Technology
1-minute tech changes for more privacy
You’re shopping for a gift, or doing something personal, and oops! Someone waltzes into the room. No problem — just hit Command + M on a Mac or Windows + M on a Windows PC to instantly minimize the program you have open.
There are so many little tips and tricks that make using your tech better. I’ve got a ton up my sleeve that are privacy-focused. If you find one new to you, share this article with a friend!
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7 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER ASK SIRI, GOOGLE ASSISTANT OR ALEXA
Apple keeps track of where you go and how often you visit. It can then make suggestions based on what it calls Significant Locations. You might see these as calendar events or map directions alerts.
Sure, it’s helpful, but not everyone likes it. You can clear this list.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
- Tap Significant Locations.
- Hit the Clear History button.
You’re sending more than a selfie
Most people don’t realize all they share when sending a picture via text. Nearly every social media site strips out the metadata that reveals a photo’s little details, like when, where and how it was taken. But that info is not protected if you text a pic. You can stop that.
To stop location sharing on iPhone:
- Open the image you want to send and tap the share button.
- Select Options and toggle off Location. Tap Done.
To disable location tracking in your camera altogether:
- Open Settings. Tap Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Scroll down, tap on Camera, then select Never.
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On Android, here’s how to wipe the location data for a single photo:
- Open your gallery and select the photo.
- Go to Details (it may be a three-dot menu) and click Remove location data.
Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it
Bluetooth works similarly to Wi-Fi and cellular networks but performs simpler tasks at shorter ranges. You don’t need a cellular signal or network connection to use Bluetooth, and it doesn’t use data. And like any other connection, it’s not 100% safe.
Hackers and scammers must be close to you to use Bluetooth to hijack your phone. But in just about any public space, you’re arm’s length from strangers.
My advice: Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it. Keeping it active all the time makes your device more discoverable. As a bonus, keeping Bluetooth off will increase your device’s battery life.
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. You can also swipe down from the top right of your screen to open the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon.
- The same steps work for Android phones. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps vary based on your phone’s model. Look or search for Bluetooth if these steps don’t match your phone.)
Airplane mode also disables Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among other things, so it works in a pinch — but you won’t receive calls or texts.
Swap your pen for a safer one
It’s kind of crazy to me that check fraud is increasing in a big way. Criminals go to mailboxes and target envelopes that look like checks being mailed or bill payments.
Check washing is the most common type of check fraud. This is where a crook steals a check from the mail and alters the payee’s name so they can cash it. They often change the amount of money as well.
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If you need to write a check, use a security pen, also known as a check-washing pen. Uni-ball 207 Series pens (4 for around $10 on Amazon) use specially formulated ink that gets trapped into the paper, making it difficult for criminals to wash or erase the ink on a check.
To be extra safe, skip the mailbox and take your checks directly to your local post office. More smart steps here if there’s a mail fraud surge in your area.
Don’t forget crooks like to go offline, too
Thieves still use old-school tactics they think we all forgot about. We’re too smart for that, right?
- Out in public, keep your purse and wallet close. Only bring the cards you’ll be using.
- Be aware of who’s around when you pull out your phone, and hide your screen as you type in your PIN.
- Leave your Social Security card, birth certificate and passport at home unless you truly need them.
- Shred old bills and financial records before tossing them. I use this shredder.
- Review your credit report and bank statements regularly. Here’s how to get a free report.
If you get scammed, resist the urge to stay quiet. Report fraud, scams and bad business practices to the FTC. If you gave out your Social Security number, contact the SSA immediately.
Keep your tech-know going
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK: The SWAT team raided Kim’s house
Plus, Madeline Smith has caught over 1,000 cheaters caught online. She shares her insights on spotting an unfaithful spouse. Kim and Andrew also talk about NASA’s Mars simulator and demystify baffling Gen Z slang.
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon. Listen on 425+ radio stations or get the podcast. And join over 400,000 people who get her free 5-minute daily email newsletter.
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Technology
You can slap a Pixel Watch 2 on your wrist for just $224 right now
The Pixel Watch 3 may be the shining refinement Google’s wearable lineup needed, but the last-gen Pixel Watch 2 is still a great buy. That’s especially true when you can get it for as low as $224 ($26 off) — which is the watch’s current starting price at both Amazon and Best Buy.
Although the Pixel Watch 3 introduces a host of solid improvements — including a bigger and brighter display, a new 44mm size, AI-generated workout suggestions, and offline Google Maps — the second-gen Pixel Watch is still a looker. It only comes in one size (41mm), and the usable display area is only about 10 percent smaller than the third-gen model. It also uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 1 chip, though it lacks the ultra wideband chip that lets you unlock nearby Pixel devices and select BMW vehicles.
Overall, performance between the two is similar and battery life on the 41mm models is about the same, averaging about 24 hours per charge. With the Watch 2, you’re only really missing out on the new workout features (other once-exclusive Wear OS 5 features have started to trickle down to the Watch 2), plus a screen that’s said to be twice as bright. If you don’t feel those Watch 3 traits are worth the $350 starting price, we’d still happily recommend picking up the older model.
Technology
Fox News AI Newsletter: 'Fargo' creator: 'We've got a fight on our hands'
Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– ‘Fargo’ creator warns AI is a threat, ‘we’ve got a fight on our hands’
– AI will tamp down inflation, provide greater ‘social safety net,’ Silicon Valley businessman says
– Man paralyzed in diving mishap has medical miracle a year after getting AI-powered brain implant
READY FOR BATTLE: “Fargo” series creator Noah Hawley is wary of the good and bad in artificial intelligence.
AI OPTIMISM: A prominent Silicon Valley businessman and venture capitalist believes artificial intelligence can spur deflation and create enough growth to help those whose jobs will be lost to the technology.
MEDICAL MIRACLE: A New York man who was left paralyzed after a diving accident is starting to regain movement a year after receiving an artificial intelligence-powered implant in his brain.
PUNTED: A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a California bill that outlaws AI-generated “deepfake” content and required the removal of “deceptive content” from social media.
Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.
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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.
Technology
An Android feature now rolling out locks your screen if your phone is swiped
Google is rolling out a new set of features aimed at making it less easy for thieves to access your data. That’s according to Mishaal Rahman, who posted on Reddit that the features are showing up in a new update after seeing that his Xiaomi 14T Pro phone now has Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, two of three features Google announced in May. Others say they only see the third one, called Remote Lock.
The flashiest of the new features is Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI to lock your screen when it detects “common motion associated with theft,” like someone snatching your phone out of your hand. Meanwhile, Offline Device Lock locks a device’s screen when it’s offline for a while, and Remote Lock lets users lock their phone using only their phone number when they can’t log into Find My Device with their password.
So far, I’m not seeing any of the features on my own Pixel 6. You can see screenshots of the new features’ settings in the overnight Threads post from Rahman below.
Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock are supported on any Android device running Android 10 and up, while you’ll need at least Android 5 for Remote Lock. If you don’t have the features yet, you can try updating Google Play Services, though Google tends to roll out new features over time, rather than to everyone at once, so, like me, you may have to wait.
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