Google Messages Crashing/Hanging Fix
In this blog post, I will show how I fixed the Google Messages app from freezing. Please keep in mind, this fix worked for me and a couple of other people. While it may not work for everyone, I am sharing it in the hopes that it might help someone else experiencing the same problem.
Background: For the last 3 months, I have been encountering an issue with Google Messages. Every time I opened the app, it would completely freeze within 10 seconds, forcing me to close it manually. Initially it seemed to go away with a Google Messages update. Unfortunately, it started freezing on me again.
After tinkering with it for a bit, I figured out the “Automatic previews” feature was causing the app to hang. Disabling the “Automatic previews” option resolved the issue.
If you wish to try the fix for yourself, here is what to do.
1. On the top-right of the app, tap on the icon as shown in the image below.
2. Open the settings menu.
3. Find “Automatic previews”, and tap on that.
4. Make sure the highlighted options are disabled.
And that is it. This worked for me, and hopefully this will work for you too.
Posted in Android, Mobile Phone, Software, Tips & Tutorials
Are Web Browser Extensions Safe to Use? (2025 Update)
Several years ago, I wrote about the potential risks associated with web browser extensions (also referred to as “add-ons”) being able to abuse their power and access sensitive user data.
I said if someone has installed a malicious browser extension, their web browsing data (e.g., browsing history, password credentials, what they type into a website, etc.) may get sent directly to the extension’s creator, putting the user’s online security and privacy at risk.
Today, I received an email with a link to a news article, explaining how 18 separate web extensions for Edge and Google Chrome were caught spying on people.
Here is the link to the article: https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/07/millions-of-people-spied-on-by-malicious-browser-extensions-in-chrome-and-edge
This just goes to show, always be mindful about which web browser extensions you choose to install.
Update 08-22-2025
Here’s another example of why you should be careful with web browser extensions.
Chrome VPN Extension With 100k Installs Screenshots All Sites Users Visit
Posted in Android, Computers, General, Internet and Servers, Mobile Phone, Security, Software
Happy 4th of July (2025)
𝓟𝓻𝓪𝔂 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓝𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓛𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹!
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” – Psalm 33:12a (NASB)
“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB)
Posted in Holiday
How to Reboot Windows using PowerShell for Windows
In this blog post, I will show how to reboot Windows using PowerShell.
As you know, rebooting Windows is typically done through the graphical interface, but understanding how to reboot Windows using PowerShell can be beneficial for various reasons (e.g., automation tasks, install scripts, etc.). Also, you may find yourself in a Windows environment that requires the use of the command line (e.g., Server Core).
You don’t need administrator privileges to reboot a desktop version of Windows, but you do need them to reboot a Windows Server.
To reboot Windows from the command line, run the following command in a PowerShell terminal.
Restart-Computer
If you need to forcefully reboot Windows (without waiting for all the programs to close first), use the “-Force” switch.
Restart-Computer -Force
Posted in Code Snippet, Command Prompt, Computers, Internet and Servers, Operating Systems, PowerShell, Tips & Tutorials