Technology

Your email is being tracked – learn the secret advertisers don’t want you to know

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2022

Press Room

Your email is being tracked – learn the secret advertisers don’t want you to know

Shut up of fingers of an individual engaged on laptop. (iStock)

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It’s not possible to not be tracked on-line. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to take steps that make a distinction.

In the event you don’t like the thought of advertisers figuring out every little thing about you, shut them out. Faucet or click on right here for easy, actionable steps you’ll be able to take now.

In contrast to your browser historical past, you in all probability don’t give a lot thought to handing out your telephone quantity. It’s time to vary that. Faucet or click on for strategies to guard your quantity and cease inviting spam.

With regards to your e mail, chances are you’ll not understand there’s a straightforward approach advertisers, entrepreneurs, corporations, and even scammers observe you — with only one tiny pixel.

What’s pixel monitoring?

You possibly can’t see them, however pixel trackers are hidden in most of the emails you obtain. Technically, this microscopic pixel is laptop code embedded throughout the physique of an e mail, typically hidden inside a picture.

Usually, pixel-tracking permits entrepreneurs, advertisers, and firms to gather information about you, resembling:

The variety of instances you open an e mail
The working system you utilize
The time you opened the e-mail
Your IP tackle may give an concept of your location
What sort of gadget you utilize to open the e-mail

Detailed information is shipped again to the sender routinely, with out you having to click on on any hyperlinks and even reply. That will really feel like an invasion of privateness, however it’s authorized and totally different from when hackers and scammers make use of this tactic.

In that case, it turns into all about monitoring your exercise.

A man uses his iPhone and laptop computer at his desk.

A person makes use of his iPhone and laptop computer laptop at his desk.

Talking of monitoring, spyware and adware is harmful software program that tracks every little thing from the websites you go to the passwords you sort in. Faucet or click on right here for six indicators your telephone has been contaminated with so-called stalkerware.

Find out how to spot an e mail rip-off

Pesky advertising emails are one factor, and we are going to get into cease that. However first, let’s evaluation the purple flags you must ship an e mail straight to the trash:

There’s a request for private data.
The “From” tackle and the show title don’t match.
The “From” tackle is similar to a recognized enterprise or contact, with one or two characters modified.
It requires fast consideration.
It is filled with poor spelling or grammar. (Typically, this appears like one thing is “off.”)
There’s a request to click on on a hyperlink or obtain a doc or file you didn’t request.

Most of those clues are simple to identify, however you received’t see a microscopic pixel hidden in an e mail.

Spot the pretend: Find out how to inform if a picture you noticed on social media is pretend

Excellent news if in case you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Apple routinely stops senders from retrieving your IP tackle beginning with iOS 15, macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15.

Moreover, e mail content material is downloaded privately once you obtain the e-mail, not once you view it. Meaning solely generic information is shipped again to entrepreneurs, corporations, and anybody else monitoring you through e mail.

The Mail Privateness Safety options are usually not enabled by default. Right here’s flip them on:

On an iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Mail > Privateness Safety. Activate Defend Mail Exercise.
On a Mac: Within the Mail app, select Mail > Preferences, then click on Privateness. Choose Defend Mail Exercise.

Apple safety 101: 7 necessary iPhone safety settings to vary proper now

A woman expresses surprise while using a laptop computer.

A girl expresses shock whereas utilizing a laptop computer laptop.
(iStock)

What about Gmail, Home windows, and Android customers?

The best option to forestall pixel-tracking is to dam photos from displaying in your emails. If the pixel isn’t displayed, the code in all probability received’t work.

In Gmail on a pc: Click on on the gear icon and choose See All Settings. Beneath Common, scroll down and click on on Ask earlier than displaying exterior photos beneath the Pictures possibility. Click on Save Adjustments on the backside of the web page.
Within the Gmail app: Faucet the three-line menu within the higher nook > Settings > Select your account. Scroll right down to Pictures beneath Knowledge utilization. Click on it, then select Ask earlier than displaying exterior photos.
In Yahoo Mail: Click on Settings > Extra Settings > Viewing E-mail. Scroll to the underside. Beneath Present photos in messages, select Ask earlier than displaying exterior photos. The web page will refresh and routinely save.
In Outlook, click on on File > Choices > Trusted Heart. Select Belief Heart Settings > Computerized Obtain from the left-hand pane. Choose Do not obtain footage routinely in HTML e-mail messages or RSS objects. Click on OK to save lots of.

Need sensible tech suggestions like this straight to your inbox? Strive my free Tech Suggestions and How-tos publication. I’ll allow you to get probably the most out of all of your devices, get monetary savings and shield your privateness.

Bonus Tip: Find out how to increase your tax refund this 12 months

The IRS has new modifications, together with the $600 rule, WFH deductions, youngster tax credit and extra. On this episode, tax accountant Rachel Cheek and I dive into the numerous methods deductions, varieties, social media, and guidelines will influence your 2021 tax return.

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Take heed to the podcast right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply seek for my final title, “Komando.”

What digital life-style questions do you will have? Name Kim’s nationwide radio present and faucet or click on right here to seek out it in your native radio station. You possibly can hearken to or watch The Kim Komando Present in your telephone, pill, tv, or laptop. Or faucet or click on right here for Kim’s free podcasts.

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Find out about all the newest know-how on The Kim Komando Present, the nation’s largest weekend radio discuss present. Kim takes calls and dispenses recommendation on immediately’s digital life-style, from smartphones and tablets to on-line privateness and information hacks. For her day by day suggestions, free newsletters, and extra, go to her web site at Komando.com.

Technology

Sub.club is here to help the fediverse make money

Published

8 hours ago

September 1, 2024

Press Room

Sub.club is here to help the fediverse make money

The fediverse has the potential to help create enduring and interoperable social networks. But many creators and businesses rely on bigger, closed platforms because they offer direct ways to make money from their audiences, which is hard to do in the fediverse right now.

Sub.club is trying to solve that.

The idea is that this will let users on ActivityPub-based platforms like Mastodon easily offer paid subscriptions and premium content while taking a 6 percent cut in addition to payment processing fees. It could solve a big problem with the fediverse right now: it’s not easy to make a living on it unless you direct your followers back to existing platforms like Patreon that are closed off and require users to visit a particular site or app to get much of the content.

Bringing money into the fediverse ecosystem and having a way for creators to get paid could be an important building block, Bart Decrem, one of the founders of sub.club, tells The Verge. “So we think this work is super important for all of us that believe in the promise of the internet.”

That could be especially true if the fediverse is successful to the point where it creates what sub.club adviser Anuj Ahooja calls “one last network effect.” That would be the idea of everyone joining fediverse platforms built on an open protocol where it’s possible to interact online with the option to move from network to network and platform to platform at will. “From there, you can drive so much innovation around social media,” Ahooja says.

While X is still culturally relevant enough that it was the first place where Joe Biden’s campaign posted the news that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, many people got the news on other platforms as it splashed across Instagram, TikTok, Discord, and Whatsapp. I’m not sure everyone is going to coalesce in one place or that they even want to, and profiles you can take with you could be a part of that.

Currently, sub.club is only available for Mastodon users, and depending on how you use Mastodon, you might run into the service in different ways. On Mastodon web clients, creators can point people to a subscription page.

In clients that include a rich experience for the subscriptions — right now, that’s Mammoth, which is made by the same developer team, and Ice Cubes — creators can add a subscribe button that appears at the top of their profile that takes users to a subscription webpage.

As a creator, making the post your subscribers will see takes an extra step: you have to DM your sub.club account. Then, people who subscribe to your posts will see that post in their following feeds.

Sub.club doesn’t just want to push creators to only use its services; instead, the team envisions building “a subscribe button that integrates with other paid subscription products,” Ahooja says. That’s why it’s launching as a developer preview; “if you’re going to build something, build it in a way that’s standard and portable across multiple services,” according to Ahooja.

It’s also created an API that can build premium bots, according to this FAQ, so you could, for example, set up a silly bot that adds animals to photos.

Sometime this fall, sub.club also plans to let Mastodon server admins use the tool to help fund maintenance instead of asking users for support through platforms like Patreon or Ko-Fi.

“There’s a lot of free labor that runs the fediverse right now,” Ahooja says. “So let’s make sure people are getting compensated.”

Technology

California's first electric train could be what’s coming to your city

Published

9 hours ago

September 1, 2024

Press Room

California's first electric train could be what’s coming to your city

All aboard. California’s transportation landscape is getting a major upgrade as Caltrain, the oldest continuously operated railroad in the West, ushers in a new age of electric trains.

This isn’t just any old train ride. It’s a journey into the future of public transit.

Electric train (Caltrain)

Caltrain’s electric debut

Picture this. It’s a sunny day in San Francisco, and a sleek, modern train pulls into the station. But there’s something different about this one. No diesel fumes, no rumbling engine. Just a quiet hum of electricity. That’s right, folks. After nearly a decade of construction and 160 years of history, Caltrain is going electric.

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On a momentous day, Caltrain was joined by federal, state and local officials, along with transportation, business and labor leaders, to celebrate the inaugural electric train ride. This VIP tour allowed participants to experience firsthand the cutting-edge electric fleet that represents a landmark shift toward a faster, more frequent and environmentally friendly public transportation network along the San Francisco Peninsula.

The first regular electric train service kicked off Aug. 11. More electric trains will be introduced each week until the full electrified service launches Sept. 21.

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Inaugural electric train ride (Caltrain)

EV PARADISE OR CHARGING HELL? ALARMING ELECTRIC CAR SECRET EXPOSED

What’s the big deal?

You might be wondering, “So what? It’s just a train, right?” Wrong! This is a game-changer. These new electric trains can zip between San Francisco and San Jose in under an hour. Plus, they’re increasing service by 20% because they can speed up and slow down faster than their diesel counterparts. This means more robust and flexible access to cities throughout the rail system, with 16 stations seeing trains every 15-20 minutes during peak hours and all stations receiving service every 30 minutes on weekends.

Comfort is king on these new trains. They come equipped with Wi-Fi, digital onboard displays, power outlets at every seat, improved climate control, baby-changing tables in the bathrooms and expanded storage under the cantilevered seats.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

Electric train fleet (Caltrain)

THIS FLYING ELECTRIC VEHICLE BREAKS RECORD WITH 523-MILE NONSTOP FLIGHT

Reducing emissions for a cleaner future

By switching from diesel to electric, Caltrain is cutting a whopping 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. That’s like taking 55,000 cars off the road each year. This transition not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also improves air quality and relieves traffic congestion, contributing to ambitious regional and state climate action goals.

Electric train fleet (Caltrain)

GIANT BATTERY-POWERED DUMP TRUCK DUMPS DIESEL FOR ELECTRIC

A boost for the economy and community

The Caltrain Electrification Project isn’t just about transportation. It’s also a significant economic driver. The project has created 33,000 jobs across 36 states, fueling economic growth and innovation within local communities and nationwide. This collaborative effort to manufacture the electric trains and infrastructure underscores a commitment to sustainability and job creation.

Moreover, the electrification project advances equity along the corridor by reducing noise and air pollution while increasing access and service for equity-priority communities by 26%. It’s a win-win for both the environment and the community.

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Electric train fleet (Caltrain)

THE BEST TRAVEL GEAR FOR 2024

Paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg summed it up perfectly.

“The future of California’s rail systems will be powered by clean, renewable energy,” setting a standard for other rail systems to follow in the effort to reduce carbon pollution across the country, he said.

With enhanced amenities, increased service frequency and a commitment to sustainability, these trains are set to transform the daily travel experience. So, whether you’re a commuter or a curious traveler, now is the perfect time to hop on board and witness the future of transit in action.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS

Electric trains (Caltrain)

Kurt’s key takeaways

As we stand on the brink of this new era in public transportation, the launch of California’s first electric train marks a significant milestone not just for Caltrain, but for the entire Bay Area. This transition to electric service promises not only faster and more reliable commutes but also a cleaner environment, reduced emissions and improvement in air quality for generations to come.

What features or improvements would you like to see in future public transit initiatives to enhance your commuting experience? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Trailers of the week: Sonic 3, Napoleon, and Agatha All Along

Published

18 hours ago

September 1, 2024

Press Room

Trailers of the week: Sonic 3, Napoleon, and Agatha All Along

This week brought a few noteworthy movie and TV trailers — the big one being Sonic the Hedgehog 3. And while I won’t include them here, you should check out some of the trailers included with our coverage of the most recent Nintendo Direct (shoutout to the Nintendo DS Castlevania games collection).

It’s clear that summer is winding down, and so are the big blockbusters. Things will liven up a bit with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice next week, but things are looking quiet for a little bit after that.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 finally brings Sonic’s big nemesis, Shadow, into the mix, played by Keanu Reeves. The trailer only gave a bit of Reeves’ voice but makes up for it with lots of Jim Carrey’s disheveled and depressed Dr. Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik (also played by Carrey). The movie hits theaters on December 25th.

Marvel’s Agatha All Along, the Disney Plus series that follows Kathryn Hahn’s WandaVision villain, will begin streaming soon on September 18th. While the show is looking like it’ll have plenty of comedy, this week’s trailer makes it clear there will be plenty of drama, too.

A new Wallace & Gromit movie means more stop-motion animation, which is something I’ll never get tired of. In this movie, which will hit Netflix in the US this winter, Wallace invents a smart home device (which is a garden gnome) named Norbot. Things go awry when Norbot is surreptitiously controlled by Feathers McGraw, a villain in the Wallace & Gromit world.

Apple released a director’s cut of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon this week on Apple TV Plus. With 48 minutes of extra footage, it sounds like there’s plenty more to watch if you don’t plan on spending Labor Day weekend standing by a barbecue grill.