News & Residential Blog

Quick Response (QR) codes are everywhere today. People use them to view restaurant menus, pay for parking and log into accounts. However, this convenience comes with a hidden risk.  Cybercriminals are increasingly using malicious QR codes—a tactic known as “quishing”—to…

The portable Bluetooth speaker market has become increasingly crowded. Finding the right device requires cutting through the noise to identify the features that best fit the user’s specific lifestyle. Whether hosting a backyard barbecue or relaxing by the pool, focusing…

Think about a time you were outside at night and gazed at the stars, wondering what many of the sparkling objects were. Or you were walking in a park and spotted a flower or plant but did not recognize it.…

FTC is always searching for new ways to make life a little easier for its customers.  That is why the company developed the MyFTC app, designing it entirely around the tools and features used most often. It is available for download…

In today’s digital-first world, where internet speed is no longer just about convenience but about keeping up with how we live, work, and stay connected. With more devices, higher-quality content, and constant connectivity demands, traditional internet plans often fall short,…

You can block spam calls by updating your smartphone and activating built-in filters, and by screening or reporting suspicious calls or texts. During busy election cycles and certain times of the year, such as tax season or enrollment periods, people…

So you’ve got your new home office all set up, complete with blazing-fast Internet and reliable Voice services from FTC, and you’re ready to hit the ground running on your latest work project. While working from home can offer numerous advantages over working from the office, the relaxed atmosphere can also present an array of challenges. 

The number of identity thefts that occur each year is staggering.  According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 1.1 million Americans file official reports, but research suggest that nearly 24 million people experience some form of identity theft each year. …

If you own a smartphone, chances are you’ve been caught in a “chatty group text.” It usually starts harmlessly. Maybe it’s a youth sports group coordinating practice times, or a group of old classmates planning a reunion. But before long,…

In today’s digital-first world, it’s no surprise that kids and teens are spending more of their social and entertainment time online. For many families, gaming has become a primary way young people connect with friends, express creativity, and unwind after…

These days, whether in personal texts, social media posts or even workplace conversations, emojis have become a widely used and powerful way to express thoughts and emotions in digital communication. After all, as the saying goes, a picture is worth…

Residents today have two proven options for home phone service: Traditional telephone lines (POTS) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). While both solutions offer dependable communication, modern households are increasingly choosing VoIP for its flexibility, features, and overall value. Traditional…

The digital landscape for music creation continues to evolve, bringing powerful tools directly to musicians and songwriters. Regardless of their roles, the right software can transform workflow. These 10 smartphone apps for musicians launched between 2023 and 2026 designed to…

In the digital age, the days of consumers having to save up their unneeded household items for the next garage sale are long gone, along with the need to post signs around the neighborhood to hype up the event. Instead,…

Texting and direct messaging have made abbreviations a useful (and sometimes a bit over used) tool. Some of the most common these days are ETA, BFF and TMI.  And a few more are JK, BTW, IDK and FAQ. The field…

The Federal Trade Commission recently released its 2024-2025 “Protecting Older Consumers” report, revealing a sobering trend: Senior citizens in the United States are being targeted by high-stakes scams at an unprecedented rate. While older adults often report fraud less frequently…

Most people have a will or an advance directive that explains what happens at the end of their life. But far fewer people have a plan for what happens to their digital legacy — the photos, emails, documents, and memories…

Most Facebook users have seen the signs of a Facebook account hack before. Whether it is questionable posts from friends or seeing their birthdays changed within the accounts, signs of Facebook hacking often leave users feeling uneasy, or worse, can…

For most homes, a good download speed is between 250 Mbps and 1 Gig, depending on the number of devices simultaneously in use. A 1 Gig connection allows a family of four to stream TV, movies and games on multiple…

Apple Intelligence includes numerous features users might find helpful in daily life.  But it comes with a cost: Unlike Artificial Intelligence, this AI focuses on privacy through on-device processing instead of the cloud and because of that priority, Apple Intelligence uses…

How Can a Parent Check All of a Child’s Phone Activity? To see everything on a child’s phone, including text messages, phone conversations and online activity, a parent will need to select a parental control app that offers in-depth monitoring…

A laptop running slowly could be an early sign that the device’s performance is declining and it is only a matter of time before it needs to be replaced. Most people notice warning signs before a computer is no longer…

Technology offers numerous benefits that improve people’s daily lives, including cost savings, convenient automation and enhanced security. The new era of Internet of Things, or IoT, devices and intuitive technology has given everyone opportunities to live the good life, where…