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 Tech Tip Tuesday will not be published on December 24.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
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
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.
"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.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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
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
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
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 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.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
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.
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.
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.
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