Tech how-to: Control your computer using your phone
Have you ever found yourself digging for a file in class or a work meeting, only to realize what you need is on your home computer? That problem can feel insurmountable — especially during a time crunch.
You might be able to get someone else to locate and send it to you, or if you’re a computer whiz, you may know some complicated method to retrieve it. But there must be an easier, safer way. After all, choosing the wrong remote desktop app could spell disaster (and hard-to-remove ransomware).
There are many reasons you’d need to access your desktop when you’re not in front of it. You could have files stored on the hard drive instead of the cloud, or you could need access to a media file that isn’t saved elsewhere. There are ways to safely access and control your computer via your phone — you just need to know what they are and how to use them.
Chrome Remote Desktop
Google Chrome Remote Desktop is one of the options for accessing and controlling your computer remotely. This free service makes it easy to access what you need on your computer from your phone.
You’ll only have to add the Remote Desktop extension to your computer to make it accessible from another device, and all remote desktop sessions are fully encrypted.
RELATED: 5 mistakes to avoid when downloading files
You can use Google Chrome Remote Desktop if you need to sign in to your personal or work computer from another location, and you can also use it to sign in to someone else’s computer. This can be helpful if you’re the family computer genius and need to fix an issue plaguing someone else.
You can use the Chrome browser and the Remote Desktop extension. And you can download the Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS or Android.
To set up Remote Desktop on your computer:
Before you use Remote Desktop, you’ll need to add the extension to your computer to allow access from your other devices.
- Open Chrome.
- In the address bar, type remotedesktop.google.com/access.
- Tap the download button that looks like a downward arrow under Set up remote access.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Chrome Remote Desktop.
5 useful apps every senior should download
Do you have seniors in your life who don’t take full advantage of their smartphones? It’s pretty standard since not everyone grew up with these technological wonders. Tap or click here for hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them.
Use an Android? Update NOW to fix serious security flaws
Keeping your mobile device updated to the latest operating system version is critical if you value online safety and privacy. New updates tighten your phone’s security, preventing hackers from accessing your data. Sometimes a system update adds more features.
Update your computer’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers ASAP – Here’s why
You should always keep your computer and mobile device’s operating system updated to the latest version. It gives you the latest features and fixes any security problems. But there are crucial components that often get overlooked: firmware and drivers.
Watch out for this scam ad popping up in YouTube
If you have spent any time on YouTube, you have seen a few ads. For the most part, advertising is through skippable in-stream ads. That’s when you see those short videos before or after the video you want to watch. Don’t like what you see? Here are eight YouTube pro tricks for better searches and more privacy.
How to make sure you don't accidentally call 911
You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t dialed the wrong number by accident. That awkward moment when you realize you called someone by mistake can be mortifying. Tap or click here for the emergency app that gets first responders to loved ones quickly.
Kids or grandkids heading to college? Subscribe to textbooks instead of paying for each one
College is expensive enough with the high cost of tuition these days. Add in the huge fees for college textbooks, and the costs get out of control. Need help getting your child a laptop? Tap or click here for 10 legitimate ways to get a free laptop.
How to make calls with terrible cell reception
Whether you are a devoted Android user or iPhone enthusiast, you rely on your device to keep you connected throughout your day, regardless of your location. Unfortunately, if you are on the go, you may find yourself in an area with weak or no cell reception.
Ring adds end-to-end encryption - See if it's supported on your system
Most Americans have multiple smart gadgets in their homes. These tech toys make it easy to automate day to day tasks — which often make them worth the investment.
But while smart gadgets can make it simple to automate your lights, vacuuming or other chores, they can also leave you open to privacy and security issues. If your smart device includes a camera, hackers could even use these vulnerabilities to spy on you.
Google Chromecast: Set up, how to cast and hidden tricks
Most of the televisions on the market today are smart TVs with built-in apps for streaming and entertainment. But what do you do if you don’t have a smart TV and want to watch your favorite series on Netflix? That is where Google’s Chromecast comes in.
Microsoft Edge just got better - Try this new feature
Google Chrome is the most popular web browser out there. Most people use Chrome because it’s convenient and easy to navigate — but it’s hardly the most secure option.
Chrome has been known to collect tons of data on you — even when it’s not supposed to. For more privacy, others choose Mozilla Firefox or options like DuckDuckGo.
Try this free, simple method for sharing large files
Picture this: You need to quickly move a large presentation from your home computer to your work computer, but you can’t find a USB drive anywhere. The file is too large to email to yourself, so you’re stuck trying to come up with another solution while your boss and coworkers are left hanging.
Forget your computer - These viruses are coming after your smartphone
You might want to use your mobile device a bit more carefully. Malware is on the rise, and hackers behind it are getting smarter about avoiding detection.
Computers aren’t the only place you’ll run into viruses and malware anymore. In fact, some malware is available to rent as a service, which means anyone can get a taste for cybercrime without too much effort. Tap or click here to see how malware can be rented.
Google Maps now shows COVID hotspots - how to use it
Did any of us expect the COVID-19 pandemic to last as long as it has? Probably not, but here we are.
Dealing with the unseen viral threat has changed quite a bit about how we live over the last several months. Masks are a regular part of most of our lives, as are other tools, like hand sanitizer and social distancing. Tap or click here to see some new tech that has emerged.
Tech essential: How to take a screenshot on your iPhone
A lot of wonderful moments in our lives happen on our phone screens. We spot a perfect frame in a video, finally beat the hardest level of a favorite game, or get a heartwarming text message from a friend. This is when a screenshot comes in handy.
Facebook custom avatars have arrived - here's how to create your own
How do you express your emotions on Facebook? Do you rely on a reaction or GIF? Maybe you prefer to use one of the many stickers available?
Perhaps you merely type out your feelings and exaggerate with a few exclamation points!!! Tap or click to learn how what you post on social media could be used to diagnose a medical condition.