Related Quick Links Netflix has a parental control problem. you might create “Kids” profiles, but kids can easily escape them. Netflix’s parental controls need to be better. Update: Since we originally wrote this article in August 2019,Netflix has added expanded parental controls. you might nowlock adult Netflix profiles with a PIN, too. And setting your young children up with a kid’s profile should keep them from seeing the mature shows....
Start with Your Router Most smarthome devices require access to the internet to work correctly. So in many ways, the single most significant point of vulnerability is your router. Andsecuring your routershould be your first step. You should change your default admin password used pull up the router. Update the router’s firmware if it’s out of date, and enable encryption. Always use a complicated password unique to your Wi-Fi router....
Unfortunately, someransomwarehad infected the NAS and demanded payment to restore the data. Here’s what you could do to secure your NAS. You have several options to choose from to prevent attacks like this. you might disable remote access altogether, allowing only local connections. If you need remote access, you could set up aVPNto restrict access to your NAS. If it’s possible for you to’t access your NAS remotely, then neither can a hacker....
This is an important step when troubleshooting some data pipe problems. Factory-resetting is relatively easy, but every router is a bit different. What Is a Factory Reset, and When Should You Do It? Just like a PC, a reboot shuts down your router and starts it back up. It’s agood troubleshooting stepif your router is acting strangely. A factory reset, on the other hand, wipes all your data from the router....
Related Quick Links Several companies have recently admitted to storing passwords in plain-text format. That’s like storing a password in Notepad and saving it as a .txt file. Passwords should be salted and hashed for security, so why isn’t that happening in 2019? If a hacker gains access to the file, they can see all the passwords. Storing passwords in plain text is a terrible practice. Typically that means even if someone steals the passwords out of a database, they’re unusable....
Related Quick Links The night has come; you’re winding down. Here’s how to make Google speak quietly at night. You may have experienced this more times than you care to admit. Everyone is asleep, and you’re ready for bed too. It doesn’t have to be this way. The downside is, you have to enable and configure Night Mode for every Google Home rig you own. Then tap the gear in the top right corner....
Related Reinstalling Windows 10 might soon get easier. This is similar tothe Internet Recovery feature on a Mac. This is part of the recovery environment built into a Mac. Imagine using old installation media to reinstall the latest version of Windows. As always, this feature may not ever make it to a stable version of Windows. It’s in a leaked internal build of Windows—we might never see it again. Thanks to Rich Woods over atNeowinfor spotting this tweet first....
Related Quick Links A smarthome promises freedom from wall switches and pull chains. Instead, you get voice control and powerful automation. That’s how it works for smart light bulbs, anyway. Why not make your home’s ceiling fans smart, too? Smart fans are another great convenience for the home. Smart fans typically come in either a Wi-Fi or Zigbee format. If you choose a Wi-Fi fan, like those fromHunterorHaiku, you won’t need a hub....
Turning around or getting out of bed isn’t fun. If you make your garage door smart, you’re free to close it from anywhere! For a smart garage door opener to work well, you need a stable Wi-Fi signal in your garage. And you might have to either replace or add hardware. It also gives openers smart capabilities, like theB970or theC870. These units have built-in Wi-Fi capability and communicate with the Chamberlain MyQ app (forAndroidandiOS)....
Related Quick Links Not all smarthome devices make sense to buy. Do you really need a smart pillow or a smart fridge? No, you dont. Because of that fact, your expensive refrigerator may not evenlast a decade. You’d be better off buying a normal refrigerator and mounting a tablet to the door. At least then if the tablet becomes obsolete, you might throw it out and keep the fridge. Some offer touch screens to set preferences; others boast better water usage....
Related Quick Links Samsung’s Frame TVis beautiful and expensive. When it’s not in use, it displays works of art. But if you have smart TV already, you could accomplish something similar with an app or Chromecast. Of course, your TV will use more power if it’s displaying images instead of powered off. Whether it’s a Roku, Chromecast, or Fire TV, you might approximate the Frame TV experience. Choosing Your Images Before you continue, think about what you want to show on your TV....
Wi-Fi doesn’t travel far—especially through metal and concrete. So, it’s important to determine the best place for your router. It might not be in the best place to reach all the corners of your home. Wherever you want the fastest speeds, aim for the center of that location. Most importantly, don’t hide your Wi-Fi router behind books or in a drawer. The best location in the room is out in the open....
It also works with popular platforms, like Google Home and Amazon Alexa, right out of the box. If you want a cheap way to check out smarthome functionality, this works. Wyze’s app is surprisingly adept athandling its myriad products, and the Bulb is no exception. Link it to Amazon or Google instead, and it works exactly as you’d expect. For an inexpensive and simple gadget, it’s possible for you to’t hope for much more....
