2026 June eBytes
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How to Make Your Phone Last Years Longer (and Save Yourself a Fortune)
The Best Mobile Photo Editing Apps We've Tested for 2026
Android vs. iPhone: Which OS Dominates in the 2026 Smartphone War?
I Went Into the Dark Web So You Don't Have To. Here's What's Actually Down There
These 5 core Windows Defender settings are off by default - turn them on ASAP
Google Drive Full? Here Are Some Easy and Free Ways to Open Up Space
Your Computer May Soon Require an Age Check. And It Might Not Take ‘No’ for an Answer
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How to Make Your Phone Last Years Longer (and Save Yourself a Fortune)
Phone prices keep climbing. These tips help you get maximum value out of the one already in your pocket.
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The Best Mobile Photo Editing Apps We've Tested for 2026
Whether you're a casual snapshot taker or a budding pro photographer, these are the top photo editing apps for your phone.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-mobile-photo-editing-apps
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Android vs. iPhone: Which OS Dominates in the 2026 Smartphone War?
The walls are coming down, but which side of the fence is better? We pit Apple and Google against each other across 14 essential categories to see who truly rules the smartphone space.
https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/android-vs-ios-iphone-which-os-dominates-in-2026-smartphone-war
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I Went Into the Dark Web So You Don't Have To. Here's What's Actually Down There
When you hear "the dark web," you probably think of illegal, sordid activity, but that's not the whole picture. I don't recommend staying long, but these tips can help you explore the dark web using Tails, Tor, and a VPN.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/i-went-into-dark-web-so-you-dont-have-to-heres-whats-down-there
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These 5 core Windows Defender settings are off by default - turn them on ASAP
Windows Defender includes some security settings you need to switch on to get the utmost protection.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/critical-windows-defender-settings-off-by-defaullt-how-to-enable/
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Google Drive Full? Here Are Some Easy and Free Ways to Open Up Space
You only get a few gigabytes of free storage on Google Drive, and these hacks can help you stretch that digital space.
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Your Computer May Soon Require an Age Check. And It Might Not Take ‘No’ for an Answer
Age verification laws are moving beyond porn sites and social media. Soon, your operating system could be required to know how old you are.
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
Time to Switch: How to Set Up Passkeys Before Microsoft Ditches SMS 2FA Logins - SMS-based authentication is convenient, but it's also a leading source of fraud, Microsoft says.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/time-to-switch-set-up-passkeys-before-microsoft-ditches-sms-2fa-logins
6 reasons why Firefox is the better browser for most users - Still using Chrome, Edge, or Safari? Firefox is alive and well - and offering a fast, customizable, bloat-free, private, secure browsing experience from developers who actually listen to their users.
How to check your Windows PC for expiring security certificates - a big one ends in June - A critical Windows expiration date is coming next month for more than a billion PCs - and even some Linux distros are affected. Is your PC ready?
https://www.zdnet.com/article/secure-boot-certificate-updates-2026/
32 Hidden Windows 11 Features You're Probably Not Using (But Should Be) - Windows 11 is full of powerful features and useful tweaks. Take a tour of these off-the-beaten-path options to customize, optimize, and secure your PC.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/32-hidden-windows-11-features-youre-probably-not-using-but-should
Think You Know Your iPhone? Check Out These 109 Hidden Tricks - That iPhone in your hand is incredibly powerful. Unlock its full potential with these next-level tweaks.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/iphone-tips-hidden-tricks
How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi: A Step-by-Step Guide - A few simple changes can keep snoopers, freeloaders and hackers off your home network.
This Free Windows App Shows You Everything Your Computer Is Secretly Doing - I installed AppControl on my Windows 11 PC and was shocked by how much was happening in the background without me knowing.
Human or AI? These 7 Clues Will Help You Spot Fake Images Immediately - AI-generated images are getting increasingly realistic, yet there are still telltale details that can reveal when something is fake.
I Made a Kitschy Pop Song With AI. It's Fast, Easy, and Completely Empty - AI turns prompts into polished tracks instantly, but strips away everything that makes music matter.
I've been subscribed to a data removal service a month now - what I wish I knew sooner - Data removal services automate the removal of your information from the web, but their biggest benefit lies elsewhere.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-a-data-removal-service-worthwhile-2026/
This Little Security Cam Offers Big Protection for Just $48 - Keep an eye on everything while you're home or away for under $50 with this deal on the Eufy C31 security cam.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR8CPD7F?th=1&tag=cnet-deals-promos-20
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Ask a Question - Send any Tips & Downloads, Ask a Question, For Sale, or articles to: TheMiningPCC@gmail.com
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Q. From a PCC Member - I have a Samsung Smartphone that wants me to switch my current text messages and attached photos to Google messages. I have been researching this change (needed by July 1). Does not seem likely it will be as clearly defined and easy to do as is being stated. I have become aware of internet input mentioning problems with the process, and input by others that are putting some fears in me. I'm sure I'm not the only person being troubled about making this change. Do you have any plans on chatting about this somewhere?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. The change to Google Messages is easy to do and I recommend you do ASAP. It is not like getting a new eMail address or new phone number. Nothing needs to be changed for the people sending you messages. On your phone you install Google Messages and Samsung will transfer all your old messages (could take minutes up to 24 hours to move all your old messages depending on how much you have). To install the app should take about 15 minutes and new messages will show in Google Messages. Google Messages has more features, but all the basics of Samsung Messages look and act the same for you.
I have a Samsung phone and converted to Google Messages, Google Mail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts instead of using Samsung Apps years ago. The Google Apps have more features and align better with Google services.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I can print them 8X10 only to my HP printer but cannot do the 5X7's my wife needs for the frig. I print on regular print paper which tends to fade over time. Wondering if you have a suggestion on how I can print to 5X7's?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Depends on what software you use, but most software/apps will let you set the print size, set the paper size, and set the paper type before you print. Look for the settings. I recommend the old Picasa on Windows software. You may want to Crop the image to 5x7 before you print to get the best photo. It can even print 2 5x7 on one sheet of 8x10. If you are not currently using Picasa you can use Microsoft Photos in Win 11. Edit the photo, select the Print icon, and you can select the print size.
Printing on regular paper does not produce the best quality. You should use good Photo paper made for your printer. To get better quality at the lowest cost, I print most of my Photos to my local Walgreens and can pick them up in under an hour.
PCC Member asks - Where to get Picasa?
Tom Kreuzer responds - Google stopped supporting Picasa in 2016. Since you have not been using it all these years, you should learn and use current photo software to organize, edit, and manage your photos. That also means you need to decide where your system of record is in the Cloud and what is your process for your photos? Sounds like you have no process, which is very bad if you value your photos. I talk about some options and what I do in the Feb 2025 PCC meeting.
You can learn and use Microsoft Photos since it comes with Windows or any of a 1000 other packages, some free and some that cost.
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Q. From a PCC Member - My AVG Optimizing program subscription just ended. I did not renew it.
I'm running Windows 11 on a desktop pc. My local computer kid who helps me said I don't really need AVG. Would you agree I don't need it ?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Tools like AVG Optimizer provide info/settings that Microsoft already provides for free. You do not need it. If you like the things it does, use the free Microsoft PC Manager that comes with Windows 11.
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