If you don't already use a mobile payment app, chances are, you've at least heard of them.  You may have had a friend trying to pay you back for lunch at Zingerman's ask, "Do you have Venmo?" Or, perhaps you've seen the Apple Pay logo on myriad credit card machines in stores.  More than ever, these payment systems are growing and becoming mainstream.  Let's explore what exactly mobile payment apps are, and should you be using them?

First, what is a mobile payment app?  As the name suggests, it's an application that you can use from your smartphone to pay for things.  The various types basically fall into two categories.

1. Apps to pay for goods and services directly to businesses
2. Apps to send money directly to another person (known as person-to-person or P2P)

Examples of payment apps in the first category include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and PayPal. Some of them come pre-installed on your smartphone, and some you have to download.  To use one of the apps, you need to enter and store your credit card information.  This is done securely, as only you can access it with your passcode, Touch ID, or facial recognition.  When you go to pay for something at the store, your authorization sends your payment information as an anonymized token (an encrypted version of your credit card number).  Your actual number is not sent, so paying with the app is considered safer than physically handing over your card.  Additionally, these transmissions comply with the same encryption security standards as regular card payments.  And, most banks these days have a no-liability policy to protect you against fraud, so you can use the app with peace of mind.

All of the above mentioned apps also fall into the second category: Person-to-Person (P2P) transactions.  With each one, you can securely link your bank account or bank debit card in order to pay a friend directly.  Two additional apps in this division are Zelle and Venmo.  While you can't use the latter two in a store at the credit card machine, they are secure ways to pay individuals.  You'll find that many banks have incorporated Zelle into their own mobile apps.  Venmo is so popular, in fact, that we've seen its verbification:  "Can I Venmo you that?"

Zelle transactions go directly from your bank account to your friend's bank account.  (Same with Google Pay.) With Venmo and the other apps, when someone pays you, the money goes into a holding area.  You then must transfer it to your bank account, which takes 1-3 days.  (Note: Venmo will allow you to receive funds directly to your bank account for a small fee.)

Think of using P2P apps for paying individuals to be just like handing over cash to someone, so be careful.  When the transaction is complete, you can't get your money back if you change your mind or sent it to the wrong person (unless your payee has a conscience).  It's important, therefore, that you only use P2P apps with someone you know.

Employed smartly, though, mobile payment apps are a quick, convenient, and safe way to make transactions.  Before setting up the first one on my phone a few years ago, I called my bank to get its opinion.  The response I received was reassuring, and I've been using 4 of these apps ever since.  Mobile payment apps are growing in number and are here to stay for the time being.  According to a NerdWallet survey in 2020, 79% of Americans reported using mobile payment apps.  So go ahead and use them–use them wisely, and use them confidently.

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Recently, a client of mine shared an article with me about how China was behind a recent hack of Microsoft Exchange servers across the U.S., allowing unauthorized access to hundreds of thousands of emails.  Reports like this are both scary and frustrating–scary in the sense that we want to feel our data is safe, and frustrating in that most of us can't keep up with all of the latest security prevention methods.
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​I've talked before about ways to keep your privacy and data safe, but here I'll go into some detail about some of the easiest steps you can take to keep out unwanted hackers.  Of course, a good first step is to be sure the computer's firewall protection is turned on.  You can find this in Windows by typing "Windows Defender Firewall" in the search box.  On a Mac, go to Security & Privacy in your System Preferences.

Of course, it's also beneficial to make sure you have solid, reputable malware protection installed.  Be careful in which one you select, however.  A few out there will actually slow down your computer and make it run like it's on drugs.  

Aside from firewall and malware protection, though, the easiest step you can take is to keep your computer's software up-to-date. This goes for your operating system, as well as your applications. We've all seen those notifications.  They pop up whenever we're in the middle of doing something important.  I think we've all grown so accustomed to seeing popups for ads and scams that we instinctively dismiss almost any alert.  And if we do happen to read them and think that they're legit, remember, we're in the middle of something important and can't be disturbed right now.  We'll get to it later.  

Next thing we know, our operating system is three generations behind and is out-of-date.

Another reason we don't install the latest software updates–and I'm guilty of this too–is that we're afraid they may contain bugs, or they'll make some of our applications nonfunctional. To be honest, bugs, glitches, and obsolescence do happen.  That's why it's important to read what improvements come with the new version.  If it's a new security patch, like the one Microsoft initiated, then upgrade it immediately.  If the update is merely for cosmetic changes or new features, then it's okay to wait a month to make sure the developer has fixed any unexpected bugs.  (Note: people sometimes confuse "bugs" with "viruses."  Bugs are not malicious–they are mostly just small dysfunctions in a program caused by a mistake in the code.)  Often, updates are exactly that:  they fix the known bugs in the software, and it's a good idea to download them.

Clients ask me, "Should I do this update?  Do I need it?"  The short answer is almost always yes.  If not immediately, then very soon.  For my own computers, I follow the same advice.  Not only do I get excited about seeing new features in an update (yes, I'm a nerd that way), but I also sleep better knowing that I have the latest security patches to defend against hackers.

It wasn't too long ago that setting up an email account seemed like a real fun idea.  It was the greatest invention to come along since a phone you could carry in your pocket.  But now, a lot of the luster has worn off, and our grand electronic postal service that was supposed to help us quickly communicate with friends, family, and business colleagues has turned into a dumping ground for sales announcements from LL Bean, Hotel Deals This Weekend Only! and corny jokes and stories that have made the rounds around the internet so many times they're received like fruitcakes at Christmas.  The stories probably weren't even true anyway.  

These emails come so fast and so abundantly.  We haven't the time to keep up–not even to delete them.  As a result, we end up with thousands of unread messages in our Inbox, and we run the risk of missing the important ones.  Or, at the very worst, we give up and don't even bother checking them anymore.  What can we do to regain control?

1. One method to resolve this issue is to cut bait and delete everything older than 30 days (or whatever timeframe you're most comfortable with).  Think of it as an Amnesty Day for old emails that were waiting to be read.  Let them go.  If something was that important, and you missed it, chances are likely that the person or organization would have called you by now.  You will end up with a much more manageable garden to then go weed.  Save this one, delete that one, etc.

2. Additionally, one trick to preemptively handle future onslaughts of unwanted emails is to click on Unsubscribe, usually found at the bottom of commercial emails in tiny faint letters.  Be sure to wear your progressive lenses.  Note:  only click on Unsubscribe in emails from legitimate businesses and organizations.  Companies, like Target, will honor your request and take you off of their mailing list.  Dubious players, like Ukrainian Wines Cheap!, will not.  In fact, clicking Unsubscribe here will likely encourage them to send you more junk.

3.  An alternative, the nuclear option, is to start all over with a new email address.  If you choose this solution, be sure to send out an email to all of your contacts stating that you want them to email you at your new address.  Don't forget to let your doctors and other services know, too!

Once you've cleaned out your Inbox and have 0 unread emails, It's a good idea to check it frequently enough that you don't let them accumulate again.  From now on, that red bubble with the number in it will have regained significance and legitimacy.

Spilling coffee on your laptop, a power surge during a summer storm, or plain old hard drive failure.  These are just a few things that can cause your computer to crash and for you to lose access to whatever you had stored on it–photos, music, documents, and more.  If this were to happen, what would you lose?  Would it be "game over," or do you have a backup plan?

Having a good backup system in place is a core element in managing your digital life.  (And, as much as many of us hate to admit it, almost all of us do indeed have a digital life in some fashion or another.)  Fortunately, the process of making sure your important items are backed up isn't as daunting as it seems.  

There are a few solutions that are readily available.  One that requires almost no work at all is cloud computing.  It's a fancy shmancy term for having your data synced and backed up to a computer that's located somewhere else.  If you have a Gmail account, you are using "the cloud."  Your emails are located on a server that Google owns, and any device you use to access your email talks to that server.  Google Drive is the same thing, only with documents.  Any changes you make from any device are synced on Google's cloud server.  Microsoft has OneDrive, and Apple has iCloud for email, photos, documents, and other data.  

However, simply owning an iPhone or MacBook doesn't guarantee that you're using the cloud.  You have to turn it on in System Preferences.  Likewise, if you download a Google Doc to your computer and make changes to it, it doesn't mean that the new version is necessarily stored in the cloud anymore.  While there are some procedures to follow, fortunately they're not difficult once you get started.

Cloud computing aside, it's also a good idea to backup your entire computer to an external hard drive on a regular basis.  Both Macs and Windows PCs have programs that can automate this function for you.  You just need to purchase the hard drive.  Good news:  they're not that expensive, and they hold a lot of data!  From your external hard drive, you can even restore your entire system should you experience a crash or buy a new computer and want everything back the way it was.

​Managing your digital life is something necessary–like going to the dentist twice a year (but not as painful as getting a filling).  With a few procedures in place, you can feel confident that your important documents and family photos are backed up.  You'll be ready when lightning strikes!

2020 has been a crummy year on so many different levels.  For many families, one of the greatest hardships of the year has been being isolated from loved ones.  For those of us who have family in assisted living, the lockdowns have been excruciating.  There was one bright spot, however, that made this year a little better:  the Echo Show smart display with Alexa.

When my dad went into assisted living about a year and a half ago, we wanted some way that we could communicate with him at any time of day or night.  At first, we thought that we could simply FaceTime or Zoom with Dad, but we soon realized that his motor skills and lack of technology experience put an end to those video chat options.  It wasn't that we weren't comfortable calling him.  It was that he wasn't able to answer those calls.  That's where the Echo Show came to the rescue.

Of course, the one we gave him was only intended to supplement the in-person visits that we had with him.  Little did we know those visits would soon come to an end when COVID hit.  Suddenly, the Echo Show was the main method of communicating with him. 

The great aspect of the Echo Show is the Drop-In feature.  It does what the name suggests–it allows you to "drop in" on the person you're calling.  All you have to do is begin the video chat on your end (with a smartphone or another Echo Show), and it will call the person on the other end, with audio and video activated.  In other words, my dad didn't have to do anything to answer the call.  We could instantly see and hear him, and vice-versa.  (Note:  users have the option to turn this feature off for privacy.)

We liked the Echo Show so much that we set one up for my mother-in-law down in Florida.  She doesn't live in a nursing home, but she has Parkinson's disease and has great difficulty holding a phone steady.  Now we can drop in anytime to see her.  In addition, when she's not using the Echo Show for our video chats, she utilizes its Alexa voice assistant to control the device.  She can have it play music, show pictures, and fetch the weather and news.

I've recommended the Echo Show for many of my clients who live in or have family who live in assisted living, senior living, and independent living.  While some of them don't like things that are "too techie," they all agree that this device has been very helpful.  To me, it's one of the few material objects that made 2020 a little more bearable.

You've been limping along with that 10-year-old iPhone 4 with the cracked screen and apps that are so out of date they don't even open.  You've been thinking of getting a new phone, but aren't sure which one is right for you.  It can feel overwhelming, I know.  I study these phones, and even I have a hard time keeping up!  But with Apple's new iPhone launches this year, I think I can bring the picture into focus and help you find one that is right for you.  Note:  I've decided to review only the new iPhones here, instead of the latest Androids.  There seem to be about a million different Android phones out there, and trying to discern their differences is a topic for another day.

What make this year's new iPhones significant are three things:  features, size, and price.  This spring, Apple released the iPhone SE (2020/2nd edition).  Then, at the end of October, they announced the iPhone 12.  Here's a quick rundown of what makes this so intriguing.

1.  Features:  Both phones have very nice cameras--especially the iPhone 12 Pro, with its telephoto lens, night mode, and 4x optical zoom range.  Both phones are made to withstand damage more than ever.  The iPhone SE is water resistant under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, and the iPhone 12 can stay under that length of time at 6 meters.  The iPhone 12 also is made of tougher materials to protect it from the occasional drop on the floor.  

The 12 uses facial recognition to unlock it (like the iPhone 11 and 10).  The SE still has the Home Button for fingerprint ID (like the iPhone8 on back).  Many of my clients prefer the home button, as they find it easier to unlock and navigate back to the home screen.  Best of all, both phones are lightning fast, and they run the most current operating software, with the most secure updates.  

2.  Size:  This is something I've been waiting for for a while now–smaller physical size.  Remember when cell phones first came out, it was cool to see how small we could get them?  Then somewhere along the way, they kept growing and growing, until you felt like you were holding an iPad up to your ear.  Well, the iPhone SE is the same size as the iPhone 8 at 5.45" with a 4.7" display.  The iPhone 12 comes in 3 sizes:  Regular, Max, and Mini.  The regular size is just a little taller than the iPhone 8, but the Mini is only 5.18" tall, making it the smallest new iPhone available.  It's roughly the same size as your old iPhone 4.

For me, I like putting the phone in my pocket, so the smaller the better.  However, I now wear progressive lenses on my eyes, so the Max size may be in my near future.    Whatever your preference, you can now find an iPhone size to fit your needs.

3.  Price:  For the past few years it felt like, if you wanted a new iPhone, you were going to have to pay about $1000.  Now, fortunately, Apple offers a more diverse pricing lineup.  You can still by the top-of-the-line model for over a grand, but the iPhone 12 mini starts at $699.  The iPhone SE, at $399.  I've even had several clients purchase the SE from Consumer Cellular for $250!  (It's also worth mentioning that Apple's models in between, like the iPhone 11 can be had for a good price too, starting at $599.)

So, which one is best for you?  If you enjoy photography and want the ability to take professional-looking pics and videos, one of the iPhone 12 models may be your best bet.  If you prefer a good, standard phone that does calls, texts, emails, and web browsing well–at a reasonable price–then the iPhone SE might be your choice–especially if you still prefer to use the Home Button.  Any way you slice it, Apple has made it much more enticing for us to retire our old phones.

As always, let me know if you'd like help picking one out, setting it up, and/or teaching you the fun things you can do with it!

Within the last month, I've received calls from clients asking me about the legitimacy of an email they've received.  There are actually two similar ones out there that I know of (and lots of variations), and I can tell you they are far from legit.  In fact, they are downright dangerous, financially speaking.

They go something like this:  You get an email from a well-known company, like Amazon, saying that your account has been hacked, a thief has bought a new iPhone with it, and we've locked your account down.  They ask you for access to your computer so they can "unlock" it for you.  While in your computer they see your account information, and who knows what else.  They also tell you that in order to fully unlock your account, you'll need to run a transaction of some kind.  In order to do so, you are directed to go to Target or Best Buy and purchase $500 gift cards to send to them.  

A similar scam goes like this:  You get an email from a well-known antivirus company saying that they are  going to renew your annual subscription for $400.  You email them back saying No!  The next day they send you an email saying that they've already charged you $400.  You call the number for customer service and they apologize.  In fact, they say they'll refund your credit card right now.  Next thing you know, they're saying that they made a mistake and accidentally refunded you $4000.  "Please send us $3600 to make it even again."  

You've got to be kidding, right?  Who would fall for these requests?  It turns out, many people.  Before we get too judgmental about the victims, I want to point out that the scammers' techniques have gotten a lot more sophisticated.  You ask for proof that they're really calling from, say, Amazon.  They tell you to look at your caller ID and google the phone number.  Sure enough, it's Amazon's number.  (It's a caller ID trick called spoofing. It only looks like they're calling from the number.)  When you share your computer screen with them, and they show you a charge from, say, Norton Antivirus on your credit card account, it looks real.  It's not.  They've prepared an image to look like your account.  And to top it off, the scammer's voice is so reassuring and nice.  They are very convincing.

How do you defend yourself against the scammers?  Here are some rules to remember:
1.  If you get a call from a familiar company telling you there's a problem.  Hang up, look up their phone number from their actual website, and then call it.  Ask if there's a problem.

2.  Organizations like banks, Amazon, and Norton will not ask you for access to your computer to show you things.  They will not ask you for your passwords either.  (Note:  A tech support company may ask you to share your screen, but that's fine--you called them.)

3.  Don't click the links in suspicious emails.  Don't return voicemail calls from the phone numbers they called from.  If they are bogus, that lets the scammer know they've got a live one on the line, and they will hound you.

4.  If you're suspicious, check out Snopes.com for list of common scams and hoaxes. If you think you've been scammed, call your credit card company or bank immediately.  You'll find an 800# on the back of your card that'll be answered 24/7.

Scams are nothing new.  They're not even new to the computer age.  As always, we need to be vigilant, but not scared.  When approached, it's okay to conduct your due diligence.  You owe it to yourself.  You are the one in control.

Few things are worse than being in the middle of a Zoom call, and the other attendees start yelling, "You're breaking up!"  "Your picture froze!"  "You sound like you're under water!"  All three of these afflictions are more than likely due to a slow WiFi connection.  So what can you do about it?

The first thing you should check is your WiFi speed, I use a free site called SPEEDTEST.net.  There you can see the time it takes between sending a request and receiving a response (called Ping), the time it takes to upload data (Upload), and the time it takes to download data (Download).  Download is what most people focus on to see how "fast" their internet speed is in a particular spot in the house.  If you're checking SPEEDTEST.net on your phone or a laptop, try moving from room to room to see how each location fares.  Speed is measured in Mbps, or Megabits per second.

Next, look at how many Mbps you are paying for with your internet service provider (ISP).  If you're paying Xfinity for 150 Mbps, and you're only getting 20, you're either far away from your router or there a lot of devices in your home eating up all of the bandwidth.  On the other hand, if you're paying AT&T for 25 Mbps, and you're getting 20, then you're doing alright.  If you're only getting 2 or 3 Mbps in the room where you use it most, then it might be time to upgrade with your ISP or look at some of the following options:

1.  Make sure your router is located out in the open, as opposed to under a desk or in a cabinet.  You want as clear of a path as possible for the signal to travel.  Placing it high on a shelf, or at least on top of the desk is a good start.

2.  Upgrade your router.  Do you have an all-in-one modem/router provided by your ISP?  Many times, these devices aren't as good as having a separate modem and router.  Buying your own router can be a big boost in performance, plus you will no longer have to pay for renting your ISP's router.

3.  Look into getting a mesh router system.  This is a router that is built to work with little satellite nodes around your house to keep a strong signal throughout.  Is it the same as a WiFi signal extender?  No.  Signal extenders create a separate network in a different part of your house.  Once you fall out of range of one network, you switch over to the other one.  They are typically less efficient and slower than mesh routers.  Mesh routers, while more expensive, keep you on one network all throughout your house and are more seamless, efficient, and faster.

4.  Try these other options:  You could always move your computer and router closer together.  Likely, though, you want to be able to work in your cozy den downstairs and don't feel like moving.  Also, you're router isn't likely to be easy to relocate from where it's connected to the wall.  And finally, you could try running a long ethernet cable from your router to your computer.  But where's the fun in that if you're partial to keeping your mobility?

If you try the steps above, you'll have more information that will help you find the right solution.  You will likely discover one of the options is easy and very effective.  If you have questions about how to fix your WiFi performance, or need help in setting it up, please contact me.