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In today’s digital age, your Facebook account is more than a platform for sharing what's trending in your life. Facebook has become an extension of your personal and professional lives. So, when your Facebook account gets hacked, it can feel like an invasion of your privacy as well as a reminder of how vulnerable you are in this age of cybercrime. Recovering your hacked Facebook account is almost impossible with criminals turning account security tools against you such as changing your password and enabling 2-factor authentication to block account access. Even further, there's no one to contact at Facebook leaving you with limited options to reclaim your account. Here's what you need to know. Why do criminals attack Facebook Accounts? Criminals target Facebook accounts to steal your personal data, commit financial fraud, spread malware, and conduct phishing scams. They exploit accounts to impersonate you, potentially damage your reputation, and access your friends' sensitive information. The wealth of personal information that can be obtained from the 3 billion people on Facebook makes accounts like yours an attractive target. Has Your Facebook Account Been Hacked or Cloned? First, identify if your account has been hacked. Cyber crooks attack Facebook accounts in two ways. First, they will just clone your account by copying your name, some of your details, and a few of your posts. Next, looking at your account, they will see who you are connected to and send friend requests from the cloned account to your friends to see if they will fall for malicious phishing scams by posting to their wall or from a message sent to Facebook Messenger. If one of your friends contacts you about a strange message they received from you and you still can log into Facebook, chances are your account has just been cloned. Finally, if a criminal gains access to your Facebook login credentials from a data breach that leaked your information to the dark web, they will log into your account, change your password locking you out of your account. They will also enable 2 step authentication to prevent you from accessing your account with one of the Facebook recovery methods. Report Your Account. Hacked or Cloned. If you suspect your Facebook account has been tampered with, do the following:
If you no longer have access to your Facebook account, email or phone number, you may need to verify your identity by submitting a government-issued ID to Facebook. This process is completely safe. Simply follow the instructions provided by Facebook to complete this process. Criminals sometimes will neglect to turn on 2-factor authentication on your account. You may be able to use your Facebook verification methods to log back into your account. If you can do this, make sure you change your password immediately to deny criminals to your account. Inform Your Family and Friends. Let your friends and family know your account was tampered with. Warn them not to click on any suspicious links or messages they might have received from your account during the hack. If your account was If your account was cloned, then your friends can help you report the account. Criminals will block you from your cloned account which only makes it possible for your friends to see the account. If your account has been hacked, you may need to contact another Facebook friend to notify your network to let others know you've lost your account. If you think your someone has taken over your account, NEVER post on your feed that your account has been hacked. This will attract the attention of scammers who will send you messages claiming they can get your account back for you. This scammer will trick you into paying large sums of money with the promise of gaining access to your account. The only people who can get your account back is Facebook. Who can I contact at Facebook? Facebook does have a couple of phone numbers you can try, but they only play pre-recorded messages and direct you to their online help resources. Here are the numbers: +1 650-543-4800 +1 650-308-730012 If you have a Facebook-verified account, your chances of contacting a Facebook representative increases. You can also contact Facebook Support via email. You can drop an email to the relevant email addresses, although most people complain that they rarely hear back. For general support, use [email protected]. If you've lost access to your Facebook Business account, you can visit the Facebook for Business Help page by navigating to https://www.facebook.com/business/help. Never attempt to use Google to attempt to find a number for Facebook. Criminals and scammers have setup multiple bogus websites designed to trick you into calling these numbers. Once you have contacted the fake Facebook tech support, they will attempt to get you to pay for the retrieval of your account. Facebook will never charge you to regain access to your account. I recommend only using Facebook’s Help Center at facebook.com/help. You can also report issues directly through their support page if your account has been hacked. I won't lie to you, regaining access to your Facebook account is nearly imposible as AI almost entirely runs Facebook and often, you won't receive correspondence back if you call or email Facebook. The best way to get access to your hacked is to not allow it to get hacked at all. Simple steps such as change your Facebook password on a regular basis, using passphrases rather than passwords and enabling 2 factor authentication on your account are easier to do rather than trying to get access to your Facebook account. Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you gain access to your Facebook account. If you enjoyed this posts, let me know in the comments below. If you have any questions, please reach out via email or on social media. I'm always available. Looking for More Useful Tech Tips? Our Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, we LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Technology product reviews are posted every Thursday. You can view previous episodes on our YouTube channel. Sign Up for Our Newsletter! Click this link to sign-up and subscribe and you will receive every tip directly in your inbox each week. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. The above content is provided for information purposes only. All information included therein is subject to change without notice. 
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 by Burton Kelso, The Tech Expert In today’s digital age, you must equip your children with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely. Students age 5 to 80 need to understand they are targets of cyber crooks who want their personal information. From understanding the importance of strong passphrases to recognizing the signs of AI phishing scams and threats, there are several steps parents can take to develop a cyber-safe environment. Cybercrime is a human problem which can be solved if you help your students build their human firewall. In this article, I will help you explore practical tips and strategies to help your kids stay safe and secure online throughout the school year. Here's what you need to know. Don't turn a blind Eye to AI. AI isn't this all-knowing aware chatbot that can help you create new content, it is just scraping information off the web. Let your kids know they need to be cautious of what information they share on AI, as it might be leaked on the web. Also, you need to tell your kids to beware of AI-based phishing and cyber attacks that can lure them in with a variety of scams that are fueled with deepfakes and voice cloning. Visit Google's phishing quiz at https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com/ to help your students stay safe from any phishing attacks: Use Easy to Remember Passphrases. Passphrases are two unrelated words to create a strong password. Passphrases like "PurpleFox2021$" or "StolenBumble!243" are stronger than your garden variety of random numbers and characters to protect your kids online accounts. Visit Bitwarden's password and passphrase generator at https://bitwarden.com/password-generator/ Make Sure You "Back That Thang Up". Encourage students to stop carrying around important information on flash drives and external hard drives which can be misplaced, stolen, and can fail at a moment's notice. The cloud is the only way to go. Cloud services like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive automatically copy your data to the cloud which ensures their precious information is always backed up. Keep Track of Lost and Stolen Devices. Enable Find My to keep track of stolen devices. Get your student an Apple or Android alert to get alerts when devices are missing. Make Sure Your Students Information isn't on the Dark Web. With data breaches occurring on a regular basis, you need to verify your kid's information isn't floating on the dark web. Many companies don't disclose when they are responsible for leaking customer's information to the dark web. Once criminals have access to your information, they can commit ID theft, log into and take over social media accounts and access web backup services. Check out haveibeenpwned.com This website will let you know if your students' information such as passwords, social security numbers, and email addresses have been leaked on the dark web and if they should get ID protection. Hopefully, this will give you tips to help your students stay safe this school year. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Need computer repair or IT support services? If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.  by Burton Kelso, The Tech Expert You should know that protecting your social security numbers, bank account numbers, pins, credit cards, and passwords is key to stopping identity thieves and hackers. But have you attempted to keep your mobile number safe from prying eyes? Your telephone number is used to validate your identity to access your online accounts, and fraudsters are developing more sophisticated attacks to take advantage. Phone port fraud is the latest scam crooks are using to gain access to your personal information. Read on to find out how this works and how to keep yourself safe. What is phone porting fraud? Phone porting fraud is when your mobile phone number is ported to a new telecommunications provider without your consent. A phone port can be initiated with a criminal providing your name, mobile number, email, and your date of birth. If your phone number has been illegally ported, you lose mobile phone reception, access to network data, and the ability to call and text. The crook who illegally ported your number can now text, and make calls from your phone number and is the new owner of your number. This also means cyber thieves can log into your online accounts from which you setup two factor authentication and use your mobile phone number to reset your passwords for those accounts and take over those accounts. How do criminals know my personal information? Cybercrooks may have obtained your information in several different ways. You may have clicked a phishing link through an email or text message and entered sensitive information, or your emails may have been compromised. Cyberthieves may have accessed personal information you may have accessible on social media profiles. They may have also accessed your information via ‘social engineering’ through a phone call or messaging app. ‘Social engineering’ is the act of manipulating people to give up confidential or sensitive information. Crooks may have also located your information on the dark web from a variety of large data breaches in which your information may have been leaked. Signs You May be a victim of a port fraud. Your service is suddenly disconnected and showing ‘SOS only’. Unexpected texts from your provider advising that you have requested your number to be ported to another network. How to prevent phone porting. Stop giving out your mobile number to the public. Only share it with close family and friends. Setup a WhatsApp or Google Voice number to share with the public. Contact your phone provider and increase your security questions to unique answers only you would know. Remove your email, mobile number, and date of birth from your social media profiles as well as any other online profiles. Use two-step verifications to log into your email account and banking apps. Never click a link you receive via email or text message. Be aware of cold calls where a scammer will manipulate you to give up personal information such as your banking credentials, credit card, address, or date of birth. What do to if you suspect your phone has been ported. Contact your mobile phone provider immediately. Contact your financial institutions. Change your passwords to online banking, email, and social media accounts. Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you stay safe from phone porting scams. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app usage has been on the rise over the past couple of years, especially with younger smartphone users. These apps let you send money to friends and family instantly for things like meals, shared bills, or even paying merchants who use these apps to collect money from customers. If you're not familiar, peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App work differently than other forms of digital commerce. They are like using cash rather than a debit card. The great thing about these apps is they are easy to use and offer a good deal of security. Though these apps can be secure, this doesn't mean you can't fall into the clutches of a cyber crook. If you want to stay safe using these apps, follow these tips. You're probably familiar with credit or debit card fraud which means your card information is compromised, and a crook uses your card number to purchase goods or services without your consent. P2P payment scams work a little differently as they are focused on tricking you into sending money to someone you don't know. Credit card companies have sophisticated systems to detect fraud, and electronic payment processing for cards allows them time to stop fraud before the funds are transferred. However, money can be hard to recover on P2P apps because, most of the time, you agree to send the money. Here are some scams to watch out for: Impersonation. Scammers will call or text to trick you into believing they are your financial institution, the P2P platform, or some government agency like the police or IRS. A bank impersonator may report suspicious activity and ask you to send money to verify your account or test if your account is working correctly. Phishing. Phishing is a similar tactic to impersonation scams, but instead, the fraudster is trying to get you to share a verification code, your password, or other sensitive information. These communications usually have a time-sensitive element or say your account will be locked if you don’t respond. Unauthorized Money Transfers. This occurs when a criminal logs into your account and transfers money without your permission. They gain access to your account with your credentials they found on the dark web. Fake Product or Service. This scam involves selling you something from an online store where the seller asks you to transfer money for the purchase, and after you do, they disappear without providing that product or service. The ‘Accidental’ Transfer. This scam involves someone “accidentally” transferring you funds that were meant for someone else. Or you may be selling a product or service, and they overpay you by check or transfer. Then, the scammer will ask you to send the money back to them.Later, you will find the money transfer was from a stolen or fake account, or the check doesn’t clear To make sure you don't fall for scams, follow these tips to help keep your money and information safe from P2P scams. Transfer Funds to Your Bank Account Regularly. Many people who use P2P apps keep their money on these apps exclusively, but you need to use a traditional bank with these apps. Most payment apps do not provide the same protections as a bank account backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. That means that if the app goes belly up, there’s no guarantee you can recover your funds. Choose the Most Restrictive Privacy and Security Settings for the app and your phone. If you use a payment app, make sure you set up two-factor authentication and public transaction sharing. Then, choose a unique password and opt to lock your phone after a short amount of time so if it gets stolen no one can get into the app. Make Sure the User Name and Password to Your App isn't on the dark web. Crooks still use a method called 'credential stuffing' to see if passwords you've used in the past work for your cash apps. Use a combination of 'Have I Been Pwned' and a password manager to check to see if your information is on the dark web. If you find your credentials, change your information immediately. Know Who You Are Sending Money To. It’s best to use P2P payment apps with people who you know personally. Do not send or accept payments from people you don’t know. Check and Double-Check the Details. When sending money through a P2P platform, a missed digit can be the difference between paying your friend and sending money to a stranger, never to be seen again. So, double-check the phone number, account number, email, and other information, especially if you are sending money to a new recipient. Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you stay safe when using a P2P Payment app. These apps have a good deal of security, but make sure you are taking additional steps to keep your account safe. If you have any questions, If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Need computer repair service near you? My company Integral offers the highest quality computer repair service nationwide. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. The above content is provided for information purposes only. All information included therein is subject to change without notice. I am not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to the use of or reliance on the above content. 
In this day and age of layoffs and inflation, it’s been a tough few years for some. In times like these, cash advance services have become especially attractive for people who need some quick money to cover unexpected expenses until your next pay period.
Now, cash advance apps are making their way into the Google Play and Apple App Store. Unlike traditional cash advance services, these apps are designed to allow you to borrow small amounts of money, usually up to $500. Before you download one of these apps and start asking for cash, you should be aware of the dangers and costs that come with them. Here are some of the things you should consider before using a cash advance app. How do Cash Advance apps work? You typically download a cash-advance app from Google Play or Apple Store and connect your checking account. When you link your checking account, you give the app permission to have recurring direct deposits. Once you get everything setup, you can request to borrow a lump sum of money in exchange for a fee. The app then withdraws the money from your linked bank account when it’s due. I don't recommend it, but if you decide to use a loan app, it helps if you compare the costs between several lending platforms. This will help you find an option that best fits your budget. Here is a list of eight apps that allow you to borrow money instantly. App Max loan amounts. Fastest funding available. Klover $200 Instant $1.99 –$16.78 EarnIn $100 / day $750 / pay period Instant $1.99 – $4.99 Brigit $250 Instant $0.99 – $3.99 MoneyLion $500 Instant $0.49 – $8.99 Chime $200 in overdraft protection Get paycheck 2 days early No fee Albert $250 Instant unspecified fee Dave $500 Instant $1.99 – $13.99 Empower $250 Instant $1 – $8 Before you use a Cash Advance app, it’s important to weigh the challenges you may face. Privacy and security risks: Cash advance apps require access to your bank account, personal information, and location. This puts at risk for identity theft, fraud, or hacking. There's a chance some of these apps may also sell your data to third parties for marketing purposes or use it to target you with ads and offers. Make sure to read the privacy policy and terms of service of any app before you use it and verify the app has strong encryption and security measures. No consumer protection: Cash advance apps are not regulated by the same laws that apply to banks and credit unions. This means they don't have to disclose their fees and interest rates upfront, follow fair lending practices, or offer hardship programs or payment plans. They also don't have to report your payment history to credit bureaus, which means that using these apps will not help you build your credit score. High fees and interest rates: Some cash advance apps claim to be fee-free or charge a low flat fee, others may charge hefty fees and interest rates that can add up quickly. The average APR on an advance from these apps is 376%. Others may charge an additional monthly membership fee. When things add up, your loan could be much more expensive than you think. Short repayment terms: Most cash advance apps require you to repay your loan on your next payday. This can put you in a cycle of debt, where you have to borrow more money to pay off your previous loan and cover your living expenses. If you fail to repay your loan on time, you may face late fees and overdraft fees, which can lead to your checking account closure. Hopefully, this will help you get a better understanding of cash advance apps. They may seem like a convenient and easy way to get some extra cash, but they can also be a trap that can cost you more than you bargained for. Before you use one of these apps, you should explore other alternatives, such as asking for an advance from your employer, borrowing from friends or family, or seeking help from a nonprofit credit counselor or financial coach. These options may help you avoid the hidden dangers of cash advance apps and improve your financial health in the long run. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. If you need help with your computers and technology in your home or your office, please reach out to my company Integral at www.callintegralnow.com
You've probably heard of Nextdoor, the social media app that's designed for you and your neighbors to connect with each other. Like other social media apps such as Meta, Linkedin, Snapchat and Pinterest, Nextdoor prioritizes the safety and privacy of user and have measures in place to help you have an enjoyable experience. However, where there are people, there are local and international cyber crooks who are looking to harass and scam you. With NextDoor being focused on your neighborhood connections, it's important that you take extra steps to keep you and your family safe. Check out the following tips to stay safe and secure when using this neighborhood-centered app and website. Hey, We're All Neighbors. One of the best things about Nextdoor is when you set up an account, it uses your geographic location. Verification is done via your smartphone billing address and by an SMS verification process which is essentially 2 step verification. This should give you peace of mind knowing that the people you connect and communicate on Nextdoor are real people and not bot accounts like you can encounter on other social media platforms. However, you still need to use caution. NextDoor Privacy Policy Works Like Other Social Media Networks. Nextdoor may work a little differently than other social media networks, but they collect your data as well just like every other social media app you're using. Collecting your data is one of the ways social media apps can survive. As the old saying goes, for free products on the web, "If you're not paying for the product, then you're the product". Whenever your use Nextdoor. it collects information from your browser and devices. This means that if you use Nextdoor on multiple devices (your computer, your phone, your tablet), then it collects data from all those places. Hide Your Address. One of the most important privacy features you have is ability to hide your address from everyone in your neighborhood and beyond. Unfortunately, your connections will still be able to see your street name, but they can't see your full address. This is helpful to protect you and your family from online bullying activity such as doxing. To verify your address is hidden, do the following: Select your profile picture in the top right and then select Settings > Privacy. Look for the Show address to my neighborhood as setting and select the option that only displays your street name. Build Up Your Personal Firewall. You may think cyber crooks aren't interested in your Nextdoor account, but remember any social media account is a target to criminals. This means you should protect your Nextdoor account like you would your bank. Strong passphrases and enabling 2 step authentication on your account is a must. Watch What You Post. When you post to NextDoor, your whole neighborhood sees what you post. This is helpful if you're trying to share important alerts about an item for sale or a lost pet. Nextdoor doesn't currently have a feature that allows you to post to select neighbors. If you want to send private messages, use the DM or direct message feature. Investigate Those Recommendations. One of the great things about NextDoor is you can get recommendations from your neighbors. However, just because you see a recommendation on Nextdoor, doesn't mean the business or person is going to do a good job. There have been reports of people hiring contractors for home repairs, only to be left with an incomplete or botched project after having paid thousands of dollars. Make sure you research businesses by reading online reviews, asking for references. Also, check qualifications and certifications. Additionally, privately message your neighbors you know who've done business with them and ask about their experience. Watch Out for Crooked People. Scams are everywhere online, including Nextdoor. Fraudulent content, phishing, you name it, you will encounter it on the app. Cybercrime is a human problem and you are your best defense to stay from scams and shams. Use common sense. If it feels like a scam, it probably is. Hopefully, this will help you use Nextdoor and stay safe. If you post personal information and ignore other privacy and security no-nos, you are bound to fall victim to some of the scams that have plagued Nextdoor. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. If you need help with your computers and technology in your home or your office, please reach out to my company Integral at www.callintegralnow.com 
I know many of you are losing sleep worrying if some cyber crook is snooping around your Wi-Fi network, looking for information that will help them gain access to your username and passwords that will allow them to hack into your social media accounts, email and financial websites. Fear not, in our digital world it's nearly impossible for hackers to gain access to your home or business network. Seriously. 99% of cybercrime requires user interaction, which means as long as you're not clicking on links in emails and text messages as well as not using weak passwords for your Wi-Fi router, you're safe. However, there's nothing wrong with checking your wireless router now and then to see if any unknown devices are connected. Follow these tips to keep the bad guys from connecting to your wifi and avoid being the free neighborhood hotspot. Download and use your router app. Every router manufactured in the past five years has an app that allows you to change your settings as well as see how many devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network. Your router app can remove unknown devices giving you peace of mind when you see a strange device show up on your network. You can also log directly from your router from your computer or smartphone to see what devices are connected. You would need your router's IP (Internet Protocol) address. If you're not familiar on how to achieve this, you would be better off using the app. Additionally, if you're using a router from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you should be able to call them and they can give you an idea of what devices are connected. Use an IP Scanner. An IP scanner is a tool you can use to find out what devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network. One of my favorites is Angry IP and it works on Windows and Mac devices. If you prefer to use your smartphone, try Fing. Both apps will scan your wireless (and wired) network to let you see what devices are connected. Other Tips to follow: Set up a Guest Network. If you have family members and neighborhood kids who insist on using wifi when you visit or have an office and you want your customers to be able to use Wi-Fi, setup a guest network access with your router. This will allow those guest to connect to the Internet without risking them access to your main network. Guest network access is great because you can turn off the guest network which prevents anyone from connecting whenever they want. Hide your Service Set Identifier (SSID). An SSID is the identifier for your wireless network. Its purpose is to let your devices know which network to connect to to join a home or business network. Under normal circumstances, your SSID is visible to help you easily connect to your wireless network. To keep your wifi network secure, you should go into your router settings and make it invisible. When it's invisible your home and business neighbors are well as criminals can't see your wifi name to connect. Only you will know and only the people you share with will know. Going Through a Breakup, remove your partner's access. If you're breaking up with someone, make sure you remove their devices from your wireless network. There's no reason someone you're no longer involved with should have access to your wifi. Same thing with employees you've let go. When you continue to allow them access, you increase the chances they can log into your network and conduct some malicious access. Change your Wi-Fi password from time to time. You know the drill, treat passwords like underwear. Change them frequently. Replace your router every five years. Internet technology changes frequently which means if you want those speeds your internet provider promised you, you need to switch out that router. When you change out your router, you also remove access to anyone who connected to your old one. Hopefully, this will help you keep an eye out for anyone who manages to get access to your Wi-Fi. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. Need computer repair service near you? My company Integral offers the highest quality computer repair service nationwide. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. 
April is Financial Literacy Month. Started in 2004, the purpose of this month is to help people gain access to financial education and understanding of financial services and products. Individuals and businesses are still struggling with the effects of the global pandemic, but fortunately, technology can help solve the problems people experience with finances. If you're struggling with financial literacy as well as your finances, I encourage you to check out the following apps. YNAB (You Need A Budget). This budgeting app works great because it helps you create a budget for yourself or your family. It works by streamlining your financial information from different sources into a single, easy to read interface interface that helps you focus on making decisions, not gathering data. By showing you how much money you have available you can set budget goals and you can spend without worrying we’re compromising your long-term goals. HoneyDue. If you are looking for a free app that works for couples, check out Honeydue. This app empowers couples to gain visibility into their finances and collaborate effectively on money matters. It offers the ability to link, loans, investments, and bank accounts for real-time tracking. Couples can oversee expenses as individual or shared. You also get bill reminders for upcoming due dates. Credit Karma. Credit Karma is a helpful app that provides you with valuable financial information. It allows you to see your credit score from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This app will also help you with approval odds with credit cards as well as free ID monitoring to help protect you from Identity theft. Stash. This investing app is for beginners. It offers automated investing with a Smart Portfolio, self-directed investing in stocks and ETFs, and a Stock-Back® Debit Card that earns stock rewards. Get personalized advice, market insights, and security features. Empower Personal Dashboard. This app consolidates your financial life, allowing you to link all your accounts for a holistic view. You can track your net worth, manage budgets, plan for retirement, monitor investments, and benefit from robust security features. Fiduciary services are also available for substantial holdings. PocketGuard is an all-in-one budgeting app that simplifies personal finance. Connect your accounts, categorize expenses, and get a snapshot of your finances. It helps manage debt and set SMART goals. Hopefully, this has introduced you to apps that will help you improve your financial literacy and maintain smart money management habits. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. Looking for More Useful Tips Tips? My Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, I LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. You can view previous episodes on my YouTube channel. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. by Burton Kelso, The Tech Expert If you're like me, you're probably always on the lookout for low-cost options when it comes to your streaming services. Traditional streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ are seeing skyrocketing price increases which are putting a strain on your budget. If you are looking to lower your streaming expenses you need to look at some of the free streaming services that are emerging as a popular option to replace subscription streaming services. Now there is a trade-off, instead of a monthly bill, you’ll have to endure advertisements. That’s how these free services make their money. If you're looking to find a good free streaming service for your family, check out these options. As of this writing, there is no one-size-fits-all replacement for live TV streaming services other than a digital antenna, but the right free service could help you stay entertained while keeping your wallet happy. There are a couple of dozen free streaming services on the web. Here are a few services I recommend: Pluto TV. Pluto TV is owned by Viacom and runs over 100 free channels. It runs on Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku and PlayStation. Apps are available for Apple and Android devices. Sony Crackle. Crackle is owned by Sony, so it has a lot of Sony original content, plus programs and movies from other companies. You can watch some of your favorite TV shows, original programming and movies. It can be connected to a large variety of platforms such as TVs, mobile devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, and online. Tubi. A long favorite of mine, Tubi streams more than 12,000 titles. You can Stream anywhere and the service includes content from a plethora of other sources for kids of all ages and content that’s not streamed anywhere else. Freevee (formerly IMDb TV). Freevee is owned by Amazon and contains a lot of content -backed by Amazon. It offers on-demand movies and TV shows, live-streaming channels, and a small collection of original content. Roku Channel. The Roku Channel is an app for watching movies and TV shows that is attached to popular Roku streaming devices. Roku streaming devices and televisions come preloaded with applications that include the Roku Channel, but you also can get access to the content through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Hopefully, this article will help point you in the right direction as far as streaming services. There are more free streaming services out there. If you have time, check out some of the other services out there to see if it will be worth your time. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. Need computer repair service near you? My company Integral offers the highest quality computer repair service nationwide. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
AI isn't here to ruin your world, it's the opposite. It's here to make your life a lot easier. There's no complicated process to use Generative AI. If you can use Google, you can use AI and with the increase in applications of artificial intelligence, there are ways you can use it to your advantage in daily life.
Some of the things you can use AI for include: explaining in plain English what your doctor's report said or helping you create effective social media posts for your business. Maybe you need a recipe for a family gathering. You ask AI to help you solve issues and come up with solutions for problems you're having around the house as well as helping you with personal issues you're dealing with. AI can make daily life more pleasant, productive, and easy to manage. Read on to find out how. The term AI doesn't mean Generative tools currently available are living machines. It means that you can talk to these tools like you would a human. If you've struggled in the days of DOS, you know trying to talk to a computer in machine language is impossible. With the help of AI, you can sit in front of your computer or smartphone and have conversations with ChatBots who are there to help you. Think of AI as Google on steroids! There are many tools that you can use to help you with your journey to using AI. If you're getting started here is a list of ones to get started: ChatGPT: It's available from any web browser or you can download the app for iPhone or Android. You will need to create an account. The free version works for most people. You have the option to pay $20 a month if you think you need more advanced tools which are designed for people who are using AI at an advanced level. Perplexity: You can use it free on the web for general purposes. There’s also a $20 per month Pro plan if you want to be able to upload images and get access to advanced tools. AI.Google Bard: You can use it free from any browser on your computer or smartphone. It's completely free if you have a Google account. Microsoft Copilot: Use it on Chrome or Edge at Copilot.Microsoft.com. You need to sign in with an active Microsoft account. You can also download the Bing app to your iPhone or Android device. How do I talk AI's Language? AI communication works in the form of prompts. Prompts are a way of "programming" AI to give you the results you want. Choosing the right prompt is an important step. For example, if you’re working on creating a schedule for house cleaning, make you're putting in all of the information related to scheduling such as days you work and days you have off. What rooms do you want to clean regularly or on a casual basis? A good prompt would work like this: "I need help with my house cleaning schedule. I work Monday through Friday from 8 am - 5 pm. I'm struggling with keeping up with laundry, as well as cleaning my bathrooms and kitchen. Can you come up with a schedule that will help me keep my house clean and organized?" You can revise this to whatever works for you. Let's get started. If you can think of it, there’s probably an AI tool that can do it. Rather than using Google to find answers, use AI. Here are some uses to get you started. Handyman: There are plenty of things that can go wrong around your house. Sometimes you need to know if you can fix these situations on your own, or know if you should just call a professional. Use the following prompts: "I spilled red wine on my carpet. Can you show me some effective methods of removing the stain" Another would be: "I think the pipes in my house are frozen. Do you have some simple home remedies to fix this issue?" Family organizer: If you have an overwhelming household, you can use AI as your family organizer to make your life easier. Use the following prompts: “Can you help create a schedule that will allow me to have lazy mornings, and make sure I get my kids to school at 7:55 am and start my virtual workday at 9:30 am." Another prompt could be: "For the following month, I have to work 8 to 5 Monday - Friday, take the kids to basketball practice on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Can you help me create a schedule I can stick to?” Looking for Online Love: Creating an online dating profile can be a challenge because it’s hard to talk about ourselves! Instead of racking your brain to come up with the perfect profile, ask AI to help. Use the following prompts: "Can you help with my online dating profile? I need you to ask me a series of questions to figure out what things I need to include. Make sure the questions you ask are about me and the qualities I want in a partner." Another prompt would be: "Can you look at my current online dating profile and add some things to spice it up." You can then copy and paste your online profile to allow AI to read it and give you pointers. Business Brainstorming: It's easy to get stuck in a marketing rut when it comes to your business. Make AI can be your idea-generating machine. Feed the proper prompts that are related to your business, and watch as it shoots out creative business concepts. Use the following prompts: "I’m thinking about starting a new podcast. Can you be the marketing guru? I was hoping you could help me with a plan to get the word out. Where should I start?” Another prompt could be: "I have a newsletter that I've sent out for many years. I have a good size of subscribers. Can you help me think of ways that I could increase my subscribers?" Personal Chef. No, AI won't cook for you, but you can ask it to come up with a meal plan or help you prepare meals by telling it what ingredients and food items you have in your home. Use the following prompts: “I'm tired, but I need to prepare a meal for my family or four. Another prompt could be: "Can you help me with 3 quick and easy meals that I can make in less than an hour" Another prompt would be: "I need help with what foods to avoid. I am trying to lose 10 pounds. What suggestions do you have as far as meal choices?" Content creation concierge: Struggling to write website copy? How about material for your social media posts? AI can craft compelling website and social media copy, help with SEO (search engine optimization), and target the people you're trying to reach. Use the following prompts: “I need you to analyze the copy on the first page of my website to see if I have the right SEO to get more people to find my website" Another prompt would be: " I need you to come up with 7 days of social media content that will help me become more consistent with my social media posts." Hopefully, this will give you some ideas of how you can use AI in your day-to-day home or work life. There are even more AI tools that will help you generate images for your use at home or business, create spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, newsletters, and more. If you need a list of AI prompts for text or images, drop me a line and I can send you a cheat sheet to help you get more out of AI. Looking for More Useful Tips Tips? My Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, I LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. You can view previous episodes on my YouTube channel. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. |
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