I have to tell you this story. When my son, who was in college, moved to Los Angeles, he asked me for the space number of a house he had rented on the domain 28 years ago for two months. I laughed because I couldn’t remember. Then I was surprised!
About five minutes later, he sent me a link to a loose other people’s search site that showed this space number, as well as all the other addresses I’ve lived in, my current address, links to my favorites, their age, age, and even my non-public cell phone number. All this knowledge was not a paywall. It only took a search for my name, and bam: the privacy disappeared.
That’s when I introduced an initiative on my site to list the precise steps to remove your knowledge from those sites that scare other people. These sites hide the steps. Don’t worry, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you.
Tap or click to get a list of thirteen scary sites that are likely to involve your phone number, addresses, age, enjoyed sites, and more, as well as the steps to delete your information. free. Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can also reference it later.
A safer online life is just minutes away. Follow this list and then congratulate yourself for taking care of your virtual self.
As convenient as Google Maps and Apple Maps are, it’s puzzling that their space number and address are visible on the internet. Here’s a secret. You can request a privacy blur on photos of your home.
Here’s how a request is sent to Google:
• Open Google Maps or view the gallery and search for your address.
• Tap the Street View photo you need to blur. The symbol shows your face, home, license plate, or other identifying information.
• Click Report a problem. You’ll see it on the back or by clicking on the three-dot menu in a photo.
• Complete the form and click Submit.
For Apple Maps, you want to send an email to MapsImageCollection@apple. com and:
• Ask for your house to be blurred.
• Provide Apple with your full address.
• Include more main points about assets so Apple knows which space to censor.
MAP TIPS: Make the most of Google Maps with these 10 tips
Spyware is malware that runs silently in the background, tracking almost everything you do. These sneaky downloads leave virtual clues if you know what to look for.
Task Manager on a Windows PC and Activity Monitor on a Mac can give you a review of everything going on on your machine.
If you are a PC:
• Open the Task Manager via Ctrl Shift Esc urgently. On the Processes tab, view the background apps and processes running on your PC.
Browse the list. If you see a call you don’t recognize, search for it online to see what’s going on. Sometimes those background systems and processes are valid and uninteresting, even if you don’t know the call at first glance.
To close an application or process, right-click and finish the task. Check back later to see if it works.
If you’re a Mac:
• To open Activity Monitor, press Spacebar Command to open Spotlight Search. Then type Activity Monitor, and then press Enter. Check the list to see if there’s anything you don’t recognize.
Double-click to close a program or process and then Exit.
Tap or click to see more symptoms that are spying on your computer.
Leaving your computer unlocked invites you to come and snoop. If your computer is stolen or lost, it can also take you to a terrible place.
Lock yours with a strong, unique password. This means there are no repetitions! Since you have to enter this password every time you open your computer, you want it.
If your computer allows you to unlock it with biometric data, such as your fingerprint, it’s an even easier solution. Otherwise, use the same password rules for all online accounts:
• Use a combination of letters, special characters, numbers, and capital letters.
• Try to have at least 12 characters.
• Consider creating a passphrase from a password. They are longer, harder to decipher, and less difficult to remember. Tap or click here and scroll down to #3 to learn more about how to create one.
Lock your Windows PC:
• Go to Start > Settings > Accounts.
• Click Connection Options in the left pane.
• Click Add the Password section.
• Enter a new password. Click Next, and then click Finish.
Lock your Mac
When you set up a Mac, you are prompted to create a login password. Here’s how to set your password on your computer:
• Click the Apple icon and then System Preferences.
• Click Security & Privacy.
• Check Require Password on the General tab.
• Set password sync so that your Mac will automatically lock when it goes into sleep or screen saver mode.
Extensions allow you to customize your browser and load difficult features. But all extensions are useful. Some stick to you on the Internet, consume your computer resources, and worse.
How do you know what’s safe? Google Chrome assigns a “Featured” badge to extensions that adhere to Google’s “most productive technical practices” and meet the high point of user experience and design. Hey, at least that’s something.
A sign that an extension is bad news?You don’t remember downloading it, so delete it.
It’s also helpful to search the internet for a word like “Is it (the extension you’re using) to use?”See what it looks like and pay close attention to the warnings.
Here’s how to get a Chrome extension:
• Open your Chrome browser. Tap the 3 vertical dots to your profile icon.
• Hover over More Tools and Extensions.
• Click Delete on the extension you want to remove and then click Delete again.
Use Safari on Mac? Here’s how to get an extension:
• Choose Safari > Preferences. Click Extensions.
• To uninstall an extension, click Uninstall.
Don’t prevent there. Tap or click to learn about nine more tactics to make Chrome more secure.
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today. ” It’s 30 fake minutes of technical news, advice, and callers with technical questions like you from all over the country. Look for it anywhere you get your podcasts. For your convenience, click on the link below to watch a recent episode.
PICK PODCAST: Ford Is Helping police, Prime Day, John McAfee’s Crazy Crimes
Position yourself for electric police chases, courtesy of the Ford Police Association. I have all the details, plus the scoop on the leaked Amazon documents. It looks like we’re getting another Prime Day. Plus, you can now wear smart scarves to keep you cool. My advice: Put one on while watching Netflix’s true crime story, John McAfee. It’s a crazy race.
Watch my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts. Just look for my name, “Komando”.
Discover all the latest generation at the Kim Komando Show, the country’s largest weekend broadcast show. Kim takes calls and provides advice on today’s virtual lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and information tricks. For tips, loose newsletters, and more, stop by their online page at Komando. com.
The perspectives and reviews expressed in this column are those of USA TODAY and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.