Team Android warning: Banking malware is hiding in a fake version of the McAfee Security app. The scam kicks off with a fake text about an unauthorized transaction. Call the number, and a fraudster convinces you to download a “security” app containing malicious code. You have to be smarter than this.
There was the deepfake audio robocall of President Biden telling you to hold your vote. And just last week, a phony video of Donald Trump with black voters made the rounds.
AI deepfakes are a massive problem this election season, and it’s easy to get taken — especially when your news and social media feeds are full of this junk.
That’s not quite right: You’re texting with your voice and it went all wrong. To delete the last word you dictated, say, “Delete the last word.” To delete the last sentence, say, “Clear sentence.” If you want to get rid of everything you just said, say, “Clear all.”
Using new software at work? Online learning sites like Coursera, Udemy and LinkedIn Learning can help you get up to speed quickly. YouTube is a solid free option. There are a ton of helpful tutorials out there. You’ll have to watch an ad or two, but that’s no big deal.
That tracks: Your MacBook trackpad does more than you think. Case in point: Reverse pinch with a thumb and three fingers to see the desktop. You can set up your own gestures and tap combinations, too. Click the Apple menu > System Settings and Trackpad.
Windows winddown: Open your Windows Settings, then choose System and Display. You’ll come across a Night light feature. Turn this on, and you’ll get warmer screen colors in the evening — better for sleep!
Get travel advice: When’s the best time to drive from [home] to [destination]? ChatGPT can flag info and considerations like mountain roads that ice over. It’s not perfect, but it’ll give you the basics.
Screen timer: Let the timer be the bad guy and set screen time limits for the kids. On Apple devices, go to Settings > Screen Time. For Amazon Fire tablets, go to the Amazon Kids parental controls. Assuming you have a child’s profile created, time limits are under Set Daily Goals & Time Limits.
Free flights! OK, not that kind, but I found a free flight simulator if you’re not ready to drop money on Microsoft Flight Simulator or Prepar3d. FlightGear is open-source, so it’s a bit less polished than the expensive versions, but it’s free! Word on the street is it works much better on Windows than Mac.
Type is money: Arial ends up costing you more than some default fonts when you print a lot. Times New Roman is a better default, but one of your best bets is Century Gothic, an option on Microsoft Office and Google Docs. Pro tip: If you don’t see Century Gothic in Google Docs, select the font dropdown, choose More Fonts and search for it there.
