So that’s what that does: On Windows, press F11 in most web browsers to quickly toggle your full-screen and regular browsing modes. Hit F2 to rename a selected file or folder and F3 to search within an open or active application. Alt + F4 closes your active window and F5 refreshes a page or document window.
8 ways your phone is tracking you - That you can stop now
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.
Your car is a target – Don’t get hacked or duped
Ever heard of wrapping your key fob in aluminum foil? It sounds a little crazy, but it’s a smart move. Your key fob’s signal is surprisingly easy for criminals to intercept using cheap scanners sold online. Thieves can open your car without setting off any alarms. If you have a true keyless car model, they might just drive away. Wrapping your fob in foil blocks the signals.
🔍 How do you spell monopoly? G-O-O-G-L-E: A federal judge ruled it was illegal for Google to pay $26 billion for other web browsers and phone manufacturers to make it their default search engine (paywall link). How to fix this mess? Make Google’s parent company, Alphabet, sell off Google or invalidate the illegal payoff and let manufacturers select their own search engines.
Update Chrome! Patch fixes major bug hackers are exploiting
Google’s Chrome browser is super popular, with nearly 3 billion installations globally. Chrome is relatively safe to use if you’ve set it up correctly. Tap or click here for ways to make it even safer to use.
But you must keep your programs, including web browsers, up to date to fend off newly found cybersecurity threats. Google recently discovered a dangerous zero-day threat to its Chrome browser.
Malware alert: Do not ignore this warning on your phone
Browsing the internet can sometimes seem like the Wild West. Many hidden dangers are lurking around every corner, and you must be armed to fight them off. But no gunslinger can do that alone and often needs the help of a sidekick to combat malware and malicious links.
Hide-and-seek: You’re shopping online for your kiddo or spouse and they walk in. Quick! Hide your open browser windows. On a PC: Windows key + M. (Use Windows key + Shift + M to reopen.) On a Mac: Cmd + Option + H + M. Phew, no spoilers.
Microsoft Edge can’t take a hint: The browser is importing your Chrome browsing data and tabs without asking. Luckily, you can stop it. When you see the pop-up from Edge to Enhance your browsing experience with Copilot in Microsoft Edge, click the tiny white X in the upper right corner and close it. (It’s tiny — you might have to squint to see it.)
Search smarts: Next time you’re eyeing a European something-or-other online, type “[price] euros to dollars” into your search engine of choice to get a quick conversion, like “55 euros to dollars.” The exchange rate updates in real time. Neat.
New to Google Chrome: The memory-hogger just got an efficiency update. Click the three dots (upper right) > Settings > Performance. You’ll see Memory Saver, which pauses tabs you’re not using. Your options are Moderate, Balanced or Maximum, so start with Balanced.
No more free web browsers: Most lack the essential security businesses need, and app integration generally stinks. Enter the new genre of enterprise browsers (paywall link), built to be secure and productive. You’ll have to pay to play, of course. If you have a biz, it’s something to consider. It might even reduce your cyber-insurance costs.
How to stop someone from seeing what you post on Twitter without blocking them
Social media can be a hostile environment. When people get behind the keyboard, they feel empowered to say just about anything, because hey, it’s all online, right? Tap or click here to find out how to schedule tweets ahead of time.
How to make text larger on your phone, tablet and computer
All of us struggle with this, no matter our age. It’s the reason people carry magnifying glasses or have $2 drug store reading glasses scattered all over the house, your bag and car.
It’s difficult to read, isn’t it? Of course, if you’re an avid reader, you know that you can buy large-print novels and non-fiction books online, download FREE online books or check them out at your public library.
Privacy showdown: Incognito mode vs. using a VPN
Privacy should not be taken for granted. You expose yourself anytime you go online, and somebody could spy on you without your knowledge.
Even your favorite apps can invade your privacy. While they might not be out to steal your banking information, they are gathering data on you. Tap or click here to see which major apps are guilty of sharing your data.
Tech how-to: Lock down Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari for maximum security
There are many web browsers out there, but these are the four most popular: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple’s Safari. They have their differences, but they also have many similarities.
Sadly, one of their similarities is they can all be hacked in various ways. This can lead to your private information getting out and cause personal or financial harm to you. Tap or click here for signs that your device has been hacked.
Chrome just added a handy feature to save what you're reading - here's how to use it
Web browsers are stepping up their game right now. New updates are rolling out that add cool features to the mix — making work and play on the internet more enjoyable and productive.
Just take a look at some of the nifty updates we’ve seen recently. Mozilla Firefox rolled out a new feature to protect your privacy online earlier this year, and others have followed suit. Google Chrome also added new security features to the mix this month — making it easier and safer to browse the web.
Chrome patch fixes zero-day bug - update now!
Zero-day bugs are always bad news. By definition, they’re security flaws found in brand new pieces of software the moment they’re available — and sometimes, hackers are ready to exploit them before users are aware they exist.
This shocking flaw could allow your phone to watch you
When it comes to web browsers, it always pays to be picky. Not all browsers are the same in terms of privacy and security, and choosing one that works to protect your data will benefit you greatly in the long run.
But which browser is the right one to choose? Well, it depends on whether you want more options like extensions, better security or more robust privacy options. Tap or click here to see our top favorite web browsers.
Practical Tech Tip: Print a website without the ads and junk
Decades ago, Silicon Valley promised us the “paperless office.” We’ve gotten closer than before thanks to automatic PDF conversion, e-signed contracts, and tablet displays, which have spared us millions of reams of paper.
Don't click on these dangerous new scams promising free money
At this point in time, a majority of Americans have already received their stimulus checks from the federal government. Despite some initial issues with the rollout, the checks eventually arrived in the form of direct bank deposits, paper checks, and debit cards to millions of people over the past several weeks.