Use a Mac? Find the list of startup programs under the Apple menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups. Select your user account, then click Login Items. Easy-peasy.
New malware looks like a Google login page
Ever get stuck on a webpage that won’t close? A new scam makes it even harder to escape.
An app without a cause: I don’t see the point. Jack Dorsey (yep, the Twitter guy and CEO of Block) just dropped Bitchat, a free chat app that doesn’t need Wi-Fi, servers or a login. It runs on Bluetooth, so it’s you and whoever’s nearby within about 30 feet. Kind of like passing notes, but way nerdier.
Scam emails
Scam emails? So 2022. Phishers now are spinning up entire scam sites faster than you can microwave leftovers. Okta, a login security company, caught bad actors using v0 (a site-building AI tool by Vercel) to launch convincing login clones, including one of Okta’s own.
🔥 Free up space on Fire Stick: You don’t need to delete apps to boost performance. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. Open each app on the list, select Clear Cache and hit Confirm. This removes junk files while keeping the app and your login details saved.
💻 Share your Chromebook safely: If someone needs to borrow your Chromebook, turn on Guest Mode, so they can’t access your personal data. Sign out, then on the login screen, select Browse as Guest at the bottom, and hit Accept and continue. FYI: Remind them that downloads and bookmarks won’t be saved.
📱 Android app fix: If an app is constantly crashing or bugging out, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings > Apps > App Name > Storage & cache (or just Storage) and select Clear cache. FYI: Don’t tap Clear data, because that erases your settings, login details and resets the app to default.
Show me your face: Tinder’s rolling out a mandatory facial recognition login, creatively named “Face Check.” It’s trying to root out bots, catfishers and the psycho 53-year-old pretending to be a 27-year-old trust fund baby. Will it work? Nah.
🍏 Auto-launch apps on your Mac: Always opening the same app? Do yourself a favor and set it to open on startup. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login, click the (+) button and choose your app. Bonus: To remove one you’re not using, select it and hit the (–) button.
Biometric bandwagon: Unlock your Amazon app on your phone with your fingerprint or face. On the web, open Amazon account settings, click Login & security, then click Set up next to Passkey.
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🚨 Prime Day scams are coming: Scammers are ramping up fake emails, texts and calls ahead of July 8. Most say there’s a problem with your account or order to trick you into giving up your login or payment info. Don’t click sketchy links.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Bookmark your bank’s login page. Hackers create look-alike sites to trick you. Using a saved, official bookmark sidesteps typos that lead to phishing traps.
Android vs. phone thieves: Starting later this year, if your phone’s setup wizard gets skipped post-theft, the OS forces a second reset and locks down the phone until it gets proof of life, aka your old screen lock or Google login. Next up: Android yelling, “WHO SENT YOU?!” after every reboot.
18 to 24 months
That’s how long it took people to stop Googling “Twitter login.” Elon Musk did a switcheroo with Twitter’s name and replaced it with “X.” Google searches for “X login” have finally pulled ahead. So yes, brand recognition does come … eventually. Just don’t expect some to stop calling it “Tweeter.”
Scary new malware is spreading
Did you know that login prompts can be dangerous? Here’s how hackers can trick you, in one minute.