About TechBookshelf

TechBookshelf – Your Library for Online Safety & Privacy.

Welcome to TechBookshelf. Despite the name, we don't review novels. We built a library – a free, well-organised reference shelf where every guide works like a small book that answers one real question about staying safe online.

Why we exist

Every day, ordinary people lose money to phishing texts, have accounts taken over because of a reused password, or install "free" apps that quietly collect their data. Most security advice online is either written for IT professionals or buried in jargon. We think protecting yourself online should be simple enough for anyone – a student setting up their first laptop, a parent worried about their child's phone, or a grandparent who just received a suspicious "bank" call.

What you'll find on the shelves

Our content is organised into shelves, so you can go straight to the topic you need:

• Scams Shelf – how to recognise and report phishing, fake calls, online shopping fraud and social-media scams.
• VPN Shelf – what a VPN really does (and doesn't do), how to choose one, and how to set it up.
• Passwords & Accounts Shelf – password managers, two-factor authentication, passkeys and account recovery.
• Malware & Device Security Shelf – viruses, ransomware, spyware, antivirus tools and keeping phones and computers updated.
• Privacy Shelf – browser and app privacy settings, data brokers, tracking, and protecting your personal information.
• Family Safety Shelf – practical guides for parents, kids, teens and older adults.
• The Security Dictionary – our growing glossary that explains security terms in one or two plain sentences.

How we write our guides

• Plain English first. If a technical term is necessary, we explain it – usually with a link to The Security Dictionary.
• Step by step. How-to guides give clear, numbered steps you can follow on your own device.
• Research-based. We check official documentation, vendor security advisories and guidance from recognised organisations before we publish.
• Kept up to date. Threats and software change fast, so we review and update guides regularly and show the last-updated date.
• Honest reviews. When we compare tools or services, we explain our criteria and point out weaknesses as well as strengths.

Our independence and how we're funded

TechBookshelf is free to read. To keep it that way, some pages may include advertising or affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you buy a product through our link – at no extra cost to you. This never decides what we recommend, and we clearly label such links. We are not affiliated with any company we write about unless we say so.

An important note

Our guides are for general education. They are not a substitute for professional IT, legal or financial advice. If you believe you are the victim of fraud or a serious security incident, contact your bank, the service provider involved and your local law enforcement or cybercrime reporting agency as soon as possible.

Get in touch

Spotted a mistake, want a topic covered, or have a question about a guide? We'd love to hear from you. Visit our Contact page or email us at [email protected].

Thanks for visiting – and welcome to the library.