Tag: GFH

Secure Messaging Apps

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Technology Tips

Recommended Messaging Apps

We’ve had several customers ask us about secure messaging recently. Last year it was disclosed that text messages between Apple and Android don’t use End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). This means (theoretically) that a message your iPhone sends to your friend’s Android could be compromised and read by others. Almost everyone we text with has an iPhone, but there are a few people who don’t.

With Facebook/ Meta tracking and retaining almost everything about its users, we need to look elsewhere for secure messaging.  Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp (owned by Facebook/Meta) are not recommended. Many people use WhatsApp to communicate with relatives and friends overseas. It may be time to look for a more secure channel. Facebook/Meta accesses and stores a lot of data about you. They then use this data to target ads, and sell your information to advertisers and other companies.* Some of this information includes:

  • Name
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Message content
  • Photos & videos
  • Browsing History
  • Political Views
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Health Information
  • Location
  • Contacts

It’s time for a deep dive into Secure Messaging apps.

Messaging Apps:

Besides Messenger and WhatsApp, some of the other Messaging Apps you may have heard of include Briar, Element, Matrix, Session, Telegram, Threema, Tox, Wire, and Signal. I’ll look at each with the following criteria in mind:

Criteria:

  • has End-to-End-Encryption (E2EE)
  • is free to sign up and use
  • has Two Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • allows texting, phone calls, and video calls.
  • Only collects and stores a minimum of personal data.
  • Works with Apple and Android
  • Ease of use – can you convince your non-techy friends to use it too?

Summary of each Secure Messaging App:

Briar:

Briar only works with Android.

Element:

Element has 2FA, is free for most users, works with Apple and Android, has decentralized servers, and works with Apple and Android. Why are we not recommending it? Everything I’m reading indicates that it is difficult to set up. That will turn a lot of my friends off.

Matrix:

Although Matrix.org ticks all the security boxes, it’s a bloated, slow app, and it doesn’t appear you can easily message others.Screenshot of messaging apps

Session:

Session doesn’t use true 2FA for authentication. I’ve also seen reports that Session texting is slow.

Telegram:

This app requires access to your Contact list and does not have full E2EE.

Threema:

Based on my research, everything else being equal, I would recommend Threema over other apps EXCEPT for 2 things. First, it’s not free ($4), so you’ll have a hard time getting your contacts to convert. Second, it’s not widely used, except in Germany. As Chris says about adopting new technology: “Cutting edge is good. Bleeding edge is not.”

Tox:

Tox does not use true 2FA.

Wire:

Wire does not have 2FA.

Signal:

Signal is the app that we recommend. It’s got E2EE, works with Apple and Android, and only collects your phone number. I started using it a few months ago and have convinced many of my non-technical friends to also make the switch. The one downside is that it uses centralized servers. For reasons that I don’t understand, decentralized servers are better. (Chris explained it to me, but it didn’t stick!) Signal allows audio and video calls in addition to texting.

Recent news about Signal doesn’t concern me. The reasons this was a problem are a) The person setting up the group chat included several people they shouldn’t have included, and b) US law states that government communications of this type must be preserved indefinitely. This chat was set up to delete all messages within a few weeks. There were other reasons, but those are the biggies. This was more “user error” than a flaw in the app.

Signal also allows audio and video calls. Audio calls work great, I haven’t tested video calls yet.

Secure Messaging – Conclusion: 

Download the Signal app and start asking your friends & family to use it too. One friend is already using Signal to communicate with family overseas. Setting it up gives you the choice of having people find you by phone number. I clicked the “NO” button there. I’ve recommended Signal in the past. Here’s an article about Signal from 2018, about the time I stopped using Facebook Messenger.

 

* (Twitter does the same thing, but it isn’t generally used as a messaging app.)

 

Information about Geek For Hire, Inc.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Macs and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More Tips Here:

Spring Cleaning Your Tech – 5 Easy Tips!

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Technology Tips

I don’t know about you, but when I think “Spring Cleaning”, I’m thinking about dust bunnies, not my technology. What about you? Do you think about Spring Cleaning your tech? Here are some tips for you:

Spring Cleaning Your Tech – aka Computer Maintenance:

FIRST – ANTI-VIRUS:

Take a minute every month or so to scan your computer for viruses. Many of our customers use ESET, which Chris has recommended for years. It’s easy to do. Just open the ESET/NOD32 app and click on “Scan Your Computer”. It will run in the background while you continue working. When it’s done, it will tell you and let you know if it has found anything suspicious.

Computer acting buggy? It's time for a little spring cleaning! One of the original Geek For Hire business cards
One of the original Geek For Hire business cards!

SECOND – BACKUPS:

Back up your computer regularly, especially if you have precious data on it. I use Dropbox, which backs up everything automatically. Also, the Dropbox app is on my phone so that I can access files from anywhere. The “Starred” folder is where I keep my frequently used files. These come up first, so I don’t have to search for them. I keep insurance documents and other essential papers and frequently accessed Word and Excel files in that folder.

THIRD – PHOTOS:

Purchase several thumb drives and make a copy of the photo albums you have stored on your computer. (I like this one with dual USB-C and USB-A for convenience.)  Keep one and give the rest as gifts to your kids, parents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc.

FOURTH – PASSWORDS:

There have been several significant data breaches recently, and the hackers have lists of birthdays, SS numbers, addresses, and associated passwords! Change your passwords for financial accounts now, and set a reminder to change it every month! That includes your checking, savings, and investment accounts. Don’t forget about any app or website where you’ve saved credit card information, like eBay, PayPal, Amazon, etc.

FIFTH – 2FA:

While you’re at it, please change the password on ALL of your social media accounts. This is especially true if you have a business account. Set up two-factor-authorization (2FA) at the same time. We’re getting a lot of requests about hacked Facebook or Instagram accounts. I haven’t heard any success stories here. Once your Facebook account is out of your control, there really isn’t a way to get it back.

Conclusion: 

Today is a great day to run your virus scanner, change passwords, and back up your data!

Information about Geek For Hire, Inc.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website, or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Do I need the Windows 11 Upgrade?

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips, Win10, Windows, Windows 11

Several customers have asked if they need the Windows 11 upgrade now. Microsoft ends its support of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and people are wondering what this means for them.

Photo of Bill Gates counting to 11. 1, 2, 3, 95, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 7,8,10,11Unless you have a compelling need, there’s no reason to upgrade from WIN10 to WIN11 anytime soon. According to an article in The Register,

“The problem is that there is no killer Windows 11 feature to drive the majority of users to upgrade other than “a way to keep the patches flowing.” 

The article goes on to say:

“Users are still steering clear of Windows 11, with some customers describing the sales pitch as ‘like trying to sell sand at a beach.'”

What does the end of support for WIN10 mean? Here’s the explanation from Microsoft:

“After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.”

After October 14:

After October 14th, you may need to upgrade to Win11. (Remember that October 14 is Patch Tuesday, so your Win10 machine will get a patch that day.) Here are some things to consider:

  • Do you have any older programs or apps vital to your business or personal life? Check to make sure they will work with Windows 11. One customer had a genealogy program that couldn’t work with the upgraded Windows. We had to go in and back out the upgrade.
  • Are you waiting for Microsoft to release Windows 12 and don’t want to go through the hassle of two upgrades? While Microsoft hasn’t announced a release date for Win12 yet, it’s unlikely to be before mid-2026, with some saying it won’t come before 2027.
  • If you keep Win10 and want to receive regular security patches, you must purchase the Microsoft Extended Security Update programs ($61/year). Be aware that this will only include security patches; no new features or Technical Support.
  • If you decide to keep WIN10 without the Extended Security program, practice digital hygiene by using strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and keeping your anti-virus up to date,

If you’ve been considering getting a new PC, do it before next autumn. The new machine will come with Windows 11 already installed.

Bottom Line:

The short answer is No; you don’t need to consider the Windows 11 upgrade until October. Chris says that Windows 10 is the more robust Operating System, with equivalent or better security.

For historical reading, here’s my blog from when Win7 transitioned to Win10.

Let us know if you need help selecting a new computer or upgrading your machine to Win11.

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website, or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Ink Subscription? You’re Not Really Buying A Printer Anymore!

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Printer, Tips

A long-time customer contacted us recently. She wanted us to hook up a new printer with the Instant Ink program. The printer wasn’t purchased yet, and I remembered hearing that Ink Subscription printers weren’t all that great. I asked her to wait, promised to look into it, and would let her know. Here’s what I found:

Programs like the HP Instant Ink are subscription plans. When you get a printer compatible with these programs, you are not just purchasing a printer. You are signing up for a month-to-month subscription to print a set number of pages each month. You’ll receive more ink when the manufacturer determines you need it.

If you print the same number of pages every month, this may be an option to consider. If you print 10 pages one month and 100 the next, this program won’t work for you. In addition, if you discontinue the program, even if the ink is almost full, you won’t be able to use the rest of the ink in those cartridges.

Ink Subscription Error Messages:

There are many online complaints about the service, mostly about how the printer suddenly stops working, with no warning. The error is almost exclusively because a credit card was changed or the printer was disconnected from the network. Here’s an image of one of the error messages:

Instant Ink error message Update payment

When Ink Subscriptions Make Sense:

Photographers:

If you print a lot of photos, this could work out for you. Because you are charged by the number of pages, printing color-saturated images counts the same as a resume with lots of white space. The manufacturer monitors your ink/toner levels (through your internet) and will send you new ink when it’s low. Or, if you routinely run out of cyan before you need to replace the black, this could also work for you.

Disorganized People:

Not everyone is complaining about the service. Some people don’t want to remember to buy more ink. Here’s a comment from Reddit:

“My elderly mother had Instant Ink and liked it. She didn’t print much each month, but she did use her printer regularly. She is very forgetful and used to run out of ink all the time before she had instant ink. Mom FELT like she wasn’t spending much because it wasn’t much per month.“

But then the daughter added that it was a more expensive option:

“When that printer died, I convinced her to stop using the service, and I now take care of ordering replacement cartridges. She’s saving money even though she doesn’t feel like it.”

Convenience:

If you print about the same number of pages per month and don’t mind paying a little extra.

Bottom Line:

We can’t recommend ink subscription programs for several reasons:

  1. The company has easy access to your data, email, physical address, etc. Yes, that information is already “out there”, but if their system gets hacked, hackers can correlate emails with names, credit card numbers, and addresses. (Another reason to set up a throw-away email address for online purchases.)
  2. It’s inefficient and the Terms are complicated. When I read the HP Pricing terms, it took several readings before I could figure out exactly how pages could be “rolled over” from month to month. For example, if you go on an extended vacation and don’t use your printer for a month or more, you’ll continue to be billed, but you may not be able to roll over all those pages. (It reminds me of when we got our daughter an Audible subscription. We’d buy points every month for her to get a new Audible book because she was driving a lot at the time. The points would expire after a year if they hadn’t been used for a book. It took me a while to realize we were throwing away points every month!)
  3. Chris likens it to purchasing the printer and leasing the ink. HP owns the ink and the cartridge right until the ink is printed. If you change your credit card without telling them or turn off your wifi, HP will discontinue service to your printer right away.
  4. It’s more expensive. For example, the “Frequent Printing” plan is $14/month and lets you print up to 300 pages each month. You can purchase an HP 138X Black cartridge for $133 and print 4000 pages. At 300 pages/month, that would last about 13 months. The same 13 months on the HP plan would be $182. (Prices as of 15 January 2025.)Pricing for various HP Ink plans. 10 pages for $1.49/month, 50 pages for $4.99/month, 100 pages for $6.00/month, 300 pages for $13.99/month and 700 pages for $27.99 /month
  5. If you’re over the limit on your credit card and HP can’t charge you, they will discontinue service to your printer, and you won’t be able to print.
  6. If you’re off-grid, you won’t be able to use this program.

And our customer?

Here is what they ended up purchasing:

Image of HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e. Image copied from Amazon.

More Info About Ink Subscriptions:

Are you curious about Ink Subscription Program? Here are some links with more information:

Printer Problems:

Printers have, unfortunately, turned into are disposable appliances. It costs more to fix than replace a printer. Software problems are fixable. Customers frequently call us with those types of problems. With physical issues, purchasing a new printer is just more cost-effective. Here’s a blog I wrote a few years ago about some common printer problems.

If you do need to get a new printer, make sure you understand what you are buying. Remember, even if you get a printer compatible with an ink subscription plan, you don’t need to sign up for it. (It will mean throwing away the ink/toner that came with the printer.) We do recommend setting up a throw-away email for these types of subscriptions. Let us know if you need help setting up a new printer or connecting it to your network!

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website, or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More Tips Here:

STEM Toys for Kids

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips

We don’t have kids in our home anymore, so when I want a gift for a little one, I go online. We’re a tech company. My favorite gift is almost always STEM toys for kids. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Generally, I’ll research to see which toys have won awards, which are well-liked by parenting magazines, which are highly rated online, and which my friends or family may have told me about.

Yup, I’ve done the work, so you don’t have to! And, so you know, if you purchase anything from the links on this page, we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I first published this in 2021, but the idea hasn’t changed. STEM toys are still good for kids!

Why are STEM toys good for kids?

STEM toys help kids develop a love of learning while they figure out how things work. Some people think that STEM is only about teaching kids how to code, but it is so much more than that. These toys help kids develop:

  • Spatial awareness
  • Reasoning skills
  • Engineering thinking
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Engineering design
  • Problem-solving skills

Think about an infant playing on the floor with pots and pans. Can this bowl fit into this pot? Can this pot go on top of this plastic container? How high of a tower can I make with all of these cookbooks? That’s the learning process in action! STEM toys build on that early learning.

Screenshot of a colorful marble run from Amazon

What are examples of STEM toys?

Learn more about the benefits of STEM toys for your kids:

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website, or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Holiday Phishing Scams? Here are Four Ways to Protect Yourself

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Hackers, Passwords, Technology Tips

The winter holidays are coming up fast. We’re stretched thin. We’re planning trips to relatives for holiday meals, planning a holiday party for our work buddies, checking out the kid’s plays and concerts at school, shopping for gifts, and on and on and on.

And the scammers know it. They’re planning Phishing Scams.

Screenshot of Phishing definition from NIST: A technique for attempting to acquire sensitive data, such as bank account numbers, through a fraudulent solicitation in email or on a website, in which the perpetrator masquerades as a legitimate business or reputable person.
             Definition of Phishing from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Four Ways to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams:

PASSWORDS:

Change your password for ALL your online financial accounts (banks, credit cards, investment, Paypal, etc.), social media accounts, shopping accounts (Amazon, LLBean, REI, etc.), and ANY account where you have saved your credit card info. Do this before Thanksgiving. There have been many data breaches recently, and millions of email/password combinations have been “harvested”.  I know! Once you change your password, you must change it on your phone, tablet, computer, and anywhere else you use the app as well. It’s a hassle, but do it. (Here’s a recent blog on creating a secure password.)

PURCHASES:

When buying something from an individual online, double-check that they are who they say they are. If they are on Etsy or eBay, check their recent ratings. Do they have a 4.8 star rating overall, but are the recent ratings all ones or twos? Are you buying something from someone you know (or a good friend knows)?  Ask them clarifying questions to make sure they haven’t recently been hacked. (Yes, that’s how I got scammed.)

EMAILS:

Read your emails very carefully. Scammers know we get a lot of emails this time of year, especially from online shopping accounts. They can guess that we might be ordering from Amazon or Costco and may email us saying there is a “problem” with our order. They want us to click on this handy link they’ve provided. The email has an excellent rendition of the Amazon logo, and they have “spoofed” the URLs to make them look like the link will direct you to Amazon. Don’t fall for it! Go to your account and verify any problems there.

One especially tricky email is from Norton and other anti-virus/security providers. They email that they will process your “subscription renewal” on a future date for big buck$. If you don’t want to renew, just call the number in the email. Then, they ask for permission to access your computer to make sure you don’t have any viruses. If you let them, they’ll have fun. You end up with stolen data and malware on your machine.

TEXTS:

Texts and emails are the most common way to get pulled into phishing scams. By now, we all know that text messages from “USPS” or “FedEx” about delayed deliveries are scams. Read the message carefully. Is it coming from a number you’ve already saved on your phone? Don’t click on that link! Go to the app or website you already have to confirm there is a problem and correct it there.

Conclusion:

Use secure passwords wherever you log in, AND change your passwords frequently. Be incredibly diligent with Social Media and Financial accounts!

Good luck and….Screen shot from Youtube Video of Michael Conrad on Hill Street Blues. He says to his team: Hey, let's be careful out there.

“Hey, let’s be careful out there.” (Hill Street Blues)

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Moving with Apple AirTags

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips

When we moved last year we hired movers, I got a little nervous (paranoid, really) about my stuff getting lost. We got a bunch of AirTags and placed them into random boxes and pieces of furniture, and waited for the movers. Moving with Apple Airtags added a little bit of extra techy fun to the adventure!

When we hired the movers, we were under the impression that they would come, load our things into a truck, drive that truck cross-country, and then unload. That’s not what happened. Once we realized what the process would be, we were even happier that we got the AirTags. (This is why you should read the fine print before you sign EVERY contract. ALL the fine print!)

Five guys came and loaded our stuff. They brought all of it to a warehouse where the truck was unpacked and then reloaded into a different truck with other people’s stuff that was also going to the East Coast.

Moving with Apple Airtags. This image shows the boxes at a warehouse.
The boxes traveled first to a Colorado warehouse before being shipped to the East Coast.

That truck was driven to a warehouse in NJ, where it was unpacked, reloaded into a smaller truck, and brought to our new home. (See photos of the trip below.) Everything arrived with very little damage, and we were relatively happy with the process.

Moving with Apple Airtags helps track the location of boxes during move.
The boxes slowly made their way across the Mississippi and towards Chicago.
Moving with Apple AirTags track the location of boxes during move from Chicago to Pennsylvania
The boxes keep moving East, passing us overnight. Our location is the Blue Dot, located just West of Chicago.

We’ll often recommend products and services. Sometimes we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase something through our links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Some common Questions & Answers:

Q: How do AirTags work?

You might be wondering how these devices actually work. They’re pretty small, just a little bigger than a quarter, and maybe three times as thick. It’s easy to slide one into a pocket or fit it into a little holder that attaches to your key ring. This is what they look like:

Essentially the AirTag works by pinging the Apple network. It can be “seen” by the Apple network using any nearby iPhone. According to Apple:

“Your AirTag sends out a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices in the Find My network. These devices send the location of your AirTag to iCloud — then you can go to the Find My app and see it on a map. The whole process is anonymous and encrypted to protect your privacy. And itʼs efficient, so thereʼs no need to worry about battery life or data usage.”

When our boxes traveled east with the truck, the drivers didn’t have an iPhone so we were dependent on other cars driving by with an iPhone on to “see” where our stuff was. But on the trip from the NJ warehouse to our new home, the driver did have an iPhone so we were able to see where the stuff was practically minute-by-minute.

Q: Are AirTags legal?

Using an AirTag to track your own stuff is absolutely okay. They were designed by Apple to track your personal belongings. And Apple makes it clear that tracking items that don’t belong to you is 100% illegal. In fact, if you happen to be traveling with an AirTag that doesn’t belong to you (and its owner isn’t nearby), you’ll get an alert so that you can find it. If the AirTag has been placed to track you surreptitiously, you should notify the local police. In Apple’s words:

AirTag, AirPods, and other Find My network accessories include features to guard against unwanted tracking. They should not be used to track people, and should not be used to track property that does not belong to you. Using these products to track people without their consent is a crime in many countries and regions around the world. If an AirTag, set of AirPods, or Find My network accessory is discovered to be unlawfully tracking a person, law enforcement can request any available information from Apple to support their investigation.

Q: Do you recommend moving with Apple AirTags?

Absolutely! Having the little beacons packed with all of our household belongings gave me peace of mind. One tip though: If a box has an AirTag in it, make sure you remove it before putting that box with your recycling! We did lose one AirTag that way. We were able to track its location to a local recycling center, but it was not recoverable.

Q: I’m not moving or traveling. Do I really need an AirTag?

AirTags have a lot of uses. I’m someone who frequently misplaces my keys, so I’ve attached an AirTag to my keyring. You can also slide one into your wallet or your backpack. If you’ve got young kids, it’s easy to attach to a diaper bag or shoe. Likewise, you can attach an AirTag to a family member with dementia who tends to wander. You can attach an AirTag to the collar for your dog or cat, and watch their midnight escapades. We keep an AirTag in our car as well. This is the device I use to attach an AirTag to my keys:

Q: How do I set up my new AirTag?

It’s easy to do. Once you peel off the battery cover it guides you through the steps. Here’s a link to the Apple instructions. Lastly, remember to give each item a unique name!

Q: How do I use the FindMy feature?

Open the FindMy App on your iPhone. Then click on “Devices” to find your iPad, AirPods, or other Apple devices. Finally, click on “Items” to find the things you’ve attached to an AirTag.

Q: I have an Android phone. How can I use AirTags?

The simple answer is: you can’t.

Conclusion

Getting the Apple AirTags to help us keep track of our boxes while moving was one of the best things we did during that process. Now that we’re settled in, we’ve found other uses for the extra Airtags. We’ve even given our kids an AirTag so they can keep track of their keys as well.

Information About Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a free report to protect you from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. He’s the geek for you! Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call at 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. Prime is usually $119/year, but you can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial.  If you’re a college student, click here for a 6-month trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More Tips Here:

Best Car Mount Phone Holder

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips

Earlier this year we took a road trip and used our phones for directions. I remembered that I had gotten a car mount phone holder a few years ago and searched for it in our Sprinter camper’s “junk drawer”. We mounted it on the windshield so we could easily see the map and where our next turn would be.

Sure, it was convenient to have it right there, but putting it on and taking it off was a hassle every time. You had to fiddle with the arms to make sure the holder held the phone tightly and wouldn’t fall out going over bumpy roads.

YOU TOO?

My experience has told me that when I’m having an issue with something, other people are as well. I decided that before our next trip I’d find a better solution. I eliminated all the models which mounted on the car’s vent. We had one of those in the past with an ultra-strong magnetic holder. The magnet part was great. It held even over the bumpiest of roads. But, every time we needed to move it, we broke off one of the vents.

So: window or dash mount with a magnetic holder. (I wanted to make picking the phone up and putting it back as easy as possible while driving.) Plus I only selected holders with 4+ star reviews on Amazon.

We’ll often recommend products and services. Sometimes we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase something through our links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

I tried out four different models. Here they are my order of preference:

PKYAA Magnetic Car Mount Phone Holder – NOT Recommended

The PKYAA is the smallest one and it folds flat when not in use. It lists at $7. The Amazon page said it could mount on the Dashboard or Windshield which is what I was looking for. However, when I received it, the box indicated that it was mounted on the air vent. It came with a metal pad to install on the back of the phone to work with the magnetic holder. My iPhone comes with MagSafe, so it SHOULD work without the metal pad.

This one never even made it to the car. It magnetically attached to the MagSafe on my phone, but when I shook it a little to emulate normal driving, it fell right off. It was returned to next day.

Note that when I purchased this one, it had 4 stars. I’m writing this two months later and it’s down to 3.3 stars.

Talk Works Magnetic Window/Dash Mount

The Talk Works car mount phone holder is also a MagSafe charger and is listed for $25. I liked that it charged my iPhone while I was driving. (Map programs use a LOT of juice!) I liked that I could stick it to the windshield or the dashboard. But the gooseneck was very wobbly.  Too wobbly. I returned this one too.

Note that this one also had over 4 stars when I purchased it 2 months ago. Today it’s down to 3.2 stars.

OtterBox Performance Car Dash & Windshield Mount for MagSafe

The OtterBox is the only name-brand model I looked at. It lists for $50. Was it worth it?

I liked that it held firmly to the windshield and didn’t bounce around under normal driving conditions. You could position it easily which was a nice touch. What I didn’t like is that it didn’t have built-in charging capability like others that I reviewed. This one was kept as a backup for the other car.

The OtterBox received an average rating of 4.3 stars from over 1000 reviewers.

MagSafe Car Mount Charger – Get This One!

The MagSafe Charger lists for $30 and received an average of 4.1 stars from 52 reviewers. It works specifically with the iPhone MagSafe system. This model will also charge your phone while it’s on the magnetic holder, so that’s a plus! The magnetic holder is charged via a USB-C cable that lights it up with pretty colors when the phone isn’t on it.

This one is my favorite and the one I use today. My only knock is that when the car is parked and the windshield gets hot, the holder falls off. Sometimes it lands on the floor and picks up pieces of grit on the sticky side.

 

We’ll often recommend products and services. Sometimes we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase something through our links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Conclusion:

After trying out all four of these Car mount phone holders, I like the MagSafe Charger the best.

Information About Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a free report to protect you from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. He’s the geek for you! Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call at 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. Prime is usually $119/year, but you can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial.  If you’re a college student, click here for a 6 month trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Best Long Range WiFi Router: Here are 3 steps to strong WiFi in every backyard

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips

If you’ve been looking for the best router for streaming or the best long-range wifi router, then you don’t want to scroll by. When you’re trying to get a good WiFi signal in your backyard, here are 3 easy steps to take.

  • Firstly, purchase a mesh router. Mesh routers have “satellite routers” to spread the signal evenly throughout your home (and yard). If your home is large, consider getting more than two or three satellites.
  • After that, test putting the satellites in different rooms to check signal strength. If you have brick or metal in your home construction, you may need to play with many locations to find the best one.
  • Finally, ensure at least one of the satellites points towards the backyard from the basement or first floor.

Recently a customer asked us which mesh router he should purchase.  So, Chris responded with this email. It includes links to the best WiFi router that Chris knows of.Best long range wifi router

We’ll often recommend products and services. Sometimes we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase something through our links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Chris’ email about the best long range WiFi Router:

“Here are some purchase links for the different 2-pack and 3-pack versions of the Orbi wifi router.  Note that my rule of thumb for Wifi is that it will have a service radius of about 50 feet; the better routers and equipment will have more usable distance.  I have gotten exceptional distance using the Orbi 5 series (about 100 feet), and the new 6 series of Orbi is supposed to go farther.

The top two are the “older” technology models, which work very well.  We have a 2-pack of this, and we like it a lot.  The bottom three use the new AX6000 wifi technology, which is reported to travel a little further and transmit faster than the earlier wifi technology.

I have generally had good luck getting “refurbished” equipment from Amazon sellers.  If the equipment (new or refurbished) is defective, the Amazon return policy allows the equipment to be returned painlessly, but the installation time to determine that something is actually defective is still billable.

WiFi 5 System:

This 5-series model uses the “older” wifi technology, which I use and really like a lot:

Netgear RBK50 2-pack  – New – List =$330:

RBK53 3-pack – New – List = $700:

WiFi 6 System:

For the best long range wifi router, this 6-series model uses the “new” AX6000 wifi technology. Consequently, it is reported to give better performance and more distance. It’s probably the best router for multiple devices.

RBK852 2-Pack – Refurbished – List $700

RBK853 3-pack – Refurbished – List = $980

RBK853 3-Pack – New – List = $1000

Hope this helps.

Chris

Conclusion

Chris likes the Netgear Orbi Mesh Routers best. Here’s an article we wrote about why a Mesh Router may be a good choice for you. These ORBI WiFi routers are if you have a medium to large house, and one router won’t provide enough wifi coverage.  These mesh routers are ideal for “pushing” the wifi coverage through your house and have a separate WiFi radio for the dedicated “back haul” that provides low latency and high bandwidth.  If you have a medium-sized house or larger and have internet service that is faster than 300Mbps, these WiFi mesh routers are the best solution that I know of yet.

Information About Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a free report to protect you from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. He’s the geek for you! Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call at 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

Here’s a link to our Covid19 Policy.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. Prime is usually $119/year, but you can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Want to be Outrageously Happy with your Computer System?

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips

2022 is almost here! I asked Chris what everyone should do on a regular basis to stay outrageously happy with your computer system. These are easy resolutions to keep. Here are his suggestions:

Once a Year:

  • Test your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) once a year. Unplug the UPS from the wall, and plug in your computer. How long does the computer run before it’s out of power? Is it 15 minutes? Is it 4 hours? If it’s not as long as you’d like, look into replacing the UPS battery. It’ll cost around $50. A UPS battery typically lasts about 2-4 years.
  • If you have a laptop computer, check the health of the battery. If you get less than an hour of work time every time you give it a full charge, it’s time to replace the battery. Start checking when the notebook is about 2.5 – 3 years old.
  • Give your machine a tuneup to make sure everything continues to run smoothly.

Once a Quarter:

  • Test your internet speed every few months. Chris likes Speedtest and DSL Reports. If it’s not as fast as you’re expecting it to be, test it again at different times of day over the next few days. Keep a careful log of the results by taking a screenshot each time. Once you have the data to back up your findings, contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
  • Check your social media privacy settings. Make sure your account is locked down! Here are some suggestions to keep your Facebook account safe.
  • Check your email settings every few months as well. Especially make sure that your recovery email is set up properly. Check out these tips from an article about email hacking.
  • Disconnect totally from technology for a full day. Do this more frequently if you’d like!

Once a Month:

  • Back up your data to an external SSD (Solid State Drive) at least once a month.  Keep that drive in a different physical location than your computer. "Backups never go out of style". A quote from Chris Eddy who wants you to be outrageously happy with your computer system.

Once a Week:

  • Turn your computer off at least once a week. Don’t click on the “restart” button; totally turn it off. Wait a minute or overnight, and restart it. This helps to make sure your machine can clean up any weird problems that it finds and allows the bios to retest the hardware.

Conclusion

It’s easy to stay outrageously happy with your computer system. There aren’t a lot of things on this list. Print it out and check off the items when you’ve got them done! (Of course, if you need help with anything, let us know.)

 

Information About Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a free report to protect you from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. He’s the geek for you! Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call at 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

Here’s a link to our Covid19 Policy.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. Prime is usually $119/year, but you can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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