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Ransomware hackers upped the game, and it’s personal
If you read one thing today, let it be this, because the rules of ransomware have officially changed, and not in a “Yay, innovation!” kind of way.
For years, the scam was simple: Hackers locked up your computer, holding your files hostage and demanding a ransom in Bitcoin for a promise to give your data back.
But people and companies started getting wise and saying, “No thanks, we’ve got backups. Go pound sand.”
So the crooks got meaner. Like, Real Housewives reunion-level mean. They’re stealing your files before you even know they’re there and threatening to dump them online for the world to see.
I’m not talking about boring spreadsheets or a few tax forms.
They’re after your deepest, most private secrets, such as all your emails, your medical records, browsing history, AI chatbot sessions, the videos you never meant to share or the ones you would not want anyone to know you ever watched, the contracts, the texts, the photos. Anything they can use to humiliate you or wreck your reputation.
💣 The shame game
Some criminals run their own public leak sites, where they post stolen data as a warning. Pay up, or everyone you know will see exactly what we’ve got on you. That includes all your personal and business contacts because they have those, too.
Say you still don’t pay up. Then, they take it up a notch. They dump it all on the dark web where there is no way you can buy it back.
This isn’t about locking you out and collecting a few hundred in Bitcoin anymore. It’s about dragging your life into the light.
Embarrassment. Blackmail. Legal trouble. They want to destroy you. And the only way to avoid it all is to make yourself a too hard a target.
💡 How to stay ahead of them
✨ Light up your life (literally)
Your eyes called. They’re already sending thank-you notes.
🕯️ Your holiday glow-up: Flameless candles ($14, 30% off)
Set the mood, not a fire. A 12-pack of remote-controlled LEDs flicker like real flames. Perfect for your tree, mantel displays or that “Hallmark movie energy” you need.
💻 Laptop, meet your new buddy: Plug in a portable monitor ($125, 26% off) and instantly double your screen real estate. Slim, bright and smooth at 144Hz.
For the late-night readers: This reading light ($15, 52% off) fits comfortably around your neck. Aim it at the page without blinding your partner.
🤓 Long hours in front of screens? Same. Slip on some blue-light-blocking glasses ($16, 20% off) before work. Cut the glare and still look sharp.
See what you’ve been missing: These microfiber sleeves ($9, 31% off) protect your specs and double as lens cleaners. Your shirt can retire from smudge duty.
🎁 Time to deck your halls: Head to Amazon’s Holiday Shop for everything you need to make this season merry, bright and smart.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🔓 This $130 lock got picked with a water can
You know I love a good tech takedown, and this one is peak internet.
Meet Trevor McNally, a former U.S. Marine staff sergeant turned full-time YouTuber with a very specific hobby: lock picking. On his channel, he tests locks the way most of us test leftovers, with low expectations and a lot of curiosity.
One crash, one spilled coffee, one failed hard drive, and your family photos, tax documents, years of work are gone forever. That heart-stopping panic is real if you don’t have a backup. That’s why I rely on Carbonite, my #1 choice for cloud backup. Not protecting your files? You’re tempting fate, and that’s a risk I’m not willing to take. Save 50% off at carbonite.com/kim.
✈️ The sky-high shriek: Imagine this. You’re mid-movie on a flight, and your $249 AirPods Pro 3 start whistling in your ear like a boiling teapot. Some fliers say the new AirPods’ noise-canceling feature flips out at altitude, creating a painful screech. Apple hasn’t fixed it yet, so maybe pack an old backup pair that behaves. Or pretend it’s experimental jazz.
Grokipedia: the anti-Wikipedia
Wikipedia lets anyone write what they want. Elon Musk’s Grokipedia lets AI write instead. He says it’ll fix bias and misinformation. Here’s my take.
My daughter is addicted to AI chatbots
Caller Josh says his kid’s obsession has crossed the line and even turned inappropriate. A must-hear for parents. Plus, the NBA’s high-tech gambling mess, OpenAI’s for-profit shake-up, and new scams that can clone your voice in real time.
Send emails later: Gmail lets you schedule messages, so you can write them now and send them later. On desktop, open the Compose box, click the arrow next to the blue Send button, and select Schedule send to pick a date. On mobile, open the Gmail app, tap Compose, then the three dots in the top right to do the same. Easy.
3 great Halloween tips
It’s time to get spooky with some tech. I have some expert tips for an instant haunted house.
No kids club: So Character.AI, the app where people talk to pretend humans, is officially kicking out everyone under 18. Yep, kids are getting banned after some horrific lawsuits, including one from a mom who says a chatbot pushed her son to end his life. Starting now, there’s a two-hour limit. Full lockout by Nov. 25. Right, like this will work.
DIY made easy
Got a honey-do list a mile long? Start here.
🔦 Whoa, that’s bright: Philips flashlight ($44, 30% off)
Don’t wait for a power outage to wish you had one. This zoomable beam packs 2,000 lumens and a rechargeable battery that also charges your phone. You’ll never fumble for candles again.
🧰 The ultimate gift set: A full 276-piece toolbox ($100, 21% off) and a power drill? You betcha. Wrap this up and make someone’s Christmas morning.
Your pipe’s winter coat: Slip on a two-pack of outdoor faucet covers ($6, 40% off) before the first frost. Way cheaper than a plumber visit.
👟 Solid grip, no fuss: Tracking in dirt? A pack of 100 disposable shoe covers ($8, 47% off) saves you from having to whip out your mop.
Tiny fix, big win: These rubber chair leg caps ($10, 17% off) stop your furniture from scratching your beautiful floors. 16 in a pack = enough for four chairs.
✅ For your inner Mr. or Ms. Fix-It: See 25 more gadgets that made my “home helper” list over on my Amazon page.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Plug the leaks in your digital life
Hackers, scammers and snoopers are getting slicker every day. Your gear should, too. I did the digging (so you don’t have to) and found the best tools to outsmart them. Let’s check them out!
RFID blocking cards ($5, 50% off) stop fraud before it even starts. Slip one into your wallet, and forget it’s there. Your ID and financial info stays safe and sound.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🌐 Update your web browser: If websites are loading slower than usual, your browser might be out of date. Updating gives you better speeds, new features and important security fixes. In Chrome, go to Settings > About Chrome, and it’ll auto-check for updates. In Firefox, click the (☰) icon > Help > About Firefox to do the same.
Lazy-day win: In maybe the best news in a while for incessant returning folks, you may soon be able to skip the whole “find a box, print a label, drive to UPS” thing. Amazon’s testing a partnership with USPS that lets you hand off returns right from your doorstep. Eligible items are under 15 pounds, and it’s rolling out quietly.
Turn gadgets into gift cards: Got old tech collecting dust? Amazon takes e-readers, smart speakers, phones and more. Tell them what you’re trading in and its condition to get an estimated value as an Amazon Gift Card. Bonus: If you trade in Amazon gear like a Fire Tablet, you’ll also score 20% off a new device.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Creeps love their Meta Ray-Ban glasses
Weird guys are using them to record their pickup attempts on college women. Plus, YouTuber Ian Runkle joins me to talk about a lock company that sued an influencer and got roasted. Also: AI in real estate, smart fridge ads, and what’s new with GPT-5.
How to clean up your camera roll fast
Is your phone begging for more storage? AI host Mara’s got the quick way to ditch duplicate pics on iPhone and Android. Plus, a NordicTrack recall, a 3-year-old hero with Face ID, and the coolest new iOS feature you didn’t know you needed.
Measure without a tape: Your iPhone has a built-in measuring tool. Open the Measure app and move the circle to a starting point, then tap Add a Point and drag to the other edge. It’ll draw a pretty accurate line that’s great for checking furniture sizes in-store. Or switch to Level to test if something’s straight.
Cellphone bills too high? That’s why I switched to Consumer Cellular. I’m getting two unlimited lines for just $60 a month. Solid coverage, no gimmicks, no gotchas. Use code KIM25 at ConsumerCellular.com/KIM to save $25.