👀 For your eyes only: The holidays mean a house full of family, friends and curious little ones. With all the hustle and bustle, get into the habit of locking your computer every time you get up. On Windows, press the Windows key + L. On Mac, hit Ctrl + Cmd + Q.
Set up your Wi-Fi for easy sharing with guests
You’ve got a turkey in the oven, presents need to be wrapped, and your cousin’s kid screams (again), “What’s the Wi-Fi password?” You’re juggling a hundred things at once, and the last thing you want to do is to spell out your password.
Here’s the good news: You can slap a printout on the fridge, and everyone can scan it with their phones to connect. But first, I’ll show you how to create a separate network so you don’t need to worry about little Billy getting into your personal stuff on your devices and computers.
Be my guest
Most modern routers let you set up a guest network without having to be a tech guru. Warning: This will take you a few minutes, but it’s totally doable, even if you’ve had a few beers.
Step 1: Log into your router’s admin console. You’ll need your IP address. You can usually find this on a sticker on the bottom or side of your router. Seeing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 is common.
If you don’t see yours …
- On Windows: Open the Start menu, search for “Command Prompt” and, with your Command Prompt open, type in ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says “Default Gateway.” This is your router’s IP address.
- On Mac: Go to System Settings > Network. Select your Wi-Fi network > Advanced. Your router’s IP address is under Router.
Step 2: Open your browser, type http:// and paste in your IP address. Hit Enter to open a login page. For the credentials, try the username admin and the word password for the password. If the defaults are different, they’re likely printed on your router — or check this site that lists default passwords for almost every router in use.
Step 3: Look for a setting called Guest Network or Guest Wi-Fi. Give it a different name (aka SSID) than your main network, along with a strong, unique password.
🕵️ If you have snoops in the family … When family and friends connect to your Wi-Fi guest network, you can block them from accessing your files or devices on your primary network. Turn off the local access setting. I bet you feel like James Bond right about now.
Now for the fun part
Create a QR code that automatically connects guests to your new guest network — no hassle, no drama. With the free site QIFI.org, all you need is three pieces of info:
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
Update your Apple gear ASAP: Apple dropped important security updates that patch a serious bug in Safari for Macs, iPhones and iPads. Google’s Threat Analysis Group believes a foreign government is behind the attack. On a Mac, click the Apple icon > System Settings. Look for “Software Update Available.” The latest version is Sequoia 15.1.1. Update your iPhone to iOS 18.1.1 under Settings > General > Software Update.
Protect all your devices with the best antivirus software
When it comes to antivirus software, there’s no better choice than our sponsor, TotalAV. For one, it’s available for your phone and computer, so all your devices are protected.
This security suite protects all your devices from the scariest online threats, such as ransomware, spyware, adware and (of course) malware. Its WebShield browser extension provides advanced protection against malicious websites and even blocks bad guys from stealing your data.
Take out the trash: On a Mac, hold down Cmd + Shift, then press Delete. Boom, your trash can’s empty. On Windows, you’re better off right-clicking and selecting Empty Recycle Bin.
Improve your Mac’s display: Click the Apple menu > System Settings, then scroll to Displays on the sidebar. Click the pop-up menu for Color profile > Customize and hit the + (plus icon) to open Display Calibrator Assistant. Picture-perfect.
Need a screenshot fast? On Windows, hold down on the Windows key + Shift + S to capture and save what you want. On a Mac, use Cmd + Shift + 4 for a custom crop.
Iconic: It’s easy to adjust the icon size on your computer. On Windows, right-click on the desktop, choose View, and select from Large icons, Medium icons or Small icons. On Mac, click on your desktop to ensure you’re in the Finder. Then, from the menu bar, hit View > Show View Options, and adjust your icon sizes using the slider. Easy!
🛠️ Built-in network helper: Can’t connect to Wi‑Fi? On a Windows PC, right-click the Wi‑Fi icon in your taskbar, select Troubleshoot problems or Diagnose network problems, and let Windows work its magic. On a Mac, press and hold Option on your keyboard while clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Choose Network settings from the menu.
Try this, Mac friends: Hit Option + Cmd + L to quickly open your Downloads folder. If your browser is active, it’ll show your latest browser downloads. Nice.
Add these to your shortcut repertoire: Use Ctrl + T (Windows) or Cmd + T (Mac) to open a new tab and Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + T (Mac) to reopen a recently closed tab. Hit Ctrl + Tab (Windows) or Cmd + Option + right arrow (Mac) to quickly switch between open tabs. Sweet.
(File)sharing is caring: Stop emailing docs to people on the same wireless network as you. There’s a setting that lets you share. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. Then, open Private networks and turn on File and printer sharing. On a Mac, use AirDrop. Yeah, Apple wins this round.
A trio of Mac quick tips: If you don’t know, now you do! 1.) Click a file and press the spacebar to preview it, 2.) Click an open spot on your desktop to pull all your open windows to the sides, and 3.) Hit the Option key any time you have a menu open to see hidden options.
Ctrl + Alt + Del: Windows people know that’s how you force-quit apps, and it’s just as easy on a Mac. Press and hold Cmd + Q to close the app that’s not responding. Another method: Right-click on the app’s icon and choose Quit from the dropdown menu. Bye-bye, spinning wheel of death.
Hide-and-seek: You’re shopping online for your kiddo or spouse and they walk in. Quick! Hide your open browser windows. On a PC: Windows key + M. (Use Windows key + Shift + M to reopen.) On a Mac: Cmd + Option + H + M. Phew, no spoilers.
🚨 North Korean hackers are targeting Macs: It starts with an email containing a fake crypto news headline, like “Hidden Risk Behind New Surge of Bitcoin Price,” and includes a link to a PDF. The link actually leads to a malicious app that lets the sender take control of your system. If you’ve clicked on a random PDF link recently, scan for malware ASAP.
⏩ Mac pro user tip: If you’re a link hoarder, try this Safari trick. Open Settings > Advanced > Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage. Now you can sail through the links on whatever page you’re on. To do it, hit Tab on your keyboard to highlight a link and Enter to open it. Cmd + Enter opens the link in a new tab. Maybe this will make Christmas shopping less painful … maybe.
📂 Mac quick tip: Here’s a shortcut to open folders. From your desktop, hit ⌘ (Cmd) then the down arrow. To go the other way, hold ⌘ and press the up arrow.
Record your Mac screen: Maybe you’re sharing directions or want to show something to a friend. Hit Cmd + Shift + 5. A toolbar will pop up. Here’s a quick look at what each tool does. Pick your fave, hit Record, then press Stop when you’re done.