Hey there, it’s truly a spectacular Tuesday, friend. Pop quiz time! This wireless technology, introduced in 1999, went on to become the unsung hero connecting you to your devices. 

What is it? A) NFC, B) Bluetooth, C) Wi-Fi 6 or D) Zigbee. Find the answer at the end! 

💌 It’s my birthday today. The best gift you could give me is a new reader. Forward this newsletter to that one coworker or friend who still uses “password” as a password. You know the one. Tell ’em to sign up for free at GetKim.com. Thank you very much! — Kim

Today’s a short but super important security tip. If you’re still getting login codes via text on your phone, stop. That’s so 2010 and one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to online security.

Sure, it’s convenient. You type in your password, get a six-digit code via SMS, enter it, and you’re in. But here’s the problem: Hackers have figured out how to steal those codes.

Receiving that six-digit SMS code might feel like security … in the same way locking your front door but leaving the keys under the mat outside does.

It’s called SIM swapping. A scammer tricks your phone carrier into transferring your number to their device. Once they have it, they receive all your texts, including those security codes. Just like that, they can log into your accounts.

And if you have your devices set up like mine, where each one receives all your texts and emails, someone around you can easily access your accounts.

So, what should you use? Glad you asked.

An authenticator app 

You want to ditch texts and use an authenticator app. I recommend two free and trusted ones:

   ✅ Google Authenticator
   ✅ Microsoft Authenticator

These apps don’t send codes to you. They generate them right on your phone, changing every 30 seconds. Since nothing’s being sent over the airwaves, hackers or snoops can’t intercept anything.

Even better, these codes work offline. No signal? No problem.

How to use one (it’s simple!)

1. Download a free app: Get Google Authenticator (iOS, Android) or Microsoft Authenticator (iOS, Android) from the App Store or Google Play. FYI, I use Google Authenticator. 
2. Link it to your accounts: On your account (like Gmail or Amazon), go into Security settings. Choose to enable two-factor authentication, then select “Use an authenticator app.” A QR code will appear.
3. Scan and go: Open the app, tap Add and scan the QR code. The app instantly starts showing a six-digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds. Use that code to log in.

That’s it. No texts, no waiting, no vulnerability. Text message codes are outdated and risky. Authenticator apps are safer, smarter and just as easy to use. Take five minutes today to switch, you’ll thank yourself later.

👀 TikTok’s mystery buyers: President Trump claims “very wealthy people” are ready to buy TikTok, but he won’t say who. Only catch? The deal still needs China’s OK. The deadline’s now Sept. 17. This is the third delay while lawmakers try to kill the app. It feels like a group project we all forgot about that keeps getting deadline extensions. 

Crypto tax panic: Crypto traders are freaking out after a huge spike in official letters from the IRS, some warnings, some with fines already baked in. Even people who’ve played by the rules say they’re getting flagged. If you’ve been diligently reporting your Fartcoin profits like a responsible adult, congrats: You’re now on the audit express.

👨‍💼 AI coworkers are here: Bank of New York Mellon is now using “digital workers” alongside staff. They have company logins and handle tasks like coding and payment instruction validation on their own, then report to managers for approval. Next up? Giving them email addresses and Teams access to chat with colleagues.

Another Anker recall: Five more power banks are being pulled over fire risks. Affected models include: Anker Power Bank A1257 and A1647, MagGo A1652, and Zolo A1681 and A1689. You’ll find the model number on the side or back. Fill out a recall form to get a free replacement or a gift card.

🤖 Dirt = debt: Watch out the next time you rent a car. Hertz renters are getting slapped with $195 to $440 charges for microscopic car damage, like a wheel scuff or tiny dent, caught by new AI scanners at drop-off. PSA: Take a video of the entire car before you drive off the lot.

Tesla’s ghost delivery: This is something. Tesla just delivered a car from its factory to a customer with zero humans inside, not even a remote operator. The car just snuck home like a teenager after curfew. Elon says it’s the first true hands-off highway drive. I wonder: If you miss a few car payments, will it also drive itself back to the dealer?

🪴 I wet my plants: AI-generated houseplant scams, like fake glowing monstera, blue sunflowers and bogus care tips, are spreading online. Real plant nerds are mad. Between mislabeled seeds, floating pots and chatbot advice that could kill a fern in 10 seconds, AI’s turning a peaceful hobby into a digital funhouse of botanical lies.

Businesses are transforming at lightning speed with AI. The good news? It’s not too late to jump in and take yours to the next level. That’s where Oracle comes in.

✅ Easy AI integration – No hassle, no headaches. Nvidia GPUs ensure top performance.
✅ Cost-effective – More power, lower cost than competitors.
✅ Scalable – Grows with your business and Oracle handles the updates.

AI is the future — get ahead now!

🧠 You don’t need to be a genius to use today’s picks.

• ⚡ End the outlet wars: This power strip tower (22% off) has 16 plugs. Plus, four USB ports and a 10-foot-long cord.

• 🔌 Split ends: No, not your high school haircut. One USB-C cable (8% off, two-pack) charges four things at once.

• 🙈 Hide those wires: A cord management box (10% off, two-pack) is the adult way to tidy up your tech mess.

• ⌨️ Typing ninja? Switch between your phone, tablet or laptop with this Bluetooth keyboard (5% off).

• 🛜 Bye, dead zones: A Wi-Fi extender ($9.99) covers up to 45 devices. No more buffering in the bathroom (lol).

• 📺 Movie-theater level magic: If you can swing it, this 4K smart TV ($699.99) has flicker-free tech.

🛍️ Treat your digital self: My Amazon shop is packed with more smart buys I know you’ll love.

Protect your data! I trust TotalAV to guard against viruses, ransomware and hackers in real time. It’s powerful, simple and just $19 for the first year. Stay safe online with TotalAV today.*

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Use your phone’s Notes app (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android) to scan documents.

Tell me something I don’t know about myself: You might be surprised at ChatGPT’s answer. Try that as a prompt. I got, “People don’t just listen to you because you’re smart. They listen because you’re on their side. If that resonates, you already knew it deep down.” I am and I did. 😊

👼🏻 Baby- or snoop-proof your iPad: Activate Guided Access. Just triple-click the home button once you’re in the app you wish to lock, then triple-click again to exit and enter your passcode. Now, your kid can play a game or your pal can scroll through photos and nothing else.

🗑️ Quickly trash it: On Windows, choose a file and hit Ctrl + D to delete and send it to the trash. On a Mac, that’s Cmd + Del. (Bonus: Cmd + D on a Mac duplicates the file.)

YouTube adds AI summaries: If you’re a Premium paying subscriber, you might notice a new layout. At the top, you’ll see a featured video, thumbnails and an AI description. Tap the main one to start watching.

🏠 Modern home intercom: Still yelling, “Dinner’s ready!” across your house? Amazon Echo speakers, like the Echo Pop ($40), work as an intercom system. Just link them to the same Amazon Household account and Wi-Fi network. Then say, “Alexa, drop in on…” followed by the speaker’s name (kitchen, bedroom or garage).

Answer: B) Bluetooth. The name sounds like a Viking dental problem, but it’s actually rooted in history. It was named after King Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, a 10th-century Danish king who united parts of Scandinavia. The idea? Bluetooth tech unites devices the same way King Harald united tribes. The logo is a mash-up of his initials in Nordic runes. 

He had three wives, and four children between them. One became his heir. In other words, Bluetooth paired successfully. 🤯

🥳 Be sure to follow me on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook for more fun and know-how. You have to see the pic of my dog’s hair in the trash.

This is the #1 tech newsletter in the United States. I’ll see you tomorrow at the same time, same place, where I’m talking about international trading scams and how to avoid them. 

Until then, stay curious, stay skeptical, stay weird. I love that for you. — Kim

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