2021 January e-Bytes
Two Free HP Ink Cartridges HP 60XL black and HP 60XL tri-color
The biggest hacks, data breaches of 2020
Best streamer of 2021: Roku, Apple TV 4K, Fire Stick, Chromecast with Google TV and more compared
CNET Editors' Choice showcases the tech of 2020 worth buying
How to use Zoom: 15 video chat tips and tricks to try today
PCMag Picks the Best Free Password Managers
The best Windows 10 antivirus protection for 2021
The Best Cheap Phone Plans for 2021
If you have more than one Amazon Echo at home, you need to try this out
Two Free HP Ink Cartridges HP 60XL black and HP 60XL tri-color
Linda ordered an HP 60XL black and HP 60XL tri-color ink cartridges, she opened them but they do not fit her printer. Yours for FREE. Contact: Linda Thomas
The biggest hacks, data breaches of 2020
A pandemic is no reason for hackers to hold off cyberattacks against everything from government bodies to healthcare providers.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-biggest-hacks-data-breaches-of-2020
Best streamer of 2021: Roku, Apple TV 4K, Fire Stick, Chromecast with Google TV and more compared
Plenty of hardware options exist for streaming Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, YouTube, Amazon and the rest. Here are our picks for the best.
CNET Editors' Choice showcases the tech of 2020 worth buying
In a year when we all relied on technology more than ever, here's the gear that made life manageable.
https://www.cnet.com/news/cnet-editors-choice-showcases-the-tech-of-2020-worth-buying
PCMag Picks the Best Tech Products of The Year - Behold PCMag's annual collection of the finest of what we've tested and rated in the past 12 months. Our 100 top products of the year across 15 key categories also doubles as the ultimate holiday shopping list.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-tech-products
How to use Zoom: 15 video chat tips and tricks to try today
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get ready for your holiday video calls with friends and family.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-use-zoom-15-video-chat-tips-and-tricks-to-try-today
PCMag Picks the Best Free Password Managers
A password like '123456' may be easy to remember, but it's also equally easy to guess or hack. Use one of these top free password managers to help you create and manage strong, unique passwords for every secure site you use, instead.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-free-password-managers
The best Windows 10 antivirus protection for 2021
Your Windows PC needs protection against malware, and free antivirus software may be enough. Here's the best antivirus protection for Windows 10, and what's worth paying extra for.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/best-antivirus
Is Windows Defender Good Enough to Protect Your PC by Itself? - Microsoft's built-in security software has improved enormously, but it still has a few shortcomings. A reader writes in to ask: Can it get the job done as well as a third-party antivirus utility?
https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/is-windows-defender-good-enough-to-protect-your-pc-by-itself
The Best Cheap Phone Plans for 2021
There are a lot of options beyond the big three phone carriers in the US. If you're looking to save money, these lesser-known low-cost cell phone plans might be the ticket.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/best-cheap-phone-plans
If you have more than one Amazon Echo at home, you need to try this out
Put all your Alexa devices to good use with these helpful tools.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/if-you-have-more-than-one-amazon-echo-at-home-you-need-to-try-this-out
Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
10 Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal - Check out these quick tips to boost your wireless signal from your router, extend and optimize your Wi-Fi coverage, and speed up your surfing.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/10-ways-to-boost-your-wi-fi-signal
19 Hidden Tricks Inside Apple's Safari Browser - Safari for Phone, iPad, and Mac offers a variety of features and settings to help you search the web like no other browser. There are even more new tools and tricks to know with the release of iOS/iPadOS 14 and macOS Big Sur.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-use-and-customize-safari-on-your-iphone-or-ipad
Got a New PC? 11 Things to Do Right Away - Windows 10 PCs need some adjustment before they're ready for everyday use. Here's what to install, what to delete, and how to make sure your new investment is safe and secure.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/how-to-set-up-your-new-pc
12 Simple Tweaks to Speed Up Windows 10 - Windows 10 is speedier than the previous versions of Microsoft's desktop operating system, but you can still optimize its performance. Learn how to make your Windows 10 PC run faster with our tips.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/12-tips-to-speed-up-windows-10
4 best phones you can get for $300 or less: Galaxy A50, Motorola G Power and more - If you're looking for a phone on a budget, check out CNET's top four picks for 2020 so far.
Give the gift of a better and faster Wi-Fi router for 2021 - May all your streaming be swift and your downloads merry.
https://www.cnet.com/news/give-the-gift-of-a-better-and-faster-wi-fi-router-for-2021
How to Send Large Files Over the Internet - Trying to figure out how to transfer large files online? Gmail has a 25MB limit, but don't worry; there are plenty of ways to send big files over the internet.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-send-large-files-over-the-internet
9 Tips to Boost Your Android Phone's Battery Life - Today's Android phones pack big, bright screens and high-end features that suck plenty of power. Here's how to squeeze the most juice out of your battery.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/9-tips-to-boost-your-android-phones-battery-life
Google One FAQ: Everything to know about the cloud storage subscription - What is Google One? We've got answers on how it works, how much it costs and how it's different from Google Drive.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/google-one-faq-everything-to-know-about-the-cloud-storage-subscription
Microsoft urges users to stop using phone-based multi-factor authentication - Microsoft recommends using app-based authenticators and security keys instead.
Ask a Question
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From a PCC Member - I HATE my HP network printer (a cheap ink jet) as it WILL NOT stay connected to the network more than 48 hours. Rebooting solves the problem - but only for the next 48 hours. It is an Officejet Pro 8610. The printer is only used on Wi-Fi, printing from an iPad or an iPhone.
From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Your WiFi router has settings to assign a TCP/IP address when a device connects and then the router will check if device stays connected. If your printer is off or sleeping and does not respond it drops the connection. Most routers are set from 24 to 48 hours and then disconnect. This video explains the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEqvUKxWmq4
My WiFi router releases after 1 day those not reserved, but automatically reserves TCP/IP addresses for almost 50 devices I have like printers, laptops, cameras, plugs, etc. It reserves a "Static" TCP/IP addresses for the MAC ID of each device that does not change. If your router can not do that, you can assign an TCP/IP address on your printer and then change the router settings not to use that address. See images below:
Also, you said you had not attended a General Meeting on Teams. You do not need to setup an account or install software if you do not want. Just follow instructions when you click on the link.
From a PCC Member - What are the pros and cons for paying for a vpn like virtual shield?
From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. VPN is a complex topic. A few of the Pros and Cons below:
Pros:
Encryption between your devices and some point on the Internet. At 3M it would be between the 3M Laptop and 3M servers. If you then went to other sites
from that point on it is not VPN excrypted.
Used by most companies to protect employees from exposing company data.
Hides your true location with multiple servers used in different locations.
Encrypted data sent and received on public unencrypted WiFi. HTTPS also provides some encryption.
Used by all hackers and other illegal activities to hide identity and location
Cons:
Cost (Do not use free sites who can steal/sell your info)
Slows down connection with extra servers and encryption
Slows down your device to encrypt and unencrypt. Also uses memory
Some Internet sites and services will not work with a VPN
Most Smartphone apps for services like Banks and Finance provide their own encryption and security with any connection.
Give me a call or we can connect by Zoom to talk more. Personally I do not use a VPN or recommend it for most people. Most people can watch what they connect to and what they do.
Member responds - Yes, I see your point. I did a bit of research on home VPNs. I guess what I was hoping for was privacy from eyes on the internet that watch my emails, my internet activity, videos or ads that come to my daughter's devices, etc. I agree that a home VPN probably doesn't buy me much security but may give frustration with slower speeds.
Tom Kreuzer responds - Always assume your email is public and do not share confidential Info. Example: Gmail is not encrypted, so even if you have a VPN, when the mail is moved from server to server inside Gmail and to an outside email like Hotmail it is open to be viewed by anyone. You can get truly private email if you and the people you talk with do not use public emails. The 3M Company controls internal vs external email to protect privacy and what could be viewed. There are hundreds of solutions on the Dark Web to hide and protect emails and identity.
A VPN could give some privacy for sites where you do not login or use an account, but does nothing to prevent sites like Facebook from tracking what you click on and what ads you see. Any site that you need to login is tracked by that account and is not using cookies or TCPIP address, so a VPN will not prevent tracking.
Some free things to help. I recommend the free plugin Adblocker Plus to help reduce popups and ads you see. Use the Chrome "New Incognito window" or Edge "New Private window" for free to hide location and cookies, if that is all you need? Go up to the settings in either browser to open new windows that hide your identity.
Member responds - I researched how to use confidential mode to send gmail emails. The only problem is Google assigns the passcode so they can hack the email then too. I use Brave browser. I've researched that it's safer than most browsers. What do you think? I set up a protonmail account too.
Tom Kreuzer responds - I prefer to use Chrome or Edge because of the 1000s of features, functions, and connections they provide on all my devices (laptop, desk, tablets, phone). The few cases where I need security or privacy I use additional things like encrypted files or other packages, apps, or sites. It all depends on what is needed.
From a PCC Member - IOS Big Sur updated but cannot log into Lastpass but can on IPAD and IPHONE?
From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. I did a Google search and it looks like there have been problems with Big Sur, Safari, and LastPass. Not sure if you tried the Chrome browser if it has the same problem or just Safari? I have copied Mike Griffin if he knows. I would expect LastPass to create a version to fix the issue soon.
Mike Griffin Responds - Are you running Safari 14? This is a recent update supposedly compatible with lastpass. I can forward your question to Chris luger at Apple.