Stephanie Carruthers makes her living breaking into phones, private accounts and more. But don’t worry — she’s doing it to help keep you safe. This IBM privacy expert and professional hacker shows Kim just how easy it is to get fooled by a digital criminal. Check out her tips for recognizing scams and keeping yourself secure online and offline.
What the Biden presidency could mean for the tech world
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For quite a while, U.S. lawmakers have questioned whether Big Tech companies are too involved (or not enough) in curbing misinformation. Others have accused the big four: Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook, of antitrust behavior. This has led to several ongoing court cases brought on by federal and state law enforcement.
Google is no stranger to antitrust accusations, but this time around, it might not get off so lightly. A coalition from 38 states filed court papers in December against the company, claiming that it has a monopoly on search results. Tap or click here for details on these scandalous accusations.
Looking at making sweeping changes to how Big Tech companies operate, the industry’s giants might find it tougher to conduct business “as usual” under a President Biden administration. As for what exactly the changes will be, it’s not crystal clear. Let’s look at what might be on the way.
Why does it matter to you?
In the case of Google, claims of monopolizing your search results do carry some weight. For many years it has been speculated (and proven to some degree) that Google can manipulate search results.
This could provide you with a somewhat biased result, as Google will serve you links that it would financially benefit from. This could be through Google affiliate content, Google Ads or any other website that relies heavily on its technology.
WhatsApp’s new terms and conditions also pointed out Facebook’s massive control over your data. When it was announced that the messaging app would be sending almost all your private info to its parent company, consumers became livid. Tap or click here to see how WhatsApp shares your data with Facebook.
This is one reason some politicians are pushing to break up Big Tech companies.
What can you do about it?
President Biden had previously indicated that he would favor regulating Big Tech companies instead of splitting them into smaller entities. But that is not to say that it couldn’t happen.
For now, getting away from Big Tech will be a mammoth task if you choose to go that route. Many online retail stores use Amazon Web Services. Facebook and WhatsApp dominate social media and communications, and Google is intertwined with most things we do online.
But there is one option that the U.S. government has been looking at: Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act.
Here's how to order an FDA-approved COVID test on Amazon
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Vaccines for COVID-19 are being administered across the U.S., but infections are still at an all-time high. To make matters worse, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the vaccine to rip people off. Tap or click here for four ways scammers are out to get you.
SimpliSafe's winter sweater sounds the alarm when people stand too close
Sick of people standing too close to you? Here’s a great new way to enforce the six-foot social distancing rule: Sound a siren through your sweater!
That’s the idea behind SimpliSafe’s new sweater. The company that keeps your family safe and sound made its own festive garment this year, decked out in tech to inspire social distance.
Take the guesswork out of home security
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It’s almost a new year, and that means you’re likely contemplating New Year’s resolutions. One of them should be to make improvements to your home security system.
Start 2021 off right and keep your family safe by adopting a security setup from our sponsor, SimpliSafe. It’s Kim’s pick for lots of reasons.
How to stop your smart TV from spying on you
Not only is your smart TV gobbling up your viewing data, but it also may be gathering information about your home. Can you minimize your smart TV’s snooping activities? Our advice: Turn off its tracking features. I’ll tell you how.
The workplace goes digital with virtual reality training
We’ve all had those uncomfortable situations at work. Maybe it’s a disagreement with a coworker or a tricky customer interaction — or even firing a long-time employee. Don’t you wish you could practice? Thanks to VR, AR and AI developer Talespin, you can.
Kim chats with Talespin CEO and co-founder Kyle Jackson about how the company is bringing workplace training to the digital age with its virtual human simulations.
How to watch ‘Die Hard’ and all your other favorite Christmas movies this season
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It’s time to revive an important annual debate: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? We could argue about this all day — but if you go to Netflix, you’ll discover a shocking lack of “Die Hard” to use as evidence. ‘Tis the season to be thankful, though: If you use ExpressVPN, you can access a Netflix library where “Die Hard” is actually available.
Why digital billboard ads change when you approach
We’re exposed to as many as 5,000 ads a day. To break through the clutter, companies track and target us. Ads are getting even more personal thanks to the next generation of digital billboards. Kim chats with Frank O’Brien, CEO of Five Tier, a company that bridges the gap between the ads you see in cyberspace and the ads you see in person. His secret? The little gadget in each of our pockets: our phones.
The biggest whack job post on Facebook that I've ever seen
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There has been no shortage of conspiracy theories being posted on Facebook during the pandemic. It is almost as if the coronavirus is affecting some people’s ability to think clearly.
Putting a Faraday cage over your router to block “harmful” 5G frequencies is just nonsensical. And as we have explained before, not only is this ineffective at stopping the spread of 5G, but it will also make your internet speeds worse!
How to find a PlayStation 5, new Xbox or Nintendo Switch (and avoid all the scams)
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Every couple of years, the video game industry is shaken up by the release of brand-new consoles. These product debuts aren’t minor affairs. They’re major events where supply rarely keeps up with demand from gamers.
Best smartphone cameras available now, ranked
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Smartphones are expensive these days, which makes choosing one a major decision. Aside from price and performance, features like 5G, durability, and cameras are all important to consider.
Smartphone cameras are good enough today that they can replace point-and-shoot cameras for many people. Some are even sufficient for business and work purposes. Tap or click here to see how to turn your smartphone into a webcam.
Kim's pick for home security: Get a FREE HD camera
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Do you feel 100% confident your home is safe from thieves and break-ins? What about disasters like a flood or fire?
Not being protected is a scary way to live. The good news is it’s easy and affordable to protect you, your home and your family 24/7. With SimpliSafe, you order everything you need online at SimpliSafeKim.com, install it in under an hour and activate the system. After that, your family is protected by professional security monitoring, all with no contracts.
Amazon Fire TV 2020 comparison chart
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Streaming movies and TV shows from Netflix, Hulu and your other favorite services has never been easier thanks to feature-packed gadgets like Amazon’s Fire TV lineup. Compare the different models below, all updated for 2020.
6 privacy and security mistakes you’re making on social media
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Pop quiz: What percentage of American adults use social media? Think about it and I’ll tell you the answer below.
From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram and all the sites in between, we’re voluntarily giving out more information online than ever. Tap or click to get a closer look at exactly what Google knows about you and the steps to erase it.
Amazon wants you to buy its new indoor security drone – It's a bad idea
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Apple isn’t the only tech company with a major event this fall. Amazon just wrapped up its own set of announcements that include a trove of new devices — as well as updates to some of your favorite gadgets.
Why so many new gadgets? Many of these products have been in the works for a while, but let’s be real: Amazon had to do something with all that money it made during the pandemic. Tap or click here to see how much it made compared to Black Friday.
These Amazon products are reportedly fire hazards - Are they in your home?
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Hungry for deals on Amazon? There are plenty of ways to save big on products without too much effort. And one of the most popular bargain brands, Amazon Basics, gives users access to a range of discounted everyday items that are easy to sort through.
Deepfake hits the movies (classic 'Titanic' scene)
Deep fake videos can be hilarious or absolutely dangerous. This is an example of the former. Deep fake technology has come a long way and this video portrays a classic scene in the movie “Titanic” but with a twist that may make you feel just a little bit uncomfortable, to say the least.
Amazon may be coming to a mall near you
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The entire world has shifted from brick-and-mortar shopping trips to buying from online retail sites in response to COVID-19. Purchases that used to require a quick trip to your local big-box retailer for things like toilet scrubbers or Ziploc bags are now done via e-commerce sites with the click of a couple of buttons. Looking for online shopping deals? Check out what’s on sale for August that you should buy now.
A surprising use for the Instant Pot: Disinfect your face mask
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If you’ve been spending as much time indoors as we have, you’ve probably wanted to try your hand at some cooking. It’s a great way to pass the hours, and it’s a critical skill that everyone should learn. Plus, it’s fun to do and makes your home smell delicious.