Technology
Five smart, simple tech changes to make 2024 better
New year, same you. And that’s OK! You don’t need to makeover your entire life to have a good 2024.
But I can tell you firsthand it’s totally worth it to spend a few minutes cleaning up your tech life. Keep reading for steps to banish junk mail, make your phone less annoying and improve your cybersecurity. You got this!
I share tips like this every day in my free newsletter, The Current. Join 500K smart people who read it. You’ll be glad you did!
TWO MINUTE TECH TRICKS: START THE YEAR WITH A CLEAN INBOX
1. Automate a no-brainer security step
You forget to lock your computer when you get up. Welcome to the club. Be smart and tell your Windows or Mac to do it for you! You can set your computer to auto-lock if you’ve been inactive for a certain amount of time.
On Windows:
- Open Settings and go to Personalization, then Lock Screen.
- Click Screen saver settings and select any option (except “None”) from the Screen saver dropdown menu.
- Set a time for Windows to wait before locking. Check the box for On resume, display logon screen. Hit OK.
On a Mac:
- Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Save > Screen Saver. Use the slider to choose a time.
- Click Show All to go back to the main System Preferences window.
- Click Security, then Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver.
Man looks onto his computer (Cyberguy.com)
You can also set up your PC to lock based on where your phone is. Think about it: If your phone’s nearby, so are you — and so your computer stays open. You walk away, it locks.
2. Say goodbye to group chats that drive you up the wall
Group chats are fun when you’re happy to be there and awful when you don’t care about the convo. The adult move is to ask whoever added you to remove you …
- Or do the ol’ Irish exit if you have an iPhone. Tap the thread, then select the group icon at the top. Scroll and tap Leave this Conversation. Save this for when you’re desperate.
- You can also go the subtle route and mute the convo. (This is what I usually do.) Tap the group text message, select the group icon at the top of the thread, then scroll and toggle on Hide Alerts.
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On Android, muting is your best option — unless you’re up to telling Aunt Kathy you’re out.
- If you use Google Messages, open the group text, then tap the three-dot menu > Group Details > Notifications. Select Silent. Ahh, better.
- For other Android apps, look through your messaging menu options for an option to mute the conversation.
3. Fix the home security mistake even I was making
Back in the day, I turned off all my home security alerts because they were annoying — bad move. What you want to do is adjust your camera’s sensitivity (or upgrade to better cams) if yours are always going off accidentally.
Ring cameras are used by most people to capture footage around their homes. (CyberGuy.com)
You can usually find controls to adjust motion sensitivity in your security system app. Systems go by different names, so I’ll cover the steps for two.
Adjust your camera sensitivity with SimpliSafe
- Open the SimpliSafe app and tap Cameras at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the gear icon at the top right of the screen.
- Choose the camera you would like to change.
- Choose Motion Detection and make your adjustments to the sensitivity.
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Adjust your camera sensitivity with Ring
- Open the Ring app and tap the gear icon for a camera.
- Tap Motion Settings > Motion Sensitivity. Adjust the slider.
4. Organize your cords and cables the way pros do
When everything’s jumbled up, it’s impossible to tell what goes where. Try this super-smart trick.
- Get some stickers. These can be labels you write on or color-coded dots. One of my readers, Tony, suggests using colored foil stars.
- Create a system that works for you. Write on the labels or use colors to represent the cord type (e.g., red for USB-C, blue for HDMI).
- Affix the same label or colored sticker to the cable and the port on the device. When you plug in the cord, simply match the cable’s sticker to the port.
- Place the sticker in the same position on each cable. Try putting it on the top of the cord to quickly find the correct orientation into the port.
5. Less junk mail to deal with
Is your mailbox overflowing with unsolicited credit card and insurance offers? You can thank the big four credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion and Innovis.
Closeup of two modern black and brown metal red flag mailboxes at single family home in residential suburbs with nobody and house in background (iStock)
Each bureau provides lists of consumers, based on specific criteria, to credit and insurance companies for prescreened offers. Yes, it’s completely legal. But don’t worry, there’s a solution: Opt Out Prescreen, a tool developed by these very credit bureaus.
- Visit optoutprescreen.com. You can choose to opt out for five years or forever, then fill in the form.
- Opting out permanently? You’ll have to use snail mail, but it’s worth it. Print, sign and mail a confirmation form.
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: Billionaire doomsday preppers, p*rn copyright trolls & nasty Amazon scam
Plus, my 2024 tech resolutions and ways to have AI help you craft yours. California bans this ultra-weird product from Amazon — and yes, it involves donkeys. Peloton tablet goes obsolete, and I’ve got five tech road trip tips.
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
Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame
Govee has announced an upgraded version of its hanging Curtain Lights Pro that can instead be used nearly anywhere you have access to an outlet or large battery. At $449.99, Govee’s new Lightwall is more than twice as expensive as the $199.99 Curtain Lights Pro, but comes with more LEDs in a denser array and a self-standing aluminum frame that can be assembled in 10 to 15 minutes without the need for any tools.
When hung from its stand the Lightwall measures 7.9 feet wide and 5.3 feet tall and features 1,536 color-changing LEDs spaced about 1.96 inches apart in a 48 x 32 grid. It’s water-resistant, and with the ability to refresh at up to 35fps the Lightwall almost sounds like it could be used as a personal backyard Jumbotron, but it’s not designed for watching TV or movies.
The Lightwall instead connects to Govee’s Home app where you can select from over 200 preset scenes and simple animations, choose from 10 different music modes that generate lighting patterns matched to beats, or synchronize its colors to other Govee lighting products to create a cohesive mood.
The app can also use AI to create custom animated GIFs from simple text prompts, or you can take matters into your own hands and create custom designs by sketching in the app with your finger and stacking up to 30 layers of doodles. The Lightwall is smart home compatible and supports Matter, too, so in addition to managing it through Govee’s app you can control it using voice commands through smart devices with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Technology
Roblox adds age-based accounts for kids and teens
‘Fox & Friends’ exclusive: Roblox CEO announces new safety measures for kids
Roblox Co-founder and CEO Dave Baszucki details new safety measures, including Kids and Select accounts, on Fox & Friends. He addresses lawsuits and concerns about predators, emphasizing age verification, content filtering, and strict communication controls to protect users. Baszucki states Roblox has “no tolerance” for bad actors and builds safety by default, allowing parents to customize chat settings for their children.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
If your child plays Roblox, they are part of a massive global audience. Roblox has reported more than 144 million daily active users, with a large share made up of kids and teens who log in to play games, create content and connect with friends. That reach is exactly why a new change rolling out in early June matters.
Roblox is introducing two new account types designed to better match what kids play and who they can talk to based on age. The shift centers on structure. Instead of one shared experience with layered controls, Roblox is building separate environments for different age groups. As a result, content, chat and parental controls will adjust automatically as a child grows.
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Roblox rolls out a new AI system that analyzes entire scenes in real time to detect harmful content across its platform. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What are Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts?
Roblox is dividing younger users into two groups, each with its own rules and experience.
Roblox Kids (ages 5 to 8)
This is the most restricted environment. It is designed for younger children who need tighter guardrails.
- Access limited to games rated Minimal or Mild
- Only games that pass a three-step review process
- Chat is turned off by default
- A distinct visual design so parents can easily recognize the account
The idea here is simple. Kids see a limited version of Roblox that removes riskier content and disables communication.
Roblox Select (ages 9 to 15)
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This group gets more flexibility, but still within limits.
- Access to games rated up to Moderate
- Same multi-step game screening process
- Chat settings remain on by default in most regions
- Visual indicators show the account type
At this stage, Roblox assumes users can handle a broader range of experiences, but still keeps filters in place.
How Roblox decides what games kids can play
Not every game makes the cut. Roblox is adding a continuous evaluation system that runs behind the scenes. Here’s how it works:
1) Developer verification
Creators must verify their identity, enable two-step security and maintain a Roblox Plus subscription.
2) Real-time evaluation
Older users, age 16 and up, effectively test new games first. Roblox studies how they interact and reviews reports before exposing those games to younger players.
3) Content eligibility check
Games receive maturity ratings such as Minimal, Mild or Moderate. Certain categories, like social hangouts or free-form drawing, are excluded by default for younger users. This layered approach combines AI moderation, human review and real-world gameplay signals.
Age checks now control the entire experience
Roblox is expanding the same age-check system it introduced earlier this year for chat.
- Users under 9 Roblox Kids
- Users 9 to 15 Roblox Select
- Users 16 and older standard with Roblox account
If a user does not complete an age check, they face stricter limits. They can only access lower-rated games and cannot use chat. Once verified, the system automatically moves them into the correct account type.
Roblox officials say the new system aims to proactively protect children while maintaining gameplay for compliant users. (Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Accounts evolve as kids grow
There is no need to manually switch settings over time.
- At age 9, users move from Kids to Select
- At age 16, they move to a standard account
This automatic progression is designed to simplify things for families while keeping protections in place at each stage.
Parental controls get more precise
Roblox is also expanding what parents can do.
- Block specific games through age 15
- Manage direct chat settings until age 15
- Approve access to individual games outside default limits
- View what games kids play and who they interact with
These tools give parents more direct control instead of relying only on broad content filters.
A move toward global content ratings
Later this year, Roblox plans to align with the International Age Rating Coalition framework. That includes familiar systems like ESRB in the U.S. and PEGI in Europe. The goal is to make ratings clearer and more consistent across regions.
Why this matters to families
This update changes how Roblox works at a fundamental level. Instead of asking parents to constantly adjust settings, the platform builds age-appropriate experiences from the start. It also reflects a broader shift in tech. Platforms are under pressure to design safety into the product, not tack it on later.
As Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely, an organization focused on helping families navigate digital safety, put it:
“By combining age assurance, stronger creator accountability, and parental controls, Roblox is helping set a higher standard for how platforms can better protect younger users while preserving positive online experiences.”
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Roblox targets nuanced rule-breaking by analyzing avatars, text and environments together instead of in isolation. (JasonDoiy/Getty Images)
Roblox is not removing risk entirely. No platform can. What it is doing is tightening the structure around how kids interact with content and other players. For parents, this could make things simpler. For kids, the experience will feel more tailored to where they are in life. The bigger question is whether this becomes the norm across gaming and social platforms.
If platforms start shaping experiences based on age by default, does that improve safety or limit how kids explore and learn online? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
YouTube now lets you turn off Shorts
YouTube’s time management settings now have an option to put a zero-minute time limit on Shorts, effectively removing them from your app in Android and iOS. The option is an update to the Shorts timer YouTube originally announced in October; the lowest previous option was 15 minutes.
The feature was expanded in January to give parents some control over how long their kids spend scrolling through Shorts, with an option for zero minutes “coming soon.” According to YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller, the option to set the timer to zero is now “live for all parents, and is currently being rolled out to everyone,” including users with regular adult accounts.
Regardless of age, it can be a handy tool for anyone who wants to spend a little less time scrolling. The Shorts tab won’t show any videos once you hit your limit, just a notification that you’ve “reached your Shorts feed limit.” In our tests, hitting the time limit also removes Shorts from the Home screen, so by setting the timer to zero you can ignore Shorts entirely if you want. To turn on the timer, go to the settings in the YouTube app and select “time management” then toggle on the Shorts feed limit and select a time for it.
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