• • What Does McAfee Total Protection Include?

    August 31, 2020Online Privacy Solutions / Protect Your Privacy OnlineYou may be familiar with the cybersecurity company McAfee as offering one of the major antivirus solutions. Recently they have expanded their offerings with McAfee Total Protection. If you are wondering what does McAfee Total Protection Include, you have come to the right place.Comprehensive Internet Security:What it isn’t? A run-of-the-mill standalone anti-virus.What it is? In short, McAfee Total Protection is a comprehensive internet security software solution for many devices.In order to answer the question what does McAfee Total Protection include, we need to break it down by its major components.At it’s core McAfee Total Protection is a 5-in-1 premium privacy and security software package.It replaces and consolidates the following 5 products into 1:I. AntivirusII. Password managerIII. Virtual private network (VPN)IV. Secure file deletionV. File encryptionYou may be wondering what does this mean to you and how do these 5 products relate to one another?However, if you are already using these standalone products, congratulations. You are leaps and bounds ahead of most people in terms of protecting your data and by extension, your privacy! (If data security and privacy protection were like a credit score, you would be well on your way to an 850)In that case feel free to skip to the bottom and see how much money you can save by consolidating.On the other hand, if some of those 5 products listed above sound like a foreign language to you, keep reading.I’ll take you step-by-step breaking down the question, what does McAfee Total Protection include?Each of the 5 components (yes there are additional components in McAfee Total Protection, however these 5 are what make-it or break-it from a holistic security perspective) will either get a NETPRAETOR thumbs-up, or thumbs-down raking. At the end of the review a final overall thumbs-up or thumbs-down will be given.Antivirus:Lets just say that the antivirus component puts the “total” in McAfee Total Protection. This is especially true for Windows users who stand to benefit the most from this extra layer of protection.An excellent antivirus software application will help to protect your computer against malware and cybercriminals. It will scan data on your computer or device, searching applications, software, files, and web pages.While it is doing that it will monitor the behavior of all programs and search for known threats. Abnormal behavior will be flagged and malware will be removed or blocked.With the McAfee Total Protection antivirus software you will have the following capabilities:Schedule automatic scansIdentify targeted files to delete malicious softwareVerify the security of your computer and other devicesChoice between individual file scans or entire computer scansDelete malicious software and codesWithout this basic piece of security software the door to your most sensitive information is left wide open.McAfee Total Protection 2020 Antivirus = NETPRAETOR Thumbs-upPassword Manager:Next up is the password manager. I am a firm believer that a quality password manager is foundational to your online data security and privacy.With a password manager you start to load new and existing passwords into your password vault.Your password vault uses very strong encryption to keep your passwords safe. McAfee Total Protection True Key password manager uses AES-256, one of the strongest encryption algorithms available.That level of device based zero-knowledge encryption means your passwords belong to you and you alone.Building on that foundation of security, all you have to do is create a master password for your vault. Once that is done, memorize your new master password, setup a second-factor authentication and enjoy the stress relief that comes with only having to remember ONE password!McAfee Total Protection 2020 True Key Password Manager = NETPRAETOR Thumbs-upVirtual Private Network (VPN):An excellent Virtual Private Network does 2 things. Encrypt your internet traffic reliably and at least claims to have a no logging policy.Those 2 elements are what make an excellent consumer VPN. For example, encrypting your traffic protects you if you are visiting a coffee shop and using their untrusted Wi-Fi. It will prevent eavesdroppers on untrusted networks from being able to see what you are doing.Secondly, a VPN provider who adheres to a no-logs policy is protecting your privacy from their own networks. This is important because when you turn on your VPN, that VPN provider is now becoming your de facto internet service provider (ISP).If part of your rationale for using a VPN stems from not liking your ISP logging and selling your information, then a VPN who logs traffic defeats that purpose.Does McAfee Total Protection include VPN? McAfee owns TunnelBear VPN as well as its own off-shoot VPN called Safe Connect VPN which is what you get with McAfee Total Protection.Unfortunately, McAfee Total Protection Safe Connect VPN has a known logging policy in place. On the bright side, at least McAfee is honest about it.Aside from that it does everything else a VPN is intended to do. If you are okay with McAfee becoming your ISP when you turn on their VPN its not a bad deal as part of the overall package.McAfee Total Protection 2020 Safe Connect VPN = NETPRAETOR Thumbs-downIV. Secure File Deletion:Secure file deletion is an often overlooked aspect of protecting your data and your privacy. Have you ever, lost, sold, or given away a computer or device? If you have, sensitive files on your computer or device can be recovered.That is where McAfee Total Protection QuickClean Shredder comes into play. It allows you to securely delete sensitive files and internet session cookies so that files you don’t want to be recoverable, are not.Having this often overlooked feature of secure file deletion is an excellent benefit for your privacy.McAfee Total Protection 2020 QuickClean Shredder = NETPRAETOR Thumbs-upV. File Encryption:Last but not least is the ability to encrypt individual files and folders you choose. McAfee Total Protection File Lock enables you to setup password protected drives on your computer hard drive.These drives are stored securely with 256-bit AES encryption. They will only appear after you have unlocked them using your password. If you are not already encrypting your entire hard drive (NETPRAETOR recommendation, always enable full-disk encryption if available) this is the next best thing.Additionally, if you already use full-disk encryption, the files stored in File Lock essentially have a double layer of encryption when the computer is powered off.McAfee Total Protection 2020 File Lock = NETPRAETOR Thumbs-upPricing:Okay, you no longer need to wonder what does McAfee Total Protection include? In most cases, the main types of products it seeks to replace all cost money to purchase individually.If your next question is McAfee worth it 2020?Here is a breakdown of what you would pay if you purchased each product from competitors individually:As you can see $187.00 every year for these products is a bit pricey.Here is the cost for the first year of McAfee Total Protection Family for 10 devices and the BEST deal:At 49.99 that is over a $130.00 SAVINGS when compared to buying individually!What Does McAfee Total Protection Include?McAfee Total Protection is not a standalone antivirus. This premium software package is designed to take your data privacy and security goals to the next level.As an all-in-one solution it gives you immediate access to 5 critical security tools which are evern more important in our COVID-19 world.As a bonus you even gain access to Identify Theft Protection Essentials so you even have a service similar to Life Lock, another potential cost savings.McAfee Total Protection Overall Ranking = NETPRAETOR Thumbs-upMcAfee Total Protection – 10 device $44.99If you enjoyed this McAfee Total Protection review please share or comment below!Related posts: Privacy Solutions OO ShutUp10: Best Windows 10 Privacy Tool? AdGuard Adblocker: The Definitive Guide Protectli Vault Best pfSense Hardware?...Read more...
  • OO ShutUp10: Best Windows 10 Privacy Tool?

    July 25, 2020Online Privacy Solutions / Protect Your Privacy OnlineOut of the box Windows 10 is not a NETPRAETOR recommended operating system. However, when paired with OO ShutUp10, a lightweight application made by the reputable software developer O&O Software GmbH.Windows 10 now becomes a NETPRAETOR acceptable operating system.I understand that you may have to use Windows 10 for work, entertainment, or outright preference. I’ll be the first to agree that it is the best operating system for certain business needs and PC gaming.If you are using Windows 10 and also found this website, I’m assuming that you care at least a little, about your online privacy and would like to take steps to improve it.Well there is great news for you!The capability to do so does not reside only with hackers and people who have computer science degrees.You don’t have to go on using Windows 10 everyday thinking you are powerless to limit the data leaking from your operating system like a sinking ship leaks water.OO ShutUp10 is the solution to using Windows 10 more confidently from a privacy perspective.There are 4 main reasons you should be running OO ShutUP10 on your Windows 10 computer.I. Adapt your security settingsII. Protect your privacyIII. Control locations servicesIV. Do not pass on your user data and diagnosticsIn all, OO ShutUp10 gives you complete control over 160 data points of information leakage simply by toggling on or off.All you have to do is download the OO ShutUp10 Software, open the program (it’s so lightweight it doesn’t even install) and under the actions menu select “Apply only recommended settings”.It’s that simple.If you are a privacy enthusiast, I recommend creating a restore point and then go-to-town with the no-less than 160 toggle options.Happy patching of data leaking holes.You may be wondering, can I trust the developer O&O Software GmbH and their so called “freeware”?Well, O&O Software GmbH are the makers of O&O AppBuster. O&O AppBuster is another outstanding tool for uninstalling bloatware and garbage that Microsoft likes to equip default Windows 10 with.O&O Software GmbH also happen to be one of the few European software companies authorized to provide software delivery to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).You know, that primary defensive pact between the United States and Europe, the longstanding bulwark of the West.If O&O Software is good enough for NATO, I’m pretty sure it’s also good enough for most individuals and small businesses wanting to shore up their Windows 10 privacy leaks.I hope you found this information beneficial towards your privacy goals.If you enjoyed this article, please share or comment your thoughts below!Related posts: Apple Watch Privacy Settings For Data Privacy?...Read more...
  • Protectli Vault Best pfSense Hardware?

    June 18, 2020Online Privacy Solutions / Protect Your Privacy OnlineIf you are currently looking for a new home router or small business router, then a Protectli Vault best pfSense hardware could be right for you.If you are not looking for a new router at this time and are primarily working online from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic I highly recommend you reconsider that decision.This is especially true if you are using a basic off-the-shelf Linksys or NETGEAR router, or worse yet, using the router and modem provided by your ISP.Gambling on the above mentioned gear as the cornerstone of your home network or small business network when so much relies upon it, such as work and entertainment, is risking sub-par performance at best and extended periods of downtime at worst.In 2020 it just dosen’t make sense to be running thousands of dollars in internet connected devices such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, and game consoles to name a few, only to have their functionality reliant upon a $100 piece of cheap plastic provided by your ISP or purchased at BestBuy.In contrast, when you combine the raw hardware power of the all-metal fan-less Protectli Vault and the open-source software capabilities of pfSense, there is just no comparison to the consumer routers sold by Linksys and NETGEAR, let alone the junk modem and router combinations offered by ISP’s.There are 5 main reasons a Protectli Vault is the best pfSense hardware and worth upgrading to.I. Enhanced SecuirtyAll Protectli Vault models come with two BIOS options. You can select either the standard AMI (American Megatrends) BIOS or Coreboot BIOS.The NETPRAETOR recommendation is to select the Coreboot BIOS. Coreboot is open-source and free of back-doors while AMI is closed-source, which means none of us beyond AMI know whats really happening behind the scenes.A Protectli Vault with Coreboot BIOS is a large factor in being the best pfSense hardware as it allows for a predominantly open-source operating environment.II. VPN ConfigurationsThe Protectli Vault loaded with pfSense allows you to take your VPN protection to the next level. As the best pfSense hardware you can create a dedicated VPN router that allows all devices on your network to run on a VPN even if they don’t support the native VPN software application.If you’re data security and data privacy needs demand it, you can also configure a VPN kill-switch. That way, if your VPN connection goes down the Protectli Vault pfSense router will automatically halt all traffic and preventing the exposure of your real IP address.Most excellent VPN providers offer OpenVPN configurations which is what allows you to setup the Protectli Vault pfSense hardware as a VPN router.Another powerful feature the Protectli Vault pfSense hardware can leverage is the Intel CPU Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (AES-NI) standard which vastly improves the speed of VPN encryption and decryption.This means that for VPN providers which offer it, you can run much stronger encryption settings than other routers without AES-NI. Non AES-NI routers simply are not be able to process stronger encryption or would experience vastly degraded performance if they did.III. Network ManagementAs nice as it is to run a Protectli Vault the best pfSense hardware as a dedicated OpenVPN client, in reality, it dosen’t always play nice with entertainment services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime who will sometimes block VPN traffic.That is where the Protectli Vault pfSense hardware network management capabilities excel and outperform the competition.Using either additional ports on the Protectli Vault or VLAN capabilities through pfSense you are able to segment your network traffic so only the devices you would want to run through the VPN do so.For example if you have an Apple TV or Amazon Firesitck you can omit those from the VPN by creating a separate internal network that routes traffic normally through your ISP.VPN or not network segmentation is a great practice to improve your networks security, performance, and redundancy.With VLAN’s for example you can create as many private networks as you need such as one dedicated for work, one for personal computers, and one for smart home devices, and another for guests.These are all capabilities very much needed in the COVID-19 world yet completely lacking in the offerings from Linksys, NETGEAR, and ISP provided junk.Finally, Protectli Vault pfSense Hardware easily supports bandwidth speeds up to GigabitIV. Failover CapabilityFor absolutely mission critical needs such as online gaming and Netflix, Protectli Vault pfSense hardware supports the following failover tolerance.Multi-Wan – This feature provides you the ability to have and additional internet connection. For example, a primary cable internet connection automatically backed up by a secondary cellular connection.Common Address Redundancy Protocol (CARP) – Allows you to have multiple routers which share a virtual IP address. In case one router goes down then the other router will automatically take over.V. SupportBoth Protectli Vault and pfSense are backed by companies who offer quality support for their respective products. In addition, there is much online documentation for both Protectli Vault and pfSense. Finally, there are a multitude of forums with individuals actively contributing and supporting each other with their Protectli Vault pfSense projects.Protectli Vault Best pfSense Hardware?In summary Protectli Vault the best pfSense hardware for home networks and small business networks.When compared against off-the-shelf routers at a retail store or ISP provided units, the enhanced security, OpenVPN Client, Network Management, Failover, and Support for Protectli Vault pfSense hardware cannot be beat.Remember, in the COVID-19 era your homes internet connectivity is now just as mission critical as the office you used to work at.I’ve been using the Protectli Vault, Unifi AP Pro, and TP Link Switch with VLAN’s for more than six months now. Running the best pfSense hardware I’ve had rock solid stability, excellent performance and enjoy all the features and support.If you enjoyed this article or have any feedback please comment below or share it on social media.Thank you!Images Credit: Protectli, Coreboot, OpenVPNNo related posts....Read more...
  • AdGuard Adblocker: The Definitive Guide

    June 7, 2020Online Privacy Solutions / Protect Your Privacy OnlineIn the sea of browser extensions offering adblocker capabilities with varrying degrees of success, one stands out from the crowd, AdGuard.AdGuard is primarily an adblocker, however its so much more than a simple browser extension such as uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger.For example, where those two extensions are purely limited to their selection of compatible browsers, AdGuard software functions at the system level.This system level functionality expands the protections from a single browser to all traffic on the device, whether that traffic is from another application or browser without an extension.As a browser agnostic and application agnostic piece of software, it positions AdGuard way ahead of the other adblocker extensions which simply run inside a given web browser.This definitive guide to the AdGuard adblocker will give you everything to need to know in 2020 regarding its features, benefits, and how to obtain it and install it.Why use AdGuard as your adblocker?As mentioned above if your operating system of choice is Windows or MacOS, AdGuard is way more than a simple browser extension. The AdGuard software is a comprehensive solution that addresses four critical categories of data privacy and data security while using the internet.I. Ad BlockingII. Privacy ProtectionIII. Browsing SecurityIV. Parental ControlAd BlockingTrue to its namesake, AdGuard executes with precision on its primary objective of being an excellent adblocker.It achieves this by by consistently removing more ads than other adblockers do. The fantastic adblocker ability is not limited to a single browser since the software integrates at the kernel level to provide system wide ad blocking. By default, this integrated service protects all of your other applications as well.Finally, in the nanoseconds it takes to block annoying ads it not only gives your web browser a speed boost when the ads don’t load, it also will clean up the appearance of the web page from the blocked ads.AdGuard does this in an effort to close the white space left by blocked ads and all this happens faster than you can blink an eye.Privacy ProtectionGiven that most internet advertisements include some form of tracking mechanism, another great benefit of the AdGuard adblocker is that it’s automatically nullifying the vast majority of trackers.Its worth reiterating that as a standalone program, this ad blocking and tracker blocking its happening system-wide and not limited to the browser.Browsing SecurityAdGuard maintains an updated list of known malicious websites propagating malware and phishing scams. AdGuard will automatically block these websites effortlessly without any speical configurations at the browser level.Additionally, AdGuard maintains a separate list of websites it deems questionable and will warn you prior to visiting.Parental ControlEven before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, forcing people around the world to change work environments and school environments it was of paramount importance for parents to restrict the internet access available to their children.Now in a post COVID-19 world parents should be extra vigilent with most learning transitioning from pysical classrooms to predominantly online classes.If you are a parent AdGuard gives you the tools to establish system level restrictions in order to prevent your children from accessing inappropriate online content.How to get AdGuard and protect your data and your privacy today?Since 2009 AdGuard has been designed by a team who values individual privacy rights and seeks to make their software as user friendly as possible.To that end, it can be downloaded, installed, and operating with a license key in less than 5 minutes.Whether your operating system is Windows, MacOS, or Android click on what applies to you below to start your download.AdGuard for WindowsAdGuard for MacAdGuard for AndroidAfter downloading your system installer simply open the AdGuard program in order to purchase your license key and activate.There are 4 licenses to choose from.You can pay yearly for a personal plan supporting up to 3 devicesorYou can pay yearly for a family plan supporting up to 9 devicesorBoth the personal plan and the family plan also can also be purchased as a lifetime license.AdGuard Adblocker: The Definitive GuideIf you care about blocking ads while reaping the benefits of privacy protection, browsing security, and parental controls, then AdGuard is absolutely the adblocker for you.In less than five minutes you can try it out for yourself and see firsthand the benefits AdGuard has to offer.Be sure to leave any comments in the section below!Images Credit: AdGuardNo related posts....Read more...
  • 4 Examples of Data Privacy Risks

    May 31, 2020Online Privacy Issues / Why is Online Privacy ImportantThis is an era where data privacy risks from internet connected devices involves your data being generated, propagated, analyzed, and stored by third-parties on a daily basis.A large portion of your data being generated revolves around four main catageories of data privacy risks.I. Domain Name Service (DNS) LeaksII. Email IP LeaksIII. IPv6 LeaksIV. Browser/OS FingerprintingThese data privacy risks are predominantly tied to your internet protocol (IP) address which reveals a lot of your online activities. When using devices on your home network or small business network you have two IP addresses to contend with, your internal private IP address and your external public IP address.The internal network facing IP address, also known as the private network address is assigned uniquely to each device on your home network by your home router. The address only pertains to the communications between devices happening inside your network.The external public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and usually represents only your home router or small business router which is then used by each device communicating on the internet. This public IP address represents all of the devices operating behind that home router or small business router.DNS LeaksFor example, when your device requests a website address through a given website name, such as https://eff.org, it’s translated from those letters into actual IP address numbers. That translation is made possible by the the DNS servers your device is communicating with.The role DNS servers play in your overall privacy and security on the internet is often overlooked. This is due to the fact that using a modem and router provided by your ISP means the default settings are communicating with their DNS severs.ISP’s log all activity on their networks and even if a website you are visiting has a padlock symbol signifying encrypted traffic between your device and the website requested, DNS traffic is usually not encrypted. So in addition to your ISP keeping record of all sites you visit, other third parties have visibility into the unencrypted DNS traffic as well.A simple DNS Leak test will verify what DNS servers you are currently using. Additionally, if you have already taken steps to either change your DNS server or employ the use of a VPN its worth testing how effective your current settings are working.Should the test reveal that your settings are not achieving the desired outcome then you will have a starting point for identifying and making necessary corrections.An excellent VPN service provider such as Private Internet Access will actually wrap all of your device traffic in strong encryption including DNS traffic and then route it through their servers, including their own DNS servers.That shield against ISP traffic monitoring goes a long way towards increasing your online privacy and security.Email IP LeaksAnother reason and use case for using a VPN service is that simple emails you send can also reveal your IP address.If you are sending emails while connected to a VPN service then the IP address of the VPN server is revealed instead of your personally identifiable IP address.Test to see if your email provider or email client leaks your IP address here.IPv6 LeaksIPv6 is the preemptive solution to the Internet’s problem of a dwindling pool of IPv4 addresses available. IPv6 vastly expands the TCP/IP identifiers that can be created.IPv4 is still the prominent internet protocol in use today, however more ISPs are supporting IPv6 which means that is another avenue for a unique identifier which identifies you. If you have adjusted your router settings to disable IPv6 or use a VPN which claims to shield IPv6 leaks as well, then its highly recommended to test for IPv6 leakage here.Browser/OS FingerprintingFinally, last but not least is browser and operating system (OS) fingerprinting. This is one of the most nefarious and privacy violating tracking methods currently used.In essence, browser and OS fingerprinting involves capturing many unique data points about your web browser in-use and your operating system in-use. All the data points captured from your browser and OS, which are to numerous to list here are then compiled into a unique and traceable fingerprint across the internet.So far the best defense to browser and OS fingerprinting is the herd approach. Meaning, you want your device to have identical specifications and settings along with the majority of other users. The more people producing the same browser and OS fingerprint waters down the tracking ability.If you are ready for a reality check as to the insidious nature of this privacy violating tool then check out PANOPTICLICK provided by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).4 Examples of Data Privacy RisksIn summary, you’ve read about the perils of data leakage and 4 examples of data privacy risks stemming from DNS leaks, email IP leaks, IPv6 leaks, and browser/OS fingerprinting.You may want to bookmark this page (Press Ctrl + D) and come back to test these areas of data leakage regularly as you work to adjust your settings and mitigate the data leakage.For further reading on your public IP address vulnerabilities and why a VPN is so important I also recommend this article. What’s my IP?Feel free to share your thoughts on data privacy risks below!Related posts: 3 Best Private Web Browsers in 2020? Information Technology Products That Respect End User Data Privacy The Best Password Manager is Foundational to Data Security and Privacy Online What Does Connected Car Data and Inexpensive Home Automation System Data Have In Common?...Read more...
  • How to Use HomeKit?

    May 25, 2020Online Privacy Solutions / Protect Your Privacy OnlineAmong the few leading smart home automation kits available Apple HomeKit is most likely the least popular. That unpopularity compared to other smart home kits such as Google Nest and Amazon Alexa however, is not indicative of Apple HomeKit being sub-par.The more likely reason for less consumer adoption is that individuals are unaware of how to use HomeKit, or they are more drawn to the marketing campaigns of the competition touting their vast numbers of compatible devices. Its no lie that Google Nest kits and Amazon Alexa kits have more devices to choose from.In reality, having more smart home devices of the same type such as doorbells and cameras is not necessarily an advantage to them. It may sound good, however each compatible device for a given smart home ecosystem is a potential liability and weak link for a compromise of a home network or small business network if not properly vetted.In contrast, having fewer devices compatible with Apple HomeKit is a sign of the Apple HomeKit stringent standards of security and quality prior to acceptance into the HomeKit ecosystem. Its those high standards which make Apple HomeKit extremely reliable, robust and more secure than the competition.As mentioned in my previous post on connected car data and inexpensive home automation systems, Apple HomeKit is the only NETPRAETOR recommended home automation system at this time. This post will provide you with information on how to use HomeKit.I. Hardware RequirementsUnderstanding how to use HomeKit requires a knowledge of the hardware elements needed to make it work. In this case when learning how to use HomeKit, it is broken down into three main hardware categories.Hub – This is the brain of Apple HomeKit which synchronizes and processes all of the information inside your home and the cloud. Any AppleTV 4K, newer iPad, or HomePod can be designated the hub of the house.NETPRAETOR recommends using an AppleTV 4K as the hub due to its ability to be hardwired via an ethernet cable to a router or switch for more reliable network performance and provides the option for more advanced configurations.Apple TV 4KHome Controller – This is the nerve center of Apple HomeKit which sends commands to the various smart home devices.The Home controller application is your personal iPhone or iPad that you use on a daily basis. The HomeKit app is already built into your device and simply titled “Home”. If you have never opened it before it will prompt you to add your home when you do.HomeKit Compatible Smart Devices – This is the body of the Apple HomeKit system made up of all the smart home devcies which execute the commands from the Home controller and processed by the hub. i.e. Turning off and on lights or activating a ceiling fan to work with your thermostat in cooling the home.As much as the Apple HomeKit competition seeks to distract from how to use HomeKit by their claims of more devices, the devices compatible with Apple HomeKit are are too numerous to list here. You can rest assured though that if a device is Apple HomeKit compatible its one of the best devices on the market for that specific purpose and built to last.Here are a few NETPRAETOR recommendations to select early when building a new smart home along with how to use HomeKit.I’ve been using many of these products for 2 years now with absolutely no issues!Lutron Caseta 2 Dimmer Switch and Hub KitLutron Caseta switchesecobee 3 Lite Home Thermostat KitLogitec Circle 2 CameraRobin ProLine Compact Doorbell (Silver)August Home Smart Lock Pro + Connect with Wi-Fi BridgeHunter Indoor Low Profile Wifi Ceiling FanLiftMaster MYQ 819LMB MyQ Home Bridge Garage Door OpeneriPad (additional controller and everything else an iPad does)II. Setup and ConfigurationOnce you have your hub designated, controller identified, and a few Apple HomeKit compatible devices, you are ready for the setup and configuration.Thankfully, with all the right components present and installed correctly, this process can take less than 30 minutes.Here is the breakdown on how to setup HomeKit:Connect the hub device to your home network via ethernet cable or WiFiSign-in to the hub with the Apple ID you want to use as the primaryWithin the settings of the hub device designate it as the HomeKit hubEnsure the iPhone or iPad to be used as the controller is also signed-in with the same Apple ID as the hub deviceOpen the Home application on the iPhone or iPad to be used as the initial controller and add your home to be syncedPick the first smart device you want to add first and follow the device manufacturer instructions for each device to be addedThat’s all there is to it. When wondering how to use HomeKit the most daunting part is not usually the setup and configuration, instead it tends to be the analysis paralysis wondering where to start with all the options to choose from.I went through that myself when learning how to use HomeKit and that is why I’ve made this post for you.III. Sharing AccessThis is the fun, part. Sharing access to those whom you designate can be a rewarding experience when teaching them how to use HomeKit, especially if it’s their first time getting the “keys” to a fully functional smart house.Adding people is as simple as opening the Home application on your iPhone or iPad and tapping the home icon in the top left of the screen above your homes name.From there a new window will open and all you need to do is type in the Apple ID of the people you want to grant access to your home devices.As people you invite to Apple HomeKit accept the invitation, their names will appear on the screen that pops up after tapping the small home icon above your homes name on the primary screen.Tapping their name will allow you to edit their permissions such as permitting them to add or remove accessories, or view camera live streams but not prior recordings.From that point the sky is the limit on how your configure your system and continue to expand it.How To Use HomeKit?You just read about how to use HomeKit, the only NETPRAETOR recommended home automation solution at this time.In terms of simplicity and security, this system is the best on the market with unique features such as Apple Secure Home Video and there are three main elements to consider when learning how to use HomeKit.I. Hardware RequirementsHub – AppleTV 4k is the bestHomeApp Controller – iPhone or iPadHomeKit Compatible Devices – Contrary to what the Apple HomeKit competition says, there are many high quality devices to choose fromII. Setup and ConfigurationSetting up the Hub and adding devices can take place in as few as six easy steps and under 30 minutes to complete.III. Sharing AccessEnjoying the fruits of your labor with family and friendsGood luck with building your Apple HomeKit and leave any feedback in the comments field below!Related posts: Protectli Vault Best pfSense Hardware? Apple Watch Privacy Settings For Data Privacy? Privacy Solutions...Read more...