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New cyber security guidance: ASD Essentials

ASD Essentials builds on the Essential Eight. Our sister service, Suburban Secure, has a short introduction and links to the official guidance.

ASD diagram showing a modem router connecting the internet to wired computers and a printer, plus wireless laptops, a phone, a security camera and a television.

Is Your Wi-Fi Router Secure? A Simple Checklist for Townsville Homes and Businesses

Your internet can work perfectly while your router needs a security check. Follow these simple steps, learn what to look for when buying a replacement, and get local help from Townsville Computer Man.

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Free AI, Cyber Security and Procurement Training for Townsville Small Businesses

The Queensland Government is funding free AI, cyber security and procurement training for small and family businesses through the University of the Sunshine Coast, plus a free standalone cyber security micro-credential through TAFE Queensland. Here's what's actually on offer and how to register interest.

Illustration of a laptop with a padlock over the keyboard and a crossed-out screwdriver, representing locked-down modern hardware.

Why Modern Computers Are So Hard to Fix (And What Changed)

Older computers were built from modular, standard parts with open repair manuals. Thinner designs, glued and soldered components, and software that locks parts to a specific motherboard have made a lot of modern machines nearly impossible to open, let alone upgrade.

Why You Should Set Up a Passkey (Next Time You're Asked)

If Google, Apple, Microsoft or your bank has ever prompted you to "set up a passkey" and you clicked away, here's why it's worth going back — passkeys are faster to use than a password and can't be phished, guessed or reused the way passwords can.

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Do You Need Paid Antivirus? Windows Defender and Mac Security in 2026

For most people, Microsoft Defender is genuinely enough on Windows — it's improved enormously and is trusted by enterprises worldwide — while a Mac's regular security patches and locked-down design mean it rarely needs anything extra at all.