Update your iPhone, Mac, etc. TODAY
News about the Pegasus Project hacking of journalists’ cell phones has a lot of people alarmed. The good news is that you probably have nothing to worry about from Pegasus, but that doesn’t mean you’re totally safe.
The better news (for iPhone users) is that Apple has issued an update to help close the hole that allowed the hack, but you have to install it to be safe(r). (I’m always surprised by how many people don’t bother with updates; they’re the single most important way to keep yourself safe online.)
You can use these links for quick tutorials on:
How to Update your Mac (new!)
How to Update your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
A Super Simple Way
to Protect Your Cell Phone
Restart it.
That’s it, that’s the tip! Experts say restarting your phone can help foil hackers, it’s fast and easy, and there’s no downside; so put it on your calendar and make it part of your routine every week. If you’ve never done it, Apple has instructions here for iPhones; Android users, just hold the power button until you see shut down options.
How Old is that Kindle
in the Drawer?
Older kindles will start to lose internet access in December, so Amazon is providing a discount code for owners of the affected devices. Details here, and here’s how to tell which Kindle model you have.
Alexa by any other name. . .
You can now call your Amazon Echo “Ziggy” instead of “Alexa” if you like (and change its voice to Samuel L. Jackson, among others). Details here.
Vacation Closing
As August is our quietest month, we’ll be closing for vacation from August 19th – 27th. (We will still monitor and respond to email, but we won’t be booking appointments during that time).
Hope you are also taking a mental health break!
Stay safe and well,
