How to Select a Computer Repair Business

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Something is broken! The laptop is whirring. The computer won’t power up. In either case, you’re staring at a blank, blue screen. Yet you can’t live without your computer. You need to find a computer repair business. But what should you look for? This article will help you make your choice.

If a computer or laptop doesn’t do what we want it to do, we move into panic mode. You may want to run out and buy a new one. That’s going to be expensive and may be unnecessary, especially right now, as a global computer chip supply shortfall is ratcheting up prices and extending delivery timelines.

The next option? Find a repair shop to take a look at your home computer. Here’s what to look for.

#1 Good reviews and high ratings

Look up the business online and see what kind of customer feedback it gets. Don’t fall for a single five-star review, though – that could be the owner’s cousin. Look at the number of stars, as well as the number of reviews used to reach that ranking.

It’s also worthwhile reading some of the reviews. You’ll see what other customers are saying about problems resolved (or not) at that repair shop. Customer testimonials can help you sort out which shop is best suited to solving your current problem.

#2 Comparable price estimates

Ask for an estimate before you commit to working with a particular repair shop. You may not get a full picture. The repair team will typically charge you a diagnostic fee first to gauge the problem. Then, they’ll be better able to estimate the overall cost. They should be able to explain any large price jumps from their original estimate.

This is another reason to check out the reviews. You might see several people complaining about the cheaper initial estimate luring them in. Then, they get hit with a whopping bill after the fact.

#3 Go with relevant experience

You may not know the difference between a Dell and an Apple, but your repair person should. Prefer someone with experience addressing problems with your particular brand. This can save time and money. If the repair person is more familiar with that type of device, they may troubleshoot more efficiently.

#4 Location matters

If you go with a big-box store, you risk someone who doesn’t know much about computers shipping your device to a central repair hub. That means it can take longer. Your device could also be at further risk of damage while en route. Plus, you won’t get an accurate estimate for repair costs upfront.

If you select a local computer repair shop, you can get to know the individual working on your computer, and you know the device will be worked on in that store. Plus, if you ever have future issues, you can return to working directly with that same individual again.

Professional Help Matters

Sure, you might have a family member or friend who thinks they are a tech whiz, but that doesn’t mean you want to entrust your computer to them. Instead, work with a seasoned IT pro who can reliably address computer or laptop issues.

A computer repair professional will be customer-oriented. That means they’ll know how to meet your needs courteously. They’ll keep you informed and be upfront about pricing. After all, their business reputation rests upon your satisfaction. Can your cousin Edgar or friend Sal say the same thing? Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Refurbished Computer and Laptops Worth Another Look?

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If you’re in the market for a new computer or laptop, you’ve likely noticed a few things. Technology is more expensive, and there are long waits to get the devices you want. This article will explain the current computer and laptop supply-chain issues. Then, we’ll offer reasons to consider refurbished devices to meet your needs.

There are supply-chain issues for everything from pool floats to personal computers. The pandemic placed added pressure on shippers and also increased demand for electronics, as people spent more time at home. At the same time, there is a shortage of key components.

Every computer or laptop (and so much more electronics) needs a chip. These computer chips are in great demand, but there’s a supply shortfall. The American Department of Commerce described the shortage as “a major supply and demand mismatch.” In the US, the median demand for chips was as much as 17% higher in 2021 than in 2019.

It doesn’t help any that extreme weather shut down a major computer chip plant in Texas. Meanwhile, a Japan-based manufacturer experienced a fire. It’s also difficult to get new chip plants up and running. The factories are expensive and workers need to be highly trained.

Yet you can’t get a PC or a laptop without a computer chip, and the problem is unlikely to be resolved this year. Some people predict it could take years for supply and demand to rebalance, which could mean you’re going to be paying a lot more for your next, new device and be waiting a long time for it. On the other hand, you might see this as an opportunity to reconsider buying a refurbished device.

Reasons to buy refurbished

A refurbished PC or laptop is a pre-owned device with data wiped and drives restored; it’s been reset to factory settings. The PC or laptop is evaluated, cleaned, and repaired before resale. In some cases, the device is upgraded, too.

Buying a refurbished computer or laptop can be the smart way to go. Here’s why.

#1 Access to quality

As you are buying a pre-owned computer, you’ll be able to pay less for better technology. A common complaint about new computers? They are outdated before you even get them out of the box at home. By going with a refurbished unit, you can take advantage of the quick turnover in models. You can get a top machine without paying the “new” price. By buying refurbished, you could afford more memory and better screen quality or processor speed.

#2 As good as new

In most cases, big corporations cycle out their computers every few years, and you now get to buy a good-as-new computer or laptop and make big savings. Refurbished computers are sold when they have been tested and cleaned up. So, you may not get that new computer smell (is there such a thing?), but you’ll get a fresh experience with a refurbished unit.

#3 You’re helping the environment

Buying a refurbished device is the green way to go. Repair is an alternative to computers and laptops languishing as waste. The computer is fixed up and recycled for another user, either by the original brand manufacturer or another computer outfit. Dell, HP, and Apple have high standards before a computer or laptop is resold as refurbished.

# 4 You can protect your refurbished purchase

If you’re worried about taking a risk on a refurbished computer or laptop, buy a warranty from the seller. You can typically buy a full one-year warranty. This protects your purchase should any issue occur in that timeframe.

Need help choosing the right computer or laptop for your home? Our experts can help you find the best device for your specifications. We can consult on your new or refurbished purchase.

Contact us today at (515)422-1995

Picking a PC for Video Editing

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Ready to be the next TikTok breakout? Or perhaps you want a video of your cockatoo “singing” “Amazing Grace” to go viral. Or you may make company promotional videos while working from home. There are many reasons you might be looking for the right home computer to do video editing. This article will help.

Yes, you can make edits on a phone or tablet, but if you want to do your videos justice, invest in the tools to meet the high demands of video editing. Consider processing power, memory, storage space, and graphic cards.

Know your CPU

Whatever your goal with your video editing, you can count on needing a lot of processing power to do the job well. Essentially, you want to get the best computer processing unit (CPU) you can afford.

Some video editing software makes use of multiple cores. You might think of this as one person with many arms to complete tasks. Meanwhile, single-core video software has one arm. If you’ve only got that one arm, it’s best to make it as strong as possible, which requires the highest processing speed you can get.

Adding titles, visual effects, and sound effects require more of your processor. It needs to compile, encode, and compress all your efforts into the final video cut. So, CPU performance matters.

Make memories with RAM

You may be wanting to edit only home videos to share with friends and family. Whether it’s that or you’re creating commercial quality videos, consider memory (RAM).

Think of RAM as the amount of desk space or elbow room you have to do your tasks. Whether you have one or many arms, you’ll need more room to complete a bigger project.

At a minimum, you should be starting with 16GB if you plan to do any video editing. If you are going to be working with long videos or very large files, you should consider 32GB or even 64GB.

Storage savvy

Storage is easily overlooked but very important to video editing.

A solid-state drive (SSD) is essential for video editing. Old “spinner” drives work a bit like a record player. The “needle” needs to physically move to the location where the file is on the platter, which slows things down a lot. SSDs are instantaneous, using flash memory to store data. This makes your work go a lot faster.

The downside? SSDs don’t have as much storage space as old spinners. Generally, we recommend an SSD for working on the video files, and then moving the file to an old, large storage spinner for storage.

Give a graphics card a look

A graphics card is not required but can be useful when editing video. If you’re using beginner- or intermediate-level editing software, you may not need a dedicated graphics card. However, there is a performance gain when you have a good graphics card for video editing. The free DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro both do well with AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards.

Build with an expert

The best way to get the right personal computer to meet your particular video editing needs is to work with a PC builder to customize a computer to your specific needs. You can talk about the types of videos you’re editing and the software you use. Our team can optimize a system to suit you and your budget. Call us at (515)422-1995 today.

Is Your Graphics Card Going Bad?

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Whenever you create a graph on your computer, you’re going to need a graphics processing unit (GPU). Without one, you won’t see anything on your computer screen. So, obviously, it’s a problem when it starts to fail. This article discusses signs to look for and what to do.

First, what does the graphics card do? A graphics or video card takes data from your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and translates it into what you see on your monitor. Every image on your computer screen is composed of millions of pixels. The graphics card is what decides what kind of picture you see.

Many computers have integrated graphics with the main processor. However, depending on how you use the computer, you might have purchased one with a dedicated graphics card. This allows you to see more complex visuals with more clarity and faster. Top-quality graphics cards boast lots of memory and fast processing to translate binary data into images at frames-per-second rates.

How to know a graphics card is going bad

Graphics cards can be physically damaged by incorrect installation, or fail as a result of overheating or a power surge. There may even have been a manufacturing defect there when the card was first installed. You can’t predict why a graphics card may begin to fail, but there are some symptoms of likely failure.

Screen glitches or artifacts

Maybe you are playing a video game or streaming your favorite movie when you notice on the screen:

  • weird colors or shapes;
  • pixelation;
  • frame tearing.

These could be there for only a few seconds. You might move your mouse and they go away. But, you don’t want to overlook these symptoms.

Stuttering

A computer screen freezing up or dropping frames can mean graphic card failure. It could also be due to malware or issues with your hardware or RAM. Still, this is not a symptom to ignore.

Fan overworking

If you’re hearing your fan more than usual, it could mean the graphics card is overheating. This can damage your computer, so act quickly to allow the computer to cool down. If the problem persists, get the device checked out.

Solid screen color

If you get a solid black or blue screen (or with lots of error codes) your video card may be struggling. Graphics card failure may have caused the system to crash, and you’ll be forced to reboot the computer. Crashes can happen for other reasons too. But if this happens when doing graphics-intensive activities, look to the gaming card.

What to do about graphics card failure

Start by determining if the graphics card is the culprit. There are many possible issues that could cause some of the above symptoms.

You can try to repair the card yourself, but it is risky. It can involve updating the motherboard drivers for your chipset and updating display drivers. You might also need to look inside the computer to check connections and clean out any buildup of dust, or the graphics card may need to be reseated because it has come loose.

Our IT professionals can determine what is causing your graphics woes and work to repair the hardware at a much lower risk. Contact us at (515)422-1995 for help today!

Psst… What’s Your Master Password?

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All of us like to think we are unique. That thinking extends to our passwords too, right? We’re special and distinct, so no one could guess our chosen collection of letters, numbers and symbols. Well, it’s surprisingly easy for algorithms to determine passwords and to do so extremely quickly. So, a password manager is a smart move, as you’ll have more complex, different passwords stored. Still, it’s important that your master password for that manager be 100 percent original.

Sure, your password may be difficult for a human to guess – it would take forever. But, computers can run through the possible combinations in seconds. Password Depot found that a password consisting of five characters (three lowercase letters and two numbers) can be hacked in 0.03 seconds.

Add characters and the volume of possible configurations increases, and that adds time. A seven-character password (one capital letter, six lowercase letters) will take approximately nine minutes. At eight characters (four lowercase letters, two special characters, and two numbers) things get more complicated. Trying all the possible permutations will take 2.6 days.

That’s a data-driven argument for complex passwords with many letters and numbers. But the problem is that they are so much more difficult to remember, and that’s why it’s a good idea to use a password manager.

The power of a password manager

A password manager offers top-notch encryption to protect passwords. You can use a password manager as a vault for all your passwords. When you want to log in online from your desktop, it can prefill your username and password. Often, there is also an app that allows you to do the same on mobile devices.

Industry-leading password managers also notify you if credentials are weak or get compromised. They may also flag that you are repeating access credentials, which is not a good idea.

Don’t forget your master password

Part of the appeal of a password manager is its zero-knowledge approach. They are set up so that they can’t see your stored passwords. The password is encrypted before it reaches the manager’s server and can’t be deciphered.

This means you have to be careful not to forget your master password. The master password is the one you use to access the password manager. Without it, you’ll have to try to recover your account using several stages of authentication.

Make your master password unique, and don’t use it anywhere else. Repeating passwords, as mentioned above, increases your risk of getting hacked. If the other site is hacked, the bad guys could try that same password on other sites, too. It’s low-hanging fruit for them.

The current best practice as far as passwords go is to use a passphrase with a mix of alpha-numeric symbols. This gives you a length of between 20 and 30 characters. You can use a variety of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Some examples of passphrases include:

  • My_Fave_Person_is_My_Fish_761
  • Mytrip-2-Paris-Was-Magnifique
  • YouRemindMeoftheBabe!!

The passphrase means something to you, so it is more memorable. Yet it isn’t easy for hackers to crack. Also, you’re not using specific personal details that you may reveal on social media (unless you are constantly posting pics of your fish, and its name is actually 761).

Protecting your online identity

Want to know more about protecting your online identity? Need help with setting up security procedures for your home computer and network? Our tech experts are available to help. Call us today at (515) 422-1995!

Picking Your Home PC browser: Chrome vs. Edge

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Selecting your home computer was challenging enough. Now, we’re asking you to decide on the right PC browser, too? When will the decisions end? At least we’re making the comparison easier. This article helps you decide if Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge works best for you.

It’s estimated that the average individual spends almost a third of their day online. That means you likely already have a go-to browser. It may be the one that was pre-loaded on your computer when you bought it or the same one you’re using on your mobile devices, but those aren’t the best reasons to select a browser. Keep reading to learn the key features of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

Google Chrome vs. Microsoft Edge: The Basics

Google Chrome is today’s most popular browser worldwide. It has been around since 2008 when it was released to compete with Internet Explorer. At that time, Internet Explorer was the big-shot browser, but within a few years, Google had taken the title. Explorer was replaced with Edge, which Microsoft brought out with Windows 10 in 2015.

Chrome and Edge are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. They are both based on the open-source software, Chromium. Still, Edge has a long way to go before it will reign supreme. In July 2021, Chrome had the lead at 65.27% market share. Safari came in second at 18.34%, and Edge third at 3.4%.

The two are not dramatically different. After all, they are competitors, so any big gap is quickly filled. Still, there are differences. Let’s discuss those next.

User Interface

Both Chrome and Edge allow you to have multiple windows open at the same time. Edge allows you to switch your tabs from horizontal (like Chrome) to vertical. You can group tabs by choosing a name and color for related tabs on both. Your tabs will sync with your mobile devices, but where the tabs appear on the screen will be different in Edge or Chrome mobile.

You can also bookmark (Chrome) or favorite (Edge) your pages. Edge allows you to create Collections of favorites. You can send those to Microsoft Docs, Excel, OneDrive, or Pinterest. Meanwhile, Chrome has a similar feature, and its collections can be shared with other Google account users.

If you want to choose the look of your browser (e.g. a theme or Dark Mode), there’s more flexibility with Chrome. Edge allows you to make choices from 14 themes in its Appearance settings. Otherwise, you’ll have to go to the Microsoft Edge Store.

Both browsers offer private browsing. Your default search engine will depend on your browser choice, though: Chrome uses Google to search (surprise!), whereas Microsoft defaults to Bing.

One standout feature of Edge is its immersive reader. This allows you to look at a page as if you are reading it on an ebook. It’s part of the basic Edge browser tools, but you’d have to add it as an extension if you wanted this in Chrome.

Need for Speed

If performance is important, you’ll want to know that Edge runs faster. There are competing claims, but Avast found Edge runs faster than both Chrome and Firefox. Another source tested the resource consumption of both browsers, and Chrome used more random-access memory (RAM).

Chrome did have the lead on cross-device syncing for a while, but in 2021 Edge added features making it convenient to switch between devices. Note: Chrome sync devices by default, whereas you need to enable it manually in Edge.

Security

Security and privacy are another big areas to consider when picking your browser. Browsers are common malware targets. You’ll want a browser that provides you with security features. Both Chrome and Edge do help you out, but if security is your top priority, look at Firefox, Tor, or Brave instead.

Still, since we’re comparing Chrome and Edge, let’s talk about their security tools. Chrome allows you to send “do not track” requests to websites, but Edge allows you to be more selective. Users choose between three tracking-prevention levels and get a blocked tracker list.

Both browsers have built-in anti-malware and phishing protection, but Google is known for updating more regularly, which can keep you safer online. At the same time, though, Google collects more of your data.

Key Takeaway

Microsoft has been steadily closing the gap between its Edge offering and Chrome. For speed and resource consumption, Edge is claiming the lead. Of course, these are only two of the available browsers out there.

Want help deciding on the best browser for your home? We can help you set up your computers and answer any questions you may have. Call us today at (515)422-1995!

Why Wait to Upgrade to Windows 11 at Home

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Upgrade. Always upgrade. It’s a persistent mantra for technology. And, after all, what homeowner doesn’t want to have the latest-and-greatest tech available? Still, you may want to wait to upgrade to Windows 11 if you have the Microsoft operating system (OS) in your home.

Look at it this way, when software is first delivered, the manufacturer believes it is the best thing it can offer or at least the best software it can offer by the delivery deadline. But, as you well know from all the software update notifications you get on your devices, there are still changes after the software is released. Glitches can be discovered, and security vulnerabilities may be identified. If you’re on Windows 10 right now, you can wait to upgrade to Windows 11. Let some of those bugs get worked out by the early adopters first.

One change that isn’t getting glowing reviews? The Windows 11 taskbar. It isn’t as customizable and is permanently centered. This means you can’t make it taller or move it around the screen. Windows 10’s taskbar is just better. So, maybe wait and see if they tweak the taskbar before making the change.

Are you a home gamer? You might think Windows 11 is going to give you more gaming-centric features, but although it’s being touted as “the best Windows for gaming,” Windows 10 has all the same features.

So, what’s the appeal of Windows 11?

Why are people making the move to Windows 11? Well, there’s that near-Pavlovian impulse to get the latest available technology. At the same time, the new OS aims to simplify the user experience. Microsoft has added snap controls allowing users to resize and reposition desktop windows, as well as content personalization tools and many widgets to choose from.

Windows 11 also embraces a Zero Trust framework to combat cybersecurity risk. The new OS validates user identity and the platform you’re using to safeguard access to your computer. Encryption and malware protection are also now the default rather than add-ons.

But those changes need more

The enhancements to Windows 11 demand more advanced hardware than those required for Windows 10. You’ll need:

  • a compatible 64-bit processor;
  • a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip (to help protect encryption keys, user credentials, and data);
  • 64 GB or more available storage;
  • 4 GB of RAM;
  • a high-definition (720p) display

Unlike Windows 11, Windows 10 runs on everything. So, you won’t need to make any changes to meet hardware requirements.

You may also need to change some of your habits with the move to Windows 11. If you’ve been loyal to Internet Explorer, you’ll need to adapt. The new OS moves away from Explorer and its ActiveX-based applications. Also, if you’re a fan of Android apps, you’re going to be annoyed. Windows 11 has limited Android capability right now.

No rush to upgrade

Ultimately, there’s no reason to rush to update your Windows. Microsoft promises to support the Windows 10 OS until October 14, 2025.

Of course, all this is assuming you have already upgraded to Windows 10. If you’re still holding on to legacy software (Windows 7 anyone?), get thee to the app store! Upgrade to more secure software that continues to benefit from Microsoft support and patching of any vulnerabilities.

Not sure about the best software solution for your home, or overwhelmed by the idea of upgrading? Our IT experts are here to help. We can check your device compatibility with Windows 11 and assess your systems and needs. Contact our team today at (515)422-1995.

Ransomware a Risk for You, Too

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Ransomware headlines focus on interrupted hospital services or downtime at several major brands. But ransomware can just as easily infect your home computer.

When you’re a victim of ransomware, you aren’t able to do anything on your computer. Cybercriminals encrypt your files and demand you pay a ransom to unlock your device. They’ll ask for cryptocurrency in return for the encryption key.

You may think the bad guys wouldn’t care about your residential system, but you’d be wrong, especially now. Think of all the people at home connecting remotely to business networks. Plus, kids make a weak link as they don’t fully understand the risk.

Many residential antivirus solutions aren’t up to protecting your computer from ransomware.

How to prevent home ransomware

Ransomware in residential homes may not grab headlines, but it’s still going to be big news at your house. Any computers connected to that network with the ability to save to one another could be infected.

The biggest issue with malware of any kind? Your devices may be infected and you might not even know it. Get a cybersecurity solution for your home that looks where you can’t. A good antivirus software that supports anti-ransomware uses machine learning. Artificial intelligence (AI) reviews a database of known threats before running new files on your computer. This helps detect and block any malware before it executes.

Some antivirus software whitelists certain computer folders such as “My Documents,” making it possible for only trusted applications to write to that folder.

You’ll also want to have a good backup. If you’re working on a novel in your spare time, keeping the family photos on your desktop, or developing an in-depth family genealogy, for instance, don’t risk losing access to any of these. Instead, make frequent backups and keep them separate from your network. This can help preserve your personal data in the event of a malware attack.

Always be on the lookout

Phishing is the top way ransomware infiltrates computers. So, talk to all home network users about the need for vigilance. Cyber bad guys are doing a much better job these days of mimicking reputable companies. A phishing email will look like it is coming from a trusted website. They will have worked hard to gain your confidence to open the message and click on their link.

Caution everyone, especially kids, against clicking on links or downloading attachments, especially if the email is making an urgent or emotional appeal.

You can also stay safe by taking care of what websites you visit. It’s hard enough to determine if an email is legit, but now you need to be wary of where you go online? Yes, it’s true. One type of ransomware gets you to download and install the software, while another installs it without you knowing when you visit an infected site.

Steer clear of top culprits such as gambling, pornography, and pirated video sites. When online, look for the lock icon before the domain name: that indicates encrypted Web traffic. And avoid clicking on any download links on the sites you visit.

Want to remain ransomware-free? Our IT experts can help you take preventative measures. We’ll also make sure that your antivirus software is doing what you want it to do. Contact us today at (515)422-1995

Don’t Play Games with Privacy: What Is DuckDuckGo?

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You may remember playing Duck, Duck, Goose on the playground when you were young. But have you heard of DuckDuckGo? Many haven’t. So, we thought we’d share an introduction to this privacy-focused search engine.

DuckDuckGo promises to let you “search the Web without being tracked.” The search engine site touts a simple privacy policy: “We don’t collect or share any of your personal information.”

You can use DuckDuckGo on their iOS or Android app or extension by adding a private Web search to your favorite browser or by searching directly at DuckDuckGo.com. The site’s privacy browser extension blocks trackers and offers encryption for every device.

Why use DuckDuckGo?

Google is the obvious heavy hitter in search. The problem? The company keeps your search history forever. Plus, they are tracking everywhere you go online. Their trackers are on millions of websites.

Think about it: Ever looked at a new sweatshirt and decided against it only to find it following you in digital ads for days to come? That’s because of tracking. DuckDuckGo promises there are no trackers on its search engine. It even blocks Google’s and other company’s trackers, as well.

You might think you are achieving anonymity in Incognito Mode. But this doesn’t stop Google from saving your history. Companies, internet service providers, and governments can also continue to track you.

DuckDuckGo does not store IP addresses or other unique identifiers in its search logs. This means that they cannot create a search history or data profile on you or any other individual.

Does DuckDuckGo work?

The big question, of course, is how the private engine’s search results compare to competitors. The company claims it provides “truly private search results without tradeoffs in result quality.” DuckDuckGo says it offers “everything you’ve come to expect in your online search experience” including:

  • maps;
  • weather forecasts;
  • local search;
  • news;
  • images;
  • videos;
  • shopping;
  • definitions;
  • Wikipedia references;
  • currency conversions;
  • flight information;
  • calculator;
  • timer;
  • sports scores;
  • Q&A reference.

Can DuckDuckGo compete?

Since its founding in 2008, DuckDuckGo has steadily gained users. On January 13, 2022, the search engine announced it had surpassed 100 billion all-time searches.

According to public traffic statistics in the same week, the highest daily number of search queries DuckDuckGo had seen was 110,439,133. Just a year ago, on January 11, 2021, the company announced hitting over 100 million searches daily.

Those numbers are impressive, yet as Search Engine Land puts it, “DuckDuckGo remains a very niche competitor.” Google has a huge market share (as much as 87.57 of searches). Bing, the next biggest competitor, accounted for 6.31%, Yahoo 3.25%, and DuckDuckGo 2.5%, according to statcounter.com.

Protecting your privacy online

DuckDuckGo is an attractive and useful option for people who want a higher level of online privacy.

There are many other ways to protect your identity online and secure the data on your residential computers. Contact our IT experts today at (515)422-1995 to learn more about the best solution for your personal needs.

Turn Your Tablet into a Child-Friendly Device

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Tablets are convenient, light, and portable. Maybe you got a new one during the holiday, or your old one needs replacing. You can feel better about moving to the new device if you turn the old tablet into a child-friendly device. Here’s how.

Before giving your tablet up, clear your browsing history, emails, and banking details. In Android Settings you can use the Clear Data feature, whereas on iOS, you go to General in Settings to Reset and choose Erase All Content and Settings.

Purchasing a new, sturdier case can help protect the tablet from the wear and tear of being a kid’s go-to device. A waterproof case is a must for the juice-box-aged user. When selecting a protective case, keep in mind that you want sturdy but also lightweight. A screen protector is also a good idea. Little people have lots of sticky things in their hands after all.

You’ll also want to set up a child safety lock. This allows you to lock the screen by setting a PIN in the settings. On Apple and Android products, you can choose the app your child can use and lock the screen. If they want to switch apps or access anything else, they’ll need you to enter the PIN to do so.

There are many special apps for kids you can download these days. Before gifting the device, download some educational and entertainment apps for them. Common Sense Media can be a useful resource to help you find appropriate apps for the right age. You might also visit Zerotothree.org. Their E-AIMS model helps you choose Engaging, Actively Involved, Meaningful, and Social content.

When can kids turn on tablets?

There’s a lot of debate around what is an appropriate age for a child to use electronic devices. Typically, the recommendation is to wait until your child is at least preschool age. By age three, many children are “active media users” enjoying educational electronic content.

Between the ages of 4 and 11, the child will be able to engage more with the tablet, but they should be supervised. Adults need to monitor activity, co-view, and ask questions about the games or content to encourage digital literacy.

Regardless of the age of your tablet user, it’s always best to start out by talking through the rules for the device. You’ll want to help your little techie learn how to use this tool safely and responsibly.

Need help getting your tablet ready to gift to a young user? We can help. Our tech experts are also here for any tablet repairs you might need. We can offer remote support to get you (or your child) up and running again on that tablet. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

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