TechMan

16/10/2026

Your out-of-office message may seem harmless, but it can reveal more information than you realise.

A reply like: "I'm in Spain until October 18. Contact Sarah about the Anderson acquisition." gives anyone who emails you several pieces of information: your exact location; when you'll be back; a colleague's name; and details of a potentially confidential project.

Remember, people outside your organisation don't need all of these details. A good external out-of-office message should simply let people know that you're unavailable, when they can expect a response, and how to contact the business if the matter is urgent.

Keep it short and professional. For example: "Thank you for your email. I am currently unavailable and will respond as soon as possible upon my return. If your matter is urgent, please contact our office on [phone number] or [general email address]."

If your email system allows it, create a separate internal out-of-office message for coworkers. This can include additional information such as who is covering your work, project handovers, or other details your team needs to know.

A few extra seconds reviewing your out-of-office reply could help protect your privacy and your organisation's sensitive information.

13/10/2026

Audiobooks on Spotify are going global.

Today at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest gathering of people who love books, we announced that audiobooks on Spotify are going global. By the end of 2026, listeners in more than 180 markets will be able to find their next great book on Spotify, right alongside the music and podcasts t...

11/10/2026

AI-written content may not stay invisible for much longer. New Claude models can add detectable watermarks, making AI involvement easier to identify.

AI-written content may not stay invisible for much longer. New Claude models can add detectable watermarks, making AI involvement easier to identify.

08/10/2026

When sending a group email, use BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) instead of To or CC. This keeps your customers' email addresses private and stops everyone from seeing who else received the message.

It also helps prevent those frustrating "Reply All" chains from landing in everyone's inbox.

For newsletters or larger mailing lists, consider using an email marketing platform. These tools manage subscriptions and unsubscribes automatically and help reduce the risk of accidentally exposing customer details.

Protect privacy, improve professionalism and reduce email mishaps.

06/10/2026

Amazon wants to sell your Kindle’s physical buttons back to you for $35

Amazon is a launching a collection of new Kindles. If you want to click your way through a book, you can buy a clicker or a new cover.

04/10/2026

Could your loved one really be in trouble? Emergency scammers prey on emotions. Stop, verify, and protect your money and personal information.

Could your loved one really be in trouble? Emergency scammers prey on emotions. Stop, verify, and protect your money and personal information.

01/10/2026

Open your work calendar and check what someone outside your company can see.
Meeting titles can reveal client names, projects, interviews and travel. Some calendar settings also expose the guest list and meeting description.
External users usually only need to see whether you are free or busy. Keep detailed titles and descriptions limited to people who need them.
Check shared calendars too. A team calendar created years ago may still be visible to former employees, contractors or anyone with the old link.
Want a second pair of eyes on your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace sharing settings? Reach out and we’ll review them with you.

30/09/2026

Google Photos ‘Clueless’-inspired virtual closet is now available on Android and iOS

The AI-powered feature builds a virtual wardrobe from your photos, and is now broadly available after first rolling out to Android users in June.

28/09/2026

Stop sharing passwords in chats and spreadsheets. Use a password manager to control access, improve security, and simplify offboarding.

Stop sharing passwords in chats and spreadsheets. Use a password manager to control access, improve security, and simplify offboarding.

25/09/2026

Microsoft won't call you about a virus on your computer. Neither will Apple.

Scammers know that a warning about a virus can make people panic, so they use fake pop-ups and phone calls to trick you into giving them access to your computer.

You might see a message claiming your device is infected, along with a phone number to call. Or you may receive a call from someone pretending to be from Microsoft, Apple, or a technical support team. Their goal is to convince you to install remote access software so they can take control of your screen.

Once they're connected, they may show you fake problems, charge you for unnecessary "repairs," install malware, try to steal personal and banking information, or attempt to access company systems and passwords.

Remember:
• Legitimate security warnings do not appear as web pop-ups with phone numbers to call.
• Microsoft and Apple do not proactively contact individuals or businesses about virus infections.
• Unexpected requests to install software, grant remote access, or make payments should always be treated as suspicious.

If you see a suspicious pop-up or receive an unexpected support call, close the pop-up, hang up the phone, and contact a trusted IT professional using a number you already know.

A few moments of caution can save a lot of stress and money.