QR codes have become a popular way to open websites and pay for products and services. But not all of them are secure. Cyber criminals can use QR codes to steal personal and bank details. Here we tell you what you can do to avoid QR scams.
Quick response or “QR” codes are like barcodes. When we scan them with a mobile phone camera, a link to the information they hold appears.
In today’s digital world, QR codes are used to browse restaurant menus, to connect to public Wi-Fi, to pay for parking, and to redirect users to a website.
For cyber criminals, the QR code fad creates an opportunity to steal people’s identities or hack into their bank accounts and make off with their money.
QRshing is a form of phishing. It uses QR codes to send users to a fake website that spreads malware or elicits confidential information. Cyber criminals posing as real companies send phishing emails with a QR code and ask users to scan it. Then, they attempt to obtain information or spread virus-infected files.
Another common scam is the false QR code stuck on top of an original one, like in restaurants and street advertising. False QR codes can even be found on parking meters, linking to a credible but fake payment site to steal money or credit card information.
Scams that use inverted QR codes are also gaining traction. Scammers first create a malicious code and then use it as a presumed payment method. But the code does exactly the opposite: it solicits money from whoever scanned it. Instead of paying the merchant for an item or service, the malicious QR code makes the merchant pay the scammer. This type of scam is also used to steal personal information and bank details.
Have you ever touched that bin by mistake when looking at a photo and then, maybe while being distracted, confirmed it? Here are a couple of methods to recover the photo on an Android phone or tablet, depending on how you deleted it.
Go to Google photos then select Library on the bottom row, then you should see a Bin option at the top of the screen. Look in this bin to find your photo. If it is here then select it and tap on the Restore option.
If the photo is not in the Google photos bin then it could be in the Recycle bin. Go to Gallery and tap the 3 lines at the bottom right then tap the recycle bin to see if your photo is here, again, select it and tap Restore.
By Judi Jacobs
Technology is all around us. There is no escaping it these days. But the longer you avoid it, the worse your apprehensions will get. In my experience of working with people and techie things, I’ve found that fear of looking or feeling stupid is the main issue. People at a certain age begin to believe they are “dumb about technology” because they didn’t learn about it in school.
Let’s start with this supposition: nothing about using a phone, working on a computer, or a tablet is intuitive. Therefore, you need to learn basic skills to establish a foundation to use technology.
Trying something new is definitely scary. But, if you can release your fear, believe that we all start with zero knowledge, and build on that, you will develop the confidence needed to get through the bumps.
Here are some tips to help you start to feel comfortable with technology.
You don’t need to learn everything at once. You can’t. Be patient with yourself. Break it down and focus on one thing at a time to help you gain confidence and make the world of technology feel more manageable.
Concentrate on one aspect of your phone, such as texting, that you need to use every day. Nowadays, if you don’t know how to text, you’ll be the odd person out of fun and frequent “chats” between friends and family. Once you accomplish that, pick the next app or most-used feature, like the phone app.
Frequently, the features you use the most, but don’t understand, cause frustration and resistance because that’s when you feel “dumb.” Stop the negative self-talk: “I can’t use this phone.” Instead, try, “I really need to learn how to use [insert feature of choice] so I can stop having these issues.”
Pick one new social media or online platform that interests you, like YouTube. YouTube is a great place to start with learning because you can get tutorials about anything you need once you are skilled in using it.
Start with things you are interested in. For example, if you are a movie buff, focus on using Netflix. If you love photography, put your efforts into learning how to use your phone’s camera. Directing your energy into things that are fun will make the learning process feel less like a chore.
Remember, not everyone has the patience to teach you. Find a reliable family member or friend who will take the time to answer a specific question. Just 10 minutes of their time can alleviate a lot of frustration.
One of the keys to seeking help is to make sure you have a specific set of questions or problems. Don’t approach your loved one and say, “I need you to teach me how to use the computer.” It will be less daunting for you and your person of choice if you say, “I don’t understand folders and documents. Do you have time to show me a few things?”
If you don’t feel comfortable asking someone you know, find an expert in your area or virtually. Senior Centers, extension classes, local community centers are all good resources for learning. Many such places offer ongoing classes you can take or a once-a-month help session, one-to-one, for specific issues you are dealing with.
Don’t be afraid to play around and learn as you go. You won’t break anything by touching an icon you are unfamiliar with. On the other hand, once you get over the mental block of thinking you don’t understand, you might be surprised by how much you can figure out on your own by just touching or clicking.
I often encourage my clients to “put their baby on.” Think about the two-year-old that grabs the parent’s phone and begins to tap and touch and take pics. They aren’t scared. They don’t have the verbal understanding we have, life experiences, or reasoning levels we do. But they aren’t afraid.
They react to the pictures, colors, icons, and cues given on the phone by touching, not freezing, or staring. They aren’t waiting for words to guide them.
Be proactive with reading booklets, articles, newsletters, or blogs. Watch video tutorials. Google your question. There is so much free content on the internet that spans all levels of knowledge. You also may want to consider paying for help. Buying lessons or enrolling in an actual class will pay dividends in the future.
Technology isn’t going anywhere. Giving in to your fears is going to put you in a deeper hole. Everything from your car, your oven, your phone is becoming a smart device. Being open to learning is the first step to getting comfortable with technology and using it in everyday life.
What is your biggest fear with technology? Have you overcome your fear? Do you have any tips to share on what worked for you?
Smartphone photography is often associated with quick and easy snapping away. That’s because you can just walk around, point at something, click – and there’s your photo!
I’d like to take a different approach to smartphone photography. It is amazing that modern technology has put a camera in the back pocket of so many people. But I also know that it takes a lot more than the push of a button to make a photo that has meaning.
Wouldn’t it be great if by just a few adjustments you could elevate your smartphone photos from a simple record of the events and people in your life to photos that tell a story, have meaning, and are still beautiful to look at years from now?
You know, it really doesn’t matter what kind of camera you have. It’s about the person behind the camera and what that person is capable of.
With these 5 smartphone photography tips, you’ll be able to go from quickly snapping away to mindfully shooting with intent so you can start making beautiful smartphone photos.
The first thing you should be asking yourself when you pick up your smartphone camera is, what’s my subject? And secondly, why do I want to make this photo?
When you have an answer to these questions, it becomes easier to make a photo that tells a story, is full of meaning, and is interesting for other people to look at.
This may seem a little complicated to you, and I get it. But there’s no need to overthink this. It can be as simple as the desire to photograph a colourful flower, an overwhelming landscape, or the gorgeous faces of your grandkids.
Just stop and think for a few seconds about what you’re about to photograph. Why does it touch your heart? Why did it grab your attention?
You see, the next step is to figure out what the best way is to show that. It’s a lot easier to do that when you’re aware of what delights you in your subject.
Once you’re used to photographing like this, I can assure you the process of taking pictures with your smartphone will bring you more joy and your phone photos will become a lot better.
A very important choice in composition is the orientation of the frame.
It’s very common for smartphone photographers to shoot in a vertical orientation. Probably because that’s how you normally hold your phone. It’s also quick and easy to take a picture with just one hand.
And of course, there’s nothing wrong with a vertical photo. It’s more about the somewhat automatic way most smartphone photographers shoot vertically.
Because the truth is, a horizontal orientation is a better fit for a lot of photos.
So I’m encouraging you to change your default ‘shooting vertically’ mode to a default ‘shooting horizontally’ mode.
Photographing in a horizontal orientation seems like a simple thing, but it will have an impact on your mindset while you are photographing.
Why? Because when you photograph horizontally with your smartphone you need both hands. And somehow it’s difficult to take a photo with both hands and keep on walking without tripping over your own feet.
It forces you to stand still and pay attention to what it is you’re photographing. Which is a very important aspect of photography.
Photographing horizontal also has a big impact on the photo itself. It influences your composition as well as how you experience the photo.
Because there is a difference in the way we perceive a horizontal and a vertical image.
A horizontal photo is usually more dynamic and engaging. It’s easier to connect to because we have a horizontal view ourselves.
A vertical photo is usually more formal and static.
Turning on the grid in your settings will help you to take photos with straight horizontal and vertical lines.
A smartphone camera has a small sensor, the thing inside that captures the photo like the film in the old days. Because it’s so small it loves to have a lot of light. And natural light is the best!
It’s full of mood, flattering and beautiful. It also influences the colours, it emphasizes textures, and creates attractive contrasts.
Natural light can give the most simple things a magical touch.
So, take advantage of the natural light whenever it is present.
It’s also a good idea to have your flash turned off by default. Because then you can decide to turn on your flash when there’s no way around it.
If you leave it on Auto Flash, the camera will make this important decision for you, and that’s not something you want to leave up to the camera.
Using natural light to your advantage is not something you learn overnight. And certainly not by reading a blog post. But you can start by becoming a student of light.
You don’t even need a camera to study light. You can do that all day long just by observing the light and discovering all the different ways natural light touches your surroundings.
I understand it’s very tempting to use your zoom when you want your subject to be closer. But the thing is your smartphone camera has a digital zoom and not an optical zoom like most regular cameras.
This means your camera is fooling you!
It ‘zooms in’ by showing only a part of the whole, making it seem like you’ve brought the image closer. But all it does is cropping the image on the sensor and showing you an enlarged image.
That’s why zoomed-in photos always look a little blurry and pixelated.
If you want your subject to be closer, it’s better to walk towards it.
Your photos will remain crisp and sharp, while also making you into a more active and involved photographer.
It becomes more natural to walk around your subject and try out different things. So not only will you keep the image quality high, it also makes you a more creative and intentional smartphone photographer!
And that brings me to my last smartphone photography tip.
A lot of beginning smartphone photographers shoot from the same eye level perspective all the time. Eye-level is the way we usually see the world. It can work fine in a lot of circumstances but it’s not always the most interesting take on the world
So, next time try a different point of view.
You can kneel down and photograph from a low point of view. You can hold your smartphone camera high and get a bird’s eye view. Or how about photographing someone at the back?
You can also walk really close to a subject and photograph an interesting detail.
Changing your point of view is a great way to create variety in your photographs. And you can infuse your photos with personality and meaning. Because your point of view in photography can say something about your perspective on life.
As you’ve probably noticed, every tip is about photographing with your full attention. When you shift your mindset to shooting intentionally, you can create wonderful photos with that seemingly common camera you have with you all the time.
I hope these tips are useful. Please let me know if there is a subject you would like me to cover
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