Smart Phone Tips Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Is a 6 digit PIN really that much better than 4 digits?

Posted on June 20, 2021

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Question from Andy: My girlfriend and I have a bet that’s riding on your answer to this question:

Is a six digit PIN really all that more secure than a four digit PIN?

It don’t seem like just two digits could make that much of a difference. She says it makes a big difference if someone ever tries to break into my phone.

So who’s right?

If you agree with me she has to take me out to dinner. If you agree with her I have to cook her a steak dinner with all the fixin’s. We both subscribe to your blog and we’ll trust your opinion.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Scam alert: Never answer a call if your own number is on the Caller ID

Posted on June 12, 2021

Have you ever received a telephone call with your own number showing up on the Caller ID?

Yeah, me too. And it’s quite frustrating to say the least.

When that happens the natural instinct is to answer the call and give the scammer a piece of your mind, but that’s a very bad idea.

[Read more…]

How to boot your Android phone or tablet into ‘Safe Mode’

Posted on June 6, 2021

If you’re a Windows or Mac user you probably know that restarting your computer in Safe Mode is a great way to troubleshoot software problems that are difficult to track down when everything but the kitchen sink is running on the machine.

In a nutshell, booting a device into Safe Mode ensures that only the most essential parts of the operating system and the most basic hardware drivers are loaded into memory to make it easier to track down those most stubborn issues.

Luckily, Android devices can be booted into Safe Mode as well. [Read more…]

How to interpret the results of an Internet speed test

Posted on May 26, 2021

Regular readers of this blog know I’ve written several posts about the importance of occasionally running an Internet speed test.

In a nutshell, these tests allow you to monitor the speed and reliability of your Internet connection and also make sure you’re getting the download and upload speeds you’re paying for every month.

Since several people have asked me how to interpret the scores they receive when they run a test, I thought it might be a good idea to write up the answer in a stand-alone blog post.

[Read more…]