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Google knows what you type, watch, and say — unless you take these steps

You might laugh thinking about all the random Google searches you’ve done over the years. Imagine someone getting access to that list, and you might instead shudder in embarrassment.

Did you know your entire Google history is accessible online? If you’re signed in, a snoop can poke through it all. Tap or click here for steps to password protect that page and your private info.

There are, of course, ways to keep your searches private. Tap or click for some clever methods, including hiding your activity from your internet service provider and wiping your browser sessions.

When you rely on Google and its services, though, you know many things are being tracked. Here are three you can stop.

YOUR APPS ARE WATCHING EVERYWHERE YOU GO UNLESS YOU CHANGE THIS SETTING

1. Every email you type

Google scans the contents of your inbox, from receipts and private messages to medical documents and bills.

The handy Smart Compose setting even allows Google to scan your emails as you type them. It’s an AI-powered feature that tries to help you write faster. It helps finish common phrases. “Let me” becomes “Let me know if you have any questions.”

Although it’s useful, it means Google is watching what you type as you type it. You can turn Smart Compose off. Here’s how:

  • Open Gmail.
  • Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner for Settings.
  • Select See all settings.
  • Choose the General tab near the top of the page.
  • Scroll to the Smart Compose section.
  • Turn Writing suggestions off by clicking on the circle next to it.
  • Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes.

It’s worth noting: Google still has access to all the content in the emails you send and receive. If you want to stop that, you need to switch to a privacy-based email inbox.

Privacy 101: Avoid that embarrassing moment! Hide your phone’s lock screen notifications

2. OK, Google, are you listening?

Despite what Big Tech companies say, smart assistants often listen more than you intend. The reason is simple: Sometimes, your device hears one thing you say and interprets it as the wake word.

You can always turn Google Assistant off if you’re not using it.

How to turn off Google Assistant on Android:

  • Open the Settings app on your phone. Then, scroll down and tap Account Services.
  • Tap Search, Assistant & Voice. Then, tap Google Assistant.
  • Tap on Assistant. Then, scroll down to Assistant devices and tap Phone.
  • Tap the Google Assistant slider to turn it off.

5 SMART DIGITAL LIFE HACKS YOU WON’T FIND ON TIKTOK

How to turn off Google Assistant on iPhone:

  • Open Settings > Privacy.
  • Locate the menu labeled Microphone and tap it.
  • Find Assistant in the list of apps and toggle the green switch to the off position.

Go a step further and shut down every device that might be listening. Tap or click for steps to tell Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and others to butt out. 

3. And then there are the videos you watch

After Google, YouTube is the second largest search engine on the web. And, of course, it is owned by Google. That means the company knows the videos you watch, the comments you leave, and who you interact with. 

Clearing your YouTube history is simple. Head to My Google Activity, select YouTube History and switch the toggle to Off.

Be warned: YouTube will still track your search history. On the YouTube History page, you will see a section that says Filter by date. To the left, tap on the small down arrow next to Delete. A box will pop up and you can clear out your searches. Confirm by hitting Delete and you’re good to go.

Now that your privacy is all shored up, why not make life a little easier? Tap or click for 5 buried Google settings everyone should know.

Bonus Tip: How the government and companies buy your personal data

7 BRILLIANT WAYS YOUR SMART PHONE CAN HELP YOU GET THINGS DONE

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

We think of our gadgets as helpful tools that make our lives easier, but they can also be turned against us. The data your devices collect is so valuable it could be used against you in a criminal trial, requested by police or even bought by the government through a data broker. I sat down with technologist Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who reveals all the secrets you’re losing — and which devices do the most stealing.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

Your apps are watching everywhere you go unless you change this setting

We used to download apps, enable permissions, and share data without giving it a second thought. These days, most people want more control over their info.

That starts with protecting yourself from endless data breaches, leaks, and hacks. When was the last time you checked to make sure your info isn’t floating around the web for anyone to find? Tap or click to check your email address against a database of major hacks.

7 BRILLIANT WAYS YOUR SMARTPHONE CAN HELP YOU GET THINGS DONE

Then you have to deal with the Big Tech giants. It’s hard to do much online without Google and Facebook knowing about it. Tap or click here for critical settings everyone should adjust to protect their privacy.

And what about all those apps on your phone? It’s easier than ever to see if they know exactly where you are — and stop it if you want to.

Your location is yours to protect

Some apps need to know where you are to work correctly. Many that don’t need it request access, and you probably said yes when you installed it.

On your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps to change your overall tracking preference:

  • Tap Settings, navigate down to Privacy and tap Location Services. 
  • If the first slider is turned on, it means that apps can track you. 
  • Slide it off if you universally want to deny your device from using Location Services.

AUSTRALIA DEBUTS ‘ORWELLIAN’ NEW APP USING FACIAL RECOGNITION, GEOLOCATION TO ENFORCE QUARANTINE

The list of apps displayed under Location Services has access to your location and how frequently it is used. Tap on a specific app if you want to change the settings. You can choose Never, Ask Next Time, While Using the App or Always.

To take advantage of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency, change its settings by tapping Settings, tapping Privacy, selecting Tracking, and toggling the Allow Apps to Request to Track off.

On Android, first check to see which apps have access to your location:

  • Swipe down from the top of the screen and press down on Location. If it’s not there, search your Settings menu and find Location.
  • Tap App permission. You will see a list of apps that can access your location any time, only while it’s in use, or when you give permission.

You can change app permissions here, or try this method:

  • On your home screen, find the app’s icon. Touch and hold the icon for the app you want to adjust. 
  • Tap the Info icon > Permissions > Location.
  • Choose from All the time, Only while using the app, Ask every time, or Deny.

Privacy 101: This hidden map on your phone shows everywhere you’ve been — and all the photos you took there

Things to keep in mind

Turning off location services disables your smartphone from tracking your location, but there are some disadvantages. The most obvious one is that apps like Maps, Uber and your weather app of choice won’t be able to determine your exact location.

To get around that, you can either change the setting so that apps only use your location when using the app or manually switch it on or off as needed.

Ending location tracking entirely can be a pain. Android and iOS provide built-in options to minimize and limit ad tracking if that’s more your speed.

Want more tips like this in your inbox? Get my Tech Tips newsletter. It’s packed with smart info you can use.

Stop ad tracking, too

These changes won’t stop companies from tracking your phone activities. They won’t limit the number of ads you see — but they will allow you to reset your advertising ID and unlink any targeted advertising profiles associated with your gadgets.

That means fewer creepy ads that make it clear advertisers know what you are up to online and what your preferences are.

On iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch: 

  • Go to Settings > Privacy.
  • Tap Apple Advertising. Toggle Personalized Ads to Off. 

On Android:

  • Go to Settings and tap Google.
  • Tap Ads. Toggle on Opt out of ads personalization.

Bonus Tip: How the government and companies buy your personal data

THESE 4 DOWNLOADS CAN RUIN A WINDOWS PC

 

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

We think of our gadgets as helpful tools that make our lives easier, but they can also be turned against us. The data your devices collect is so valuable it could be used against you in a criminal trial, requested by police or even bought by the government through a data broker. I sit down with technologist Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and he reveals all the secrets you’re losing — and which devices do the most stealing.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

9 free software copycats that work better than the real expensive programs

There are more features and tricks hiding in your Mac or PC than most people will ever know. You can do even more if you know the right software to download.

If you’re relying on your computer’s built-in spell check to catch all your grammar mistakes, for example, it’s time to upgrade. Here are five stellar options to make you sound smarter; I have used one for 223 weeks straight.  

With everything else we shell out cash for online, you don’t always want to pay for programs. If you need to save a little cash, I’ve got your back. First, check this list of simple ways to save money on streaming, cable and internet bills each month.

Round out the savings with this list of full-featured programs that work just like popular software everyone else uses.

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1. Let’s start with the basics: Office software

When it comes to productivity software, Microsoft Office is the gold standard. Unfortunately, it’s also expensive. Yes, there are some ways to get a discount if you genuinely need the Microsoft version. Tap or click here for tricks to get it free or cheap.

A great no-cost alternative is LibreOffice. This open-source office suite is especially great because its creators continually update it. You’ll get six programs, including Writer, Impress and Calc, which work just like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, respectively.

LibreOffice allows you to edit documents created in the official MS Office and save new files in Office formats, too. Someone on the receiving end of your .docx file won’t know you used a program other than Word to save it.

Tap or click here for direct download links for Mac and PC.

2. Or try TextMaker

FreeOffice TextMaker is another solid Microsoft Office alternative. It’s handy when you need to open .doc and .docx files. Unlike other free word processing programs, it offers a spell check feature in 58 languages. Like Word, you can insert tables, pictures, and drawings. 

You can even create EPUB eBooks. That’s convenient for aspiring authors who don’t want to shell out cash for another program.

Tap or click here to download FreeOffice TextMaker.

Want more options? 7 free alternatives to Microsoft Windows

5 SMART DIGITAL LIFE HACKS YOU WON’T FIND ON TIKTOK

3. Open and edit spreadsheets, too

Another great offering from FreeOffice is PlanMaker, a free Excel alternative. Open and edit XLS and XLSX files from Excel or export your worksheets as PDFs. 

It can go beyond the basics, too, with more than 430 computing functions. It comes loaded with templates compatible with Microsoft Excel 2019, too.

Tap or click here to download FreeOffice PlanMaker.

You can edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for free with Google Drive, too. Tap or click for 15 tips and tricks power users rely on.

4. Can’t afford Photoshop? You’re not alone

Designed for advanced users, GIMP is a professional photo editor almost identical to Adobe Photoshop. The open-source software has been around, and loved, since the ‘90s. You’ll get access to many Photoshop tools, including advanced filters, text settings and layers.

And hey, you won’t have to shell out $10 (or more) a month for Photoshop anymore.

GIMP is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. Tap or click here for a direct download link and more info.

5. Or try this photo editor that runs in your browser

Sometimes you want a solid program without downloading anything. That’s where Pixlr comes in. This photo editing software runs in your browser; it’s compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Pixlr includes advanced tools like drawing and photo filters, but it’s handy for easy cropping and resizing features, too. Unlike some other browser-based options, it opens nearly image format. That includes PSD (Photoshop documents), PXD, JPEG, PNG, WebP, and SVG.

If you want to work on your smartphone, you can download a lightweight version of the program on iOS and Android. The mobile apps don’t need much space or memory. Plus, you can instantly share your creations to your social media apps.

Tap or click here to find out why it’s such an excellent option for beginners.

QUICK TECH TIP: SCAN PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS WITHOUT BUYING A SCANNER

6. On the beginner end, try Canva

Canva is not your typical photo editor. Yes, you can crop photos, add text, or resize in a snap. What makes it shine are the countless templates you can use to create your own presentations, social media graphics, greeting cards, marketing materials, posters, and anything else you need.

Canva is super easy to use, too. It’s a drag and drop, intuitive editor just about anyone will be able to navigate. You can sign up for a paid account to get access to premium images and templates. For basic use, though, a free account should give you everything you need. 

Tap or click for a direct download link and more reasons to love Canva.

7. This video player can do it all

VLC is a free, open-source media player that plays almost every audio and video file format in existence. VLC even handles webcams and streaming content and can convert media from one format to another. 

Not only is VLC powerful, but it’s also lightweight. It runs fast, and there are no ads. Love that. It’s also simple to use.

To run a video or audio file, you can drag and drop a file into the open VLC program or open it under the Media tab. The player buttons are simple and are easily accessible at the bottom of the VLC window. 

VLC runs on just about any platform, is open-source, and is frequently upgraded, unlike some free software. Tap or click here to download VLC.

8. Free audio editing software the pros use

Not only is audio track editing complex — especially for beginners — but the programs for this task can cost you an arm and a leg. Not so with Audacity, one of my favorite free programs.

It is easy to use once you get the hang of it. Even a beginner can pick up the process after a few minutes of watching tutorials on YouTube. 

If you’ve never used Audacity and the name sounds familiar, there were news stories back in July claiming policy changes to the terms and conditions effectively made Audacity spyware. After reading the policy and the company’s response, I am not concerned.

Tap or click here to edit music, podcasts, or other audio like a pro.

9. Edit video for free, too

Windows Movie Maker was one of the most popular platforms people used for editing videos for a long time. Sadly, the native PC app kicked the bucket in 2017.

Many people moved on to expensive alternatives, like Adobe Premiere Pro or Vegas Pro. If you need to edit video on the cheap, try out DaVinci Resolve 17. As with any powerful editing software, there is a learning curve. This goes beyond just simple cropping.

It’s available for Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems and allows you to make quick edits to your video clips or packages. DaVinci 17 uses artificial intelligence and smart detection technology to identify faces in clips and organize them automatically into smart folders.

It’s powerful enough to knock out basic editing, color correction, and audio post-production, along with visual effects and motion graphics.

Tap or click here to download DaVinci and see more of what it can do.

Bonus Tip: How the government and companies buy your personal data

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

We think of our gadgets as helpful tools that make our lives easier, but they can also be turned against us. The data your devices collect is so valuable it could be used against you in a criminal trial, requested by police or even bought by the government through a data broker. I sit down with Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and he reveals all the secrets you’re losing — and which devices do the most stealing.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

5 smart digital life hacks you won’t find on TikTok

My mother recently needed medical tests in another state. She asked me to carry her COVID vaccination card and said, “Be sure to put the card in a safe place where we can find it quickly.” There’s a much better way to have proof of that fragile card.

I showed Mom first how to save her vaccination card on her phone. Then, I showed her how she could access that card in seconds. Tap or click here for the steps to store and access your vaccination card on your iPhone or Android.

I love figuring out digital life hacks. They make life easier, save you money or teach you a new party trick to amaze your friends. Speaking of saving money, tap or click here for 8 proven ways to save on your streaming, cable and internet bills. 

Now, if you love short tech tips, check out my daily 60-second Digital Tech Updates on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for “Komando.” Here are five you’re going to use right away.

MAKE SURE YOU’RE GIVING YOUR TECH THESE CHECKUPS IF YOU WANT IT TO LAST

1. Find something you want to watch

Netflix has more than 15,000 titles, but now and then, you might find yourself saying, “There’s nothing on.” Netflix does an admirable job recommending what you might want to watch next based on your viewing habits. If you think it’s not working for you, or maybe the recommendations are based on your ex’s love of thrillers, do this:

  • Go to the Viewing Activity tab in your account settings.
  • Delete individual films and shows you’re not into.
  • You can also select Hide All to do a complete reset.

If you’re still endlessly scrolling, go straight to the Celebrate the Oscars section. It’s only the award winners, broken down by genre and popularity. You’re bound to get into more than a few movies or shows here. You can find a list of 2021 Emmy-nominated shows and specials, too. 

This Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, photo shows the Netflix app on an iPhone in New York. Netflix reports financial results Wednesday, Oct. 16. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

That’s just the start. Here are a handful of Netflix hacks you need to try.

2. Change your font and use less ink

Here’s something I bet you never thought about: The font that you pick for your documents determines how much ink or toner is consumed when printing. 

Let’s start with the worst font: Arial. It gobbles up over 20% more of your ink than other fonts. Unfortunately, it’s probably the most common font used on web pages. 

Now, the best font to use when printing is Times New Roman. You’ll get almost 30% more pages printed using Times New Roman over Arial. Coming in a close second is Calibri. The problem with this font is that it doesn’t come across as professional. Instead, you can use Century Gothic as an ink-saving font.

Bonus tip: It’s a fact of life. Websites have tons of ads. That can get annoying when you want to print something to save for later. Tap or click here for the trick to print a webpage without any ads or other junk.

3. Skip the video and get directions from YouTube

Have you ever watched a YouTube video to get the steps to do something and the guy or gal goes too fast? YouTube generates a hidden written transcript for every single video uploaded to its website. 

You can read exactly what the person in the video is saying and even copy and print it if you want. This secret is incredibly handy when you are getting DIY instructions. 

To see a video’s transcript, open the video in YouTube and press the three dots or the more option underneath the video’s title. Choose Transcript from the dropdown menu. The only time you won’t get a transcript is if the video owner disabled it, but that hardly ever happens. 

By the way, you can check out my YouTube channel here.

MORE TECH SMARTS: YouTube tricks and tips you’ll wish you knew sooner

4. Know who is calling without looking at your phone

When your phone rings, you take it out of your pocket and look at the screen to see who it is. What a pain, especially when it’s a spam caller trying to sell you a car warranty. By giving your different contacts their own custom vibrations, you know from the discrete buzzes if this is a call you can’t miss or one you should ignore. 

File photo (iStock)

To set it up on your iPhone, go into your Contacts, tap the person’s name, select Edit and then Text Tones. Here you can select Vibrations from a list. Maybe you select the heartbeat vibration for your partner and for your kid away at school the alert vibration. While in this menu, you can also give each contact a custom ringtone and text alert sound. 

If you’re using an Android phone, you can do the same for your contacts too. In your Contacts menu, select More and then Vibration Pattern. From now on, you’ll know exactly who is calling without picking up your phone.

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Did you know calling back a strange number can confirm your place on a spam list? You should hide your number instead. Tap or click for 5 ways to get the job done.

5. Save 70% on Amazon purchases

Ever wonder what happens to all the stuff that gets returned to Amazon? It ends up in a warehouse. Prime Day, coupons and Lightning Deals are great, but Amazon Warehouse can save you up to 70% year-round. 

It’s not really promoted on the site, but it’s where you’ll find thousands of discounted items. I just saw an Instant Pot for only $50.

Here’s the catch: Amazon Warehouse products are used. Check the quality ratings, like “Renewed” (another word for “refurbished”) and the four levels of used: “Like new,” “Very good,” “Good” and “Acceptable.” 

Now, be careful on that last one because your definition of “Acceptable” might differ from the seller’s. Pay attention to the return period, too.

If you have a Prime membership, there’s much more to take advantage of than free shipping. Tap or click for 20 of my favorite Prime perks.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Bonus Tip: Disinformation: How social media lies change history

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

Keeping you ignorant is profitable, which is why companies, governments and terrorist groups manufacture fake social media posts. Fall for them, and you’re letting strangers inject their lies into your brain. In this episode, I sit down with disinformation experts Kristy Roschke and Emerson Brooking on the scary new shadow industry designed to keep us ignorant, compliant and powerless.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

How to save text messages on iOS and Android

Not too long ago, an Instagram follower reached out to me because she lost every one of her text messages. That included a three-year thread with her husband, who just passed away. You can imagine the heartbreak.

With all we do and store on our devices, we have so much to lose. If you don’t save things the right way, you’re one crash away from your files disappearing forever. Tap or click for ways to check if your computer’s hard disk is failing.

Looking to your phone, there are messages you don’t want to lose. You can back them up using your phone’s native apps or go with a third-party option.

7 BRILLIANT WAYS YOUR SMARTPHONE CAN HELP YOU GET THINGS DONE

One great option for iPhone owners

Your iCloud account is powerful. It holds your messages, photos, mail, contacts, notes, passwords, and much more. 

Messages in iCloud are updated automatically so that you can see them across all your devices. That means if your iPhone bites the dust, you’ll be able to access your messages on a Mac, iPad, or other Apple device with your Apple ID.

Just note, when you delete a message or conversation from one device, it disappears from your account altogether.

To ensure your messages are being saved, open Settings on your iPhone and tap your name. Then tap iCloud and toggle Messages On.

Tip in a Tip: Want to organize your iPhone apps? You don’t have to move them one at a time. Move multiple apps by long-pressing on one app with one finger, then use another finger to tap and drag another icon. Stack it on the first app you selected. 

Continue stacking apps. When you’re done, drag and drop the entire stack to wherever you want. Tap or click here for more smart iPhone tricks and tips.

Or try this option

If you don’t want to rely on iCloud, iExplorer lets you access, view, and transfer music, messages, photos, and files from any iOS device to any Mac or PC.

The iExplorer SMS client works with all sorts of text messages, including groups and messages containing media like videos and images. iExplorer lets you access and save your iPhone’s messages to your Mac or PC as a .PDF, .TXT, or .CSV document.

Here’s how to transfer text messages from your iOS device to your computer:

  • Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iExplorer.
  • Click on the Data tab and then the Messages button.
  • If you haven’t created an iTunes backup on this computer, you’ll be asked if you’d like to. Choose Yes. If you already have an iTunes backup and it’s more than 24 hours old, iExplorer will ask whether you’d like to Use Last Backup or Refresh.
  • When iExplorer is finished loading your messages, choose a conversation in the left panel. Use the icons to filter by date range, show attachments, or simply export the entire conversation.

Riga, Latvia – December 3, 2019: Woman using Apple iPhone 11 Pro.

SPEED UP YOUR PC OR MAC: 5 PRO TRICKS TO QUICKLY FIND AND DELETE JUNK

For Android, try this app

If you have an Android phone, there are helpful apps that make the backup process easy. SMS Backup & Restore is a solid option with good reviews.

The app creates a local backup, in XML format, of the messages and call logs on your phone when you run it. You can do this manually or schedule recurring backups automatically. You can then save that backup to your cloud storage of choice.

The app can restore messages from existing backups, too. This includes group messages and messages containing pictures, music, and videos.

Here’s how to use SMS Backup & Restore:

  • Download and launch the app and grant the necessary permissions.
  • Tap Set Up a Backup. Turn off Call logs if you just want to back up your messages, then tap Next.
  • Select your cloud storage and log in. When you’re ready, tap Save.
  • Select your upload options: Over Wi-Fi and/or While Charging and tap Next.
  • Choose a backup frequency, then tap Back Up Now.

Speaking of Android, you can make your Android device work with your Windows PC. It’s easy! Tap or click here for the steps to connect an Android phone to a Windows 10 PC.

A woman displays new Samsung S7 (R) and S7 edge smartphones after their unveiling ceremony at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 21, 2016. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)

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Bonus Tip: Cybersecurity 101: Inside the mind of a hacker

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

Online scams reach new heights just about every month. How can you protect yourself? You need to get in the head of a criminal. That’s why Kim sat down with IBM social engineer Stephanie Carruthers, aka _sn0ww, about the surge in spam that preys on fears and confusion. Listen now to stay safe out there.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer.  

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Before you die, decide who gets access to your online accounts and digital files

Have you given any thought as to what you want to happen to your accounts, files, photos, and the rest of your online life once you’re gone? If the number of calls and requests I am getting for help on my national radio show is any indication, do it now while you’re thinking about it.

In life, it’s hard enough to keep it all secure. That’s why I continually focus on the ever-changing steps to keep you safe. Tap or click for five smartphone security steps to take now to keep hackers and scammers out.

Your phone isn’t the only target. A person with the right know-how can break into your router, your social media pages — you name it. Tap or click for a few quick privacy fixes you can do in about 10 minutes.

Let’s get your digital life in order for those you leave behind. Take a look at this list below. You may want to assign a person to be your “digital executor.” Ask your estate attorney about that.

BREAKING UP OR GETTING DIVORCED? HOW TO REMOVE YOUR EX FROM YOUR DIGITAL LIFE

1. Create a digital checklist

A digital checklist isn’t a legal document but rather a rundown of all your accounts, passwords, and online assets with instructions on how to find them. Take a look at your saved passwords in your browser so you don’t miss any accounts. Then, think of other accounts, like Venmo or Zelle.

This tech checklist can be as formal or informal as you like. It could be an Excel spreadsheet that includes websites, log-in details, and anything else you want to leave behind. If you go this route, password-protect the file and leave the password in your will. A safer option is to use a regularly updated password manager app or program. 

Alternatively, you could go low-tech using pen and paper. I selected this password notebook for my mother because it stores all her passwords, account and website log-in details in one place. Plus, for her super-secret accounts, she writes down only a password hint for herself to keep her online web account information safe. It just works.

2. Take care of Facebook

Facebook lets you name a legacy contact who can handle your account when you die. This person can write posts, update your profile photo, and get a copy of everything you did on Facebook.

  • On desktop: When you’re signed into Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings and look for Memorialization Settings.
  • On mobile: Select the three-lined Menu option in the bottom right. Scroll down to “Settings & Privacy” accordion. Tap to open that, then select Settings. From the Account menu at the top of the next screen, select Personal and Account Information > Account Ownership and Control. You’ll see “Memorialization Settings.” Click to select your legacy contact (and notify your contact they’re now in that role).

Once you have your legacy contact set, go to the Memorialization Settings. You can decide whether the person you chose can download a copy of what you’ve shared on your feed, including posts, photos, videos, and profile information.

Once a year, you will receive a reminder of the person you chose as your legacy contact. If you’re sure your person won’t change or that you’ll remember to change them if need be, you can click “stop annual reminders” in the Annual Reminder section.

If you’d rather have your account deleted after you pass away, get to the Memorialization Settings page, and scroll down. Right above the Close button, there is an option you can click that says, “Request that your account be deleted after you pass away.”

Inmates at New York State prisons will soon be given tablet computers as part of an effort to better prepare convicts for life after imprisonment. (iStock)

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3. Don’t forget about Twitter

Twitter doesn’t have the same memorial or legacy features, but it will remove an account of someone who has died. Not just anyone can ask, though. Twitter says it will work with a person authorized to act on behalf of the deceased or an immediate family member.

If you want to request an account be deleted, you can submit that here. Twitter will email you instructions. Be prepared with a copy of your ID and the person’s death certificate.

While this is doable, it is a pain. When you’re preparing for your own passing, you’re best off leaving instructions and your password in your digital checklist if you’d like anyone to be able to access your account.

4. There’s Instagram, too

Like its parent company Facebook, your family can request the deletion of your Instagram account or have it memorialized.

Instagram requires proof that the person has passed away to memorialize an account, like an obituary or news article. 

If you need to delete an Instagram account for someone who is deceased, tap or click here to fill out the report. If you choose to memorialize an account, it can’t be changed or altered in any way. This includes any previous likes, followers, tags, posts, and comments.

Looking for an old pal on social media? Here are a few tricks to locate anyone.

5. Wipe your Google account

You probably have a few things in your search, watch, and location history that you’d prefer to stay private. By setting up auto-delete, anyone with access to your account after you are gone will have access to what you want them to see.

Here’s the good news: As of June 2020, Google auto-deletes account records after 18 months by default. If you want to shorten that window, you can in a few steps.

  • Go to your Google Activity controls and log in with your Google account.
  • Under Web & App Activity, you’ll see Auto-delete. Be sure this is turned On.
  • Click the arrow to choose your preferred timeframe: 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months.

MORE GOOGLE SMARTS: 7 tricks for expert searches

6. Lock down your phone

Most of us don’t want anyone going through our phones once we’re gone. If you do, share the code in your digital checklist. Otherwise, follow these steps. 

On an iPhone, enable Erase data. With this option enabled, everything will be wiped from your device after 10 failed passcode attempts. Sure, 10 is a lot of tries, but there are 10,000 possible combinations if your passcode is four digits. 

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Enter your password. At the bottom of the menu you will see “Clear data”. Slide the button to the right to enable this setting.

Warning: If you have children, you must make backups regularly. Otherwise, if a little one gets your phone and tries unsuccessfully to unlock it more than 10 times, you could lose everything.

Sadly, this feature isn’t native to Android phones, so you’ll need a third-party app.

Cooperation with contact tracers is key in helping to interrupt the chain of virus transmission. (iStock)

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7. Share your bank and financial details with someone you trust

Here’s another major headache for the loved ones that you leave behind. Trying to access financial sites and bank accounts after someone passes is a big undertaking. 

When you’re compiling your digital checklist, be sure to include any accounts a trusted family member or friend may need access to. Include your bank, 401K or any other retirement accounts, investment accounts, and any other place you have funds stored.

Be sure they are all locked down in the meantime. Tap or click for 5 critical settings so hackers can’t access your bank accounts.

8. Share or download your photos

While the idea of someone swiping through your search history and text messages is a bit unsettling, there is one thing you might want to pass along: Your photos.

All the pictures you’ve taken over the years can paint a beautiful picture of your life. You can do this in a few ways. 

If you only want to share specific photos, start gathering them up now and add them to a folder in your photo or cloud service of choice. Share them now or wait until later, but you will need to do this while you’re still able.

You can also download a copy of all your photos or select images and store them on your computer or an external drive. Make sure, of course, the password to your computer is in your digital checklist.

If you’re an Apple user, it’s simple to download all your iCloud photos to a Mac. Open the Photos app, then click Photos > Preferences. A menu will pop up. Choose iCloud at the top, and click the box next to “Download originals to this Mac.”

If you use Google Photos, easily archive all your photos outside of Google’s cloud storage using Google Takeout. Select only Photos and you can even choose which albums to include in the download. This download could be huge if you have years of photos stored.

Bonus Tip: Cybersecurity 101: Go inside the mind of a black hat hacker

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

Online scams reach new heights just about every month. How can you protect yourself? You need to get in the head of a criminal. That’s why Kim sat down with IBM social engineer Stephanie Carruthers, aka _sn0ww, about the surge in spam that preys on fears and confusion. Listen now to stay safe out there.

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Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

Trump barred from Twitter, but Taliban spokesman tweets away

Twitter’s standards were called into question on Sunday after users pointed out that a key Taliban spokesman has been using the platform to give updates about the group’s advance within the country while former President Trump’s account remains permanently suspended.

Zabihullah Mujahid’s account is not verified but has nearly 280,000 followers and is regularly cited by major news outlets. He recently tweeted an update on “military units” entering Kabul. He wrote that their “advance is continuing normally.”

Jerome Riviere, the French politician, took to Twitter and posted: “Freedom and democracy are not doing well when #Twitter continues to ban #Trump’s account but relays the #Taliban spokesperson’s without any second thoughts.”

Twitter did not immediately respond to an after-hours email from Fox News seeking comment. 

On Jan. 8, Twitter announced on its blog that Trump’s account, which had over 80 million followers, was permanently suspended. The reasoning was that keeping the @realDonaldTrump account active would increase the risk of “further incitement of violence.”

The decision came after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Twitter pointed to a twee from the former president on Jan. 8 that read: “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!”

PSAKI WILL BE ‘OUT OF THE OFFICE’ FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS 

The Taliban swept into Afghanistan’s capital Sunday after the government collapsed and the embattled president joined an exodus of his fellow citizens and foreigners, signaling the end of a costly two-decade U.S. campaign to remake the country.

The Taliban is known for carrying out attacks that have killed thousands of civilians in the country. The Taliban, from 1996 to 2001, barred women from receiving educations or leaving a house without a male relative, Reuters reported.

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The Taliban insisted that their fighters would not enter people’s homes or interfere with businesses and said they would offer “amnesty” to those who worked with the Afghan government or foreign forces.

But there have been reports of revenge killings and other brutal tactics in areas of the country the Taliban have seized in recent days.

The Biden administration has been under criticism for appearing to miscalculate the speed in which Taliban fighters were able to take over the country. Biden’s critics also blame the White House for remaining relatively quiet while the country fell. 

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One member of Congress said on foreign affairs committee call: “We’ve heard more from the Taliban than we’ve heard from Biden.”

Trump, for his part, issued a statement on Sunday calling for Biden to “resign in disgrace.”

“It is time for Joe Biden to resign in disgrace for what he has allowed to happen to Afghanistan, along with the tremendous surge in COVID, the Border catastrophe, the destruction of energy independence, and our crippled economy,” the former president wrote in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Your Apple Watch can only save your life if you turn on these features

I’m not surprised anymore when I see stories of people who say the Apple Watch saved their lives. From fall detection to heart-rate monitoring, that little piece of tech can spotlight issues that could go unnoticed with dire consequences.

Of course, you need to make sure your other gadgets are ready to aid you in an emergency, too. Tap or click for built-in phone settings that make it easier to call 911, alert others of medical conditions, and more.

Alerts can go a long way, too. Tap or click for notifications you can turn on to make life easier and keep you safer.

Now, grab your Apple Watch and let’s get the must-have health features set up.

First, set up the Health app

Your Apple Watch works in tandem with your iPhone, so you need to start there. The Health app allows you to enter details about your body, like your height, weight and blood type. There are several other options you can choose to include or skip. Here’s how to access it:

  • Open the Health app.
  • Select your profile picture in the top right-hand corner.
  • Click on Health Details.
  • Enter your information.

Check your heart rate

While your Apple Watch won’t give you a perfect reading of your heart rate, it can give you a close estimate. To check, open the Heart Rate app on your Apple Watch. You will see your current heart rate, resting rate, and walking average rate. 

As long as your watch is on, it takes regular readings of your heart rate and saves the data.

If you want to view previous heart rates, press the arrow in the upper left corner of the app.

Apple CEO Tim Cook stands in front of a screen displaying apps available for the Apple Watch at a presentation at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California October 16, 2014.
(REUTERS/Robert Galbraith)

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Take an electrocardiogram

With an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, you can take an electrocardiogram, an ECG or EKG. This test records the timing and strength of your heartbeat. Doctors often use these tests to look for irregularities.

An important note: This feature is not a replacement for seeing your physician. Always consult a doctor if you feel uncomfortable or notice a change in your heart’s rhythm or any other aspect of your health. 

You’ll first need to install and set up the ECG app. Here’s how:

  • Open the Health app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the Browse tab, then tap Heart > Electrocardiograms (ECG) > Set Up ECG App.
  • After you complete the setup, open the ECG app.

If you still don’t see the app on your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap Heart. In the ECG section, tap Install.

How to take an ECG:

  • Make sure your Apple Watch is snug and on the wrist that you selected in the Apple Watch app. To check, open the Apple Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Watch Orientation.
  • Open the ECG app on your watch.
  • Rest your arms on a table or in your lap.
  • With the hand opposite your watch, hold your finger on the Digital Crown (the small dial on the side of your watch). You don’t need to press the Digital Crown during the session.
  • Wait. The recording takes 30 seconds. At the end of the recording, you will receive a classification; then you can tap Add Symptoms and choose your symptoms.
  • Tap Save to note any symptoms, then tap Done.

Fall detection

Do a quick search and you’ll see how many lives this feature has saved. Once turned on, if the watch detects a fall, it can contact emergency services to get you help. To set it up:

  • Open the Watch app.
  • Swipe down.
  • Select Emergency SOS.
  • Tap the switch to enable Fall Detection.

Now that Fall Detection is enabled, it will sound an alarm if you fall. If you don’t respond, Apple will contact emergency services.

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Set up Medical ID

Everyone needs to do this step. You can create your Medical ID in the iPhone Health app and store it on your watch. Open the Health app, and tap on the Medical ID option. You can add your past medical history, allergies, medications and any other details in the event of an emergency.

Blood oxygen sensor

If you have the Apple Watch Series 6, you can monitor your blood oxygen levels. The watch comes with a built-in oximeter to let you know if you have a healthy amount of oxygen circulating in your blood. Again, don’t use this in place of a doctor if you are experiencing any breathing-related issues.

When tracking your blood oxygen level, you should see a number between 95 and 100. If you get repeat readings lower than that, contact your doctor.

To set this up:

  • Open the Health app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the Browse tab, then tap Respiratory > Blood Oxygen > Set up Blood Oxygen.
  • After you complete setup, open the Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch.

To take a blood oxygen measurement:

  • Make sure that your watch is snug but still comfortable.
  • Open the Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch.
  • Stay still. Keep your wrist flat, with the watch facing up.
  • Tap Start. Keep your arm steady for 15 seconds. At the end of the measurement, you will receive the results.
  • Tap Done.

Bonus Tip: She passed away. Then he turned her into an AI chatbot.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

When tragedy struck, Joshua Barbeau decided to cope with the loss of his girlfriend by creating a chatbot based on her personality. In this podcast, I sat down with him as well as AI developer Jason Rohrer, who created a program you can use to create your own personalized chatbots for just $5. It’s creepy and insanely fascinating at the same time.

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Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

Make sure you’re giving your tech these checkups if you want it to last

You get regular oil changes, and you remember — even if it’s late — to swap out your AC filters from time to time. Life is full of maintenance, and our tech shouldn’t be any different.

When you invest hundreds or, more likely thousands, of dollars into a gadget, you want it to last. That means some easy upkeep for your phone to keep your ports clear, your screen protected, and your phone’s hardware running strong. Tap or click here for my guide to making your smartphone run like new, inside and out.

The sad truth is all your tech is probably a little gross. It’s not hard to clean it up; you simply need to know the best ways to do it, so you don’t scratch your screens or much worse. Tap or click for steps to make your keyboard, screens, mouse, earbuds, and more sparkle.

Finding and fixing problems early is critical if you want to make your gadgets last. It’s easier than you think.

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1. Know the signs of malware and viruses

Sorry to break it to you, iPhone users. Your phone is not immune to viruses. Sure, the App Store is generally a little more strict than Google’s Play Store, but you’re not entirely safe from tricky malware and smart cybercriminals. This is especially true if your phone is jailbroken.

If your iPhone or Android smartphone is feeling a little off, malware could be to blame. Here are some signs to watch for:

  • An unexplained surge in data use
  • Apps crashing repeatedly
  • Battery draining quicker than normal
  • Excessive pop-ups
  • Apps on your phone you don’t remember downloading
  • Lagging or overall slow performance
  • Your phone is hot to the touch even when you’re not using it

If you have an iPhone, there are several steps you can take to wipe out malicious software. Sometimes deleting an offending app is enough. You may have to wipe your phone entirely. 

Be sure you backup your contacts, photos, videos and all the rest before you do. Tap or click for steps to remove viruses from your iPhone or iPad.

If you have a Samsung phone, scan it using the pre-installed Smart Manager. This app lets you check your battery usage, storage, and memory. It can also scan your phone for malicious software and block phishing attacks and malicious websites. To use it, open Smart Manager from the apps screen, tap Device security, then SCAN DEVICE.

Your best bet to avoid any attempts to plant malicious software: Keep your phone updated.

2. How is your battery health?

Bad habits die hard, and you might leave your phone plugged in constantly or find yourself always on 1% battery.

If you’re that person who always has a dying or dead battery, it’s important to make sure it’s just bad charging habits and not something worse.

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. This screen will show you your phone’s maximum battery capacity and peak performance capacity. If your phone is older, your capacity will be below 100%. You will get a notification if your battery health has significantly degraded. 

For even more details, check out an app I like, coconutBattery. Tap or click for a link to download and more iPhone battery tips.

You should also turn on Optimized Battery Charging. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Optimized Battery Charging and make sure it is enabled. This will reduce the time your battery spends fully charged. It also takes your charging habits into account and won’t charge past 80% unless you need it.

Page through the settings on your Android phone to find a similar report, or you can use a third-party app. Tap or click for a direct link to my pick, AccuBattery.

Then make sure you have the proper settings enabled to keep your battery healthy.

If you have a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Device Care > Optimize Now > Battery. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Battery and turn on Adaptive Battery.

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A few charging rules of thumb:

  • Don’t keep your phone under your blanket or pillow at night.
  • Avoid super cheap charging cables. At best, they won’t last long. At worst, they are a fire hazard.
  • If you wake up in the night and see your phone is fully charged, unplug it. It won’t make a huge difference, but it certainly won’t hurt.

3. Diagnose phone hardware issues

If malware isn’t to blame and your battery is just fine, try running a diagnostic test to rule out any other smartphone issues. 

For iPhones, you’ll need a third-party app. TestM is a popular diagnostic app that performs more than 20 tests on your phone, including checking its cameras, touch screen, speakers, gyroscope, accelerometer, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, cellular, light sensor, charger and more.

Most tests require you to take an action, like drawing on the screen or testing your microphone. After you’re done, you’ll get a full report listing the health of your phone’s various hardware components.

You can get TestM from the Google Play Store for your Android phone, too. Phone Check and Test is another option. It runs diagnostics on your Android phone’s cellular, Wi-Fi, display, touchscreen, GPS, audio, camera, sensors, storage, memory, CPU, and battery — similar to TestM.

4. Analyze your laptop battery

Like your phone’s battery, the one in your laptop needs proper care to last for years. 

On a Windows laptop, this requires a few steps. Stick with me. First, you need to create the report.

  • Search for PowerShell in the lower-left search box in Windows.
  • On the menu that opens, you will see Windows PowerShell. Right-click and choose Run as administrator. You will need to authorize PowerShell to make changes to your PC.
  • Once it’s open, copy or type in the following command: powercfg /batteryreport /output “C:battery-report.html” then hit Enter.
  • You will see a message in PowerShell with the location where the report was saved. In most cases, it will be the C drive.

Next, take these steps to view the report:

  • Type Windows File Explorer into the search box in the bottom left of Windows to access the C drive.
  • You should see a file labeled battery-report.html. Double-click the file to open it.
  • The report outlines your laptop battery’s health and how much longer it might last.

If you have a MacBook, follow these simple steps:

  • Hold down the Option key and click on the Apple menu.
  • Select on System Information.
  • Scroll down to Hardware > Power > Cycle Count.
  • The closer you are to 1,000 cycles, the lower your battery performance will be.

For even more info on your MacBook battery, try out coconutBattery, linked above in step 2.

Need a new laptop? We can help. My tech team built a smart quiz that takes 60 seconds to find you your perfect match. Tap or click here to take the quiz.

Apple’s newest iPhone 6 is not acceptable currency in Buddhist temples.
(Reuters)

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5. Check your computer’s hardware, too

Luckily, running diagnostics on your Mac and PC is more straightforward than doing it on your smartphone. Computers come with built-in tools that are easy to use.

Windows 10 has the Performance Monitor app, which can find and diagnose issues on your PC. 

  • Click the Start menu and search for Performance Monitor. Give it some time to gather the data.
  • On the left-hand side, click Reports > System > System Diagnostics > [Computer Name] to check out your system hardware.

The Windows Memory Diagnostic runs a memory test on your RAM. If your computer is crashing or slow, this could be the culprit. Press Windows + R to get the Run window, type mdsched.exe and hit Enter to test your RAM. You will need to restart your computer to do this.

Apple Diagnostics checks your Mac for hardware issues. The tool offers suggestions for fixes and can put you in touch with tech support, too. 

First, shut down your Mac, then disconnect all external devices except for the keyboard, mouse, display, Ethernet connection (if you have one), and power connection.

If your Mac is fairly new, it may have an Apple silicon processor rather than one from Intel. Use About This Mac to determine which one you have.

If you have an Apple silicon chip:

  • Turn on your Mac and press and hold the power button as your Mac boots up.
  • Release the button when you see the startup options window.
  • Press Command-D on your keyboard.

For Intel-based Macs:

  • Turn on your Mac then press and hold the D key as your Mac boots up.
  • Release the button when you see a progress bar or when you’re asked to choose a language.

Wait for the test to complete, then view the results.

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Bonus Tip: How we tracked down an online troll and stalker

Dana called my national radio show for help because her 18-year-old daughter was being stalked by someone she met on Tinder. Then, the stalker put Dana’s photo and cellphone number on porn site ads. We tracked the stalker down and tell you how we did it.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player. Or you can listen here on my site.

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Copyright 2021, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.

Apple exec says she was placed on leave after raising sexism concerns, other workplace issues

An Apple senior engineering program manager said she was placed on indefinite administrative leave Wednesday after raising concerns about sexism, a hostile work environment and unsafe working conditions. 

Ashley M. Gjøvik told The Verge she asked Apple to mitigate the hostile work environment while they investigate” the claims she had been bringing up for months and they offered her therapy through the Employee Assistance Program or medical leave.    

“I told them that made no sense, and said they should talk to my leadership and set up oversight and boundaries,” she said. “I added that if there was no other option they could give me paid administrative leave. They apparently made no effort to set boundaries and instead said they were placing me on administrative leave and implied they did not want me on Slack where I had been vocal about my concerns with certain policies at the company.” 

She added the company implied she shouldn’t meet one-on-one with other female Apple employees to discuss their concerns about similar issues.                                                             

NEW YORKERS REACT TO CUOMO SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORT 

Late last month, Gjøvik retweeted a New York Times story in which several women who worked at Google said they had been offered EAP therapy or administrative leave after they spoke up about alleged workplace misconduct instead of launching an investigation into the allegations or dragging it on for months.                                                                                       

“This happened to me at #Apple too,” Gjøvik tweeted along with the article. 

She also tweeted Wednesday that she meant “physically unsafe; #dangerous chemicals; #OSHA. You’ll hear much more about this in a bit.”                               

Gjøvik tweeted screenshots of the alleged sexism she experienced at Apple, which included being told she shouldn’t go “up an octave” at the end of her statements because she would sound less authoritative. 

And after sending an email asking for the company to give support to women and speak out against sexual misconduct during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, she said she was sent a link to an article that said Ruth Bader Ginsburg had defended him as “very decent.” 

She added that the company had previously tried to “quickly brush …off” her complaints and “prevented me from raising more concerns” during a previous investigation that was later closed with the company concluding nothing inappropriate had occurred, according to The Verge. 

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She said for this investigation she gave the company 558 pieces of evidence to review.       

Gjøvik and Apple didn’t immediately respond to Fox News’ late-night requests for comment.