems; qubits' slow operating speeds; IEEE; 12/22/2023
U.S. and China race to shield secrets from quantum computers harvest data now, decrypt later after 'Q-day'; Reut; 12/14/2023
The Race to Save Our Secrets From the Computers of the Future
Q-Day: the day when a quantum computer factors very large numbers,
hundreds of digits long, into their prime factors; NYT; 10/22/2023
An illustrated guide to quantum computing, including qubits, algorithms, challenges,
government support, and “Q-day”, when a quantum computer cracks encryption FT; 5/3/2023
A deep dive into the race to develop a quantum computer
which could help address climate change and food scarcity, break current encryption protocols, and more; NYkr; 12/19/2022
NSA Says 'No Backdoor' for Spies in New US Encryption Scheme
NIST agency running competition for new encryption standards;
Quantum computing comes with risks for modern data protection; 5/13/2022
Cryptocurrency faces a quantum computing problem
cracking public key cryptography; CNet; 11/12/2021
Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization NIST; 10/29/2021
Hackers are stealing data today so quantum computers can crack it in a decade MIT; 11/3/2021
NSA does not know when or even if a quantum computer of sufficient size and power
to exploit public key cryptography (a CRQC) will exist 9/4/2021
Fact Sheet: Does quantum computing put our digital security at risk?
symmetric vs. asymmetric; # of qubits; Internet Society; 7/2021
What Makes Quantum Computing So Hard to Explain?
To understand what quantum computers can do -- and what they can't -- avoid falling for overly simple explanations; 6/8/2021
2 Win Abel Prize for Work That Bridged Math and Computer Science
lattice-based schemes based on the LLL algorithm which seem to be uncrackable by quantum computers
vs. current prime number-based encryption systems; NYT; 3/17/2021
IBM completes successful field trials on Fully Homomorphic Encryption
FHE allows computation of still-encrypted data, without sharing the secrets; Ars; 7/31/2020
U.S. hatches plan to build a quantum Internet that might be unhackable
new network would sit alongside the existing Web, offering a more secure way to send and process information; WaPo; 7/23/2020
Status Report on the Second Round of the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Process NIST; 7/2020
China Reports Progress in Ultra-Secure Satellite Transmission
quantum physics used to send a 'secret key' for encrypting and decrypting messages between two stations 700 miles apart; NYT; 6/15/2020
Q&A: The Pioneers of Web Cryptography on the Future of Authentication
Martin Hellman, Taher Elgamal, and Tom Jermoluk were instrumental in shaping how the Internet works.
Now they're looking at what’s next for web security; IEEE; 6/5/2020
IBM releases toolkit aimed at keeping data encrypted even while in use fully homomorphic encryption; ZD; 6/5/2020
New crypto-cracking record reached, with less help than usual from Moore’s Law
795-bit factoring and discrete logarithms achieved using more efficient algorithms; Ars; 12/3/2019
Snake oil or genius? Crown Sterling tells its side of Black Hat controversy; Ars; 8/29/2019
Encryption technology: 11 potential next big things TNW; 5/3/2019
Fear the Man in the Middle (MitM)? This company wants to sell quantum key distribution Ars; 4/28/2019
[3] Searchable encryption and the ever-expanding leakage function 2/11/2019
Cryptography after the Aliens Land Schneier; 10/2018

Windows

Tested: Windows 11 Pro's On-By-Default Encryption Slows SSDs Up to 45% 10/19/2023
Windows Is Finally Getting Support for RAR and 7z Archives Windows 11; LH; 5/26/2023
Microsoft is scanning the inside of password-protected zip files for malware
Why You Should Never Use the Native .Zip Crypto in Windows -- use other tools; Ars; 5/15/2023
5 great security tools built right into Windows
Windows Defender: manual scan;
Parental controls;
System restore point;
Memory Integrity;
Dynamic Lock; PC; 4/22/2021
How to Hide Important Files on Your Windows PC difficult to 'hide'; safest to encrypt (and not rely on device password); LH; 10/29/2020
[2] WinRAR patches 19-year-old security vulnerability that put millions at risk ACE format; Verge; 2/21/2019

Safer Internet: Offline: Erasing Your Device

Summary

"Having been erased,...
Secure erasing of files is a non-issue for encrypted hard drives, e.g., Mac: FileVault; Win: BitLocker
[2] Erasing apps, settings and data to free up space on your device
[2] Securely Erasing Device before donating or discarding computer, phone, hard drive, printer or other device
[3] Securely erasing files on a non-encrypted hard drive
[3] Redacting (securely hiding/removing) content and metadata from documents and photos
References

[2] Erasing Apps -- and associated settings, and maybe data

Removing an unused app can free up storage, and reduce software update nags
To find out how much storage is used on your device: (esp. for apps, movies, videos, podcasts, music, photos, iOS backups)
iOS10: Settings > General > Storage&Cloud Usage > Storage > Manage Storage
iOS: Settings > General > iPad/iPhone Storage: Offload Unused Apps; iCloud Photo Library; individual apps
iOS: Settings > iTunes & App Store: Offload Unused Apps
macOS: [apple] > About This Mac > Storage > Manage
To remove not only an app, but also its settings, storage caches, etc.:
iOS: press down on app icon to enter move / delete ('jiggly') mode
tap "x" in upper left corner
popup: "Deleting (app) will also delete all of its data"
(press Home button to exit 'jiggly' mode)
To immediately delete related iCloud data:
iOS10: Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage > (device) > disable old app
iOS: Settings > (your acct) iCloud > Manage Storage > (app) > Delete Documents & Data
macOS: just dragging an app (from Applications folder) to Trash does not remove extra preference/library files
Use app's uninstaller (if one is provided) or an app removal utility, e.g., App Cleaner
[2] macOS: 3rd party utilities can find duplicate and large files, e.g., Disk Cleanup Pro (free; in the Mac App Store)
"Disk Cleanup Pro automatically cleans up the big offenders, Caches and Logs, plus it allows you to scan for duplicate files and large files. You can set the threshold for file size (e.g. bigger than 50 MB) in preferences, and can set separate thresholds for different types of files (Movies, Photos, Text, etc.). It tells you broadly what type of file it is dealing with (Photos, Music, Documents, etc.); fileinfo.com can help you identify the kind of file for a file extension you don't recognize." ~Peter DeGroot, AshMUG
[3] macOS: (select files/folders) > File (ctrl-click) > Compress -- to reduce size of files you want to keep, but access infrequently; rename .zip if desired; delete originals when done
[3] macOS: Monolingual removes unused languages (and processor architectures) from System/Apps , e.g., just keep English yields ~2Gb
[3] macOS: (HD/SSD) : "Previous System" folder (if present: ~1-2Gb) can be deleted, but it can be very difficult/tricky to actually Empty Trash

[2] Securely Erasing Device / Disk

Securely erase drive before donating, discarding, recycling, selling or transferring your device; to be nice, re-install OS
This assumes that you've already backed up anything you care about, and migrated files/settings to any new device.
iOS: Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings
Trigger auto-erase if lost or stolen?
iOS: Settings > Passcode > (passcode) > Erase Data -- after 10 failed passcode attempts
iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud > (device) > Find My iPhone/iPad -- allows you to erase remotely
[3] macOS: erase disk and install OS
Boot from Recovery Partition (option-R during Restart); or your bootable clone; for older macOS, boot from DVD or USB
Utilities: Disk Utility > (select drive) > Erase -- generally use Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled) (for now, don't use High Sierra's APFS); for older macOS, and non-SSD, use option to Erase Free Space: 3 (or more times), if available
Utilities: Reinstall macOS/OS X

[3] Securely Erasing Files

Even if you empty Trash / Recycle Bin, various utilities might be able to recover file content -- unless it's encrypted.
macOS: (≥ 10.10) use FileVault: erased file sectors are still encrypted -- thus unreadable; see Encryption section
macOS (< 10.10): Finder > Secure Empty Trash

[3] Redacting Files

Some source files (e.g., .doc, .pdf, .jpg) can retain layers / versions of info, i.e., metadata, or track changes;
it might be recoverable via copy/paste or tools; just deleting it or overlaying an annotation may not be enough!
So, omit sensitive info from files in the first place: content as well as metadata such as Author, Organization
or, save edited document or selected screen area as an image
or, copy/paste selected (non-sensitive) info into a simpler format, i.e., one that removes any hidden info -- or use redaction tools
Remove photo metadata; e.g., phone location via iOS: Photo Investigator
Redact a .pdf or source document to remove sensitive info -- using proper tools, i.e., Adobe Acrobat Pro; otherwise, simple annotations / changes can be selected, copied, revealed

References

sections: Refs: Android; iOS; macOS; Photos; Recycling; Redacting; Windows
topics: catalogs, junk mail, NSA, printers, repurposing
How to Organize Desktop Apps creating a clean workspace; NYT; 3/2/2023
Digital Clutter Can Be Overwhelming. Here's How to Clean Up. NYT; 2/24/2023
How To Delete the Data Your Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker Has on You Giz; 8/15/2022
You can take it with you: How to destroy the data you leave behind MW; 8/15/2022
Why You Should Do a Factory Reset on All Your Older Tech LH; 5/9/2022
Steps to Simple Online Security: 5: Track or wipe a lost device;
Securely sell or donate old electronics NYT; 4/22/2022
How to Securely Wipe Your Computer, Phone, or Tablet NYT; 1/31/2022
How to remove your iCloud account and Apple ID from a transferred computer MW; 1/27/2020
Remember to Delete and Unlink Your Accounts Before Deleting an App LH; 1/6/2020
Don't Just Uninstall Old Apps -- Delete Your Accounts As Well Giz; 7/10/2019
How to Declutter and Speed Up Your Phone And, iOS; Delete apps you don't use; Free up storage; NYT; 4/18/2019
How to Declutter and Organize Your Personal Tech in a Few Simple Steps NYT; 1/23/2019

Android

Google: Back up or restore data on your Android device; Reset your Android device to factory settings
How to wipe your Android phone before selling it or trading it in Verge; 3/24/2022
10 quick ways to clear space on an overstuffed Android device PC; 6/29/2020

iOS

Apple: How to erase your iOS device and then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups
Apple: Back up iPhone; Erase iPhone
Run out of space? Free up your iPhone storage with these tips MW; 9/11/2023
iPhone Other storage: What is it and how do you delete it? system files, caches (streaming music/video; Safari; Messages), Siri voices, logs, updates; MW; 8/9/2023
How to reset a locked iPhone without needing a Mac
easier in iOS/iPadOS 15.2; MW; 3/20/2023
How to free up iPhone storage without deleting your apps or photographs ApIn; 5/18/2022
How iOS 15 Makes It Much Easier to Back Up and Wipe Your iPhone Before Selling It LH; 11/17/2021
How to erase your iPhone, iPad, or Mac remotely after a theft MW; 7/26/2021
Accidentally Deleted Photos Off Your iPhone? Here's How to Get Them Back MF; 2/25/2021
iPhone Other storage: What is it and how do you clear it? MW; 12/18/2020
How to recover deleted text messages on iPhone it might be tricky; MW; 12/8/2020
What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch Apple; 10/18/2019
After 10 failed logins, Giuliani had Apple Store wipe his iPhone
The 2017 incident occurred shortly after Trump named Rudy cybersecurity advisor; Ars; 10/31/2019
How to delete iOS apps 1. Tap and wiggle; 2. Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage;
3. iTunes > Apps > Delete; 4. iTunes (during update) > Delete from Library; MW; 7/30/2019
iOS 13 will remind you to cancel your subscription when you delete an app Ars; 6/18/2019

macOS

Apple: Disk Utility Help
Follow These Steps to Clear Space on Your Mac
1: Empty the Trash;
2: Restart, Possibly in Safe Mode;
3: Scan for Large Files and Huge Folders;
4: Delete 32-bit Apps and Duplicate Apps;
5: Delete macOS Installers;
6: Delete old iPhone and iPad Backups;
7: Remove the GarageBand Sound Library;
8: Remove Opened Mail Attachments;
9: Remove Unwanted Podcasts;
10: Remove Watched TV Shows and Movies;
11: Remove Downloaded Copies of Apple Music and iTunes Match Songs;
12: Remove Local Copies of Apple Books;
13: Select Optimize Mac Storage and Remove Local iCloud Drive Files;
14: Delete iPhoto Libraries;
15: Delete Time Machine Snapshots;
16: Delete Unwanted Contents of the Downloads Folder;
17: Delete Photo, Song, and File Duplicates;
18: Delete Already-Imported Folders of Photos;
19: Use DevCleaner to Delete Xcode Caches;
20: Compress Large Files; 21: Get External Storage; TB; 3/18/2024
How to recover deleted files from emptied trash on a Mac
1: Recover emptied Trash on a Mac with data recovery software;
2: Recover accidentally emptied Trash on a Mac from Time Machine backup;
3: Recover deleted files after emptying Trash on a Mac with iCloud backup;
4: Recover files from emptied Trash on a Mac using Terminal; MW; 2/22/2024
How to use macOS Erase Assistant to reset your Mac ApIn; 12/24/2023
How to Wipe Your Mac Without Reinstalling the OS LH; 12/1/2023
How to delete 'Other' storage on a Mac pre-Monterey; MW; 11/12/2023
How to clear disk space on a Mac MW; 9/26/2023
How to delete system data on a Mac Monterey and later; MW; 7/26/2023
Boost Mac performance with one of these top cleaner apps MW; 3/9/2023
Easy tips for cleaning up your Mac MW; 3/2/2023
Don't wait for spring to start cleaning up your Mac device MW; 12/11/2022
How to clear disk space on a Mac MW; 10/18/2022
How to Securely Erase a Mac's SSD or Hard Drive TB; 8/15/2022
How to delete System storage on Mac MW; 5/18/2022
How to find & delete duplicate files on Mac MW; 5/16/2022
How to erase a Mac's drive in macOS Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey
both data and system volumes; MW; 11/25/2021
[2] How to use Terminal to securely erase free space on a Mac’s drive MW; 9/19/2021
CCleaner review: A flexible Mac utility for clearing clutter MW; 8/12/2021
How to erase your iPhone, iPad, or Mac remotely after a theft MW; 7/26/2021
Save Mac storage space by cleaning out abandoned log files MW; 4/9/2021
How to erase and prepare a Mac for gifting, recycling, or selling ApIn; 12/27/2020
How to erase an encrypted Mac volume if you don't need its contents you don't need a password if you're just trying to erase a drive; MW; 11/27/2020
What Are Relocated Items in macOS Catalina & Can I Delete Them? OSXD; 6/15/2020
Apple’s Activation Lock Will Make It Very Difficult to Refurbish Macs iFix; 12/2/2019
How to Delete Microsoft AutoUpdate from Mac OSXD; 7/20/2019
How to Delete Specific Files from Trash on Mac Without Emptying Entire Trash Trash: ctrl-click > Delete Immediately; OSXD; 7/18/2019
Can't erase your Mac's startup disk? Try Internet Recovery as a last resort MW; 6/25/2019
What to do if your Mac's hard drive starts unmounting itself unexpectedly MW; 5/8/2019
How to delete a file that macOS says is in use MW; 2/13/2019

Photos

How to remove metadata from your photos on iOS TNW; 6/27/2019
How to recover deleted photos from an iPhone or iPad MW; 2/1/2019

Recycling / Reselling

HowStuffWorks: 10 Things to Do Before You Wipe Your Computer;
How to Donate Your Computer to Charity
Manufacturer or store may recycle, e.g., Apple iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC; BestBuy (OR)
RV Habitat for Humanity: ReStore -- recycling electronics: 10-4 daily
Oregon E-Cycles environmentally responsible recycling program for computers, monitors and TVs
E-cycling Central (OR)
Green Guide to Recycling Appliances and Electronics
Catalog Choice eliminate unwanted catalogs, phone books, credit card offers
Trade-in programs: Amazon; Best Buy; Gazelle
How to sell your old tech gear PC; 8/10/2023
How to trade in your MacBook, macOS desktop, iPhone, or iPad Verge; 6/29/2023
This Hidden Amazon Page Makes It Easier to Fix, Recycle, or Trade in Your Old Tech Gadgets Second Chance; MF; 2/16/2023
How to (Ethically) Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff Wired; 1/31/2022
The best online marketplaces for selling your used devices PC; 8/10/2021
Thinking about selling your Echo Dot—or any IoT device? Read this first
deleting data is hard; factory reset; encryption? Ars; 7/2/2021
How to Repurpose Your Old Gadgets Wired; 10/18/2020
Three Worthwhile Buy-Back Programs for iPhones TB; 3/3/2020
How To Buy Hardware That's Likely to Last TB; 7/2/2019
How to Get Your MacBook Ready to Sell
Turn off FileVault;
Turn off Find My Mac;
Deauthorize your computer;
Unlink other accounts;
Sync your Messages to iCloud;
Log out of iCloud; Back up your stuff;
Erase all your stuff;
Reinstall macOS; LH; 6/10/2019
How to Sell or Recycle Your Old Electronics LH; 5/2/2019
It's Scary How Much Personal Data People Leave on Used Laptops and Phones, Researcher Finds Giz; 3/19/2019

Redacting

Wikipedia: Data erasure
Sanitization: removing sensitive information from a document; redaction: blacking out or deletion of text to allow selective disclosure
How to easily redact text in a PDF on your Mac MW; 12/5/2023
Redacted Documents Are Not as Secure as You Think Wired; 11/25/2022
NYT Crossword Thu, 9/23/21
67A: “Redacts, as sensitive information (suggested by three of this puzzle’s answers)"
BLACKSOUT (certain black squares hide SSN, DOB, PIN)
How to easily redact text in a PDF on your Mac
Preview (Big Sur), Acrobat, PDFPen and PDFPen Pro;
MW; 5/26/2021
Metadata Left in Security Agency PDFs 3/12/2021
We Cracked the Redactions in the Ghislaine Maxwell Deposition Here’s what it says about Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, and Prince Andrew. Plus: Help us decode more names; Slate; 10/22/2020
Frontier bungles redaction of network audit that it doesn’t want you to see Blacked-out text is readable, revealing 952,000 potential network problems; Ars; 4/9/2020
The best PDF apps to use for editing, redacting, and for OCR in macOS Mojave ApIn; 2/25/2019
How a Simple Copy/Paste Revealed Explosive New Detail in Manafort's Case Redacted court documents keep getting unredacted because of simple, relatively easy to avoid errors. Here's how to better redact PDFs; MB; 1/10/2019

Windows

How to securely erase your hard drive or SSD
plus thumb drives; PC; 6/14/2021
How to get rid of old files and clean up your PC with Windows' Storage settings PC; 7/20/2020
Microsoft's new Windows File Recovery tool lets you retrieve deleted documents Verge; 6/29/2020
How to Quickly Free Up Space on Your Windows PC LH; 5/7/2019
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Safer Internet: Offline Data

Introduction

Summary

Safer Internet: Offline: Passwords Intro

Summary

Weak Passwords? Stronger Passwords

2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Safer Internet: Offline: Accounts

Summary

[1] Set Account Password

[2] Setup separate accounts/permissions for each user

[3] Set Firmware password, SIM PIN

References

Android

Apple ID / iCloud

iOS

macOS

Windows

Safer Internet: Offline: Backups

Quotes

Summary

Where to Backup?

[1] Incremental Backup

[1] Complete Backup

[1] Offsite: Cloud and/or Other Physical Location

What I Use

Other

References

Android

Backblaze

Carbon Copy Cloner (Mac)

Cloud

Death, Divorce

Dropbox

Future

Google

Hard Drive, SSD

iCloud (Apple)

iOS

macOS

Natural Disaster

OneDrive (Microsoft)

Paper, Other

Photos

Retrospect

SuperDuper (Mac)

Thumb / USB Drives

TimeMachine (Mac)

Windows

Safer Internet: Offline: Software Updates

Quotes

Summary

When, What to Update: System, Apps, Add-ons

Operating System

Apps

Add-ons: Plugins, Extensions

[1] Install Minor/Incremental Updates, e.g., #.1

Android

iOS

macOS

Windows

[2] Install Major OS Updates, e.g., #.0

[2] Replace Device?

References

Android

Apps

ChromeOS/Book

Drivers, Firmware

iOS / iPadOS

macOS

Meltdown / Spectre / ZombieLoad (hardware CPU flaws)

Office Suites (Microsoft & others)

Replace, Switch

Windows

Safer Internet: Offline: Encryption

Quotes

Summary

Encryption: Intro

[1] Encrypt Entire Device / Disk -- and Backups

[1] Encrypt Cloud Files & Backups