In recent weeks, both Twitter and Facebook have made headlines for laying off a significant number of employees. An estimated 7500 employees were laid off at Twitter and it’s been reported that Meta (Facebook’s parent company) laid off more than 11,000. While these layoffs are undoubtedly having an impact on the companies themselves, they also raise important questions about what they could mean for the users of these social media platforms. Quite frankly, I’m shocked this isn’t one of the main takeaways from all of this. Let’s take a closer look at the potential implications of these layoffs.
Less Money for Innovation And Expansion
One of the most immediate impacts of these layoffs is that there will be less money available for innovation on Twitter and Facebook. This is because, when a company lays off employees, it is also losing its collective knowledge and expertise. In a lot of cases, these budgets get cut along with the workforce. For example, when Facebook laid off its team of Trending Topics curators, it lost a wealth of experience and knowledge about what topics are being talked about online. As a result, the company has been forced to rely more heavily on algorithms to surface Trending Topics, with mixed results.
In addition, with fewer employees working on a given project, there is less capacity for trial and error. This means that we can expect to see fewer new features being rolled out across all social media platforms in the coming months. So if you’re waiting for that new Facebook update or that new Twitter tool, you may have to wait a little longer than usual.
Fewer Customer Service Resources
Another potential impact of the social media layoffs is that there may be fewer customer service resources available to users. This is because, when companies lay off employees, they often do so in areas where they feel they can save the most money. And customer service is typically one of those areas. If you’ve noticed that it’s taking a bit longer to get a response from Twitter or Facebook when you report a problem, this is likely why.
An Increase In Social Media Scams
Hackers are opportunists (the good kind and bad). There are already numerous social media scams hitting every social media platform out there. I highly suspect that social media scams attacking Facebook and Twitter users will ramp up in the coming weeks.
Yes, many of these layoffs have been those in roles of management (at least with Twitter). But we don’t know the entire scope of which departments and job titles were impacted. These companies are going to hesitate to release a detailed itemized sheet of what people and departments were affected the most. Regardless, your personal data being stored on any of these social media companies’ servers could be at risk. Heck…they’re always at risk when budgets are endless and companies do have all the resources. So what should you do?
Quick + Effective Ways To Protect Your Social Media Accounts
Enable 2FA Where Possible
Two-factor authentication (2FA), a sort of multi-factor authentication (MFA), is a security procedure that cross-verifies people using two separate types of identity. This type of added security feature will help you get that extra layer of protection in addition to putting in your password. In my opinion, if ANY platform, app, website, etc. will allow you to enable 2FA…YOU DO IT. The good news is both Facebook and Twitter have the option to enable two-factor authentication. Is it annoying to use at times? I’d be lying if I said “No.” But considering how much personal information and data these social media servers have on you…it would be very wise to enable 2FA.
You’d be surprised how some people never change their passwords. You’d be even more surprised by the number of people that have dumb passwords that can easily be hacked. I’ve detailed exactly how you can make your passwords strong and more secure.
This one is especially useful for those who have multiple users who access social media accounts. One thing I despise about Facebook is how you have to have a personal account to run ads. I’ve seen some ad management accounts with half a dozen people tied to them. Each one of these is a potential entry point and cyber security risk. If you have ANY social media account (business branded or personal) where more than one person accesses it, I would get LastPass Password Manager right now to help with password management. We have an entire beginner’s guide to LastPass if you want to dive into the details.
The layoffs at Twitter and Facebook are undoubtedly having an impact on the companies and their users. With fewer resources available for innovation and customer service, users can expect to see fewer new features and may have difficulty getting help when they need it. However, it’s important to remember that social media platforms are still incredibly popular and widely used despite these challenges. While the layoffs may be having an impact in the short term, it’s unlikely that they will have a significant long-term effect on either company’s bottom line.
A few months ago, I made the switch from using Google Photos to another photo-storage service. It was a hard decision to make at first, but after I realized how much better this alternative is…I realized I should have made the change sooner. I had been using Google Photos for years and was really happy with it. Honestly, I don’t have many complaints about it other than…I need more storage. Another issue is I found that I was starting to have some privacy concerns. Not security concerns because those are entirely different.
But as I was uploading another massive dump of personal video and image files (and realizing Google now has smart AI that scans every image uploaded to their servers), I came to the realization that Google has a lot of data on me already. And quite honestly, I didn’t want them to have access to all my family photos as well. So…I researched and found a great alternative I now use. Here’s why I made the switch and what I use instead.
As much as I loved using Google Photos, I just couldn’t get past the fact that Google would have access to all my family photos. Okay…are they going to do anything with that data? I don’t think so. BUT…it was a personal decision for me. And we’re not just talking about any photos, these are photos and videos of my kids and grandkids! Even though it meant saying goodbye to some features that I really liked (like automatic backup and easy sharing), I decided to switch to a different service.
There are a few different options out there for photo storage, but the one I settled on is Synology Photos. This photo management service is great because it offers many of the same features as Google Photos (automatic backup, easy sharing, etc) PLUS some insane photo management enhancements that are next-level. Here are some of the incredible things Synology Photos can do:
Super fast interface. Most photo management software can have image load issues (even the good ones). Not Synology Photos. You can easily find all your photos quickly.
Intelligent organization. You can customize albums. Set conditions on albums. And using smart technology, find any photo using facial recognition and other ways like tags.
Photo backup in multiple locations
No subscriptions. No ads. No fees. No limitation of space if I have big enough hard drives
Intuitive app for both Android and iPhone. What I love about the app is it will automatically send your photos to your NAS in the background. You can literally have a photo uploaded within 15 seconds. One of the best and most efficient photo backup methods out there.
What Do I Need To Use Synology Photos
For starters, you will need a Synology NAS device. My favorite is the Synology DiskStation DS420j. As a side note, Synology Photos will replace Synology’s Photo Station and Moments. You’ll also need DSM (DiskStation Manager) 7.0. You’ll also need the Advanced Media Extensions and codec pack. Once you have these prereqs, you’ll need to be running as a DSM administrator.
Step 1: Go to Package Center and find Synology Photos. You’ll want to install it. Once finished (inside the DSM), you’ll need to go to the Main Menu and select Synology Photos.
Step 2: Through the Quickconnect ID, navigate to DSM Control Panel, then Login Portal, then Applications. Select Synology Photos and in the Alias, field add “photo”.
Step 3: Make sure to replace Your_QuickConnect_ID with your information. Here is some more info on QuickConnect if you are having trouble.
Step 4: You’ll be inundated with a bunch of pages about all the intros and details. You can read them if you want. Once finished, select Enable The People album in my Personal Space. You can enable/disable this whenever you want.
Step 5: Download the mobile app (which I highly recommend).
Step 6: Once you have familiarized yourself with the application and how Synology Photos operates, invite other users (start with family).
How Do I Transfer Photos And Videos From Google Photos To Synology Photos?
There’s an easy way to do this. And there’s the hard way. I HIGHLY suggest NOT doing it the hard way. And we’ve all done it before. It’s more manual work and requires you to download all your files (photos and videos) from Google Photos to a PC (or external hard drive) with enough storage space.
The Hard Way
Depending on how large those files are…this could take some time to download. You can also use Google Takeout. I have a thorough step-by-step guide on how to use Google Takeout to export your Google Files. From there, you’ll get a .zip file and you’ll have to extract it and delete all the JSON files in that folder. Once you’re in Synology Photos (open File Station, etc), you’ll want to drag that Google Photos folder from your hard drive on your PC (or wherever you downloaded your Google Photos data) and drop it into Synology Photos. Honestly, I’d make sure you have some time on your hands because this could take a while. Synology Photos will index all the photos to make sure you can utilize all of its features.
In the Synology Package Center, you’ll want to find and install the Cloud Sync. Once installed, open it and select Google Drive. The Google Account access popup window will appear and you’ll need to use the Google account where your Google Photos are located. This is really important. After that, select Allow so Cloud Sync can access your Google Drive data.
You’ll be redirected to the DiskStation Manager page where you’ll need to select a new sync task. You’ll want to find the Local path folder in your NAS because that’s where you’ll store your files from Google. And..you’ll want to use the Remote Path (the source folder in Google drive) to sync. You’ll want to choose the Sync direction (the most common is Bidirectional) and then hit Next.
Should You Make The Switch To Synology Photos?
Making the switch from Google Photos to NAS with Diskstation wasn’t easy at first, but it was worth it for me in terms of privacy and the features are just heads and shoulders better. If you’re looking for an alternative to Google Photos, using Synology Photos is the best option, especially if you are already using a NAS device like Synology.
Technology is designed to make our lives easier, but all too often technology and our devices have the opposite effect. With so many choices and options, it’s easy to get bogged down in the details and lose sight of what’s important. In this digital world, it’s easy to get distracted. And oftentimes those moments of constant distraction add up. That’s the problem: technology is a double-edged sword that when used ineffectively hinders our ability in life to grow and develop.
On the other hand, when used appropriately where we harness the good from it, technology can empower our lives and make them easier. This is one of my chief reasons for starting this website. And that’s also why I’ve put together a list of my favorite Android apps that are perfect for those who want to be more productive. From to-do lists to calendar management, these apps will help you make the most of your time and energy. And more importantly, they’ll help you actually utilize your devices in a way that doesn’t control you.
I’m a very busy person. My time is really important to me. It’s not just the “time is money” mantra either. Time is time for me and any moment I can savor to spend more of it with family and friends, I’m going to do what I can do to squeeze more time out of life. I hate wasting it. This is why I believe leveraging technology to stay productive and organized is one of those key elements to earning me more time in life.
Here are a handful of my favorite Android apps for productivity. Some of these I use for my family life and some of these I use for work. Regardless, they are great apps to help increase your productivity:
1. Todoist
This app is perfect for those who have a lot on their plate. With Todoist, you can create custom to-do lists for each member of the family or work, set deadlines and reminders, and track your progress over time. You can prioritize tasks, so you can push aside the fluff and really focus on what matters. You can also share lists with other members of the family or work so everyone is on the same page.
I had to put this one right underneath Todoist because they serve the same purpose. If you know me, you’ll know I love Google products. Google Tasks is no exception. This task manager is a phenomenal to-do list app for people looking for an easy to to use, yet effective tool. Because it’s a Google tool, it integrates seamlessly with Gmail, Google Calendar, and many more. You can create tasks right in your calendar, make deadlines and due dates, create reminders, add as many details as you want, create subtasks, and access all of them from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. If you’re someone who loves the world of Google, this task app is great.
Google Calendar is a must-have for anyone that wants to be more organized and productive. With this app, you can easily keep track of events, appointments, and Birthdays. The iOS calendar functions the same way, but because I utilize so many Google tools and products, using Google Calendar is a no-brainer. With this app, you can also set up reminders so you never forget an important date again. Google Calendar integrates with Gmail and Google Tasks, making it even easier to keep track of your family’s schedule and your personal work schedule as well.
Evernote is perfect for those who need to capture ideas and memories on the go. With this app, you can take notes, create voice memos, and even snap photos and save them for later. Evernote makes it easy to access your notes from any device, making it a great choice for families who are always on the go. Evernote is probably the most powerful note-taking app. Not only is it one of the most popular apps in this category, everything it does from the organization, to cross-device syncing, and impeccable note-taking features makes it hard to find a close second. On that note, Google Keep is a free option (which syncs with other Google products). I just don’t think Keep is as powerful as Evernote.
I’ve ranted and raved about how much I love LastPass. Is it a productivity app? Yes! I save so much time plus my online accounts are secure because of this app. LastPass essentially stores all your personal and business login details for websites, other apps, and anything that would require a password. Before I had LastPass, I couldn’t begin to tell you how much time I wasted trying to find usernames and passwords or being locked out of an account. LastPass resolves all of that and more.
When it comes to communication, especially in business matters, Slack is one of the best productivity apps. So much time is wasted on poor communication AND poor organization of correspondence (emails, texts, etc). Slack is a tool to help organize operational efforts and communication into teams and channels. It integrates with hundreds of other platforms and apps (like Google Drive, Trello, Harvest, etc) making Slack a must-have productivity app.
This productivity app is one of the most effective tools for organizing work and workflows. Trello is one of the best task managers out there. I’ve used it in my personal life as well as with small and large business settings. Trello allows you to create boards to help you stay organized with projects and tasks. It’s based on a Kanban method of project management, but it’s more than that. With its ability to integrate with Dropbox, Google Drive, and more…Trello is a next-level task manager for individuals, families, and businesses.
Productivity apps are supposed to make personal and work life more efficient. There are so many great Android apps out there that it can be tough to choose which ones to use. Some of these I mentioned above overlap in terms of purpose (life Todist and Google Tasks). But if you’re looking for apps that will help you be more productive (with the family or in business), these are a great place to start. Don’t feel obligated to download all of these right now. Start with one. Learn it. Make the app work for you, then try another one.
Nowadays, you can never be too safe or too prepared. We all know our world is much more different than it used to be and a bit scarier, too. Thanks to social media, we’ve seen a huge increase in scams and hackers trying out new ways to fool and scam people of all ages. As we’ve discussed before, predators are using the newest technology to follow their victims to work or their homes using Bluetooth Tracking Devices. Although social media may share some horror stories, it is also sharing ways to prevent predators and avoid their tricks.
For example, TikTok has people sharing “what to do if you see this on your car” or “what to do if you feel like you’re being followed” etc. There are a ton of educational videos geared toward women, parents, and young adults about personal safety. Unfortunately, we still live in a world where women are more often assaulted, raped, kidnapped, and attacked. Here’s where social media and apps can actually be of use: Personal Safety Apps and Alerts.
Listen ladies, if you’ve ever needed to text your mom, sister, friend, or anyone else your location when you’ve gone out by yourself, then this is for you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out with friends or even gone out to the grocery store, and if I don’t let my mother know I arrived safely, she’ll send the brigade out to find me. I’m definitely the type of friend that makes sure my friends get home safely, which I’m sure I got from my mother. To be honest, I learned about these personal safety apps from a friend. These apps are-game changers!
Watch Over Me
Watch Over Me is a security app for both Android and iOS systems. Xin-Ci Chin created this app after she survived a kidnapping and rape attempt in 2012. She realized that although there were plenty of GPS apps, there wasn’t the right app that would alert the police or authorities. Watch Over Me is an app that you share your location with, when you want to be “watched over,” and when you’re safe. Those are the basics, but you can shake your phone when you need the authorities alerted. The original app is free, but you can get increased text message alerts, etc. for $4.99 a year.
bSafe
bSafe is a safety and security app featuring Voice Activation, Live Streaming, Automatic Recording, Fake Call, Timer Alarm, or the Follow Me function. Creator Charlen was raped and after, she and her father discussed ways they could have prevented the attack. They started the creation process for bSafe. To me, the coolest feature is the guardian feature which allows users to have a select list of people who the app will alert for their location or in an emergency situation. It looks like bSafe is still working with investors and partners.
Noonlight
Noonlight is another safety and security app that even works with other apps like Tinder to share details that are important in an emergency. This app uses a Safety Network similar to the bSafe guardians, where users can select a number of emergency contacts in the event they need help. Noonlight is available on both Android and iOS systems and offers a three-tier pricing system. Basic is a free service and includes the safety button, timeline feature, safety network, and advanced profile. Some of these features are limited depending on your phone system. Instant Access is $5.00 per month and only works with iOS platforms. It adds in a phone widget, Apple Watch app access, and syncs to Uber and Lyft apps. The Total Protection plan for iOS platforms is $10.00 per month and includes crash response, Alexa skill, Google Home Service, and you can sync IFTTT applets.
WanderSafe
WanderSafe app is a free safety travel app available for both Android and iOS platforms. It includes a Jeni buddy, who is a digital safety companion, is available to listen when or if the user feels unsafe or safe. This app has a built-in silent SOS feature, that can be discreetly activated and let your emergency contact list and emergency responders know your location. The app also has a crisis mode that allows a voice activation SOS feature for when you may not have your phone in your hands, but it’s near you. WanderSafe is the first app to create a safety Beacon device which is a flashlight, strobe, silent, and loud alarm. It retails for $79.99. WanderSafe Shakti is a mini Beacon version that offers the same features in a more travel-friendly version. It retails for $39.99.
One Scream is another safety app with a unique system as it’s a voice or scream-activated safety system. Just like many of the other apps, this is a woman-created app designed to keep us ladies safe. It’s available on both Android and iOS platforms for $2.99 a month or $26.99 a year. It does have an Android-only feature of an open line when it hears the scream or panic phrase. Once activated, it sends an alert to your emergency contacts and first responders.
There are more apps available for personal safety and security, too. As always, be open with your children and loved ones about safety and security on apps, the internet, and traveling. If you’re interested in other nifty tech gadgets while traveling, take a look at our suggestions.
We live in a world of digital connectivity where maintaining one’s security while surfing the internet or doing anything online is critical. Having a VPN service can help achieve this by making your browsing private. But not everyone wants to subscribe to a VPN service. In some regards, these VPN services have their drawbacks, as setting up VPN software one by one on every single device OR turning it on every time you want to surf the web can be a little time-consuming.
Thankfully, VPN routers provide an easier-to-use solution if you want VPN protection on your devices and your home network. These VPN routers work similarly to your typical routers but offer a secure network to all devices connected to them. These routers make it simple to set up a VPN connection.
If you are looking for VPN routers, you are probably already familiar with VPNs’ security and privacy benefits. They encrypt your data helping you stay anonymous when surfing the web and even accessing websites that are banned in your area.
Even though you can set up a VPN on any device connected to your regular Wi-Fi router, we still recommend investing in a good VPN router, as it provides various other benefits, as given below.
Automatic Connectivity
You will no longer have to turn your VPN on with a router manually. You will be connected to the VPN as soon as you join the network of the VPN router.
Protect Every Device
As mentioned earlier, any device connected to a VPN router’s Wi-Fi is automatically connected to the VPN network, ensuring protection on devices like smartphones, televisions, and those that generally do not have VPN software support.
Now that you know a little about the benefits of having a VPN router, there are some factors that you have to consider when choosing one that is best for you.
Frequency
Many VPN routers provide a 2.4 GHz or a 5 GHz frequency, so it is best to know the use of both and choose accordingly. Firstly, the 2.4 GHz band’s Wi-Fi connection is slower but has an excellent range. On the other hand, the 5 GHz frequency supports high-quality streaming but is less powerful.
Encryption and Security
Privacy is probably the most important factor you should consider when choosing a VPN router. It is best to look for VPN routers that support Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and IP Security (IPsec) encryption and protocols, as they are better and more secure.
Speed
The speed and reliability of VPN routers are generally related to encryption standards. When choosing the best VPN router, you do not want one that provides security but makes gaming, streaming, or browsing processes slow and aggravating.
With so many different VPN routers on the market, it can be a little tough to figure out the right option for your home. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best VPN routers. If you’re looking for a powerful router for your home or office that will get you premium protection, won’t cause your network to slow down, and won’t break the bank…you’re going to want to check these out.
TP-Link ER7206 Router
The TP-Link ER7206 router comes fully configured with Omada SDN Cloud Controller, so all you need to do is connect it to your network with an ethernet wire to get started. The cloud controller’s SDN user management lets you know the device and location of anyone using your network.
The TP-Link ER7206 offers various features like Bandwidth Control, Port VLAN, UPnP, Firewall, and many more. More of its key features include:
Integration into Omada SDN
Centralized Management
Gigabit Ports
Up to 4 WAN Ports
Highly Secure VPN
Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, and IP/MAC/URL filtering
NETGEAR ProSafe FVS336G Dual WAN VPN Firewall Router
The Netgear FVS336Gv2 ProSafe Dual WAN VPN Firewall Router has an SSL and IPsec supported VPN providing the ease of spreading broadband internet access throughout your network. This router provides Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and IP Security (IPsec) VPN tunnels in two different configurations for the most secure access to your network. We recommend it because it is a great option to securely connect remote users or remote LAN locations to your network.
It supports two broadband connections with a load-balancing structure, thus adding to its reliability. Its key features include:
The TP-Link AX 6600 WiFi Gaming Router (Archer GX90) is a tri-band router for low-latency gaming that supports the Wifi 6. But despite its popularity as a VPN router, you don’t have to be a gamer to appreciate this router. This is a great one for streaming as well.
Its setup comes with the additional benefits of antivirus and parental controls. The bandwidth for each device connection is displayed on the quality-of-service controls. Its features also allow you to configure priority on devices connected to the network, which is helpful if you have limited bandwidth. One of my favorite features of this VPN router is prioritizing device connections. Its features include:
TP-Link OneMesh Supported
4.8 Gbps Game Band
Detect and optimize gaming streams
Up to 5 WAN Ports
Expansive Coverage
OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology
1.5 GHz Quad-Core CPU
Synology RT 6600ax VPN WiFi Router
By far my favorite VPN router is the Synology RT 6600ax. This tri-band VPN router features 2.5 Gbps ethernet, VLAN segmentation, supports multiple SSIDs, has robust parental controls, and enhanced threat prevention. This VPN router provides one of the most comprehensive VPN server solutions with site-to-site tunneling that provides secure remote connectivity and remote desktop capabilities. It’s everything you want out of a VPN router and then a lot more.
What I love is that this router is powered by the Synology Router Manager (SRM) which helps you manage its security and performance. And don’t worry, you won’t have to be a techy to customize its web filtering and threat detection features. It comes with default profiles that make it easy to customize your control over your home network. Some of its features include:
Supports Wifi 6
Tri-band Wi-Fi
Expanded 5.9 GHz support
Support for the fastest ISPs
Ability to create up to 5 separate networks
Can be configured for WAN or LAN
1.8 GHz Quad-Core CPU
1 GB of Memory
Incredible tech support from Synology
Users of this VPN router agree with me on how incredible it is. On Amazon, it scores 4.4 out of a 5 rating. There are nearly 3.4K reviews pushing that rating as well. It’s most highly rated features according to verified users are WiFi signal (4.3), User Interface (4.2), Ease of Use (4.2), and Easy To Install (4.1). In fact,
VPN Routers Are A Solid Home Network Device
If you’re looking for a way to improve your home network, you might want to consider buying a VPN router. To recap, a VPN router can provide many benefits over a traditional router, including improved security and privacy. One of the biggest benefits of a VPN router is that it can help to protect your devices from hackers. I’ve pounded this drum time and time again: any time you can add an extra layer of security to your devices, you should seriously explore that option. When you connect to the internet through a VPN router, all of your traffic is encrypted. This means that hackers won’t be able to see what you’re doing or gather any information about you.
Another benefit of a VPN router is that it can help to improve your privacy. I’ve been in the business a long time and can tell you that almost every app and every website is tracking everything you do and storing that data. That’s why every website blasts you with pop-ups about cookie policies. When you use a traditional router, your ISP (and most websites) can see everything that you’re doing online. However, when you use a VPN router, your traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel. This means for the most part that your ISP can’t see what you’re doing or collect any data about you.
And another awesome perk with these router types is a VPN router can also help to improve your speed and performance. When you use a traditional router, your traffic has to travel through several different servers before it reaches its destination. However, when you use a VPN router, your traffic is routed directly to the server that you’re trying to reach. This can help to improve your speed and performance, especially if you’re trying to stream video or play online games.
If you use a VPN service or are considering doing so, getting one of the top VPN routers we’ve touched on above will really help heap on that extra level of security. I love these routers because you get VPN protection at the network level and not the device level. However, one drawback is if your device disconnects from the network and uses cellular data, you won’t have the protection. This is one of the advantages a VPN service has over a VPN router and why I’m a big proponent of a VPN service. Regardless, if you’re not into getting a VPN service and still want that VPN level of security, one of these routers is a fantastic addition to your home network.
Every day millions of people open their computers, tablets, phones, and other devices–click on their browsers, and begin searching. How many of those people have updated their browser systems for security purposes? This number would probably scare you, but if it doesn’t– it probably should. We’re passionate about tech security, so updating your browser is one of our top passions!
Browser Security Risks
What is a browser? Simply put: a browser is an interface for the World Wide Web. From a hacker’s perspective: it’s an interface that allows them to steal your information right under your nose. Much like we lock our cars to avoid theft, and have deadbolts and security systems to protect our homes, we also need the best security for all things digital. Sometimes we need to think like a criminal, to think of the best security solutions. As we said before, new technology can mean new risks, but we’re here to provide all the information to our readers to avoid browser security risks.
One browser security risk is not having the proper antivirus software installed on your computer. Antivirus software protects you, your computer, and your information. You can install many products, but you’ll need to keep them updated, as well. We recommend Norton, Total AV, McAfee, and Trend Micro.
Browser security risks can include pop-up ads, site redirects, extensions, and plug-ins, filled forms, and stored passwords. Pop-ups and site redirects can include malicious bots, malware, and other security threats. Extensions and plug-ins can be useful like Grammarly, Honey, Invisible Hand, StayFocusd, and more. We discuss how browser extensions affect speed and performance; however, there are extensions and plug-ins hackers design to deliberately attack your browser and steal valuable information. Users should be aware that just because an extension is available, doesn’t mean it’s been vetted for security. It’s common to keep passwords saved on your computer and the “fill form” feature. However, any saved information is more easily found through scamming attempts. It’s vital to make sure you’re constantly using up-to-date software, and browsers, and researching the plug-ins you use and the sites you visit.
Whoa. Wait. Do you have to update your browser? Yes, yes you do. Whatever browser you might be using (We recommend Chrome), Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, DuckduckGo, Brave, and others. Recently, Google Chrome became aware of a high-severity vulnerability and released the Chrome 104 version. These updates are presently available to desktop users, and hopefully, the Android and iOS versions will come out shortly. If you’re using Microsoft Edge and Brave browsers those will update soon.
How to Update Your Browser
Updating your browser is relatively easy. Most browsers today are Chromium-based browsers which are based on Google Chrome. These include Microsoft Edge (this has officially replaced the old Internet Explorer), Brave, and Opera. These all have the same update setting, which you can find and click on the menu or the three dots (also called the hamburger menu) in the upper right side of the browser’s window. You can select the “about” browser section and check for updates. If your browser needs updates, most will start automatically, but depending on your settings, you may need to request a manual update. It is pretty common for this update action to require a complete browser and computer restart. Any browser tabs or windows will reopen upon restart, so you won’t have to worry about losing your work.
Curious if Google Chrome is up-to-date? Google recently added a feature that tells you that there is an update available with a notification in the upper right-hand corner.
Windows browser recently updated their systems with Windows 11. This helped users with their speed and performance. For Windows browser updates, click the Windows button and go to the Settings options. The left panel should have an update or Check for Updates option. Windows will automatically install the updates, then request a restart for your computer.
Many computer updates can seem obnoxious and tedious, especially if you’re in the middle of work or Zoom meetings. We all have felt the urge to postpone updates on our computers and our phones. Most of the updates are for users to provide better systems, better security, and more efficient interfaces. So the next time you hear about an update, especially a security update: do it. Go update your browser–NOW!
