SPECIAL SECTION
What You Asked Me
Nationally syndicated radio show host Kim Komando fields all sorts of questions about technology. Here are a few common and timely queries she has received this year.
PRINTER PERILS
Question: I heard that printers can be hacked. How do you know if it’s happened?
Here are signs your printer’s been hacked.
1 It starts printing blank pages or just a bunch of characters.
2 You notice print jobs you did not initiate.
3 Settings are changed without you knowing.
> Unplug the printer and find the Reset button. (It’s usually on the back or bottom of the printer.)
> While pressing the Reset button, plug in the printer and turn it on. In about 20 seconds, lights will flash to indicate the reset’s done.
> Many printers have Wi-Fi passwords. Check your manual, and if yours has one, be sure to change it routinely.
A PHONE RETIREMENT PLAN
Question: I’m selling my phone after I upgrade to a new one. How do I make sure all my info is wiped properly before someone else has it?
Your phone probably contains sensitive data. Just hitting delete or doing a factory reset won’t cut it, because advanced data recovery software can still pry open deleted files.
> First, do a factory reset. Visit your manufacturer’s support site.
> Follow that up with a thorough data erase. This involves using specialized software that overwrites the phone’s storage with random data. Afterward, it’s almost impossible for anyone to retrieve what you had on the phone. Some options: iShredder at protectstar.com (free or paid options) or the Secure Eraser app (free).
CUT TO THE RECIPE
Question: When looking up recipes online, I get fed up with scrolling so much just to get to the info I need. Any tricks?
Some websites have a “go directly to recipe” button. Or there’s a fantastic app and website called Just the Recipe that can help.
> Copy the URL for the recipe page you’re on, paste it into the blank field at justtherecipe.com, then hit enter.
> The recipe ingredients and steps will be clearly displayed. If you’re using the app, you can save your favorite recipes to a personal cookbook.
Kim Komando’s weekly three-hour radio show about technology airs on 425 stations. Her latest project is The Current, a personal tech newsletter, at komando.com.