Recent versions of OS X and iOS have a built-in password manager called iCloud Keychain, which generates random passwords for you and syncs across devices automatically. So why would anyone need 1Password (or another third-party password manager)? Joe Kissell shares a long list of reasons, making a strong case for going beyond Apple’s free tool.

Most companies that do business on the Internet have published privacy policies, and although they’re often full of tedious legalese, they’re worth reading. Whether they do anything to protect you is another question.

Are you still using an AOL address, or one provided by your ISP? Do you share an email address with your spouse? Have you ever wished you could have a professional-looking email address in your own domain? In this installment of FlippedBITS, Joe Kissell looks at some common ways of using email accounts that are, shall we say, less than optimal, and explains how to improve your email image.

Serious security threats involving Java have been a recurring theme for Mac users in recent months. But what exactly is Java, and what’s the problem? What’s this Java Runtime you hear about from time to time? And is JavaScript the same thing? Grab a cup of coffee and join Joe Kissell for the story of Java in this installment of FlippedBITS.

One of the most popular methods for receiving email is also the source of numerous misunderstandings. Joe Kissell explains why IMAP may be a more effective and useful protocol than POP, and addresses common sources of confusion.

Are your passwords strong enough to resist an automated attack? If you believe any of several common password myths, they may not be. In this installment of FlippedBITS, Joe Kissell examines a few of the most dangerous myths about password security and explains smarter and safer practices.

Bootable duplicates are an important part of a complete backup strategy. But when you have to boot a Mac from such a disk — even if only temporarily — things may not always behave as you expect. Joe Kissell sheds light on some of the common points of pain and confusion when starting a Mac from a duplicate.

Joe’s new ongoing column, FlippedBITS, promises to set readers straight on a wide variety of confusing technical topics.