Plus, old-school TV is fading away — here’s why Gen Z is switching off. Caller Stephen had his data swiped, and I lend a helping hand. I also delve into spotting fake news, picking the best spot for your router, and quieting down those noisy group notifications.
Have any new tech? Take steps now to secure your privacy
Raise your hand if you scooped up some tech for yourself during the holiday sales madness. It’s a great time to score a deal, but I bet you’re also slammed with work and family obligations.
Don’t just set it and forget it with your new gear. (Hackers and scammers are hoping you do, of course.) Take a few minutes to secure it. You’ll be glad you did.
Keep your location yours alone
Devices that travel with us (think phones, tablets and laptops) know exactly where we are located — and many companies package and sell that data off. While it’s tough (or just really inconvenient) to stop all location tracking, you should take a good hard look at what gets access to where you are.
- On Windows: Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Location. Click Change, then toggle off Location for this device. This also prevents apps from knowing your location.
- On a Mac: Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Switch off Location Services.
- On an iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. You have the option to switch off Location Services completely. Or turn it off for individual apps by scrolling down the list and tapping the ones you want to change.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Location and toggle off Use Location. If you leave the setting on, scroll down and change the settings for each app by tapping on them.
On Apple gear, there’s a hidden map
Apple keeps track of where you go and how often you visit. It can then make suggestions based on what it calls Significant Locations. You might see these as calendar events or map directions alerts.
Sure, it’s helpful, but not everyone likes it. You can clear this list.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
- Tap Significant Locations.
- Hit the Clear History button.
Get up to date
Depending on how long your new device sat on a shelf or in a warehouse, it might need an update or two. Pop into the settings and look for any software or firmware updates. Sometimes, there are a couple in a row.
After that, set a reminder or pick a day to check each of your devices monthly. It only takes a few minutes, but it could save you a huge hassle down the line. Wherever you can, enable automatic updates so you have one less thing to remember.
5 dumb tech security mistakes you’re making
You might think you have a solid cybersecurity plan. You use strong passwords and defensive measures like VPNs and firewalls. But even the strongest shield gets dented from time to time.
It’s hard to remember all the settings you’ve adjusted and the passwords you’ve made over the years. Let this be your reminder to go in and make a few quick changes to protect yourself.
Expired, dangerous stuff hiding in your house: Fire extinguishers, recalled products and lots more
Look around your house, and you’ll see things you never even realized have a shelf-life — and I don’t mean things like food that have a best-by date.
Take fire extinguishers. Over time, they can lose pressure. Those and smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years or so.
Do this with your router before selling it or throwing it away
You know to wipe your devices before tossing them or giving them away. Your phone and computer contain lots of data that can be used against you. But what if you don’t have a chance to reset them? Here’s how to remotely wipe the data from your phone and computer.
Tech pro tip: How to prioritize devices on your Wi-Fi
We’ve all blamed our internet speed for YouTube buffering. But guess what? The main culprit is often the army of gadgets hogging your Wi-Fi.
It might be your spouse streaming three sports games at the same time, your kid downloading a new video game or your roommate binge-watching their favorite show.
Ask Kim: Is it possible to have Wi-Fi in an RV?
Let’s level up your internet camper options. For starters, the personal hotspot feature on his phone could be the Wi-Fi source in the camper. Plans generally cost between $30 to $60 a month.
The amount of data depends on the plan. You get unlimited data in some cases, while others limit you to a certain amount. Usually, if you go over, you get hit with a fee.
Plug in your address to see if you’re overpaying for internet
Your router is years old, but you don’t think about it because it just sits there, pumping connection to your devices. Before you upgrade, know this: You need one that’s Wi-Fi 6 ready.
Maybe your router and modem are fine until your internet gives out. Here’s the right way to reset things. Don’t just unplug, plug it back in immediately and call it good!
Plug in your address to see if you're overpaying for internet
$42,450,000,000. That’s how much the U.S. government is spending to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to all the places that don’t have it. Politics aside, that’s a heck of a lot of money.
By now, we all know how important it is to have a strong connection — for work, school, fun and life in general. But what happens if you move and realize, “Uh oh, the internet here stinks.”
Fastest internet providers in the US – Where’s yours on this list?
Sick of slow Wi-Fi? Your provider might be to blame.
Let’s look at the fastest (and slowest) average download speeds for providers across the U.S.
Say goodbye to bad Wi-Fi: Solutions for smooth browsing
So, your Wi-Fi is spotty and super slow. Or maybe it’s just unreliable, depending on what room you’re in. The bad news: It could be just about anything. Signal congestion, physical location, firmware issues, hardware limitations or even your internet service provider limiting you.
How to check what's hogging your internet connection
Bandwidth is a hot commodity, even more so when living in a rural area or a region with notoriously lousy internet service. But sometimes your slow internet is caused by your ISP. Tap or click here to see if your ISP is throttling your speeds.
Locked out of your Google account? Here's how to get back in
If you find yourself locked out of your Facebook account, don’t panic. Take solace in the fact that your strong password will also make it difficult for cybercriminals to get access. You shouldn’t trust a stranger who promises to help you get back into your accounts. Tap or click here to see why.
Home security 101: Where to put cameras
When it comes to home security, camera placement is everything. Tech gadgets can be finicky, so their location can make a difference. For example, here are the best places to put your router for better internet speeds.
Best apps to troubleshoot your bad Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is one of the most precious commodities we use daily. Everything is right with the world when it’s running smoothly. But when there’s any disruption, it can feel like a day-ruining experience, especially if you work from home. Tap or click here for essential work-from-home tips.
Your router's dirty data secrets, Tesla’s Cybertruck debut & organizing photo secrets
Plus, is your info on the Dark Web? I’ll explain how to check. Also, I give my trusty advice to a gal sick of pricey cable. And Instagram’s big update, smart sprinklers can save you big bucks and the best tech for caregivers. For those of you in rural areas, slick ways to boost your Wi-Fi.
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.
Where does your ISP fall among the fastest and slowest in the country?
Do you work from home? Is someone in your house a hardcore gamer? Do you stream high-definition content from multiple devices simultaneously? All these factors will help determine if you’re paying too much for internet speed. Here’s what you need to know.
Weak signal? How to get better Wi-Fi on your Android
You rely on your phone for a lot. It helps to give your tech a checkup now and then to avoid more severe and costly problems later. Tap or click here for six ways to get started.
What’s more frustrating than lousy Wi-Fi when you’re trying to get something done? Your Android phone loses much of its functionality without a solid network connection. The problem could be coming from several sources, and we’re here to help you narrow them down and get your internet back on track.
Don't place your WiFi router in this room
Slow Internet? Your router might be in the wrong spot. Here are some factors to consider, in 60 seconds.