Year: 2019

Recently, FTC was awarded a combined six awards by readers of The Sumter Item and the employees at the company are humbled by the unbelievable level of support. Most recently the readers selected FTC for the following awards in the Best of Clarendon contest: Best Internet Service Provider Best Cable/Satellite Company Earlier in the year readers voted for FTC in the following categories in the Best of Sumter contest: Best Internet Service Provider Best Cable/Satellite Company Best Home Security Company Best Local Cellular Company FTC is proud to be a part of the communities it serves and the people who...

Read More The Voters Have Spoken!

For the dad who has it all, it can be a challenge to thank him with just one gift on just one day a year. This Father’s Day loved ones can raise the bar with functional tech gifts that are sure to leave dad speechless and have him tinkering for hours: Tile Combo Dad can stop the morning “phone, wallet, keys” search ritual with Tile. This nifty little lifesaver will help locate those important “misplaced” items, which in turn will stop a lot of frustrating interrogations on where those pesky keys went each morning. Dad can pop a Tile on...

Read More 6 Tech Gifts That Will Wow Dad This Father’s Day

Apple fanatics, rejoice. In spring 2018, the brand debuted an attractive new iPad option, a sixth-generation model introduced with a much more affordable price tag than previous models, an upgraded processor and so many features it can be overwhelming to even attempt to cover them all. For those looking to get the most out of this new 9.7-inch iPad, we’ve compiled a list of the best tips and tricks to maximize device usage with iOS 11 or later. Make Note-Taking Much More Efficient There’s nothing worse than having a brilliant yet fleeting idea, only to lose it while fumbling to...

Read More 4 Hidden Gems of the Sixth-Generation Apple iPad

In today’s modern world, computers play a role in nearly every part of consumers’ daily lives. In addition to the video gaming, word processing, homework and programming functions that the original personal computers primarily served, today’s laptops and desktops are used for education, entertainment, shopping, selling, banking, photo ands video storage, correspondence, travel booking … the list goes on for miles. And, for better or for worse, the more tasks and activities consumers use their computers for, the more personal information is stored on them. This is why, for reasons related to personal security, sentimentality and practicality, it’s important not...

Read More 4 Important Steps to Take Before Selling a Computer

Imagine a consumer opening his or her banking statement in hopes of booking that last-minute spring break vacation for the family and noticing thousands of dollars in unauthorized transactions. Not only is the vacation jeopardized, but also, potentially, the consumer’s identity. For millions of Americans each year, that scenario has become a scary reality. A 2018 online survey conducted by The Harris Poll indicates that nearly 15 million consumers experienced identity theft in 2017 with stolen funds totaling more $16.8 billion. With numbers that staggering, everyone likely has someone in his or her immediate family or workplace who has fallen...

Read More The 4 Most Common Types of Identity Theft and How to Report Them

Most Americans are eagerly counting down the days to their spring vacations — relishing the chance to get away from the daily grind, check out some new or old-favorite destinations, and forget about their work-related worries for a while. But soon-to-be vacationers aren’t the only ones who are excited about their upcoming escapes. Spring break also marks a golden opportunity for burglars, who know that, when school lets out for the annual spring pilgrimage, families’ houses are left abandoned as they hit the road in search of rest and recreation. Whether they’re headed to the beach, the mountains, overseas or...

Read More Avoid the Spring Break Break-In: 6 Ways to Make a Home Less Inviting to Burglars

Most consumers know to be skeptical of the email from the “Nigerian prince” looking for help securing the millions of dollars in inheritance money he’s due. And, for a wide range of fraudulent emails and internet offerings that are simply (and often wildly) “too good to be true,” the same can be said as today’s typical consumer is far too savvy to be so easily duped. But today’s cybercriminals have also grown more savvy and their email and internet scams have become more convincing. Here are five common and often very persuasive email and internet scams to keep your eyes...

Read More 5 Convincing Email /Internet Scams — and How to Avoid Falling for Them

By now, most users of today’s digital technology have heard of “the cloud” or “cloud computing” and many might even be unknowingly using it regularly, perhaps even on a daily basis. But large numbers of everyday consumers still might not fully understand just what the cloud is. Basically, “the cloud” and “cloud computing” refer to storing computer files and programs on external servers (usually located far away) rather than locally on a device’s hard drive, then remotely accessing the files/programs via an internet or cellular connection. In this sense, “the cloud” serves as a metaphor for the global network of...

Read More What Is ‘the Cloud’ — and How Can Consumers Use It?

Conventional wisdom suggests (as does scientific research) that technology and especially electronic gadgets such as laptops, smartphones and tablets can serve as a hindrance to quality sleep when used around bedtime. But sleep-deprived consumers shouldn’t ban all devices from the bedroom just yet because, when used appropriately, technology can also be a benefit for those trying to summon slumber. People seeking to capture more ZZZs should consider these seven ways technology can help them fall asleep and even support quality sleep once the Sandman arrives: By blocking blue light: Scientists have found that short-wavelength blue light emitted by many electronic devices’...

Read More 7 Ways That Technology Can Support Quality Sleep