Which streaming player is best? Kim breaks down the options and tells you why you may want to choose one device over the others. Whether you’re looking to cut the cord and ditch cable, or just get access to even more content, this complete guide to the top streaming devices can help.
How to stop robocalls with free solutions from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint
Robocalls have tormented us for years. They’ve interrupted our conversations, dominated our work lines and spread erroneous information across the country. The nation’s Do Not Call registry is pretty worthless at stopping them.
You can spend money on robocall-blocking apps that might provide some relief. Tap or click here if you want to give some of the best robocall-blocking apps a shot.
Apple’s new iOS 13 includes a robocall-blocking feature. In theory, it sends all unknown callers straight to voicemail, but there’s a huge problem the engineers didn’t take into consideration. Tap or click here to enable robocall blocking on your iPhone and learn the disadvantages when doing so.
Then, there’s call screening by Google Assistant through the Phone app, which only works on Pixel phones and select Android phones. It screens your calls and gives you a transcript, but it doesn’t always correctly understand the caller. Tap or click here for more info about this.
Censoring phone calls is a tricky business, but now that the FCC is starting to tackle robocalls, the biggest phone companies are following suit. Each carrier is using unique tactics to fight back. Depending on your carrier, you will have different steps to follow.
Once you start putting your carrier’s tools to good use, you can expect a significant reduction in pre-recorded calls with unlisted or misleading caller IDs. Yes, it’s true.
AT&T
To fight robocalls, AT&T offers a free service for customers called Call Protect that includes features like automatic call blocking and spam alerts. AT&T Call Protect consists of the following:
- Automatic Fraud Blocking: Scans and blocks suspected scam calls, whether they’re automated or not.
- Spam Risk Blocking: Blocks calls or sends them to voicemail if they’re identified as “Spam Risk.”
- Unknown callers: Anyone not in your contact list can be sent straight to voicemail.
- Personal Block List: Build a custom block list for unwanted callers.
- Siri Shortcuts: Allows you to block and report unwanted calls using Siri.
- Custom Call Controls: This lets you set up your calls into categories to accept, block, or send straight to voicemail.
For $3.99 a month, you can sign up for Call Protect Plus. It also includes Automatic Fraud Blocking and the Personal Block List, as well as a few other features:
- Enhanced Caller ID: Gives details about “unknown” callers.
- Reverse Number Lookup: Look up a number you don’t recognize.
Everything you need to know about the latest Windows update
There are more updates being released to Windows now than at any other point in the operating system’s lifespan. The reasons for this range from new apps and features all the way to cybersecurity concerns — but nobody can deny that Microsoft is stepping up its software game in a major way.
5 sites for streaming TV for free
Streaming video is still a relatively young technology, but most of us can no longer imagine sticking a disc into a DVD player. Yes, some of us still enjoy our Redbox rentals, and Blu-ray still offers some of the best imaging available.
Former FBI, CIA director takes on a phone scammer
Robocalls and phone scammers are getting worse. Most are merely annoying, but some can be terrifying, like the scammer who threatened to kill Lynda and William Webster. Webster’s name may sound familiar: He’s the former head of the FBI and CIA. Everyone is a target for scammers, from the average person to the powerful.
Teen sexting
Making sure you teach your kids about online safety is important but you can never be too careful. This can come down to even the way they talk to their friend through text. Here is what to watch out for.
How to remove your personal data from broker sites and protect your privacy online
You might be shocked to see how much of your personal info is floating around online. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. We’ll show you how to keep your private information locked down and how to remove it from data broker sites that store and sell your details.
How to spot spy cameras in your vacation rental: Common hiding places | DIY Security
We’ve all heard stories of people finding hidden cameras in vacation rentals. If you’ve ditched hotels and prefer to book accommodations through sites like Airbnb and VRBO, how do you ensure your privacy isn’t being violated? In this DIY Security tip, Kim reveals common hiding places for surveillance cameras, plus shows you how sneaky hosts could conceal monitoring devices.
Why you never see brilliant blue fireworks
What’s in a firework? I’m sure you know some of it at least — a bit of gunpowder, a dash of color-changing chemicals, and a propellant to launch them into the air, right? Well, the chemistry behind fireworks is a lot more complex. Even tiny details like color are fragile enough to restrict firework makers. Now, see why blue varieties of fireworks are a rare breed to see.
Notre Dame: an exclusive first look at restoration work
Notre Dame’s tragic fire was a shock to the entire world. The centuries-old cathedral lost its magnificent gothic spire and roof in the aftermath of the blaze, but thanks to the efforts of the Paris FD, the structure of the building was saved. Now, restoration has finally begun — and everyone is excited to see Notre Dame restored to its former glory. Get a sneak peek at what’s coming in this insider video.
30 amazing colorized photographs from the 1800s
The 19th century may seem like a distant era of the past, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long ago. After all, we had working cameras back then — even if they weren’t able to shoot in color. Now, thanks to the miracle of computers, we can see the subjects of these photos as they were in life. Will you take a step into the past?
Forget cats vs. dogs! Who would win, cougar vs. wolf?
Cats and dogs are traditional rivals for household dominance. Though some get along just fine, “fighting like cats and dogs” is so common that the image has become ingrained in popular culture. Now imagine that fight but taken to the extreme — with larger, meaner wild forms of our furry companions. Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this video, but this hypothetical match up puts two apex predators to the test.
Smart home tips from a guy who did it and lived to tell
You’ve decided to upgrade your home to a smart home but, where do you start? Maybe some smart lightbulbs or a smart thermostat? Should you use an Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home Pod to connect your devices?
Amazon is delivering in new ways
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you probably love the free 2-day shipping. But there are many more benefits that you might not know about.
Check out these nine great Amazon Prime perks that you’ll wish you knew about sooner. Even though deliveries are already Amazon’s specialty, it’s always looking to make it better.
Create easy-to-remember yet super-tough passwords
In the wake of password exposures and account hacks, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of basic safety measures. Having a secure program to guard your personal information doesn’t do you much good when your password is “12345.”
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Finally, one for the kids. Mickey and his friends tell three Christmas stories: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” a reminder that Christmas is so special because it only comes once a year; “A Very Goofy Christmas”, which finds Goofy trying to teach his son the joys of Santa Claus; and “Mickey & Minnie’s Gift Of The Magi”, which recreates the classic tale with the Disney icons.
There’s a deadly oasis in the Sahara Desert
In the desert, any patch of green may seem like a lifesaver, with water and shade. But for some places in the Sahara Desert, an oasis may not be so for all who travel there. For underneath the lush exterior, something more sinister waits.
‘The Tudors’ (Netflix)
This series is set in England during the Reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century. “The Tudors” follows the young king as he has to deal with conflicts inside and outside of his kingdom. If you decide to check out this series, you might recognize familiar faces such as Henry Cavill from “Man of Steel” and Natalie Dormer from “Game of Thrones.” This title is available to stream on Netflix.
Easy way to manage your finances in one place
One of the most difficult parts of life is managing our finances. Most of us do a pretty good job of not spending more than we earn, though there are times when that is not particularly easy to do.
No matter what the income level is, it’s never a bad idea to gain a better grasp of our money situation. Financial advisers can be very helpful, but their expertise comes at a cost. Do we really want to spend money in order to better see how we can save some?
Your TV is watching you
I don’t know about you, but when I sit down in my favorite chair to watch TV, the last thing I want to think about is the TV spying on me. While it might not actually be taking pictures of me in my sweats without my hair and makeup done, there are actually TVs out there that spy on you. How? It’s actually quite clever.