Fresh finds for under $25

💻 Smile, you’re on candid malware: Remember when you’d get an email that you were recorded on your webcam watching porn but the threat was a fake? It’s now real. New malware called Stealerium watches for NSFW sites, then screenshots your screen and snaps a pic through your webcam. It sends both to a hacker, who likely will use them for blackmail. Reminder: Cover your webcam; a pack of covers is less than 5 bucks.

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📺 TV shopping 101: Don’t just grab the biggest one. Get 4K, so the picture’s sharp. Confused? OLED gives you deep blacks and vibrant colors but costs more. QLED is brighter, cheaper and better in sunny rooms. Gamers: Look for a 120 Hz refresh rate or higher, so the action doesn’t stutter.

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⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Short on laptop ports? Grab a USB hub to charge devices and connect keyboards, mice or drives. Some even come with SD card readers and 3.5mm audio outputs.

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🚗 Play music in older cars: If your ride doesn’t have Android Auto or CarPlay, load your favorite songs onto a USB flash drive. Plug it into your car’s radio, and as long as they’re MP3 or AAC formats, it’ll play right away. No USB port? Grab an adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter instead.

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🔥 Laptop running hot? It happens when you’ve got lots of apps open or are doing something resource-heavy. Besides the noisy fans, your system might slow itself down to stay cool. Quick: Get a cooling pad to improve airflow and keep things running smoother. Here’s a good one on sale. You’re welcome.

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💡 Pick the right light: Shopping for bulbs? Avoid LEDs over 5000K. Those bluish “cool white” ones can feel sterile and trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, making it harder to sleep. Instead, go for “warm white” bulbs between 2700K and 3000K. They’re easier on the eyes and make your home feel cozier.

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📂 Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: Keep three copies of your important files — two in different types of storage and one stored off-site. For example, save the originals on your computer, another copy on an external hard drive or USB stick, and the last one in cloud storage online. Overkill? Maybe. Covered? Always.

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📼 Digitize your old VHS tapes: You don’t have to keep watching them on a VCR. Use a converter to transfer those memories onto your computer. No time? Got a lot of money? Walmart, Costco or Walgreens can do it for you. Prices usually run $16 to $35 per tape.

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