Find out why a message appeared
Inspect a practice update message and find the reminder setting behind it.
A computer has no opinions and no ability to be annoyed with you.
Its programs follow instructions. A message can appear because of something you pressed, a saved setting, a website or a task running in the background.
Key points
- Programs, saved settings and websites can all produce messages
- An unexpected message alone does not show that you have broken something
- This practice reminder had a visible setting; real messages may need more checking
What to remember
- Reading a message and checking its source can help you decide what to do. Not every real message has a visible explanation or the same controls.
- Ask where the message came from and what it is asking you to do. You may not have pressed anything to make it appear.
Try this
Next time an unexpected message appears, pause and check its source. Do not use links or phone numbers in a suspicious warning. For an update, open the device or app settings yourself to check.
Practice: Find out why a message appeared. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.