So your kid started a YouTube channel: Get access so you know who’s leaving comments and messaging them. Open the YouTube app on your phone, tap your profile picture (bottom right) > gear icon (top right) > Family Center. Tap Invite a teen to ask to supervise your kid’s account.
Your IP address: What it is and why you need to protect yours if you care about privacy
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Using the internet is a complicated affair. It may not feel like that to you as a user. You click on your browser and get on with your day — it’s as easy as pie.
Behind the scenes, though, is a whole different story. It’s full of numbers like your Internet Protocol (IP) address, basically your digital home address. This numeric label distinguishes your phone or computer from other devices worldwide.
When you type in a website, your computer translates that into numbers, searching the site’s IP address and loading it onto your screen. Just as money makes the world go round, so, too, do numbers keep the internet chugging along. But your whole digital world can crash when someone snatches your IP address.
An exposed IP address puts you in danger
Your IP address plays a significant role in sending and receiving data online. It’s tied to sensitive information, like your online identity and location. If someone tracks down this number, they could use it as a starting point for nefarious purposes.
Sadly, it’s easy for strangers online to find your IP address. It’s a huge vulnerability: They could hack your device or steal your identity. Or they could enter your address into a free tracking website like iplocation.net to find out where you live. It even comes with a built-in map:
A lot of people on social media apps will doxx one another. Suppose you comment that you like pineapple on pizza on Twitter. Someone having a bad day might respond by tracking down your IP address, posting your name and address and calling their followers, like “Let’s protest in front of their house.”
Of course, that’s a light-hearted example. Reality can be much grimmer.
And get this: Tracing someone else’s IP address is legal. Authorities only intervene when people use one another’s IP addresses for crimes. All the apps and websites you use collect your IP address and other private data.
So, how does someone find out your IP address?
First, they could try to impersonate you. For instance, a hacker could break into a vulnerable social media account if you aren’t using two-factor authentication. If you reuse passwords, they could break into even more accounts until they reach one with sensitive data. Then, it’s a free-for-all with your private info.
Hackers can collect your IP address if you connect to a vulnerable public Wi-Fi network. They can even be nefarious and create a link that gives away your IP address upon clicking it.
10 privacy-friendly Big Tech alternatives
Nextcloud.com, play.google.com, Notesnook.com
Amazon uses your Alexa voice commands to train its AI, Dropbox had a breach in April that exposed customers’ passwords, and apps like Facebook and Google make billions of dollars gathering and sharing every little detail about you. I could go on (and on).
How to install antivirus and scan your computer
Photo 217658546 / Antivirus © One Photo | Dreamstime.com
If you’re online, you’re at risk, plain and simple. There’s more out there after your info and wallet than you realize, from phishing scams to ransomware and malicious apps to malware.
That’s why it’s critical to protect your personal and business devices correctly. When it comes to your computer, tablet and phone, you need a robust security suite.
5 hidden fees costing your small business money
© Dpvue | Dreamstime.com
Starting your own business can be exciting, but it often comes with a rocky road ahead. Those rocks will cut into your wallet through several expenses. Miscalculating the daily costs of running a company can hurt you in the long run.
There’s still time to get it before Christmas! I like classy clothes you can dress up or down. If you need a gift that feels like quality for your spouse or adult children, check out the bestsellers at Quince. They have washable cashmere, silks and more that all look great and last.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Crap, you forgot the Christmas cards: It’s not too late to spread some holiday cheer with a heartfelt message. Hit up Canva, Adobe Express or Paperless Post online. Choose a template, whip up a greeting and send it in just a few minutes — no printing or trip to the post office.
Mac magic: Hit the Apple menu > System Settings > Mouse (if you have one) or Trackpad (on a MacBook). You’ll find all kinds of settings you can adjust to your heart’s desire, including cursor speed and how hard you have to tap your trackpad to click.
🐭 Zoom-zoom! You can change how fast your cursor moves around your screen. On a Windows PC, click on the Start menu icon in your taskbar and type mouse. Click on Mouse settings, and use the Mouse pointer speed slider to adjust your cursor speed. You can also change the number of lines your mouse wheel scrolls at a time, too.
🦺 Junior mode: That’s the kid-friendly version of Disney+. To enable it for your little one, create a new profile, then tap Add profile. To do this with an existing profile, tap Edit profile. Toggle on Junior mode to limit streaming options to kid-appropriate content, all with a simpler, easier-to-navigate interface.
Windows users, take note: Mike in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, wrote in to ask if it’s safe to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2, which rolled out in October. I’m glad you held off, Mike, because there were a lot of bugs. The major kinks have been worked out now, so you’re good to go.
🛃 Oman, I Kuwait to Rome around: Download the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry app for iOS or Android. Snap a selfie while in the security line, and you won’t have to do it at the kiosk when returning to the U.S. The catch: You must be registered with the Global Entry program, which costs $100 for five years.
🤖 “So, uh, where do I find ChatGPT?” I get that in my email every day. Use it on the web or download it for iPhone or Android. You’ll need to create an account. The free tier works for most people.
Remember when Google was good? You know, back when there were barely any ads and no AI overview. If you’re not ready to jump ship just yet, I found a website that lets you make your own Google search engine. Customize it to include websites you like (or exclude the ones you don’t), then bookmark your finished masterpiece for your future searches.
Screenshot upgrade: Windows 11’s Snipping Tool can take data from a screenshot straight to a spreadsheet. Just take a screenshot (hold down the Windows key + Shift + S) and select Copy as table. It’ll preserve the formatting but works best one table at a time. Super sweet.
It’s Kah-man-do: Tired of Siri butchering names? Just say, “Hey, Siri, that’s not how you pronounce [name].” Siri will ask for the correct pronunciation, and voila — all set. On Android, it’s a bit more complicated but totally doable.
Why I used Incogni to wipe my info off the internet
I got this note the other day from Mike S. (Hi, Mike! 👋): “Next time you talk about Incogni, maybe you can do a deep dive?”
Mike, you’re not the only reader who’s asked for a more in-depth look at how Incogni works and why I chose it to wipe my info from data broker sites. I picked this service before they became a sponsor. So, without further ado …
🤹♀️ Free audio editing software: Get the one we use at the ol’ Komando Radio Ranch right here. It works great if you’re digitizing music on cassettes and LPs, podcasting or just editing audio for whatever reason.
$40 to Sharon for cocktails: Unless you change your settings, anyone with the Venmo app can see all your contacts. Go to Privacy settings > Friends list > Private. While you’re there, turn off “Appear in other users’ friends’ lists.” This is important!