🚀 Elevate your Current subscription! Get exclusive access to my members-only Q&A Forum for tech help, and enjoy ad-free shows, free e-book downloads and first access to something very special coming soon (ahem, tech classes). Try a 30-day free trial, then it’s just $3.75 a month.
8 ways your phone is tracking you - That you can stop now
© Wrightstudio | Dreamstime.com
You understand that your phone knows where you’re located. This is how GPS works, how Find My sees your location and why you get local ads on Facebook and Google. Like other data on your phone, that location data is a hot commodity for internet marketers.
Thankfully, you don’t have to stand for this kind of data collection. These tactics are legal because the companies behind them give you a choice to opt in or out, but not everyone knows how to change the settings. We’ll show you how to stop your phone from tracking you. Ready to go dark? Let’s get started.
This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan of TotalAV Internet Security for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price.
1. Tweak your phone’s location settings
You can prevent iOS and Android from tracking you, but companies don’t make it easy. The feature is buried inside your device’s privacy settings and, by default, records your daily routine.
Known as “Frequent Locations,” it keeps track of where you are and how long you stay there. It even knows where you live and work based on how long you’re there and when you visit.
If you find this unsettling, you can turn the feature off. Here are the basic steps, but depending on your specific model and operating system, you may need to follow different instructions.
Turn off location settings on Apple devices
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Select Location Services.
- Scroll down and tap System Services.
- Choose Significant Locations to see the logged record of where you’ve been and toggle it off.
You can also clear your history here by clicking Clear History.
Change location settings on Android devices
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Location or Advanced if you have a work profile.
- At the top, turn Use location off.
- To delete your device’s location cache, tap Delete Location History at the bottom of the screen under Location History.
- Repeat this process for each Google Account you have on your Android device.
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
© Thomas Holt | Dreamstime.com
If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
TikTok: If you don't have It, you can't get it
TikTok got a 75-day extension thanks to President Trump’s Executive Order, but new downloads are banned in the U.S. Some are so desperate they’re buying phones with TikTok pre-installed on eBay for thousands.
400 million
Downloads of LibreOffice since 2011. Wowsie! Last year alone, over 35 million folks downloaded the open-source Microsoft Office competitor. I love free, too!
Using free antivirus? Here's what it could cost you
The internet is dangerous and laden with hidden threats. Luckily, antivirus (AV) software can spot lurking dangers that want to take over your computer. Tap or click here to find out why you need antivirus software.
You may consider a free version if you’re looking for an antivirus tool. A few solutions won’t cost you a dime, which can be appealing. But, as with all things, you get what you pay for.
5 ways to increase your PC's download speed
You may have a poor internet connection if downloads take forever to reach 100%. Outages or poorly-constructed websites could also be to blame. Whatever the cause is, try these tricks to increase the download speed on your PC.
216% more people
Learning Chinese on Duolingo compared to this time last year. With the TikTok ban looming and so many people running over to another Chinese app, RedNote, they likely need a crash course. RedNote is in Mandarin by default. Duolingo downloads are up 36%, too.
QR codes used in warfare
You won’t believe how powerful scanning one of these malicious QR codes is. Plus, the app that turned into a marketing nightmare, three must-have downloads and OpenAI’s duet shows just how far language models are coming.
Netflix just raised its prices again – Here's how much you'll be charged
© Ibreakstock | Dreamstime.com
Streaming services raising prices is commonplace these days. It happens more often than you’d hope. DirecTV already increased its pricing late last year.
Now, Netflix has decided to increase costs. Again.
Top apps of the year, Twitter bans sharing certain photos, Alexa guest mode
It’s that time again: The list of the top apps and streaming music of 2021 is out. Are these great downloads on your phone? Plus, Twitter just banned sharing a certain kind of photo — and Ben has the details on how this affects you. Plus, how to switch your Echo to guest mode before holiday visitors arrive.
Tech Refresh: Delete this app, AirPods mishap, photo storage 101
The Google Play Store just pulled a dangerous app with 10 million downloads. Is it on your phone? Plus, the mother of all data leaks could put you at risk and a cautionary tale before you fall asleep with earbuds in. Then, the team dives into digital photo storage and a Valentine’s Day gift no one wants.
Shark Tank $400K scam - Smart home 101 - Stop spam calls for good
Kim chats with fellow radio host Joe Pags about a $400K Shark Tank scam that just about anyone could fall for, the alarming rate at which smart speaks accidentally listen in on our conversations and the gross reality of ride share cars. (You’ll think twice before you book your next Uber.) Kim has a few simple tools to help you fight unwanted spam calls, no downloads required.
Tools to stop harassing phone calls
It seems like spam and robocalls never stop on landline and mobile phones. There are a few simple ways you can quiet the noise — no downloads, apps or payment required.