News & Residential Blog

Home network security starts with knowing what you’re connecting to your Wi-Fi. Many consumers are seeing advertisements for low-cost “free TV and movie” streaming boxes that promise access to thousands of channels and unlimited entertainment for little or no monthly…

Wi-Fi add-ons are equipment and services designed to improve a home network’s coverage, control and security. Depending on a household’s needs, add-ons can help eliminate weak-signal areas, manage children’s internet access, monitor connected devices and block certain online threats. FTC…

In today’s digitally driven world, consumers use the internet for everything from working and learning to keeping up with friends, streaming entertainment and watching the latest cat video. No matter what someone is doing online, slow speeds, buffering and dropped…

With the new year come new resolutions, and among the most common are getting healthier, exercising more, losing weight and, in many cases, a combination of all three. Numerous tools are available to help people pursue their New Year’s fitness…

For music lovers, hearing a favorite band or artist can be more than a luxury — it can be an important part of getting through a tough day without blowing a gasket. And, of course, there may be no better…

Artificial intelligence has gone from a niche research topic to something millions of people use every single day. But with so many companies, products, and model names being thrown around, it can be hard to know where to start. This…

Quick Response (QR) codes are everywhere today. People use them to view restaurant menus, pay for parking and log into accounts. However, this convenience comes with a hidden risk.  Cybercriminals are increasingly using malicious QR codes—a tactic known as “quishing”—to…

The portable Bluetooth speaker market has become increasingly crowded. Finding the right device requires cutting through the noise to identify the features that best fit the user’s specific lifestyle. Whether hosting a backyard barbecue or relaxing by the pool, focusing…

Think about a time you were outside at night and gazed at the stars, wondering what many of the sparkling objects were. Or you were walking in a park and spotted a flower or plant but did not recognize it.…

FTC is always searching for new ways to make life a little easier for its customers.  That is why the company developed the MyFTC app, designing it entirely around the tools and features used most often. It is available for download…

In today’s digital-first world, where internet speed is no longer just about convenience but about keeping up with how we live, work, and stay connected. With more devices, higher-quality content, and constant connectivity demands, traditional internet plans often fall short,…

You can block spam calls by updating your smartphone and activating built-in filters, and by screening or reporting suspicious calls or texts. During busy election cycles and certain times of the year, such as tax season or enrollment periods, people…

So you’ve got your new home office all set up, complete with blazing-fast Internet and reliable Voice services from FTC, and you’re ready to hit the ground running on your latest work project. While working from home can offer numerous advantages over working from the office, the relaxed atmosphere can also present an array of challenges. 

The number of identity thefts that occur each year is staggering.  According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 1.1 million Americans file official reports, but research suggest that nearly 24 million people experience some form of identity theft each year. …

If you own a smartphone, chances are you’ve been caught in a “chatty group text.” It usually starts harmlessly. Maybe it’s a youth sports group coordinating practice times, or a group of old classmates planning a reunion. But before long,…

In today’s digital-first world, it’s no surprise that kids and teens are spending more of their social and entertainment time online. For many families, gaming has become a primary way young people connect with friends, express creativity, and unwind after…

These days, whether in personal texts, social media posts or even workplace conversations, emojis have become a widely used and powerful way to express thoughts and emotions in digital communication. After all, as the saying goes, a picture is worth…

Residents today have two proven options for home phone service: Traditional telephone lines (POTS) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). While both solutions offer dependable communication, modern households are increasingly choosing VoIP for its flexibility, features, and overall value. Traditional…

The digital landscape for music creation continues to evolve, bringing powerful tools directly to musicians and songwriters. Regardless of their roles, the right software can transform workflow. These 10 smartphone apps for musicians launched between 2023 and 2026 designed to…

In the digital age, the days of consumers having to save up their unneeded household items for the next garage sale are long gone, along with the need to post signs around the neighborhood to hype up the event. Instead,…

Texting and direct messaging have made abbreviations a useful (and sometimes a bit over used) tool. Some of the most common these days are ETA, BFF and TMI.  And a few more are JK, BTW, IDK and FAQ. The field…

The Federal Trade Commission recently released its 2024-2025 “Protecting Older Consumers” report, revealing a sobering trend: Senior citizens in the United States are being targeted by high-stakes scams at an unprecedented rate. While older adults often report fraud less frequently…