Why I do what I do

At Tech Made Simple by Colin, I’m here to help everyday Australians feel more confident with their technology—whether that’s setting up a new device, sorting out online accounts, or tackling trickier digital problems. My name’s Colin McCabe, and after more than 30 years in IT—including leadership roles at IBM and Red Hat—I started Tech Made Simple to make things clearer and less stressful for people who just want their tech to work.

This project began after helping families who had lost loved ones suddenly. Again and again, I saw the same issue: people left locked out of bank accounts, emails, and photo libraries because no one knew the passwords or where things were stored. It wasn’t just about fixing gadgets anymore—it was about helping people avoid that heartbreak in the first place.

That’s where the idea of Digital Risk and Digital Legacy came from. Digital Risk is about understanding what information the internet holds about you—accounts, old posts, personal details—that could leave you exposed to fraud or misuse. Digital Legacy is about making sure your family or trusted contacts can access the important parts of your online life if something unexpected happens.

Most people don’t realise just how much of their life is tied up digitally until it’s too late. Planning ahead means fewer surprises and less stress for those left behind. It’s not just a job for big companies or tech experts; it’s something everyone should think about, no matter how simple or complicated their online life is.