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steps to improve browser privacy

10C ARGUSLEADER.COM ● SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER7,2014 VOICES Q: I’m worried about m y online privacy. I’ve got the basic anti-virus p rograms, but I’m wondering whether there’s anything I’m missing or anything I can add to make sure my private l ife stays private. I also want to get rid of tracking ads. A: There are three free privacy add-ons for your browser you’ll want to check out. Try EFF Privacy Badger to take care of pesky ads that follow you from site to site. Keep yourself protected from malicious links on Facebook and Twitter with BitDefender TrafficLight. Finally, make sure your social media accounts have the correct privacy settings with AVG Privacy Fix. Q: I know it’s a little e arly, but I’m starting to t hink about Christmas shopping already. What tech products need to be on my radar this year? A : Apple is set to re- l ease its iPhone6 and i Pad Air2 in time for Christmas — probably this month and November, respectively. While the specs of these gad- g ets aren’t set in stone, y ou can safely assume t hat they will come with the cutting-edge features that make Apple’s mobile lineup so formidable. T hey’ll also have the highly anticipated iOS8, w hich will have new features such as the built-in HealthKit fitness app. Meanwhile, gamers young and old will want t he PlayStation 4. It sup- p orts most major stream- i ng services — Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and more. S ony even released an all-new rental service for video games that lets users stream games directly without having to b uy a physical copy. That means the PS4 could function perfectly as a living room set-top box for the entire family’s entertainment needs. Q: I’m traveling overseas, and I’m getting conflicting information about the best way to exchange my money into the local currency. I heard you mention ways on your national radio show. Can you set the record straight? A: You might be surprised to know that you can usually get the best e xchange rate with a Visa o r MasterCard credit c ard. Use it for purchases such as flights, train tickets and hotels, or larger purchases at s hops. Just note that d estinations such as E urope use cards with different security that American cards, so your regular card might not work everywhere. Ask y our bank about “chip a nd PIN” or “chip and s ignature” cards. Just watch out for annual fees on these cards; you might have to hunt around for a c ard that doesn’t have them. Q: I recently cut the cord on cable, but now I’m worried that I won’t be able to watch any NFL g ames this season. I’ve t ried an HD antenna, and t hat didn’t work. What other options do I have so I don’t miss any of the big games? A: If the HD antenna doesn’t work, check Sunday Ticket. This service l ets you stream games to smartphones, tablets, computers and other compatible gadgets starting at $199 a year. This also gives you access to out-of-market games. Q: I recently read your 10 funniest product reviews on Amazon. Those reviews had me in stitches, but I was wondering whether there are any ways to tell a product review is fake, aside from the humor? I know some companies post their own reviews to try to get more sales. A : Facts are important i n a review.Make sure t he review has enough facts and conclusions to go with them, such as what specific features b enefited the purchaser. I f it’s just a list of p roduct features with no information about how the product worked for the reviewer, that’s either asign the reviewer is j ust copying the features l ist, or didn’t actually buy t he product. The same holds true if it’s just a rant about how terrible the product is without a ny clear reasons. For daily tips, newsletters and more, visit komando.com. Email tech- comments@usatoday.com. TECHNOLOGY Steps to take to improve your browser privacy By Kim Komando Special for USA Today

Article from 07 Sep 2014Argus-Leader(Sioux Falls, SD)

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