Tech tip: What really happens when you unsend a text on your iPhone

If you have an iPhone 8 or later, you've probably already updated to iOS 16. The latest operating system has many new security features you should be using.

A super-secure mode was designed for politicians, activists, and journalists. I think there's a great case to suggest this iPhone option for the elderly and vulnerable people in your life. Tap or click here for a closer look at Lockdown Mode.

Here’s another buried setting that just got upgraded: Your iPhone’s ability to detect sounds and alert you. Tap or click for steps to set up custom sounds, like your home’s appliances.

One of the most noteworthy features of iOS 16 is the ability to edit and unsend text messages. It’s not as clear-cut as it seems. Here’s the truth.

Reality: Your recipient gets a notification.

Yes, you can take back a message you sent, but there’s more to it. The unsend feature only works with iMessage (iPhone to iPhone), and you and the recipient must be running iOS 16.

If you unsend a message to someone running an older version of iOS, they’ll still see it, and you’ll get a notification reminding you of that.

TAB OVERLOAD? HOW TO CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START YOUR BROWSER

Here are a few more things to keep in mind when unsending a message:

Now that you know how it works, here’s how to unsend a message:

iOS 16 adds more security features to protect your privacy and information. Tap or click here for the iPhone (and Android) security features worth enabling.

The reality: You guessed it — they’ll get a notification.

Editing a text follows the same rules. You can, but it only works with iMessage, and both iPhones must be running iOS 16.

If you edit a message you sent to someone running an older version of iOS, all your edited messages will appear on their screen, and they’ll get notifications of your edits.

Here are some things you need to know when editing a message:

Here’s how it’s done:

Are you an iPhone family? Here’s how to track your kid’s phone.

The reality: Those deleted messages stick around for a bit.

When you delete a text thread, it’s stored in a folder on your iPhone’s recently deleted messages file for 30 days. You can recover it or delete it permanently right then and there. That also means anyone can see your deleted messages if they have your passcode.

Here's the good news: Text messages you unsend do not appear in the recently deleted messages file.

GOOGLE SMARTS: 5 WAYS TO GET MORE OUT OF GMAIL, MAPS, CALENDAR, AND DOCS

Here’s how to delete or recover recently deleted messages:

Mac tip: Apple’s Safari browser blocks cross-site tracking, so you can enjoy the sites you use most without worrying about being followed. But there’s another tool to increase privacy. Tap or click here to erase your digital tracks.

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

LISTEN NOW: Password manager hacked, smartwatch burns, Brand New or Not True 

Samsung’s smartwatch is under fire for reportedly burning wearers, a popular password manager was hacked, and why you shouldn’t rely on Tile’s new QR code stickers to find your lost stuff. Plus, how to ask Google to remove your personal info from search results, turning an old PC into a media server, and see if Kim can fool a Komando listener in this week’s Brand New or Not True. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com

via Fox News https://ift.tt/A6ZvtdR

Elon Musk ‘wants free speech to reign on the internet’: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton believes Elon Musk appears to want "free speech to reign on the Internet" and would welcome him should the Tesla CEO move forward with purchasing Twitter.

Musk has been locked in an ongoing legal battle with Twitter after backing out of a deal to purchase the social media platform. The judge overseeing the case paused proceedings Thursday after Musk proposed to move forward with the original agreement to purchase Twitter for $44 billion.

"He appears to be a guy that wants free speech to reign on the Internet," Paxton told Fox News. "I welcome somebody getting into the marketplace that will just allow people to speak freely and not try to limit them based on what their political positions are or their religious positions."

"Those are sacred rights and sacred ideas that our founders built this country on," Paxton added.

MEDIA FEARS ELON MUSK TAKING OVER TWITTER BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST AMERICANS' INTELLIGENCE, CRITICS SAY

The attorney general has been fighting his own legal battles against social media giants. A federal appeals court on Sept. 16 ruled in Paxton's favor and lifted a block on a Texas law that prohibits social media companies from banning users' posts based on their political leanings. 

ELON MUSK PROMOTES FREE SPEECH AT TWITTER ALL-HANDS MEETING, SAYS THE MEDIA ‘ALMOST NEVER’ GETS IT RIGHT

NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association, whose members include Facebook, Twitter and Google, had sued Texas after the legislation was passed. The plaintiffs argued that the law was unconstitutional and that it violated their First Amendment rights to curate the content that appeared on their platforms.

But Paxton believes tech companies censoring posts is the violation.

"We're talking about people being able to express their opinions," he told Fox News. "If we do not stop this, we are going to lose the ability to have practically free speech in this country … which means that there's huge advantages for people that have more liberal views than there are for those that have more conservative views."

"So, now the Fifth Circuit said, 'hey, wait a minute, you don't have the ability to, or discretion to edit out comments that you don't like or that you don't agree with as a company,'" Paxton said.

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE ON BIG TECH'S LEGAL IMMUNITY FROM CONTROVERSIAL CONTENT

The case centered on themes related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The 1996 statute shields internet companies from lawsuits related to content posted to their websites by third parties. 

In other words, Facebook, for instance, would be protected if a user published defamatory or libelous content.

"Originally that was set up to allow them to be sort of like a billboard or like a place you could post information," Paxton told Fox News. "They were not considered a publisher, so they were not responsible for what people put on those sites, and therefore, they couldn't be sued for defamation or libel."

FEDERAL COURT RULES BIG TECH HAS ‘NO FREEWHEELING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO CENSOR’

But now, social media companies are acting as a publisher by censoring content — particular conservative-leaning content — while still benefiting from the legal protection, Paxton said.

"If they can basically squelch free speech and viewpoints — conservative, Republican views — they can give Democrats a huge advantage across the country in all races, from local to presidential," he told Fox News.

SUPREME COURT KICKS OFF NEW TERM WITH ORAL ARGUMENTS

"They're arguing, one, that they're not a publisher, they can't be sued, but then they're acting in the role of publisher," Paxton continued. "And so, when these states come in and try to regulate that, they argue both sides." 

Content moderation varies across social media platforms, but tech giants like Twitter and Facebook typically censor posts they deem as misinformation or hateful or that encourage violence. Paxton and other Republicans have argued that conservative users and viewpoints are disproportionately swept up in tech companies' enforcement, even in cases that are later reversed.

"Our argument is, if you're going to avail yourself of the protections of Section 230, and claim that you are not a publisher, then you can't act like publisher and discriminate against viewpoints," Paxton said. "You shouldn't then be allowed to protect yourself from defamation or libel because other publishers can't do that."

But as Paxton celebrates his victory in Texas, a conflicting ruling regarding a similar law in Florida suggests the issue could head to the Supreme Court. 

The Republican attorney general speculated that "these technology companies that are hiding under the name NetChoice, are going to appeal the U.S. Supreme Court and hope that the Court agrees with their position that they can have both the 230 protection — claiming that they're not publishers — and then also claim that they are publishers when it comes to discriminating against viewpoints that they disagree with," Paxton told Fox News.

"I hope that the Supreme Court doesn't buy into that argument," he said.

via Fox News https://ift.tt/12WxCTq

Tab overload? How to control what happens when you start your browser

Today’s tech is all about choice. There’s the classic debate: iPhone versus Android. It’s about a lot more than blue and green message bubbles. Here are things you can do on Android phones but still can’t do on iPhones. 

You have options when it comes to GPS apps, too. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze are the big hitters. Here are pro tips for all three. 

When it comes to your browser, it goes beyond just which one you use. Some people fire up their computers and want the browser tabs to reopen precisely where they left off. Others might prefer a clean slate. Here’s how to do both. 

GOOGLE SMARTS: 5 WAYS TO GET MORE OUT OF GMAIL, MAPS, CALENDAR, AND DOCS

Too many tabs? 

If you’re in the middle of a project or have traveled far down a rabbit hole of research, it’s understandable that you want to be able to take a break and come back to all your open tabs.

Having too many open tabs does have a drawback, though. It can slow down your computer by hogging lots of resources. 

Let’s review how to set up your browser to open with your previous tabs or a fresh one. 

Chrome 

You can customize Google Chrome to open with a new tab or reopen the same tabs you were using when you last quit the browser: 

To open Chrome to a new tab: 

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots, then Settings. 

Click On startup and select Open the New Tab page. 

To continue Chrome where you left off: 

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots, then Settings. 

Click On startup and select Continue where you left off. 

If your bookmarks are a mess, here’s a better way to save the sites you want to visit again later. 

Safari 

You can launch Safari with a new window, a new private window, all the windows from your last session, or all the non-private windows from your previous session. 

To open Safari to a new window: 

Go to Safari > Preferences and select General. 

Next to "Safari opens with," select A new window or A new private window from the dropdown menu. 

To open Safari and continue where you left off: 

Go to Safari > Preferences and select General. 

Next to "Safari opens with," select All Windows from last session or All non-private windows from last session from the dropdown menu. 

Want more Mac tricks? Here are 10 to boost your productivity. 

Firefox 

When Firefox starts, one window is opened by default, displaying your specified home page. You can set this by clicking the menu hamburger button and going to Settings > Home. The default there is Firefox Home. 

To restore your previous session on Firefox startup: 

Launch Firefox, click the menu hamburger button, and select Settings, then the General panel. 

Below Startup, check the box next to Open previous windows and tabs. 

More computer smarts: Hidden features to try now on your Windows PC or Mac 

Edge 

You can open Microsoft Edge to a new tab when you launch it or pick up where you left off. 

To start Edge fresh: 

Launch Edge, click on the three-dots icon, and select Settings. 

Click On startup from the left pane. 

The default setting is Open a new tab. Select it if something else is set. 

To have Edge open with the same tabs from the last time you quit: 

Launch Edge, click on the three-dots icon, and select Settings. 

Click On startup from the left pane. 

Select the option for Continue where you left off. 

REMOVE YOUR PERSONAL INFO FROM THE TOP 7 PEOPLE SEARCH SITES

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

LISTEN NOW: Password manager hacked, smartwatch burns, Brand New or Not True 

Samsung’s smartwatch is under fire for reportedly burning wearers, a popular password manager was hacked, and why you shouldn’t rely on Tile’s new QR code stickers to find your lost stuff. Plus, how to ask Google to remove your personal info from search results, turning an old PC into a media server, and see if Kim can fool a Komando listener in this week’s Brand New or Not True. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com

via Fox News https://ift.tt/3C4htXI

Remove your personal info from the top 7 people search sites

I always say that what you post on the internet is forever.

That’s why it’s crucial to protect your personal information. Think, for example, how bad it would be if a risqué photo you thought was safe on your computer ended up in the wrong hands. Tap or click for my best advice on storing sensitive personal pictures. 

Of course, many records you'll find online aren't quite so private. Tap or click for a trick to see what your home, or any other place, looked like years ago. It’s a fun walk down memory lane. 

Speaking of your home, your address is connected to your name all over the web — along with your age, cell phone or landline number, family members’ names, every address where you lived, and lots more. You should delete it, and I’ll show you how. 

GOOGLE SMARTS: 5 WAYS TO GET MORE OUT OF GMAIL, MAPS, CALENDAR, AND DOCS

People search sites 101 

People search sites make money by collecting and selling personal information. This repository can include your name, address, date of birth, gender, marital status, family members, social media profiles, education levels, property records, financial records, phone numbers, police records, employment information, and more. 

The sites scrape this information from local, state, and federal public records, along with court records, social media, online forums, and other sources. Some also purchase information from data brokers. 

Data brokers are loosely regulated at best, and there’s no law to prevent them from collecting and selling publicly available information. 

Anyone can search for information about you: A jealous ex to find out where you live or a scammer gathering information to fuel their nefarious deeds. The more people know about you, the more damage they can do. 

Make every Tuesday "Opt-Out Tuesday" 

I started "Opt-Out" Tuesday on Komando.com after getting requests from readers asking how to remove their personal data from people search sites. The problem is that the removal steps are not always straightforward to find on these sites.

Every Tuesday, I pick a people search site and tell you precisely how to remove your personal info. So that you never miss one of these sites, take action now.

Tap or click here now to try out my free Tech Tips newsletter to get each Opt-Out Tuesday article straight to your inbox. 

Here are a few more tips before we get started. Don't pay to remove your information from any people search site. The site must provide this process for free. 

While removing your info from these sites, you must be careful which links you click. Buttons that look like part of the site may be ads that lead you to another site that requests payment.

The Top 7 Sites to Remove Your Data 

It can quickly get overwhelming trying to do all seven in one sitting. Do one a day for the next week. And then drop by my website for every "Opt-Out Tuesday." 

1. Remove yourself from BeenVerified 

BeenVerified lets users search for property records as well as personal information. Here’s how to remove your data: 

Go to https://www.beenverified.com/app/optout/search. 

Enter your first and last name and select your state from the drop-down menu. Then hit the Search button. 

Select the correct match from the search results and click Proceed to Opt-Out. 

Fill in your email address and click Send Verification Email. 

Open the email and click the link inside. This will bring you to a confirmation page. 

Expect it to take several days to weeks before your information vanishes. 

Now you can go on to remove your property data: 

Go to https://www.beenverified.com/app/optout/address-search. 

Enter your address in the search box. 

Click Continue next to your matching result. 

Tick the box on the names you want to remove from the record, then click Opt-out Owner. 

Fill in your email address and click Send Verification Email. 

Open the email and click the link inside. This will bring you to a confirmation page. 

If the steps aren’t working, contact support@beenverified.com. 

For more in-depth instructions on BeenVerified, including screenshots for every step, tap or click here. 

2. Remove yourself from Spokeo 

Spokeo boasts a database of 12 billion records. Nearly 20 million people visit Spokeo.com each month. 

Follow these instructions to opt-out of Spokeo: 

Go to spokeo.com and enter your information to search for your profile. 

Refine your search by selecting a state from the Browse Locations list. Tap All Filters to refine your search further. 

Tap on your name to go to your profile page and copy the URL. 

Go to spokeo.com/optout. 

Paste the URL in the Enter URL here field. 

Enter your email address and complete the Captcha. 

Select Remove this listing. 

Check your email for a message from Spokeo. Tap or click the link below this line: "To complete the removal process, please click this URL or paste it into your browser." 

You’ll be taken to a page with the message, "We’ve received your request to remove this listing." 

Give the site at least a week to process your removal request. 

If you need customer support, call Spokeo at 888-558-9004. Check out the contact page for more ways to get in touch. 

For more in-depth instructions on Spokeo, including screenshots, tap or click here. 

3. Remove yourself from MyLife 

MyLife launched in 2008 after a merger between two other search sites: Reunion.com and Wink.com. The site boasts a Reputation Score feature, which assigns a number based on how you’re presented online to anyone who cares to look. 

Here’s how to remove yourself entirely from the site. 

Go to mylife.com and select the Do Not Sell My Personal Information button at the bottom of the page. 

Fill in the required starred information. 

Select Find URL of Reputation Profile by last name and then select the first letter of your last name. 

You’ll have to go through quite a bit of narrowing down to get to a list of profiles that match yours. 

Once you find your profile, copy the URL, and paste it into the field marked Enter the profile URL on the opt-out page. 

When you’re finished, select Opt Out at the bottom of the form. 

A message appears that states your request will be processed within 15 business days. 

If you need customer support, call 888-704-1900 or email membersupport@mylife.com. 

For more in-depth instructions on MyLife, including screenshots, tap or click here. 

4. Remove yourself from Intelius 

Intelius is one of the more prominent data brokers on the web and owns several people search sites such as PeopleFinder, ZabaSearch, and US Search. 

Here's how to opt-out of Intelius: 

Go to intelius.com/opt-out/submit. 

Enter your first and last name, state of residence and email and select Continue. 

Find your name on the next page and select Remove This Record. 

You’ll be sent to a page informing you that an email confirmation was sent. 

Open the message in your inbox and scan the information before hitting the Confirm Email button. 

You’ll be taken to a final confirmation page. 

Your information will be removed from the Intelius database within seven days. 

If you need help, contact customer support at 888-245-1655 or send a message to support@mailer.intelius.com. 

For more in-depth instructions on Intelius, including screenshots, tap or click here. 

5. Remove yourself from StateRecords 

StateRecords promises instant access to state, county, and municipal records. Removing your information from StateRecords is an easy process: 

Go to staterecords.org/optout. 

Enter your name, state, and city. 

Mark the checkbox for all entries that match your information, then select Remove Data. 

Enter your email address on the next screen and complete the Captcha. 

Select Submit when you’re done. 

Check your email for a message from support@staterecords.org. 

Select Click Here to confirm your removal request. 

You’ll be taken to a confirmation page.

Wait a few days, search the site for your records, and repeat the process if necessary. 

If you have any issues, contact StateRecords at 855-938-5042. 

For more in-depth instructions on StateRecords, including screenshots, tap or click here. 

6. Remove yourself from Instant Checkmate 

Instant Checkmate boasts more than 1.4 billion searches on its website. Checkmate, indeed. 

Here’s how to erase your information from Instant Checkmate. 

Go to instantcheckmate.com/opt-out. 

Fill in your name, city and state and hit Search. 

Select the correct match from the search results and choose Remove This Record. Repeat this process for each match. 

Enter your email address, complete the Captcha, and select Send Confirmation Email. 

Open the confirmation email. Check your spam/junk folders if you don’t see it. Then select Confirm Opt-Out. 

You’ll be taken to a confirmation screen, and you’re done. 

Your data should be removed in 48 hours. 

If you need help, contact customer support at 800-222-8985. 

For more in-depth instructions on Instant Checkmate, including screenshots, tap or click here. 

7. Remove yourself from PeekYou 

PeekYou advertises its services as a convenient way to find your friends and relatives. There are a couple of ways to remove your information from PeekYou: 

Go to peekyou.com and enter your first and last name and state. Click the search button. 

You’ll get a list of matches near the top of the page. Click on the match that applies to you. 

On the next page, click Opt Out in the upper-right corner of the box containing your information. It’s gray and hard to see, but it’s there. 

You’ll be taken to an opt-out form with the Unique ID for the profile you selected already filled in. 

Enter your email address and complete the Captcha. 

Read and confirm the agreements and click submit. 

You’ll get an email with a confirmation link. Click the link, and you’ll be taken to a confirmation page. 

Alternatively, you can go to PeekYou's homepage, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and select Do Not Sell My Personal Information. From here, you can enter your info and URLs linking to any matching profiles on the site. Use the above steps to complete your opt-out request. 

If you need to contact PeekYou, send an email to info@peekyou.com. 

For more in-depth instructions on PeekYou, including screenshots, tap or click here. 

Reminder: If you have not already taken the step to get my free Tech Tips Newsletter to make every Tuesday "Opt-Out Tuesday," tap or click here to sign up now while you’re thinking about it. 

5 WAYS TECH CAN HELP YOU FEEL SAFER AT HOME

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

Listen Now: Password manager hacked, smartwatch burns, Brand New or Not True 

In this fun and informative episode, Samsung’s smartwatch is under fire for reportedly burning wearers, a popular password manager was hacked, and why you shouldn’t rely on Tile’s new QR code stickers to find your lost stuff. Plus, how to ask Google to remove your personal info from search results, turn an old PC into a media server, and see if Kim can fool a Komando listener in this week’s Brand New or Not True. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com

via Fox News https://ift.tt/zDic9SG

US Army fires Javelin anti-tank missiles from robots in key tech test

The U.S. Army test-fired Javelin anti-tank missiles at a recent exhibition in Fort Hood, Texas to demonstrate technological advancement in its fighting capabilities. 

During a series of weapons drills and exercises, soldiers fired Javelins and .50-caliber machine guns from seven-ton robotic vehicles. 

The demonstration consisted of 12 robotic platforms alongside six control vehicles, the culmination of four years of activity, according to one official at the exhibition. 

The three vehicle versions – the RCV-Light, the RCV-Medium, and RCV-Heavy – are each built for various complex unmanned operations. 

CHINESE NATIONAL WHO APPLIED TO US ARMY RESERVES CONVICTED OF ESPIONAGE, PERJURY

The official said the RCV-Heavy is still in the early stages of development but was used in the experience with an M113 personnel carrier. 

An operation, for example, might include scouting and reconnaissance missions, distributing supplies, and finding and destroying enemy targets – when directed by a human.

Kevin Mills, the deputy executive director of ground vehicle intelligent systems, told The National Interest that the second large-scale operational soldier evaluation "is a huge learning opportunity for the Army to understand how to combat robotics can inform future decisions on how we buy material and how we fight." 

"One of the unique features of robotic platforms is that, once you take the human out, they’re purposely built to be robotic platforms, so they can be much smaller and still carry significant payloads and have significant middle mobility characteristics," he said. 

via Fox News https://ift.tt/H0pJd8s

Hidden trackers invade your browser — how to delete them

As long as your phone is on, it’s sharing data. This happens whether you have an iPhone or Android, but one company is tracking much more than the other. Tap or click here to see if Apple or Google collects more data. 

I bet your home address, phone number, and even more personal information is a search away available to anyone, often for free. I value my privacy, so my team and I put together a great resource to help you out. Tap or click here for steps to remove yourself from 19 of the largest people finder sites. 

Advertisers are notorious for watching what you do and where you go online. That’s valuable and very profitable information. Here’s one way to stop some of the spying.

5 WAYS TECH CAN HELP YOU FEEL SAFER AT HOME 

The bad kind of cookies 

Think of cookies as the trail you leave behind when you're online. A first-party cookie is created and stored in your browser when you visit a website. It keeps things like your login info and shopping cart, so you don't have to fill them in again each time. First-party cookies also preserve options and settings.

That's useful, but cookies can be invasive, too. Companies use cookies to track where you go and what you do online. They'll even do it on a website other than the one you’re visiting. Advertisers love cookies because they help customize the ads you see. If the ads appeal to you, you're more likely to click them, which yields a higher ROI. 

Pro tip: You can block third-party cookies and other invasive tools through your browser. The level of protection varies, but it’s worth the time to change your default settings. Tap or click here for tips on changing your privacy settings in some of the most popular browsers. 

Blocking third-party cookies and tracking is one thing, but how about not being subject to tracking methods, to begin with? That’s where AdChoices and WebChoices come in. 

Banish tracking cookies from your browser 

AdChoices is a program from the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA), a group of advertising and marketing companies that self-regulate to offer you choices for targeted advertising. Why would they self-regulate? So, no one else steps in to do it, of course. 

Try it out next time you see an ad online. Look for the small AdChoices icon. It looks like a blue triangle with a lowercase "i" in the middle.

Click that to get information about the ad, change its settings and block it. Not all advertisers participate in the program, but you’ll know it when you see the symbol. 

Go further: Delete this secret ID hiding on your phone that gives away your personal details 

Within AdChoices is a tool called WebChoices. You can use this tool to opt-out of many companies in one step. As with AdChoices, it only works for companies that participate in the program.

Get this: I used it to kick out 144 different tracking cookies! 

Here’s how to use WebChoices: 

Go to https://optout.aboutads.info. WebChoices will scan your browser and computer to find out whether first-party and third-party cookies are enabled, along with a list of companies creating targeted ads for you. You'll also see which companies you have already opted out of if you've used the tool.

After the status check is complete, click Continue. 

Look at the Customizing Ads on your Browser column to see which companies use targeted ads. If it says Yes, you can opt-out of that company by checking the box under the Opt-Out column.

Or you can select everything by clicking Opt Out of All. 

After making your selection, click Submit Your Choices. (You can skip those steps by clicking Opt Out Of All as a first step.) 

The website will process your selection, and you click View Updated Results to see how it turned out. 

The WebChoices tool works for the browser you’re currently using, so run it for each if you use more than one browser. If you didn’t catch every company the first time, try rerunning the scan. 

If you delete cookies, you may not see the opt-out choices for the company, so run the scan now and then. 

ARE HACKERS IN YOUR PHONE? HERE’S HOW TO FIND OUT

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

PODCAST PICK: GPS survival tip, sign digital docs, Google Photos update 

In this episode, Google updates Photos with redesigned Memories and a new collage editor, use your photos for a virtual clothing fit at Walmart, Keurig's new smart brewer makes a mind-blowing amount of coffee and how to get your real signature on digital docs. Plus, a rescue helicopter nearly abandoned a stranded man by mistaking his distress call. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

via Fox News https://ift.tt/deT7Wj0

John O’Hurley takes a gamble on a new tech tool that proves you’re human

How many times a day are you asked to prove your identity? That number is increasing as a growing number of businesses, apps, and organizations want to make sure you're the real you. For most of us, logging in and authenticating ourselves has become a ubiquitous part of everyday life, whether it's to access our banking information, our emails, or our social media accounts. They might even text us a code, or ask us to pick out photos, all in an effort to make sure we're human. And actor John O'Hurley says that's what was driving him crazy. "I am not a robot," O'Hurley jokes. "That's going to be the title of my memoir when I put this all down to pen."

O'Hurley is best known as the host of the annual National Dog Show, and for playing the eccentric catalog magnate J. Peterman on "Seinfeld." But he's also an entrepreneur, and his latest venture is a partnership with a new company aiming to make all that authentication easier and more secure using biometrics - things like fingerprints, voice authentication, and facial scans. The company, Q5ID, has an easy-to-use mobile app that allows users to enroll and authenticate securely, no matter where they are, complete with step by step directions, often in three minutes or less.

O'Hurley says he was inspired to work with Q5ID after seeing the damage that could be done with unverified users. "When I saw a 'deepfake' the other night, I immediately went to saying that it would be nothing for a CEO, someone to fake a CEO, make some sort of statement about the financial wherewithal of the company and the stock would tank", he explains. "Well, there would be no retrieving that by saying, 'Well, it wasn't really that person. It was a fake'."

And with bots now beating most authentication programs, Q5ID's app will use your phone to scan your face or your palm, keeping the data on your own device. Simultaneously, it proves to your bank, a social media platform, or any other company that it's really you. And it's not just for businesses; better authentication could help schools, law enforcement, and government agencies cut down on digital fraud, which costs Americans tens of billions of dollars every year.

The company also offers an app called "Guardian," with the goal of revamping and revolutionizing how missing people can be found. It's a free download that allows subscribers to add profiles of their loved ones should the worst happen, giving them the power to alert law enforcement immediately.

Ultimately, most experts are predicting our use of biometrics to increase significantly in the next few years. It's still not clear when - or if - it will replace the clunky two-factor authentication now in widespread use, but biometric apps are expected to be a $185 billion industry by 2031. O'Hurley credits the boom to the ease of use, saying it's a hit with consumers "because it's the last time you technically would ever need a password, or a username. Because you are you."

via Fox News https://ift.tt/ig1uQlF

Google smarts: 5 ways to get more out of Gmail, Maps, Calendar, and Docs

Think Big Tech, and I bet Google comes to mind. They control our inboxes, calendars, document storage, cloud storage, routes, and more. Most of their products are free to use, which means you are the product they are selling. 

You have options. Tap or click here for my list of search engines that better protect your privacy. 

We put up with Google tracking because these services are free and incredibly easy to use. Hey, if you’re in Google’s ecosystem, you might as well get the most out of it. Here are five ways to do that. 

5 WAYS TECH CAN HELP YOU FEEL SAFER AT HOME

1. A solution to your packed inbox 

One of the best privacy features built right into Gmail is spam protection. I’m not talking about a junk folder. This tip is even better. 

You can create a new email address, called an alias, without any special set-up. All you have to do is add a plus sign and a word after your username to your email address, like this: "username+aliasname@gmail.com." 

A handy use is tying your recurring subscription services to one alias, like this: "username+subscriptions@gmail.com." You can use this trick for email newsletters, correspondence with friends, neighborhood association info, or anything else you can think up. 

Pro-tip: This is also an excellent way to see if a company is selling or leasing your email address. If you notice a message you didn't sign up to receive, see which of your email addresses it came to. 

Go further: To make aliases truly useful, you need to filter them into their own designated spots in your inbox. Tap or click here and scroll to No. 2 for directions.

2. Share your emails without giving away the password 

Don’t share your email password with anyone. Period. But you can share an inbox with someone. In certain situations, it works really well.

Say you run a small business and want multiple people to have access to the customer service email. Or maybe someone in your family is sick or just getting older and needs help managing their emails. They can share their inbox with you. 

To add a delegate: 

Open Gmail on your computer and click Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import or Account > Add another account.

Enter the email address of your delegate and hit Next Step > Send email to grant access. 

When you grant someone access to your Gmail account, they can sort emails with filters, archive emails, and use labels to organize emails. They can also send, read, and delete email messages. 

Pro tip: Another good use for sharing an inbox is if you have an email address for your home where you send all your bills. Share that with your spouse. Tap or click for the reason every home should have its own email address. 

Go further: Checking several different email accounts can be a pain. Tap or click here for steps to forward all your mail to one place. 

3. This Google shortcut saves so much time 

Creating a new Google Calendar invite takes time. You have to open your calendar, then click a few buttons. There’s a much easier way: "cal.new." Seriously, try typing that into your browser’s URL bar without the quotes. Just make sure you are logged into your Google account. 

Like magic, a new calendar invite will pop up, ready for you to fill out. 

This works with lots of other Google services, too. You can open a Google Doc by typing in "doc.new" or a Google Keep reminder by typing "note.new." 

You can use any of the following shortcuts for each application: 

Google Docs: document.new, docs.new, doc.new 

Google Sheets: spreadsheet.new, sheets.new, sheet.new 

Google Slides: presentation.new, slides.new, slide.new 

Google Forms: forms.new, form.new 

Google Keep: keep.new, notes.new, note.new 

Google Calendar: meeting.new, cal.new 

Google Meeting: meet.new 

Pro tip: One of the simplest ways to organize your Google Drive folders is by color-coding them, which is surprisingly simple. Open your Google Drive and right-click on the folder you want to change. Click Change color and choose the color you want to use. Done. 

Go further: Keyboard shortcuts are a big timesaver. Tap or click for seven of my favorites, including Ctrl + shift + V. 

4. See everywhere you’ve gone with Google Maps 

Google Maps makes it easy to get around, but you might not like the stark reality of seeing every single place you’ve been laid out on a map. Here’s how to check your location history: 

When logged into your Google account on a computer, open maps.google.com. 

Click on the hamburger menu in the top left corner. 

When the full side menu is open, click on Your timeline. This will bring up a complete map of where you’ve been. 

Data of places you visited can also be recalled by opening the side menu, clicking on Your Places, and then clicking Visited. 

Pro tip: You can keep certain trips out of your search history by switching on Incognito mode. Google Maps won’t keep your search history or update your location history to include this location. Tap or click here for the simple steps to enable it. 

Go further: You can disable location history altogether if you don’t like it. Tap or click here to get that done. It just takes a minute. 

5. Work offline (but you have to set this up ahead of time) 

There’s nothing like settling in to do some work on the road, then realizing you don’t have internet. The good news is you can read, respond to, and search your Gmail inbox even when you don’t have an internet connection. 

Note: Emails won’t actually be sent until you have a connection again, and you will not receive new emails until you’re connected to the internet. Think of this as queuing up all your responses. 

Open Gmail, then click the Settings cog. Choose See all settings. 

Click the tab that says Offline, and check the box to enable offline mail. 

Pro tip: You can schedule emails to go out exactly when you want them to. Tap or click here and scroll to No. 8 for steps on how to schedule. It’s easy. I use this all the time. 

Go further: You can also work in Google Drive offline. Get the steps here. Make sure you set this up before you need it. 

ARE HACKERS IN YOUR PHONE? HERE’S HOW TO FIND OUT

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

PODCAST PICK: GPS survival tip, sign digital docs, Google Photos update 

In this episode, Google updates Photos with redesigned Memories and a new collage editor, use your photos for a virtual clothing fit at Walmart, Keurig's new smart brewer makes a mind-blowing amount of coffee and how to get your real signature on digital docs. Plus, a rescue helicopter nearly abandoned a stranded man by mistaking his distress call. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

via Fox News https://ift.tt/OMcV8q4

Facebook whistleblower launches nonprofit to address harms created by social media

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen is launching a nonprofit organization that will seek solutions to harms created by social media, she said on Thursday.

The former product manager at Facebook, since renamed Meta Platforms, made headlines last year after coming out as the source of thousands of leaked internal documents, which she said detailed the social media company's failures to protect teen girls on Instagram and clamp down on vaccine misinformation.

Facebook has consistently said it disagrees with Haugen's characterization.

YOUTUBE, META, OTHER TECH COMPANIES TAKING STEPS TO COMBAT ONLINE EXTREMISM

Her nonprofit, Beyond the Screen, will create an open database to document ways that Big Tech companies are failing their "ethical obligations to society" and outline possible solutions, according to a press release.

TWITTER, MUSK LEGAL TEAMS REPORTEDLY DEPOSING JACK DORSEY

It will partner with Project Liberty, an organization working to build a new operating protocol for social networking, and Common Sense Media, which advocates for safe media content for kids.

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How to get Fox News headlines on your iPhone lock screen

Readers can now get their Fox News headlines right on their iPhone's lock screen! Here's how to do it.

First, you'll need to download the iOS 16 Apple operating system and update your Fox News app. 

To update the operating system, if you haven't already done so: under "Settings," select "General," then "Software Update," and iOS 16.0 will appear as an "Available Update."

To update your Fox News app, open the "App Store" application, then tap "Search" on the bottom-right corner, and search for Fox News. Tap on the Fox News icon in the search results, then tap "UPDATE." (If it says "OPEN" instead, it's already updated to the most current version.) Open the app to launch it.

IPHONE AND ANDROID ANNOYANCES: HOW TO FIX THE 5 MOST ANNOYING THINGS FOR GOOD

Next, swipe down from the top-left side of the screen to view the iPhone lock screen. Tap and hold it until the screen pops up with a button that says "Customize" and a plus sign in a blue circle appears at the bottom right.

Select "Add Widgets" and scroll to search for the Fox News widget. 

Tap or drag to add the widget to the bar below the time. 

Once you've added the widget, tap "Done" in the top right-hand corner to save the widget and wallpaper and "Set as Wallpaper Pair."

That's it! Now you'll be able to read Fox News headlines as soon as you pull up your phone.

The headlines update automatically. Tap the headline to read the full story on your Fox News app.

via Fox News https://ift.tt/zf4qOya

Google Chrome is safe but here’s how to make it even safer to use

If I were a betting woman, I’d guess you use Google Chrome. It’s far and away the world’s most popular browser. It's not my pick if you're looking for the most privacy. Scan my list of browsers ranked by privacy. 

After all, Google likely knows every website you visit, where you go, what you buy online, who you communicate with, and much more. Tap or click here for eight ways Google invades your privacy. 

That said, Chrome is a solid browser. There are ways to make it even better. 

5 WAYS TECH CAN HELP YOU FEEL SAFER AT HOME

First things first 

Before we get into settings, take the time to ensure Chrome is up to date. This happens automatically when you shut down and reopen the program, but it’s worth checking now and again. 

Open Chrome, then tap the three vertical dots to the right of your profile icon. 

From the drop-down menu, hover over Help and select About Google Chrome. 

If an update is available, it will start. Click Relaunch to finish. 

More Google smarts: 10 Google Search tricks to help you find what you’re looking for 

1. Make your account harder to crack 

Your Chrome profile is tied to your Google account. Two-step verification (or two-factor authentication) adds an extra layer of security to your account.

Once you set it up, you'll sign into your Google account using two steps: something you know (your password) and something you have (like your phone). Remember, this is only necessary when you sign on with a new device.

Here’s how to set it up for Google: 

Go to myaccount.google.com. 

Select Security from the left panel. 

Under Signing in to Google, select 2-Step Verification, then Get started. 

Follow the on-screen steps. 

Better safe than sorry: Hackers want Google accounts. Give yours this security check now! 

2. Run Chrome’s Safety Check tool 

Chrome’s Safety Check scans your account for compromised passwords and available updates. It also turns on Safe Browsing, a setting that identifies unsafe websites and notifies you of potential harm. 

You can run a Safety Check at any time: 

Open Chrome, then tap the three vertical dots to the right of your profile icon. 

Select Settings > Privacy and security from the left panel. 

Under Safety Check, select Check now. 

Select the item and follow the on-screen instructions. Chrome will scan for updates, compromised passwords, harmful extensions, and more. 

MAINTENANCE 101: Your printer needs a cleanup – Follow this 3-step checklist 

3. Extensions can put you at risk 

Extensions let you add powerful features to your browser. Think coupon finders, grammar checkers, and screenshot tools. But not all extensions are helpful. Some track you across the internet, hog your bandwidth, or even infect your computer with malware. 

It’s not just unknown downloads, either. Five extensions with 1.4 million downloads were recently spotted hiding malware. Tap or click for the list to see if you have one installed. 

Not sure what is safe? Chrome assigns a "Featured" badge to extensions that follow Google’s "technical best practices and meet a high standard of user experience and design."

It’s also helpful to search the web for phrases like, "Is (the extension you’re using) safe to use?"

Here’s how to remove an extension from Chrome: 

Open Chrome, then tap the three vertical dots to the right of your profile icon. 

Hover over More tools and select Extensions. 

Click Remove on the extension you want to remove, then click Remove again. 

4. Enable HTTPS-First mode 

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used to load pages using hypertext links. Websites that use HTTP are not secure. That’s why you should stick to sites that start with HTTPS. (The extra "S" stands for secure.) This encrypts a website’s content. 

Chrome’s HTTPS-First mode attempts to load all sites over HTTPS and displays a warning before visiting a site that doesn’t support it. Here’s how to enable it: 

Open Chrome, then tap the three vertical dots to the right of your profile icon. 

Select Settings > Privacy and Security, then Security. 

In the Advanced section, slide the toggle next to Always use secure connections to the right (on) to enable it. 

Speaking of security, I hear from folks all the time who fell for an online scam. It’s a bummer, but it happens. Here are three steps to take if that happens to you. 

5. Be careful with Incognito mode 

No, Incognito Mode does not make everything you do private. It does have some uses, but let’s be clear. Incognito Mode doesn’t hide your activity from the websites you visit. You can still be tracked, your ISP can still see what you do, and your data can still be shared with third parties. 

So, what does it do? When you surf the web incognito, your browser doesn’t save your browsing history, cookies, site data or information you enter in forms. However, it keeps any downloaded files or bookmarks created during the session. 

There are a few things I think Incognito is especially good for: shopping, keeping embarrassing searches out of your history, and keeping home and work separate. 

Tap or click for my tips for using Incognito to the best of its ability. 

ARE HACKERS IN YOUR PHONE? HERE’S HOW TO FIND OUT

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

PODCAST PICK: Amazon police plans, flying taxis, robotic manicures 

Get a $10 manicure from a robot, change this secret Google Maps setting, and watch out for flying taxis. Plus, Amazon tests police stations as package pickup points, WFH jobs that pay $20/hour, and YouTube will let creators offer paid video courses next year. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

via Fox News https://ift.tt/KHNYo8b

iPhone and Android annoyances: How to fix the 5 most annoying things for good

When it comes to consumer tech, there’s a huge list of things that can drive us all bananas. 

Take your slow Wi-Fi. You can’t stream, you can’t join a video meeting, and it always happens at the worst time. Tap or click for clever ways to speed up your home’s connection. 

What about wading through thousands of photos, looking for the one you want? Tap or click for a quick shortcut, along with four more smart tech fixes — like a hidden way to know a scammer is calling without picking up your phone. 

Our smartphones help us get a ton done, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to chuck them out the window sometimes. Here are the top complaints I hear about and ways to fix them. 

5 WAYS TECH CAN HELP YOU FEEL SAFER AT HOME

1. Your screen brightness keeps changing 

Apple's Face ID does more than unlock your phone. It also can tell when you're paying attention to your phone. If you look away, your screen dims, and your alert volume also decreases. 

The fluctuating brightness can be frustrating. You can switch this feature off.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention. 

Turn off Attention Aware Features. 

On Android, adaptive brightness or auto-brightness uses a sensor to adjust the screen based on your environment. Sometimes it works well, but not always.

Steps will vary based on your phone’s model, but here’s a starting point.

Go to Settings, then Display. 

Look for Adaptive brightness and toggle it off. 

SECURITY 101: The smart trick to know when your phone’s camera or mic is being used 

2. The person you’re talking to can’t hear you 

When you're on a call, your iPhone monitors the noise around you and tries to cut it down, so the person you're talking to hears you better. It’s a neat feature, but it might lead to "Wait, what did you say?" too often. 

First, check your microphone volume. Press the volume up button on a call to adjust this. You can turn off the noise cancellation feature if people still have problems hearing you. 

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and switch off Phone Noise Cancellation. 

Another tech annoyance: 5 ways to help Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant to understand you better 

3. You don’t want the bloatware 

Android phones are notorious for coming preloaded with apps you don’t want or need. These extraneous programs slow down your phone and consume storage space and battery life. 

There are a few ways to get rid of the bloat. 

Remove apps from your Android phone: 

Open the Google Play Store app. 

At the top right, tap your Profile icon. 

Tap Manage apps & devices > Manage. 

Tap the name of the app you want to delete, then select Uninstall. 

Some apps can’t be deleted. You can disable them by long-pressing on the app and tapping the Disable option — or you can hide them on some Android phones. 

Hide apps by tapping and holding the app and dragging it to the bottom of the screen to the Remove from home screen box. This doesn’t remove or disable the app; it just moves it out of view. 

Hide apps from your Samsung phone 

Open your App drawer, then tap the three dots in the top right. 

Open Home Screen Settings (or just Settings). 

Select the Hide apps option. 

Choose the apps you want to hide. 

Confirm via the Apply or Done button. 

Losing your texts is a nightmare. Don’t be that person. Here’s how to save text messages on iOS and Android before it’s too late. 

4. Your group text is too chatty 

Group messages are a fantastic way to stay in touch with friends and family, but the constant pings can be too much. Here’s how to silence conversations on your iPhone: 

Open Messages, then tap and hold a conversation. 

Tap Hide Alerts. 

You can also do this within the conversation by tapping the name(s) at the top of the screen and then switching on Hide Alerts. 

That’s a helpful option, but you’ll still get notifications if someone mentions you in a group text. You can turn this type of notification off, too.

Go to Settings > Messages. 

Scroll down to Mentions and switch off Notify Me. 

On Android, steps to hide conversation alerts will vary based on your phone’s model. Try this: 

Open Messages, then tap and hold a conversation. 

Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner. 

Select Mute notifications to open up settings for that contact or conversation. 

Apple secret: This might be the best iPhone feature you never knew existed 

5. You miss the home button 

The iPhone 8 was the last model with a home button. That was a long time ago, but I know change is hard, and you still might miss it. You can't install a physical home button on your phone, but there's a feature that lets you come close: 

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. 

Turn on AssistiveTouch. A button will appear on your screen. 

Under Custom Actions, change Single-Tap, Double-Tap and Long Press settings. 

If you want the closest home button experience, set Single-Tap to Home, then drag the button to the middle-bottom of your screen. 

Now, whenever you tap that virtual button, you’ll be taken to your home screen. Neat! 

ARE HACKERS IN YOUR PHONE? HERE’S HOW TO FIND OUT

Keep your tech-know going  

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. 

PODCAST PICK: Amazon police plans, flying taxis, robotic manicures 

In this episode, get a $10 manicure from a robot, change this secret Google Maps setting, and watch out for flying taxis. Plus, Amazon tests police stations as package pickup points, WFH jobs that pay $20/hour, and YouTube will let creators offer paid video courses next year. 

Find my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. 

Just search for my last name, "Komando." 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. 

You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in. 

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. 

For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com

via Fox News https://ift.tt/YmGoDVv

Law enforcement turns to new tech solutions to help cops in the field

It’s no secret – major tensions still exist between law enforcement and some communities, with frequent calls to "defund the police" from activists who feel cops are too quick to use violence. But a new survey shows those opinions don’t represent the majority of America, and now a growing number of police departments across the country are embracing mobile technology, hoping it will help bridge the gap – and streamline the job for cops in the field. 

The survey – by the public safety-focused software company Mark43 – shows most Americans are backing the blue. 72 percent of respondents say they reject the "defund the police" agenda, and actually want cops to have more resources. That’s where technology comes in. Mark43 and other companies are increasingly focusing on new tech tools that will make it easier for police to keep the peace. Mark 43 co-founder Matt Polega says it’s a win-win, noting cops "can leverage all this mobile technology that they have, remain in the field, and get information more quickly."

And that information flow is now being managed in many cities by mobile apps designed to give police a leg up in the field. One program is a dispatch tool that gives police a better sense of what they’re walking into when responding to a potentially-dangerous call; information on the situation is automatically sent to an officer’s cell phone, ensuring they’re not diving in blind. "They could know exactly where they have to get to, they could see the route they have to take," according to Polega,"and then they can also maybe get a little bit of a preview of what kind of situation they're going to be dealing with." 

But the company’s poll also exposed a significant gap between what most people see on the streets and what law enforcement officers are actually doing. It’s not uncommon to see police on their phones, and most of the time they’re engaged in work-related applications. But 32 percent of Americans say they didn’t understand that cops use their phones for work, doing everything from data entry to dispatch. "In reality, a lot of those police officers are actually spending a lot of time doing things like communicating with other police officers, getting important information from headquarters," says Polega. And that disparity is creating a major misconception, leading to mistrust between police and the people they serve. 

Ultimately, most police departments say they expect in-field technology like the apps developed by Mark43 to expand in the coming years. And in 2023, law enforcement agencies around the world are expected to spend a whopping 18 billion dollars on new technology. The hope is all that new tech will lead to improved policing, and hopefully, more trust in law enforcement. And Polega says it’s already having a big impact, claiming "we’ve seen arrest reporting times down 50 percent, we’ve seen offense reporting times get driven down by about 80 percent, and that makes sure police are back in the field, serving their communities, and doing the job they actually signed up for, instead of paperwork." 

via Fox News https://ift.tt/3ExNmAK

5 ways tech can help you feel safer at home

When I host a national radio show and podcast about all things tech, digital security is always in every program. Take your home's router, for instance. 

An outdated model can put your entire network, files and anything connected to it at risk for hackers. Tap or click for five reasons you need to replace that old router.

Other ways of protecting your digital life don’t require spending a dime.

Then there are those security tips a little closer to home. Whether you have a full house or live alone, there's a lot you can do to feel safer where you live.

STUDY SUGGESTS POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES USERS OVERCONFIDENT

Getting to know your neighbors can be one of the best ways to feel more secure. If you haven’t, introduce yourself. You’ll feel better knowing the neighborhood has your back. 

You can get to know the broader neighborhood, too, through NextDoor. Create an account to connect with people who live nearby. Just get ready for a healthy dose of drama. I'll never forget when I saw a post about someone driving too fast. Ahem, it was me.

A more fun way to get to your community is to join a buy nothing group. This is where neighbors pass around items they no longer use. Let's say you're upgrading your TV and need to get rid of the old one. Rather than go through the trouble of selling it, ask if anyone nearby would like to come and get it.

Your phone is always with you and can be a lifeline in an emergency. A smart step is to activate your phone's emergency SOS feature. When triggered, this will call emergency services and send notifications and updates to your chosen personal emergency contacts. 

Set up emergency contacts for your iPhone

To call emergency services:

Once the countdown ends, your phone will contact emergency services.

Set up emergency contacts and SOS on your Android

WASHINGTON TO END COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY OCT. 31

Now you need to activate your Android’s SOS feature:

To call emergency services:

Are you a caretaker for someone in your life? If you can't always be together, a lot of great tech can help. 

Whether you’re at work for the day or off on a week-long vacation, there are ways to make it look like your home is occupied even though it’s empty. Mechanical or smart-home timers can turn lights and a stereo or TV on and off. 

Have an Echo speaker? Alexa Guard is like a pair of ears you leave at home. Your Echo device will listen for glass breaking, smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms. You’ll get an alert on your phone if these sounds are detected.

Alexa Guard can also automatically turn any connected smart lights on and off to make it look like you’re home. 

Home security technology has come a long way since the days of elaborate hard-wired systems with lengthy, expensive contracts. You can now customize a system for your home that includes exactly what you want and even set it all up yourself. 

SimpliSafe is a sponsor of my national radio show, and they're a company I always recommend. Of course, there are many options at different price points.

The cheapest doesn’t translate to the best. I’d avoid the bargain-basement models you can find online.

We tend to want to post every exciting moment in our lives on social media, but it might not be just your friends who are watching your adventures. If you maintain a public profile, anyone can see you’re exploring a new city far from home.

The simplest solution is not to post personal information on social media, including your vacation schedule. Wait until you get back to share photos and videos.

If you're determined to share in real time, at least be sure to restrict your accounts to trusted friends and family. 

Keep your tech-know going 

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. 

Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player.

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim's national radio show. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. 

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Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

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