Stephen Bach - Marblehead Current

26 Mar

DOC IN A BOX: What technology quietly learns about us

Stephen BachColumns, Opinion, Stephen Bach

Over the past few years writing for the Marblehead Current, I’ve noticed something interesting: The biggest tech stories aren’t usually about the technology itself. They’re about what technology quietly learns about us. And lately, the lesson seems to be this: The internet remembers more about you than you think. Your “anonymous” account probably isn’t.  Many people assume that if they create a second account with a different name, they’re invisible online. But new research suggests otherwise. A recent study found that artificial intelligence can link…

11 Mar

DOC IN A BOX: Why your Wi-Fi struggles in older homes (and what you can actually do about it)

Stephen BachColumns, Stephen Bach

By Stephen Bach If you live in Marblehead or another similar "old home" community, there’s a good chance your home has character. Thick plaster walls. Solid beams. Maybe wiring that’s been updated a few times over the decades. It’s part of the charm. Unfortunately, it’s not part of a strong Wi-Fi plan. One of the most common calls I get at The Digital Docs goes something like this: “Stephen, the internet works fine in the kitchen, but upstairs it’s terrible.” Or, “It drops every time…

18 Feb

DOC IN A BOX: The people in our neighborhood

Stephen BachColumns, Stephen Bach

The Digital Docs have fascinating customers. Today I’m taking a short detour from my regular “Doc in a Box” column to talk about the incredible community we have. I get to meet an amazing number of interesting people from all walks of life and countries of origin, with an incredible range of occupations and experiences. It’s a reminder of how much we all contribute to one another. Here are just a few of the many people I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with over the…

27 Jan

COLUMN: How do you know if what you see on social media is real?

Stephen BachColumns, Local News, Stephen Bach

Social media is filled with more false information than ever before. In recent months, experts have noticed a big rise in misinformation and disinformation online. Misinformation means sharing something wrong by mistake, while disinformation is a lie spread on purpose. Both are spreading quickly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, and both can cause real damage. False posts spread faster than ever One big problem is how fast a lie can travel on social media. A false post can reach thousands…

03 Dec

DOC IN A BOX: What to do if your computer is compromised by a hacker

Saoirse StallingsColumns, Stephen Bach

When your computer starts acting strange, it’s tempting to shrug it off as a glitch. But unusual behavior — slowdowns, pop-ups or friends receiving odd messages — can be early signs of a hack. Acting quickly makes a big difference. And NEVER, EVER respond to a pop-up message that tells you something like “call Microsoft immediately.” About half of the issues we see every week at The Docs have to do with hackers, and it’s not pretty! The first step is to disconnect from the…

29 Oct

Decoding everyday tech: Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and other terms explained

Leigh BlanderColumns, Opinion, Stephen Bach

We hear tech terms like Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and “the cloud” every day, but many people still don’t know exactly what they mean. And that’s okay — no one is born understanding this stuff. (Especially those of us born before the 1960s!) The good news is, once you strip away the jargon, most of it is pretty simple. Here’s a quick guide to a few common terms that pop up in everyday tech conversations, explained in plain English. Let’s start with Wi‑Fi. It’s what lets your…

29 Oct

Decoding everyday tech: Wi‐Fi, bluetooth, and other terms explained

Saoirse StallingsColumns, Stephen Bach

We hear tech terms like Wi‐Fi, bluetooth and “the cloud” every day, but many people still don’t know exactly what they mean. And that’s okay — no one is born understanding this stuff. (Especially those of us born before the 1960s!) The good news is, once you strip away the jargon, most of it is pretty simple. Here’s a quick guide to a few common terms that pop up in everyday tech conversations, explained in plain English. Let’s start with Wi‐Fi. It’s what lets your…

02 Oct

DIGITAL DOCS: What you need to know about Microsoft’s upcoming deadline

khthomsonStephen Bach

Once again, it looks like Microsoft jumped the proverbial gun by trying to scare everyone into thinking that if you don’t upgrade to Windows 11 by Oct. 14 the sky will fall. Although some of what they published has a lot of truth in it, they have just released some updates to their FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) announcement. Here is a little update to help you sleep a bit better: Technically, Windows 10 support ends on Oct. 14, 2025. After that day, no more…

12 Sep

DIGITAL DOCS: Why software updates matter (and how to stay safe & secure)

khthomsonStephen Bach

Most people are familiar with that pop-up message: “Updates available.” If your first reaction is to put it off for later, you’re definitely not alone. Still, those reminders are much more important than they might seem. Regular updates are essential for keeping your computer secure and running smoothly. Think of them as your device’s regular checkup. Both Windows PCs and Macs rely on these updates to fix hidden problems and ensure everything works as it should. Protecting yourself from security risks: One of the biggest…