The best password ever!

"How to Create Good Passwords" articles abound, but I believe strongly in the method detailed below.  Once your base password is created, it is easy to make a unique password for each of your online accounts.

1) Think of an easy phrase to remember - e.g., my car is fast and sleek

2)  Remove the spaces in the phrase:  mycarisfastandsleek

3) Capitalize the first letter of the second word:  myCarisfastandsleek

4) Replace  the letter "a" (all or some) with the @ symbol:  myC@risf@st@ndsleek

5) Replace the letter "s" with the $ symbol:  myC@ri$f@$t@nd$leek

6) Use that password as your base and then add on the first three letters of the website or account to make each password unique.  For example, if I was using the above password for Facebook, it would look like this:  myc@ri$f@$t@nd$leekfac and for Gmail it would look like this: myC@ri$f@$t@nd$leekgma

At first, you may be slow entering all of the characters, but with practice, it should become automatic and much easier.

Happy New Year!  May 2020 be your most safe, secure online year ever!!  :-)

YouTube - an excellent resource

Don't remember how to set Time Bake on your oven? Can't remember how to add items to your digital calendar? Need help setting up your new home security system? Want to start yoga at home? YouTube can be a wonderful tool to help you with all of these tasks and much much more!

Most of us know we can find the answer to almost any question online, but YouTube is one of the first places I look when trying to figure out how to do something.  I love being able to watch a couple of quick videos to help me conquer my task.

EVERYTHING, absolutely EVERYTHING has been recorded on YouTube video, so do a search there before looking online for instruction manuals for your item or task.   A word of CAUTION:  Since anyone can publish on YouTube, some videos are much better (and more accurate) than others. It's always wise to watch at least 2 videos on a topic before following their advice.

And, if you are the lucky recipient of a new piece of technology for Christmas, remember that someone has already recorded a video online to help you learn how to use it!

Happy Holidays!  Tech Tip Tuesday will not be published on December 24. If you are with friends and family over the holidays who may enjoy receiving weekly technology tips, feel free to share this subscribe link:  http://eepurl.com/co9Hdn

Don't tell the world you are traveling over the holidays!

Have you read something like this post on Facebook? 
"Jamaica bound! See you all in 7 days #HoneyMoon  🇯🇲🍻🍴"

Holidays and vacations provide fun times with family and friends that are worth sharing with others, but doing so on Facebook or other social media is not a good idea until you return home.

Social media has made it easy for you to share your activities with others but if you are out-of-town, it also alerts others to your empty house making it an easy target for break-ins.

Even if you have your Privacy settings set to "Friends", how do you know that they won't share with their Friends?  Are all of their Friends trustworthy?  This may seem a bit far-fetched but burglars use the information shared on Facebook every single day and the numbers are increasing.

Be safe this holiday season: feel free to share memories and photos AFTER you return home.

Check out suspicious links with Norton Safe Web

Occasionally, a friend will send a link via Messenger , Messages or email for me to peruse.  I never click on these links because I'm very wary of items being shared or forwarded, particularly on Facebook or via unsolicited emails. 

I always wonder if the link is from a real website or will clicking it open my device to malware or a virus? Although I work primarily on Mac and Apple devices which usually aren't susceptible, I still don't feel comfortable clicking on a link I don't know anything about.

However, I always feel a little guilty not checking the website because it is being shared by a friend.  So, I read with interest recently about a resource that will allow me to check those links, instead of just ignoring them:
Norton Safe Web - https://safeweb.norton.com  - is a website that allows you to copy and paste a URL (link) to check its safety. It is a free online resource I'd encourage you to look at and then bookmark so you'll be able to find it when you need it.

Note:  What if you only see the link and not the web address in the email or message?  To be able to copy/paste the URL into Norton Safe Web, you will need to do a right-click (on a PC) or Control - click (on a Mac) on the link in order to Copy the Link address.

As always, I hope you have a terrific Tech Tuesday!

Jeline

All of my previous weekly tips can be found here:  http://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com

Did you know Google stores your passwords?

I use Safari to browse on my laptop, and I usually tell it to remember my password when creating a new account, although this really isn't the most secure thing to do (a topic for another newsletter.)  However, I had no idea Google Chrome was also storing all those passwords and making them available on their website.

I was amazed when I went to this link: https://passwords.google.com/ and then logged in with my Google password!  I had no idea this resource existed.  While visiting that site, I did the "Password Checkup" and found that 7 of my accounts had passwords that had been exposed in a third-party breach.  The checkup also let me know that I had 85 accounts with a reused password (a no-no), and 73 accounts with a weak password.

So, now, what do I  need to do?
1) I'm going to change the passwords that have been exposed
2) I'll enhance  my "weak" passwords.
3)  AND, I'm going to delete a lot of that stored information from Google! Google does not need to be storing all of my information.

At the very least, I'd encourage you to check out your own information at the link, https://passwords.google.com/, then you can decide if you want/need to make changes.

And, if you are an organized person, maybe you could put this activity on your calendar to review every couple of months.

It seems like there's always something to do, huh?  Hopefully this week, though, you can enjoy some time with family and friends!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday - be prepared!

Don't wait until Thanksgiving to make your plans for Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping; start now.
Don't start making purchases now, but begin making plans to prevent getting sucked in to what APPEARS to be a great deal next week.

Below are several things to consider:

1)  Do your research now.  Think about items you may be purchasing soon and research them online now.  Check model and product numbers so you can actually compare prices wisely. Black Friday ads from many companies are already available for your perusal.

2) Find the best price.  Apps and websites are available to help you compare prices. Take a  look at these: Shopzilla, Honey, and  PriceGrabber.  CamelCamelCamel tracks prices on Amazon for you.  If you're interested in using an app on your smartphone, check out this site.

3)  Don't just use Amazon.  Other stores may have much better prices including company websites for the products themselves.

4) Act quickly. When shopping online, put an item in your basket before looking elsewhere to compare prices.  Typically, you have 15 minutes to checkout and claim the item.

5) Don't buy new items.  Typically, the best Black Friday sales are on items that companies are trying to clear out of their inventory.  According to Consumer Reports, the best prices (other than a few "hot" items to draw customers in) will be on merchandise that is at least a year old.

Set your budget; stick to it, and have fun if you are looking for some "deals."  If you have other suggestions you'd like to share, please let me know and I will include them in next week's Tip.

Don't click that link! Holiday shopping is in full swing!

My Facebook feed is overflowing with "Sponsored" ads.  It also seems that almost every other post is about something I "don't want to miss out on" this holiday season.  And those "50% of everything in Target" coupons are beginning to surface.

How can I resist?  Very easily!
I RARELY click on any "Sponsored" ad or advertisement in Facebook OR anywhere online. Yes, I get very tempted, but I don't do it.

Most ads are for products that are not quality items.  If you are indeed interested in an item in one of the ads, do your own search on Amazon or Google for that product, and before buying check out multiple reviews by others who have purchased the item.  Do not buy from the link on Facebook or other social media websites. 

Many ads are scams OR are phishing for your personal data.  Some links such as "50% of everything in Target" will direct you to a fake site that looks like Target and will ask you to log in with your username and password.  Your login will not work, but they will have captured your information so that they can now use it on the "real" Target website.

Don't let the Black Friday mentality get you in its grips.  Remember - If it sounds and looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and for those of you living in my area, be encouraged.  It has already gone from 6 to 7 degrees since I woke up this morning, and it will be warmer today than yesterday!

Thinking about cutting the cable cord?

TV watching seems to be moving away from cable TV.  Many streaming services are providing great alternatives at a lower price.

We've only recently begun to seriously explore the possibility of eliminating our TV package through the local cable company.  But I believe it is going to be a good move for us......as soon as we decide which alternative streaming service(s) will work best for us.

A couple of websites we've found very interesting (and the first one was even supplied by our local cable provider to help us with our selection of streaming services):

https://www.suppose.tv/tv - allows you to select the channels you presently watch and then suggests streaming services as well as devices you might choose (Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, etc.)

Comparison of streaming services:
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/336650/the-best-video-streaming-services 

I'll  let you know as soon as we've made our decision; it is requiring some reading and learning on our part.......something that the younger generation just "knows."  What we've learned is to just ask questions.......that is the only way to move forward.

YouTube - Closed Captioning and Transcripts

Have you ever wished you could have a transcript of a YouTube video you watched?
Do you ever use Closed Captioning on YouTube videos?  Did you even know that you could?  

I occasionally watch YouTube videos to learn how to do something or to learn more about a topic or person.  I just learned about two "tools" available for YouTube videos that may help me when I do that:  Closed Captioning and Transcripts    
I  made a screencast to show you how to access both Closed Captioning and Transcripts on YouTube:  http://somup.com/cq6UXgff9f  It demonstrates how to do this on a laptop or desktop computer.  The screen on your mobile device will look a little different, so you will just have to explore.

Now....not all videos have transcripts available using the method I demonstrate in the screencast, so you may need to copy and paste the URL (address) of the YouTube video using this website to access a transcript of a video:  https://www.vidreader.com

Disclaimer:  As with any digitally transcribed text, the transcript may contain words that are misspelled. :-)

Happy Halloween week! And, if you live in my area.......brrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Jeline

All of my weekly tips can be found here:  http://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com

Medicare Part D

If you are 65 then it's time to review your Part D drug plan. (If you are presently in my Computing for Seniors class, you can stop reading now because we've already reviewed this together).  

I still talk with people who have not reviewed their Part D plan since originally signing up for it.  Do yourself a favor and take time annually to review your plan: either online, make an appointment with your pharmacist, talk with your Extension Office or watch for other local agencies to offer the service.    
All entities reviewing drug plans use the same website to evaluate the available plans in your state: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?lang=en  You can also do it yourself: sign in or use the website without logging in.  The advantage of logging in to your Medicare account is that all of your present medications will automatically be on your list.

Whether or not your medications have changed, you still need to evaluate the plans and select the best one for you before December 7.  Drug plans, drug tiers, and premiums change annually.  The same drug can be on different tiers in different plans thus changing its cost. Don't just assume that what you are presently enrolled in is the best plan for you next year.  

For example:  I have been on the "Humana WalMart Rx" plan for the past two years.  That plan will no longer be available in 2020.  If I do nothing, I will automatically be enrolled in the "Humana Premiere" plan which will more than double my premium cost next year and cost much more than if I enroll myself in the new "Humana Value" plan.  If I choose this plan, my premium will be $10 less per month.  The increased cost of my two meds on this plan will be more than offset by the decrease in premium.  

The other thing I am noticing is that a mail-order prescription for 90 days will cost more than if I get it at a local pharmacy.  This is a big change for me.  I've noticed this to be true in several different companies, so if you are in the habit of doing mail order, it might be wise to check with your local pharmacy (which you can do online in the comparison section) to determine which is the cheapest method of obtaining your drugs.

All of this can be overwhelming at first, but the more you access the website, the more comfortable you will be with it.  Don't be afraid to play around with it. I've made a screencast to show you how to navigate the website: https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cq63eTu5bT

If you aren't interested in using the website, then make an appointment now with your pharmacist or local agency offering this service. Following the appointment, try using the Medicare website just to see if you come up with the same recommendation.

One last tip: Unless you are in an urban setting, Medicare Advantage plans (which can include your drugs) are usually not beneficial because you are restricted to doctors in select networks.

So, feel empowered; you can do this!  Visit medicare.gov soon and give it a try!  Please share with me if you learn additional information during this process.

Jeline

Amazon Reviews

I've always relied on Amazon reviews to help with my online purchases....even when I buy a product elsewhere.  However, a recent article I read reduces my confidence in those reviews.

Have you ever read Amazon reviews that describe items other than what you you are looking at?  Have you wondered how a review for a toy or book that is different than what you are viewing is in the list of reviews?  I always thought it was because someone posted their review in the wrong place.  However, that is not the case.  
Unscrupulous sellers have found a way to incorporate reviews from multiple items they may be selling or have sold.  This is done to "boost" their 5-star reviews.  Amazon is aware of this but relies on us, the buyers, to report these items.

This article from Consumer Reports goes into much more detail as to the why's and how's of fake Amazon reviews.  I was so disheartened to learn this; this is a reason to buy from "name-brand" sellers on Amazon (not third-party sellers) and also to look for reviews of items elsewhere in addition to Amazon.

Happy Tuesday; happy shopping!  Only 71 days until Christmas.

Facebook Two-Factor Authentication

If you are a member of the iPhone Users Group or are in my Computing for Seniors class, I apologize.  You have already received this tip from me today.  But, I feel it is important and want to share with anyone who uses Facebook.  

If you use Facebook, I'd like to encourage you to enable two-factor authentication on your Facebook account for security purposes.  This article will give you more information and step-by-step instructions for doing that both on a laptop or desktop computer and a mobile device:

Enable two-factor authentication on Facebook 

Basically, this almost guarantees that no one will be able to log into your Facebook account unless they have your mobile phone in their possession.

Try, try, try again!

I must apologize, but today's tip is once again for iPhone users:

Thirteen days after the release of iOS 13 there is still a lot of conversation online about it and Apple is actively deploying updates.
*If you are still running iOS 12, make sure you do the update that was released last week for it - 12.4.2
*If you installed iOS 13, there was another update released yesterday - 13.1.2.  Be sure you install it soon.

This is unprecedented action taken by Apple:  4 updates in 14 days.  I'm glad to see them releasing updates quickly rather than making us endure that bugs that are popping up.

I have to admit I really haven't had issues since updating my phone (X).  John's (8) has done some strange things which  have been irritating at times, but I keep reassuring him that it isn't anything he's doing wrong.  It is just kind of flaky.  It will eventually improve.

I'm not sorry I installed iOS 13 as I've been enjoying several of the new features. It's been in beta since early this summer; I'm just surprised some of these issues weren't caught earlier.

Stay tuned.  And, keep enjoying your phone; in the end, the new iOS will be worth it.

Wait on iOS 13

I installed iOS 13 yesterday as soon as it was available (the sign of a true nerd, I guess.) :-/  I've enjoyed playing with a couple of the new features (the "swipe" keyboard is awesome!).  However, there has been some "flakiness"; my Apple Watch wasn't communicating with my phone this morning.  Our Pennsylvania son also sent a caution this morning that we may want to hold off on installation.  Too late for me, BUT John's phone did not install overnight for some reason so we turned his "Automatic Update" off this morning.  If your phone updated, no worries.  Just be aware that there may be a few things that may not function correctly. 

The GOOD news is that Apple will release the next update (13.1) next Tuesday -- much sooner than would normally be expected --- which will supposedly take care of some of these problems.  If your update hasn't installed yet, you can just wait and install next week when iOS 13.1 is released.

I used to hold off on updates, but in the last several years that hasn't been needed.  Guess we may be back to waiting again.  

iOS 13 Update; backup your phone now

Some of you  may get two emails from me today if you are a member of our iPhone Users Group in addition to my Tuesday Tech Tip group.  But I think it is important to share the information below with those of you who are iPhone owners:

Today is the day.....supposedly at 12:00 noon iOS 13 will be released for our iPhones here in the U.S.  For most of us that means our phones will probably automatically do the update tonight during the night if you have automatic updates turned on.  If you aren't sure if your phone will automatically install it, check it out - Settings - General - Software Update - Automatic Updates.

BEFORE your phone does the update tonight, there are two things to check:

1)  Make sure all of your apps are updated:  App Store - Updates

2)  Make sure your phone has recently been backed up to iCloud or to your computer. 

A) If you are backing up to iCloud, use this path to check:  Settings - click on your Apple ID (your name) - click on your device name - then you should see the date and time of your latest backup

B) If you are backing up to iTunes on your computer, open iTunes, click on your device and check the latest backup.  (screenshots of this procedure are attached)

If you aren't sure how to backup, then take a look at this "help" page:  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977

iOS 13 is a major operating system update (just like iOS 10, 11, and 12 were).  Anytime a new operating system is released, it is always a good idea to have your phone backed up prior to that, not mandatory, but strongly suggested.

There will be some things that look and act differently on your phone after the update.  Don't be discouraged; look at it as something to keep your brain sharp!  :-)  I'm sure there will be lots of YouTube videos released after techies take a look at today's update, including Apple;  I'll share if I find one that I think will be helpful to all of us.

Have a terrific Thursday!

Google Photos update

Many of you know I strongly recommend using Google Photos as a cloud-based backup.  Actually, it is recommended you have your pictures in 3 places - 1) on your phone, 2) on your computer or external storage device, and 3) in the cloud (iCloud, Google Photos, Amazon Photos, etc.)  Google Photos can be downloaded to ANY smartphone.

I like Google Photos because once the app is downloaded and stored on your phone, it runs seamlessly in the background always uploading new photos as they are taken.

Last week two new features were added to Google Photos: 1) Memories and 2) the ability to order photos to be printed (to WalMart, CVS, etc.) directly from the app.

1) Memories in the Google Photos app are similar to what you see on Facebook, Instagram, etc., only you are the only one that can "see" them.  They will appear at the top of your app in circular previews.

2)  The ability to send pictures directly to Walmart, CVS, etc. for printing is a really convenient feature! Previously, I used the WalMart app on my phone, but that adds an additional step in the process.  Now, I can order my Walmart prints using the Google Photos app! 

It's worth checking out!  Open Google Photos on your phone today and take a look.  And, if you haven't installed Google Photos yet, do it today.

Call my lost phone!

Both Androids and iPhones have apps that can help you track your phone in case you ever misplace it......if you set it up BEFORE that happens.  If you don't, there is still a way to locate the phone.

If the phone is turned on and you don't have another phone to call from, you can enter your phone number into a website that will call the phone for you.  You don't have to create an account, and it is free to use.  Try it out right now -  https://www.callmylostphone.com (And, you may want to bookmark it in case you ever need it).

Happy Tech Tuesday! Apple fans, today is the day we will learn more about the new iPhones and we'll also probably learn more about iOS 13, a new operating system for our iPhones.  The event starts at 12 PM CDT. https://www.apple.com/apple-events/

Is a website down or is it your computer?

It may just be my laptop and occasionally my phone, but it seems recently that I've had difficulty loading some websites, and Facebook seems to be an occasional culprit.  After doing some reading, I found a way to determine whether it is the website or only my computer.  Read on.

Using the website - Down for Everyone or Just Me? - copy and paste the URL (address) of the website you are trying to access.  Click on the blue button that says "or just me?".  It's that simple. You will then know if the website's servers are down.

File this tip away and hope that you will never need to use it!

Update your iOS device now!

If you are an iPhone or iPad user and you’ve not read about Apple’s latest iOS update on the web or on Facebook, I want to stress the importance of installing that update on your iPhone and or iPad....now.

Many of us have our devices set to automatically install updates and this usually happens overnight when we have them plugged in to charge. However I would encourage you to look at your Settings - General - Software Update and make sure that “Your software is up to date.”  The update was just released yesterday so there is a chance it might have been installed overnight or is scheduled to install tonight. However if you have the time and can plug in your device I’d recommend that you go ahead and install the update as soon as you read this........for security reasons. For more information you can go to this article.

Flight Radar 24

FlightRadar24 is a fun, easy way to monitor airplanes.  It can be used to track passenger flights in real time as you watch the planes "fly" across the map. (It is also available as an app for your mobile device).

For years we've used FlightTracker and a couple of other websites/apps on our phones when we are checking the status of a flight.  But this website, FlightRadar24, allows you to see any plane overhead or in the region you wish to follow (private, passenger and commercial).  To do this: 

1) Simply drag the map to the region you are interested in.  You may need to click the + symbol to zoom in.

2) Hover your mouse over each plane icon until you find the one you are interested in.

3)  Click on that plane and more information will be given in a side panel that opens.

It's free, the data supplied is maintained by volunteers, and the plane must be enabled with ADS-B technology for it to be tracked.  But, it's FREE (did I already mention that)? 

So, while you are trying to beat the heat today by staying inside, give it a try!  Or try it now by zooming in on  your location to see if there are any planes overhead!

Happy Tech Tuesday! Hydrate and try to stay cool!

Facebook fundraisers

Recently I noticed a friend's request to donate funds to the Topeka Rescue Mission through a Facebook fundraiser for her birthday.  I've always refrained from participating in those requests, but I know that she works at the Mission so decided to learn more about Facebook fundraisers to see if the funds generated end up where they are supposed to go.

Here is what I found.  Facebook does not charge any fees for funds generated for non-profit organizations.  The charitable organization gets all of the money generated. 
For personal fundraisers which you sometimes see on Facebook, there is a fee to cover the cost of processing; people do  not get the full amount of your donation.

As always, I recommend that you be cautious about fundraisers, particularly for individuals.  If you know the person, it might be best to give them or the person running the fundraiser the money directly rather than them losing a percentage to the fees.

For more information about Facebook fundraisers, check out this page:  https://www.facebook.com/help/1409509059114623/?helpref=hc_fnav

Avast is still the best anti-virus program

First of all, I want to assure you I've not disappeared from the face of the earth. I apologize for being "absent" from these Tech Tips the past two weeks.  A family wedding celebration in California followed by having our two granddaughters here with us for 10 days somehow consumed my time AND energy.  It was wonderful!

This week I read about recent testing that has been done on different antivirus programs.  It was reassuring to find that Avast (the free version) still is the top recommendation for PC users.  (If you own a Mac, you do not need to install this program.)

The other interesting thing I learned is that Windows Defender (which comes pre-installed on your computer) has gained a lot of ground and is now ranked as one of the best antivirus programs.

The only drawback to Avast is that there will be occasional pop-ups trying to get you to install additional features or subscribe to the paid version.  Don't do it; don't click "yes".  The free version is perfectly fine.......as verified by the latest research.

What is AI and should I care about it?

I happened to catch several of the stories on 60 Minutes Sunday evening.  All were very good, but one was very thought-provoking for me. It was the interview with the top AI (artificial intelligence) man in China, Kai-Fu Lee. 

Kai-Fu Lee said:  I believe it's (artificial intelligence) going to change the world more than anything in the history of mankind. More than electricity.

Scott Pelley opened the segment with these remarks:
"Despite what you hear about artificial intelligence, machines still can't think like a human, but in the last few years they have become capable of learning. And suddenly, our devices have opened their eyes and ears and cars have taken the wheel. Today, artificial intelligence is not as good as you hope and not as bad as you fear, but humanity is accelerating into a future that few can predict. That's why so many people are desperate to meet Kai-Fu Lee, the oracle of AI."

The interview segments and transcript can be found at this link.  I found it fascinating!

Happy Tech Tuesday. Try to stay cool!

Jeline

What do you do with an old smartphone?

Do you have an old smartphone tucked away in one of your drawers?  If so, you might want to check out Rick Rouse's article:  "7 Great Ways to Put an Old, Unused Smartphone to Good Use"

The author suggests you could turn your old phone into:
1) a landline telephone
2) an emergency radio scanner
3) a wireless security camera
4) a document scanner
5) a remote for your digital camera
6) a metal detector
7) magnifying glass

Pretty resourceful!

Facebook shortcuts

Oh.my.goodness!  How did I not know this cool shortcut?

Last week I learned about using the J and K keys while reading on Facebook. 

While reading on Facebook, pressing the J key will automatically display the next item in your Newsfeed. It moves you down the webpage and will put a blue border around the entire item including the Comments. (This may also help you reply to the correct Post!)

And what do you think the K key does?  It allows you to scroll up one post at a time!  Try it!

I am not a big fan of using a mouse, so I've always tried to find keyboard shortcuts to allow my fingers to stay on the keyboard.  Using a trackpad has made it easier, but I still have quite a large group of regular keyboard shortcuts I use.  Now I've added two more!

Happy Facebook reading today and tomorrow and the next day!  :-) And, have a happy, safe Fourth of July!

Cancel unused email accounts

You should cancel any unused email accounts ASAP.  Why?

Spammers and scammers love accessing email accounts that lay dormant using them to start sending out offers under your name.  You may not know until it is too late.

Chances are you may have created an email account(s) long ago and then began using Gmail , Outlook or your Mac email in more recent years.  Don't know how to delete an email account?  Each company is different but if you Google "terminate Yahoo" (or whatever your account is) you should find the information necessary to delete that email account.  Often if you are logged into your email account in the Settings you can locate a link to "Terminate Account" or "Cancel account."

If you no longer have the login information for your unused email account, you should contact the Support department of that company and ask how your email account can be deleted.

Staying safe online requires regular monitoring of all your online accounts. That job can become more manageable by deleting any you no longer use.

Block your cellphone number from Caller ID

Are there times that you'd rather not share your cellphone number when calling a business or possibly someone you don't know?

All you have to do is dial *67 (star 67) before dialing your phone number and it will temporarily deactivate Caller ID.  On the phone receiving the call, it will usually display "Private number" rather than your name or phone number.

If you are calling an 800 number or an emergency number this will not "work."  Caller ID will identify your name and or phone number.

Do you have a tip you'd like to share with others?  Feel free to send it to me and I'll pass it on.....giving you credit, of course!  :-)

Super Fast Way to search Google

If you're like me when reading something on the internet that I want to learn more about (often), I copy and paste that word or phrase into the Omnibox or Google Search box.  But I just learned there is a faster way:

Next time you want to look up what a word means or learn more about something you've read, try this: 
1) Highlight the word or phrase you want to research

2) Right-click on the highlighted text (on computers with a trackpad do a Control key and click on the trackpad)

3) Choose Search Google for "selected text" from the contextual menu.  A new browser tab will then open.  That's all there is to it!

If you are reading on a tablet or phone, you tap the word or phrase to highlight it, then choose Look Up from the pop-up menu.

Your Best Protection is You!

Can you remember the days before email; when our mailboxes often contained several pieces of "junk" mail each day? Times have changed, and It seems that most of my junk mail now arrives in my Inbox! 

Most email programs have built-in filters to help protect you from scam and phishing emails, and these continually improve.  In some programs you can also manually change your level of filtering.  However the best defense against scams and phishing attacks will always be YOU. 
You should remain vigilant and skeptical of any email that:

• Claims to be from a friend but comes from an unfamiliar email address;
• Contains an attachment or link that asks for login credentials;
• Requests a cell phone number or money.

When in doubt, call the sender (don’t reply to the email) to verify that they sent the email, or call the company. Don't use any links or numbers in the email.  Access that information by going directly to the company's website to locate a number to call. Usually that information is located in a section titled "About Us" or "Contact Us".

Many of us love all of our devices, but the use of those devices require a commitment from you to stay aware and "tech smart" .......which you are doing each week when you read the latest Tuesday Tech Tip!  :-)

Too many emails from Facebook?

If you no longer want to receive routine notifications from Facebook, there is an easy way to turn them off while still receiving important notifications.

On a laptop or desktop computer - 

1. Click on the downward arrow at the right end of the blue bar at the top of your Facebook account.
2. Select Settings.
3. On the left sidebar select Notifications.
4. Click the Edit link to the right of the Email link.
5. Select the radio button beside Only notifications about your account, security and privacy.

On a tablet or phone - 

1. In the Facebook app, tap on the three lines (which allows you to access the Menu.)
2. Scroll down to Settings & Privacy
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Notifications
5. Notification Settings
6. Scroll down to the Where you Receive Notifications section and select Email
7. In Your Email Notifications section, toggle off all the settings.

Now, the only emails you receive from Facebook should be administrative notifications which you don't want to miss.

Charity donations on Facebook

If you're on Facebook, then more than likely you've seen a request to donate to a charity for someone's birthday or a special occasion.  Just keep several things in mind before doing so.

1) If PayPal is an option, that is the safest way to make online donations.  Your credit card information is not shared with the charity, only with PayPal.  A PayPal account is free to set up and use.

2)  When making a donation, make sure you check the box "one-time donation" rather than recurring.  And, then check your credit card statement for several months to verify there are no recurring payments to the charity.

3)  If you are still unsure as to whether to donate using the Facebook link, consider going directly to the charity's website and make a donation there.  Then just send a message to the person indicating you made a donation to their favorite charity via the website, not Facebook.

Don't return that middle of the night phone call!

Phone calls in the middle of the night can certainly be alarming and in the past week there have been reports in the news that warned people about a middle-of-the-night phone call scam.
The warning reported that your phone may ring just once, and it is usually in the middle of the night.  DO NOT return the phone call.  Occasionally a message is left asking that you return the call, and if you do phone charges can be incurred because it is an international number.  Caller ID often depicts the call as originating in the US, but most really are international using the prefix - 222 (Mauritiana) or 232 (Sierra Leone).

It's unclear what the "payoff" is for those initiating this scam, but you can read more about this scam here.

Sync.com

Dropbox. Google Drive. iCloud. Box.com Sync.com

All of the above services provide ways for you to share your files with others in the cloud. However, the newest one - sync.com - is making claims that it is the only truly secure sharing service. Everything I’ve read and heard in the past couple of months supports that claim. 

From the sync.com website:  “Sync makes it easy to store, share and access your files from just about anywhere.

Best of all, Sync protects your privacy with end-to-end encryption — ensuring that your data in the cloud is safe, secure and 100% private.”

To learn more, you may want to take a look at this 5-minute video before creating your free 5 GB account on sync.com: https://youtu.be/I6JjCRNyRTg
I haven’t tried it out yet, so if any of you have experience with it, please feel free to share. It looks and sounds very promising!

Be My Eyes

Ready for another volunteer opportunity that can be done at any time or any place yet provides a much needed service?

Be My Eyes is an app for your smartphone that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers through a live video call when visual assistance is needed. 

How does it work?  Volunteers download and install the app free from either the iOS App store or Google Play store. An account is created and then when a blind or low-vision person needs assistance a request is sent out through the app.

What kind of assistance may be needed?  You may be asked to help check an expiration date, identify a color of clothing, read printed forms or medicine labels, help navigate transit, or even describe places or objects.

How often will you receive requests? Over 1.5 million people have installed the app, so requests will not come that often.  I've received 2 requests since installing the app in February.  The first one was to help identify what was in a frozen meal box.  When I received the second call, I was sitting in a meeting and by the time I got up and went out in the hallway, another volunteer had answered the call.  A friend of mine who has this app received a similar request to identify a food package and also assisted someone in crossing a street.

The app launched in 2015 and is available in 150 countries and 180 languages.  Check it out today and join the large network of users hoping to make a big difference in the everyday lives of those with limited sight!

Want to read more about and watch a video to learn more about how it works?  Check out this link.

I hope you will consider installing this app TODAY.  :-)

Don't answer that phone!

Have you ever received a phone call with your own phone number showing up on the Caller ID?  It's frustrating, and you may be tempted to pick up the phone just to let the scammer know you don't appreciate it.  But please, please, please, just let your phone ring!

Some people want to answer their phones to give the caller a "piece of their mind" or to tell them some wild story.  Don't.do.that.

Once you pick up the phone, it verifies two things for the caller (or a system) that is calling you:
1) Your phone is a working number and has not been disconnected.
2) You are a live person who answers your calls rather than a machine.
This will place you on the "preferred callers" list and your phone calls from spammers will only increase in number.

So even though it may be tempting, don't do it, don't answer.  Just let your phone ring and ring and ring and ring......while you go happily about your business on this beautiful spring day!

Is Alexa listening?

Do you have a voice-activated speaker in your home? The devices have been in the news before, and last week privacy questions about Alexa made the major news' networks again. 

Don't get rid of your device, and please don't stress about it!  Like all of our internet-enabled devices (computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.) it is always wise for us to learn about privacy settings and know what we can do to increase our security. 

This news clip is worth 4 minutes of your time if you have one of these devices (Amazon Echo or another brand).  There is a 30-second ad before the actual clip begins.

Then, if you have an Echo device, please open the Amazon Alexa app on your phone, touch on the 3 lines in the upper-left hand corner, select Settings, then Alexa Account, then Alexa Privacy.  There are five links on that screen.  It would be wise and informative to touch each one to review your options.  At the very least, in the Manage How Your Data Improves Alexa section, I strongly recommend turning off - "Help Develop Features" and "Use Messages to Improve Transcriptions."

Quickly silence your smartphone

With most smartphones today all you have to do is press ANY physical button on your phone and it will immediately silence the phone when it begins to ring.

You don't even have to take it out of your purse or pocket to search for the "Decline" button.  Simply stick your hand into your purse or pocket and squeeze the phone; you are almost guaranteed to press one of the side buttons!  (However, you might want to take a look at your phone to learn where those buttons are located and even practice pressing those buttons while not looking at the phone.)

Apple Watch users even have a faster way to silence their phones; simply place your hand on the watch face and your phone will immediately go silent!  How cool is that!

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a search engine (and also a browser app you can download) to use for searching online.You may not have heard of DuckDuckGo, but it might be worth exploring if you have concerns with your privacy while browsing online. You are never tracked while using it, thus there is nothing to be sold to advertisers so you do not receive targeted ads. 

DuckDuckGo can be accessed on any browser but has recently been added as a choice in Chrome. Even though it has been around for several years, I have not spent much time using it, so I would be interested in hearing from any of you after you try it out. It seems to be popping up more frequently in the tech “stuff” I’ve been reading!

Happy private surfing today!

Fill out the Medical ID on your smartphone today!

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device (Samsung, Galaxy, LG, etc.) you should take a few minutes today to complete the Medical ID.

If you are ever in an accident or admitted to the hospital and are unable to communicate, the information in your Medical ID on your phone can be accessed by emergency personnel even if the phone is locked.

Medical ID comes pre-installed on iPhones.  Android users can download the free app - Medical ID - from the Google Play Store.

This video will walk you through the process on an iPhone.  Take a look at this for help with the Android app.

Shop safely on Amazon

I am very comfortable using my credit card online, but not everyone feels that way.  If you are hesitant and avoid shopping on Amazon because of security concerns, take a couple of minutes to read through this article.  It is a great solution to helping you get low prices and free shipping without taking the risk of using your own credit card!

https://www.ricksdailytips.com/shop-amazon-without-credit-card/ 

Have a terrific Tuesday! (and happy shopping)

Update your Chrome browser now!

I just read a "tip" about the need for us all to update the Chrome browser on our laptops and desktop computers and I didn't want to wait to share it in next week's newsletter.  

There is a security flaw with the present version of Google Chrome that is presently being exploited by hackers. If you use Google Chrome to do your browsing online, please read more about it here and then do the update.

Your phone and tablet do not need the update.

If you have questions about whether you use Google Chrome or about how to do the update, please feel free to email me.

Three recommended products

I'm not paid for anything I say or promote in these weekly "Tech Tips" like many bloggers who write professionally.  I simply share tips I've learned or tried and also answer questions that come in from some of you.  So, as I share some products with you today remember I'm not making a commission; just passing on some things I've found useful. :-)

My iPhone charging cable never seemed to be long enough, especially when traveling so I invested in some new cords from Anker (a company that makes quality products).  I ordered these 6-foot cords to use with our wall chargers, and even our children liked and appreciated them! (If you want two cords this is even a better price).
If you have an Android phone, this may be the Anker cable you need.

Another useful item I purchased last summer is a portable charger for our devices.  I purchased it on a Lightning Deal on Amazon and got it for $22.  The device will charge our phones 3 times without needing to be recharged.  If you have an older phone that doesn't keep a charge well or you don't always remember to charge your phone, this would be a great addition to your purse or your car (if you don't already have a USB charger in the car).  Android phones, iPhones, iPads, tablets.....all can be charged using this device.

And, lastly, a device we purchased for our son for his recent birthday (and I'm thinking we my NEED one ourselves) - is an Anker 4-port wall charger.  It's so nice to be able to plug 4 devices into 1 wall charger and it's pretty fast!

So, maybe you can start your birthday wish list or Christmas list early this year OR even just buy yourself a gift!

Happy shopping!

A few quick browser tips

There are some shortcuts you may want to remember when you are browsing online.  It doesn't matter whether you are using Chrome, IE, Safari, or Firefox, or if you are working on a PC or Mac.  Just remember, though, that usually on a Mac you use the Command key rather than the Control (CTRL) key for many shortcuts.

Have you ever closed a browser window accidentally?
To quickly reopenit, press - Command + Shift+ T on a Mac; CTRL+ Shift+ Ton a PC.

Are you having difficulty reading a webpage?
On a Mac, press Command +(plus key) Continuing to press the plus key will continue to zoom in and make the text larger.
On a PC, press CTRL + (plus key) Continuing to press the plus key will continue to zoom in and make the text larger.
Likewise, using the -(minus key) will zoom out and make the text smaller.

Want to quickly open a new Tab in  your browser?
On a Mac - Command+ T 
On a PC - CTRL + T

Happy browsing!

If it sounds to good to be true......

Although the adage - "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" - has been around forever, it could have been written for today's online world.  

Please remember whenever browsing online that if the price of something is steeply discounted, it is probably not legitimate.  Time and time again there are reports of people purchasing items online only to never have them delivered.  And, even worse, those illegitimate companies then have your credit card information at their disposal.

NEVER EVER click on a link for an item advertised on Facebook! If an advertised item appeals to you, please type the address in to a different browser window rather than clicking on the link on Facebook.  And, even then, please don't order an item from the website before checking out more about the company.

This old adage also applies to all of those nuisance phone call offers many of us still receive.  Don't be sucked into purchasing that dream trip for a fraction of its value!

Repeat after me:   "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."  Don't take the bait!

Are you going to lose your Google Photos?

Google recently contacted many of you regarding the elimination of your personal Google+ account.  The Subject Line of the email was probably: "Your personal Google+ account is going away on April 2, 2019."

Several of you have asked me if that means you are going to lose the photos you have uploaded to Google as a backup.  The answer is NO, nothing is going to happen to your photos.  They are safe.

About 8 years ago Google launched Google+.  It was a social media platform meant to rival Facebook and Twitter.  However, it never really took off and most of you never used it.  This article does a pretty good job of explaining it.

Some of my favorites to follow!

I've learned a lot since 1996.  I distinctly remember our two sons around the Sunday dinner table questioning me about my knowledge of technology for the new job I was starting at the middle school.  I didn't know the difference between RAM and ROM and I really didn't know how computers worked.  They were pretty sure I didn't "know enough" to be teaching a technology class....especially in middle school!

But, fortunately, thanks to my interest in technology, my sons' patience answering their mom's questions, and my willingness to learn, I've "come a long way" and survived 15 years in middle school! My interest in technology continues, even as a retiree, and I enjoy following a couple of people online to continue learning.

A newly found Facebook resource is Rick Rouse of Rick's Daily Tips.  He not only shares timely information but he also answers people's questions posted on FB.  You will need to ask to "join" the group.  An advantage of following a Facebook group is that I automatically see the posts each day and usually learn something new (so my time on Facebook is justified!)  ;-)

Another regular resource for me is Steve Dotto of DottoTech.  I subscribe to his YouTube channel so I get notifications every time he produces a new video.  He just finished a great series of "how-to" videos on Google Apps.

 Both of these guys are "down to earth" and easy to understand. If you have resources to share, please let me know.

Another keyboard shortcut - scroll through open tabs

A keyboard shortcut I use daily helps me navigate through the open tabs in Safari, Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.:  

On a Mac or PC laptop or desktop computer  - Control (Ctrl)  +Tab (press Control then press Tabrepeatedly as you scroll through the open tabs)

Open your browser then open several different websites in different tabs and try it out right now!  The only way to embrace a new keyboard shortcut is to do it deliberately and repeatedly for awhile to see if it is beneficial for you.

In defense of my keeping many tabs open on a browser:
1) If I am gathering information for a class or group, I don't want to open each website repeatedly; I just leave the page open.
2) I alternate working between my devices: laptop, iPhone and iPad.  By leaving the tabs open in Safari, I can pick up where I left off on any of those devices.  Maybe more about that at a later date.
3) I recently added the Chrome extension OneTab; I haven't decided yet if I like using it as a replacement for displaying all open tabs, but I'm giving it a try.

Keyboard shortcut

As some of you have observed during my Computing for Seniors class, I work with a lot of applications open on my computer, particularly when I am working on items for my class or when I'm working on items for a couple of groups of which I am a member.

I use one keyboard shortcut quite frequently and some of you may find it useful, too, when working on your laptop or desktop computer.

On a Mac - Command +Tab (press Command then press Tab repeatedly as you scroll through the open applications)

On a PC-  Alt +Tab  (press Alt then press Tab repeatedly as you scroll through the open applications)

Open several different applications and try it out right now before you forget.

There are MANY keyboard shortcuts that can make it easier to work on your laptop or desktop, and I'm sure you are familiar with some of them.  If you'd like to refresh your memory or see if there are any others that might be beneficial for you, check out this page for both Mac and Windows shortcuts.