How apps you use got hijacked into selling your location
Playing Candy Crush, swiping left on a dating app and checking your Yahoo inbox shouldn’t expose your location. I say shouldn’t, but those apps and thousands more were likely hijacked by data brokers who turned your personal info into cash.
6 signs your vacation rental is a scam
It’s that time of year when so many of us are planning vacations and booking a rental. Sadly, scammers are very aware of that, and they’re always changing their tricks to fool people out of their money, rentals — or worse.
‘How do I reset my old router?’
After I shared my router picks (and so many of you realized you have a TP-Link …), my inbox is flooded with this one: “What do I do with my old router after I upgrade?” Good question. A factory reset wipes your username, password, Wi-Fi network name or SSID, and any security settings.
Step 1: Look for a small button on the back or bottom of your router. It’s usually recessed (so you’ll need a paper clip to press it in) and may be labeled “Reset.”
Step 2: Do a 30-30-30 reset. It’s a bit of a pain but works for every router model I’ve come across. Here’s how:
- 👉 With your router plugged in, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds.
- While still pressing reset, unplug your router from the power source and count for another 30 seconds.
- Finally, still holding reset, reconnect the router to the power cord and count another final 30 seconds. Done!
Quick tech cleanup: Do this every 3 months
When was the last time you cleaned up your digital life? It’s not fun, but just a few minutes of physical and digital decluttering can work wonders. It boosts productivity, clears mental clutter and leaves you feeling like you’ve done something great. Ready? Let’s do this!
‘Can you tape that?’ Phrases tech has killed off
I’m sure you remember this: “You hang up first.” “No, you hang up first.” Not quite as romantic when you fumble for the “End call” button on your iPhone, eh? As times change and our tech changes, so, too, do the phrases we use.
5 cool ways to use your home network (beyond getting online)
When you connect your gadgets to the same Wi-Fi network, you’re not just getting them online; you’re building a system so they can communicate with each other. You don’t need to be a tech wizard — just follow the steps below:
Wait, are public phone chargers dangerous?
Those charging kiosks in airports, hotels and malls are so tempting when you’re out and about with a dying phone. Their owners promise they’re safe. The government disagrees, and so do I. Groan, I know.
Welcome to the newest phase of juice jacking. The phenomenon has been around for more than 10 years. Hackers use public phone-charging stations to upload malware to your devices. Then, they ransom your device or steal your passwords. Super-duper.
Carmakers will charge for anything, including your safety
New cars are basically snazzy computers on wheels, packing 1,000 to 3,000 processors. That means we get all kinds of great features, but that’s not all — the more complex our cars get, the more at risk we are. I’m not talking about theft; I mean remote carjacking … or worse.
Fitness apps are selling your privacy – how to protect your data
It’s time to replace your old router
Most folks don’t know their wireless router — that handy dandy device alongside the modem that connects your devices to the internet — has a shelf life. Once it hits the three-year mark, you’re due for an upgrade.