For years I paid high cable bills so I could watch my favorite shows on movie on cable. One day I decided enough was enough and all those extra channels had to go. Times have changed and there are many ways that you can watch your favorite tv shows and movies without having to PAY a big cable bill every month. With the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player you can watch movies, shows, live TV, YouTube and photos on your TV from all your family’s devices! You can also stream from your phone to your TV too!

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Since this past May, Twitter has taken down 70 million bot accounts, and experts say that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg. That’s a lot of suspicious accounts, and that’s just on Twitter alone. From Facebook to Instagram to Twitter to the many other social networks that exist today, there’s a lot of potentials for fake social media accounts and bots to access your information, especially through security problems on the iPhone. Here’s how to protect yourself and your online information from these internet dangers.

• • Utilize up-to-date technology: In order to prevent digital hackers from stealing your valuable information, it’s imperative to use high-quality tech at all times. Pop-up blockers and security systems can help but make sure you’re using a quality computer, as well. There are currently 5 generations of computers — with a sixth on the way — so make sure you’re using a quality desktop, laptop, notebook, or similar type.
  • Understand the different types of fake accounts: Fake accounts can be broken down into two primary types, impersonators and hijacked accounts, and understanding which type you’re dealing with is the first step to protecting yourself. Impersonators are fake accounts that have been built as ways to impersonate a real person. Typically, they will borrow pictures from online, maybe a picture of one of your real life friends, and try to convince you that they are someone they’re not. Hijacked accounts are accounts that you or your friends actually own, that someone has somehow accessed.
  • Spot an impersonator: If you’re dealing with an impersonator, try to pay attention to mutual friends and contacts when you get an initial friend request. If you don’t have any mutual friends or don’t recognize the person, it could potentially be an impersonator. You can also try reverse image searching their profile picture to see if it’s an easily available image that someone could have stolen or borrowed. Don’t give this person any of your information – it’s very likely they’re a bot.
  • Spot a hijacked account: A hijacked account can be harder to spot, since a hijacked account could be someone you’re already friends with and interact with on a regular basis. Pay attention to grammar, speech patterns, and in general how they’re acting online. If something seems especially off and they start asking for your information, it’s possible you’re dealing with a hijacked account.
  • Reporting fake accounts: What should you do once you suspect an account might be fake? The specifics will depend on what social media platform you’re using, but generally all social media sites will have a way to report a fake account. Make sure you report the account and, if possible, explain why you think the account is fake; it will help website moderators handle the situation appropriately.

Whether you’re shopping at an online retailer and logging in using your social media information or you’re just scrolling through Twitter, make sure you’re being mindful of how your information is being used and what bots might be able to gain access.

Today, many of us have our phone in hand at all times. Whether it’s fear of missing an important work call, the constant need to check social media, or not wanting to break a Snapchat streak, phones are rarely left in a different room than their owners. While this is a problem in itself, there is one serious concern with this phone addiction: taking your phone to the bathroom. Yes, we’ve all probably done it at least once. But did you know that potty-phone syndrome can actually make you sick?

That’s right — your phone addiction can potentially cause illness. Bathrooms are already kind of gross places, even the clean ones. They’re filled with germs, bacteria, and other harmful things that can cause health issues. And guess what? When you bring your phone to the bathroom with you, it can become a carrier for those harmful germs and bacteria.

Phones themselves are already pretty germy. In fact, the average office phone can be home to 25,127 germs per square inch. If that doesn’t gross you out, just think about all of the added germs that can come from the bathroom! Germs can come from the toilet itself, the toilet paper holder, the door handle, faucet handle… the list goes on and on.

This is also becoming a concern with restaurants using touchscreen devices for placing orders and making payments. While these devices have taken ordering and communication to a whole new level, they’re also introducing users to a whole lot of bacteria and germs.

With multiple people sharing the same touchscreen device, germs and bacteria can get passed around at an alarming rate. According to Francine L. Shaw, food safety expert and president of Savvy Food Safety Inc., scientists say that the average cell phone is about 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat! Gross, right? Because of this, restaurants that use touchscreen devices are recommended to clean these devices on a regular basis.

With about half of all cellphone users having a smartphone, that means a lot of germs are spread around on a daily basis. This is why it’s so important to wash your hands as regularly as possible and keep your devices clean.

To wash your phone or other touchscreen devices, try filling a spray bottle half with distilled water and half with 70% isopropyl alcohol. After spraying the mixture on a lint-free cloth, lightly wipe down the device, including the buttons. Doing this once a week will help keep bacteria at bay.

While you can’t prevent germs and bacteria from spreading at all, you can minimize the amount you spread yourself. So do yourself and those around you a favor and stop taking your phone to the bathroom and always wash your hands.

The technology is always changing! There are always new electronics and gadgets that I am adding to my list of things I want to have. My latest on the list is the Google Pixelbook, the HIGH performance Chromebook that is the FIRST laptop with the Google Assistant built in.  I of course would also want the Pixelbook pen which is sold separately but a must have accessory if you own one of these cool devices! This is a partnered post with Best Buy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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