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You’ll use your phone to show boarding passes, request rides, open maps, make payments, and take photos. Getting it travel-ready means more than clearing storage. You should also limit unnecessary access and make sure recovery tools are ready before you leave.

Why review your phone settings before traveling?

During a trip, your phone moves through airports, hotels, beaches, restaurants, and public transportation. It also connects to unfamiliar networks and may be more exposed to loss, theft, or people looking over your shoulder.

A preventive review can reduce the damage if something goes wrong. The goal isn’t to turn your vacation into a security operation. It’s to make sure a lost phone doesn’t immediately give someone access to your accounts, documents, and text conversations.

Phone settings 1 through 3: Protect access to your device

1. Update your operating system and apps

Before leaving, check for Android or iOS updates, along with updates for your most important apps. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that malicious apps or dangerous websites could exploit.

Do this at home while connected to a trusted network. You’ll avoid unexpected cellular data use and have time to restart your phone and confirm that everything still works.

2. Review your screen lock

Use a passcode, PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Avoid simple combinations such as birthdays, number sequences, or easy-to-guess patterns.

You should also shorten the automatic lock time. Leaving the screen unlocked for several minutes could make it easier for someone to get in if you forget your phone on a table, in a rental car, or at a counter.

3. Turn on location and remote locking

Android users should set up Google Find Hub. On an iPhone, the equivalent is Apple Find My. These tools can help you locate, lock, or remotely erase your phone.

The Federal Communications Commission also recommends knowing how to report a lost or stolen phone to your wireless carrier. Your carrier may be able to suspend service or block the device from its network.

Phone settings 4 through 6: Protect your data

4. Make sure your backup is current

Photos, contacts, documents, and important conversations shouldn’t exist only on your phone. Confirm that automatic backup is enabled, and make a manual backup before leaving.

Google notes that an Android backup may take up to 24 hours, so don’t wait until you’re already heading to the airport.

5. Review app permissions

Open your privacy dashboard and check which apps can access your location, camera, microphone, contacts, and files. A navigation app needs your location while giving directions. A game you installed months ago probably doesn’t.

Android lets you change permissions for individual apps. Use this review to remove old travel apps, unfamiliar tools, and services you no longer use.

At this point, keeping an additional layer of protection active can also help you identify risks and take better care of your device while traveling. dfndr security can be part of that routine when combined with updates, strong passwords, and careful phone use away from home.

6. Run a security review on your accounts

Check the devices connected to your email, social media accounts, and messaging apps. Sign out of sessions you don’t recognize, and confirm that your recovery phone number and email address are current.

Google Security Checkup provides recommendations for passwords, software updates, and apps connected to your account. Turn on two-factor authentication whenever a service offers it.

Read more: 5-Minute Monthly Phone Check: What to Review on Android

How to protect yourself while traveling: Settings 7 through 9

7. Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections

Delete old networks and stop your phone from automatically joining open Wi-Fi hotspots. At hotels, airports, and coffee shops, confirm the network name with an employee before connecting.

CISA recommends extra care when using public Wi-Fi while traveling. When you need to access your bank or make a payment, use cellular data if you aren’t sure the network is legitimate.

8. Turn off Bluetooth and NFC when you aren’t using them

Bluetooth and NFC are useful for headphones, smartwatches, and contactless payments, but they don’t need to stay active all the time.

After using an accessory or completing a payment, turn the feature off. Besides reducing unnecessary connections, this may help stretch your battery during long days away from a charger.

9. Set up emergency contacts and battery-saving features

Add an emergency contact that can be viewed from your lock screen without exposing too much personal information. Choose someone who can help if your phone is found or you face an emergency.

Turn on battery saver mode and download maps, boarding passes, and reservations for offline use. That way, your phone remains useful even when you don’t have cellular service, Wi-Fi, or a nearby outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to update my phone before or during the trip?

Update it before you leave. You can use a trusted network, restart the device, and give yourself time to deal with any compatibility issues.

Should I leave location services on throughout the trip?

Location may be necessary for maps and for finding a lost phone. The safer approach is to control which apps have access and allow location only when it’s needed.

Is hotel Wi-Fi always safe?

No. Confirm the network name, avoid duplicate networks, and don’t ignore browser security warnings. For banking, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or sending documents, switch to cellular data whenever you have doubts.

More from the PSafe Blog

Explore more recent articles published in June and July:

• Can Your Phone Be Tracked in Airplane Mode? Myth vs. Fact
• Why Updating Android Helps Protect Your Phone, Even When Nothing Looks Different
• Your Phone Knows Where You’ve Been. Here’s Why That Matters More Than Ever
• 2026 World Cup Final on Your Phone: How to Save Battery and Mobile Data

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Learning how to share photos on Android without revealing your location can help protect your address, routine, and the places you visit. This matters especially when posting images on social media, online marketplace listings, or in groups that include people you do not know.

What a photo can reveal about your location

When your camera takes a picture, it may add metadata to the file. This technical information can include the phone model, date, time, and GPS coordinates.

Phone location data can reveal personal habits or connect you to a specific place. The Federal Trade Commission identifies precise geolocation as sensitive personal information, since it can expose a person’s movements and routines.

Google also explains that a photo may have a location saved by the camera, added manually, or estimated by Google Photos.

How to share photos on Android without revealing your location

Start by checking whether the image contains location information. Open the picture in Google Photos, swipe up, or tap the information menu. Look for a map, place name, or GPS coordinates.

When a location has been added or estimated by Google Photos, you may be able to edit or remove it. Google provides the complete process in its official guide to finding, editing, and removing photo locations.

Before sharing an album, open its sharing options and check whether location details are included. Google lets you control location sharing for albums, links, and conversations. However, downloaded files sent through other apps may still contain location data originally saved by the camera.

Read more: What Happens When You Tap “Allow” on an Android App?

How to stop new photos from saving your location

Open your camera app and go to its settings. Look for options such as “Save location,” “Location tags,” or “Geo-tag photos,” then turn the setting off. The wording may vary depending on your phone’s manufacturer.

You should also review the camera’s permissions. Go to Settings > Apps > Camera > Permissions > Location. Google’s official Android app permissions guide explains that location access may be allowed while using the app, requested each time, or blocked completely.

Before sending personal images, an extra layer of mobile protection can help you identify risky settings and suspicious apps. dfndr security can be part of this preventive review, along with manually checking permissions and the information stored in each photo.

Does removing location data eliminate every risk?

Not necessarily. Even without GPS coordinates, a photo may show a street sign, storefront, school uniform, employee badge, house number, or nearby business.

Google warns that other people may still guess the location by recognizing visible landmarks. The company also explains how Google Photos protects location data and what users can control before sharing.

Before posting or sending a picture, zoom in and inspect the background. Cropping the image or covering identifying details can be just as important as removing the metadata.

How to protect your photos before sharing

Run through this three-step check:

1. Confirm whether the image contains a location or GPS coordinates.
2. Look for addresses, signs, documents, and identifying details in reflections.
3. Check who will receive the file and whether it will be posted publicly.

Avoid sharing photos of your home in real time or images that reveal the routines of children and family members. For more guidance on controlling access to personal information, review the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s recommendations for managing app permissions.

Frequently asked questions

Does every photo taken on Android record your location?

No. It depends on the camera’s location permission and the app’s settings. The behavior may also vary between phone manufacturers.

Do SMS or iMessage remove location data from photos?

Metadata handling may change depending on the file format and how the image is sent. Do not rely on the messaging app alone. Review or remove the location before sharing.

Does a screenshot keep the original photo’s location?

Usually, a screenshot creates a new file and does not copy the original image’s GPS coordinates. However, details visible on the screen may still reveal the location.

Read more on the PSafe Blog

A selection of recent posts published in June and July:

• Your Phone Knows Where You’ve Been. Here’s Why That Matters More Than Ever
• Can Your Phone Be Tracked in Airplane Mode? Myth vs. Fact

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Most people would pick mobile data without thinking twice. In many situations, that really is the safer choice. But saying mobile data is always safer than public Wi-Fi oversimplifies a comparison involving several layers of protection.

Why Mobile Data Is Usually Safer Than Public Wi-Fi

When you use 4G or 5G, your phone connects to your carrier’s infrastructure. You are not directly joining a local network shared with everyone else at the coffee shop, hotel, or airport.

That reduces your exposure to certain attacks carried out by someone connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On a poorly configured public network, for example, an attacker may try to exploit visible devices, unsecured connections, or enabled sharing features. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, warns that unsecured networks combined with unsafe file-sharing settings can make unauthorized access easier.

Mobile data also helps you avoid a common trap: connecting to a fake network designed to imitate a business’s legitimate Wi-Fi.

Does Public Wi-Fi Mean an Unsafe Connection?

Not necessarily. The fact that a network is public does not mean everything you send over it is visible.

Today, most websites use HTTPS, which encrypts the connection between your browser and the website you visit. Because of this protection, the Federal Trade Commission says using public Wi-Fi is generally safe as long as you visit legitimate, encrypted websites.

A known network that is properly managed and protected with WPA2 or WPA3 can provide an adequate connection. WPA3 is the newest and strongest Wi-Fi encryption option recommended by the FTC.

The problem starts when you do not know who controls the network, how it was configured, or whether the name displayed on your phone belongs to the real access point.

Read also: What Can Public Wi-Fi See on Your Phone During the World Cup?

The Danger of Fake Networks With Convincing Names

Imagine the airport’s official Wi-Fi network is called “Airport_Guest.” A nearby scammer could create another network called “Airport_Free_WiFi” and wait for someone to connect by mistake.

This attack is known as an evil twin. The fake network imitates a legitimate option to intercept communications, display deceptive pages, or direct the victim to websites controlled by the attacker. CISA includes this type of attack among the risks associated with wireless networks.

Before using an unfamiliar connection, it is worth checking what is behind it. In the dfndr security app, you can use the Wi-Fi Checker to get information about your current network, including download speed, secure DNS usage, and password protection level. These details can help you recognize weak configurations and decide whether the connection is appropriate for a sensitive activity.

The scan works as an additional layer of guidance, but it does not automatically make an unknown network trustworthy.

Why DNS Also Deserves Your Attention

DNS works like the internet’s address book, turning a website name into the address needed to reach it.

When this communication is not protected, there may be a risk of interception or redirection to fake pages. On Android, the Private DNS feature helps protect these requests. Google recommends keeping it enabled and explains how to configure Private DNS on Android.

However, this protection does not automatically make an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network safe.

How to Use Public Wi-Fi With Less Risk

Confirm the network name with the business or venue before connecting. Turn off automatic connections and file sharing, and avoid networks with generic or duplicate names.

While browsing, make sure the address begins with HTTPS and never ignore certificate warnings. For banking, shopping, or sending documents, use mobile data when you are unsure who operates the Wi-Fi network or how it is configured.

Keep your operating system and apps updated, use two-factor authentication, and never enter passwords or security codes on pages opened through unexpected links.

Myth or Fact? The Verdict

Myth. The word “always” makes the statement inaccurate.

Mobile data is usually the safer choice when you are dealing with an unfamiliar public network, especially for sensitive activities. Still, a legitimate, properly configured Wi-Fi network combined with encrypted connections can be used safely. The best approach is not simply choosing between Wi-Fi and mobile data—it is checking the network before trusting it.

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The film tells the story of a conman who uses the Tinder app to insinuate himself into the lives of three female victims. In the film, Simon Leviev sets up elaborate romantic cons to appear as a wealthy diamond heir, then uses the trust he has gained to steal information, then money – only to use that money to fund the con for his next victim.

It’s a taut and dramatically told story, but without a clear moral or ending. (The New York Post has reported that Leviev has signed with a Hollywood agent, and “wants his own dating show.”)   

How To Stay Safe: Five Scammer Prevention Keys

But the moral for users of Tinder — and social media in general — are still the same: proceed with caution!  Below are a Five Keys to help you stay safe as you navigate dating apps like Tinder — they’re also useful guidelines for people you might meet on any other social app like Facebook:

• Do some research — and take your time. Before meeting in real life with anyone you’ve met online, take the time to do a little background research and find out if the person you’re speaking to is who they say they are. 

• Consider bringing a friend for the first date(s), and meet in public. Yes, this will keep you safer, and it might also help provide a more casual atmosphere where you can learn a little bit more about your new friend.

• Be sensitive about peculiar information requests. Spoiler alert: The Tinder Swindler orchestrated reasons to get Passport information, and then quickly put it to nefarious use. Whatever the reason given, a quick pivot to requests for detailed personal data is always a sure warning sign, especially in a new relationship.

• Keep your purse, phone, and ID’s close. Don’t overlook simple physical sources of data like these. Don’t leave them unattended. 
• If you have any suspicions, check in to things. If anything seems odd in terms of your interactions, don’t bury your head in the sand. A good security solution like dfndr security can help you track where your data is going and also protect your physical phone from theft. Stay on top of your bank and credit card accounts.

Remember: Most Scammers Don’t Do A Lot of Romancing

The Tinder Swindler is also a healthy reminder that most scams are not quite as elaborate as those cooked up by Simon Leviev.  But most scams operate on the same human emotions of romance and self-interest. 

Set some clear rules for yourself in the dating world – and also for when you’re answering emails and text messages — or when you’re looking for work on a job site.  If it looks too good to be true – it probably is! 

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However, there’s one great reason to always stay on top of things and update your Android apps whenever they offer one. And it may just be the best reason of all: SECURITY.

“Most apps will update for a variety of different reasons, but one of the most common reasons is security,” says Emilio Simoni, Research Director at dfndr lab. “Engineers are always testing and discovering vulnerabilities in their apps, so even if an update has no new features, for your own good, you should make it a habit to update. Or, set your device to update apps automatically.”  

Why You Should ALWAYS Update dfndr security

dfndr security’s main objective is to keep you safe. That is the reason why you should always do updates with dfndr security immediately when you receive notice of them. Our antivirus database is constantly being updated, often with the defense against the latest, most widespread threats – so if there’s ONE app you want to keep up to date, make it dfndr security.

Why not take a moment and check now to see if your drndr security is up to date?

Follow the instructions from Google below to make sure your dfndr security app always updates automatically:

• Open the Google Play Store app.
• Tap Menu > and then > My apps & games.
• Select dfndr security as the app you want to update.
• Tap More.
• Tap Enable auto update.

dfndr security will then update automatically when updates are available. To turn off automatic updates, just uncheck the box.  This is what the Enable Auto Update looks like when selected:

Set Your Android Apps To Update Automatically

Android lets you control automatic updating so that it always occurs only when you’re connected to WiFi. Setting to Auto Update with WiFi is a great way to make sure all your apps are always up to the second.  Here’s how to make that happen:

• Open the Google Play Store app.
• Tap Menu, Menu and then Settings.
• Tap Auto-update apps.
• Select the Over Wi-Fi only option to automatically update apps only when connected to Wi-Fi.

If you need to do an emergency update and you have no WiFi you can override this setting.

Viruses, Hackers, and Malware Are Out There.  Keep them OUT!

“We’re seeing lots of aggressive activity among hackers since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Emilio reminds us, “If you keep your dfndr security always app up-to-date it’s going to give you the best protection we have to make sure you can use the web safely.” Simoni concludes: “And right now, with social distancing still in effect in so many places, you want to make sure your access to the web is safe and secure.”

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Double Check That ‘Familiar’ Email Address
Just because you see an email from your friend ‘John Smith’, don’t assume this means it came from him. When a hacker sends fake emails, they opt to obscure the sent address with a name that might be familiar. To see the true address, simply tap the name in the ‘From’ field of your smartphone. On a computer, hover over or click the same information with your mouse. You should now be able to see the originating email address and determine if it’s genuine.

Read More: Why Are People Falling for Phishing Scams?

It’s Unlikely That Your Bank Forgot Your Name
Typically, when receiving an email from a secure source, such as a government entity or your financial institution, they will always address you by first and last name. If you receive a generic, unpersonalized email from your bank, there’s a good chance that something fishy is at play. To orchestrate mass phishing scams, hackers will commonly greet you with a readily applicable ‘Dear Sir or Madam.’

Gift Cards Aren’t Legitimate Payment Methods
A recent scam that’s been exploding across the web is the ‘IRS prepaid cards scam.’ A hacker will pose as an IRS agent demanding that you pay your outstanding taxes by purchasing an iTunes card or other gift cards from major retailers. No legitimate institution will request payment of debt with a gift card. Worse, if you fall for this scam, there is little credit card companies can do to protect because you fully authorized the purchase of such cards. If you spot an email asking for gift cards as payment, be sure to delete it right away.

You Probably Don’t Need to ‘Act Right Away!’
Another common phishing scam is when an email urges you to act immediately, causing you to make fast decisions. Reacting out of panic to these kinds of emails can quickly cloud your judgment. If you receive an email alerting you that your device has malware or you’re running out of storage, be sure to drop that ‘alert’ into the trash folder. If you’re genuinely concerned, utilize an antiphishng solution for your smartphone such as dfndr security, which has an anti-hacking feature that not only keeps your phone free from malware but also monitors possible incoming threats that arrive over SMS, email services, messaging apps, and web browsing.

Think Before Downloading an Email Attachment
Does that email you just received contain an email attachment that you weren’t expecting? Unless you were fully prepared to receive an email containing a file, don’t click it! Including malicious pieces of software with false emails are a standard way for hackers to gain access to your machine or phone. In doubt? Always have a third-party antivirus app installed on your devices remains a sensible way to double check email attachments. Remember the security mantra: Don’t know what it is? Don’t click it!

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Read More: Hackers Are Taking Over Your SIM Card and Personal Phone Number

Being the victim of an online attack is shocking, not to mention embarrassing, but with knowledge and resources to turn to, you can gain some closure and move forward.

Types of Scams
There are 3 main ways that hackers try to trick you. One is to offer a reward such as a free vacation or gift card. The second comes in the form of a threat, demanding payment due to unpaid taxes or missed jury duty. The last method is a generic email that could appear to be from your employer, but it’s really not.

All of these fake emails are designed to extort payment or have you unknowingly click on a link filled with malicious code, which can then be used to steal your personal or financial information.

How to Avoid Getting Hacked
If an email seems suspicious, call the company the email appears to be from to ensure it’s not a scam, or type the real URL directly in your browser. If you weren’t expecting an email from a particular sender yet receive one full of links, don’t click on any of them — they could be malware designed to take over your phone. Same goes for generic emails, they are usually a bigger sign of potential danger.

Never share personal information like your full name, banking details, credit card number, or anything else to the sender of an unsolicited email.

What to Do if You’re Targeted
To address the feeling of helplessness that comes with being victimized, consider reaching out to any of these resources:

• The BBB’s Scam Tracker allows you to enter details of a scam you were the victim of. Your entry is added to a large database of known scams. This can help others in similar situations.
• Report a scam on the Department of Justice’s website in the case of an intellectual property crime (they do happen).
• If your social profile is hacked, use the Facebook Help Community to report the incident. The compromised account will be shut down as they investigate the matter.
• The FBI’s IC3 is another avenue to file a complaint of a serious hack or other online crime.
• Along with federal sources, always utilize the local authorities at the same time to help gain your device or information back.

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The hackers were able to access the system of both retailers through an online phishing attempt in which an employee likely opened a malicious email or web link. With access to sensitive information, employees are one accidental click away from causing a detrimental disaster. Here are some tips on being the best employee at your organization and keeping company secrets safe.

Follow Best Practices to Avoid Phishing
Let’s begin by tackling the misstep that led to Saks, Inc. and Lord & Taylor taking such a hard hit. Phishing attempts happen when a malicious individual attempts to gain your trust to obtain sensitive information. Two conventional methods of phishing can include having you actively respond to what you believe is a safe email or merely manipulating you into clicking on a dangerous link.

Read More: 5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Phishing Scams at Work

When receiving an email, be sure to note where the message originated from. On a computer, use your mouse to hover over the email’s ‘From’ field to view the full email address of the sender. You can accomplish the same on your smartphone by tapping on the ‘From’ field with your finger. Carefully gauge if the name of the sender matches a known email address. Hackers will try to create fake, but eerily similar email addresses of your colleagues to fool you. If the name and known email address don’t match up, there’s a chance you could be the target of a phishing attack. Be sure to contact your company’s IT department for further instructions.

Securely Lock Your Mobile Device
The amount of information we carry around on our smartphones can be surprising. In addition to your personal information, there’s a good chance that you might have a corporate email account on your device. Or perhaps, you may have direct access to critical systems. For those reasons alone, it’s vital to protect your smartphone with a password or pin code. Avoid using memorable dates, repetitive patterns or other easily guessable information when securing your device.

Increase Your Device’s Security
It can be challenging to ensure your device remains wholly secure and unaffected by malicious malware – after all, we’re only human. Your best defense is using a third-party solution to keep an eye on your device at all times. An app such as dfndr security has an anti-hacking feature, which alerts you to malicious websites before you even click on a link. Helping yourself with some personal security can aid your professional life, and hopefully, your proactive steps will win you an “employee of the year” award.

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Read More: Is WhatsApp Using too Much Space on Your Phone?

Using dfndr performance’s WhatsApp cleaner is one way to streamline your connections. The app can help you get rid old files such as videos, audio messages, GIFs, and images that no longer serve you. Besides considering a good cleaner app, there are many ways to use WhatsApp more effectively.

Focus On Why You’re Using the App
If your WhatsApp has plenty of messages that you haven’t touched, try to decide what’s priority and why you’re using the app. If you have business obligations and you’ve got personal messages, focus on your business needs before turning your mind to home-mode. Likewise, if you’re out with friends, don’t use WhatsApp to discuss business.

Get Rid of Automatic Downloads
While it may be tempting to check out every funny image, video, or GIF that comes your way, change your settings so you can filter them. With WhatsApp, you can choose to turn off automatic downloads, which helps block random messages that contain images from people you don’t know very well. Beware: a message that only has an image and no text could be malware.

Response Time On Replies
You don’t need to open every message that comes your way, but when you do open one, answer it right away because you might forget to later on. Plus, if the person on the other side sees the ‘read’ receipt, they may think you’re ignoring them rather than saving the conversation for later. Be proactive, but also be picky about what messages you open.

Last Tips and Tricks
Sending a message to multiple people is easy, all you have to do is click the ellipsis and choose to broadcast a message, and then decide who to broadcast to. You can also reduce data usage if you’re in another country or in a low-data zone by clicking ‘low data usage’ in your WhatsApp settings. Plus, you can mute chats and groups that are too noisy at any given point.

Heed these practical tips and you’ll be on the right path to communicating effectively with your friends and family on WhatsApp.

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Here’s why overcharging your phone is a no-no and could have lasting negative effects.

Read More: Why Does Your Phone Notify You When It’s Fully Charged

Avoid ‘Trickle Charges’
Most modern phones are equipped with lithium-ion batteries and charging capabilities that are more efficient than regular rechargeable batteries. This means that once they reach 100%, your charger will stop fueling your device. However, if you leave your phone charged overnight, it will lose bits of battery here and there, resulting in “trickle charges” that ensures your device stays at 100%.

Constantly charging your phone over the course of hours slowly reduces battery life capacity, so it’s wise to avoid this practice. Having a high voltage will stress the battery unnecessarily.

Other Smart Charging Practices
You also shouldn’t wait until your device reaches 0% to charge because that can harm the battery. To optimize battery life, wait until the battery is down to around 35% to 40% before charging. Also, consider replacing your phone every few years to avoid dealing with these issues. if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to buy a phone that frequently, the right charging practices can add mileage to your current phone.

Choose the Right Adapter and Charger
When shopping for a charger, you can learn a lot about how it will affect your phone based on the amp rating. The ideal rating is 5.0V->1A, which refers to how quickly your phone will charge; higher amp ratings charge faster, while lower ones charge slower. With a 1A charger, your phone will charge at the optimal speed to help keep your battery life strong in the long term.

Get Performance-Enhancing Software
Finally, the right app can ensure that your phone fires on all cylinders. With dfndr performance’s total charge feature, you’ll be notified when the charging process is complete and can unplug your phone. The feature also has a charger monitor screen that activates once you connect to a charger, letting you know how long a full charge will take.

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Read More: Cool Tool Helps You Check Your Passwords Against Security Breaches

Amazon Echo Spot – Black
Amazon has come a long way since the days of being an e-commerce retailer. The company has succeeded in other ventures such as music and video streaming, as well as smart home devices. The latest Echo product is Echo Spot, which is an upgraded version of the Echo Show.

The Echo Spot is smaller, sleeker and it has more features than its predecessor. Besides the standard screen, functionalities include a camera for video calling, Bluetooth connectivity to play music, and the ability to link up with other smart home devices.

Netatmo Weather Station
Make sure your mom is comfortable this Mother’s Day with the Netatmo Weather Station, which has a nice look, consisting of two aluminum monitors. The features include a CO2 sensor to measure air quality, temperature, humidity, sound, and barometric pressure.

Netatmo also has a companion app that your mom can download, which displays weather data in a graph. Plus, she can use Amazon Alexa support anytime she needs to.

Canon EOS M100 Mirrorless Camera
Canon has a long-running reputation for being one of the best digital cameras around. The EOS M100 is ideal for a mom who likes to take photos.

It comes equipped with a large 24 MP APS-C sensor, a fast image processor, several lenses, and a tilting display. Also, it can link up to her mobile device through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. With a point and shoot like this, your mom will be sharing more pics on your wall, so watch out!

Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch
One of the most wearable fitness devices on the market right now is the Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch, which is perfect for health-conscious mothers. It includes an accurate heart-rate tracker, a GPS, and guided workouts.

The Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch is entirely waterproof whether it’s used in a pool or the ocean. The secondary functions are kind of neat too. Your mom can download apps, make e-payments to her accounts, and receive phone notifications.

iRobot Braava jet 240 Robot Mop
Help your mom clean up with some cool, but easy to use tech. The iRobot Braava jet 240 is a mopping robot, designed to clean dirt and stains in places that are hard to reach, such as hardwood or stone floors.

Your mom attaches a cleaning pad, turns it on, and the robot chooses between mopping wet, damp sweeping, or dry sweeping. Similar to a Roomba, the iRobot has a sensor to detect the immediate surroundings, so it won’t bump into furniture or the family dog. Meanwhile, with all that time saved from cleaning, your mom can recline in her favorite chair and relax.

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But if you’ve had enough, whipping your smartphone back into shape is simple and that’s where dfndr performance can help. With a quick cleanup feature, your junk files can be removed with ease by scanning your SD card, trash, cache, and temporary files to free up space on your device.

Let us show you why those files are slowing your Android device down and how to take care of it quickly.

Why Your Phone Seems So Dang Slow
A vital question to first address is wasn’t your smartphone designed to store a high number of files and photos? In short, yes, your smartphone is indeed equipped to handle a specific number of files. Smartphone manufacturers release different models that vary in capacity, so it’s always important to make a selection based on how much data you plan to store. However, a bit of extra room should still be available for the phone system itself.

Read More: These 5 File Types Are Using up All of Your Phone’s Memory

When you choose a function on your phone, such as opening an app or shooting an HD video, your device needs extra space to process temporary information.The system needs to search for somewhere it can save data as it works, so if space is limited, the system might be fighting other apps that also need storage on your device.

When your smartphone saves a photograph or video, it must first be split up into different pieces. Your phone’s internal memory does not always have free areas right next to one another on the disc. As a result, your device may cut up data into smaller pieces and spread it around as it sees fit. This process can cause what is called “fragmentation”, which slows down your device as it attempts to find all the various pieces it needs.

Be Proactive About That Deadweight
If you’re worried about the state of your smartphone, start cleaning out any old, duplicate photos that you might have. Old applications that you no longer use might also be taking up quite a bit of space. Take the time to take care of your smartphone, and in return, it will provide a speedy and quick experience when you most need it.

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Read More: Here’s Why Your Phone’s Battery Life Sucks

Not only can a hot device be miserable day to day, but the extreme heat produced could shorten the life of the battery, processor, and other internal components. Let’s look at a few ways your phone might be overheating and how you can improve the situation, so both you and your smartphone can get on with life.

Fancy Ginormous Cases
While some of us love to adorn our phones in leather for its prestige or solid cases for ultimate protection, your choice of a case could actually be stressing out your phone. Materials like leather don’t breath and allow in airflow, while a lighter silicone or rubber case does.

Reconsider the case for your phone and make a switch. We all want a beautiful and protective case, but if your phone is suffocating, it’s likely overheating in the process.

Intense Chatting, Playing or Watching
The advent of the wireless internet is probably one of the best inventions since avocado toast, but it has been and continues to be a power-magnet. If you find yourself engaging in heavy online activity such as streaming video content or scrolling through Instagram for a few hours, there’s a good chance your device will heat up from the work of the chip.

Are you an intense gamer? While our devices have become experts at reproducing previous generation console quality, their form factors were never designed with maximum ventilation in mind. When gaming, you’re challenging both your CPU and GPU to work to their fullest extent.

Similar to when using your Wi0Fi card like there’s no tomorrow, you may find yourself with little battery life and a hot phone in your hand. Take it as a sign to get up, stretch your legs, and have a break from the screen.

Running Endless Applications
In the end, everything comes back to basics. Your phone could just be overheating because it has too many processes running in the background. Android phones have the ability to switch between multiple apps, well before other mobile options on the market did. However, with great power comes responsibility, and your overheating phone might mean closing what’s happening in the background.

Apps hogging up memory and sucking up power is an ongoing problem. Luckily, you can download an app like dfndr security, which includes a cpu cooler feature to cool down your Android by closing background apps with a single tap. If you are a gamer, the function can do double duty to reduce lag time and free up more resources for your epic gaming battles.

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It’s critical to ensure that not only does your SIM card remain protected, but also your data. One solution is dfndr security, which allows you to secure apps on your device and includes an advanced protection feature if your device is ever lost or stolen. With the advanced protection feature activated, hackers aren’t able to remove the dfndr security program without authentication, which means your personal information is kept safe.

Read More: What to Do After You’ve Lost Your SIM Card

How to Lock Down Your SIM
The most straightforward way to obtain someone’s SIM card would be to steal the actual card. Once the thief then places the card into their device, they would begin to receive all of your phone calls, text messages, and other associated data. If you once felt your Google account was protected by an SMS two-factor authentication code, bad news — your attacker now has access too. To defend against this type of cyberattack, you can opt to lock your SIM card with a pin number to prevent tampering.

Secure Your Cellular Account
However, we mentioned that someone could gain access to your phone number and efficiently take over your SIM card without being anywhere near your phone — how is this possible? One of the biggest scams currently circulating is for a hacker to call your phone provider, impersonate you, and have a new SIM card issued that they could utilize. However, cell carriers are identifying these scams and alerting their customers, such as TMobile recently did with a bulletin that was largely circulated.

The easiest way to protect your cellular account is to call your provider and tell them you wish to add a passcode to your account, which is separate from login details used for your provider’s website. This extra passcode prevents imposters from calling customer service and requesting a new SIM card because he or she would have to provide a password to access account details.

Have a Backup Solution
With these tips and tricks, your device should remain safe, but it also helps to have every layer of additional security in place. One precaution you could take advantage of is using dfndr security’s anti-theft feature, which allows you to prevent thieves from accessing your content. Once you notice your device is missing, you can use a computer to track, block, locate, or even erase all of your data remotely.

Try to take smart security steps. The best you can do is to set up a tight defense before you become a digital victim.

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Even though I had fun times, there were definitely things I would have liked to know before pitching my tent and digging into what the festival has to offer. To help all you newbies out there, here is my ultimate survival guide to making sure you have a Coachella to remember:  

#1 – Bring a hydration backpack! It’s hot in the desert and this will save time on trips to water refill stations and save money from needing to buy water bottles all weekend. Plus, you won’t add negative points to your ecological footprint.

#2 – Pack an EZ-UP for shade on your campsite. The sun is always shining at Coachella and nothing is worse than having your tent turn into an oven from baking in sunlight all day. Or if you’re staying at an Airbnb with a pool, make sure to bring your flamingo, unicorn, or pegasus floaties!

#3 – Take a portable phone charger. Everyone uses their phone at Coachella for videos, photos, and connecting with friends. The public charging stations are super packed and will take time away from you being able to enjoy the event. A portable charger can solve this problem, but in circumstances when your phone is not charging and you need the battery to last, use dfndr battery to combat battery drain. That way you won’t miss a single moment.

#4 – Cover your face. A bandana or facemask is crucial to have for the dust in the air. You don’t want that dust in your lungs. Sunscreen is also important when you’re in the sun for 10 hours or more a day. And don’t forget extra sun coverage like a hat and sunglasses.

#5 – Spring for an air mattress if you’re camping. The campsites are all grass, but the ground is not that comfortable to sleep on all night long (dependent on when you do get to bed). 

#6 – Beat the crowds before hunger pains hit. Getting food earlier in the day is much better than later. Lines for food can get really long as the night goes on, not to mention popular menu items often sell out each day.  

#7 – Head to Do LaB. If you’re looking for a place to cool off while still enjoying some music, Do LaB is the place to be. Dance up a storm as water guns spray into the crowd to keep you refreshed. Like a sprinkler on a sweltering, summer day!

#8 – Make a plan. Check out the daily lineup ahead of time and talk to your group about which stage you’ll head to and at what time. Then forget about the plan and just live in the moment!

#9 – Capture the antics. After 2 full days of taking photos and videos of your favorites acts, it’s very likely that you might run out of storage on your phone. Use dfndr performance to clean duplicate photos and other junk files so you have more room for epic festival memories.

#10 – Hide the evidence. What happens at Coachella stays at Coachella! Feel free to virtually “lock” your #NSFW photos with a private gallery app, such as dfndr vault. Go ahead, we won’t judge.

Now that you know all the essentials for the most colossal Coachella experience, you should be ready to have the time of your life. The event runs over 2 weekends, April 13-15 and April 20-22. This year is gonna be the best one yet!

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Read More: Can a Lack of Storage Affect Internet Speed?

Here are 5 ways to speed up your slow internet connection and bring your smartphone’s sluggish performance into the 21st century.

It May Not Be Your Phone, But Your Plan
First, let’s talk about the least desirable option and get it out of the way. It’s essential to ensure that your current Internet provider is delivering speeds that you need daily. If you’re skimping by on the cheapest plan and expect to stream Netflix films in 4K, you might need to reconsider your options. Using a free website such as SpeedTest.Net to determine your current Internet speed and have a better understanding of upload and download speeds is a good start.

Chrome or Firefox?
One of the most wonderful features that the Android platform has to offer is choice, and that applies to your web browser too. Due to the nature of Android operating systems, web browsers can vary significantly in speed. Implement different approaches to web browsing. If you find your device is doing fine with Internet speeds in most apps, but web browsing itself is a problem, consider an alternative web browser.

Apps are a Space Hog
Another possible reason internet is moving at a turtle’s pace is due to background apps also attempting to access the web at the same time. You might have a game downloading a patch, an app checking refreshing content, or the system performing an update. An easy solution to this problem is using an optimization app, one that does the work for you. dfndr performance has an accelerate internet feature, which automatically closes down background apps with a tap and increases your Internet speed.

Ensure Your WiFi is Top Notch
If you’re using your smartphone at home, there’s a good chance you’re on a private WiFi network. But if your network is in poor condition, you can’t expect that to translate into lighting fast speeds. Ensure your router is placed in a central open area of the house and that the model you’re using is current and supports at least wireless ‘N’ standards. Lastly, if you still having an issue, try unplugging both the modem and router for 30 seconds to give your network an easy reboot.

Just as humans age, our smartphones also age over time and can start to slow down. There are various reasons for the decline in performance including an outdated operating system, slow internal chips that can’t handle modern content, and older software that has become bogged down over the years.

Consider this thought: if your smartphone isn’t acting too ‘smart’ any longer, it might be time to buy a new one.

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Here are some reasons why your Internet connection may be slower than usual.

Read More: Here Are the Different WiFi Speeds Explained

Your Equipment Is Outdated
It possible that you’re still using yesterday’s hardware to power your WiFi today. Learn more about your router as “AC” routers offer the latest technology, while “B,” “G” and “N” models need to be updated. The bottom line is that they ensure your Internet is faster than with other models, while also offering more features.

The maximum spectral bandwidth of N routers is only 4 x 40MHz, while AC routers have it at 8 x 160MHz.

Is Your Router Behind an Ikea Shelf, Rethink That
This may seem like an odd one but the location of your router may affect its performance. If there are objects blocking your router in relation to where you use the Internet, that can affect performance. The tip: place it in an unobstructed area. Also, placing your router as high as possible helps it broadcast far and wide in your home.

The same applies for distance–if you’re too far away from your router, your WiFi may be considerably slower than usual.

Use an Iron-Clad Password
If you use an easy password to guess or no password at all for WiFi, it can be easy for Internet thieves to gobble up your WiFi, which will slow it down considerably. Don’t let this happen and always change the factory default password of your router. If you want to CSI your router history, use a program called WiFi History View that displays every device that’s accessed your online connection.

Microwave Popcorn Messes Up WiFi?!
This is a rare one but it’s possible that microwaves are able to interfere with your router if you have an old one. Both WiFi waves and microwaves operate on 2.4 GHz, and they can potentially overlap with each other. The same concept applies to Bluetooth as this connection also travels on 2.4 GHz.

Finally, Christmas lights can cause issues as the lights may emit an electromagnetic field that interferes with your WiFi. Take those down fast after the holiday season is over!

Check Security Settings Frequently
Sometimes, fixing slow Internet boils down to changing your settings. Having an Open network or using WEP could slow your bandwidth due to the fact that these types of networks aren’t secured. By having an unsecured network, others can steal your WiFi or hack it easily.

You should also avoid WPA and TKIP settings as these are old protocols that lack security. Stick with WPA2 and AES, which are newer, more secure settings that will boost your WiFi speed.

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Read More: Does Facebook Messenger Slow Your Phone Down?

With all that work being carried out by your smartphone, it might be time for a bit of cleaning – a fantastic start to the spring season! Here are some tips to get you started on your journey and speed up your device.

Remove Those Duplicate Photos and Videos
We all love grandpa, but do we really need twenty different photos and videos of him carving the turkey? No doubt, after a long holiday season, our smartphones are stuffed more than the holiday bird. Take the time to delete duplicate files from your device and free up some extra space. Not only will your device’s overall speed increase, but you’ll have more room for those epic spring photos you have planned – you know, of the blooming nature and beautiful sunsets.

Delete Your Once Used Holiday Apps
How many new applications did you download this season? Six different cooking and recipe apps so you could impress your mom, along with that gigantic app your nephew needed to download to control his new robot toy. Now that the season has passed, it’s time to ditch those holiday focused apps. Deleting applications will free up more space on your device, and clear up background resources. The result? A faster device with less loading time and your nephew can always redownload his app when he remembers that $300 toy he played with for five minutes.

Update to Ring in the Spring
You’ve had more important things to do this winter season than update your phone – Mariah Carey singing ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ live when the New Year’s ball dropped, for instance. But, now that the holiday is over and Mariah’s been packaged away for another 365 days, you should take the opportunity to update your device. Head to your Android’s settings to download the latest software. Not only can an upgrade fix security flaws within your device, but new tweaks can improve your device’s overall performance.

Quickly Boost That Phone
If your phone is feeling sluggish and bogged down, download an enhancement app such as dfndr performance for Android; it features abilities such as a memory booster feature to stop resource hogging applications, which will free up RAM and helps prevent crashes or lags.

And that’s all she wrote. Take some time to follow these steps, so your favorite pocketable friend is will be a bit faster and you can be ready for what new adventures lay ahead – like your actual spring cleaning!

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The best thing about the functionality is that you don’t need to download an app or hire a technician to help you when your Android already comes equipped with it.

What the Heck Is Screen Pinning?
The idea behind screen pinning is to ensure that anyone using your phone can only see and use the app you have open at that particular moment. By activating the feature, every other app or function of your device is locked away for anyone who doesn’t have your password until you decide to let them back in.

Read More: 3 Built-In Android Security Features to Take Advantage Of

The feature is useful when sharing your device with children who want to play a game or browse through YouTube to entertain themselves. Screen pinning can also prevent your friends from checking out your private photos or any videos you may have taken during a vulnerable time.

How to Activate It?
In order to keep your privacy from friends or strangers, go to the Settings page on your phone. Then, hit on the Security tab, followed by the Other Security Settings page and finally the Pin window. Once you reach this screen, you can activate to pin your screen, plus you can also activate a feature that says ‘Ask for PIN before unpinning.’

Once you’ve activated screen pinning, you’ll receive some instructions on your phone. To complete the process, you have to enable Pin windows, then open an app, press the Recents key and tap the blue ‘pin’ icon in the bottom right corner of the window of the app you want to keep on the screen. Each time you pin an item, you’ll be asked to confirm.

How Do I Unpin an Item?
To leave an app, touch and hold the ‘back’ and ‘overview’ buttons at the same time. A couple of seconds later, your Android will switch to the overview screen.

How Else Can I Protect My Device?
There are other ways to protect your Facebook, Texts, Contacts, Images and other apps. dfndr security’s Applock feature allows you to choose what apps to protect by adding a secondary password. May sound like overkill, but you can never be too cautious!

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Read More: Does Facebook Messenger Slow Your Phone Down?

Slow Down That Gaming and Chatting
A common way devices overheat is when they are being overused, especially when graphic-intensive games and apps are constantly running on the device. These apps can eat at your phone’s RAM, CPU, and GPU, causing the battery to work harder than usual.

A good rule of thumb when playing games and using apps that hog your phone’s processing power is to take a 20- to 30-minute break every one to two hours after opening these apps.

Keep Those Apps Under Control
Another good solution to your problem is to make sure your apps are up to date. There’s a reason why apps need to be updated constantly–developers often find bugs in older versions of apps that could suck your device’s processing power and slow down its ability to operate. Make sure you update apps when prompted.

Also, consider uninstalling older apps or games that no longer suit you as these can slow down your RAM memory and make your phone hot, hot, hot!

Check the Pulse of Your Battery
One of the most common reasons devices overheat is due to faulty batteries. A way to check for this problem is to look at whether or not the back of your device is heating up more than the front. Also, most Android devices come with a feature that lets you check your battery health.

Go to your dial app where you make phone calls and type in *#*#4636#*#*. You will see a “Battery information” option that displays the health of your battery and its temperature. Its health should be “Good,” while your temperature should be between 25 to 40 degrees Celsius; anything above 40 is too high.

Charging It Full Seems Smart, Right?
Another sign of a faulty battery is if your device overheats when you charge it. Follow the instructions above if this is happening to you, but also make sure you’re not placing your phone at a spot where it’s not receiving any air. Android devices come with fans too, not just laptops and these only work when the fan isn’t blocked by a cushion or something else.

You should also make sure that you’re not charging your device while using apps with powerful graphics because that’s another way to cause overheating.

Remember: all these factors go to aging a device you rely on a lot and may not have the cash to replace batteries or buy a new phone, so the lesson here? Treat it nicely once in a while.

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There’s a number of ways to avoid cryptocurrency miners from increasing their profit at your expense and here’s what you should know.

Read More: 3 Ways to Protect Yourself From Malvertising

Is My PC Being Used for Mining Cryptocurrency?
It’s hard for the untrained eye to tell whether or not your computer’s processing power is being used by miners to attain cryptocurrency, but one easy way to find out is by monitoring CPU usage. If your computer is acting especially slow, preventing you from using your browsers or applications effectively, you may be the victim of mining.

A way to notice this is happening is when a sudden, massive spike in CPU usage occurs for no apparent reason. Chances are it’s almost certainly cryptocurrency mining going on.

How Chrome Users Can Protect Themselves
Companies have designed a variety of add-ons and extensions on Google Chrome to combat cryptocurrency miners. One extension is called minerBlock, which blocks any activity while you surf the web.

The extension lists various websites that are known for cryptocurrency mining and stops the mining from happening. MinerBlock is constantly updated as new domains are identified with mining every day.

‘No Coin’ Is Also Effective
Another Chrome app worth considering is No Coin, which is a free and open-source answer to online cryptocurrency mining. The extension monitors whether or not there is mining activity on a particular website, protecting your CPU from being used in an efficient manner.

When using your browser, No Coin shows you pop-ups that detect if mining is happening, with a red symbol offering you the opportunity to block the mining. You can also use it to whitelist a website for a specific period of time.

Consider Paying for Anti-Malware
Some anti-malware and antivirus programs are also designed to stop cryptocurrency miners in their tracks. Although the integrated Windows Defender antivirus software doesn’t stop mining, there are other products on the market that do offer an alternative to protect your laptop or home computer from shady mining practices.

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Taking photos in rapid succession not only fills up your phone’s storage, but you’re most likely not taking the opportunity for the perfect shot. Instead of waiting for that one well-shot photo, we take half a dozen that is half the standard.

Clear Out Your Duplicate Photographs
Begin to declutter your phone by removing the duplicate photos you’ve been storing on your device. Use something such as dfndr performance’s Duplicate Photos feature to identify and remove duplicates. And the best part? You get the choice to pick which pics to keep.

Don’t forget to empty the trash once your excess photos have been deleted – otherwise, they will just be sitting around continuing to take up space. Here are some additional tips on how to manage your smartphone photos.

Read More: How Clutter Can Slow Down Your Phone Without You Knowing It

Understand Cameras Better
Before you dive into a move zen approach of capturing the world around you, it’s important to remember that more modern up to date Android smartphones such as the Google Pixel 2, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, LG G6, and Huawei Mate 10 Pro, all deliver superb photographic performance.  Mobile photos have received the short end of the stick in the past with poor sensors and slow lenses. These days, as long as you have sufficient light, you shouldn’t have to worry about your photos coming out blurry or full of digital noise.

Take a Breath Then Take The Shot
Set aside the rapid-fire approach that we have all become accustomed to in the digital age and think back to when, and if, you ever used a film camera. We took our time, we lined up our shot, and we took one photograph — why? Because we were always afraid of running out of film! We recommend carrying over the technique of concentration and trust within yourselves to capture more meaningful moments with better methods.

When you’re trying to capture your next photo, hold up your device and wait a moment. Look through the viewfinder, see where the edges of the photo lineup, and where your subject is. By using basic photography techniques, and a bit of patience you can take better photos while saving gigabytes of space on your smartphone.

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These scam letters were all the rage during the early days of the Internet, fooling many into believing they were the special ones selected for the opportunity of a lifetime. There’s no shortage of new versions of the original scam letter nowadays, aimed at your wallet.

Read More: Dropbox Phishing Attacks Are on the Rise

One such letter is a beneficiary of will email claiming you will inherit a million or more, requiring you to share your personal financial information. Counterfeit cashier’s checks have also been popular, as well as donation solicitations hoping you’ll fall prey to fake images of hungry children in need.  Scams are evolving online daily, and even though a paper letters seem defunct they’ve evolved too and have fooled a large number of people.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Fake Letter
Scam letters have evolved quite a bit since then as some scammers are writing letters claiming to be from the government. One of the most popular examples of the scam letters is fake IRS documents. As we enter tax season, pay close attention to any documentation you might receive, even if it seems legitimate.

Taxpayers have been receiving fake notices that look legitimate enough, asking for personal information that reportedly doesn’t match other records on file. One of these scams is a fake letter that claims to be from the Affordable Care Act law that requires taxpayers without health coverage to pay a penalty, making it seem legitimate.

Many of these letters are coming from an Austin, Texas address and list the letter number in your payment voucher as being 105C. These letters seem legitimate since the IRS has an office that accepts payments in Austin, but beware, they aren’t!

Other Scams to Watch Out For
Unclaimed property scams are also running rampant with letters that grab your attention and claim that the state has hold of your unclaimed property. In some cases, recipients are tricked into believing they are owed thousands of dollars, and all they have to do is pay a fee upfront or provide personal information.

Con artists are also cashing in on the fact that Medicare is sending new cards to beneficiaries with random numerals to prevent identity theft. Some scammers are acting as Medicare agents, telling seniors they must buy a replacement card, which are actually free.

Is That Letter Fishy?
Keep your eyes peeled for any scam letters sent to you, your family and any friends who may have been offered a deal that sounds too good to be true or asks for their personal information, banking details and Social Security number.

If you receive a letter that appears to be from the IRS or Medicare, look up the phone number for these agencies online, give them a call and ask about any penalties or unpaid taxes mentioned in the letter.

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Continue reading to find out what ad blockers are and what the pros and cons are that are associated with its use. You’ll soon learn more so you can make your own decision about this feature!

Read More: Secure Your Android Phone with Screen Pinning

What’s an Ad Blocker?
An ad blocker is a type of software that has the ability to automatically remove unwanted online advertisements. This includes web banners, embedded audio and video, and pop-up windows. The way this works is that the connection between content providers and third-party networks is interrupted, and tracking scripts are blocked amidst the web activity. This type of software has been around (and evolving) since the early 2000s, becoming more widely used each year.

The Pros
The first pro of this type of software is that it cuts down on annoyance as we browse the web. It’s frustrating when you click on a link only to be bombarded by a pop-up ad that feels impossible to close. Since we all know the feeling, ad blockers have become more and more widely used. In fact, over 70 million people took advantage of them on their devices in 2016. With this software, interruptions are minimal and browsing the net is much more pleasant and seamless. Using this software can also cut down on loading times, help increase battery life, and increase the bandwidth of data usage.

The Cons
To counter those pros, there are also some downsides to using ad blockers. First of all, this software may end up blocking more than just ads. For instance, the commonly used in-app messaging tool Intercom is commonly erroneously blocked by ad blockers. Ad blocking users also report that this feature commonly cuts off their access to YouTube. Additionally, this software has an effect on sites that host ads, which can be damaging to their livelihood as they rely on these ads for income. This is damaging to the economy and could, ultimately, affect the level of free content available to users from venues like news sites, blogs, and so on.

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