Category: Privacy
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Gmail Changes; Saving Space
Did you finally get used to the last round of changes to Gmail’s website? More changes are coming, slowly rolling out, primarily to better incorporate Google Chat (to compete with Slack) and Google Meet (to compete with Zoom.) There will be another sidebar with these options, and Google has said that by summer 2022 this…
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Chrome, Cold, Crypto and More
Chrome 97 can now delete all the data that sites have stored on your device, not just cookies. Make sure you have this version. To get it, click the three dots in your toolbar, hover over Help, then choose About Google Chrome. Once you have this version, go to Settings > Security and Privacy >…
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Starting Your Year Securely
If you’re hearing security tips this time of year, it’s good to realize what you do and don’t have to do. You don’t have to change your passwords frequently, as it often leads to similar passwords. You are allowed to write down your passwords; just don’t put them near or on your computer. Two-factor authentication…
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Facebook Info and Google Tips
Facebook is revealing more information about what they track across the Internet, and they also have options available to control how they track you. Their new tool is called “Off-Facebook Activity,” and you can find it under “Settings” then “Your Facebook Information.” You can even cut down on future tracking, but all that really does…
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Virus Updates and Trackpad Hacks
Despite ending support for Windows 7 on January 14 of this year, Microsoft will continue updating the virus signatures for Microsoft Security Essentials, their anti-virus software. This doesn’t mean total protection, but Microsoft seems to be realizing that not everyone is going to jump to Windows 10 by the middle of January. Google’s Chrome browser…
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Protect Your Computer and Yourself
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) are a necessary addition to protecting your computer (and other electronics) from both power spikes and power drops or brownout conditions. UPSs are a combination of a battery and a surge protector, with some of the outlets just providing surge protection and the remaining ones designed to provide battery power. The…
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Resetting Passwords and Deleting Voicemails
You need to be wary of password reset notifications sent to your email. Online services go through their records to match lists of compromised passwords at other sites with what might be stored on their own systems. In some cases, they force a password reset and email users that request. Scammers take advantage of this…
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How to Survive the End of Windows 7
On January 14, 2020, security updates will end for Windows 7. If you are still using this system, there are many questions to consider. How much will it cost to update to Windows 10? How old is your computer? Do you still need Windows, or are you thinking of switching to tablets, phones, Chromebooks or…
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It’s the Little Things That Count
Do you try to quiet your children by handing them your iPhone? There’s stuff on there you don’t want messed up by curious little fingers. There is a way to lock the iPhone, by using Guided Access, that will still let your little one use one app. Go to Settings, General, Accessibility, Guided Access. Then…
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iPhone Hacks and Online Photo Fun
The iPhone/iPad Lightning charging port is great at collecting lint that ends up making it hard to tightly plug in the charging cable. You might even think the port is broken. But save your money, because it is easy to clean out with a tweezer. Do you sometimes have trouble on your iPhone with moving…
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Privacy and Cleaning Up
Apple is letting users download a copy of all the data they have on you. Log into privacy.apple.com with your Apple ID and password to get to where you can select which bits of all the data Apple has on you. This is also a way to download documents, photos, and videos in their original…
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What Facebook targets, clean up Windows upgrades
Wading through the smartphone choices every few years while not wanting to fall to the latest hype or teaser pricing from your carrier might be easier if you compare specs at https://GSMArena.com. You will find their comparison “Phone Finder” in the upper left of their website with many more choices than I usually think of.…