 We love password managers because they make the difficult job of logging into websites a lot easier, and they also help you to change your passwords to avoid using the same password or a minor variation of it on multiple websites (a common faux pas that can lead to security problems).
Our favorite password manager is 1Password. With 1Password installed on your PC or Mac, here are 3 ways you can autofill a password:
Do you need help setting up or optimizing your passwords? We work with all kinds of password managers, and this is one of our most common requests.  Our favorite antivirus, Malwarebytes, has a new offering that blocks ads and fraudulent websites in your web browser. It's called Malwarebytes Browser Guard, and it's free. Malwarebytes has a track record of effectively protecting consumers from predatory advertising and websites. While we recommend having a full antivirus on your machine like Malwarebytes Premium, Browser Guard can provide an additional layer of protection for your web browsing, and provides protection from scams and advertising in your web browser even if you don't have the premium version of Malwarebytes.
Click here to check out Malwarebytes Browser Guard  We live in an era where folks have so many online accounts, it can be a major hassle dealing with all of the passwords, not to mention keeping them secure from hackers. While pen-and-paper password systems work well enough for some internet users, many people resort to storing their passwords digitally. While it's possible to use a program like Excel to store passwords, that is not a secure storage method, and a password manager app can also be more convenient.
Our favorite password manager app is 1Password. It's been around for many years, has a great security record, and works on all of the major platforms including Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android. Once it's up and running, a quality password manager types your passwords for you, makes it easy to view your passwords from computer or smartphone, and helps you to change your passwords so that you don't use the same password for multiple online accounts (a big internet security mistake). 1Password has plenty of competition, including Dashlane, another password manager we have recommended over the years. However, we advise you stay away from Lastpass, which has been repeatedly infiltrated by hackers. Are you looking to clean up your passwords in the the new year? We would love to provide a tutorial and get your passwords organized.  Do you have a computer running Windows 8.1? Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 8.1 as of January 10, 2023, which means it will no longer get security updates, and will not work properly with many apps such as the Google Chrome web browser. If you have a Windows 8.1 computer and are wondering what to do next, please reach out.
 Apple recently released its newest MacOS operating system, MacOS Ventura. Ventura has a few new tricks in its bag, such as better search, new email "unsend" and "schedule" capabilities, and the ability to recover recently deleted text messages. Click here to check out what's new in Ventura. Most Macs from 2017 and newer can upgrade to Ventura.
As with each annual MacOS release, it's usually a good idea to wait a few months after its initial release to upgrade, especially if you use 3rd party programs such as audio/video editing software. Our recommended safest path for upgrading your existing Mac is to perform the upgrade in January, ensuring that you have backed up your Mac via a Time Machine external hard drive or cloud backup "just in case," and checking that each of your non-Apple apps is certified as compatible with Ventura before making the leap. From the outset there have been security-related issues with Ventura, with many folks having to tinker with their antivirus software to get it working again after the upgrade. It turns out that this is a MacOS bug that affects many security-related apps, and while it's a quick fix for those who know, not all people will be aware of the issue, and it's problems like these that lead us to recommend caution when upgrading.  One of our most commonly received questions related to alternatives to Google for search, often for privacy-related reasons. Check out this article for a rundown on the different search engines and browsers you can use.
 Did you know that we offer tutorials and setup for smart TVs? Whether it's getting hooked up to the internet, installing apps, or making sure the entertainment you want is available for you to watch, we make it as easy as possible to get your smart TV, Roku, or Apple TV hooked up to the internet and streaming.
Many clients have been replacing their traditional cable TV boxes, and we're always happy to have a conversation - remotely or in-person - and help you discover the best next step for entertainment and movie-watching as we approach the cold months of snuggling on the couch.  Our operating system manufacturers are at it again, with a new batch of updates.
Apple has just released iOS 16, which brings highly requested features like the ability to undelete a text message or look up your wifi password. It also contains a Safety Check to review what info your phone is sharing with other people, along with a Lockdown Mode for folks who feel that they are at a higher risk of getting hacked. Microsoft recently released its first major update to Windows 11 that improves the security of the system. We continue to urge caution for folks considering an upgrade to existing Windows 10 computers, though most new computers sold today now come with Windows 11. Windows 11 tends to work well for computers that were built with that operating system in mind, but folks who upgrade older systems sometimes run into problems that do not exist in Windows 10. Click the links below to find out more about the latest updates. iOS 16 for iPhone - out now iPadOS 16 (coming in October) MacOS Ventura (coming in October) Want to know if your device can run the latest updates? Check out our last newsletter. Windows 11 version 22H2 - out now  These days, people spend the majority of their time on the computer inside of a web browser, whether that's Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Here are some quick tips for you to get maximum speed so that you can take care of computing tasks and get back to enjoying the great outdoors!
 The pandemic has caused issues with supply chains across the globe, and we are reminded just how complex the computer creation process is, how much human power it takes to create a computer, and the need for rare earth metals mined and refined from Mother Earth.
Both Windows and Mac manufacturers have been affected by delays, with some new computer orders taking weeks or even months to deliver. Computer repair part availability has also been affected. The new computer supply crunch is especially tough right now because of the combination of covid lockdowns and the recent Chinese New Year in February, when Chinese workers took multiple weeks off from work. It's still possible to walk into a store like Best Buy and walk out with a new computer, but build quality should carefully considered. Many lower-cost, consumer-grade PCs have shown increased defect rates. For increased reliability, consider investing in a business-class PC that has higher quality components to stand the test of time. Examples of reliable computer lines include Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell OptiPlex, and Apple Mac. Considering a new computer and want expert guidance? We can help you every step of the way. |
AuthorJensen Gelfond is the Founder of Asheville Digital Lifestyle. He helps people use their technology more effectively and joyfully. Categories
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