Technology
Let your iPhone read aloud what you can't see
Apple’s iOS 18 brings a host of new features aimed at enhancing your accessibility.
Among these, the upgraded Magnifier app stands out with its innovative Reader Mode, designed to assist you in reading small or dark text with ease.
Ensure you have iOS 18 installed
Before you can take advantage of the new features in the Magnifier app, make sure your device is running iOS 18. Follow these steps to check and update your iOS.
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Check your current iOS Version:
- Open the Settings app on your device
- Tap General
- Tap About, and you’ll see the version number next to Software Version.
Update to iOS 18:
- Go to Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
- If iOS 18 is available, tap Download and Install
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update
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The power of Magnifier’s Reader Mode
Have you ever struggled to read something small or in poor lighting? The new Reader Mode in iOS 18’s Magnifier app is here to help. By simply snapping a picture, this feature translates all the text in the image into a clear, easy-to-read page. Here are the steps to use Reader Mode.
- Launch the Magnifier app on your iOS device. You can do this by searching for it in the Spotlight search or accessing it via Control Center if you’ve added it there.
- Once inside the Magnifier app, tap on the Settings icon (or gear icon) in the top or bottom corner of the screen.
- In the settings menu, click Capture to enable Reader Mode by toggling the switch.
- Click the left-hand yellow arrow in the upper left of the screen to exit.
- Next, tap Done
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- Now, position your camera over the text you want to read and tap the Capture button to take a picture.
- After taking the picture, you’ll see an option to apply Reader Mode. Tap on the Reader Mode icon to convert the text into a clear, readable format.
- Customize your reading experience by adjusting font size, contrast and background color using the controls at the bottom of the screen. This helps improve readability, especially in low-light conditions or for small fonts.
- You can scroll up and down the screen to read the text.
- When you are done, just tap the X in the black circle in the upper right of the screen.
- Then tap the X in the yellow circle where it says close below it to completely exit.
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Text-to-speech functionality
In addition to visual adjustments, the Reader Mode also includes a text-to-speech option. This allows the app to read the text out loud, making it even more accessible for those with visual impairments or those who prefer auditory learning. Here’s how to use the Magnifier’s Reader Mode.
- Launch the Magnifier app on your iOS device. You can do this by searching for it in the Spotlight search or accessing it via Control Center if you’ve added it there.
- Now, position your camera over the text you want to read. Tap the Capture button to take a picture.
- After taking the picture, you’ll see an option to apply Reader Mode. Tap on the Reader Mode icon to convert the text into a clear, readable format.
- Customize your reading experience by adjusting font size, contrast and background color using the controls at the bottom of the screen. This helps improve readability, especially in low-light conditions or for small fonts.
- Then tap the Play button at the bottom of the screen to listen to the text.
- Tap the X at the top right of the screen to exit.
- If you want to keep the text for later or share it with someone, tap the Share icon to save or send the readable version of the text.
- When you want to exit, tap the yellow circle with the X in the center of it.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
The new Reader Mode in iOS 18’s Magnifier app is a game-changer for accessibility. By offering customizable reading options and text-to-speech functionality, Apple continues to lead the way in making technology more inclusive for everyone. Whether you’re reading small print or navigating low-light conditions, the Magnifier app ensures that you can access the information you need with ease.
What other features would you like to see in future iOS updates to enhance your iPhone experience? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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Technology
An Okta login bug bypassed checking passwords on some long usernames
On Friday evening, Okta posted an odd update to its list of security advisories. The latest entry reveals that under specific circumstances, someone could’ve logged in by entering anything for a password, but only if the account’s username had over 52 characters.
According to the note people reported receiving, other requirements to exploit the vulnerability included Okta checking the cache from a previous successful login, and that an organization’s authentication policy didn’t add extra conditions like requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Here are the details that are currently available:
On October 30, 2024, a vulnerability was internally identified in generating the cache key for AD/LDAP DelAuth. The Bcrypt algorithm was…
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Hyundai’s cutesy Inster EV doesn’t need to be quick
The reviews for Hyundai’s little electric SUV that could are trickling in, and it’s clear that the Inster is a delightful way to move about town — regardless of its lack of quickness compared to other similarly-sized EVs. The Inster’s top speed for the long-range version is about 93 miles per hour (or 150 km/h), and it has a zero to 62 mph (100km/h) acceleration in 10.6 seconds, according to the specs Hyundai published today.
Hyundai also revealed more details about the Inster’s price, with European reviewers saying it’s expensive compared to similar competition at £23,495 (about $25,477). In the US, however, that’s a price we can only dream about since our most affordable options include the $35,000 Chevy Equinox EV or the hope Tesla will deliver a cheaper car for around $25,000.
One newer compact EV that has made it to the US is the Fiat 500e. At 143 inches in length, it’s only about 7 inches shorter than the Inster at 150.59 inches. However, the Inster has more internal storage since it’s SUV-shaped, plus it has a range of about 230 miles WTLP on the long range 49 kWh battery compared to the 500e’s, which is under 200 miles.
Technology
Your SSN is on the dark web — here’s what to do about it
Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information you own. Too bad yours (and mine and every other Americans’) has likely been leaked and sold on the Dark Web.
Before you panic, there are a few steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your identity.
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Is it really that big a deal?
It sure is. Your Social Security number is the key to the castle. It’s the unique identifier that connects your financial, government and personal records.
With your SSN, criminals can open credit card accounts, apply for loans, hijack your tax refunds, use your government benefits or even apply for jobs.
There’s an easy step you can take.
To safeguard your Social Security number, use the government’s free Self Lock feature. This tool prevents your SSN from being used for unauthorized employment verifications. You’ll need an E-Verify account to do this online.
You can also request a block by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Expect to wait on hold for a long time.
Stay proactive
The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefits history through its my Social Security account. It’s free to use and you can get an account even if you don’t receive benefits.
I recommend you check this once a year to make sure nothing is amiss. Check the reported income and confirm everything aligns with your actual work and benefits history.
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Note that if you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you’ll need to create a Login.gov account or use an ID.me account.
The reg flags
How do you know if your SSN is in someone else’s hands? Let me count the ways …
Unexpected bills or accounts: Receiving bills or statements for accounts you never opened is one of the most obvious signs someone is using your Social Security number. Thieves can use your SSN to open credit card accounts, take out loans or even set up utilities in your name.
If this happens, contact the company immediately and report the fraudulent activity. At this point, a credit freeze is a must, too.
Tax forms that aren’t yours: If you get tax forms like W-2s or 1099s in the mail from employers you’ve never worked with, it could mean someone used your SSN to get a job. In this type of employment fraud, someone who may not otherwise pass employment checks uses your identity instead. It’s a mess and could leave you on the hook for their tax obligations.
Contact the IRS right away if you get any strange tax forms.
Tax filing goes awry: You file your taxes, then get a notice that someone else already filed using your SSN. This is a simple and surprisingly effective way for criminals to get refunds owed to you.
Act fast if you get a letter from the IRS about a duplicate filing. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to file a report. You may need to complete IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit, to officially report the incident.
Pro tip: Protect your tax accounts before this ever happens. The IRS offers a special Identity Protection PIN program. You get a six-digit number to use for filing your taxes, effectively locking your account to outsiders.
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Hints on your credit report: I bet you see a theme here. Anything you know wasn’t you is the biggest sign. That can include new accounts, lines of credit you didn’t take out or other unexplained changes to your credit.
You can get a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Pro tip: Stagger the reports every few months to keep an eye on it more easily across the year.
Government benefit denials: If you’re denied benefits like disability, Medicare, unemployment or other government assistance, someone may already be using your SSN to claim them fraudulently.
If it happens to you, reach out to the agency and explain the situation. They will guide you to the next steps to restoring your benefits.
Suspect your SSN was stolen?
Move quickly. Start with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. Fill out the form there, and you’ll get an entire plan for how to recover your identity and protect yourself going forward.
The IRS also has a place to report if you suspect someone is using your SSN: Identity Theft Central.
Check with your bank, credit card providers and insurance company, too. Some offer free fraud and identity theft protection services that can help you keep everything locked down.
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