Feeling something’s off with your recent reservation? Here’s how to tell if you’ve been duped and what you can do about it.
6 signs your phone is on its last legs
There are two kinds of people: Those who upgrade to new devices anytime something shiny catches their eye and those who wait until their beloved gadgets finally bite the dust before upgrading.
When it comes to phones, there are warning signs yours is on the way out. My recommendation: Save your money and wait till you can say “Yes” to most of the tells on this list before buying a new one.
Lagging: Remember when your apps ran seamlessly? Now, transitions may feel like slow-motion replays. New phones come loaded with up to 12GB of RAM for swift multitasking. Older models with 2GB or less can’t compete.
- Action step: Regularly clear your phone’s cache and avoid overloading storage. If your performance doesn’t improve, you’re due for an upgrade.
Battery blues: If your phone’s gasping for juice by midday after being fully charged in the morning, it’s a big sign. The average smartphone battery retains up to 80% of its charge capacity after 500 full charge cycles.
- Action step: Dive into your phone’s battery health settings. If your battery capacity’s below 80%, it’s decision time.
Storage wars: The dreaded “Storage Almost Full” notification is more than an annoyance. With app sizes getting larger and high-res 4K videos becoming the standard, even 64GB of storage might feel cramped pretty quickly.
- Action step: Use cloud backups and offload unused apps. Still crowded? Time for a storage upgrade.
Camera woes: If the photos you’re snapping with your phone look like 2010 throwbacks, there’s an issue. Optical image stabilization and larger sensors have revolutionized phone photography.
- Action step: Regularly clean your phone’s camera lens(es) to get images as clear as you can.
Update agitation: If you’ve missed the last two operating system (OS) updates, whether you’re on an Android or an iPhone, you’re on borrowed time. Manufacturers typically support devices for about 4 to 5 years.
- Action step: No more updates? Sorry, but it’s time to say goodbye. This is a security nonnegotiable.
Signs your phone or computer is infected with a virus or keylogger
No matter your device, a hacker with enough gumption and know-how can break in.
Here are surefire ways to know if your system has been hacked and what you can do to fix or prevent it, brought to you by sponsor TotalAV. Your best defense against viruses, keyloggers and other malware? A solid security suite.
🥵 He’s lucky he didn’t get boiled alive for a social media pic: A 21-year-old tourist at Yellowstone National Park got seven days in jail and a $1,500 fine for trying to sneak a close-up of the world’s largest geyser. He blew past all the warning signs and got within 15 feet of Steamboat Geyser’s steam vent. What a dope.
These Veterans Day scams prove criminals have no shame
It’s not always easy to tell when you’re on the phone with a scammer. The usual warning signs you get from emails, such as spelling errors, are not there. But we’re here to help. Tap or click here for five surefire phrases that you’re talking to a scammer on the phone.
Here’s what it looks like when a virus takes over your computer
A slow computer can turn you into a detective. You start investigating the clues, trying to find out what happened. You might even Google “How to tell if you have a virus” or “Warning signs your computer is infected.”
Vehicle recall warning: 485K Hyundai and Kia models at risk of fire
Another half a million vehicles have now been deemed unfit for public roads. Nissan recalled 700,000 Rogues in January as a problem with corrosion in the electrical connector increased fire risk.
Hyundai and Kia now say that some of their cars are also at risk of spontaneously catching fire, urging owners to park outside until fixed. The issue impacts nearly 500,000 vehicles.
Be careful mixing crypto with real estate - or this could happen
When it comes to real estate, it’s a seller’s market right now. Everyone wants homes, and thanks to the demand, prices are higher than the Empire State Building. At least, that’s how it can feel to folks who can’t afford to buy a house.
5 warning signs you’re being targeted by an identity thief
Identity theft is scary for good reason: It’s hard to prove, tough to spot and can be devastating. And in many cases, you don’t realize anything is wrong until the damage has been done.
Watching out for warning signs you may be being targeted will bring you some peace of mind.
How to spot fake calls from Apple and Amazon support
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a scam? It’s easy to get suckered in by some of the scams out there — even if you try to keep an eye out for warning signs.
Scams crooks are using are getting more sophisticated, too. We’ve seen so many schemes emerge over the last few months that it’s tough to keep up. It’s also tiring to be on the defensive when working and playing on the internet. Tap or click here for a recent example of scam calls targeting seniors.