One of the most amazing results of our high-tech world is the way our lives are all interconnected. Now that we all use many of the same tools, like smartphones and computers, there are a ton of commonalities we can bond over. Take, for example, that one obnoxious inevitability we all deal with: tech issues.
If you ever have a specific issue you can’t find a solution for, drop a question on the Komando Community’s Q&A forum. Our close-knit community of tech enthusiasts can provide some much-needed insight to get your gadgets up and running in no time. Or you can send a message to the Kim Komando Show for a chance to join us live.
However, you might be dealing with a pretty common problem. Before you decide to take that extra step and reach out, scroll down and see if we’ve solved your problem already. Here are seven of the most common IT questions we get — along with easy solutions you can use in a snap.
Yes, since they have two different purposes. They’re not interchangeable in the slightest. On a broad level, one provides privacy while the other boosts your security.
A VPN is a smokescreen that hides your internet activity from nosy creeps. An antivirus program is your own personal bodyguard that keeps an eye out for viruses. However, an AV program won’t hide your internet activity. Also, a VPN won’t scan your device for threats.
Basically, they tackle different needs. They can work in tandem, but neither one makes up for the other. Tap or click here to find out how antivirus software and VPNs keep you safe.
Yes, but you must have a strong password. Don’t use a guest network. Our resident tech genius John says that’s because devices connected to a guest network are generally isolated. They can’t talk to each other.
The whole point of a smart home is to have gadgets that team up to make your life as easy as possible. (Speaking of which, here’s our easy guide on building a smart home at any budget.) So if you’re using a guest network, the opportunity for teamwork is limited. Sure, if your gadgets only need to connect to the internet, a guest network is fine.
But if you’re using gadgets that need to talk to one another, set up your own personal network. And no matter what, never use an easy-to-guess password like Password12345! Tap or click here for five tips for ironclad account security.
Websites use several ways of tracking your activity across the internet. The most popular and accepted form of this is cookies. The small text files are created every time you visit a website, and it stores information on your browsing habits.
When you visit a new website, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to accept the website’s cookies. Most people say yes … but interestingly enough, most people don’t even know what they’re agreeing to. Here’s how the cookie crumbles.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thanks to the internet, modern lingo updates itself at the speed of light. Original terms pop up like weeds, and by the time you finally pick them up, you turn around to discover even more concepts have emerged, creating entirely new sentences that wouldn’t make sense in any other context. Case in point: “Cookies are stalking your every click and reporting back on your browsing history.”
When using a computer for some time, there are bound to be some apps and software on the machine that you don’t want. Installed applications can be uninstalled by going through the ‘Remove Programs’ setting, but that doesn’t always do the trick.
Many Americans value their online privacy, taking extra steps to protect data, personal information and valuable details about their lives. One of the easiest ways to increase privacy is to delete your search history.
We all use computers in one capacity or another, but that doesn’t mean we’re all adept at taking care of them. There are things we do time and time again that make it difficult to keep our machines in tip-top shape — like not running virus protection software or leaving tons of tabs open online, so your performance is eventually dragged down.
Google’s suite of apps is among the most widely used in the world. They are easy to navigate, free, and are constantly updated and patched. It’s no wonder that Gmail, Google Maps and Chrome are so popular.
Despite its universal acceptance, Google has a poor track record when it comes to data privacy. The tech giant has taken steps to reassure user confidence, such as announcing self-destructing emails. How much truth is there to this claim? Tap or click here to find out.
We all know that websites and services can track your movements and behavior across websites. Recently Apple also started implementing a similar technique, where it asked for your permission to connect to other devices in your house. Tap or click here to Google like a pro: 7 tricks for expert searches.
A browser is your gateway to the internet. It interprets code from websites you visit and displays it in the form of images, text, video, etc. It also tracks your browsing habits to make your overall experience more enjoyable and convenient. Your choice of browser affects much more than what you see on the screen, however. Tap or click here for details on the top browsers.
When it comes to mobile devices, it’s Apple vs. everyone else. The iOS-powered iPhone and iPad are produced by the same company, while you can get an Android device from many manufacturers. The debate is one for the ages, but Apple fans have always had one key argument in their favor: malware and virus protection.
You probably know by now that you’re being tracked. However, you might not know just how much people already know about you. Google alone knows what you’re watching, where you’re going and what you’re interested in online.
You might be familiar with private or incognito tabs you can open on your desktop’s web browser. The mobile versions of Safari, Chrome and Firefox offer private modes, too, but they’re stashed away in another menu that’s separate from the tabs you already have open.
It’s finally happened: The Department of Justice has filed a landmark antitrust suit against Google over its domination of the online search and ad industry. DOJ claims Google’s corporate behavior is anticompetitive, and that its online practices threaten any alternative services from gaining a foothold.
All of us are relying on the internet more than ever these days for work, school and shopping. Because of the pandemic, most of us are doing all of our daily routines online — which is why having a fast, secure connection is so important to so many people.
Does it ever seem like clutter in your home takes on a life of its own? It grows, expands and claims more space. Of course, junk can’t grow on its own. Someone is adding more stuff to your closets, spare room and garage. That is until a good spring cleaning clears out the clutter.
Whether you’re a regular YouTube user or a casual one, you likely have one big complaint: the ads. While YouTube can be a handy way to find video content, the influx of ads can be intrusive and annoying — especially the ones that start playing in the middle of what you’re watching.
Verizon is one of the biggest companies in the United States, and oversees numerous other businesses we’re all familiar with. It’s Yahoo’s parent company and owns AOL, Engadget, TechCrunch and more.
As you can see, the company isn’t averse to trying out new things. It even managed to cut a deal with Disney that gives Verizon subscribers a year of Disney+ at no additional cost. Tap or click to learn how to get Disney+ for free if you’re on Verizon Wireless.
Sometimes it seems like Facebook knows you personally, and that’s because it does. It has algorithms that track what you like, watch and click on. Facebook uses this information to target ads or relevant posts to users on behalf of advertisers. An ad pops up that’s right up your alley, or three new articles show up in your feed that are similar to something you’ve just clicked on. Luckily, there’s a way to stop this.
