android amazon

Passcode's on your iPhone or iPad (or any computer device) is a must these days. Passcode's not only keep out unwanted prying eyes, but they can also stop thieves from accessing your data.

The most typical type of Passcode's are four-digit pins. Even if you have an iPhone 5s, the pin is still required, and can override your fingerprint.

Now for most of us, four digits is the great middle ground between, security and convince. But! Four digit pins are also the easiest to crack. Just imagine, while there are a lot of combinations to guess, it would only take a brute force computer about 11 seconds to crack, guessing at about one thousand guesses per second.

So what if you want a more secure passcode? There is that option available in iOS. And you could create a passcode that could take more than a century to crack!* To do this, you'll need a passcode that uses the iOS keyboard instead of the number pad.


To set a longer passcode, that uses the full iOS keyboard:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Then Passcode Lock.
4. Switch off Simple Passcode.
5. You can now choose a Passcode, using the full keyboard.


So what is this awesome passcode? Here's it is! An example of a passcode that would take 18 centuries to brute force*:

*(Assuming the guessing rate was at one hundred billion guesses per second).

If we examine this, the key to a strong passcode (or password) is randomness. No names, or words, or mix of the two. You ideally want a password that is a mix between: letters, numbers, and special characters, that makes no sense, with the length of at least 11 characters.

GRC's Password Haystack website has a great tool where you can test your own passcode's or passwords, and see how long it would take for them to be brute forced.

As long as your hackers couldn't access your iDevice in some other way, like through some secret back-door program, it would be almost impossible for them to use brute force to guess your passcode.

But, hey, let's be honest. Unless your some top secret spy, a Passcode that long, and difficult to enter every time you want to unlock your iOS device, is way too over the top! (and what if you forget it!) But you can still make your Passcode a little more difficult to guess, while still having the code convenient.

All you need to do is make a short password (5+ characters) using a combination of, letters / symbols / numbers together, or even just 5+ numbers. While the numbers won't stand up against a brute forcing computer, it can stop other people. That is, as long as your Passcode isn't, 1-2-3-4-5-6...

The iPad has become a hugely popular device. In fact, in Q4 of 2013, Apple sold 14.1 million iPads, alone! iPads, and other tablet devices are fast becoming the first choice for computers in the home. It's so amazing that people of all ages are using these devices. Kids and teens love them, adults love them, and yes, even your old fashion parents - trying to keep 'hip' are coming around, and buying them too.

With all this new technology - there is just one big problem that I see all the time. And I know this because I'm asked all the time by people. They buy an iPad, take it out of the box, switch it on, and then they say, "How do I use this?" Ah! The questions that all the tech-smart members of families hate. I bet either you are the 'tech' guy of your family and friends, or you are the one asking others for the help. Sometimes instead of asking for help, we all should go back to 'school' to master the subject for ourselves.

With all new technology and products, we study and learn how to use them, no matter how old you are. The knowledge (unfortunately) just doesn't get downloaded into our brains. Although there are some 2-3 year olds, that are a little too good at operating iOS devices...

There are two ways to learn: trial and error - and hoping not to mess everything up. Or, by being taught.

There is a lot of great instructional help on the Internet, (this site included), but none are as complete as taking 'a course in iPad'.

iPad Video Lessons, has made a full online video tutorial course, with over 100 videos to watch and learn from. It's like taking a course, but in the comfort of your own home. And you can learn when you feel like it!

Categories feature: All About Your iPad, Web Tips and Tricks, Reading on Your iPad, App Fun & Productivity, Organize Your Photos, Watch Video on Your iPad, and more...

Key features include: 

- Ability to learn at your own pace; you can stop, rewind, and replay videos at your leisure.
- iPad tips and tricks.
- Lifetime Membership
- 24/7 availability. Watch the videos whenever you like.
- Clear, and comprehensive training.

These video lessons would also make a great gift. You could get them for a parent, or a non-tech savvy friend.

At the end of the day (or course), just think how good you'll feel that you invested some time, and learnt how to use a new technology.  And, hey - you never know - you may end up teaching your 'tech friends' a few things they didn't know, they could do on the iPad!

Check out iPad Video Lessons, to read all about it, and watch a sample video. You'll be glad, you did.

Sometimes apps can use up a lot of your storage on your iOS devices. Some apps store temporary files, to make loading quicker. The apps are supposed to manage themselves, but sometimes these temporary files can take up a lot of your storage.

If you want to clear out the cache files of apps like; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, ect... There is only one easy way to do so.


Most apps don't have a internal setting to delete cache files. So, unfortunately the only way to clear the space is to:

1. Delete the app from your device.
2. Re-install the apps from the App Store.


To check how much space certain apps are using on your device:

1. Open 'Settings'
2. Tap 'General'
3. Tap 'Usage'
4. Wait for the list to populate.
5. Under the 'Storage' heading, you can see all your installed apps, and how much space they each use.