How to Boost Your Router Security

In today’s hyper-connected world, your WiFi router is one of the most critical tools for protecting your personal data.

As the gateway for emails, video calls, and a myriad financial transactions, it can be a prime target for cybercriminals. And, if you work remotely from home, any sensitive corporate documents that flow into and out of your WiFi network can make for a tempting target, too.

The risks are real: Hackers thousands of miles away can exploit software vulnerabilities to compromise devices, steal information, or turn your connected gadgets into unwitting participants in a sweeping botnet attack.

The good news? Strengthening your home’s WiFi security doesn’t require an IT degree. By following a few straightforward steps, you can significantly reduce the risks and better protect your digital life.Turn On Automatic Updates

Router manufacturers typically release software updates throughout the year to address security threats, fix bugs, and improve performance.

The easiest way to make sure your router always has the latest, safest software is to activate the automatic firmware update feature available on many of today’s models.

Newer routers make this relatively easy through a companion mobile app.

For other routers, you’ll need to look in the device’s settings. You can do that by opening a web browser and typing in the device’s IP address. Very often, the address is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. But this varies by brand. So consult the owner’s manual or do an online search for the customer support pages for your router model.

If your router doesn’t provide automatic updates, you’ll have to periodically download and install the new firmware from the manufacturer’s website yourself.

Richard Fisco, who oversees electronics testing at Consumer Reports, says that to be safe you should check for new updates at least every three months. 

You can also see if there’s a way to get security notices via email from the router’s manufacturer when new software is available. Many brands offer that as an option during the online product registration process.

Manufacturers do eventually stop releasing new software for older models, though. The routers may lack the memory or processing power needed to run the software effectively. The manufacturer may lose access to support from a component supplier. And companies in the business of selling things do need to shift focus to newer models.

“If you find your router is no longer getting updates, it’s too risky to keep using it,” Fisco says. “Verify its status with the manufacturer, and if it has reached the ‘end of life’ stage, buy a new router.”

One relatively inexpensive router that supports automatic firmware updating is the Netgear Nighthawk AX3000, which costs around $175 and features three units—a hub and two satellites—that work together as a mesh router system to spread WiFi more evenly throughout your home.

Other recommended models include the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro and Google Nest WiFi.

Turn Off Features You Don’t Use

Modern routers come with many handy features that help you manage your WiFi network, but some create weak spots in your defenses.

So when you’re logged in to your router’s settings, take a minute to review applications that could present opportunities for hackers.

If you don’t use Remote Administration (also known as Remote Management or web access from WAN), make sure it’s turned off. This denies access to the router’s control panel from outside your home network. In most routers, the feature is off by default, but you should confirm this by going to the advanced or administration section of the settings menu.

Disable Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP), which many home routers have enabled by default. UPnP can help devices on your home network connect to each other, but the added convenience isn’t worth the security risk. This feature can make it easier for malware to spread through your network.

To disable UPnP, log in to your router like you would when changing your password (see below). Find the “tools,” “advanced,” or “advanced networks” menu. From there, make sure the “Enable UPnP” box is unchecked.

And last, if you have a guest network without a password, disable it. You don’t want unwanted guests using it without permission.Use Strong Passwords

There are two crucial passwords on your router: one for the device itself, which you use to log into the admin portal to do things like update settings, and one for the WiFi network created by the router.

You should change both passwords as soon as you set up the router.

Routers typically ship with default passwords used to set up the device. At times, they’re even printed on a label on the router itself. For convenience, the default passwords for lots of routers also appear online—and a password that’s easy for anyone to find is no help at all.

With a little online sleuthing, a hacker could use a default password to access your network and potentially control your router. If that were to happen, the hacker could change your passwords, spy on you, or access the files on a network-attached hard drive.

The settings and connection passwords can both be changed via the router’s mobile app or the settings page (aka 192.168.1.1).

Make sure the passwords you create are strong and unique—that is, different from one another and from any other password you use. They should have at least a dozen characters, with seemingly random upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. To keep track of them, you might also consider using a password manager.Change the Default SSID to Something Impersonal

Lastly, you’ll want to change the default name of your WiFi network, also known as the SSID. Leaving the default in place can reveal your router’s make and model, potentially helping hackers break into it—especially if you haven’t changed the default passwords as well.

And rather than change the name of the network to something that can be linked to you (“De Leon Family WiFi,” for example), you should instead give it more of a generic name, says Steve Blair, who oversees digital security testing for Consumer Reports. 

Choosing a personal SSID can make it easier for hackers and other ne’er-do-wells to carry out hyper-personalized phishing attacks designed to steal your personal information. “It’s easier than you think,” he adds, ”especially with sites like Wigle,” which lists crowdsourced WiFi network information.

You can even tell your router not to broadcast the SSID at all. Once you do that, any device that has never been connected to your WiFi won’t be able to “see” the network.

To connect to the WiFi via a new device, you have to manually input the network name, instead of selecting it from a list of nearby options. But what is at most a minor inconvenience for you—how often do you connect new devices to your WiFi?—essentially makes your network invisible to would-be hackers.

Use WPA3

Security protocols for routers improve over time, which means the old ones get outdated. 

Among other things, the latest standard, known as WPA3, encrypts your WiFi connection, making it harder for cybercriminals to guess your WiFi password using hacking tools that automatically cycle through tens of thousands of possibilities, says Kevin Robinson, vice president of marketing at the WiFi Alliance, which oversees the standard.

WPA3 has been a mandatory inclusion for WiFi-certified devices since 2020. So if your router is reasonably new, it should be supported.

If your router doesn’t support WPA3, use the previous standard, known as WPA2-AES. 

Routers that can’t use WPA2 should be replaced, according to Fisco, because they’re simply not equipped to handle today’s threats.

How to Recover Files From a Broken Phone

Today’s cell phones are filled with photos, videos, contact information, personal information and a host of other data. We often mistakenly assume that this data is completely safe, until one day our phone becomes unusable and it appears to be lost forever.

If you have broken your phone or one of its critical components and are worried that you have lost all the content stored on your device, don’t panic too quickly.

There are actually different ways to recover data from a broken cell phone, whether it is an iPhone or an Android device. Check out the most popular ones in this article.Useful tips for broken phone data recovery

Before taking any of the data recovery steps explained below, there are some things you should know.

First, if your mobile device’s hard drive or SD card was damaged by water or suffered physical damage, the data might not be accessible. However, with basic data recovery tools and techniques, chances are you can recover data from most devices, especially if the storage functions have not been affected.

Before trying anything else, it’s worth checking the iCloud or Google account associated with your cell phone. Automatic backups are always better than data recovery, and most devices automatically back up items like photos, videos and other personal files to a cloud. All you might need to do is go to Google Drive or iCloud using a computer, log in and search for the data you want to recover.

That said, if the data you need has not been backed up automatically, your best option is data recovery using a technique appropriate for the problem plaguing your phone.Different methods of phone data recovery

Not all common phone problems will affect your device in the same way.

For instance, if you’re just having trouble with your screen or home button, finding another way to access the device will usually be enough to recover your data. On the other hand, if your phone is completely unresponsive, you will need to use a computer or a second phone to remotely recover the remaining data. In short, the recovery method you choose should be prioritized based on the problem.Recover data from a broken phone

To recover data from a broken phone with a non-functional screen, you will need to use a second device to extract the data from the SD card or a third-party application.Recover data from an SD card

Android devices such as Samsung, Motorola and Google Pixel cell phones can hold an SD card where music, videos and photos can be saved. However, depending on the version of your Android system and the settings you have chosen, you may even have applications and other data saved.

That may not be everything you want to recover, but it’s often a good start and it only takes four quick steps to recover the data:

1.Remove the SD card – You can usually find your SD card with your SIM card, either in a tray on the side of your device or behind the battery.

2.Insert SD card into another device – You can use a microSD adapter to put your SD card into a laptop or you can transfer it to a new Android device and connect it to a computer with a USB cable.

3.Explore the contents of the SD card – Open Windows File Explorer and find the new drive that contains the data on your SD card.

4.Find the files you need to recover – Search for the folders you need and copy them to your computer for easy access at any time.

Use a third-party application

There are many data recovery applications and software that can help you recover your data. Here are several options:

  • Fone
  • Enigma Recovery
  • DroidKit
  • And many more

However, before you start, keep in mind that the capabilities of these applications are limited and you may lock your phone if the operation is not done correctly. So be careful!

Recover data from a phone with a broken screen

A cracked screen that prevents touch controls from working can render a smartphone basically useless. However, there are ways to get around this and recover your data.

Using software

There are applications that allow you to control your phone through a computer. Once you have control of your damaged phone, you can copy the files to a new safe location.

We recommend the Droid@screen software or the Vysor extension for Chrome. Vysor is convenient because it works for both iPhone and Android devices.

Using a mouse in OTG

If your screen no longer works with touch but still lights up, you may not be able to unlock your phone unless you use an OTG (USB On-The-Go) computer mouse!

The procedure is simple and works for Android devices. You need to connect an OTG mouse to your smartphone, enter your password or recreate your unlock pattern.

Next, disconnect the mouse and connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable. Then simply open Windows File Explorer and copy and paste the files and folders you want to recover into a folder on your PC.

Recover data from an iPhone with a broken home button

Considering the importance of the home button on the iPhones that preceded the iPhone X (iPhone 8, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, etc.), it only makes sense that Apple has a built-in way to use their devices even when the button is broken.

This mode is called “assistive touch” and works by giving you a fixed menu with various options. You can add all sorts of custom settings, but a button to access the home screen will be present by default. Activate this mode and your broken home button will no longer be an issue.

Take steps to avoid emergency data recovery

In conclusion, there are several methods and techniques you can try if you ever need to recover important data from a broken or damaged phone.

However, why not do everything in your power to make sure you won’t have this dilemma? You can avoid these data recovery headaches by making backups on a regular basis.

And if you ever decide to replace your damaged phone, you can avoid paying an exorbitant price for a new device by choosing refurbished phones or used cell phones. At Recycell we offer models as recent as a used iPhone 12 so you can quickly replace your phone without breaking the bank or having to use an outdated device!

Can You Charge a Laptop With USB? (Quick & Easy Guide)

YES, charging a laptop with USB is possible. Even if your laptop uses a dedicated power adapter (aka DC jack)

But not every type of USB can deliver enough power to charge a laptop.

To be precise, you CAN charge a laptop with USB-C, but NEVER with USB Type-A. (The rectangular USB-port that most phone charger comes in).

Difference between USB-A & USB-C

Sadly, you cannot charge a laptop from USB-A ports. And you can find more USB-A ports in cars, hotels, airports than their USB-C counterparts.

This is because USB-A is released in 1996, compared to USB-C that’s released in 2014. (USB-A has an 18-year headstart to be adopted in cars and outlets.)Why can’t USB-A charge a laptop?

Most USB-A ports cannot deliver enough power (W) to sustain a laptop’s consumption.

A laptop needs at least a 45W power to run, typically. And that’s just for basic office laptops.

The laptops for gaming runs on wattages between 60W and 180W.

For that reason, most phone chargers aren’t powerful enough to charge a laptop.How much wattage does USB-A provide?

Not all USB-A ports are the same.

For chargers, USB-A ports usually provide between 4.5W to 12W. With 18W being the most common maximum limit for fast chargers. (18W is enough to charge Nintendo Switch and tablet by the way.)How much wattage does your laptop need?

Every model needs a different wattage.

All you need is to look at your laptop’s original charger, which is often in the format of “__V/__A”How to check laptop charger’s wattage

To get the wattage, just multiply V with A. For example, a 20V/3.25A laptop will need a 45W power adapter. (20 x 3.25 = 65)USB-A cannot provide the required specific voltage

Every device, regardless of wattage requirement, needs to be charged with specific voltage to prevent damages. 

Why? A higher or lower voltage, even by a small difference, will either shorten the device’s lifespan or cause it to shut down.

How? If voltage is lower, your laptop may either charge really slowly or shut off on its own due to power fluctuations.

On the other hand, a higher voltage will damage your battery or its components (such as motherboard and processor).

Lastly, USB-A is simply designed to only supply power. Meaning that your laptop cannot receive power through its USB-A ports.

Why can USB-C charge a laptop?

Because it supports Power Delivery standard (PD), which opens up to a whole world of new possibilities.

To begin, Power Delivery lets USB-C supply up to 100W power. (More accurately, up to 240W now with the 2.1 update to USB-C specification as of 2021)

That means if you’re not using any laptop that needs more than 240W power, USB-C can charge your laptop.

USB-C allows communication between charger & device

Remember that every device need to be charged at specific voltage?

Thanks to Power Delivery, charger can communicate with laptop to decide on the optimal voltage and wattage needed.

The communication, known as handshake, lets the charger supply 7 different levels of voltage profile: 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, 28V, 36V, and 48V.

USB-C can both supply and receive power

What does it mean?

That means you can charge your laptop through its USB-C port, even if it has DC jack port.How to charge a laptop with USB-C?

The methods depends on whether your laptop has a USB-C port with Power Delivery support.

We’ll split the methods into these two categories:

A. Your laptop has USB-C port with Power Delivery

B. Your laptop neither has Power Delivery nor a USB-C port

How to tell? Just look for any icons around your USB-C port. 

If it has either of the symbols below, it has Power Delivery.

Note: Most Thunderbolt support also includes Power Delivery. However, there are some manufacturers who do not follow the standard and left Power Delivery out. In this case, the best way to verify is to check your laptop’s user manual.

Method A: Laptop has power delivery

Congratulations! All you need is the following:

Any USB-C power source (with equal or higher wattage your laptop needs).

Here are some examples:

A 45W and above USB-C Charger

A 45W and above USB-C power bank

A 45W and above car charger 

Yes, it’s possible to charge your laptop in a car or with a power bank.

     2. A USB-C to USB-C cable (with equal or higher wattage your laptop needs. 

For example, this 100W USB-C to C cable.

Or, better yet, get a universal 100W cable (that includes a Lightning & Micro USB adapters) so it can charge smartphone, tablet, laptop, and any USB-powered devices you own.

In a desk or office setting, this is what your set up may look like without the bulky laptop charger.

With both, you just need to plug your USB-C cable into the power source and your laptop’s USB-C port to start charging. The exact same way you would follow to charge a smartphone.

Method B: Laptop doesn’t have power delivery or USB-C

Actually, what you need is exactly the same as above (a power source and a cable) — just with one more step:

Converting the USB-C connector into the laptop adapter connector. So it can fit into your laptop’s power port.

And to achieve this, you need either:Laptop charger converter adapter

A USB-C to DC Jack converter. An adapter that converts your USB-C cable’s connector into the laptop adapter connector.USB-C to DC Jack Cables For Laptop

A USB-C to DC Jack cable. A male USB-C to male laptop adapter connector cable.

The converter works best if you already have a USB-C cable, or prefer a more minimal set up (as in you only need 1 USB-C cable to charge every device by switching the adapters.)

Otherwise, you may find a dedicated USB-C to DC Jack cable more suitable for you.

Turn Off These 3 TV Features for Better Picture Quality

With the first wave of new 2024 TVs hitting the market, you might be in the market for a new set—maybe to catch all the Major League Baseball action or to watch blockbuster movies in all their 4K HDR glory. But you could be disappointed to find your new TV doesn’t look quite as awesome as you imagined once you bring it home and set it up.

Instead, everything looks a bit fake and unnatural, not what you anticipated when you plunked down your credit card for a state-of-the-art television.

Before you race back to your local TV barn to demand a refund, take a deep breath: You may be a victim of your TV’s out-of-the-box settings rather than a lackluster piece of technology.

Many new TVs come with a bevy of optional display features that are turned on by default, and a few could be robbing your set of the best picture possible. Below are three features we recommend you shut off—or at least turn way down—when you get a new TV home.

One bit of good news is that it has been getting easier to get a great picture on new TVs. Useful new features include Filmmaker Mode and, to a lesser extent, Netflix Calibrated Mode, which we describe in more detail below.

In addition to turning off the following three features, you can adjust other TV settings, such as black levels and color, to get the best picture quality. And CR members can consult our TV Screen Optimizer to find the best settings for their own TV.

1. Noise Reduction

“Hey,” you might say, “why do I want to turn off noise reduction? I don’t want to see any noise on my TV!” That would seem to make sense, except it doesn’t.

Noise—sometimes called “snow” on account of the black and white dots in the picture—was a big issue with older analog TVs, especially with low-definition analog signals. When TVs upconvert video signals from low-quality sources, you may still see some noise.

But for the most part, you’re getting much cleaner, higher-quality digital source content these days, whether you’re using over-the-air digital broadcasts, high-def signals from cable or satellite TV services, streaming service signals, or pristine video from Blu-ray discs.

The problem with noise reduction is that it comes at the expense of detail and fine texture; these tend to get smoothed over when the feature is active. The picture can get soft-looking. Turn off noise reduction and you’ll have a more natural-looking image.

Become a member of Consumer Reports to get access to our TV Screen Optimizer, which will help you get the perfect picture on your TV in just minutes. Join today to get started.

2. Sharpness Control/Edge Enhancement

Another entry in the “sounds good but really isn’t” department is sharpness control, which doesn’t actually make the image sharper.

What it really does is accentuate the edges of images. At first glance, this might give the impression of greater detail, but in reality it masks fine detail—and oversharpened images can add a halo around objects.

So turn it way down or completely off. Some TVs have a zero setting in the center of the control. That’s what you should use. Lower it beyond that point and you might actually soften the image.

3. Motion Smoothing

One issue with LCD-based TVs in particular is that the image can blur during fast-moving scenes, especially in action movies or sports.

TV manufacturers use various technologies to reduce motion blur, such as repeating frames or inserting black frames into the video signal. These techniques go by a number of names, including Auto Motion Plus (Samsung), Motionflow (Sony), and TruMotion (LG).

What is E-Waste and How Can You Reduce It?

With the astonishing pace at which technology is advancing, we have all lived through generations of models and entire categories of devices becoming obsolete. Technology that was considered cutting edge just a few years ago can’t keep pace with modern updates.

What happens to these devices when they have outlived their usefulness? Many sit in houses for years collecting dust, their owners unsure what to do with them. Eventually, most end up in the trash, which can have serious and unintended consequences.

In this article, the experts at Recycell present an overview of e-waste, its dangers, and how it can be mitigated.What is e-waste?

E-waste, also known as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), refers to electronics that are discarded because they are unwanted, not working, or no longer considered useful. The term includes almost any item that contains circuitry or electrical components powered by electricity or a battery. Examples include microwaves, fans, smartphones, computers, DVD and Blu-Ray players, video game consoles, TVs, fax machines and printers.

E-waste is increasing exponentially, with a record 53.6 million metric tonnes generated globally in 2019, according to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020. This presents a major problem, as e-waste leaches toxic materials when disposed of in landfills. Electronics contain valuable raw materials that could be reused, but only 17.4% of the e-waste generated in 2019 was recycled, leaving the grand majority of the US$57 billion worth of raw materials in landfills.Planned obsolescence

The truth is that many of the electronics being sent to landfills don’t even need to be discarded—a lot of them still work! Technology is just evolving so fast that devices become outdated before they even have a chance to wear out. How many of us have anxiously awaited the end of our two-year plan before rushing out to buy the latest flagship phone from Samsung or Apple?

The issue of technological advances fuelling e-waste is further exacerbated by manufacturers using strategies such as software updates and ending support for older models to push consumers to buy new devices. Repair is portrayed as expensive, inconvenient, and less advantageous than buying a replacement with updated features.Consequences of e-waste disposalHealth and the environment

While electronics are safe to use and be around, most contain toxic materials such as beryllium, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and lead. When the electronics are buried in a landfill, the toxins leach into the soil and can contaminate the groundwater. While each device only releases trace amounts of toxins, the amount of e-waste now being discarded results in significant accumulation.

In Canada, it’s illegal to export e-waste to developing countries. However, other nations are in the habit of shipping their e-waste to developing countries that lack the capacity to handle it appropriately, endangering the local environment and public health. Exposure to such toxic contaminants can have irreversible health consequences such as cancer, miscarriage and neurological damage.

Furthermore, mining for the raw materials to manufacture new electronics also releases contaminants into the environment.Cybersecurity

The consequences of e-waste disposal on the environment are evident, but fewer people are aware that throwing electronics away can also pose dangers to data security and privacy. It might seem improbable, but hackers and identity thieves are perfectly willing to dumpster dive to acquire the treasure troves of data stored on old, discarded devices.

Even if you erase all of your sensitive personal information before throwing your old phone or laptop in the trash, the data is not completely eliminated from the hard drive and can be retrieved by skilled hackers. The resulting leaks can be financially and legally catastrophic for businesses and individuals alike.

Professional e-waste recycling companies have the expertise necessary to ensure that none of your sensitive data remains in the components of your device. In the end, recycling your old devices may prove just as important as securing your phone while it’s still in use!How to reduce e-waste

Materials such as steel, glass, copper, aluminum, iron, plastic and precious metals can be recovered from obsolete electronics and reused to manufacture new ones. Companies like Samsung are starting to make environmentally-friendly phones out of recycled materials. Recycling has the double benefit of keeping e-waste out of landfills and reducing the need to mine new materials.

Recycling your old electronics may seem more complicated than simply throwing them in the trash, but there are many resources available to help you recycle your phone and other devices. Most phone vendors can take care of recycling your old phone when you purchase a new one. Canada has a free program called Recycle My Cell for recycling mobile devices and accessories. They can even provide you with a pre-paid shipping label to mail your device in for recycling! The Recycle My Electronics program provides drop off points for e-waste in nine provinces across the country.

Governments also have a role to play in creating incentives to reduce e-waste. They can push companies to offer buy-back systems for old devices and encourage repair as a viable option.Help reduce e-waste by buying a used phone!

Another way for consumers to help reduce e-waste and minimize their ecological footprint is to buy a used phone. Buying a used phone reduces the demand for mining new raw materials and gives a second life to a device that might otherwise become e-waste.

Businesses that are looking to upgrade their cell phone fleets can also sell their old devices to a used phone retailer to prevent them from ending up in a landfill or in the hands of a cybercriminal. 

Why Does My iPhone Brightness Keep Changing or Dimming?

iPhone features that can affect brightness

If you find that your iPhone brightness keeps changing or dimming unexpectedly, don’t panic! It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong with your phone. There are a variety of features that can affect screen brightness. It’s a good idea to check them all before jumping to conclusions.Auto-Brightness

Generally, if your iPhone screen keeps dimming, it’s because Auto-Brightness is turned on. This feature automatically adjusts the brightness of your phone screen based on the surrounding lighting.

If you want to stop your phone from dimming automatically due to this feature, go to Settings –> Accessibility –> Display & Text Size and toggle off Auto-Brightness. You’ll see a warning that turning off Auto-Brightness can affect battery life. This is because leaving your phone on maximum brightness all day will drain the battery faster than allowing it to adjust automatically to the ambient light.Night Shift

If your iPhone screen seems dimmer at night, it may be because you have Night Shift turned on. This feature shifts to warmer tones after sunset (using the clock and geolocation of your phone to ascertain when the sun will set) to help you fall asleep.

Go to Settings –> Display & Brightness –> Night Shift. There, you’ll be able to adjust the settings or turn Night Shift off entirely. You can also turn Night Shift on or off from the Control Center if your iPhone is running iOS 11 or later. Open Control Center by swiping down from the upper right-hand corner if your phone has Face ID, or swiping up from the bottom of your screen if not. Simply press and hold the brightness slider in the Control Center to access the Night Shift button.True Tone

True Tone is a feature that automatically adjusts the colour of your phone’s display based on the ambient light, just like Auto-Brightness does for screen brightness. The colour shift may sometimes make your screen appear dimmer. Go to Settings –> Display & Brightness and check to see whether True Tone is on!Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is a feature that adjusts a variety of settings, including screen brightness, in order to conserve battery life. You can easily check whether your iPhone is in Low Power Mode by taking a look at the battery icon in the top right-hand corner. If it’s yellow, that means that Low Power Mode is on.

Low Power Mode will automatically turn off when your iPhone is charged to 80% or more, but if you’d like to turn it off manually, go to Settings –> Battery and toggle it off.Reduce White Point

Reduce White Point is a feature that lowers the intensity of bright colours on your screen, making the display easier on the eyes. Go to Settings –> Accessibility –> Display & Text Size to access Reduce White Point. If you don’t want to turn it off completely, you can drag the slider further to the left to lessen its effect.Common iPhone problems that can affect screen brightness

If none of the features listed above are causing your screen dimming problem, your iPhone may be experiencing a software or hardware issue. If that’s the case, there are a few simple fixes you can try before taking your phone to a professional for repair. If none of these solutions work, it may be a sign that you need a new phone.Software glitches

Whenever we’re having trouble with a device, the first piece of advice we usually hear is “try turning it off and on again.” While it may seem silly, a simple restart can actually resolve many common phone problems! Your screen brightness issues may be caused by a temporary glitch that can be resolved by restarting your iPhone.

If that doesn’t work, try updating your phone. If a software glitch is the culprit, there may be a fix for it in the latest update.Overheating

iPhones are programmed to dim automatically when they get too hot. This is a built-in feature from Apple that is designed to protect the phone’s internal components and prevent hardware damage, because the brighter a display is, the more heat it generates.

If your phone is getting too hot, it’s important to cool it down and figure out why it’s overheating. Possible causes include running power-intensive apps like mobile games or video players, having too many apps running in the background, downloads and installations and leaving your phone out in the sun. Try putting your phone in a cool place out of the sun, taking off the case and letting it rest for a while. You can even turn it off to try to speed up the cooling process.

How to Unlock Android Phone Password Without Factory Reset

These days, it seems like more and more of our lives are contained in our smartphones. These devices are incredibly versatile tools that we use for everything from social media and work emails to GPS and fitness tracking.
The more we use our phones for, the more important it becomes to ensure the security of the information they contain. To that end, manufacturers have come up with various and ever-evolving ways of checking users’ identity and locking out intruders.
Unfortunately, these vital safety measures can become a hassle if we forget our password, PIN or the pattern we use to unlock our phones. In such situations, there are a few things you can try before resorting to a full-scale factory reset.
The Android Smart Lock featureAndroid phones have a Smart Lock feature that gives you the ability to set certain conditions that will cause your device to unlock automatically. Possible conditions include:
On-body detection: Once you’ve entered your PIN or password once, your phone will stay unlocked while you’re carrying it around.

Trusted devices: Select devices you trust that have Bluetooth connectivity (e.g. your car, laptop, fitness tracker, etc.). Your phone will remain unlocked while connected to these devices.Trusted places: Select locations you trust (e.g. your home or office) and your phone will remain unlocked while there.

Voice match and trusted face: Voice and facial recognition used to be Smart Lock options, but they were discontinued with Android 8. Facial recognition is still available as a separate option.Of course, there are drawbacks to the Smart Lock feature. First of all, it needs to be set up in advance, so if you forget your password before you get the chance to activate it, you’re out of luck. Furthermore, you need to enter your current password in order to change the Smart Lock and password settings, so if you’ve forgotten it, there’s a limit to what you can do.
How to unlock a Samsung phone People who own a Samsung phone will be glad to know that the manufacturer provides an easy, effective way for you to change your password. As long as you’re signed into your Samsung account on your device, you can use the Samsung Find My Mobile website to sign in and unlock your phone, which will delete all previous unlocking methods (password, PIN, pattern, biometrics) and allow you to create new ones.
Solutions for older versions of AndroidThere are a few ways to unlock your device that have been discontinued but will still work for older versions of Android.
Google’s ‘Find My Device’ serviceLike the Samsung-specific method explained above, there are services meant for lost or stolen phones that you can use to unlock your device in some cases. If your phone is running Android 7.1.1 or lower, you can use Google’s ‘Find My Device’ service to unlock it, as long as it’s logged into a Google account.
Simply go to the website, sign into your Google account and select your device. You’ll see ‘Ring’, ‘Lock’ and ‘Erase’ options. Select ‘Lock’, and you will be prompted to enter a temporary password that you can then use to unlock your phone.
The ‘Forgot Password’ optionPhones running Android 4.4 and older come equipped with an easy way to bypass your password, PIN or pattern. Once you’ve entered an incorrect passcode 5 times on the lock screen, a ‘forgot password’ prompt will appear. If you tap it, you will be able to get in by entering the username and password of the Google account associated with your device.
How to avoid getting locked out of your phoneWhen it comes to forgetting your phone password, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s best to take preventive measures to ensure that you never find yourself completely locked out of your phone. Here are some strategies you can implement to avoid the situation:
Set up biometric identification on your device for a reliable, forgetfulness-proof way of getting in.Have multiple ways of logging into your device.Enable at least one Smart Lock option.Keep a physical copy of your passcode in a secure place.Make sure you’re signed into your Google account (and Samsung account if applicable).Always back up your device so that you can recover your data if a factory reset ends up being your only option.

How to maintain Effective your smartphone Battery

In recent times, we’ve seen technology arise with battery-saving modes on smartphones and optimization features that aim to extend battery life and improve overall performance.
Manufacturers have been focusing on enhancing battery efficiency to meet the increasing demands of modern smartphone users, who heavily rely on their devices for various tasks throughout the day.
Smartphone battery maintenance starts from knowing how to properly charge your battery to understanding how to optimize it. In addition to these, here are some things you can do to care for your smartphone’s battery:
Monitor battery health: Keeping an eye on your battery health lets you discover battery issues long before they become serious. As such, it helps you save costs, time, and energy since you can attend to the problems while they aren’t prominent.
Optimize battery life: Battery optimization helps conserve power on your phone by stopping unnecessary background apps from running. It also prevents unused apps from running unnoticed and using up the battery. Thus, it helps extend your battery life.
Avoid extreme temperatures: For effective smartphone battery maintenance, you must avoid places with extreme temperatures. High temperatures can cause your battery to swell or lose functionality.
According to Avast, the normal temperature for phone batteries is between 32°F to 95°F (0°C to 35°C). If the temperature exceeds this, move your phone to a cooler spot and avoid using the phone till it’s cool.
Try partial charging: Contrary to popular belief, frequent partial charging can be beneficial for lithium-ion batteries. Avoid fully discharging your battery and charge it partially throughout the day, especially when it reaches around 20% to 80% capacity, to minimize strain on the battery and enhance its longevity.
Avoid idle charging: Unplugging your phone from the charger once it’s fully charged can prevent overcharging and help maintain battery health in the long run.

How to maintain your smartphone – Regular cleaning and maintenance

It might not look like it, but smartphones accumulate dust. A close analysis of smartphone users shows that people go everywhere with their phones. This might be convenient, but it means that smartphones are exposed to a lot of dust particles.

Regular cleaning and effective smartphone maintenance prevent dust from accumulating in the holes, ports, or even speakers on your phone. Now there are various ways to maintain a clean phone and carry out proper smartphone maintenance. Below are some of these techniques:

Clean the screen and body: Of all the phone parts, the most exposed to dust are the screen and the body. Hence, it is essential to clean these parts as often as possible. To do this, simply swipe at the screen or body of the phone with a dry and soft cloth.

Remove dust and debris from ports: The ports are openings connecting the phone’s internal parts to the external environment. These openings often accumulate dust and debris that you must clean out regularly to maintain your phone. It is advisable not to use any moisture while cleaning out the ports. You should also ensure your phone isn’t turned on or plugged into electricity. When everything’s in place, use a thin and sturdy but not sharp object to pick out debris from the port.

smartphone maintenance – lens cleaning

Clean the camera lens: To clean your camera lens, you first apply a small amount of lens cleaning fluid to a cloth and wipe the camera lens. To remove any leftover dust particles, you can use a dry material to swipe at the lens one more time.

Use a case and screen protector: This is the final step to protecting your phone from both damage and dirt. A screen protector and phone case serve as shock absorbers. So when you apply them, any damage to the phone doesn’t directly impact the device. For example, if your phone falls to the ground, the screen protector might crack, but the screen won’t. You can also easily change the screen protector and the case if they get too damaged. This means your phone gets both protection and customization according to your taste.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 Price: Is It Worth the Investment?

If you’re considering the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 2, one of the key factors influencing your decision is likely its price. This compact and powerful business laptop offers a great balance of portability, performance, and durability. But does its cost align with its value? Let’s break it down.

Current Price Range

The price of the ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 varies depending on the configuration and retailer. Generally, you can expect the base model to start around $1,000 to $1,200, while higher-end configurations with more RAM, a better processor, or a higher-resolution display can push the price up to $1,800 or more. Keep an eye out for discounts, as Lenovo often runs promotions on its website.

What You Get for the Price

  1. Performance – Equipped with Intel Core i5 or i7 (or AMD Ryzen options), up to 32GB RAM, and fast SSD storage, this laptop delivers strong performance for professionals.
  2. Display – A 13.3-inch Full HD or WQXGA (2560×1600) display with optional touchscreen provides a crisp and vibrant experience.
  3. Build & Portability – The ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 maintains ThinkPad’s signature rugged design, with a lightweight (around 2.8 lbs) and compact build, making it ideal for travel.
  4. Battery Life – Depending on usage and configuration, it can last up to 10-12 hours, which is decent for a business laptop.
  5. Security & Features – ThinkPad’s MIL-STD durability, a fingerprint scanner, ThinkShutter webcam cover, and Windows Hello support ensure your data stays protected.

Is It Worth the Price?

If you need a reliable business laptop that balances performance, portability, and durability, the ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 is a solid choice. However, if you’re on a budget, consider checking for refurbished options or waiting for seasonal sales.

Would you buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 2 at its current price? Let us know your thoughts!