Privacy and Security

The numbers in the Cambridge Analytica Facebook scandal just keep climbing, from an original 55 million to a new estimate of nearly 87 million account holders who have had their data breached. This is because the quiz, "This Is Your Digital Life," collected data not only from Facebook users who completed it, but from all their Facebook friends as well. Facebook has barred the personality quiz from the platform and sent a message to all account holders who took the quiz, but if you'd like to make sure your data wasn't also breached, there's a way to find out. Let's check and see if our Facebook accounts have been compromised by Cambridge Analytica; it's easy to do right from your iPhone. 

Safari's AutoFill is a feature that automatically enters contacts, logins, passwords, and credit card information, so you don't have to spend time remembering and typing the same things over and over. AutoFill can even create secure passwords if you're having trouble coming up with your own. If you have iCloud set up and iCloud Keychain enabled, iCloud Keychain will securely store AutoFill information from Safari. Once your AutoFill information is stored, it can be automatically entered across all Apple devices you sign into your iCloud account on. But what happens when some of your information changes and AutoFill keeps entering old data? Don't worry; there is a way to update your AutoFill information right from your iPhone! Let's get started learning how to update credit card information, so your AutoFill data is once again helpful and correct. 

You've been trying to get in touch with a friend or family member, but they haven't returned your calls or messages. Are they just busy, is something wrong with their phone, or have they blocked your number? How can you tell if someone blocked your number? There's not a surefire way to know if your number is blocked, but there are a few telling signs that indicate someone blocked your number from texting or calling. Let's go over the clues that calls and messages from your iPhone are being blocked.

You're browsing a website on your iPhone when suddenly a pop-up appears. "Warning! iOS Security Breach! Virus detected on iPhone!" Well, that's alarming! Luckily, there's a number to call and get everything sorted out, right? If you haven't already heard, virus warnings and Apple security alerts like these are scams designed to get you to click on a link or call a number. If you fall for it, your iPhone can be infected with malware, or you may be tricked into giving away personal data over the phone. Step one when you see an iPhone virus warning like this is to not tap on it or call any phone numbers associated with it. But now what? How can we get these bogus iPhone virus removal pop-ups off the screen so we can use our devices again? Read on to learn how to quickly and easily get rid of fake iPhone virus warnings on your phone.

How to Block Caller ID Directly from Your iPhone

If you'd like to make private calls from your iPhone on a more regular basis, without having to enter a code each time, there's a setting you can change to accomplish this. To turn on call blocking:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
3. Tap on Show My Caller ID.
4. Toggle off Show My Caller ID.

Facebook Privacy: How to Delete Facebook Apps

1. Tap on the x to the right of the app you want to delete.
2. Choose Delete App or Delete App & Activity from the pop-up menu. I recommend Delete App & Activity.
3. After deleting your chosen app, you'll receive a notification telling you the app may still keep data you've previously shared.
4. After you tap Close, you'll see a screen like this:

The next time your Facebook app refreshes, the apps you deleted will completely disappear. 

When Apple introduced Touch ID, it created a quandry for touchscreen gloves. If you did away with a short passcode, in favor of the fingerprint reader, then it became a nuisance to wear gloves, even if they had capacitive fingers to work on a smartphone. Now, with Face ID, touchscreen gloves are more practical, and Mujjo offers a wide selection of Touchscreen Gloves (starting at $24.13).

We've gone over how to block a phone number on the iPhone, as well as how to block texts on the iPhone, but did you know that even when someone's number is blocked they can still leave you voicemails? It seems odd to be able to receive voicemails from someone you've directed your phone to block, but there it is, and in a way this peculiar feature has its merits. For example, if you've blocked an ex or cyberbully, it can be useful to know if they've moved on or if you may have cause to worry. So let's get started learning what happens when you block a number on the iPhone, and how to listen to voicemails from blocked numbers, as well. 

Kik is a free messaging app that lets you send text messages, videos, GIFs, stickers, and more to friends who've also downloaded the Kik app. Kik users can also find new friends to message; and since the Kik app has over 300 million users, the odds are good that you'll find at least a few people you'd like to chat with. It's easy to get started using Kik; rather than using your phone number to create an account, all you need is an email address and username. Once you've downloaded Kik and created your account, you can use the app to message your friends who are also on the platform, and invite other people in your phone contacts to join. There's one problem though: Kik is easy to download on your iPhone, but what about Kik for iPad? Despite the lack of an official Kik app for iPad, there are ways to work around this missing offering. Let's get started learning how to get Kik for iPad. 

Virus Protection for Your iPhone: How to Keep Your Device Safe

Can iPhones get viruses? It's easy to revel in false security and believe our iPhones can't be infected by viruses; after all, the Apple ecosystem has a great track record for safety and defense against electronic invasion of all kinds. No system is completely invulnerable, however, so it's important to know that yes, your phone can be infected with viruses and other iPhone malware. I'm sure you're wondering, "Does my iPhone have a virus?" If so, how can we remove viruses from iPhones? Is there a way to prevent another breach? Let's get started learning about iPhone viruses so that we can detect, delete, and keep from getting reinfected with viruses. 

1. What Is Malware, What's a Virus, What's the Difference?

2. Don't Jailbreak Your iPhone: Protect Your iPhone from Malware and Viruses.

3. Malware and Virus Protection for Your iPhone: Update iOS.

4. Apple App Store: Avoid iPhone Malware and Viruses from Apps.

5. iPhone Malware: Avoid Suspicious Links, Phishing & Robocallers.

6. iPhone Malware: Tricky Pop-ups.

7. Back up Your iPhone: Keep Your Data Safe.

8. Does My iPhone Have a Virus or Other Malware?

9. How to Get Rid of Malware or a Virus on Your iPhone

Sharing a Wi-Fi password just became a whole lot easier with the introduction of iOS 11. In previous operating systems, if you wanted to share your Wi-Fi password you'd need to give it out so visitors could enter it into their device and join your network. This could get complicated if your devices had stayed logged in to your Wi-Fi for so long that you found yourself asking, "wait, what is my Wi-Fi password again?" But with iOS 11, iPhone owners no longer have to remember and share their password, the new system allows you to share your Wi-Fi with friends with one tap. Let's get started learning how to share Wi-Fi in iOS 11!  

By now we’re all familiar with Touch ID, the fingerprint authentication security feature introduced with Apple’s iPhone 5s in 2013. The iPhone X replaces Touch ID with a facial recognition system, Face ID, which can be used to unlock your phone, open apps, make purchases in iTunes, and more. Biometric authentication protects our phones, but also introduces new privacy concerns by leaving iPhone users open to the possibility of criminals stealing data or law enforcement accessing it without a warrant. If you have even a few seconds notice before a robbery or unlawful search, you can discreetly and temporarily disable Touch and Face ID on your iPhone; let's learn how.

Typically when Apple releases a new iPhone, the changes are indisputably upgrades. There’s nothing controversial about adding a better camera and faster processor while keeping the price the same. When Apple decided to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, it was the first time that the changes felt more like a trade-off than an upgrade. When Apple released the iPhone X, I was left with a similar feeling. Apple upgraded the camera, designed an edge-to-edge display, and added Face ID, but removed the Home button and with it the popular Touch ID sensor. To further complicate the equation, Apple raised the price to $1,000. When I watched Apple announce the iPhone X, I was left with more questions than answers. Would I miss the Home button and Touch ID? Would the iPhone’s unusual notch at the top of the display bother me? How reliable would Face ID be? Most importantly, I wondered if the iPhone X was worth the extravagant price tag. After two months of using the iPhone X, I’m ready to weigh in with a definitive hands-on review.

Do you find it totally creepy when an ad pops up on your iPhone for just exactly the sort of thing you’d like to purchase? Does it seem like your phone has just a little too much inside information about your preferences, and you’d like to establish some boundaries between yourself and the wide world of capitalism? If so, it’s time for you to learn how to limit ad tracking in Apple Apps on your iPhone.

Notifications center on any iPhone previous to the iPhone X is accessed by simply swiping down from the very top of the screen. But the iPhone X has a notch at the top that creates a distinct top left and top right of the iPhone X. As such, Apple gave each separate side its own function. So where are notifications on the iPhone X? Just a swipe away. Plus, there’s another interesting feature pertaining to notifications on iPhone X that utilizes facial recognition for futuristic privacy. We’ll go over both in our continued journey covering all the new gestures and features of the iPhone X. Here’s how to find the notification center on iPhone X and the hidden iPhone X privacy feature that’ll blown your mind.

I had the opportunity to try Arlo Q 1080p HD Security Camera with Audio ($199.99) from Netgear. I liked the 1080p HD quality recording and Night Vision with Motion Alerts. I also liked two-way speaker and microphone.

Remember Jim Clark? He was a founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape, WebMD, and Shutterfly to name a few. His latest venture is named CommandScape and it is a suite of smart products and services for commercial buildings and larger homes. The product suite includes video surveillance, lighting, security, and more.

How to Find Your iPhone (Even If It’s Dead) on an iPad or Friend’s iPhone

You'll be using Find My iPhone in iCloud to find your iPhone, which is why you can find your lost iPhone even if it’s dead. To find your lost iPhone on iPad or a friend’s iPhone (even if it’s dead):

• Open the Find My iPhone app.
• If you’re not on a device you own, tap Sign Out in the top right corner. Then sign in with you Apple ID and passcode.
• Once you’re signed in, you’ll see a list of all your devices. Choose your missing iPhone from the list.
• A big dot on the map will show you where it’s located. You can zoom in and out by pinching your fingers.
• Tap Actions at the bottom.
• Tap the car icon to get directions. You’ll be redirected to the Maps app.
• When you start your route, the directions will take you right to where Find My iPhone last located your lost iPhone, even if the device is dead.

There's a lot to like about the Deadbolt 02 ($199) from igloohome, especially once you get it installed. I particularly liked the "magical" way you can enter, just by holding your hand over the touchscreen, as long as you have your phone nearby. The sleek device uses Bluetooth 4.0 to recognize that you are close by, and then unlocks the deadbolt when your hand is placed in the right spot. This could be great for entering with groceries, etc.

How to Lock Apps on iPhone

To lock apps on iPhone, you'll need to turn on Touch ID (or Face ID for iPhone X). Once Touch ID is enabled, you'll want to open the app you want to lock. Now, to lock apps with your fingerprint, you will need to enable Touch ID within the app you want to use. 

1. Open the app and navigate to Settings.
2. Tap Passcode & Touch ID, or something similar depending on the app.
3. Enable the Passcode setting and choose a passcode.
4. Then toggle on Touch ID. You may have to re-enter your passcode.

Now you can use your fingerprint instead of a password to unlock the app. Just place your thumb (or whatever finger you've enrolled in Touch ID) on the home button to use Touch ID.