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.
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.
Thieves are cutting out catalytic converters across the country. State Farm alone saw a 293% increase in converter theft claims from mid-2020 to mid-2021. Not only that, but car thieves are also using Apple AirTags to steal cars. Tap or click here to find out how.
Since used car prices are through the roof, you need yours to last as long as possible. Luckily, we’ve got some gadgets and tips you can use to keep your car safe.
1. Key signal blocker
Key fobs are handy, but thieves can trick your car into thinking the fob is present. Tap or click here to find out about the security flaw in key fobs that lets hackers unlock your car.
Fortunately, there’s a way you can isolate and block the signals thieves use. Aluminum foil can do in a pinch. It blocks some of the signals, but you need something more sturdy for complete protection.
We recommend taking it a step further and using a faraday cage. If you didn’t know, this is a shield that blocks electromagnetic fields. If thieves try to pick up and relay signals from your key, this gadget shuts them down:
[content-egg module=Amazon products=”us-B07MDF5TX9″ template=custom/k3grid]
If you want to learn more about how hackers use electromagnetic signals to manipulate your car, we get it. Tap or click here for seven clever ways hackers are stealing keyless cars.
2. Go a step further to secure your keys
Now you know all about keyless car theft. Don’t forget about the old-fashioned methods, either. If you post your car key online, a criminal can use that picture to create a real-life replica.
If you ever lose or misplace your key, you should be on the lookout for thieves. This is especially true if your vehicle is older and only uses traditional keys. Follow some common-sense precautions, too.
How to store a digital copy of your vaccination card on your iPhone or Android
© Tomtheace | Dreamstime.com
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.
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
© Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com
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
Facebook.com/Ray-Ban.com
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.
True or false: You need a streaming gadget to cut the cord
© Tommaso79 | Dreamstime.com
Many are fed up with the rising costs of cable and satellite. And the more equipment you have, the more that can go wrong, adding to the inconvenience. It’s no surprise that cord-cutting is gaining momentum.
Your mind may stray to countless available streaming options, but an old method of watching TV is making a comeback. You can throw it way back by purchasing a TV antenna, but it won’t resemble anything like the rabbit ears you may remember. Tap or click here to learn about the differences between indoor and outdoor antennas and which is right for you.
5 clever scams making the rounds you need to know about
© Showface | Dreamstime.com
Another day, another scam. Or should we say scams? There seems to be no end to discovering crooked schemes that use every means imaginable to trick people out of their information, data and finances.
Everyone’s received text messages from unknown numbers. Sometimes it’s a service or business you use that isn’t in your contacts. It could be your food delivery app letting you know that your grub is on the way. It could also be the first step in a scam. Tap or click here to learn how the scheme works and how to keep from falling victim to it.
Anyone can see the layout of your home and what you paid for it - Do this to stay safe
Photo 62002121 © Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com
There’s more information about you online than you probably realize. Your hacked passwords, your address, even your credit card details.
Details about your home are everywhere, too. Government sites and resources like Zillow and Redfin list everything from what you paid to the very layout of your house.
58% of workers fed up with their computers - Are you?
Photo 230930944 © Milkos | Dreamstime.com
Work laptops come with all sorts of problems. At first, you might be excited at the prospect of using tech you didn’t have to pay for. After all, many people can’t afford a laptop, so it can seem like a blessing in disguise.
10 most-stolen dog breeds and 3 smart ways to protect your furry friend
Few things terrify a pet owner more than finding out their furry friend disappeared. In the U.S., around four million dogs go missing each year. Pet owners have a lot to worry about: medication, closing gates, so the dogs don’t get out and even outright kidnappings.
Streaming comparison: Roku vs. Apple TV vs. Fire TV vs. Chromecast
© Viewimage | Dreamstime.com
The pandemic boosted the popularity of streaming as social distancing and remote work caused people to stay home. Online media companies helped fill the void by expanding their libraries and adding new content to stream, including big-budget productions that never made it to theaters.
How to try out a new TV from Hisense for 100 days, no strings attached
Amazon.com
The tricky part about shopping for tech is you never know how it will work once it’s in your home. You can look at a TV and imagine it in your living room, but you can’t be sure about its performance until you’ve used it. There’s nothing worse than buying a costly gadget, only to find out it doesn’t work the way you wanted.
A mysterious salmonella outbreak has spread across 25 states
© Ralf Liebhold | Dreamstime.com
The Centers for Disease Control is a major part of the Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC protects the U.S. from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and domestic.
The agency has been at the forefront of news since the pandemic swept across the country. It has been studying COVID-19 and advising on how to deal with the virus. Tap or click here to check out an interactive map that tracks the Delta variant’s movements.
3 reasons the new Kindle Paperwhite is worth the upgrade
Credit: Amazon.com
You probably know that reading is better for your brain than social media. Healthline reports that reading can even prevent age-related cognitive decline. But most of us spend more time scrolling on our phones than reading.
Your iPad just got its biggest upgrade in years - 7 new features try now
© Hakan Can Yalcin | Dreamstime.com
Typically with the changing of seasons from summer to fall comes a slew of new Apple devices. This year is no different as the Cupertino company updates its line of iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.
Along with four models of iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7, a new entry-level iPad and a redesigned sixth-generation iPad Mini are being released. Tap or click here to check out some features on these updated Apple devices.
Use this calculator to determine your risk of contracting COVID-19
© Vichaya Kiatyingangsulee | Dreamstime.com
As the Delta variant forces us to change strategies when dealing with COVID-19, more tools are available to give us a hand. Each state has its own policies and rate of infection, which also factor into the mix.
The Mayo Clinic has an interactive map that shows a rolling average of daily COVID cases for the past week across the U.S. It also has an option to look ahead for two weeks. Tap or click here for more information on this helpful tool.
This new COVID scam tries to lure you in with a refund on your phone bill
© Amazingmikael | Dreamstime.com
By now, you should know that scammers and criminals will do almost anything to get their hands on your data and money. There is seemingly no length that they won’t go to, even if that means using the pandemic as a lure.