I recently got a comment on an article from a reader who expressed a lot of tech frustrations:
“One key item for me is your offer to help us find/locate where to control many of the AI and tracking apps we encounter. For example, I have a weather app that won’t display the weather for my area unless I give them round-the-clock access to my location. Yet, the weather info for my area is available if I search for my location. Typically, I don’t want to let any app access my phone or PC; however, I don’t know if I am educated on all the trackers following me. (I hope that makes sense) Call me naive, though I don’t intend to be. I have considered numerous times to close my FB account. However, it’s my only access to 3 key activity clubs and many relatives. What to do. And as soon as I figure out a tiny thing on FB, they change it. Ex: I have to search for activities I’m interested in and I don’t know how to make them top of my feed. Instead, I get garbage shoved at me like ‘you might like to be friends with . . . ” No! I don’t. And even though I have followed their directions on how to turn off certain people who jam FB with their notifications, I can’t stop receiving up to 20 per day. I long ago ‘unfollowed’ them. People and groups I want to hear from I have to search for. My fault because I use FB infrequently. I like the email notifications. However, I can’t figure out how to control whose FB email notifications I receive.
I’d like to use a personal tracker but refuse due to my inability to stop being tracked. PayPal isn’t my friend yet everyone who offers a service on the internet uses it to collect a fee. They won’t accept a check or simply a credit card. Yesterday I realized that PayPal now handles credit card payments. This isn’t for me after the fraudulent activity I had with PayPal. What is safe? What other options are there for us who would like to take classes but find vendors who won’t take other types of payments. Thanks for attacking these subjects and educating me on how to best protect myself.”
I get why your frustrated, so let’s take a look at some tips that can help.
Why Facebook’s Notifications Won’t Stop Ding-Dinging (and How to Finally Shut Them Off)
Facebook is like that friend who won’t stop texting you about their cat. Every hour. Of every day. Notifications are helpful — until they’re not. Here’s how to stop the madness and customize Facebook notifications to actually work for you.
Step 1: Turning Off Notifications You Don’t Need
- On Mobile:
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the hamburger menu (those three little lines in the bottom-right corner on iPhone or top-right on Android).
- Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
- Scroll to Notifications under the “Preferences” section.
- Tap each category (like Comments, Tags, etc.) and toggle off the ones you don’t want.
- On Desktop:
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- From the left menu, choose Notifications.
- Adjust settings for each category and click the toggles to turn off the noise.
Step 2: Managing Email Notifications
If you’re drowning in Facebook email notifications, it’s time to trim the list:
- Go to the Notifications Settings page as outlined above.
- Scroll to Where You Receive Notifications and click Email.
- Choose “Only About Your Account,” or manually turn off emails for things you don’t care about.
Step 3: Stop Notifications from Specific People or Groups
Some folks post a lot. Here’s how to politely silence them:
- Visit their profile or the group page.
- Click the Following button (or the bell icon for groups).
- Select “Unfollow” or “Turn off notifications.”
And don’t worry — they’ll never know you’ve muted their constant “What I Had for Lunch” updates.
Bonus Tip: Controlling Push Notifications
Push notifications on your phone can be managed through your device’s settings. Just go to your phone’s Settings > Notifications and adjust Facebook’s permissions.
With these steps, you’ll hear fewer dings and get only the updates that matter.
The Secret Sauce Behind Facebook’s Algorithm (And How You Can Work It to Your Advantage)
Ever wonder why your Facebook feed shows more ads for socks than posts from your actual friends? It’s not random — it’s the algorithm at work. Let’s break it down and learn how to game the system.
Why You See What You See
Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes three things:
- Engagement: Posts you like, comment on, or share are deemed “important” and will show up more.
- Recency: Newer posts get a higher priority.
- Ads and Boosted Posts: Companies pay to put their content in front of you. (Yes, Facebook is a business.)
Tips to Take Back Control
- Engage With What You Want to See:
- Actively like, comment on, and share posts from friends, groups, or pages you enjoy. This signals the algorithm to prioritize similar content.
- Tell Facebook What You Don’t Want:
- For ads, click the three dots in the corner and select “Hide Ad” or “Why Am I Seeing This?” to refine your preferences.
- Mark posts as “Not Relevant” when they annoy you.
- Use the “Favorites” Feature:
- Go to Settings > News Feed Preferences > Favorites and select the friends or pages you want to see first.
Accepting the Ads
Let’s be real — ads and boosted posts aren’t going away. But by engaging more with the things you do care about, you can drown out some of the noise.
How to Stay Safe in PayPal’s World (or Any Payment Processor’s, Really)
PayPal often gets a bad rap, but it’s one of the safest payment processors out there. Let’s demystify its security and share tips for using it (or its alternatives) wisely.
Why PayPal Is Everywhere
PayPal processes billions of transactions annually for businesses of all sizes. It’s secure, widely accepted, and easy to use. Plus, even when you’re not using PayPal directly, your credit card might be processed through its systems.
Where Fraud Really Happens
- Point-of-Sale Hacks: Hackers often target retailers, not payment processors.
- Phishing Scams: Fraudsters trick users into entering their PayPal info on fake websites.
- Weak Passwords: If you’re reusing passwords, you’re asking for trouble.
Tips for Staying Safe
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of protection.
- Monitor Transactions: Check your PayPal account regularly for suspicious activity.
- Avoid Clicking Links in Emails: Always log in directly via the PayPal app or website.
Alternatives to PayPal
If you’re still hesitant, consider other payment methods like Venmo, Stripe, or Zelle. Just research their security features before committing and be aware that they have the same security vulnerabilities as PayPal.
How to Keep Weather Apps (and Others) From Tracking You 24/7
Weather apps don’t need to know your location at 3 a.m. to tell you it’s raining. Here’s how to stop apps from being nosy.
Adjust Location Permissions
- On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Find the app and set it to “While Using the App” or “Never.”
- On Android:
- Open Settings > Location > App Permissions.
- Adjust the app’s access to “Only While Using” or deny access.
Audit App Permissions
Regularly review all app permissions (not just location) to ensure apps aren’t overstepping. Many apps request permissions they don’t need, like access to your contacts or microphone. Deny these unless absolutely necessary.
Consider Alternative Apps
Some privacy-focused weather apps, like Weawow or Weather Underground, don’t require location access. Alternatively, use your browser to check the weather manually by typing in your city.
Use VPNs for Extra Privacy
A VPN can mask your location entirely, making it harder for apps and websites to track you. While this might not be necessary for weather apps specifically, it’s a handy tool for overall online privacy.
Privacy vs. Convenience: Finding Balance in a Digital World
Sometimes it feels like Big Brother is always watching. While it’s hard to avoid tracking entirely, you can take steps to protect yourself.
Tools to Fight Back
- Use Privacy-Focused Browsers: Try Brave or Firefox, which block trackers by default.
- Install Tracker-Blocking Extensions: Add-ons like Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin, or Ghostery can prevent websites from tracking your activity.
- Turn Off Personalized Ads: Most platforms, including Google, Facebook, and Amazon, allow you to disable ad personalization in your account settings. This reduces how much data they collect.
Set Up App Privacy Settings
Audit privacy settings for every app on your phone or PC. Turn off permissions for things like location, camera, or microphone unless absolutely necessary. Be especially wary of apps that request access to your contacts or SMS.
Avoid Using Single Sign-On (SSO)
Signing into apps or websites with your Google, Facebook, or Apple account might be convenient, but it lets these companies track your activities across platforms. Create a separate account instead.
Draw the Line Where It Works for You
Decide where you’re comfortable sacrificing privacy for convenience. For example:
- Allow your grocery app to remember your shopping list but block it from tracking your location.
- Use a fitness tracker but deny it access to your phone’s GPS unless you’re actively running.
By setting boundaries and using privacy tools, you can strike a balance between staying connected and protecting your data.