Learn how to safely send files and documents with real-world methods that beat automated bots, government spies, and common human slip-ups. This practical 280-page 2026 guide shows you how to secure your files, redact sensitive data, use encryption and free tools you already have — for Windows, Mac, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Dropbox & Google Drive.

In today’s world almost every business or individual sends sensitive information — credit card details, legal contracts, personal data — over the Internet. But basic email and cloud sharing tools were never designed for privacy or security. That’s where Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups comes in.

This 2026 edition is your practical, jargon-free manual to secure file transfers:

• Understand the threats — automated bots, government spies, and unlucky accidents — and what they can do with your data.
• Learn how to encrypt, redact and protect documents before you send them out.
• Get step-by-step guidance on the right tools and methods, whether you're using Microsoft Office, cloud storage, email or messaging apps.

No matter your skill level, this guide equips you with real solutions for secure document sending in 2026.

• 🔐 Real-World Secure Transfer Methods: How to encrypt files, send large documents securely, and avoid unprotected email attachments.
• ✂️ Redaction, Encryption & Privacy Tools: Protect or remove private information before sharing — including Word, PDF and image files.
• ☁️ Cloud & Email Security Explained: Best practices for OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, messenger and email file sharing — and how to secure them.
• 🤝 Recipient-Friendly Security: Practical tips that make sure recipients can open secure files correctly without confusion.
• 🛡️ Comprehensive Secure File Protection: Step-by-step strategies to keep sensitive documents safe from hackers, bots and unwanted surveillance.
• 📱 Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works with Windows, Mac, iPad and Android devices.

Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups - 2026 ed. 

• Microsoft 365 / Office 365
• Office 2024, 2021, LTSC 2021, Office 2019, Office 2016.
• PDF files
• Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 and 7.
• MacOS, iPad, iPhone.
• OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive
• Full Color
• over 280 pages
• 2026 - 3rd Edition
• Fast find, table of contents with links
• PDF format compatible with Windows, Mac, Apple and Android tablets and pretty much anything else including, of course, iPads!

Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups shows how keep your personal and business details private. Mostly using tools you already have or are freely available.

Anyone's information can be copied and misused. Don't think you're too small, insignificant or innocent to matter.

for Windows and Mac, Microsoft 365, Office 2024, 2021 or 2019, Office 2016 and earlier

Redaction

Redaction or removing private info from a document is a complex task. It’s a lot more complicated than just adding black bars to a document.

The book has a chapter devoted to redaction.

Quick and Simple - safely remove personal details using tools already in Windows or Mac.

How to redact safely for Office documents, images and PDF even in long and complex documents.  Included are some VBA macros to speed up redaction in Word and make sure it’s done right.

Bots

Hackers and criminals ("Bots") take personal information, combine those details with other information and sell it.  Identify theft is huge business.  A single stolen credit card number (with expiry and CVV) can sell for $5,000 on the black market.

Spies

Government agencies ("Spies") around the world harvest information from the Internet.  Emails, web traffic, files on cloud storage and more is monitored. The sad truth is that powers to spy on the Internet are not limited to terrorism.  They can and do spy for any reason, often without a warrant or notice to you.

Cock-ups

Accidental intrusion is also possible ("Cock-ups").  Someone might not be trying to snoop on you but might come across information they aren't mean to see.

Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups has step-by-step advice for

• Securely sending information, files and documents
• Protecting files that you have to send by unsafe ways.
• Hiding files from searches.
• Keeping your files and documents under size limits.
• Splitting large files so they can be sent.
• Securing files shared over cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive.

Recipients

Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups considers the people who get your secure files.  It's no good sending an encrypted file if the receiver doesn't know how to open it!

Windows and Mac

Windows and Mac users get a lot from Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups. Most secure sending methods work for either Mac or Windows. We note the options that are limited to either Windows or Mac completely or need extra tools to bridge the Microsoft/Apple divide.

Quick Start

The first chapter of Beating Bots, Spies & Cock-ups gets you secure sending quickly.  How to safely send file and documents by various means. Then there's detailed chapters on each type file exchange method, how to secure it and how the receiver can open and use the files you send.

• Quick Start
  • Fast start to secure sending files or messages.
  • Instant messaging, email, cloud storage, memory stick.
  • Fast and cheap redaction.
  • Credit cards and other vital info.
• Recovery Document
  • Safely save all your vital 'unlock codes'.
  • Two factor Authentication recovery codes
  • Bitlocker recovery codes.
• Direct Messaging
  • WhatsApp, Signal, Skype and Facebook Messenger
  • Which messenger is the most private?
  • Send any file, not just pictures, music or documents.
  • Some aren't secure unless you know the right options.
• Redaction
  • Office documents
  • Images
  • PDFs
  • Tricks that DON'T work
  • The danger of layers
• Microsoft Office documents
  • Document password encryption in Windows and Mac
  • Unlocking a document
  • Beware the Office sharing options.
  • Hiding files inside an Office document.
• PDF files
  • Best way to make a PDF - "Print" or "Save As ..."
  • Password locking a PDF
  • Redacting info in a PDF
  • Hiding files inside a PDF
  • About PDF encryption standards.
• Online meetings and calls
  • Zoom, WhatsApp, Signal, Facetime, Viber
  • Useful extras, virtual backgrounds, blurring, cameras & smartphones as webcams, live video in a PowerPoint presentation.
• Email
  • The least secure sending option!
  • How to secure email.
• Drives and USB memory sticks
  • Protecting files saved on portable storage
  • Encrypting the entire drive with Windows or Mac.
• Wiping drives and erasing files
  • Wiping, erasing or shredding
  • Erasing individual files or folders
  • Wiping entire drive
  • Wiping free disk space
  • Check that drive is wiped.
• Cloud Storage
  • OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive.
  • OneDrive Personal Vault
  • Securing online files
  • Sharing options
• Secure Containers
  • Bundle many files into a single encrypted file for transport.
  • Splitting a large file into smaller pieces that fit under a sending limit.
  • RAR, ZIP and Virtual Drives.
  • Using Office documents as a secure container for other files.
• Nerd Tricks
  • Extra tricks that us nerds use to secure information
  • Renaming files, splitting into smaller parts and self-extracting archives.
    • Simple ideas to making up your passwords
    • Really sneaky tricks for super-secret passwords.
    • Password tips

Finally, there's some Geeky Tech Talk more info on encryption standards and security technologies.