Samsung phones let you password-protect individual apps so only you can open them—perfect for keeping banking apps, photos, or private messages away from curious eyes. This matters because it adds a security layer without needing to lock your whole phone, so family members or guests can still use your device for calls and other apps. You can find this feature in your Samsung's Settings menu under "Security" or "Apps," where you'll be prompted to set up a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint to protect whichever apps you choose.
Samsung phones and tablets let you find out exactly how long your warranty lasts without making a phone call or searching through old paperwork. Knowing your warranty period helps you decide whether it's worth paying for repairs out of pocket or waiting to use your coverage, and it can save you money if something breaks down soon. You can check this information in minutes by going to Settings, then About Phone, and looking for the Warranty Status option—or contact Samsung's support team if you need help finding it.
Samsung TVs sometimes need a fresh start, just like restarting a computer, and you can do this yourself without calling a technician. A reboot clears temporary glitches that make your picture fuzzy or apps freeze, while a factory reset wipes everything back to original settings—useful if you're selling the TV or giving it away. Worth knowing: before you reset, write down your Wi-Fi password and any streaming apps you use, so you can quickly set them up again afterwards.
You can mark any spot on Google Maps by holding your finger on the location (or right-clicking on a computer), which creates a pin you can name, save, and share with friends or family. This is handy when you want to remember where you parked, save a restaurant recommendation someone gave you, or send directions to a meeting place that doesn't have an official address. Worth knowing: you can access your saved pins anytime by opening the "Saved" section in Google Maps, making it a reliable digital notebook for places you want to visit.
Changing your Apple ID country matters if you've moved abroad or travel frequently, because your apps, music, and payment method are all tied to one specific country's store. Before you make the switch, Apple recommends backing up your data, checking your payment methods work in the new country, and making sure you've downloaded everything you need from your current store (since some content isn't available everywhere). Worth knowing: you'll need to update your payment details and address, and any unused store credit in your old country won't transfer over—so it's good to spend it before you switch.
Fashion retailer Asos has confirmed that hackers broke into their systems and gained access to customer information stored in the cloud, after the hackers themselves announced it by sending a fake notification to shoppers' phones. For anyone who shops with Asos, this means your personal details—like your address, email, and possibly payment information—may have been seen by unauthorized people. Worth knowing: if you use Asos, keep an eye on your account for unusual activity, change your password to something strong and unique, and consider checking your credit reports for any suspicious charges over the coming months.
# ASOS Breach Wider Than Initially Disclosed
Hackers who broke into the clothing retailer ASOS stole significantly more personal information than the company first admitted—including payment details and addresses, not just email addresses. If you shop online regularly, this is a reminder that even large, well-known retailers can suffer breaches, so keeping an eye on your accounts for suspicious activity matters more than ever. Worth knowing: check your ASOS account for any unauthorized purchases, monitor your bank statements for unfamiliar charges, and consider changing your password if you used the same one elsewhere.
# Microsoft's Windows and Surface Event
Microsoft showed off new AI features that can actually do tasks for you on your computer—like organizing files or answering emails—rather than just answering questions you ask it. For people who've used computers for decades, these "agent" features could save time on repetitive work and make your PC feel more helpful without needing special training. Worth knowing: you'll want to check if your current computer can run these new features, since they may require newer hardware, so it's worth looking up your device's specs before getting too excited about the upgrades.
Meta has discovered that some ads on Facebook and Instagram appear innocent but actually trick people into visiting websites with child abuse material, so they've built new AI tools to catch these hidden ads before they spread. This matters because it shows how online platforms can be misused in ways that aren't obvious to everyday users—protecting children is a responsibility that affects all of us who use social media. Worth knowing: if you see an ad that seems suspicious or asks you to click through to an unfamiliar site, you can report it directly to Meta rather than clicking the link.
Google has created a free website tool that can tell you whether images, videos, or audio recordings were made by artificial intelligence rather than captured or recorded by a real person. As AI-generated content becomes harder to spot with your own eyes, having a reliable way to check is increasingly valuable—especially when you're deciding whether to trust something you see online. You can visit Google's SynthID website to test it yourself with any suspicious images or videos you encounter.
# A Timely Reminder About Meta
Meta (formerly Facebook) has a long history of prioritizing profits over user safety, from ignoring election interference to downplaying mental health harms, which Aaron Sorkin's new film "The Social Reckoning" examines through a critical lens. If you use Facebook or Instagram, understanding how these platforms have repeatedly put money ahead of protecting users helps you make informed choices about what personal information you share and which features you actually need. Worth knowing: you can adjust your privacy settings in Facebook's settings menu, limit who sees your posts, and consider whether you really need to use certain features—your eyeballs and data are valuable to Meta's advertisers, not a free service.
Some computers come with two Ethernet ports so you can connect to two different networks at the same time, or keep working if one connection fails. For someone who relies on a stable internet connection—whether for video calls with family, online banking, or work from home—having a backup connection means you won't lose everything if one cable gets knocked loose or the network goes down. Worth knowing: if your computer has two Ethernet ports, you don't need to use both, but it's handy insurance to have that second one available just in case.
