Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Saturday, July 16, 2022
Topics covered in this issue…
• Q&A: Which is better, a strong PIN or Fingerprint ID?
• Q&A: How can I straighten a crooked photo with Windows 11?
• How to download your entire Tweet history from Twitter
• Guess what? The ‘twinkling’ stars you see in the night sky aren’t really twinkling at all.
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Today’s quick tech tip….
Q&A: Which is better, a strong PIN or Fingerprint ID?
Question from Julie: My new phone gives me the option of choosing either a PIN or Fingerprint ID for unlocking it.
Which of those two methods is better?
Rick’s answer: That’s a great question Julie, and I’m glad you phrased it the way you did.
I receive similar questions from time to time, and they usually want to know which method is more secure, not necessarily better.
Truth be told, which method is more secure is subjective and you’ll get a different answer from different “experts”.
You asked which is better instead of which is more secure. This is my answer…
All things considered, I believe a strong PIN (5 or more digits of random numbers) is better for securing a phone than using Fingerprint ID. Here’s why:
1 – You can easily change a PIN if you ever have reason to believe your current PIN might be compromised. You obviously cannot change your fingerprints.
Fingerprints (and fingerprint readers) can actually be compromised in various ways, making your phone vulnerable to hackers and other miscreants.
2 – The tips of your fingers can become damaged by a serious burn or other unfortunate accident, resulting in your getting locked out of your phone – perhaps permanently.
3 – It’s a lot easier for someone with mal intentions to physically force you to momentarily place your finger on a phone than to force you to enter or recite a PIN.
4 – Police officers are allowed to force you to unlock your phone with a fingerprint without a warrant, but it always requires a warrant for them to legally force you to enter (or hand over) your PIN. You can read more about that right here.
That’s my answer, Julie. If you ask someone else you might well get a different answer, but I truly believe my reasoning is sound.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• Q&A: How can I straighten a crooked photo with Windows 11?
A reader wants to know how to use her Windows 11 PC to straighten a crooked photo without having to install a new app. This post has step-by-step instructions.
• How to download your entire Tweet history from Twitter
This post explains how to download every tweet you’ve ever posted on Twitter, beginning with your very first tweet.
• Click here to see today’s ‘Picture of the Day’.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
Pro blogging tip…
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Rick’s Daily Pick…
Nulaxy Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter Car Radio Adapter Kit (#ad)
Want to listen to music from your smartphone, tablet or MP3 player over your car radio speakers, but your car isn’t equipped with Bluetooth?
Well, you can, and this little gem from Nulaxy makes it easy.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
Guess what? The ‘twinkling’ stars you see in the night sky aren’t really twinkling at all.
The secret to the twinkling is right here on planet Earth, not out in space amongst the stars.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• JD Power: Verizon has most reliable mobile network in US
• Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery tests are coming to Texas
• FCC chair proposes raising broadband standard to 100Mbps
• This is the most powerful botnet ever seen
• Qualcomm, Ericsson and Thales look to make 5G available everywhere
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.RicksDailyTips.com