How to spot common tech support scams
Don’t be fooled by a scammer who calls you claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple. Despite warnings that come year after year about tech support scams, fraudsters continually find new and more effective ways to trick consumers into giving up their personal and financial information. Microsoft recently reported that tech support scams were up 24 percent between 2017 and 2018.... READ MORE
Beacon Links & Apps – February 2019
Links Guidance for travelers Unsure how TSA PreCheck works? Upgraded Points, a website for travelers that explains the real value of points and miles, offers a helpful primer on the program. Run by the Transportation Safety Administration, TSA PreCheck is a program that expedites the security checkpoint process for low-risk travelers. Learn about the program’s benefits, cost and... READ MORE
Weigh risks and benefits of a smart home
You might have heard of lights that turn off with an app or voice command. Or window shades that magically rise every morning. Technology companies are pushing the “smart home” hard, selling appliances and gadgets that offer Internet-connected conveniences you didn’t know you needed. A smart home can encompass features as simple as remote-controlled lamps or as sophisticated as... READ MORE
Best online security services
Security failure, password breaches, phishing attacks and phone scams — if you follow the news, these can seem like the unavoidable pitfalls of life today. But there are plenty of tools out there that can protect you from digital crime. Here are some of the most trustworthy services that won’t empty out your wallet: VPN service When using public Wi-Fi, virtual private network (VPN) ... READ MORE
Tech aims to make disabilities disappear
Hadeel Ayoub slips a black glove onto her hand before beginning the swish of sign language that is meaningless to the untrained observer. Then she pushes a button on her wrist, and a small speaker relays the message her hand drew in the air: “Let’s Dance!” “My dream is to give a voice to those who can’t speak,” said the 36-year-old inventor who is developing her BrightSign ... READ MORE
Foldable phones: A tablet in your pocket
For the past few years, the smartphone industry has been searching for a breakthrough to revive a market mired in an innovation lull and a sales slump. A potential catalyst is on the horizon in the form of flexible screens that can be folded in half without breaking. Samsung and several rivals are preparing to roll out such screens to make devices more versatile for work and pleasure.... READ MORE
Best money-saving software, websites
If you’re looking for ways to cut costs on everyday spending, you can do so from the comfort of your home. Several online sites and software programs allow you to save big on everything from preparing your next tax return, to household items, to prescription drugs. Here are a few of our top picks. Free tax software Only about 13 percent of taxpayers are expected to itemize on their... READ MORE
Tech startups focus on caregiver needs
Want to learn how a loved one or patient with macular degeneration sees the world, or what navigating the day is like for someone with dementia? Then you might want to try the virtual reality (VR) simulations created by Embodied Labs to help you experience key problems and issues facing older adults and their caregivers. With the software and a VR headset, family members, caregivers... READ MORE
Get a sale price even when there’s no sale
If you don’t see a sale sign, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a deal. Here are four ways you could save money the next time you shop online or in person. 1. Sign up If you’re willing to supply a retailer with some of your personal information — such as your name, address or birth date — you could get deals in return. “Consumers can visit the retailers’ website to sign up ... READ MORE
Best apps for busy people, self-employed
Whether working, retired, or somewhere in between (working independently as part of the “gig economy”), many of us have so many different tasks to perform on a daily basis that it can get overwhelming. Fortunately, with a smartphone and some helpful mobile apps, you can stay organized and focused. These are my 15 favorites, some of which are particularly good for... READ MORE
Technology 2024
