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VPNs that spy on you
Using a VPN? Better make sure it’s not on this list.
VPNs are supposed to keep you safe. They encrypt your internet traffic and hide your location from hackers, ISPs and creepy ad trackers.
But what if the app was secretly collecting browsing data, location, everything you type, anything you do, then selling it all to who knows who?
You guessed it. Researchers just flagged at least 21 free VPN apps for being dangerously insecure and misleading. They look totally different on the surface, i.e., security-centric names, flashy logos and even glowing customer reviews. Spoiler: Some are linked to communist China.
⚠️ These aren’t obscure apps
These VPNs racked up almost a billion downloads on the Apple App Store and Google Play. That’s huge.
Here are the VPNs to delete right now:
Turbo VPN, Turbo VPN Lite, VPN Monster, VPN Proxy Master, VPN Proxy Master – Lite, Snap VPN, Robot VPN, SuperNet VPN, VPNIFY, VPN Proxy OvpnSpider, WireVPN – Fast VPN & Proxy, Now VPN, Speedy Quark VPN, Best VPN Proxy AppVPN, HulaVPN, PearlVPN, Signal Secure VPN, VPN Guru, SmartVPN, iRocketVPN, and LinkVPN.
🚫 How to remove a shady VPN
Simply deleting these apps isn’t enough. You need to do more. Note: I’ve checked the steps, but these may vary depending on your device’s make, model and operating system version.
📱 On iPhone and iPad:
- Tap and hold the app icon, then select Remove App > Delete App.
- Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see a VPN configuration tied to the app, tap it and hit Delete VPN.
- Restart your phone to clear any cached data.
Your weekend yard crew starts here
⚡ My pick: Portable mosquito repeller (21% off)
Bite back against bugs. This creates a 15-foot “no-fly zone,” so you can chill on your patio without becoming a bug buffet.
😎 Polarized sunglasses (30% off): Choose from 14 styles without paying designer prices. 4.4 stars and 34K+ reviews.
💚 Soil moisture meter (15% off): Green thumb? This tells you exactly what your plants need because data > guessing.
💦 Sprinkler irrigation timer (5% off): Set it and forget it. Plus, there’s a rain delay mode that saves water and money.
🌱 Weed puller tool (20% off): Stand tall while you yank out dandelions and crabgrass. It gets the roots and saves your back.
🛒 Want more gear like this? Click here for today’s best outdoor deals. I’ve handpicked my favorites worth grabbing on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Vacuums gone rogue
Remember when robot vacuums were basically remote-control bumper cars with anxiety? They’d bounce around, get stuck under the couch and scare the cat. These days, they claim to do it all – vacuum, mop, empty themselves and learn your floor plan better than your dog has.
Microsoft 365 update: The Microsoft 365 app on iPhone is now Microsoft 365 Copilot. You can use AI to summarize docs and answer questions about them. The catch? You won’t be able to edit Word, Excel or PowerPoint files in the app anymore. Rollout starts Monday.
⌚️ Don’t mess with Larry: Not really tech, but this is great! A scammer thought she could hustle 87-year-old Larry outside a senior center by swapping his nice Rolex for a fake one. She pulled her move, he pulled a judo-like arm twist. Boom, she face-planted into her own car. TikTok is eating it up. Moral of the story: Larry is basically John Wick but with early bird specials.
Your boss isn’t calling, AI is
AI is helping scammers create eerily realistic attacks. From cloned voices to perfect phishing emails and fake websites, criminals are using technology to trick you. Stay alert and protect your money.
45 minutes
That’s how long it took for exercise to turn blood into a cancer fighter. In a new Edith Cowan University study, breast cancer survivors who did one high-intensity workout (seven HIIT rounds) had post-exercise blood that slowed or killed tumor cells in the lab. For the first time, scientists show exercise itself can deliver direct, drug-like anti-cancer effects (paywall link). I hate cancer.
💬 Check linked devices on WhatsApp: If you’ve used WhatsApp on Windows, Mac or in a browser, make sure no one’s snooping on your chats. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Linked devices and log out of anything that looks suspicious. FYI: WhatsApp also auto-disconnects inactive linked devices after 30 days.
Turn a tracker into a lifesaver
Turn your AirTag or tracker into a personal safety tool. Share your location, set up check-ins, and alert loved ones instantly. Works with Apple or Android devices for peace of mind anytime, anywhere.
Arnold says, “Get to the choppah!” Uber’s about to add them to its app. Joby Aviation bought Blade’s urban air taxi biz for $125M and plans to swap the noisy helicopters for electric flying taxis once the FAA signs off. You’ll be able to book a chopper to JFK, Newark or even Saint-Tropez like it’s a pool ride, starting next year.
Fresh finds for under $25
🔊 My pick: Bluetooth shower speaker (17% off)
Sing in the shower (on key or not). Waterproof, wireless and with a built-in microphone for hands-free calling. Now your phone will stay high and dry.
💛 Grace & stella under-eye masks (47% off): Puffy eyes? No prob. Just put one on, and you’ll look more awake in no time.
💧 Hydrocolloid pimple patches (33% off): These nearly invisible patches are lifesavers for hiding surprise breakouts.
🧽 Shower loofahs (29% off, three-pack): Ditch that old puff. You deserve ones with 4.6 stars and 48K+ rave reviews.
😌 Dermaplane razors (20% off, 12-pack): For peach fuzz, brows and random strays. Way cheaper than the salon.
✨ Fresh face, fresher start: Shop my Amazon storefront for even more affordable self-care steals. Your skin (and wallet) will thank you.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The cyberstalker inside her own home
A teen’s life was turned upside down when anonymous messages flooded her phone. The shocking truth? The harasser was closer than anyone imagined. George, your AI host, breaks down this chilling story along with UFOs deflecting U.S. missiles, AI startups pumping out thousands of podcasts weekly, and essential device tips to speed up your gadgets, protect your privacy, and make your tech work smarter.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
🏁 Drive‑by hacking? It’s a thing: Researchers discovered serious security flaws in Apple’s CarPlay systems that allow attackers to remotely take control of a car. Once inside, they can play music, hijack in‑car displays, eavesdrop on conversations and track a vehicle’s location. No patch from Apple yet.
Control app volumes on Windows: Not everything needs to play at the same level. Right-click the volume icon in the task bar and select Open volume mixer. You can lower system sounds while cranking up Spotify. Just remember the Device slider moves everything at once, so the mix stays the same.
Delete a selfie? Facebook saw it
A former exec says Facebook tracked teen girls deleting photos, then pushed beauty ads right when they felt vulnerable. Plus, New York City is testing crime-predicting AI, and Ken from Ohio shares how his Apple Watch saved his life.
Nail it for under $50
📏 My pick: Laser tape measure (24% off)
The future of measuring is here. Classic tape meets high-tech laser, so you can find area, volume and distance without the guesswork.
✨ Magnetic necklace clasp (33% off): Turns “why can’t I get this to clasp?” into “snap, done.” Great if you’ve got long nails or zero patience.
🔥 Hot glue gun kit (23% off): Heats up fast, won’t drip and comes with 30 glue sticks, because you know one is never enough.
📦 Packing tape (18% off, six-pack): Quiet for less tape-gun squeals echoing through the house. 4.5 stars and 12K+ reviews.
⚒️ Drywall crack repair kit (10% off): The lazy-genius fix for dents and dings. Your landlord never has to know.
👉 More tools, more wins: Don’t stop here. Stock up on more affordable DIY gear on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
📱 I finally switched, and I’m not looking back. Same reliable coverage as the big guys but at a fraction of the cost. With Consumer Cellular, I’m getting two unlimited lines for just $60. Want in? Use code KIM25 at ConsumerCellular.com/KIM for $25 in savings, and make the smart switch today.
⚠️ Keep your email private: Big email providers like Gmail and Yahoo track what you do. I use StartMail because it keeps my inbox secure, stops spam with unlimited aliases, and it keeps my personal info private. You can try it free for 7 days, and when you sign up, you’ll get my 60% off deal for the first year! It’s a terrific service.