🖨️ Printer secret: Most printers have a “draft mode” that uses lots less ink when you don’t need anything fancy. (Some call it “economy mode” or “fast mode.”) To try it, open a document or file, hit Print, then go to Properties or Preferences and look for Draft mode.
Privacy tip: How to delete cookies from your phone
Make no mistake: You’re being tracked. Want to be shocked? Look at the secret map on your smartphone that watches your every move. Tap or click here to see the map tracking you and wipe it clean.
What about advertisements that follow you across the web? Facebook is one of the biggest data hogs. Tap or click for ways to stop or limit targeted ads on Facebook.
And then there are cookies, tiny bits of data that track your activity online. They’re not just lurking in your computer. On your smartphone, cookies save your passwords and help you log on more quickly, but they can also collect more than you want.
This security tip is brought to you by our sponsor, ExpressVPN. Keep what you do online private with Kim’s pick and the fastest VPN. Get an extra three months free when you sign up for a year.
Are cookies worth the cost?
Take a good hard look at your priorities when it comes to cookies. Do you prefer the convenience of a browser like Safari or Chrome or the privacy of a browser that doesn’t save cookies in the first place?
It’s a tricky balance, especially considering how convenient cookies make our browsing experience. They save your login info and keep track of your preferences to show you the content you care about, but that comes at the cost of your privacy.
The choice is up to you. If you want to clear them, navigate to your smartphone’s settings. Scroll down to the list of apps. Find your browser and follow the instructions below.
By the way, you can get information like this delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for my free newsletters.
1. Start with Safari
For Safari on an iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open Settings and tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data. Tap Clear History and Data.
- Apple will ask if you want to Close Tabs or Keep Tabs. Tap the option you choose.
- That’s it. Your Safari history is now clear.
The best browser setting you’ve never checked
Every day is full of choices. I’m not sure we need 30 flavors of chips lining grocery store aisles, but it’s nice to have options when it comes to tech. The trick is knowing what you can customize.
Take your browser and all those tabs. Whether you hate clutter and want to start fresh each time, or you like everything exactly where you left it and want all your tabs to reopen when you turn on your computer … both are possible.
True or false: Someone can see if you looked at their Facebook profile
If you are a member of LinkedIn, you already know that you can see who has checked out your profile. The same goes in reverse. If you peek at the profile of a prospective new boss or client, chances are they will know about it. Tap or click here to see how to keep your searches private on LinkedIn.
Stop the buzzing and beeping: How to set up quiet hours for iPhone, Android, PC and Mac
You are connected to everything and everywhere between your smartphone, smartwatch, laptop and tablet. Tap or click here for 10 handy tech tips you’ll use over and over.
This can be an absolute lifesaver if you forget something or need access to the internet, but what if you need complete silence and someone is trying to get in touch with you? Loud notifications might suddenly attack you in every direction if you have multiple gadgets.
Facebook watches your every move - Here's the proof
It shouldn’t surprise you that social media networks know a lot about you. After all, giants like Facebook know where you go, which TV shows and films you enjoy and who your friends are. That’s because you willingly gave up that information.
Have a MacBook and an iPad? Use this new trick to control both at the same time
What is Universal Control for Apple devices? iOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 both ushered in a new era of Apple functionality.
Universal Control lets you use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of your Mac to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices and work seamlessly between them. Tap or click here to turn your iPad into a full-fledged computer.
Facebook's new Privacy Center shows you everything it collects - Here's how to use it
Social media platforms like Facebook are regularly under fire for not doing enough to protect users’ privacy. Many platforms claim they collect data to serve targeted ads and that your information isn’t at risk. Do you believe that?
Update alert: iPad and Mac bug fixes and new features
In a bit of an unusual move, Apple delayed the release of the latest versions of iPadOS and macOS. Apple devices generally get updated at the same time, but when it released patches for iOS and watchOS recently, the iPad and Mac machines were left out.
Use this site to see what Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and other sites know about you
If you’re using tech devices that access apps or the internet, your data is being tracked. That isn’t always a bad thing — some data gathering tools are used to help tailor your user experience to your preferences.
Facebook's redesigned site is here - and soon there's no going back
Change can be tough. As humans, we grow accustomed to seeing the same things over and over in our daily lives, and anything that switches up our routines can feel intrusive or frustrating.
Think about the last time you had to learn a new software program or figure out how to navigate through a new computer. Chances are, it took a while to get used to before things felt seamless and routine, right? Ever wanted to write computer code? Tap or click here for free coding lessons from Microsoft.
Tech trick: Essential keyboard shortcuts for Macs
Keyboard shortcuts are the long-reigning heavyweight champs of digital efficiency. They may seem unintuitive before you get used to them but once you do, you’ll be saving time in everything you do on your Mac. We’ve compiled a list of the essential shortcuts for any Mac user.
Create your perfect background noise with this custom ambient sound maker
We all have our preferences when it comes to sound. Would you rather get something done in a bustling coffee shop or a silent room? What about sleep? Do you prefer gentle white noise or complete quiet?
Gabriel Brady, the creator of A Soft Murmur, likes to work in busy spaces but limit the noise. His solution? Mixing different sounds to match his environment.
Security essential: How to lock down your Mac webcam
To help protect your identity, we make it a point to share how destructive and dangerous it can be when your personal information is exposed. Alas, data breach horror stories continue to make headlines.
Websites and digital platforms aren’t the only targets for hackers. Tap or click here to learn about popular restaurant chains hit by card-stealing malware. While our data breach stories tend to revolve around well-known companies, their records are not the only data hackers seek.
Streaming music services Apple Music, Spotify and more compared
When it comes to music, everyone has their preferences. Reviews of Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora and others will help you choose.