All tech. No filler.
Join 900,000+ people who stay ahead of the tech curve with The Current, delivered daily. No fluff, no BS.
Breaking news and tips
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.
Get your home holiday-ready
The busy season’s creeping in fast. Jump on these steals before the rush.
✨ Permanent outdoor lights (40% off): Keep your place glowing all year long. Set them up once and never drag out another string.
Foldable step stool (17% off): Sturdy, lightweight and folds in seconds. Perfect for grabbing your festive decor from the top shelf.
🎃 Pumpkin carving kit (23% off): Ditch the flimsy tools, and craft jack-o’-lanterns that actually look like your Pinterest inspo.
Christmas gift tags (15% off, 500 pieces): These little labels take your presents from last-minute to perfectly put together.
🎁 Wrapping paper set (14% off): Add a pop of fun with 10 sheets that help all your gifts stand out from the pack.
🍂 Get ahead of the chaos: Explore today’s top deals for more easy seasonal wins.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
When robots start flying us
Imagine boarding a plane, looking toward the cockpit … and no one’s there. No captain, no copilot. Just empty seats and a glowing dashboard. Sounds like sci-fi, right? Nope, it’s real, and it’s already flying.
Feeling like AI’s moving faster than you can keep up? You’re not alone, but you can catch up. Grab NetSuite’s free “CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning.” It’s simple, smart and full of practical takeaways to help you stay ahead of the curve (and sound brilliant in your next meeting).
🛹 A ride to remember: This is so great. After a bad skateboarding crash, Joey called an Uber instead of 911. His driver, Beni, not only took him to the hospital, but he stayed by Joey’s side all day. The two became lifelong friends. “That one act of kindness,” Joey said, “helped me see the good in the world again.” Let’s see a Waymo do that.
Owning a Tesla isn’t for the weak
Cursed at, yelled at, spit at. Tesla owners say it’s like driving a roving political sign. Here’s the scoop.
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.
💸 Stop paying for Microsoft 365: Use free alternatives like LibreOffice instead. To cancel your subscription, sign in on Microsoft’s website. Go to My Microsoft account (top right) > Subscriptions > Microsoft 365 > Manage > Cancel subscription, then scroll down and click I don’t want my subscription. Money saved. Score.
3 ways to practice self-care with tech
It’s time to take a breather. Feeling a little burnt out? Try these tech tools for a happier, healthier you.
🪦 RIP Wikipedia: When’s the last time you actually used it? Me neither. Now it’s losing traffic fast because of AI. Good riddance. Years ago, we canceled a ’50s and ’60s music show, and some editor there twisted that into “The Kim Komando Show is going out of business.” It took countless emails and phone calls before he finally changed it. Karma’s digital.
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. 😏
🎬 Upload reels from your PC: Posting on Instagram isn’t only for your phone anymore. On your computer, sign in to Instagram and click Create > Post > Select From Computer. Choose your file, crop it using the arrow icons and pick a size like 1:1 or 9:16. Add a Cover photo, Trim it, then hit Share.
🧮 Ralph’s saving $75 a month with Consumer Cellular: That’s nearly $1,000 a year. What would you do with that? Two unlimited lines for $30/month per line, solid coverage, no contracts. Use KIM25 and save another $25.
🔐 Passwords? Handled. If remembering logins feels like a full-time job, meet NordPass. It saves, fills and protects every password automatically. No more lockouts, no more “forgot password” rage, only smooth, secure logins every time. Snag this deal, only $1.24 per month.*
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!
✍️ Fix caps in Google Docs: If you’re typing fast during a meeting, capitalization is usually the first thing to go. Instead of fixing every word later, highlight the text, go to Format > Text > Capitalization, and choose lowercase, UPPERCASE or Title Case. In seconds, your notes look tidy and professional.
🔥 “Feel the burn” going too far: If your rowing machine’s smoking, that’s not your workout. NordicTrack just recalled thousands of $1,700 RW900 rowers after reports of consoles overheating, melting and even catching fire. Six incidents, two fires, $6,000 in damage, but thankfully no injuries yet. If you’ve got one, unplug it and call iFIT for a free fix before your cardio turns into arson. Lucky me, I have one.