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Hackers want you to make this mistake
If you’re about to take a flight, pause for one hot second before you slide your phone into that shiny airport USB port. Both the FBI and FTC are waving red flags: Public charging stations can be straight-up hacker bait.
The scam has a name, juice jacking, and no, it’s not a new energy drink. That’s where hackers use those public USB ports to sneak malware onto your device. Once they’re in, they can lock you out, steal your passwords or worse.
And no, this isn’t some fringe theory. Here’s how to charge without turning your phone into a hacker buffet:
⚠️ Skip the sketchy USB ports
If it’s a USB port you don’t own, don’t trust it. Charging via a USB cable can transfer data, not just power. If there’s a regular wall outlet, use it with your own plug. Safer and faster.
✅ Go wireless when you can
Many newer public charging stations offer wireless pads, and they’re way safer. No data is exchanged, so malware can’t hitch a ride. It’s slower than wired charging, but worth the peace of mind.
🔌 Bring a charge-only cable
If USB is your only option, use a charge-only cable. These handy little cords ($10) only deliver power, no data transfer possible. They’re a must-pack for frequent travelers.
🚫 Never tap “Trust this device”
If that pop-up shows up on a sketchy plug like a clingy ex asking for a second chance? Slam “No,” or “Don’t allow,” or back away slowly.
You’re not here to fall in love with malware, you’re just trying to hit 35% battery.
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Don’t sweat it
💪 Want that summer bod? Let’s help you get there:
- Keep your water chilly for up to two days with a metal tumbler (5% off).
- Tiny but mighty, these resistance bands (43% off) go up to 40 pounds.
- Body aches? Massage ’em out with a vibrating foam roller (16% off).
- These sporty headbands ($17) come in many patterns to match your style.
- Shake up your home workout by standing on a vibration plate (18% off).
- Track your progress by syncing this smart scale (20% off) with your phone.
🔥 Feel the burn: Amazon’s Memorial Day sale has more deals on summer favorites you’ll want to check out.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Best travel gadgets for any trip
You rolled into your “deluxe” hotel room only to be stuck with dim lighting, mystery smells and Wi-Fi that makes you nostalgic for dial-up. Having fun yet?
Seasoned travelers know this secret: Pack smart. I tracked down the best gadgets on Amazon that are worth your carry-on space. Let’s check in.
🔒 You lock your door, so why not lock up your online life? ExpressVPN keeps your online activity safe and location private, even on public Wi-Fi. It’s fast, easy to use and works on all devices. Get four months free when you sign up today!*
Dumb TikTok prank: Kids are sneaking up behind people in stores, tapping their phone to your phone and playing the Apple Pay “ding” sound. No, they’re not stealing your money. They’re just faking it with a sound clip. It gets worse. Someone’s filming your reaction. Because apparently, that counts as great content now.
Top 3 scams that drain your bank account
It’s more than spam. These are the tricks scammers use to empty your wallet, and how to spot them.
About $33 million
How much Mark Cuban invested during his time on Shark Tank. Surprise, surprise, the billionaire says those deals are now worth at least $250 million. As for why he left the show? He wants to spend more time with his kids. Solid exit strategy.
🎮 Game lagging? Let’s fix that with a few tweaks. Head to your TV’s picture settings and turn on Game Mode. Then, turn off any “reduction” settings like noise or MPEG reduction. Finally, switch off motion enhancement or clarity settings (names vary by brand), so your button presses register right away.
“Hello Pervert” scam
You get an email from a stranger claiming, “We have naked pictures of you!” It’s a scam designed to scare you into paying up. Here’s what to know.
Boots over bots: Two people had to be rescued from a snowy mountain near Vancouver after following advice from the bot. They showed up in sneakers (dumb), and said ChatGPT didn’t warn them about the weather. Rescuers had to bring boots and ski poles. Next time? Use your common sense and talk to an actual human.
Head-to-toe glow
🧽 You’re about to clean up without breaking a sweat.
- Wow, you could save $100 on Dyson’s Airstrait straightener (20% off).
- This scalp massager ($7) helps scrub away all that dandruff.
- Sanitize up to five toothbrushes with a wall-mounted holder (27% off).
- The Pink Stuff (5% off) deep cleans your toilet bowl in just 10 minutes.
- Smudgy screen? This cleaning cloth (36% off) is great for large monitors.
- These pre-wet sponges ($10) make dirty shoes look like new.
😌 Stock up: Don’t miss Amazon’s Memorial Day sale for more personal care steals you’ll actually use.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
23andMe data sold for $256M
Your DNA is now in the hands of biotech giant Regeneron. They say they’ll protect it. Plus, Owen Wilson deepfake scams, Meta lets fraud off the hook, and phone-free vacations. Got T-Mobile? Here’s how to claim your part of the $350M data breach settlement.
40-foot submarine-hunting drone
The “BlueWhale” uses special sensors to spot underwater and surface threats, and can help clear mines. The cool bit? It’s fully autonomous and runs on batteries for weeks. Basically, a Roomba’s scarier cousin with serious military vibes.
🧳 TSA bans chargers: Portable chargers and power banks now have to go in your carry-on only. Why? Most use lithium-ion batteries, which can catch fire in a plane’s cargo hold (paywall link). Easy rule to remember: If it can spark, leak, ignite or explode, it doesn’t belong in your suitcase.
📨 Faster email flow: Speed through your inbox with Gmail’s keyboard shortcuts. Go to Settings > See all settings > General, check Keyboard shortcuts on, then hit Save Changes at the bottom. Need the full list of shortcuts? Press Shift + ? while you’re in Gmail.
23andMe sold your DNA. Can you stop it? — May 24th, Hour 1
Your DNA, your family tree, your most personal data … now in the hands of Big Pharma. Also this hour: Meta refuses to stop scam ads, AI clones, and the viral “invisible phone.” Plus, Anthony from Spokane says someone hacked the neighborhood security cameras.
Clutter crushers
📦 Kick that mess to the curb in style.
- These space-saving hangers (30% off) are perfect for small rooms.
- Protect your nice dishes with some sturdy storage boxes (7% off).
- Snag a foldable jewelry case (10% off) that won’t tangle your bling.
- Haul up to 330 pounds with ease using a foldable wagon (19% off).
- No tools needed. This soap dish tray ($13) sticks right to your wall.
- Doggy business? Clip a poop bag holder ($13) right onto your leash.
🛍️ I can’t live without these: I reorder these 20 little game changers all the time. They’ll make your life easier, too.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
💻 Speed up an old PC: Windows 11’s animations and 3D effects can slow down your graphics card. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and turn off Transparency effects and Animation effects. Your desktop won’t look as fancy, but your computer will run faster. Not a bad trade-off.
📡 Siri’s not OK: Maybe you’re like me getting so frustrated at it because it just sucks. Apple’s AI fix is … other people’s AI. Siri flopped so hard, Apple’s sending us off to ChatGPT (and maybe Gemini and Perplexity, too) to avoid embarrassment. A shiny new, non-humiliating Siri is in the works, but don’t hold your breath. It’s not even invited to Apple’s developers conference in June.