April 01, 2026 • read

Technology Tips April 2026 Edition

Skyward IT Services
Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists

Skyward IT Services

In this article

Share this story

Change your Gmail

If there is one thing Millennials have in common, it’s having a cringy email address that middle-school-us thought was cooler than cool. If you have a Gmail address you’d like to change, today is your lucky day! Here’s what you have to do:

Visit http://myaccount.google.com/google-account-email on your cell phone or computer
Go to Personal info/Email/Google Account email.
Click “Change Google Account email.”
Enter your new username and click “Change email” then “Yes, change email.”

If your desired username doesn’t work, it might be because it is already in use by someone else. Continue trying usernames until it is successful.

Traffic toll scam 👮

If you are receiving texts claiming that you owe traffic tolls and are getting summoned to court, make sure to take a step back before clicking on any links!

There is a new scam going around with a message that includes a court seal, case number, and QR code. Some scammers are even threatening jail time. This might feel intimidating, but when in doubt, always go to the official government website and check for unpaid tolls. Do not scan the QR code as this can take you to a malicious website.

Should you always accept cookies?

To accept or not accept, that is the question!

In 2018, a law called the European General Data Protection Regulation came into effect which requires multinational companies to ask users for their permission to use cookies. You’ve likely noticed these pop-up messages on nearly every website you go to, and maybe you click ‘accept’ without thinking twice. Let’s discuss the times it’s best to accept cookies and situations when you may not have to.

Accept: Some websites require you to “accept all” to use their website at all. When you do accept the cookies, the website remembers you and your interests and preferences, hopefully making your browsing experience more efficient. Cookies can also save your log-in credentials, which comes in handy.

Don’t accept: If a website is asking permission for third-party cookies, it may be a good idea to decline. Chances are, they are selling your information (such as preferences, shopping and browsing habits, etc.). Having new cookies can also slow your computer and occupy disk space.

Finally, never accept the cookies if you are on a trusted website that asks for your social security number (SSN) or other highly personal information. As always, double check the website you are on is the correct one.

Malware of the month

Adobe has fixed a security bug that has been affecting PDFs. The vulnerability allowed hackers to plant malware remotely after the user opened a PDF. In some cases, this gave the hacker full control of the victim’s system. While the patch will be helpful, Adobe still has two questions: who was the hacker and what was their motive?

For fun

Grab a coworker and fill in the blanks of this hack-themed mad lib.

Hi ________(your name),

This is _______ (CEO/CFO/handsome prince) and I need you to send me five ______(hundred, thousand, million) dollars in the form of ______ (gift cards/cash/money wire) as I have an emergency. Please send it to ______(my home address/email/Venmo) and I’ll send you _____ (more PTO/a free car/cash/Taylor Swift concert tickets) as a token of my gratitude.

With _____(appreciation/sincerity/love), ______ (CEO/CFO/handsome prince)

Thinking about edtech for your district?

We'd love to help. Visit skyward.com/get-started to learn more.