Tech Refresh: What we're grateful for, smart password tactics and shopping in secret

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In this special episode of Tech Refresh, Kim joins Mike’s team in Brand New or Not True. Can Allie, Ben and Cassidy fool them? Plus, the tech getting the Komando team through 2020, PlayStation and Xbox scams and practical ways to manage all those passwords.

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Tech how-to: Create your own keyboard shortcuts

You probably know that using keyboard shortcuts is a great way to save time and increase efficiency. You may not know every amazing thing you can do with a shortcut, though.

For example: How do you open a Windows application? Do you roll the mouse pointer over to an icon? Or do you lift your finger up and then tap on a tile? If yes, you are wasting plenty of time and exerting undue strain on your shoulder.

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5.9M trucks and SUVs added to the biggest auto recall in history

It’s not uncommon to receive a notice about a vehicle recall in the mail. Most of the time, the issues are related to something minor — like a faulty backup camera or software program causing issues.

There are times when those issues aren’t so minor, however. Remember that massive Toyota and Lexus recall that was issued a couple of months back? That recall was due to a serious safety issue with the fuel pump, causing some vehicles to stall unexpectedly while in motion.

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Don't fall for this gift scam on Facebook

Have you been asked to be a part of a white elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange this year? These types of gift exchanges can be a ton of fun, whether they’re held at the office or among friends.

Well, a new scam is capitalizing on the lighthearted nature of those gift exchanges. It promises that you’ll receive dozens of gifts from strangers if you sign up but then leaves participants high and dry. It’s just one of many scams that have popped up recently thanks to the pandemic and economy.

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21 problem-solving gadgets that’ll help make your tech troubles disappear

When was the last time your phone died while you were away from home? Have you ever shattered your screen? What about when all the charging cords in the house mysteriously disappear?

The good news is there’s a smart solution for most tech problems. Tap or click for my answers to five common tech frustrations, like spotty Wi-Fi and scanning documents from home.

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If you've had your phone longer than 3 months, it needs this deep clean

One of the best parts of getting a new phone is how fresh it feels inside and out. The screen is scratch-free, your storage is empty and the phone doesn’t stall or slow down on you.

But before long, your new device loses its luster. After setting it on dirty surfaces and taking it into the bathroom with you, it’s always a good idea to give your phone a thorough cleaning. Tap or click here to see five things you must do when you buy a new smartphone.

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3 ways to get more life out of your iPhone or Android battery

Smartphones these days are incredibly powerful. You can watch videos, text friends, play games and much more, all in the palm of your hand. However, these activities can all drain your battery, which can leave you in a bind if it’s not convenient to charge your phone. Tap or click here for mistakes that shorten the life of your gadgets.

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10 questions about social media you're too embarrassed to ask

It’s hard to find someone not on social media these days. Recent numbers claim seven out of 10 Americans use social media, and about 75% of Facebook users frequent the site at least once a day. These platforms have changed the way we communicate, but that innovation comes with a big cost: Privacy. 

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Former Marine raises $60M for an app that could save you a ton of money

There are so many apps out there that it’s hard to know which ones you need and which ones you should avoid. That’s true not only for games or entertainment apps, but productivity apps are just as abundant.

You probably have tons of unused apps on your phone right now. Apps that looked promising but ended up being useless, expensive or security issues. You might even have some dangerous apps on your phone that need to be deleted right now.

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Researcher paid $60K for finding Facebook bug that let hackers spy on you

Software companies aren’t the only ones discovering bugs in their products. Security researchers often poke holes in well-known systems to find weaknesses, and when they do, they can sometimes profit handsomely.

That’s what being a bug bounty hunter is all about, and it’s a career that can pay off if you know what you’re doing. Tap or click here to see how much Apple will pay you to hack an iPhone.

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2 new scams Komando readers emailed to tell me about

Everyone hates scammers, but we have to give them credit for the effort. You can only fool people for so long with the same old tech support and phishing scams, which is why creative new scams deserve extra attention and scrutiny.

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