Program Notes for the 2nd Week of the Month

Oct 12, 2026 | Join Online Meeting > The Gadget Gurus:  I will review the current tech news. We will do our best to answer questions about computers, smartphones, apps, cameras, tablets, and the internet. Bring your tech issues and enjoy the meeting.
How to Secure Online Accounts in 2026: A One-Afternoon Plan – TechCity – techcityng.com
Almost every account you own trusts two things to prove it is you: your phone number and your email inbox. Lock those down first, and the rest of this job gets easy.

The short version

Fraud losses reported to the FTC reached $15.9 billion in 2025, and a recent survey found that a third of people received a breach notice in the past year. This article walks through a four-hour process to lock down your accounts in the order that best stops a takeover, starting with your phone number and email because those two control everything else.

  1. Lock your phone number first by turning on your carrier’s free SIM and port-out lock, because if someone moves your number to their device, they can receive your login codes and reset your accounts without you knowing.
  2. Add a passkey to your main email account, since a passkey uses your phone’s face scan or fingerprint instead of a typed password, meaning a fake login page cannot steal it.
  3. Run your password manager’s built-in checkup and fix compromised passwords before reused ones, because a compromised password is already on a stolen list and puts any account using it at immediate risk.
    Note: Only the Bitwarden Premium paid plan includes audits for weak, reused, or exposed passwords.
  4. Freeze your credit for free at all three bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, because a freeze stops someone from opening new accounts in your name even if they already have your personal information.
    Freezing Credit Is Free. Here’s Why You Should Do It Now.
  5. The article warns that tighter security increases lockouts, so print your backup codes and store them somewhere physical, like with your passport, because without a backup, you’re the most likely person to be locked out.
    Senior Tech Group Security Kit and Instructions

Summary drafted with AI and checked by the editor.

This Week’s Tip or Trick

Selecting text means marking content to modify it, such as applying formatting or editing. Here are six efficient ways to select text beyond simple mouse dragging:

  1. Standard Click and Drag: Click at the beginning of the text, hold the button down, drag to the end of your selection, and release. You can also drag in reverse, from the end to the beginning.
  2. Double-Click for Words: Double-click on a word to select it instantly. If you continue holding after the second click, you can drag to extend the selection word-by-word.
  3. Triple-Click for Paragraphs: Triple-click on any text to select the entire paragraph. You can also triple-click and drag to select multiple paragraphs at once.
  4. Margin Clicks for Lines: Click in the left margin next to a line of text to select that entire line. Dragging down in the margin lets you select lines quickly.
  5. Shift-Click for Range: Click at the start of your text, then move your cursor and Shift-click at the end. This automatically selects everything between the two points without requiring you to drag.
  6. Control+A (Select All): Use the keyboard shortcut Control + A to instantly select every piece of text within the document.

A small tip: Be careful when selecting text for passwords; depending on the application, a double-click might inadvertently include a trailing space, which could cause authentication to fail.

BitWarden Tip & Security Info

    Q:   
    A:  

      Tech News & Tips  

      How to Make Chrome Open Specific Pages on Startup – youtube.com · by Tech Authority Zone

      To configure Google Chrome to open a specific website automatically every time you launch the browser, follow these steps according to the  Google Chrome Help Center:
      • Open Google Chrome on your computer.
      • Click the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top-right corner of the window.
      • Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
      • Click on On startup in the left-hand sidebar menu.
      • Select the option Open a specific page or set of pages.
      • Choose one of the following methods to add your website:
        • To use your currently open tabs: Click Use current pages to automatically import all active tabs.
        • To type a specific URL: Click Add a new page, type or paste the website address, and click Add.

      Senior Techs only occasionally need a VPN, for example when traveling, dining out, or during hospital stays; paying $100 or more a year seems excessive. Generally, free VPNs aren’t recommended because many aren’t safe or secure, but I use and recommend Proton VPN’s free version. It is safe, convenient, ad-free, and easy to use. Proton VPN provides basic VPN functions for seniors who need a VPN occasionally.

      Set up a VPN before you need it so it’s ready when you do.

      To get Proton VPN, create an account, download the app for your device, and sign in.  
      Step 1: Create a Proton Account
      • Go to the official Proton VPN Free Page or the Proton VPN Download Page.
      • Choose either the free plan (“Get Proton Free”) or sign up for a paid Proton VPN Plus plan.
      • Enter your email address (or a recovery email if prompted) and create a strong password. (Note: If you already use other Proton services like Proton Mail, you can sign in with those same credentials).
         Download VPN apps for any device 
        Step 2: Download and Install the App

        • For Windows / Mac / Linux / Mobile: Visit the Proton VPN Download Page or your device’s official app store (such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) to download the software for your platform.
        • For Browsers: You can also install the Proton VPN extension directly from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox add-ons.
        • Run the installer file on your computer or mobile device and follow the on-screen setup prompts. 
          Step 3: Sign In and Connect

          • Open the Proton VPN app and log in using the username and password you created.
          • Click Quick Connect to automatically link up with the fastest available server for your location, or manually pick a specific country/server from the menu.

          Deals,  Sales & Reviews

          • Mint Mobile deal (hover over Phones, choose Buy a New Phone) –  $500 off Google Pixel 11 now $399 1 year of service $180 = $579 + taxes

          Video & Audio Tips

          Scroll to Top