No, all those ads you see based on what you’ve talked about or searched for aren’t just a coincidence. Yes, your phone is listening to you. In this DIY Security tip, Kim shows you how to stop your smartphone from eavesdropping. Follow these tips for Android or iPhone to get your privacy back.
CDs and LPs go digital, snooping spouses, social media alerts and more: Tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products and all things digital.
Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job. This week, I received questions about password protection for apps, covert social media searches, smartphone tracking, converting music collections and more.
Do you have a question you’d like to ask me? Tap or click here to email me directly.
Stop phone tracking
Q: I know my phone tracks wherever I go. How can I make it stop? It’s such an invasion of my privacy and I know Big Tech is keeping it all in some database.
A: Yes, it’s eerie that Big Data companies know your physical whereabouts; the breadth of their knowledge is hard to even grasp. The justification is that many apps may not work correctly, including Maps and Find My Friends, unless they know where you are located.
As a result, you can technically turn off the tracking mode, but you may reduce much of your smartphone’s usefulness. Conversely, many users resent the targeted advertising that results from geographic analysis, but this is something you can control without losing navigation as well.
Some folks may prefer to browse the internet from their phones in peace, and there are several ways to do so without giving away your coordinates. In short: you have several options, aside from covering your tracks altogether. Tap or click here for 8 ways to stop your phone from tracking you.
App passwords
Q: My wife knows the passcode on my phone. I have one adult-themed app that I don’t want her to access. Can I password-protect just certain apps on my phone?
A: I sure hope it’s not the cheating app Ashley Madison. Lest anyone judge you for this question, there are plenty of reasons why you would want to protect an individual app. Birthday surprises come to mind, but certain professions also put a premium on privacy: Physicians and therapists may wish to lock their work apps to prevent a HIPAA violation.
You can, in fact, protect particular apps with a special passcode. There are also apps that let you hide other apps. You may want to do this anyway. If you were to lose your phone, a passcode for apps gives you an additional line of defense against cybercriminals. Tap or click here to learn more about protecting smartphone apps with a passcode.
Take control of your utilities with this smart water monitor
StackCommerce
Concerned about your water? You should be. Turn off the taps in your house and you’re likely to notice very quickly just how much you depend on it. Add to that the impact on your wallet and the effects on the environment that irresponsible water use can have, and it’s clear it’s the most important utility in your home.
How to earn your stripes as a project management professional
StackCommerce
Beyond all the camaraderie-building slogans and factory floor speeches, project management is more of a science than art. Yes, it takes a certain confidence and willingness to make tough decisions. But boiled down to its essence, a good project manager needs to do one thing: Get every member of the team on the same page.
Boost your photo editing skills with an 8-class course - now 97% off
StackCommerce
For decades now, Adobe’s Photoshop has been the go-to software tool for a variety of creatives. The program is so ubiquitous it’s even become a verb.
But if you’re just breaking into the biz as a photographer or designer, don’t judge Adobe’s flagship software by the “photoshopped” celebrity memes you see scattered casually around the web.
Dating sites, political ads, Fire TV and more: Kim's tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products and all things digital.
Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job. This week, I received questions about whether any old tech is worth money to collectors, dating online, the Fire Stick, political ads and whether I shut down my app.
This real estate analytics tool puts you ahead of the market
StackCommerce
Putting down money in the real estate market? As anyone who’s done it knows, it can be a volatile game. But for the most part, anyone who tells you to “go with your gut” on a property isn’t doing it right.
Savvy real estate investors keep an eye on housing prices, rental rates, population fluctuations and a ton of other commercial factors. In other words, they do their homework.
Be your own accountant with this QuickBooks master class
StackCommerce
Let’s face it: Accounting just isn’t sexy. We can’t blame you if you’re not familiar with QuickBooks, one of the most widely-used pieces of software for small business finance.
But longtime users get excited for every update, because they know what QuickBooks does best is streamline those books, automate the process and let business owners spend much less time doing accounting and more time doing literally anything else.
This time-saving app summarizes books into 15-minute reads
StackCommerce
Some people walk into a library filled with wonder. But it’s also pretty overwhelming. So much knowledge to absorb, so little time.
These days, that knowledge is still out there, waiting to be absorbed by voracious readers. In fact, there’s more of it each day. But time is shorter than ever in this fast-paced world, especially for the movers, shakers and up-and-comers who could benefit from the business and entrepreneurial books written by their peers.
Learn how to run a photography business with this 10-course bundle
StackCommerce
Many of us dream of starting a career in photography; however, going full-time is pretty hard. Even if you have the talent and the equipment, finding clients can be a challenge.
The Complete Photography Side Business Bundle shows you how to make money from your passion, without cranking up the stress. The bundle includes 10 courses, covering the skills you will need for portrait sessions, weddings, commercial shoots and more.
Stop secret spies, remove stalkerware, prevent SIM swaps and more: Tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products and all things digital.
Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job.
7 apps and subscriptions you'll want to use in the new year
© Tommaso79 | Dreamstime
There’re a lot of subscriptions out there clamoring for a piece of your paycheck each month — everything from the latest streaming service to cologne-of-the-month clubs.
A lot of them are frivolous, but there are services out there that actually give you a lot more than you put in.
Here's how you can double your reading speed in 2020
StackCommerce
Reading is a major part of every working day. From incoming emails to lengthy reports, it takes time to wade through words. If you are a slow reader, you can waste hours this way.
The Speed Reading Mastery Bundle helps you escape the slow lane, with six video courses that teach proven techniques. The training also looks at the psychological tricks that allow memory experts to retain information faster.
Learn graphic design, photo editing and more with this Adobe CC training
StackCommerce
As we head toward a brand new decade, creative skills are more valuable than ever. From social media posts to instructional videos, there are countless tasks that involve some level of creative skill.
The Complete 2020 Adobe CC Certification Bundle features nine video courses, helping you master graphic design, photo editing, video editing and more. The training focuses on the software used by creative pros, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro.
This customizable language app lets you learn your way
StackCommerce
Are you thinking about learning a new language? It’s never a bad idea. Being multilingual can not only be a bankable skill on your resume, it can actually make you smarter.
It can seem like there are nearly as many language learning apps out there as there are languages, and that’s good. Not everybody learns the same way. But ask yourself, how did you learn to speak growing up? Everyone used the same method for that: Listening to and mimicking a native speaker.
Inbox getting out of hand? Try this simple email manager
StackCommerce
Anyone with an email account knows the Information Age has one big drawback: Too much information.
Remember when your email was only filled with messages from people you actually knew? Those were the days. But it didn’t take long for that inbox to fill up with useless updates, unwanted offers and mass-mailed spam from every service you ever gave your address to (and probably several you didn’t).
QLED vs. OLED TV: Similar names, totally different technologies
© Katarzyna Bialasiewicz | Dreamstime.com
Wondering which TV is right for you? While LG’s OLED and Samsung’s QLED may sound very similar, there are major differences at the core level.
OLED, which stands for “Organic Light Emitting Diodes,” is the top choice for most people. Its technology replaced the need for backlights, which are the lights that shine behind the LCD screen to illuminate them. If you’re buying a new TV, here’s how to secure it.
9 apps, gifts and recipes to make your Hanukkah brighter
Photo © Noam Armonn | Dreamstime.com
Hanukkah’s here, and there’s a lot of planning that goes into the eight-day Festival of Lights. If you want to keep the little ones busy while you prepare the candles and gifts, we’ve got you covered. The best Hanukkah apps of 2022 can keep your kids or grandkids busy while you cook, clean and prepare.
Best TVs, YouTube downloads, using Google Images and more: Tech Q&A
Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products and all things digital.
Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job.
Top 10 privacy tips of 2019
© Dave Bredeson | Dreamstime.com
Privacy is fundamental to a safe and worry-free life. Unfortunately, there’s little opportunity to live privately in today’s digital age. Companies are constantly after our personal data so they can build marketing profiles. Meanwhile, snoops and cybercriminals are looking for sinister ways to learn about you.