Do you have a favorite search engine? Is your browser using it as the default?
If you aren't sure which search engine you are using or don't know how to set it as your default, check out this video (made especially for YOU). :-)
Google is my search engine of choice, but I know some of you like Bing or Yahoo. It really is just a personal preference. We tend to like what we are familiar with. :-)
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Share your vacation pictures online.....later
Want to share photos of special activities or vacation on Facebook or Instagram? WAIT until you are back home.
Social media allows us to easily follow our friends' activities and share our own special experiences, but when we do that we are giving out information that could compromise our safety.
If you are taking and posting a photo from 50, 100 or thousands of miles from home, you have just potentially told millions of strangers that you are not at home, your home is not occupied and that it will be awhile before you return home. It creates an opportunity for someone to "help themselves" from your home while you are gone.
In addition, to reduce undue risk:
1) Don't post any status updates about your vacation or activity while you are still away.
2) Don't tag fellow vacationers; they likely don't want that information shared about themselves either. Wait until you are back home to share pictures.
3) Don't post upcoming travel plans on Facebook. Your family are the only ones that need these plans.
Just remember, feel free to share your special activities online, but AFTER you are back home.
Social media allows us to easily follow our friends' activities and share our own special experiences, but when we do that we are giving out information that could compromise our safety.
If you are taking and posting a photo from 50, 100 or thousands of miles from home, you have just potentially told millions of strangers that you are not at home, your home is not occupied and that it will be awhile before you return home. It creates an opportunity for someone to "help themselves" from your home while you are gone.
In addition, to reduce undue risk:
1) Don't post any status updates about your vacation or activity while you are still away.
2) Don't tag fellow vacationers; they likely don't want that information shared about themselves either. Wait until you are back home to share pictures.
3) Don't post upcoming travel plans on Facebook. Your family are the only ones that need these plans.
Just remember, feel free to share your special activities online, but AFTER you are back home.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Don't kill your phone's battery!
If you plan on trading in your cellphone or other mobile device every 1-2 years, you don't need to read any further.
However, if you don't like the price tag attached to new smartphones and tablets, you may appreciate the tips below:
1) Don't charge your phone every night. Let your device almost run out of charge before plugging it in.
2) Update to the latest software.
3) Avoid extreme heat (temperates above 95 degrees F.)
4) Remove certain cases when charging. If you feel your phone getting hot during the charging process, remove the protective case during the process of charging.
If you want to read more of the "whys" behind these tips, check out this article.
However, if you don't like the price tag attached to new smartphones and tablets, you may appreciate the tips below:
1) Don't charge your phone every night. Let your device almost run out of charge before plugging it in.
2) Update to the latest software.
3) Avoid extreme heat (temperates above 95 degrees F.)
4) Remove certain cases when charging. If you feel your phone getting hot during the charging process, remove the protective case during the process of charging.
If you want to read more of the "whys" behind these tips, check out this article.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
3 Ways to Stay Safe
Happy 4th of July! Hope you all have a fun, SAFE holiday!
And, for electronic device safety remember:
1) Install updates....particularly the Security Updates.
Last week another cyberattack occurred throughout the world. Computer experts once again reminded people to always install updates to help keep electronic devices safe....at least as safe as they can be at any given moment in time.
2) Don’t click
While surfing the web don’t click on pop-up ads or unfamiliar links.
3) Don’t Reply
Never respond to an email or click on a link in it if it is from an unfamiliar source. Just Delete!
And, for electronic device safety remember:
1) Install updates....particularly the Security Updates.
Last week another cyberattack occurred throughout the world. Computer experts once again reminded people to always install updates to help keep electronic devices safe....at least as safe as they can be at any given moment in time.
2) Don’t click
While surfing the web don’t click on pop-up ads or unfamiliar links.
3) Don’t Reply
Never respond to an email or click on a link in it if it is from an unfamiliar source. Just Delete!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Restart
Restart!
Is your computer or phone acting strangely? Restart.
Is your device (phone, tablet or computer) sluggish? Restart.
Are you concerned about viruses? Restart your computer regularly (PC's) which should allow any security updates to be installed.
Remember: Restarting a device will solve 95% of most issues with electronic devices.
Now, if I could just figure out how to "restart" myself in the middle of the day! :-)
Is your computer or phone acting strangely? Restart.
Is your device (phone, tablet or computer) sluggish? Restart.
Are you concerned about viruses? Restart your computer regularly (PC's) which should allow any security updates to be installed.
Remember: Restarting a device will solve 95% of most issues with electronic devices.
Now, if I could just figure out how to "restart" myself in the middle of the day! :-)
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Tab key
Do you use the Tab key on your computer keyboard?
My mom is spending some time with us this week as I help her learn all about her new desktop computer. She's doing very well, but one of the things I discovered yesterday is that she has never used the Tab key...except to indent a paragraph.
So, my tip(s) for today (or maybe just a reminder): When you fill out any form on the internet, use the Tab key instead of using your mouse each time to move to the next box (field).
Example: First Name [Tab] Last Name [Tab] Address [Tab] City [Tab]
What if you get to a drop-down menu? Often, you can just type the first letter of the word you are looking for.
What if you make a mistake? Just use Shift+Tab.
The Tab key can also be helpful when composing an email to move between the To, Subject, and Body fields.
Alt +Tab can be used on your computer to quickly switch between programs you have open on your computer. For Mac users, Command +Tab. Give it a try!
My mom is spending some time with us this week as I help her learn all about her new desktop computer. She's doing very well, but one of the things I discovered yesterday is that she has never used the Tab key...except to indent a paragraph.
So, my tip(s) for today (or maybe just a reminder): When you fill out any form on the internet, use the Tab key instead of using your mouse each time to move to the next box (field).
Example: First Name [Tab] Last Name [Tab] Address [Tab] City [Tab]
What if you get to a drop-down menu? Often, you can just type the first letter of the word you are looking for.
What if you make a mistake? Just use Shift+Tab.
The Tab key can also be helpful when composing an email to move between the To, Subject, and Body fields.
Alt +Tab can be used on your computer to quickly switch between programs you have open on your computer. For Mac users, Command +Tab. Give it a try!
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
DuckDuckGo - a Google alternative
I'm intrigued with a search engine I read about this week. DuckDuckGo isn't new; it's been around several years, but I think it may be worth trying.
DuckDuckGo bills itself as "the search engine that doesn't track you." It promises to not use cookies to track your searches and does not collect any personal information while you are using it. Even your IP address is hidden. This article goes into more detail if you are interested in learning more.
Let me know if you are already familiar with it or have any feedback to share. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can switch from Google.com for awhile to give DuckDuckGo a try!
DuckDuckGo bills itself as "the search engine that doesn't track you." It promises to not use cookies to track your searches and does not collect any personal information while you are using it. Even your IP address is hidden. This article goes into more detail if you are interested in learning more.
Let me know if you are already familiar with it or have any feedback to share. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can switch from Google.com for awhile to give DuckDuckGo a try!
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