Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Thursday, August 17, 2023
Topics covered in this issue…
• Are all the apps on your phone still safe to use?
• Thanks so much for reading and sharing my tech tips!
• Convert a regular light fixture into a ‘Dusk-to-Dawn’ fixture in seconds
• The starting point for your future is where you are right now
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Today’s featured tech tip….
Are all the apps on your phone still safe to use?
If you have a smartphone you probably have at least a few apps on it that you’ve downloaded to perform some task or another.
Well here’s a little secret for you…
Just because an app was safe at the time you installed it, that doesn’t mean it’s still safe today.
Unfortunately, some legitimate, and truly useful apps morph into malware at some point. This can happen in one of two ways:
1 – A hacker hijacks an app and inserts malicious code into it without the knowledge or permission of the app’s author.
2 – A hacker buys a legitimate app from its owner and then alters the code to make it do something nefarious.
Regardless of how they got that way, malicious apps can be made to do virtually anything a devious hacker wants them to do, including steal your personal and financial info from your phone, turn on the phone’s camera and/or microphone and use it to spy on you, and about a million other devious things.
The thing is, you’ll likely never know that an app on your phone has morphed into malware just by using it. You might experience some negative symptoms, but chances are you’ll never find out what’s actually going on with the phone.
That’s why you need to periodically check up on your installed apps to makes sure they’re still legit and safe to use. Here’s how:
1 –Type the name of an app into Google along with the words hacked, breached, malware and spyware and then check to see if any articles or news items pop up indicating that the app has gone over to the dark side.
2 – Revisit the app’s download page in the appropriate app store and read some of the most recent user reviews. If there’s a problem there will likely be numerous comments in the reviews explaining what’s going on.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• Thanks so much for reading and sharing my tech tips!
I appreciate it more than you know.
• Convert a regular light fixture into a ‘Dusk-to-Dawn’ fixture in seconds
It’s literally as simple as screwing in a light bulb.
• 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…
Wiyuam 20 Watt Portable Wall Charger
If you do a lot of traveling you might be looking for a compact wall charger that’s small enough to carry in any travel bag, yet powerful enough to quickly charge your devices. Well, you’ve found it.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
The starting point for your future is where you are right now
One of life’s most basic (and most useful) simple truths.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• Comcast’s new router stays connected during power outages
• The Associated Press sets AI guidelines for journalists
• Why US tech giants are threatening to quit the UK
• This device can spoof an Apple device and trick you into sharing your password
• New York City bans TikTok for government employees
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.ricksdailytips.com