Last week was not a good one for cellphone manufacturer’s
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Easy way to see if someone is stealing your Wi-Fi
Having slow internet may occur more than you’d like. You may see a frozen screen when trying to binge-watch your favorite TV show. You might get booted out when paying bills. Tap or click here to get the fastest internet speeds in your area.
The problem may stem from the way your system is set up. However, it might not be your system at all. Slow internet could be the result of someone stealing your Wi-Fi.
Fortunately, free downloads can help you see who’s accessing your Wi-Fi, whether you’re using Windows or a Mac. Keep reading for details.
For Windows
Wireless Network Watcher scans your network and shows you the IP address, MAC address, name and manufacturer of the computers, tablets and smartphones it detects on your network.
Note: Each computer has a unique IP address or Internet Protocol Address. Some computer hardware devices have addresses, too. They’re known as MACs or Media Access Control.
As soon as you boot up Wireless Network Watcher, you’ll see all the detected devices on the list. You should be able to recognize the connected devices. For example, you might see devices from Apple and Amazon Technologies if you’re using an iPhone and Amazon Echo.
Read through the list to make sure you recognize everything. You know somebody is connected without your permission if you see devices you don’t recognize.
How to use Wireless Network Watcher: Click the link below. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see in purple, “Download Wireless Network Watcher with full install/uninstall support (wnetwatcher_setup.exe).”
Wireless Network Watcher will automatically download. Open the executable file and follow the step-by-step installation instructions.
For Mac
Your tech is gross! 5 things you forget to clean
Bad habits can catch up with you. Like any other chore, keeping your tech clean can almost feel like a full-time job. Tap or click for steps to clean tech the right way.
You probably give your smartphone screen a good wiping down now and then. You might even dust your PC keyboard from time to time. But we’re sure there are tech gadgets that you don’t think about cleaning. No worries. We can help.
Buy or build a PC in the past two years? If your PC has a 13th- or 14th-gen Intel CPU (like the Core i5-13400 or Core i9-14900K), Intel might owe you a new chip. They’re releasing an update this month for the crash-prone chips and extending its warranty by two years. If your PC is already crashing, the update won’t help. Reach out to Intel or your PC manufacturer.
$9,420 flamethrowing robot
The 26-pound Thermonator robo-pup has an ARC flamethrower on its back. Throwflame, the Ohio flamethrower manufacturer, says the fiery Fido can be used for “wildfire control and prevention” and “snow and ice removal.” Shipping is free, but good luck ordering — the website crashed. Ruff!
Shopping smarts: Here are the things you can’t return to Amazon
Online retailers make it easy to get anything you want within a day or two, but that doesn’t mean you should go off on wild spending sprees. Here are five big mistakes to avoid when buying electronics on Amazon.
Buying things you don’t need is one thing, but it’s worse when you have something you can’t get rid of. While you can likely return that juicer you never used, it’s not the same for other products. Here’s what you need to know about Amazon’s return policies.
2 million popular air fryer models recalled - See if you have one
Your air fryer does a lot of heavy lifting in the kitchen. Like any device, however, these countertop champions are just as subject to factory defects as anything else.
According to an official report, specific air fryers don’t just pose a potential fire hazard. They’re melting down and starting fires.
🎬 AI love story? TV manufacturer TCL is cooking up the “first-ever fully AI-generated rom-com” called “Next Stop Paris.” The trailer is, um, interesting. Despite the AI claim, they’re using human writers, actors and animators. Sounds like someone really wants investor money.
Over 160K vehicles from Volkswagen and Mercedes have been recalled
When a manufacturer releases a product to the public, they’re responsible for any defects or overlooked issues. These problems can range from a minor inconvenience to a deadly flaw and could affect thousands or even millions of units.
This cheap tool can help you spot whether a used car has been in an accident
You should know everything about a vehicle before buying it, but sellers don’t make it easy to understand all the necessary information. In fact, some could be trying to hide details so you don’t get the car for a lower price.
Recall alert: 4 people have died using this Kickstarter electric skateboard
When a manufacturer releases a product to the public, they’re responsible for any defects or overlooked issues. These could be minor, causing an inconvenience, or dangerous to consumer health and safety. The problem could affect a few thousand units or millions.
Over 5M cars have been recalled in the last 6 months — Is yours on the list?
Recalls can range from minor annoying issues to deadly safety concerns. Here’s one of the latter. A major manufacturer is recalling 19 shampoo products for containing a cancer-causing carcinogen. Tap or click here for the complete list and what you need to do.
Check if you have a faulty airbag - And earn $50 to get it replaced
When a product is defective, manufacturers often issue a recall. This could be voluntary or government-mandated. The issues can be minor or downright dangerous and affect a few thousand or millions of units.
Recalls are common in the automotive industry. With so many vehicles leaving assembly lines worldwide, there are bound to be issues. Volkswagen issued a recall this year for 250,000 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs due to the potential for their brakes to engage unexpectedly. Tap or click here for our report.
Android warning: Update now to avoid a serious security flaw
There are tons of reasons to use Android devices. Any Android fan can tell you that having an open-source operating system is a better choice for them over the other, more restrictive options.
That open-source platform means you not only have more app options, but you can also play amateur developer with your device. There are tons of third-party apps available for Android that aren’t available for iOS devices due to the security restrictions — and many more options for customizing your device. Tap or click here to see Android 11 features we’re most excited about.
How to secure all the new tech you bought on Prime Day
Did you buy any tech during Prime Day? If you’re like many of us, you might have snagged a discounted phone, tablet or laptop during the sale. And now that your new gear is on its way, that means it’s time to think about securing it against hackers.
Did you recently purchase a 5400 RPM hard drive for your NAS? Not if you bought Western Digital
When you buy a computer or similar piece of hardware, you expect it to work the way that it says on the box. If it isn’t, this can make your purchase seem like a defect (or if its better than advertised, a lucky break). This is especially true for hard drives, which make up the core of our computer’s storage system.
Ford trucks recalled - they need this software fix
Car recalls occur more often than you think, and they happen for many reasons. For example, a manufacturer might find that a certain part wears out faster than expected and can put drivers at risk.
Some recalls are more urgent than others, but they should all be taken seriously — even if it’s for the silliest reason ever. Tap or click here to see the unexpected reason Teslas were recalled.
Easiest way to find your router's default IP address and password
Each time you buy a new router, it comes with default settings that need to be changed. But where can you find them? If you’re not sure where to start, this website can help. It lists all the routers out there, as well as their default IP address, usernames and passwords.
7 clever ways hackers are stealing keyless cars
Wirelessly unlocking your car is convenient, but it comes at a price. The increasing number of keyless cars on the road has led to a new kind of crime — key fob hacks! With the aid of new cheap electronic accessories and techniques, a key fob’s signal is now relatively easy for criminals to intercept or block. Imagine a thief opening your car and driving away with it without setting off any alarms!