No, No, NO Don't Call!

Please help your fellow Mac users and forward this message to anyone you know who has an Apple computer. Every day, a computer comes in that's allegedly has been infected with all kinds of "bad" stuff.

Though your warning may look different than the above image, the modus operandi is exactly the same:
• stubborn pop-ups that make it almost impossible to close the browser

• urgent warning to call a toll-free number

• a screen “showing” all types of “infections” on your computer

Do NOT call the number provided! The very people you're calling (unless you’ve requested help Apple will NEVER call you), and want your money, are the people who caused the problem to begin with.

We’ve written about this issue several times, posted on Facebook, Tweeted, but folks come in every day that did call the number and did pay an exorbitant fee to have the “problem” fixed.

If you see the pop-up message (it takes many different forms) don’t worry your computer has not been infected; your data has NOT been breached. In some cases, you can close the pages normally but other times you can’t. That’s because these crooks use JavaScript code to push a new alert window so quickly after you’ve clicked ‘OK’ that you cannot normally exit by closing the window or tab.

For the people who do give remote control of their computer, the “technician” will run a scan in the Terminal or perhaps show the Console logs and flag anything in there as a virus or severe infection. Typically they also install malware programs causing you further pain. Yes the people you’re calling AND paying money - we’ve heard from $200 to $1000 - are the very crooks causing the problem. Get your money back!

If you need help getting rid of the installed malware - bring the computer to us. It’ll cost less than what the crooks want.

One more thing: many of the program that claim to prevent malware and other issues actually cause them. Currently your Apple does NOT need any third party help. We'll let you know when you should worry.

iOS Tip 85 - My Stupid Fault: iCloud vs local iPhone backups

Back up your iPhone properly.

I switched on iCloud backup rather than local backup for the old iPhone. Most apps I use have their own iCloud, Dropbox or other backup service so I didn’t bother with them. I was not going to lose any data, I knew it. I just didn't appreciate how much else gets backed up when you backup your phone directly to your computer through iTunes.

By connecting my phone to my iMac I would've got all my apps back, plus all their settings. In an effort to save space (because iCloud is limited in its free incarnation to 5GB), the iCloud-only backup of an iPhone doesn't remember all that minutia, it just puts your purchased apps back on in the order they are restored.

The bottom line here: back up your iPhone and iPad to your Mac through iTunes, rather than an iCloud backup, and do it regularly -- if you want to be able to restore the your iOS device exactly as it was when you replace it. The iCloud backup is good in its way, particularly for people who don't tie their device to a Mac or Windows PC, but it is not as complete. High scores in games not using Game Center, for example, aren't saved -- you can pretend it won't bother you, but you know it will.

iOS Tip 84 - Stop The Music!

Stop The Music With A Timer

Do you like to listen to music when getting into bed for the night but often doze off without switching the iPhone off? You can use a timer to help you shut down the music. To do this, tap on Clock > Timer > When Timer Ends. Scroll down and tap Stop Playing. Then, set a timer (say 30 mins) and tap Start. Now you may play any music and it will be turned off after 30 minutes.

iOS Tip 83 - iOS Crash Warning Scam

Have you seen a popup on your iPhone or iPad claiming that iOS has crashed and that you need to phone a helpline for a fix? It's a scam, do NOT call the provided phone number.

Here's the Fix:

Put your iPhone or iPad into Airplane Mode (go into Settings and toggle the Airplane Mode switch into the off position).
Go to Settings > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data.
Close Safari (double-press the Home button and swipe Safari up to close).
Exit Airplane Mode.
Restart Safari.

To reduce the risk of this sort of issue from happening in the future you can block popups: go to Settings > Safari and toggle the Block Pop-ups switch.

iOS Tip 82 - Prioritize your Facebook Friends

Here's how to set who you 'See First' in your Facebook feed:
Launch the Facebook app on your iOS device, then tap on the More button in the bottom-right corner. Scroll to the bottom of the menu, where you'll find News Feed Preferences; tap on it, then tap on Prioritize who to see first.

Note you must be running the current version of Facebook on your device.

iOS Tip 81 - Stop Following Me

Apple used to be friends with Google and used its search engine by default. That's not the case anymore—now Apple is "friends" with Microsoft and uses Bing. Both of those search engines like to track your every move - which is why you get those “tailored” ads. If you're into some extra privacy, try the latest option for search in the Safari browser: DuckDuckGo, "the search engine that doesn't track you." Go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine and toggle the browser you prefer.

iOS Tip 80 - Photo Searching

iOS 8 gives you the ability to search for photos based on locations or dates. For example, you can search for “November” or “Sparty.” You use this feature by opening your Photos app then tap on All Photos, then tap on the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen.

Use the keyboard to type in what you’re looking for.