{"id":63039,"date":"2019-12-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/foxtail\/2019\/12\/19\/home-tech-support-guide\/"},"modified":"2021-02-03T02:38:02","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T02:38:02","slug":"home-tech-support-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/internet-culture\/deep-dives\/home-tech-support-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Survive the holidays at home with our tech support guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, the holiday season. It\u2019s the time of year when we celebrate with family and friends, eat delicious meals, and repeat that magical phrase: <i>did you try turning it on and off again?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s right. It\u2019s time for the less techy people in our lives to turn to us, the presumably more techy ones, for help. Here are some ideas for how you can handle those home tech support questions like a pro.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">My heart goes out to all family IT support this season \u2764\ufe0f  <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DNciglr129\">pic.twitter.com\/DNciglr129<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Cassidy Williams (@cassidoo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cassidoo\/status\/1200198983366270976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Patience is key<\/h2>\n<p>Solving our family\u2019s tech problems can be frustrating. Trust us, we know. Before tackling any issues, take a deep breath and remember to be patient. There was a time when you had to learn how to use a device or perform a task. We\u2019re all still learning something, so take your time helping your family.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">being the go-to for tech support in my family is taking all the patience i have and then some  <\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Wayward (@N7waywardpotato) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/N7waywardpotato\/status\/1201225116316684288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nHello, fresh software<\/h2>\n<p>Do your loved ones a solid and help them update their software across the board, from their computers to their tablets to their phones. Updating to the latest software, browser and operating system defends them against viruses, malware and other online threats.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">As a tech girl, family members seem to look at me like a savior when all I had to do was update their device\u2019s software  <\/p>\n<p>\u2014   (@cigs88_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cigs88_\/status\/1200361963416518658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 29, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><b>Bonus tip<\/b>: Enabling automatic updates keeps software fresh in between your visits home.<\/p>\n<h2>Plan ahead<\/h2>\n<p>Prepare for your family\u2019s tech support questions in advance. Find out what devices\u00a0they\u2019ll be gifted so you can have set up instructions ready to go. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/android\/?hl=en#topic=7313011\">Google<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/apple-support\/id1130498044?mt=8%3Fcid%3Dtw_sc_applesupport_120219\">Apple<\/a> have product support pages that can help. Keeping a list of commonly asked\u00a0family questions allows you to tackle issues as soon as you get home so you can\u00a0enjoy the rest of your time off.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">My aunt keeps a running list of her technology questions, then brings the list to family gatherings and asks me and my cousins for \u2018tech support\u2019  .<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Yoshi    \ufe0f\u200d  (@toddster213) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/toddster213\/status\/1201642782776950785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Still looking for gift ideas? Check out Mozilla\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/foundation.mozilla.org\/en\/privacynotincluded\/\">privacy not included<\/a> buyer\u2019s guide to\u00a0find a variety of tech products that are safer, more secure, and more private. From\u00a0gaming consoles to fitness wearables, this guide has your gift needs covered.<\/p>\n<h2>In their own words<\/h2>\n<p>As the old saying goes, teach a man to fish and he\u2019ll eat forever. As you troubleshoot\u00a0tech issues, have your relatives write down the step-by-step instructions. Multiple studies have found that taking handwritten notes is one of the best ways to remember concepts and ideas.<\/p>\n<h2>Adjust permissions<\/h2>\n<p>Many people don\u2019t realize they share their location details by default with many of the apps they download. Show your family how to turn off the ones that don\u2019t need to track their whereabouts. Here\u2019s how to manage location permissions on<a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/accounts\/answer\/6179507\"> Android<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/HT207092\">\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/HT207092\">iOS<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/privacy.microsoft.com\/windows-10-location-and-privacy\"> Windows 10<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/HT204690\"> Mac<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re adjusting location, check to see what other permissions are enabled. Your family members might be surprised to find out that their favorite game has access to their photos, or that their bank has access to their contacts. Encourage them to delete unused apps and long forgotten accounts gathering dust and data.<\/p>\n<p><b>Bonus tip<\/b>: Turning location permissions off and deleting apps increases battery life.<\/p>\n<h2>Keep an eye out for hacks<\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of those long forgotten accounts, data breaches are increasing (<a href=\"https:\/\/us.norton.com\/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-2019-data-breaches.html#ent\">4 billion<\/a> this year!), and some of our long lost accounts are vulnerable. Point your family to<a href=\"https:\/\/monitor.firefox.com\/\"> Firefox Monitor<\/a>, where they can see if they\u2019ve been involved in a data breach and also sign up to get future alerts.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">To all millennials, zoomers, zillennials, Gen-X\u2019ers etc. who DID NOT spend Thanksgiving doing OpSec reviews with your favorite Boomers\u2026 TICK-TOCK  <\/p>\n<p>Help them set up <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/1Password?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@1Password<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/firefox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Firefox<\/a> Monitor (or run <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Google<\/a> Security checkup)\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2026or else!  <\/p>\n<p>\u2014 John Manoogian III (@jm3) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jm3\/status\/1201242701200384002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Add extra security by helping your family pick passwords that are strong and different for each site. Install a password manager like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/en-US\/firefox\/lockwise\/\">Firefox\u2019s Lockwise<\/a> to make it as easy as possible. And enable two-factor authentication on any site that offers it.<\/p>\n<p><b>Bonus tip<\/b>: Get the full scoop in our<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/firefox\/how-to-create-strong-passwords\/\"> Guide to Creating Strong Passwords <\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Put Facebook in a corner<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/12\/18\/technology\/walt-mossberg-quit-facebook.html\">Quitting Facebook altogether<\/a> is hard but we\u2019re not here to judge, just here to help. The <a href=\"https:\/\/addons.mozilla.org\/firefox\/addon\/facebook-container\/?utm_source=blog.mozilla.org&#038;utm_campaign=firefox_frontier&#038;utm_medium=referral&#038;utm_content=fbcontainer\">Facebook Container<\/a> extension is a great solution that isolates your identity while browsing, making it harder for Facebook to track you on the web.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Family tech support is:<\/p>\n<p>30% wondering how things got this screwed up<br \/>\n30% Googling for descriptions of similar situations<br \/>\n30% swearing<br \/>\n10% realizing that there&#8217;s a simple fix involving a thumb drive<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Paul Dokas (@pauldokas) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/pauldokas\/status\/1200579707131060225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t let your family fall for malware scams. If they see ads prompting them to download a Firefox update, it\u2019s a <a href=\"https:\/\/support.mozilla.org\/en-US\/kb\/i-found-fake-firefox-update\">trick<\/a>. The best place to download Firefox is from the source at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/firefox\/\">https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/firefox\/<\/a>, or you can click the blue \u201cDownload Firefox\u201d button at the top of this page.<\/p>\n<h2>Create clear boundaries<\/h2>\n<p>The holidays are a time to relax with loved ones, not a time to resolve multiple IT\u00a0issues. Keep your sanity by setting clear boundaries with your family. Let them\u00a0know that tech support questions are off-limits between the hours of 5-9 p.m.\u00a0or whichever works best for you as a time to recharge and relax.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Listening to someone provide tech support to a family member over the phone and it still never fails to warm my heart.  <\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mikah Sargent (@mikahsargent) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mikahsargent\/status\/1201600397267345409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Do a good deed this season and earn some points with your family by working through this home tech support list. Give the gift of better data security and online safety to the people you love. Tweet us your family\u2019s burning questions <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/firefox?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\">@Firefox<\/a>, we\u2019re curious to see which ones are the most popular.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, the holiday season. It\u2019s the time of year when we celebrate with family and friends, eat delicious meals, and repeat that magical phrase: did you try turning it on and off again?\u00a0 That\u2019s right. It\u2019s time for the less techy people in our lives to turn to us, the presumably more techy ones, for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":727,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[464058],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Survive the holidays at home with our tech support guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Home for the holidays? 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