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.
3 tricks to see if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web
Hackers can make a ton of money by selling your private information on underground forums. It’s possible that your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web right now. That’s why you should run a cybersecurity check now and then.
Sadly, no amount of prevention can save you from a security breach. Hackers could breach a company you have an account with, exposing millions of private records. Tap or click here for a survival guide to follow after hackers compromise your data.
First, though, you’ll want to confirm whether or not you’re in danger. That’s where this helpful guide comes in. Follow this three-step strategy to make sure you’re safe.
Are your passwords being sold? Here’s how to find out
Luckily, there are a lot of free resources in your toolkit. These can help if you’re Googling, “Find out if my password has been compromised” or “How to find out if my password was stolen.”
Hunting down stolen information can be difficult. You need to take a few extra steps to access the Dark Web. For example, you might need a Tor browser, which reroutes your internet traffic for maximum privacy.
The Dark Web is full of non-indexed websites. In other words, standard search engines can’t find them, so they won’t appear in typical search results. Most of us spend our time on the surface web, which refers to websites you can discover through standard search engines.
Let’s start with a helpful resource that can store your passwords and keep you safe.
1. Password managers
Password managers are a database for your important accounts. Kim says you should create strong, original, hard-to-guess passwords for all your accounts. Tap or click here for a few ways to craft an impenetrable password.
There’s just one complication. When you create a new password for every account, it can be hard to remember them all. Password managers are a handy place to store unique account credentials. They have all your passwords in one place.
Battery backup: 5 of the best UPS backups for your electronics
We’ve all fallen victim to unexpected power outages. Just like that, hours of work disappears in the blink of an eye. It’s frustrating and stressful — but it’s also preventable.
An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, keeps your computer and other electronics up and running, even when there’s a blackout in your neighborhood. The backup battery allows you to finish your projects, save progress and close down programs safely.
4 free alternatives to Microsoft Word
Looking for a word processor? In this one-minute podcast, I’ll share four free programs that can get you writing in no time.
👨💻 Keep calm and Java on: Engineers say AI is pushing them to work harder and faster. Teams are shrinking, but expectations aren’t. Code that used to take weeks now has to be done in days. And with AI writing full programs instead of just suggesting lines of code? Yeah, junior devs’ glory days are over.
📂 Open files fast: Press Ctrl + O (Windows) or Command + O (Mac) to instantly launch the file dialog in most programs. Even better? Select multiple files and use this shortcut to open them all at once. It’s a real time-saver.
Spice up your cooking (and skip the oil) with our favorite air fryer
Amazon
‘Tis the season to spend a ton of time in your kitchen whipping up fabulous feasts. If you want to cut your cooking time in half, turn to modern technology. Specifically, the Instant Vortex Air Fryer can make a chef’s life 10 times easier.
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6 software programs worth paying for
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With so many software options available for your computer, it can be tough to wade through the programs to decide what the needs, wants, and wastes are — especially when it comes to programs that you have to pay for.
🐶 For pup’s sake: Want to help shelter animals but can’t bring one home? Try virtual fostering. You’ll be matched with a pet and share their updates on social media to help them get adopted. Search “[your city] virtual fostering” for programs near you.
🏁 Hey, speed racer: Trim down startup programs that take forever to load. On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then hit the Startup tab. Right-click and disable programs you don’t need right away when your system reboots.
Bonus keyboard shortcut: In Word, Google Docs and lots of other programs, you can add a hyperlink to your existing text. Highlight the text you want to link and hit the Windows key + K (Windows) or Cmd + K (Mac), then paste or type in the web address. Done.
🔍 Zoomed in? In all kinds of programs, you may have zoomed in by accident and you need to get back to normal. On a Mac, press Cmd + 0 (zero). On a PC, it’s Ctrl + 0. (Bonus: Zoom in and out with Cmd/Ctrl and the plus and minus keys.)
Delete programs you don’t use: On a Windows PC, click the Start menu button and look for the app or program. Press and hold (or right-click) on it and select Uninstall. On a Mac, click the Finder icon in your dock, then Applications. Drag the program you’re done with to the Trash.
Trick to find spyware running on your PC or Mac
Did you know spyware programs leave digital clues? Here’s what to look for, in 60 seconds.
Best apps to manage what you watch on TV
Streaming services have completely changed the way we watch TV. Long gone are the days when new programs launch in the fall, run for 22 weeks, wrap in the spring and go into reruns over the summer. With networks, premium cable channels and streaming services producing original content, there’s no longer a set schedule. It’s hard to keep track of when your favorite shows air. Kim and her co-host Mike James have five apps to help manage your binge watching so you don’t miss a thing.