Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Thursday, June 6, 2024
Topics covered in this issue…
• Why wired Ethernet is always better than a hotel’s WiFi
• Q&A: How can I make Firefox open email links in Gmail?
• How (and when) to repair or reset the Windows 11 Settings app
• Video: Enjoy this awesome ‘Leaf Peeping’ drive through rural Vermont
• June’s Tech Tips Giveaway: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC 1500VA/1000W Sinewave UPS System
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Monthly Tech Giveaway….
We have a winner for May…
Congratulations to Sean T. from Moreno Valley, California for winning the TP-Link Deco AXE4900 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Mesh WiFi System in May’s Tech Tips Giveaway.
June’s winner will receive a fantastic CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC 1500VA/1000W Sinewave UPS System (click for details).
The prizes featured in my Monthly Tech Giveaways include a combination of the best items I have received for testing and review and brand new items provided directly by partner companies.
All winners are selected at random. All Standard subscribers have an equal chance to win. All Premium subscribers have double the chance to win (their email addresses are added to the pot twice).
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Today’s featured tech tip….
Why wired Ethernet is always better than a hotel’s WiFi
If you’re like most travelers you probably just log into your hotel’s WiFi network without giving it a second thought, but that can be a big mistake if you use a laptop computer.
Of course you’ll pretty much have to use WiFi if you need to connect a tablet or some other non-cellular portable device to the Internet, but any device that has a wired Ethernet jack should be using that instead of connecting via WiFi.
Here’s why using a wired Ethernet connection is preferable to logging into any hotel’s WiFi network:
1 – Wired Ethernet is inherently more secure than WiFi because it connects your device directly to the hotel’s router in a way that prevents your data from being easily intercepted by a hacker.
As I explained in this post, attempting to log in to a fake ‘Evil Twin’ WiFi network puts your money and your identity at risk.
2 – A wired Ethernet connection will almost always be more stable (and therefore more usable) than a WiFi connection.
Now the above being said, not every hotel supplies a wired Ethernet connection in their guest rooms. If your hotel doesn’t you’ll just have to be extremely careful and use their WiFi network.
However, many hotel rooms do still have wired Ethernet jacks installed in them. Any time you find yourself in a room that does I strongly recommend that you skip the WiFi and plug in with an Ethernet cable instead.
That’s why it’s a good idea to always keep a short Ethernet cable packed away in your luggage, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.
Bonus tip: If your room does happen to a have a wired Ethernet connection available you can use an inexpensive travel router to create your own secure private WiFi network.
That will give you the security of connecting to the hotel’s router directly with a cable while also being able to access that connection with your other devices via WiFi. In other words, “the best of both worlds”.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• Q&A: How can I make Firefox open email links in Gmail?
All it takes is a quick settings change.
• How (and when) to repair or reset the Windows 11 Settings app
Step-by-step instructions.
• Click here to see today’s ‘Picture of the Day’.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
Rick’s Daily Pick…
Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA Ultimate Whole House Surge Protector
Regular readers of this blog and my Tech Tips Newsletter know that I’m always stressing the importance of protecting your most valuable (and most important) electronic gadgets from lightning strikes and power surges.
Well, this little gem will help protect everything in your home in one fell swoop, including your major appliances.
Important: This device must be installed at your home’s circuit breaker panel. It is not user-installable unless you have extensive experience working with and around high voltages. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you hire a licensed electrician to install it for you unless you feel 100% confident in your ability to properly and safely install it yourself. Just sayin’.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
Video: Enjoy this awesome ‘Leaf Peeping’ drive through rural Vermont
Autumn is always beautiful in New England.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• Big changes are coming for Google Maps
• Microsoft still plans to add new features to Windows 10
• TikTok zero-day vulnerability hijacks celebrity & brand accounts
• Starlink finally gets a Customer Service phone number (but not for US customers)
• Zoox to test self-driving cars in Austin and Miami
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.ricksdailytips.com