When the IBM PC was new, I served as the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years. That’s how I met PCMag’s editorial team, who brought me on board in 1986. In the years since that fateful meeting, I’ve become PCMag’s expert on security, privacy, and identity protection, putting antivirus tools, security suites, and all kinds of security software through their paces.
Before my current security gig, I supplied PCMag readers with tips and solutions on using popular applications, operating systems, and programming languages in my "User to User" and "Ask Neil" columns, which began in 1990 and ran for almost 20 years. Along the way, I wrote more than 40 utility articles, as well as Delphi Programming for Dummies and six other books covering DOS, Windows, and programming. I also reviewed thousands of products of all kinds, ranging from early Sierra Online adventure games to AOL’s precursor Q-Link.
In the early 2000s, I turned my focus to security and the growing antivirus industry. After years of working with antivirus, I’m known throughout the security industry as an expert on evaluating antivirus tools. I serve as an advisory board member for the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), an international nonprofit group dedicated to coordinating and improving testing of anti-malware solutions.
Much of the testing I do, particularly testing with real-world ransomware, is just plain dangerous. To perform such tests safely, I sequester them inside virtual machines managed by VMWare Workstation. For cross-platform testing, I use a MacBook Air, a Google Pixel 4, and a 6th-generation iPad.
I rely on my Delphi coding skills to create and maintain small applications. These include programs to check whether an antivirus correctly handled the malware it detected, launch dangerous URLs and record the security program’s reaction, and analyze the malware that I collect for use in testing. I also wrote a tiny browser and text editor for use in testing security apps that have predefined reactions for known products.
I do my writing and research on a Dell OptiPlex desktop, relying on Microsoft Word (my fingers know all the shortcuts). Many of my articles include charts and analysis; Excel is my go-to for those. When work hours end, though, I escape the bounds of Microsoft and Windows. There’s an iPhone in my pocket, I relax with my oversized iPad, and my Kindle Oasis is always loaded with the best science fiction and fantasy.
Sidestepping online trackers and protecting your personal information might seem like a hopeless task, but these top-rated privacy apps can really make a difference.
1 week, 1 dayYour information is already out there. What you do in the next few hours could determine whether hackers steal your money, hijack your accounts, or move on to an easier target.
1 week, 6 daysWhat's the top security software to keep your PC safe? We've tested, reviewed, and rated more than 40 apps to help you choose the right security suite to protect your devices and data.
2 weeksFrom viruses to spyware, we break down the key differences so you know exactly what you're dealing with.
2 weeks, 5 daysTired of forgetting passwords or reusing weak ones? The passphrase approach makes strong security easy to remember—and harder to crack.
2 weeks, 6 daysForget sticky notes and password resets. Follow these three easy tips to create passwords you can actually remember—and no one else can guess.
2 weeks, 6 daysDespite what you may have heard, your Apple computer isn't immune to malware. We've tested the top programs to identify the best antivirus protection for Macs.
3 weeksAntivirus apps protect your PC's personal information, data, bank accounts, and other sensitive information. We've tested more than two dozen utilities to help you choose the right antivirus for your needs.
3 weeks, 1 dayMicrosoft claims Windows Defender is all the protection you need. I've been testing antivirus software for decades, and the evidence—not to mention the threats it can't protect you from—says otherwise.
3 weeks, 3 daysMicrosoft claims Windows Defender is all the protection you need. The evidence from real-world testing—and competing security tools—says otherwise.
4 weeks
