Kat Aoki Follow LinkedIn Freelance Contributor Education California State University Expertise Mobile devices VPN Technologies Privacy and Security Gmail & Google Docs Introduction Freelance business and technology writer since 2012.Former SQL Server developer and administrator for the IT industry.Has written for over 80 company websites and blogs in the US and Australia.Currently writes about technology for global companies such as Canon, Lenovo, and Microsoft. Experience Prior to making the leap into writing, Kat was a certified SQL Server developer and administrator. She's worked for various hi-tech startups in the U.S., where she installed and designed large database systems and wrote back end code for the world of e-commerce.Since 2012, she's leveraged her experience in IT to write about mobile devices, cloud technology, cybersecurity, social media, e-commerce, and more. She also enjoys learning about different creative technologies in her spare time.She's an experienced troubleshooter with a passion for solving problems and helping others do the same.My GearI use a Macbook Air laptop running High Sierra as my main machine, but I also travel with a Lenovo that’s currently on Windows 10. For my personal communications, I carry both iPhone and Android. All of my devices are optimized for privacy and security, and I use a VPN (virtual private network) on all my devices. I also own a Fitbit activity tracker. I'm in the process of mastering digital photography with a Nikon DSLR and building a Wordpress website to showcase my work. Education Kat holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento. She has a certificate in Systems Programming from CLC and earned her MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certification in 2006. A Message from Kat Aoki There's nothing worse than trying to find an answer to a problem and getting overwhelmed. Lifewire is known for its clear and easy-to-use content. This is my goal too: to create articles that are clear, informational, and fluff-free, so anyone can quickly get to the root of their issue and solve it. Lifewire and Dotdash Meredith Lifewire, a Dotdash Meredith brand, is a Top 10 technology information website, as rated by Comscore, a leading internet measurement company. We provide trusted, clear, and actionable answers to your most pressing technology questions vetted by certified experts, as well as trustworthy product recommendations so you can make the most informed purchasing decisions. Learn more about us and our editorial process.