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
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
✨ Sparkle season is every season
Your messes are shaking right now (as they should).
💨 Clean like a boss: 10-in-1 Steam Mop (30% off, $70)
Your old mop? Retired. This superstar heats up in 10 seconds and works on almost any surface. Comes with a detachable handheld steamer for reaching those corners you pretended not to see.
🧽 Real bowl-buster: Finally, a toilet brush (53% off, $8) that doesn’t turn into a germ swamp. Silicone bristles + flexible head = one clean porcelain throne.
Dusty window screens? This screen cleaner brush (23% off, $16) scrubs dirt straight out of the mesh. No uninstalling, no drama.
💥 Tiny insects, big solution: BugMD’s pest control kit (33% off, $40) is safe for pets and people, but ruthless for creepy crawlers. Balance restored.
For “oops” moments: Keep Tide’s travel stain remover (38% off, $8) in your bag or glove box. When something spills, just spray, dab and strut.
🛒 Your cart upgrade starts now: Click this secret link to see which of your go-to items are on sale. I bet you’ll be shocked by how many show up.
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.
🍁 Be the fall guy: Want to see autumn colors at their peak? Don’t guess, look at a real-time foliage map before you hit the road. Visit Explore Fall and search your state, then use the slider to see when leaves will reach their brightest. You can also view this basic U.S. map and ask your favorite AI chatbot to plan a scenic route around the best date.
Walking the walk: You’ve gotta see this. People with paralysis are walking again thanks to a self-balancing robotic suit. No walker, no cables, just pure movement. One guy stood up and hugged his daughter for the first time in three years. Watch the video; it’s the kind of hope you feel. I love when tech actually helps in such an amazing way.
4K vs 8K: What TV makers don’t tell you
Those shiny 8K TVs look tempting, but do they really beat 4K? Here’s what to know before you spend big this holiday season.
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.
Keep your iPad organized: Download a ton of apps? Your screen can get cluttered fast. Head to Settings > Home Screen & App Library. Under Newly Downloaded Apps, toggle App Library Only. Then under Dock, turn on Show App Library in Dock. New apps will skip your home screen but stay easy to find in your Dock. Neat.
Check out the fall leaves
Who doesn’t love the crisp fall air? Check real-time foliage maps to find the best autumn colors and scenic road trips near you.
Ever feel like your body’s buffering? Check out Native Hydrate from NativePath. With clean energy and zero sugar, it might help you feel more awake and focused. Use my link to give it a try, and get 44% off!
✨ 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.
Kids’ books made wonderfully easy
Nicole from Washington, D.C., recently wrote, “Hi, Kim, I love your shows on WTOP. I read your article about how to use AI to write a book. I want to write a children’s book. But I’m no artist!”
Nicole, I love this idea. But you absolutely don’t need to be an artist to pull this off. Thanks to AI, you’ve got everything you need to create a gorgeous, meaningful children’s book from scratch.
Online privacy isn’t a maybe, it’s a must: ExpressVPN hides your IP, encrypts your data and keeps snoops out of your business, whether you’re streaming, shopping or scrolling. Fast, secure and simple to use. Get four extra months here.
Drive-thru showdown: In the most exciting event since horse racing, Taco Bell clocked the fastest drive-thru time in America, again. Four minutes, start to finish. Chick-fil-A might smile more, but Taco Bell feeds you faster. The study even says AI drive-thrus are less accurate than humans. Yeah, your next taco might come quicker, but maybe with someone else’s Baja Blast.
Speak to ChatGPT: You can talk out loud instead of typing. I use it when I want to work through a longer thought and like feeling there’s someone on the other side (you can also choose a voice type). To try it, open a new chat and tap Use voice mode. Your convo will show up as text afterward. Oh, and don’t forget to hit the mic.
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.
Sync your Kindle devices: Reading the same book on your phone and e-reader? No need to remember the last page. Go to Settings > Device options and toggle on Sync. Your reading position, notes and highlights update automatically, so you can pick up right where you left off. FYI: Both devices must be connected to the internet.
🔥 Fire drill: Picture this, you’re an Amazon driver in California, and your route literally runs through a wildfire, smoke everywhere. You call dispatch thinking they’ll tell you to turn back. Instead? “Do what you can.” That’s what Johnny heard. Amazon’s apps track every blink, brake and sip of water, but they can’t seem to provide basic safety guidance like not driving into a fire.