News & Blog - Page 2 of 16

Jan

12

2022

7 Signs That a User’s Facebook Account Has Been Hacked

Most Facebook users have seen the sketchy signs of an account hack before. The first indications might come when a friend’s account starts posting content that just seems off or that marks a clear break from his or her personality and usual posting habits. Another signal might come in the form of a friend request from someone who is already an established contact on Facebook. Or maybe a friend’s account sends out a personal message asking for monetary help or pitching the benefits of a seemingly random product or service. Whatever the telltale signs, spotting the hack of a friend’s...

Dec

07

2021

5 Top Apps for Saving Money

Often attributed to American Founding Father and leading 18th century intellectual Benjamin Franklin, the saying “A penny saved is a penny earned” still holds sway today, even centuries later. And while Franklin might not have coined the phrase (that honor goes to British poet George Herbert nearly a century before Franklin published a variation of it), this does not make its lesson any less valid. No matter who first uttered it, the saying’s wisdom has stood the test of time and is certainly still worth heeding. In fact, in a time when modern technology can help consumers save both pennies...

3 Simple Ways to Reduce a Home’s Online Risks

According to a recent study, nearly half of all Americans experienced some sort of financial identity theft in 2020. The financial losses incurred were alarming, growing by 40% over 2019 to hit a total of more than $710 billion. Of course, in a world that is growing more digitally driven each day, many of these crimes were carried out online. Often, such cybercrimes begin with fraudsters using the internet to get the personal information needed to pose as the consumers they are attempting to victimize. But by taking the right steps to protect themselves in the digital realm, consumers can...

Nov

10

2021

5 Best Websites for Previewing (and Navigating) the Black Friday Deals

With Thanksgiving coming up and the pre-Christmas advertising onslaught already ramping up, it has become abundantly clear: The holiday shopping season is nearly upon us. And as the most serious of holiday bargain hunters are well aware, some of the best deals of the year can be found on Black Friday, which marks the official kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. This much-anticipated consumer holiday offers a great opportunity for gift-givers to check some of the biggest items off their Christmas-present buying list, all while securing significant savings. And for consumers looking to get a sneak peek at some of...

Oct

21

2021

5 Apps That Can Help Hunters Hit the Mark

To boost their chances of filling a tag, most hunters will take any assistance they can get. And today’s smartphone technology can put a wide range of helpful digital tools in their quivers, some of which can even prove almost as critical to the success of a hunt as their rifles and bows. Among the most popular smartphone apps that can offer help on the hunt, the majority focus on navigation and mapping, hunter education, hunting-party communications and weather monitoring and forecasts. And these five (and mostly hunting-focused) apps are among the top choices in each of these categories: onX...

Oct

05

2021

What Are Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft and Among Us? A Parent’s Guide to the Most Popular Online Games Kids Are Playing

In modern-day America, most of today’s consumers are living in a digitally dominated world. So it should come as no big surprise, especially to parents of tweens and teens, that many of today’s kids are regularly finding fun and fraternization via an internet connection. And while a majority of parents might have heard the names of popular online games such as Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft and Among Us, they might not know exactly what these kid-favorite titles are all about. For parents with concerns about whether these games are age-appropriate (or who might have other security-related concerns about their children playing...

Sep

23

2021

4 Great Smartphone Options for Teens

As kids grow up to become teenagers in today’s increasingly connected world, they are bound to start seeking more freedom. And before long, they will be asking for their own smartphones. Once the decision is made to give them a device, the ideal smartphone models for teens are not necessarily the same as the best choices for adults. In some cases, parents will want to give their teenage kids the means to keep in touch without as many of the distractions (and potential dangers) that come with the array of features found on most grown-ups’ smartphones. When parents decide that...

Sep

16

2021

8 Ideas for Fitness-Boosting Family Activities

Observed each year on the last Saturday in September, National Family Health and Fitness Day was established with a goal of spurring increased family involvement in physical activities — together. This mission is worthwhile, of course, because families that regularly exercise together tend to be healthier and doing so is a great way to model healthy habits to the younger generations. This year, the observance falls on Saturday, Sept. 25, and it offers a great opportunity to get out and get active as a family. To spur ideas for the adventure, here are eight suggestions for fun, family-friendly activities that...

Aug

31

2021

FCC Stepping Up Its Anti-Robocall Efforts in 2021

At the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), preventing unwanted phone calls, including illegal and spoofed robocalls, is a top priority. And there is good reason the responsibility is considered so important. These annoying, intrusive and often even dangerous calls are the No. 1 reason consumers file complaints with the government agency, which is charged with regulating telephone calls and other forms of communication throughout the United States. And according to reports, U.S. consumers received nearly 46 billion robocalls in 2020 alone. What the FCC is Doing to Crack Down on Robocalls To combat these unwanted calls, the FCC has recently engaged...

Aug

16

2021

5 Great Smartphone Apps for Musicians

Today’s smartphones are a serious boon for music lovers. Among other things, they give users the ability to store days (and even weeks or months) of music right in the pockets, not to mention allowing them easy access to all of it with just a few simple swipes and clicks. But the musical benefits of owning a smartphone certainly do not stop there. The devices can also deliver major advantages to musicians who own them. Consider these five great apps that can make life easier for musicians: The Metronome by Soundbrenner: Keeping time is essential for any musician, whether he...