How to set up a vpn on your smart tv 5 easy methods to put how to set up a vpn on your smart tv 5 easy chuck how to set up a vpn on your smart tv 5 easy dessert how to set up vpn in windows 10 how to set up a vpn on android how to set up a vpn tunnel how to set up a vpn on a mac how to set up a go fund me page how to set up a chess board how to set up venmo how to set up voicemail on iphone how to set a mouse trap

How to Set Up a VPN on Your Smart TV: 5 Easy Methods

How to Set Up a VPN on Your Smart TV: 5 Easy Methods

Most smart TVs aren't compatible with virtual private networks right out of the box, but pretty much any smart TV can be hooked up to a VPN. Even if your TV isn't of the smart variety, you may still be able to use a VPN on it -- as long as you have the right equipment.

One of the two big reasons why you may want to hook a VPN up to your smart TV is if you want to stream geographically restricted content. The other is if you want to keep your TV watching activities private and effectively hidden from your internet service provider.   

There are a couple of different ways you can go about setting up your VPN to work with your TV. But which route you choose to take will depend on your personal preference, technical know-how, budget and what equipment you have on hand. We'll show you some of the ways you can set a VPN up on a TV and highlight why you would want to do so.

Why use a VPN on a TV?

Today's TVs aren't just for watching local network programming or cable TV. They're also for streaming video on demand from your go-to streaming providers. 

The amount of streaming content available today might seem limitless already, but some content is regionally locked. If you're itching for more, or if the programming you want to watch isn't available in your country, you can use a VPN on your smart TV to spoof your location to access virtually any of the content you may want. 

If, say, you're in the UK but you want to stream programming that's only available in the US, then you can hook your VPN up to your smart TV and connect to a server in the US. Since the VPN changes your IP address to a US IP address in the process, the streaming service you're visiting will assume you're in the US and serve up American programming, even if you're across the Atlantic. Just make sure to check with your streaming service of choice to confirm that using a VPN doesn't violate its terms of service. You don't want to risk losing access to your streaming account for any reason. 

Even if unblocking geo-restricted video content on your smart TV isn't of particular interest to you, you may want to use a VPN on your TV as a way of preventing your ISP from being able to monitor your viewing habits or keep track of the internet activity being generated by your smart TV. 

When you connect to a VPN, you establish an encrypted connection between your device and the internet via a VPN server in a remote location. This means that all of the internet traffic you're transmitting through that encrypted VPN connection is hidden from any entity with an intent to monitor your activity, including your ISP. When you hook up a VPN to your TV and connect to a VPN server, your ISP won't be able to see what you're watching or otherwise decipher any of the internet activity transmitted or received by your TV.

How to set up a VPN on a smart TV

Like any software or service, your first step here is to work backward from what's available for your operating system. The most VPN-friendly smart TV OSes are Amazon Fire TV and Google's Android TV and Google TV platforms. That said, if you use Roku, Apple TV or the built-in operating systems for Samsung, Vizio, LG or any other platform, you still have options. 

Here are a few of the most practical ways you can go about hooking up a VPN to your smart TV. 

If you have Fire TV

If you have one of Amazon's new Fire TVs, you'll be able to download your VPN directly to your TV, provided your VPN offers a Fire TV app. Not all VPNs offer compatibility with Amazon Fire devices, so you'll need to pick one that does if you decide to go this route. The VPNs we recommend that are compatible with Amazon Fire devices include Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN. If you don't already subscribe to one of those VPN providers, then go ahead and sign up and download the provider's app from the Amazon Appstore. (All three offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try each one risk-free to see which one works best for you).

Once you've downloaded the app and signed into your VPN account through your Amazon Fire TV, you can connect to a VPN server. As long as you're connected to the VPN on your Fire TV, you can unblock streaming content and hide your viewing habits from your ISP.

If you have an Android/Google TV

Similarly, if your smart TV runs on Google's Android operating system, then you can set up a VPN on your TV by simply downloading your VPN's app from the Play Store directly onto your TV. And even though Google is in the midst of rebranding Android TV as it transitions to a slicker, more user-friendly platform in Google TV, you'll still be able to access Android apps in the Play Store after you've upgraded to Google TV since it still runs Android under the hood.  

What you'll need to do first is to get a VPN that works on Android, if you don't have one already. Then, navigate over to the Play Store on your Google TV, search for your VPN provider's app and download it. Once you've downloaded the VPN app to your TV, sign in and connect to a VPN server. 

If you want to unblock US-only content, then you'll need to connect to a VPN server in the US, or to a server in the UK for UK-only content, and so on. If all you want to do is protect your TV watching privacy and prevent your ISP or other entities from monitoring your viewing activity, then we'd recommend connecting to a VPN server closest to your physical location, in order to achieve optimal connection speeds through your VPN. 

The potentially more difficult (and more expensive) way

If your TV doesn't run on the Android operating system, then one of the ways you can set up a VPN on your smart TV is by running a VPN connection through a router. But proceed with caution. Not all routers support VPN connections, so if you don't already have one, you'll need to purchase a compatible router -- which can get pricey if you want a router that can handle the VPN connection and deliver a smooth streaming experience. Also, installing a VPN on your router (even if it is compatible) won't necessarily be plug-and-play, and you risk ruining your router or voiding its warranty if you botch the installation process. 

Fortunately, the best VPN providers on the market do offer step-by-step instructions for router installations for a variety of VPN-compatible router models in their help sections and have support staff on hand to help you. So you don't have to go it alone completely, but the process still isn't entirely risk-free. If you don't want to complete the install yourself, some VPNs, through a company called FlashRouters, are happy to sell you routers with VPN compatibility already preinstalled on them. This could be the way to go if you don't want to risk installing it yourself, but keep in mind that you'll be paying a premium of probably about $100 to $150 over and above retail for your preconfigured VPN router.

So, once you've got your VPN successfully installed on your router and configured it with the servers you intend to use, you can go ahead and connect to a VPN server through your router firmware's dashboard. You'll want to make sure your TV is connected to your VPN router to ensure it's using the VPN connection and you're able to unblock the content you want and keep your TV viewing activity private.

See also: The Pros and Cons of Using a VPN on a Router

The resourceful way

If you don't have a Google TV or a VPN-compatible router, and don't intend to purchase either, you can use the equipment you have on hand to share your VPN connection with your smart TV. 

You could accomplish this by running an ethernet cable from your computer to your smart TV. But on top of stringing a long wire from computer to TV, this method may require additional adapters, depending on what kinds of devices you have. Once you've got the connection between your TV and computer established, then connect to a VPN server on your computer and you're all set. The wired connection may not be the most practical solution, but it's an option. 

The simplest and most practical way to go about this would be to use your laptop or desktop as a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect your TV to your computer wirelessly. 

Note that if you're using MacOS, you'll need to manually set up the VPN on your Mac using either the L2TP or IKEv2 VPN protocol and connect your Mac to your router via an ethernet cable to share your VPN connection over Wi-Fi. Your VPN provider will have specific instructions on how to manually set up its service on your Mac.  

On Windows:

• Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Mobile hotspot 
• Click on Edit to set a network name and password for your hotspot
• Select Wi-Fi under Share my internet connection over
• Toggle the Mobile hotspot to the On position under Share my internet connection with other devices
• Connect your smart TV to the hotspot you just created as you would any other Wi-Fi network and connect to your VPN on your PC

On Mac:

• Connect your Mac to your Wi-Fi router using an ethernet cable (use an adapter if your Mac doesn't have an ethernet port)
• Go to System Preferences -> Sharing 
• Click on Internet Sharing in the left panel
• Select your VPN connection from the Share your connection from dropdown
• In the To computers using box, check Wi-Fi
• Click on Wi-Fi Options in the bottom-right corner
• Set a network name and password for your hotspot, select WPA2 Personal in the Security field and click OK
• Click on the box next to Internet Sharing in the left panel and click Start in the dialogue box that pops up
• Connect your TV to the Wi-Fi hotspot you just created as you would any other Wi-Fi network and connect to your VPN on your Mac

The 'I don't have a smart TV' way  

Even if you don't have a smart TV, you're in luck because you can set a VPN up on it if you're able to connect a streaming device like a Roku, Amazon Firestick or Google Chromecast to the TV. These ingenious little devices essentially turn any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV, at a much lower cost than an actual smart TV. 

Basically, you can use the methods listed above to connect a VPN to your TV -- and if you go with Chromecast with Google TV or Amazon Firestick then you can download the VPN directly via the Play Store or the Amazon Appstore, respectively. The only difference is that you'll use your streaming device's interface to connect to the VPN instead of directly via your TV interface. You'll still get all the privacy and unblocking benefits that a VPN offers if you decide to take this route, but only for content you watch through your streaming device.     

Streaming devices like the ones offered by Roku and others can turn your ordinary TV into a smart TV.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Next steps

When you're thinking about setting up a VPN on your smart TV, there are a few things to consider. First of all, you'll want a VPN that provides fast speeds that are sufficient in supplying a smooth streaming experience free of buffering. You'll also want to make sure the VPN you select has servers located in the countries you want to unblock content from. 

If you have a Google TV and intend to download the VPN app to your TV from the Play Store, then the VPN you go with will need to be Android-compatible. And your VPN will need to be Amazon Fire TV-compatible if you want to run the VPN directly on your Amazon Fire TV. 

If you'd rather run the VPN through your router and connect your TV that way, then it's important to make sure your VPN supports router connections and has router setup guides that include your router of choice. It doesn't hurt for your VPN to have helpful, knowledgeable technical support, either, in case you need assistance with your setup. 

You'll also want your VPN to provide the privacy protections necessary to keep your viewing habits private and safe from prying eyes. 

The VPNs we recommend that fit the bill and check all those boxes include ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN. Any of those options will get the job done for your unblocking and privacy needs on your smart TV.

---

Source

How to run ubuntu on chromebook ubuntu on chrome os chrome os vs ubuntu performance how to open chrome from run how to run both windows and linux how to get free robux how to add signature in outlook

How to run both Chrome OS and Ubuntu on a Chromebook

How to run both Chrome OS and Ubuntu on a Chromebook

You've probably heard a lot about Chromebooks. These affordable computers are manufactured by companies like HP, Acer, Toshiba, and Samsung, among others, and run Google's cloud-based operating system known as Chrome OS, which relies on an Internet connection to run most apps.

The big appeal for these computers are their price tags, with most models retailing for under $400 and some even dipping as low as $179. Many people aren't aware, however, that Chromebooks are capable of doing more than just running Web apps. In fact, you can run both Chrome OS and Ubuntu, a popular Linux operating system, on a Chromebook. Here's what you need to know.

Choosing the right model

Any Chromebook is capable of installing Ubuntu, however I recommend using a model that is equipped with an Intel processor. Chromebooks that include an ARM processor will not be compatible with a majority of Linux programs. You will have a more enjoyable experience if you use a newer model with better internal hardware.

It will also help to use some sort of external storage such as a flash drive or an SD card for more space to install any additional programs.

The process

The first thing you must do is enable the Chromebook's Developer Mode, but be aware that this will erase anything you may have saved to the device's internal storage. Press and hold the Esc and Refresh keys, and then press the power button. The Chromebook will reboot into Recovery Mode.

Dan Graziano/CNET

A yellow exclamation point will appear on the screen with a warning message, press the Ctrl and D keys simultaneously to continue to the next screen. Press the keyboard's Enter key to turn OS verification off and confirm the decision to turn on the Chromebook's Developer Mode. A red exclamation point and a warning that OS verification has been turned off will be displayed on the screen, followed by two loud beeps, this is normal.

Sit back and wait as this process could take up to 10 minutes to complete. Don't panic if you see a red exclamation point after Developer Mode has been enabled, the system will reboot back into Chrome OS shortly.

Dan Graziano/CNET

You will be required to input your network credentials and login information after the Chromebooks reboots. After doing so, you must download a tool known as Crouton, which will allow Ubuntu to run on top of Chrome OS. Save the file to your download folder and then open the Chromebook's terminal by pressing the Ctrl, ALT, and T keys together.

Type "shell" in the command line and hit the Enter key. Next, type "sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton -t unity" and wait for Crouton to install. If your Chromebook has a touch screen use the command "sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton -t touch,unity" instead.

Screenshot by Dan Graziano/CNET

You will be asked to enter a username and password once the installation process is complete. This is separate from your Chrome OS login and will be used inside of the Ubuntu operating system. To enter Ubuntu type the command "sudo startunity" into the terminal.

Click on the first icon on the left-hand side of the screen and search for the terminal. Once inside of it, type "sudo apt-get update" in the command line to update the operating system. When that's complete, type "sudo apt-get install software-center," this will allow you to easily install a wide variety of Linux programs. You can open the software center and search for the specific program you want, or you can download programs from the Web and install them through the software center.

Tips

To get back to Chrome OS from Ubuntu, press the Ctrl, Alt, and Back keys together. Moving from Chrome OS to Ubuntu can be done by pressing Ctrl, Alt, Forward, followed by Ctrl, Alt, and Refresh. On a model with an ARM processor, use Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Back, and Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Forward to move back and forth between both operating systems.

You can also open the Chrome OS terminal and type "shell" in the command line, followed by "sudo startunity," either method works. One thing you will notice is that it now takes longer for the Chromebook to power on. When you see the yellow exclamation point, simply press the Ctrl and D keys to speed up this process.

Uninstalling Ubuntu

The best part about this how-to is that it's completely worry-free. Whether you are unhappy with Ubuntu, running out of space, or want to return your Chromebook back to its original factory state, it takes only a couple of seconds to undo the entire process.

Dan Graziano/CNET

Restart the computer and press the spacebar when you see the red exclamation point. Press the Enter key to turn OS verification back on; this will once again erase anything stored on the device's internal storage. The system will reboot back into Chrome OS; enter your network credentials and log in to your Google account to begin using your Chromebook again.

---

Source

Use your gopro as a webcam for your zoom calls use your gopro as a webcam for your tv use your gopro as a webcam for zoom can you use your gopro as a webcam how can i use my gopro as a webcam how can i use my gopro as a webcam things to use your gopro for can you use your gopro as a webcam i just want to use your love tonight use your time wisely use your outside voice richie tozier

Use your GoPro as a webcam for your Zoom meetings

Use your GoPro as a webcam for your Zoom meetings

It's been almost two years since so many of us started working and socializing from home. And while coronavirus vaccines are now being distributed, chances are that not much is going to change for a while in terms of how often we use video chat apps and services -- so it may be time to upgrade your webcam to make sure you look your best as you virtually meet with coworkers and friends (changing your Zoom background and turning on the beauty filter can only do so much). 

If you have a GoPro camera, this handy software upgrade will turn it into a webcam compatible with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and virtually every other major video chat service you can think of. (And if you don't have a GoPro, you can also turn your phone camera into a webcam.) 

Here's exactly how to do it. 

Read more: Ultimate webcam tips: How to look and sound great online

Turn your GoPro into a webcam: What you'll need

You'll need a GoPro Hero8 camera or a GoPro Hero9 camera -- the latest versions of the popular sturdy camera, which came out in 2019 and 2020, respectively. You can pick up the Hero8 on Amazon for $300. You'll also need a USB-C cord (there's one that comes with the camera that will work) to plug the camera into your computer. 

For the initial setup, you'll need a microSD card and card reader to update your camera. If your computer doesn't have a built-in USB port, you'll need a dongle, too. 

This trick only works for Mac users right now, though a Windows version is in development. 

Finally, you'll need something to mount your GoPro on to use it as a webcam. You've got a lot of options here that you can purchase from GoPro, like the JawsFlex Clamp ($49.99), the Magnetic Swivel Clip ($24.99) or the Suction Cup ($39.99).

It's not required, but this handy Ulanzi G8-7 Battery Cove ($19.95 on Amazon) lets you access the camera's USB port while covering the battery and SD card, so you don't have to worry about anything falling out while you're in webcam mode. 

Read more: Best gear for video chats from home: Webcams, lights, mics and more

How to turn your GoPro into a webcam

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to update your Hero8 camera into a webcam, according to GoPro.

Step 1: Update your camera

1. Download the GoPro Webcam Beta Firmware to your computer. (This download contains the update folder that will update your camera to support the webcam feature.)

2. Insert your camera's microSD card into your computer using a microSD card adapter or USB reader.

3. Transfer the update file to your microSD card. To do this, open a new Finder window and select Downloads on the left to find the UPDATE.zip file. Double-click the UPDATE.zip file, which will create an UPDATE folder.

4. In the Devices section of the sidebar, look for your microSD card, which will be listed as Untitled. Drag the UPDATE folder to your microSD card.

5. Eject your microSD card by selecting the eject icon.

6. Update your camera: Make sure your camera is turned off. Insert your microSD card, and turn it on. The camera will automatically start updating, and will beep and turn itself off several times. When it's done, you'll see a check mark on the front screen. (If you get a message saying that the update failed, remove and reinsert the battery, and start the update again from the beginning.) 

Step 2: Install the GoPro Webcam app and connect your camera

1. Download GoPro Webcam Desktop Utility, and install the software on your computer. In the Status bar, you'll see a GoPro icon.

2. Power on your camera, and connect it to your computer with the USB cable. In the Status bar, you'll see the GoPro icon display a blue dot, which means you've successfully connected. You'll also see the camera go into USB mode, with a red light and an image of a USB cable appearing on its screen. 

Step 3: Preview your webcam

To get a preview of what your webcam setup will look like, click on the GoPro icon in the Status bar, and click Show Preview. This will help you make sure your shot looks good before you start webcamming. You can also switch between mirror mode and flip mode, depending on which you like better. 

Step 4: Launch your GoPro Webcam

Open the video chat service you want to use. GoPro's webcam software is compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Twitch, BlueJeans, GoTo Meeting, Snap Camera and Facebook Rooms. It's also compatible with YouTube Live and Webex if you're using a Google Chrome browser. 

When you open your video chat service, select GoPro as your preferred camera. That may be an option when you first log in, or you might have to go to Settings to do so. For example, in Zoom, go to the Start Video icon at the bottom of the screen, click the up arrow, and select GoPro Camera. If you don't see the GoPro camera option right away, you may need to exit and restart the video chat app. 

Once the webcam is running, in the Status bar, the GoPro icon will show a red dot to indicate that it's on. 

Step 5: Perfect your webcam setup

Now that your webcam is up and running, you can make adjustments. 

Resolution: To change the resolution, click on the GoPro icon in the Status bar, and select Preferences. You can change from 1080p (the default) to 720p if you want to.

Field of view: To adjust your field of view, you can change to different digital lenses. Click the GoPro icon in the Status bar, and select Digital Lens. Choose from wide, narrow or linear lenses. 

There are lots of other ways to repurpose the equipment you already have, like your old phone and old laptop. Once you get your setup going, you can also check out the online classes and equipment you need to become a YouTuber, or just pick up the best gear for online meetings. 

---

Source

Keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips to securing your ssid keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips to securing the scene keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips to securing the celestial ridge keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips to lose weight keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips to be healthy keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips to improve keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips for a healthy keep hackers off your wi fi 10 tips for good how to keep hackers off my computer how to keep hackers out of my android phone

Keep Hackers Off Your Wi-Fi. 10 Tips to Securing Your Home Network

Keep Hackers Off Your Wi-Fi. 10 Tips to Securing Your Home Network

This story is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

How important is it to make sure your home network is secure? Well, just last year, internet crime cost people in the US more than $6.9 billion, and while phishing and scams contributed to the losses, personal data breaches were also a significant factor. In many cases, those personal data breaches could have been prevented by a little home network security.

The average US home now has more than 10 devices connected to the home Wi-Fi network. From laptops and tablets to phones, smartwatches and streaming devices, things add up quickly, and all are potentially vulnerable to hacking. With so much data stored on those devices -- credit card numbers, bank records, login credentials and other personal and private information -- you want to make sure you're protecting yourself from hackers if your network is ever compromised.

A secure home network will help reduce the risk of getting hacked and someone accessing your sensitive information. Not only that, it will keep away any unwanted or unauthorized users and devices that would slow down your connection or freeload on the internet service you pay for.

It's fairly simple to create and maintain a secure home Wi-Fi network. Below, you'll find 10 tips for securing your network. Some are more effective than others at keeping hackers and freeloaders at bay, but all are useful in their own way. Keep in mind that nothing can guarantee absolute security from hacking attempts, but these tips will definitely make it harder for anyone to compromise your network and data.

How to secure your home Wi-Fi network

Here are the basics for protecting your home Wi-Fi network. Keep reading for more information on each below.

1. Place your router in a central location.

2. Create a strong Wi-Fi password and change it often.

3. Change the default router login credentials.

4. Turn on firewall and Wi-Fi encryption.

5. Create a guest network.

6. Use a VPN.

7. Keep your router and devices up to date.

8. Disable remote router access.

9. Verify connected devices.

10. Upgrade to a WPA3 router.

Place your router in a central location

Strong network security starts with a smart setup. If possible, place your router at the center of your home. Routers send wireless signals in all directions, so strategically placing your router in a central location will help keep your connection to the confines of your home. As a bonus, it will likely also make for the best connection quality.

For example, if you have internet in an apartment where neighbors are immediately to the left and right of you, placing your router next to a shared wall could send a strong, and tempting, signal their way. Even if you aren't in an apartment, a good router can cast signals next door or across the street. Placing your router in a central location will help reduce how far those signals travel outside your home.

Create a strong Wi-Fi password and change it often

This should go without saying, but I'm going to cover it still to emphasize its importance. Creating a unique password for your Wi-Fi network is essential to maintaining a secure connection. Avoid easily guessed passwords or phrases, such as someone's name, birthdays, phone numbers or other common information. While simple Wi-Fi passwords make them easy to remember, they also make it easy for others to figure them out. (Here's how to access your router settings to update your Wi-Fi password.)

Be sure to change your password every six months or so, or any time you think your network security may have been compromised.

Chris Monroe/CNET

Change the default router login credentials

Along the same lines of password-protecting your Wi-Fi network, you'll also want to keep anyone from being able to directly access your router settings. To do so, go ahead and change the admin name and password for your router. You can log in to your router settings by typing its IP address into the URL bar, but most routers and providers have an app that lets you access the same settings and information.

Your router login credentials are separate from your Wi-Fi network name and password. If you aren't sure what the default is, you should be able to find it on the bottom of the router. Or, if it's been changed from the default somewhere along the way, again, here's how to access your router settings to update the username and password.

Turn on the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption

Most routers have a firewall to prevent outside hacking, as well as Wi-Fi encryption to keep anyone from eavesdropping on the data that's sent back and forth between your router and connected devices. Both are typically active by default, but you'll want to check to make sure they're on.

Now that you know how to log in to your router settings, check to make sure the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption are enabled. If they're off for whatever reason, go ahead and turn them on. Your network security will thank you.

Create a guest Wi-Fi network

"Can I get the Wi-Fi password?" is undoubtedly something all hosts have heard. Before sharing access to your main home network, consider creating a separate guest network for visitors. I'm not suggesting your guests are going to attempt anything nefarious with your main Wi-Fi connection, but their devices or anything they download while connected to your network could be infected with malware or viruses that target your network without them even knowing it.

A guest network is also ideal for your IoT devices, such as Wi-Fi cameras, thermostats and smart speakers -- devices that may not hold a lot of sensitive information and are perhaps more easily hackable than a smarter device such as a computer or phone.

James Martin/CNET

Use a VPN

There are a few reasons to use a good VPN, and network security is definitely one of them. Among other things, a virtual private network hides your IP address and Wi-Fi activity, including browsing data.

VPNs are probably more useful when connected to a public network, but they can still add a level of security and privacy to your home network. Some VPNs are better than others, but like anything, you often get what you pay for. Free VPN services are available, but paying a little extra (seriously, just a few bucks per month) will deliver a much better, more secure service.

Keep your router and devices up to date

Software updates always seem to pop up when you need to get online most. While they can be annoying, there is a purpose to them and it often includes security updates. When companies become aware of potential or exposed security vulnerabilities, they release updates and patches to minimize or eliminate the risk. You want to download those.

Keeping your router and connected devices current on the latest updates will help ensure you have the best protection against known malware and hacking attempts. Set your router to automatically update in the admin settings, if possible, and periodically check to make sure your router is up to date.

Disable remote router access

Remote router access allows anyone not directly connected to your Wi-Fi network to access the router settings. Unless there's a need to access your router while away from home, to check or change the configuration of a child's connected device, for example, there should be no reason to have remote access enabled.

You can disable remote access under the router's admin settings. Unlike other security measures, disabled remote router access may not be the default.

Verify connected devices

Frequently inspect the devices that are connected to your network and verify that you know what they are. If anything on there looks suspicious, disconnect it and change your Wi-Fi password. You'll have to reconnect all your previously connected devices after changing your password, but any users or devices that are not authorized to use your network will get the boot.

Some devices, especially obscure IoT ones, may have some odd default names of random numbers and letters that you don't immediately recognize. If you come across something like that when scrutinizing your connected devices, go ahead and disconnect it. Later on, when you can't start your robot vacuum cleaner from your phone, you'll know that's what it was.

Upgrade to a WPA3 router

WPA3 is the latest security protocol for routers. All new routers should come equipped with WPA3, so if you buy a new router, you should have nothing to worry about there. However, many people rent their routers directly from the provider, which may not include the most up-to-date equipment.

If your router was made before 2018 it's possible that you have a WPA2 device, which lacks the same level of security protocols as newer, WPA3 devices. A quick search of your device's model should tell you when it came out and any specific features such as whether it has WPA2 or WPA3. If you've got a router with WPA2, call your provider and negotiate for a better, more recent router.

Network security is not a guarantee

Again, even with the most recent and effective methods of protecting your home network, security is never going to be 100% certain. As long as there is the internet, hackers and cybercriminals will find ways to exploit it. But with the tips above, hopefully you can better keep your network secure from anyone trying to use your connection or access your data.

For more, check out how to tell if your internet provider is throttling your Wi-Fi and our tips on how to speed up your Wi-Fi connection.

---

Source

Hidden text messages how to chat secretly on messenger how to find hidden text messages on iphone hidden text messages android uncovering hidden text messages samsung hidden text messages hidden text messages hidden text app html hidden text hidden text apps for iphone how to find hidden text messages on iphone hidden text generator hidden text message app

Hidden Text Messages: How to Chat Secretly on an iPhone

Hidden Text Messages: How to Chat Secretly on an iPhone

It's human nature -- who hasn't sent something in a text message that they wished would disappear? There's a big difference between sending a message and sending a message that could be saved forever in posterity.

While there's still no way to send self-destructing text messages with your iPhone, a la Snapchat, you can use a built-in iPhone app to chat secretly using temporary messages.

The iPhone app Notes allows you to collaborate with others on notes, whether they're grocery store lists or collections of dad jokes. Anyone who's part of a collaborative note can edit in real time, which enables hidden conversations. You could have an incredibly long, personal conversation -- without any lasting proof that it ever existed.

To learn how to turn a note into a hidden conversation on iOS, here's what you need to know.

First, create a note in the Notes app

On your iPhone, launch the Notes app and tap the Compose button on the bottom right to create a new note. Next, type anything into the note to keep it, or else it'll automatically be deleted when you exit from the note. You can also just go into an existing note, but it's better to start fresh with a new one.

First, create a new note or go into an existing one.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Adjust your note's share options to add collaborators

Once your note is up and ready to go, you can begin the process of adding another person as collaborator, which means they can read and edit whatever is in the note. To start, tap the More button on the top right, and then hit Share Note.

Now tap Share Options and make sure the Can make changes option is selected under Permission. You should also toggle off Anyone can add people in case you want to be the only person who can add collaborators to your note. Go back to the last page when you're finished configuring these settings.

Second, manage what your collaborators can do.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Add friends you want to include and share the link

Next, choose a method to share the note: You can send it via text message, email, social media and more. If you swipe on the share options, you can also select Copy Link, which copies the note link to your clipboard and allows you to paste it wherever you want. 

For this example, I'll choose the Copy Link option to share the note.

At the top of the Copy Link page, enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to access the note. You can also tap the Add icon to search through your contacts. Adding a contact to the note is required -- if you share the link without adding a contact, the other person won't be able to see or edit the note, even with the link.

Lastly, hit CopyLink to copy the note link to your clipboard and share it with your collaborator.

Next, add your collaborator(s).

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Send secret messages using Notes

The other person, on the receiving end, must now open the note link and accept the invitation. If they accept, they'll be redirected to the Notes app and to the collaborative note you just created.

To communicate, simply type something into the note, which the other person will be able to see in real-time, without you having to hit send. They'll also receive a notification anytime the note is altered. 

Each person in the note will have a corresponding color appear (only for a moment) so that everyone else knows who typed what. You can also swipe right from the middle of the note to see the name of who wrote the message, as well as a timestamp for when the message was written and any corresponding colors. 

Now you can secretly communicate with your friends or family.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

You can also tap the Share Note button (with the checkmark icon), go to Manage Shared Note and then toggle on Highlight All Changes. That way, all messages will stay permanently highlighted in their corresponding color, making it easier to read the conversation.

And if you want to keep your communications more low-key, delete your message or the other person's message to strike it from the note. That way your conversation is more like it would be on Snapchat, with ephemeral or short-lived messages that outsiders can't see if they snoop through your notes. You can do this with any text in the notes, as well as photos, videos, links, drawings or any other attachments you add to the note.

Permanently delete your secret chat

Not all secret conversations can go on forever, and so it's time now to end it. 

If you're the owner of the note, and want to keep the note intact for everyone but prevent them from editing it, you can easily do so. On the top right, tap the View Participants button and then hit Manage Shared Note. To remove a participant, you can either swipe left on their name and then hit Remove or you can tap on their name and then tap Remove Access.

To end the notes conversation, remove any collaborators or stop sharing the note.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Additionally, you can tap the Stop Sharing option, which will not only remove participants from the note, but also delete the note from all of their devices.

If you're not the owner of the note, you can just delete the note from the Notes application.

---

Source

Installing an ssd on your mac don t lock with screensaver installing an ssd on your mac don t start installing an ssd on your mac don t tell eyeshadow installing an ssd on your mac don fd70 install an ssd on dell how to install an ssd on a laptop installing an ssd in desktop installing an ssd drive installing an ssd in msi x99s gaming 7 installing an ssd in a dell 5680 installing an electric hot water heater

Installing an SSD on your Mac? Don't make this mistake

Installing an SSD on your Mac? Don't make this mistake

If you have replaced the hard drive on your Mac with an SSD (which you should do), you already know how much faster your computer is. However, I'm going to show you how to avoid this one simple mistake that so many of us make when installing a new SSD. By default, Mac OS, unlike Windows, doesn't automatically enable the TRIM command for a self-installed SSD. (If your Mac comes with an SSD, TRIM will already be enabled.)

TRIM allows the operating system to actively inform an SSD which blocks of data are no longer in use and can be wiped internally. This helps the drive work more efficiently and leads to faster performance and most importantly, longer lifespan. You can read more about that here. The bottom line is that, in order to prolong the life of your SSD, you need to make sure TRIM is running on your Mac.

Here's how you check to see if the TRIM command is running on your Mac.

Dong Ngo/CNET

Here's how to find out if TRIM is running or not.

1. Click on the Apple icon (top-right corner) then choose About This Mac.

2. Click on System Report.

3. On the left pane of the System Information window, under Hardware navigate to SATA/SATA Express.

4. On the right pane, scroll down until you find TRIM Support. If the value is Yes, then TRIM is running -- you're all good! If the value is No, then you need to turn it on.

Here's how to turn TRIM on in a Mac.

Dong Ngo/CNET

Here's how to turn TRIM on:

Make sure you're logged into your Mac with an account that has Administrator privileges. Next:

1. Run Terminal (you can search for it with Spotlight)

2. Type in this command: sudo trimforce enable and press enter.

3. Type in the password of the account you're using, then press enter.

4. The system will display a notice, then ask you if you are sure you wish to proceed. Type in y and then press enter.

5. The system will then indicate that it will reboot and ask you if that's OK. Type y again then press enter.

Now wait for the system to restart by itself and you're done. If you check again, you will see that TRIM is now running on the system.

---

Source

The sandman netflix show the sandman netflix release the sandman movie netflix the sandman his sea stories hit the sandman sandman history is the sandman a hit the sandman imdb the sandman season 2

'The Sandman' Hits Netflix Today: 9 TV Tips to Get the Best Watching Experience

'The Sandman' Hits Netflix Today: 9 TV Tips to Get the Best Watching Experience

What's happening

Picture settings on your new TV might not be ideal right out of the box.

Why it matters

Getting the best image possible out of your TV will make all your shows and movies pop.

What's next

We break down all the settings you'll need to adjust to get the best picture quality.

Netflix's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman comes out today. But before you get too cozy on the couch watching the king of dreams, there are a few TV picture settings you'll want to change to get the best possible viewing experience. 

Believe it or not, your TV doesn't always come looking its best right out of the box. It may be surprising, but the default settings that your TV uses before you make any changes don't always deliver optimal performance. If you want the best out of your TV, especially as you prepare to watch this fantasy series based on the popular DC comic, you'll likely need to make a few adjustments to your picture settings. 

That's exactly what we do here at CNET as part of our TV review process. We immediately dig into the menus to adjust the picture settings to make sure the televisions we're testing have optimal picture quality. 

Fortunately, you don't have to be an expert to get your TV looking great. Every TV has numerous adjustment options, including different picture modes and controls for brightness, backlight, sharpness, smoothing and more, that you can change to improve the TV shows, movies and video games you watch every day.

We've broken down all the settings you might need to tweak to get the best picture out of your TV. Just keep in mind that picture setting names can vary from one manufacturer to another. A setting that one TV company calls "brightness," for example, could control something totally different on another television. We tackle a lot of the variations below, but we can't account for every TV maker, especially when it comes to older models.

Start with the right picture mode

Your TV's picture mode has the largest effect on overall picture quality. This one setting controls multiple other settings to change the overall "look" of your TV. If you've never changed this setting it's probably still the default mode, typically labeled Standard, Vivid, Dynamic, Bright or something similar. The TV is usually at its least accurate in this mode, with typically blown-out colors and image "enhancing" features that might catch the eye on a shelf in a store, but at home might make the TV look worse than it could. 

The easiest way to get accurate color? Put your TV in Movie or Cinema mode.

Sarah Tew/CNET

A place to start is switching to the mode called Cinema, Movie, Calibrated or Filmmaker. These will dial back some of the picture's more garish aspects. At first, the TV might even look soft or too warm ("reddish"). We'll discuss below why that is, but for now trust that you're actually seeing more fine detail, and the image is more lifelike. 

Read more: What's the Best Picture Mode?

Let's move on to some specific controls.

Backlight or OLED light

• Controls the light intensity of the entire display
• Too high and it can cause headaches or eye strain, waste energy and, in some cases, cause premature wear on the TV
• Too low and the image is too dim and difficult to see

Nearly all TVs will have some control that adjusts the overall light output of the TV. It's usually labeled as the backlight control, or OLED light, or something similar. On newer Sony TVs this setting is labeled Brightness, and on Roku TVs there are five settings (Brightest to Darkest) in addition to a backlight control. Whatever the label, this setting is the actual brightness, which is generally separate from the control labeled "Brightness" (see below). 

You should adjust this setting based on room lighting and personal preference. Brighter rooms and daylight viewing will call for a higher setting, while home theater or nighttime viewing often looks better at a lower setting. On an LCD TV, a bright backlight can wash out the image somewhat and reduce contrast and pop, especially on models that lack full array local dimming. 

The brighter the TV is, the more energy it will consume, if you're concerned about how much electricity you use. Higher brightness also makes OLED TVs somewhat more susceptible to image retention and burn-in -- although that's unlikely with typical viewing habits, even at maximum brightness. 

Read more: OLED Screen Burn-In: What You Need to Know in 2022

Contrast

On the left, what the image of some friendly beachside 'roos should look like. On the right, when the contrast control is set too high. Notice the lack of detail in the sand and how the clouds are blown out.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

• Controls the white or bright parts of an image
• Too high will erase detail from clouds, snow and other bright objects
• Too low will look dim and flat

The contrast control adjusts how bright the bright parts of the image are. There is an upper limit, however. If you set the control too high, it "clips" the whites, making near-white details totally white. This effectively erases any detail in bright objects like clouds without making the image actually brighter.

To set contrast by eye, you'll need something with a lot of bright areas of the image. Baseball works pretty well for this -- a fly ball, pop fly, home runs, something with shots of the sky -- or skiing (depending on season, clearly) or something with clouds. What you're looking for is a bright image, but still with highlight detail. In other words, the bright areas of the image still have detail, and aren't just awash in white. 

Once you've found something you think will work, turn the contrast control up until you start losing detail. Clouds will cease being clouds, snow will just be glare. Now turn the control back down till you see detail again. Somewhere in this range will be ideal. Since all content is a little different you might need to tweak it a bit as you watch other shows/movies.

Don't want to mess with all that? Just leave it at the default for the Movie or Cinema setting.

Brightness or black level

On the left, what the teahouse should look like. On the right, when the brightness control is set too low. Notice how the shadows disappear completely.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

• Controls the black or dark parts of an image
• Too high will look flat and washed out
• Too low will erase detail in shadows and dark areas of the image

On most TVs, the brightness control doesn't actually control the TV's "brightness." Instead, it adjusts how dark the darkest parts of the image are. Like with contrast, there's a fine line between too high and too low. In this case, too high and the image will appear washed out. Too low and all shadows will disappear into black. (On newer Sony TVs, this control is labeled Black Level.)

A closeup from the image above. Notice how you can't see anything in the shadows in the image on the right.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

To set brightness, you're looking for the opposite type of content from contrast. Dark movies, like Aliens or The Dark Knight, are perfect for this. Some famously dark TV episodes might be too dark to use for this. 

Turn the Brightness control down until everything disappears into blackness (or something close). From there, turn it back up so you can see detail in everything, but the image doesn't look washed out. Another test for this is a darker scene with someone with long hair. The underside of their hair (I don't know what people with hair call it) away from the light can be a good place to spot shadow detail -- also dark coats at night. Again, you might need to try a few different shows or movies to get it right.

Sharpness

On the left, the original image of the walls of Tallinn. On the right, what it could look like if you set the sharpness control too high.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

• Controls artificial edge enhancement, not image sharpness
• Too high erases image detail, adds a halo to fine lines
• Depending on the TV, set to 0 there's no effect, or a slight softening

Believe it or not, the sharpness control doesn't really improve sharpness. In a way it improves apparent sharpness, but at the expense of actual fine detail and usually with additional noise. On nearly all TVs the sharpness control adds "edge enhancement," artificially accentuating any edges the TV finds in the image. The problem is, doing this hides the actual detail in the image, so the result looks more artificial with less actual detail.

A close-up of the example above. Note the extra noise and artificial "halo" around the spires on the right.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

So it may seem counterintuitive, but you should turn the sharpness control down, way down. Some TVs look best with the control at 0. Others look best within the first 10% or so of this control's range. If you're used to how your TV looks with the sharpness control way up, as it typically is in the Dynamic or Vivid modes, it might appear soft at first when you turn it down. Find some high-quality 4K content and you might be surprised how detailed it now looks. You should be able to find the sweet spot on your TV looking closely for textures in clothing, wrinkles in faces, hair and beards, that kind of thing.

Read more: Why You Need to Turn Down Your TV's Sharpness Control

Color and tint

• Controls color saturation and red-green shift
• A holdover from the analog TV days
• Generally will be correct, or close enough, out of the box

Generally, the color and tint controls will be reasonably close to correct out of the box, especially in Cinema or Movie mode. You can experiment with their effects, but it's rare they're off by more than one or two steps in either direction.

At the top, the color temperature is set too low, or warm. At the bottom, it's set too high, or cool.

Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Color temperature or white balance

• Controls how warm or cool the image looks
• Too high and the image will be too blue
• Too low and the image will be too red

Color temperature is a difficult one. Your brain gets used to the color temp of your TV, so if you change it, it's going to seem "wrong." In fact, this is probably the first thing you'll notice if you switch to the Cinema or Movie mode. It's going to look too warm or "reddish." On most TVs, this is actually the most accurate and lifelike. Your TV has been lying to you for years! 

Switch to your TV's warm color temperature mode and watch it for a few days. If it still seems off to you, try the standard mode. I promise the cool mode will look far too blue once you get used to warm.

Check out my article on color temp and why it matters for more info.

Motion interpolation or smoothing (the soap opera effect)

David Katzmaier/CNET

• Controls how "smooth" motion is by artificially creating new frames of video
• Too high, or even enabled at all, it can be annoying to some
• Too low and the TV might appear soft with motion, such as sports

As TV settings go, motion interpolation is a rather controversial topic. Many people, including film purists and pretty much everyone who works in Hollywood, hate it. It makes movies look like a cheap soap opera or a video you'd shoot on your phone. If you've ever looked at a new TV and just felt something was off, or the image just didn't look real, it's probably this. Some people like it, but a lot of people don't. Your new TV almost certainly has this feature turned on in non-Cinema or Movie modes. Turning it off might change how you feel about your purchase.

Read more: Tom Cruise Wants You to Turn Off Soap Opera Effect. Here's How

Game mode

• Reduces input lag, or how long it takes for your input to register onscreen
• Usually disables features that might make the image better
• Useful for any game that requires timing or aiming, especially online multiplayer

Input lag is how long it takes for you to press a button on a game controller and then to have an onscreen effect in the game. For many people this delay, measured in milliseconds, isn't noticeable. For others, especially with certain types of games, it can make a massive difference. From jumping puzzles to pixel-perfect aim in a first-person shooter, getting the timing right in many games is crucial. 

Minimizing input lag, usually via a feature called game mode, can make a significant difference. If you've bought a new TV and suddenly your scores and rankings have dropped, this might be why. It's not something you want to leave enabled all the time, since it usually disables processing features that can improve the TV's picture quality.

Some TVs and consoles now support switching to this mode automatically.

Further steps

As mentioned above, the next step to fine-tuning your TV to perfection is getting a setup disc. The Spears & Munsil disc is a great option because it gets you right to the patterns without any extraneous fluff. If you just want someone else to do it, ideally with specialized test equipment, see if there are any TV calibrators in your area.

Lastly, make sure any sources you have, like a streaming stick or a cable or satellite box, are set to your TV's resolution (4K for 4K TVs, etc). Generally speaking they should do this automatically, but it's worth digging into the settings to be sure. Your 4K TV won't look its best without 4K content. You might need to pay for a higher tier to get that, depending on the service. 

Lastly, HDMI. Chances are whatever HDMI cables you have are fine. If you try to send 4K from a media streamer and it doesn't work, it's possible your HDMI cables can't handle the additional resolution. But new HDMI cables are cheap. If your TV is getting the resolution you want from your sources, new HDMI cables won't make the image look or sound better, so you can save your money. 

For more, check out CNET's lists of the best 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch TVs you can buy. You can also take a look at the best 4K TVs available. 

---

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, airplane graveyards and more. 

You can follow his exploits on Instagram and YouTube, and on his travel blog, BaldNomad. He also wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel. 

---

Source