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Your password is too short. Let’s fix that
I hate passwords. They are a total pain in the butt. Now don’t kill the messenger…
Hackers have amped up their game and are using powerful AI software that can rip through millions of password combinations in seconds. Brace yourself, your password really needs to be at least 20 characters, and there should be a completely different one for each account.
📊 The common mistake
Let me guess: You have a few passwords you just tweak depending on the site. That “hack” is exactly what hackers count on. Stop that.
Next mistake, maybe you’re saving passwords in your browser?
I get it, it’s easy. Chrome, Safari, Edge, all offer to remember your logins with one click. Here’s the problem with that. If malware sneaks onto your device (and it doesn’t take much), it can grab everything you’ve stored, logins, emails, even credit card info, without you ever knowing.
And rogue browser extensions? Some are built to harvest your passwords right from under your nose.
🧠 Your password plan
- Make your password long: Shoot for 20 characters or go up to 60 characters with a good password manager (and you should have one).
- Use a passphrase: Think four or five random words strung together with numbers and characters.
- Use a different password for every account: Hassle, I know. If one gets hacked, you don’t want your entire digital life going down with it.
- Turn on 2FA: Always.
- Use a trusted password manager: Pick a solid one, and no more sticky notes or memory games.
😰 Your password manager problems
Maybe you’re thinking, I’ve got this, Kim. I don’t need a password manager. Or maybe you’re using a bad one.
LastPass? Federal agents have linked the 2022 LastPass breach to a $150 million cryptocurrency theft. They say attackers used data stolen from LastPass, including private keys and vault info, to siphon off crypto. Myki shut down. Dashlane scaled back its free plan. RememBear hasn’t been updated since 2023.
Fang-tastic Halloween faves
You’ve got two weeks to go from “meh” to “monstrous.”
📺 Mini smart projector (44% off): Stream spooky movies right in your front yard. You’ll be an instant trick-or-treating hot spot.
Balloon lights (41% off, 100 pieces): Turn any balloon into a glowing orb. Reusable for any party that needs extra sparkle.
🍫 Assorted candy bars (25% off): Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth … these classics vanish faster than a ghost at midnight.
Wreath hanger (20% off): No nails, no tape. Change it up for every holiday without leaving a mark on your door.
🔦 LED flashlights (13% off, six-pack): Easy to carry and bright enough to spot lurking ghouls or just the driveway steps.
Promo code of the day: DENIM15 gets you 15% off new Amazon Essentials denim, but only through tomorrow.
🍬 Treat yourself: From creepy to sweet, click here for more scary-good deals.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
California’s new opt‑out a win (if you live there)
Kim K. in Calabasas, CA, asked if California’s new browser privacy law means she no longer needs Incogni, a sponsor of my national radio show. Great question. First, yes, I did check to see if that “K” stood for Kardashian. No response … yet. 😏
⚠️ Tired of being tracked every time you go online? With ExpressVPN, you can browse, shop and stream safely, no matter where you are, even on sketchy public Wi-Fi. It hides your IP address, encrypts your data and lets you appear as if you’re in another country to unlock shows and sites worldwide. One tap, total online freedom. Get 4 extra months using this link.
📞 Saved in the nick of FaceTime: Woah. A 3-year-old Michigan boy saved his mom after she collapsed from a seizure by unlocking her phone with Face ID and FaceTiming a family friend, who called 911. Little Cody’s now an honorary junior deputy, complete with badge and swag. The sheriff joked that “we’re hiring,” but maybe let him finish preschool first. Love this.
Be mean to AI for better results (really)
Maybe a little tough love is what your chatbot needs to shape up. Here’s why being a little mean to ChatGPT or your other fave chatbot might actually help.
How ChatGPT helped me win in court
Staci from New Mexico got sued for alleged $5,200 debt. Instead of hiring a lawyer, she hired AI. She got $2,000 back. Wow. Plus, satellites that leak too much info, ChatGPT goes NSFW, and a webcam scam that’ll make you cover your camera.
📷 Webcam not working on Windows 11? Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and toggle on Camera access. Also toggle Let apps access your camera. Then open the app you’re using and press F8 to turn it on. Still blank? Go to Device Manager > Cameras, right-click yours, select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers, then Restart your PC.
Bored this weekend? There’s an app for that
Think there’s nothing to do? Open your phone. Hidden in a few apps are the best local events, new friends, and plans you’ll actually want to keep.
💸 Starlink wants you back: If you dumped Starlink, SpaceX is sliding back into your inbox with a “We’d love to have you back ❤️” and a 50% off deal. That’s $60 a month instead of $120, for two years. Basically the Wi-Fi version of “I’ve changed.” Loyal customers like me, meanwhile, are getting nothing but billing reminders.
Everyday essentials to save your sanity
Your secret weapons to help you feel better and cleaner.
🌡️ No-touch thermometer (16% off): Wave, beep, and boom, instant readings for squirmy toddlers and even half-asleep adults.
Cetaphil ceramide serum (44% off): Sensitive skin? This one’s packed with dermatologist-tested ingredients for deep hydration.
🧴 Arm & Hammer hand soap (10% off, six-pack): Tough on dirt, gentle on skin and comes in four scents you’ll love.
Bamboo cotton swabs (16% off): One box = 1,000 fixes. These double-tipped buds are as soft as they are tough.
💅 Nail polish remover (42% off): A kinder way to clean up gel, dip and acrylic while moisturizing your nails.
Promo code of the day: Use code 9D7CMAWZ for 50% off this travel-size polish remover until Oct. 30. Don’t wait, supplies won’t last.
💰 Full price is optional: Head to Amazon’s deal page to catch today’s markdowns before they disappear.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Slay your vampire electronics
Since Halloween’s in the air, let’s talk about something spooky: vampire electronics. These everyday gadgets quietly suck electricity (and money) when you’re not using them.
They’re called “phantom loads” or “standby power,” and they’re everywhere from your cable box to your soundbar to your printer. Even when they’re “off,” they’re drawing power.
Sign out of Google everywhere: If you’ve used someone else’s computer, make sure to fully log out. Go to Google and tap your profile icon in the top right. Choose Show more accounts > Sign out of all accounts > Continue. Then go back, tap Sign in > Remove an account and delete yours from the list.
Strange bedfellows: Apple and NBC are holding hands, sort of. Starting Monday, you can bundle Apple TV and Peacock for $15/month (normally $21). That’s $6 you can spend on emotional support snacks while watching Slow Horses and Law & Order. NBC brings the junk food TV; Apple brings the prestige.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Buying a secondhand phone? Dial #06# to see its IMEI number. Then enter it on Stolen Phone Checker to find out if it’s been reported stolen or blocked by a carrier.
Apple’s new M5 chip: What you need to know
The AI computer era is here. Apple’s M5 chip is rolling out in the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. Then, a wild call from Eileen, who’s helping her friend after an IT shop scam cost thousands. Plus, billionaire bunkers, Jeff Bezos’ space dreams, and more big tech updates.
Real-life energy vampires
In today’s AI-powered podcast, find out which everyday electronics are draining your power bill. Spooky! Also, how easy (and fast) it is for scammers to clone your voice. Don’t miss these simple ways to protect your privacy, save money and stay tech ahead!
📱 Connect AirPods to Android: AirPods can work without an iPhone. On your Android phone, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn it on. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back or double tapping the front light until it turns white. Then select them under Available devices and tap Pair.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
💾 Nuclear files and chill: Get this. A Department of Energy employee lost his security clearance after uploading 187,000 porn images to a federal network. He said it was for an “AI project,” not pleasure, and compared his interrogation to the “Spanish Inquisition.” The collection reportedly spanned 30 years. That’s not what “data backup” means, champ.