After more than a decade of planning, the James Webb Space Telescope finally launched late last year. And since it just reached its destination, we shouldn’t have to wait long to see the most incredible photos taken of galaxies outside our own.
7 new scams to watch out for
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Every day, it seems like there’s a new scam you need to watch out for. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, which is why some folks go on digital detoxes. In other words, they stop using tech devices like smartphones, computers and TVs for a little while.
Do you feel like you need a break from tech? Tap or click here to find out how to do it. When you come back from your break, though, make sure to do some research on new scamming trends.
If you browse without knowing about the latest threats, you’re putting yourself at risk. Like spiders, scammers are constantly spinning new webs to ensnare our data and rip you off. Watch out for these seven scary scams swirling around right now to protect yourself from predators.
1. Unemployment scam: Be careful when you verify
Tons of folks are looking for new jobs. Don’t forget that scammers are looking to trick unsuspecting jobseekers. They’ll send you emails, texts or private messages with a link.
“Click on this link to verify your application,” or “To verify your identity, tap or click here,” the message will say. Don’t click the link — it won’t verify anything. It’s probably a scam that will infect your device with malware.
- Mode of contact: Fake job postings on ZipRecruiter, Indeed and any other job-related platform, emails
- What you’ll lose: Unemployment benefits, your identity, potentially your bank account
- How to avoid: Only apply to jobs you verify are real. Research companies that you’re looking to apply to. Don’t click on social media links that ask you to verify your identity
Oh, and you also have to look out for unemployment insurance fraud. It’s such a big issue the FBI recently warned people about hackers and scammers stealing innocent people’s identities to file for benefits in their name. Tap or click here for a few ways to protect yourself from unemployment fraud.
2. Social media scams: Bad guys love to pretend they’re your bestie
Con artists like to pretend to be your friends. They steal profile pictures from your bestie’s page, set up a fake account and send you a DM asking for money. Send it, and you’re down a few hundred bucks.
Bad guys also pose as legitimate companies. For instance, they might pretend they’re selling bath bombs from Lush. When you try to buy the product, they’ll demand crypto payments.
- Mode of contact: Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit and other popular platforms
- What you’ll lose: The FTC says fraudsters used social media apps to steal around $770 million from Americans in 2021. Suffice it to say, you can lose a ton of cash!
- How to avoid: Set up strong privacy settings on all your social media apps, block targeted ads if you can, delete apps you rarely use and research vendors before you buy through an app
Need to set up a security system? Hire the pros
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DIY projects have gotten incredibly popular during the pandemic. Folks are posting videos of themselves crafting slime — and sometimes spilling it everywhere. Some people are creating their own robots, NFTs and more.
Get parental control on the go with these three smartwatches for kids
Establishing healthy tech habits with your kids early on can do you a world of good in the long run. Instead of handing your toddlers advanced iPhones, gradually introduce them to more advanced gadgets. Kid-friendly smartwatches and phones teach kids digital independence while giving you the freedom to make sure they’re safe.
Netflix just raised its prices again – Here's how much you'll be charged
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Streaming services raising prices is commonplace these days. It happens more often than you’d hope. DirecTV already increased its pricing late last year.
Now, Netflix has decided to increase costs. Again.
5 uses for security cameras you never thought of before now
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Think about all of the valuable possessions inside your home. Jewelry, big-screen televisions, maybe some high-priced artwork, to name a few things.
With treasured items like these, it’s no wonder thieves are always trying to break in and rip us off. They don’t even always wait for you to be out of town on vacation. Sometimes they have the nerve to sneak inside while we’re asleep at night.
Simple ways to live a better digital life
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Bad habits are the last thing you want to bring with you into the new year. Brush them off your legs so you can set yourself up for success. One way to do that is by cleaning up your digital life.
There are a few ways to get the job done. You can clear out your computer and phone’s cache — or even take a literal brush around your gadgets to polish them up. Tap or click here to get five essential tech cleanups for your inbox, network and gadgets.
Science discoveries made in 2021 you didn’t hear about
In 2021, the news was dominated by COVID-19. All the new variants and vaccine rollouts seemed to blind most of us to other scientific discoveries throughout the year. So, here is a breakdown of some of the most remarkable findings you probably didn’t hear about.
With the Omicron variant quickly spreading, it's time to upgrade your mask
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As we head into 2022, it’s been roughly two years since the coronavirus arrived in the U.S. As cases are once again on the rise across the country, more safety measures are being put into place.
Just when it looked like certain parts of the pandemic were coming to an end, now many businesses are reinstating mask policies. Tap or click here to clean and sanitize your COVID-19 face mask.
Home security 101: The best and worst places to set up motion sensors
If you want to build a robust home security system, motion sensors are a must. They let you know when an intruder has already breached your defenses so you aren’t taken by surprise. With their help, you can formulate a plan of defense and take action.
True or false: You can use any charger with your phone or tablet
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Your device’s battery life is only as good as the care you put into it. Bad charging habits are common, and while the manual that comes with your phone contains charging tips, you have to read it to understand them.
How the Hoover Dam was built
Nearly 100 years ago, America was in the throes of the Great Depression. Even during these tumultuous times, though, engineers managed to use skill and grit to build something amazing: The Hoover Dam. Situated at the Arizona and Nevada border, this impressive concrete marvel attracts almost 1 million visitors annually. So, how was this feat of engineering accomplished?
6 crafty ways thieves will steal your car and parts
If you’re anything like Kim, you’ve poured a ton of time, money and love into your cars. That’s why it’s devastating when you slam the gas pedal and your car refuses to start, screeching instead. When you hear that roar, consider it a calling card from a carjacker.
How to store a digital copy of your vaccination card on your iPhone or Android
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If you want to enter certain countries or attend some public events, you’ll need proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you’ve already received one or more doses, you know how important that little card is. It’s a record of which COVID-19 vaccine you received and the date and place you got it.
What happens when a baseball hits a gong at over 1,000 mph?
Some professional baseball pitchers can throw a ball around 100 miles per hour. But, what would happen if you built a cannon that could fire the balls faster than the speed of sound? Well, this engineer did just that, and the results are astounding.
How to stop junk text messages and spam for good
Think about just how many times a day your phone, computer, tablet, watch and other gadgets buzz or ding. It gets annoying and distracting.
Much of that is likely because you haven’t taken the time to clean up your notifications settings. It’s easier than you think with this quick tech fix. While you’re adjusting settings, I bet you’ll find apps you haven’t used in ages. Tap or click for 5 apps you should delete right now.
Car warranty robocalls: Here’s why you get so many
Not long ago, I called a friend. After a few rings, her old-school answering machine answered. “Hello,” I said. “I’m calling today with important news about your car’s extended warranty.”
She picked up immediately and yelled, “Stop calling me!” I had a good laugh, and it’s no wonder that set her off. Auto warranty scam calls have to be the most irritating and intrusive in the history of telemarketing.
5 simple ways to protect your home this winter
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Winter months can bring some serious challenges for homeowners. Icy driveways, slick walkways and frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage.
Whether you tough it out or take off to warmer climates, you want to keep your home safe over the winter months. That means you need protection from thieves while you’re away. Protect your home with the security system that protects Kim’s family, SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to save 40% on a home security system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.
How radar has changed over the last 60 years
The military has used radar since World War II. It lets us detect incoming planes before they attack and allows us to track weather patterns worldwide. Since its inception, though, radar has gained another use: To help us see what’s above us much more clearly.
List: The very worst gifts you can give if you care about privacy
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Anytime you go online or use a connected device, your privacy is at risk. This isn’t to say you should throw away all your tech and live in a cave, but there are ways to minimize exposure.
Let’s start with your choice of browser. This has a significant impact on your online experience. Many browsers share popular features like dark mode, but when it comes to privacy, you’ll find a greater distinction. Tap or click here for the best privacy-focused browsers, ranked.