Simple Tech Tips for Home Computer Users
Windows, Mac, and mobile tech support – networking – Internet safety – consumer technology
If you’re an Apple user, you may have noticed your photos suddenly end in HEIC. What on earth is HEIC format, and why are all of your photos spontaneously using it? HEIC is Apple’s new proprietary image format. It’s the default on iPhones as of iOS 11, and Macs as of macOS High Sierra. So … Continue reading Confused By HEIC Photos on Your iPhone? You’re Not Alone
Many network problems are preventable with a little routine care. Here are five quick and easy things you can do to keep your network running smoothly. Know Your Network LayoutGet to know your network by taking a picture of your router and its connections. Even better, label those cables so you know what’s supposed to … Continue reading Five Easy Ways to Keep Your Network Up and Running
Fake apps proliferate online, and it’s hard to tell the good apps from the bad. Scammers are getting sneakier by hiding their malicious apps behind the smokescreen of reputable ones. Your garden-variety fake app is typically malware disguised as a fun game or useful utility. Behind the shiny exterior lies code that can steal your … Continue reading When Good Apps Go Bad: How to Avoid Malicious Software
Accidents happen, and eventually you’ll find yourself faced with a spill. Whether you’ve knocked coffee onto your laptop or dumped soda on your phone, here’s what to do. Will a spilled beverage destroy an electronic device? That depends on the beverage and the device. Water on a desktop computer keyboard? No big deal. Can of … Continue reading What to Do If You Spill Liquid on Your Computer or Phone
Your computer’s built-in antivirus software is no match against today’s Internet threats. Here’s why you should replace it with something stronger. Windows and Mac computers both have default antivirus programs, Windows Defender and Apple’s XProtect. (If you haven’t noticed XProtect running on your Mac, that’s because it runs silently in the background as part of … Continue reading You Need Better Antivirus Than Your Computer’s Built-In Software
There’s a new online scam called fleeceware making the rounds. Here’s how to avoid getting fleeced by it. Fleeceware differs from fake apps in one crucial way. Fake apps are typically malware in disguise, trading on the good names of reputable software to lure consumers into installing. Fleeceware apps, on the other hand, usually work … Continue reading Fleeceware Scams: The App Might Not Get You, but the Subscription Fees Will
Many parents are concerned about the amount of time their kids spend in front of a screen. But is screen time really as bad as they say? Is it possible for screen time to be helpful and not hazardous? Let’s start by acknowledging that too much screen time is not good for kids. There are … Continue reading Relax the Rules On Your Kids’ Screen Time
When was the last time you backed up your computer? If you have automatic backups, do you check them on a regular basis? Have you ever tested your backups by trying to restore some of your files? It’s not enough to set your backups and forget them. You would not believe the number of times … Continue reading This Computer Backup Guide Will Really Save Your Assets
If there's one thing you do for your own computer safety, please, use strong, unique passwords! Doing so decreases your chances of suffering virus infection, account hijacking, identity theft, and even financial fraud. People continually re-use passwords, or create weak passwords, or don't change the default passwords on important devices like routers and smart home gadgets. … Continue reading The Essential Guide to Strong Passwords (2021 Edition)
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is, “How can I set up parental control software?” But parental controls aren’t a panacea for keeping your kids safe online. Let’s talk about when to use parental controls… and when not to use them. Most computers have basic built-in parental controls, like the ability … Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Parental Control Software
