Emily Long
Emily Long is a Utah-based freelance writer who covers consumer technology, privacy and personal finance for Tom's Guide. She has been reporting and writing for nearly 10 years, and her work has appeared in Wirecutter, Lifehacker, NBC BETTER and CN Traveler, among others. When she's not working, you can find her trail running, teaching and practicing yoga, or studying for grad school — all fueled by coffee, obviously.
Latest articles by Emily Long
![MacBook on desk with glasses and monitor displaying Windows in background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H6fNeLzfFQ29oGbwDvKwHe-320-80.jpg)
Are Macs really more secure than Windows PCs?
By Emily Long published
Apple users may believe their machines are naturally safer to use than Windows PCs, but the truth is much more muddled.
![A man uses a smartphone to connect to a Wi-Fi network, with a router and a laptop sitting on a desk.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pbEbkTiRy7PcdYCaNwZDaM-320-80.jpg)
How to secure your Wi-Fi
By Emily Long published
Here's how to keep your Wi-Fi network safe from hackers, thieves and other pests.
![Red-headed white woman types on laptop while menacing figure wearing balaclava looks over her shoulder.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9Ds7ecMxsE6JsUvMsE9GtE-320-80.jpg)
How to protect your identity — 5 tips everyone should know
By Emily Long published
It's better to prevent identity theft than to clean up after it's stolen. Here are five essential ways you can protect your identity.
![A young woman wearing glasses using a smartphone.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CjipyQSdte3fFJZYNpciem-320-80.jpg)
8 essential tips for protecting your phone from hackers
By Emily Long published
Worried your phone could fall prey to hackers? Here's a few simple steps to lock things down.
![A login prompt asking for a username and password.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/svgGy5PRvj4g2ZLmTfV8o8-320-80.jpg)
5 essential tips for protecting your online passwords
By Emily Long published
Weak and reused passwords put your online accounts in danger. Here's how to up your password game.
![A young woman wearing a hoodie taking a laptop from the front seat of a car.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R9u6kmV6vydoFh6Jfe3A7H-320-80.jpg)
What to do if your laptop is lost or stolen
By Emily Long published
Losing your laptop or having it stolen can be a nightmare scenario — but not if you follow our recommendations.
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5 ways to secure your Alexa device
By Emily Long published
You have to be careful what you say to Alexa. Here's how to keep your voice-enabled devices secure.
![free vs paid antivirus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gVdi8X32ZiydKwnALz3mRj-320-80.jpg)
Should you still pay for antivirus software?
By Emily Long published
Now that Windows Defender is so reliable, what's the point of paying for antivirus software? There are still a few good reasons.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/frqEpocfouskKLm2PwnMQR-320-80.jpg)
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
By Emily Long published
You've probably heard a lot about how air purifiers are good for you. But how do these things really work?
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5 Reasons You Need an Air Purifier
By Emily Long published
Air purifiers won't solve all your problems, but they will definitely keep your home's air cleaner. Here are five reasons to use an air purifier.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6p35fS28yTSLFeYda7V3K7-320-80.jpg)
How to Avoid (and Block) 'Neighbor-Spoofing' Robocalls
By Emily Long published
Are you being flooded by spam calls from numbers with your area code and prefix? Here's how to avoid being tricked by these phony neighbors.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PRG4P5AhHs52BhZsFX2qfc-320-80.jpg)
7 Tips to Manage Your Kids' Screen Time This Summer
By Emily Long published
The experts do not agree on how much screen time is too much for children, but there are some handy tools and advice to make sure you manage that time the right way.