Michael Thompson-Brown

Cybersecurity Expert

Michael Thompson-Brown is a Cybersecurity Expert based in Portland, Maine. He is the owner and founder of PCRescue!, a company that provides cybersecurity and data management solutions to small businesses and individuals. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry and is a certified ethical hacker. He founded PCRescue! in 2002, and is passionate about helping clients both protect their data and systems from malicious attacks, and optimize their online presence and reach.

Education

  • Western Governor's University, MS, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
  • University of Phoenix, BA, Business Administration

Certifications & Organizations

  • Master of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (MSCIA)
  • Certified Ethical Hacker Certification (CEH)
  • Association of Computer Repair Business Owners (ACRBO)

Favorite Piece of Advice

Use a unique passphrase for your email and protect it like it is gold. Back up your devices locally and remotely. No legitimate company sends an alert that you have a virus, and they will help if you call them.

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Q&A Comments (17)

What's the best antivirus software?
The built-in antivirus software provided by Windows or Mac is better than third-party alternatives due to its seamless integration with the operating system, regular updates, deeper access to system functions, and user-friendly interface. This integration ensures efficient resource usage and compatibility, while automatic updates keep the software current with the latest threats. Additionally, being developed by the same company as the operating system, built-in antivirus solutions often provide better compatibility and require minimal configuration, making them suitable for all users.
Does a third-party anti-virus application offer more protection than built-in ones?
Built-in antivirus software surpasses third-party alternatives because it operates faster and consumes fewer system resources. Its integration with the operating system enables efficient utilization of resources, ensuring minimal impact on system performance. Additionally, being directly developed by the OS vendor, built-in antivirus solutions are optimized for speed, providing swift protection without compromising system responsiveness.
Why should I disable my firewall? Are there any benefits to doing this?
You shouldn't disable your firewall entirely. However, there are instances where you may need to temporarily modify firewall settings, particularly when troubleshooting or testing applications with specific networking requirements. Typically, this process is automatic, especially on Windows and Mac systems. Occasionally, you may need to manually allow a program through the firewall, which may happen on Windows from time to time. This need for manual intervention occurs more often when using third-party firewall software like McAfee or Norton.
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Co-authored Articles (23)

Mirror Your Screen to a TV: Miracast, Chromecast, & Wireless HDMI

Share your PC's screen to any TV with this handy guideWant to stream movies, YouTube, or cast content from Windows computer to your TV? If you have a smart TV with Chromecast or Miracast built in, it's easy to mirror you...

Activate Windows with a Product Key or Digital License

Activate your copy of Windows and link it to your Microsoft accountAccording to tech expert Michael Thompson-Brown, product activation tells Microsoft's servers that you have purchased a legitimate Windows license.. 06 M...

How to Detect Remote Access to My Computer: Signs + Expert Tips

See if someone is remotely viewing your computer & what to do next Few things are scarier than an active intrusion on your computer! If you think someone has control over your PC from afar, start by disconnecting from th...

How to Remap Your Keyboard Keys on Windows: Complete Guide

Learn how to change keybindings easily in Windows 10 & 11This wikiHow teaches you how to reassign your keyboard buttons and select a different function for any button on your keyboard, using Windows. There's no built-in ...

7 Ways to Disable Virus Protection on Your Computer

Multiple ways to turn off Windows Security, Avast, AVG, and Norton on Windows and Mac computersSince your antivirus program protects your computer from dangerous viruses and malware, you really shouldn't disable it witho...

How to Fix Cyclic Redundancy Check Errors on Windows

Steps to solve a data error cyclic redundancy checkA cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is a data verification method your computer uses to check the data on your disks (hard disks, like your hard drive, and optical disks lik...

How to

Register Internet Download Manager (IDM) on PC or Mac

Your guide for entering your IDM serial keyThis wikiHow teaches you how to register your copy of Internet Download Manager (IDM) with your personal serial number, and start using the full version of the app on your compu...

How to Install Puppy Linux on a USB Drive or PC

Run a lightweight version of Linux without the commitment Do you want to try Linux without committing to a full installation? Unlike other Linux distributions, Puppy Linux doesn't require a full installation—it can boo...

Fix Your Slow and Unresponsive Windows 10 Computer

Easy guide to fix slow & unresponsive Windows 10 or 11Is Windows lagging or failing to respond at all on your computer? If Windows 10 is running slow, there are plenty of simple fixes to speed it up. This wikiHow article...

How to Repair Google Chrome: Easy Troubleshooting Guide

Diagnose, repair, and restore Chrome like a pro This wikiHow teaches you how to fix common errors in the Google Chrome web browser and uninstall and reinstall Chrome on Windows, Mac, & iPhone/iPad. Most common errors in ...

3 Ways to Access Windows XP with a Blank Administrator Password

Are you locked out of your Windows XP Administrator account? When Windows XP is installed on a PC, the Administrator account is not given a password by default. This means it's incredibly easy to log in to most Windows X...

How to Disable Firewall Protection

Quickly shut off your firewall with this comprehensive guideYour computer's firewall is important for protecting against malware and hackers, but it can sometimes block access to apps or connections you want. You can tem...

How to Fix .LNK Extensions in Windows: 6 Easy Methods

If all of your files suddenly have the .lnk extension, you can't open apps by clicking their shortcuts, or you're seeing non-stop errors about .lnk files, the issue might stem from a malware infection or Windows Update g...

How to Format a USB Flash Drive to FAT32 on a Mac

Manual formatting using the Disk Utility app or the Terminal FAT32 is one of the most commonly used file system formats for USB drives because it is compatible with the widest variety of devices and systems. You can use...

2 Easy Ways to Manually Remove Adware on a Computer

If your computer is suddenly inundated with pop-up ads or your browser keeps sending you to the wrong websites, you may be infected with adware. Windows and Mac are both vulnerable to malicious software that can hijack y...

2 Simple Ways to See an HFS+ Formatted Drive in Windows

Easily browse HFS+ formatted Mac volumes in WindowsBecause Windows can't read Mac-formatted drives, connecting an HFS-formatted drive to a Windows PC will usually prompt you to format it. However, using third-party softw...

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode (Using the Command Prompt)

Plus, which type of safe mode to use to diagnose your computer problems If Windows 10 isn't behaving properly, you can boot into Safe Mode to run scans, uninstall software, and access the Command Prompt.. 06 March 2024. ...

How to

Disable Router Firewall

This wikiHow teaches you how to turn off your Wi-Fi router's firewall. Keep in mind that doing this may increase the risk of encountering virtual intruders and malware in your network.. 11 January 2024.

What Partition Scheme Should I Use on a Mac?

When you erase and format a disk drive using Disk Utility on macOS, you are asked to choose from one of three partition schemes. You are also asked to choose a format for your hard drive. This wikiHow article will teach ...

How to

Remove a Worm Virus

Worms are rapidly-spreading viruses transmitted through insecure networks, e-mail attachments, software downloads, and social media links. Worms primarily affect PCs, but Mac users can unknowingly spread them throughout ...
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