SFCT.NET - Technology Help and Questions Answered

Block and get notified about spam calls. Each wireless carrier has their own SPAM call blocker app or subscription. Verizon - https://www.verizon.com/solutions-and-services/call-filter/ ATT - https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1212786 TMobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/customers/scam-shield Get a call blocker for your landline from Amazon Many new phones include Audible Caller ID or call blocking included, like this Panasonic

Have trouble with your phone company? Contact the California Public Utilities Commission https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/telephones If you have a problem email or get a electronic form from the company's website, Via the Contact page or the Support page. Find the website's pages by scrolling to the bottom of the website to see an index of the important pages available on the website. What do I do if I see a banner appear on a website that asks if i want cookies or not? The website shows the banner because it's a requirement of the European Union. Cookies can be good and bad. Usually the bad is because there is no privacy and the information is passed along to advertisers. Avoid keeping cookies by surfing Incognito/Privately     Push the 3 dots/lines on the far right, or File Menu of your browser and choose new incognito/private window.     iOS device push the Two overlapping squares and choose Private Add your health records to the iOS H...

State of California Digital COVID Vaccine Record  https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ Complete all the required information and if they need more information, submit it. Using an email address is easiest and you will get confirmation or a link to submit more information if your records weren't found. Vaccine Record Support -  https://chat.myturn.ca.gov To get a digital version of your ID/Passport and COVID vaccine card     Take a photo of the card     Email the photo of the card to yourself (press the arrow pointing out of the box)     Open the email in your computer     Download the photo     Upload the photo to the CA website as requested Consumers Beware of Higher prices on Amazon than big box stores like Target, Walmart, Safeway, etc. Example, glass cleaner Amazon $7/bottle vs. $2.50/bottle at Target https://www.amazon.com/Sprayway-Glass-Cleaner-Cans-Pack/dp/B072L2CFBB/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3L0BU94Z3HP62&dchild=1&keyword...

 Update your iOS device to Version 14.8 to improve security flaws. 1. Open Settings 2. Go to General 3. Choose Software Update 4. Choose Download and Install **start and update when you know you don't need to use your device for at least an hour** Update (essential, fixes flaws) vs. Upgrade (changes design, feature enhancements) Upgrade to iOS 15 - OPTIONAL remember if it's not broken don't fix it. https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-15/ Upgrade to Windows 11 - don't suggest trying to upgrade on a computer more than 2 years old https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11 Watch Dreamforce Online for Free - learn about Salesforce https://www.salesforce.com/plus/experience/Dreamforce_2021?d=cta-eyebrow-1-ungated-crm_df_signup Search for other events online and attend virtually as most have an online format because of Covid-19 Try Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/

Best Browsers If your browser isn't broken, don't fix it. BUT... if you surf, browse the internet and google frequently a more secure browser like www.brave.com is recommended. It's okay to have 2 browsers for different uses. Use current browser for everyday email, banking, amazon, etc. Browse on Google with "Brave Browser" Security If you search on the internet frequently. Beyond just email, the bank, amazon and other conventional websites. Get Malware protection - www.malwarebytes.com Malwarebytes is faster than Norton, Mcafee, etc. More protection than just Windows Antivirus. Save Passwords in Your Browser Don't save email, financial institution passwords in the browser. But it's okay to save other passwords. Look at the passwords saved by clicking the three dots/lines on the top right and go to passwords or Settings/Preferences to find your password list. You can then view, edit and remove passwords for websites that have been saved. My Computer Is Slo...

 Take a photo of the card. BUT...mark the photo as a favorite, by tapping the heart, so it's easy to find when you need it. To retrieve the photo, tap Albums on the bottom of the screen. Choose Favorites and the card will be there. Scan the Document using Notes Place the document on a surface with a contrasting color Open Notes Create a New Note (paper and pencil) Tap the Camera icon Choose Scan Document Hover your camera over the document The document will become shaded pink/red Hold the device still the camera will automatically take a scan of the document Scan additional documents as needed Tap Save when you are done Your scanned document will appear in notes To send the scanned document Tap the note Tap the document Tap the arrow pointing up out of the box Choose how to send the scanned document, i.e. email, text

 Windows 11 "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11 Not a required upgrade. The suggestion is to wait at least 6 months before deciding if an upgrade is needed. What is the Metaverse https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/microsoft-facebook-and-everyone-else-are-building-the-metaverse-but-will-you-want-to-live-there/ Second Life - https://superjumpmagazine.com/how-the-virtual-world-second-life-is-a-showcase-of-the-metaverse-5bd9fb67450 https://youtu.be/55tZbq8yMYM Decentraland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgXGq_8esw0

 How can I extend the battery on my mobile device? The screen brightness drains the battery most this also includes being on and using the device. *Lower the brightness of the screen. (Settings->Brightness) OR open the control panel and drag the gauge with the sun *Close all open apps - swipe up to see a preview of the apps that are open. Swipe up to close or tap the trash to close all the apps. *Turn off Notifications - settings notifications *Be sure you are using WiFi Is there a concern about charging my mobile device battery too often? The default cell phone chargers are 1 amp so leaving the device charged overnight is okay. If you buy a rapid charger 2.5amps or more only leave your device plugged in to fully charge the battery and then unplug it. If you have a laptop, unplug it from the power when possible and let the battery run down before connecting the power again.

Browsing the Internet Safely Do not block cookies as it can adversely affect the interaction with some websites. Clear all cookies, website data, history, etc. in your browser - [ instructions https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-control-and-delete-cookies-on-your-browser ] ***Beware it will require you to login again to websites that remember you*** + Stay Safe by installing an Ad Blocker (extensions/add-ons) +Use Private or Incognito Mode while browsing. (look in File Menu or press the two squares on your iOS device) +Use a more secure browser for surfing the Internet like www.Brave.com  available on your computer or mobile device. You can still use your favorite browser like Safari, Chrome, Edge for email, banking, amazon, etc.

 In the News World Wide Web NFT sold for $5.4 Million https://www.reuters.com/technology/world-wide-web-source-code-nft-sells-54-million-sothebys-2021-06-30/ Flying Car Makes A Trip From One Airport to Another https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57651843 Is the new iMac computer just a new design or improved hardware? The new iMac is a new thin and colored design with Apple's new M1 computer processor. Be sure when buying a new computer that you get a minimum of 16GB of memory. https://www.apple.com/imac-24/ Buy -  https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/imac Why is memory(RAM) important? https://tuskertimes.wordpress.com/2019/03/12/an-introduction-to-computer-components/ What about our environment and the impact e-Waste is causing? Innovative companies are finding more responsible ways to extract the precious metals in e-Waste but the problem of too much e-Waste persists and will continue to be a HUGE problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yGPm1U7U6s&ab_channel=BusinessInsi...

Windows 11 is coming...  https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57598554 Cloud Backup/Storage Suggestions Apple Devices - Use iCloud Storage -  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201318 Windows/PC & Word/Office Subscription - Use One Drive (1 GB of storage included in your subscription) -  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/compare-onedrive-plans?activetab=tab:primaryr1 Windows/PC & Gmail with NO Office Subscription - Use Google One Backup (15 GB Free Storage) - https://one.google.com/about/plans Compare different cloud storage options:  https://www.cloudwards.net/the-top-5-cloud-companies-with-large-free-service-plans/ Automatic, Online Cloud Computer Backup with Backblaze for $6/month.  https://backup.sfct.net/

 What is cryptocurrency and mining? https://youtu.be/f0HC1Udk6-E Cryptocurrency Debit Card https://crypto.com/ FTC Send them Phishing emails https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams

Check the Speed of your Internet Go to Google.com Type in the Search "Speed Test" Press Enter or Return On the speed test press "Run Test" Desired Speed is at least 20MBPS Preferred Speed is at least 50MBPS Need to improve your speed? Contact Comcast - look up the phone number in the back of your resident directory Amazon Sidewalk - A mesh network created by your Amazon devices https://www.wired.com/story/turn-off-amazon-sidewalk/

  Segway Roller Skate Shoes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaWF9wkiWuY Alternate modes of transportation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvfH37G8zXY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtrOlE4efpo Amazon Prime Day copied from Singles Day - https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54876524 Date to be determined - end of May to mid June https://www.amazon.com/primeday Why join Amazon Prime? https://www.amazon.com/primeinsider/about Make your lamp, electrical appliance remote, voice controlled with a smart plug. Click Here for the Smart Plug Watch The Day Earth Changed on Apple TV+ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-16/the-year-earth-changed-review-david-attenborough-documentary/100062704 the photo that inspired the internet https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/himalayas-visible-lockdown-india-scli-intl/index.html YouTube Video, Charlie Bit My Finger, sells for $768,000 after over 880 million people have seen it on YouTube https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-57227290

 Need a New Computer? Expect to pay at least $800 for a desktop and $1000 for a laptop with decent hardware, speed and tech that will last for at least 5 years. +try to get a SSD hard drive +preferably 16GB of memory Download Zoom Filters from Snapchat https://snapcamera.snapchat.com Send digital payments with Venmo https://venmo.com