🔥 Anker recall: I mentioned this last month, but two people have already suffered burns from faulty power banks that can explode. Affected models are the Anker 334 MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Anker Power Bank and Anker MagGo Power Bank, with the model numbers A1642, A1647 and A1652, respectively. These were sold between Jan. 3 and Sept. 17, 2024. If you own one, fill out the recall form.
Use this home security camera buying guide to be safer at home
Here’s a conundrum: Your security camera could expose you to data breaches. Last year, a security researcher found that Eufy cameras uploaded private images to the cloud.
Anker recently admitted to storing images and video feeds in the cloud without users’ knowledge. This popular security cam manufacturer recently didn’t even encrypt the private content. That means anyone could have seen your personal images through your Anker devices.
The next time you want to upgrade your system, check this home security camera buying guide.
Home security camera buying tips
Don’t let this story dissuade you from protecting your home. Security cameras and video doorbells are easy and affordable ways to protect your home. Just make sure you’re using these strategies when shopping.
- Pick a tool with 2FA: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security between your smart home and a snoop. Maybe someone in your life wants to see what you’re doing. Protect your privacy by requiring anyone who tries to access the system to provide a private code only you get. Authenticator apps are some of the best 2FA methods. We’ll help you set them up to secure your work accounts or security gadgets.
- Research the company’s data breach history: Some brands will put you in more danger than others. If a company has a long history of security breaches, you’re better off with another option.
- Consider the brand’s relationship with police: Are you comfortable with the police using your private footage? Arlo, Eufy, Wyze and Apple won’t share your footage without a court order or warrant.
- Go with big brands: Since large companies get more coverage, they’re also scrutinized and tested by security researchers, journalists and hobbyists. That means you’ll have more luck if you have questions since you’ll get more helpful results when researching security concerns.
Keep this in mind
Unfortunately, you must assume that your smart devices can be breached at anytime. All devices have vulnerabilities. Even the most trustworthy brand could have a hidden weakness a security researcher hasn’t discovered yet.
Think about the placement of your cameras. When a hacker could steal footage of you doing something private, like using the restroom, it’s time to move the security camera to a spot that preserves your privacy. Here are the best places to put your home security cameras.
Also, you could keep your camera’s storage system in mind. Before buying a security tool, consider where the footage will go. For example, a local storage system keeps your private videos from a company’s hands.
You don’t even have to connect your cameras to the internet. But if you get them without Wi-Fi, ensure they offer end-to-end encryption. We can help you save some research time. Check out the best security cameras for properties with bad or no Wi-Fi.
Save yourself time by using the home security system Kim trusts
Security camera warning: This brand is missing a key privacy feature
There are plenty of reasons to install a video doorbell at your home. The most significant benefit for many is seeing who walks to the front door. Tap or click for a handy product that solves the Ring doorbell’s biggest problem.
This portable charger caused a house fire - Do you have one?
Third-party smartphone accessories are often convenient and affordable, especially in a pinch. The facts, however, suggest that using unauthorized things like chargers could put your household at risk.
Even trustworthy companies have problems with their products at times. One couple learned this valuable lesson after a fire almost destroyed their Maryland home recently. The brand behind the power bank is already pulling products from its site.
Have this security cam at home? You should probably stop using it
Tech makes for great Christmas presents, but be careful — you may be giving your loved ones more than they wish for. Here are the five worst and five best tech devices regarding privacy.
Among the biggest offenders that have made headlines recently is Eufy, a subsidiary of Anker. The company sells smart locks, doorbells, cameras, hubs and more.
🔥 Anker power bank recall: You risk a fire if you’re using an Anker 334 MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Anker Power Bank and Anker MagGo Power Bank with a model number of A1642, A1647 or A1652. These were all sold between Jan. 3, 2024, and Sept. 17, 2024. If you own one, stop using it immediately and fill out the recall form.
How to charge your iPhone much more quickly
You are in the middle of a conversation, and suddenly, your phone dies! While you can charge your phone, you might have to cancel if you plan to go anywhere. Fully charging your phone is not always a quick feat. Tap or click for a list of apps that could be causing your phone’s battery to drain.
Review: Don't let this handheld vacuum's small size fool you
Look around your home and think about the household staples you might really have a hard time living without. I’m sure a dependable vacuum cleaner is at least somewhere on the list.
Considering it’s the 21st century, you have all sorts to choose from beyond the standard upright or canister vacuum. Cordless stick vacuums and autonomous robots have become common, and for the smaller jobs around the house or in the car, it’s nice to have a compact vacuum.
Still have a landline? How to get rid of it (even if you're concerned about emergencies!)
Teens today will probably never understand the world of rotary phones. It would be hard to explain that you had to know a phone number by heart and then dial it by spinning a circle back and forth. Thankfully, those phones are nowhere to be seen now. But the humble landline is still in use.
Alexa can double as a security cam - Should you use it?
As news broke this week that eufyCam’s server update allowed strangers to view other people’s feeds, many might be looking at other options. Anker, the company that makes the security cameras, quickly patched the flaw. But much too late for some people’s liking.
If you have one of these security cameras, turn it off now
Security cameras in your home are a great way to keep track of what is going on around you. Some allow you to check-in with mobile devices through various functions — providing a live feed of any activity. Tap or click here for five uses for security cameras you never thought of before now.
Recall alert: If you're using this phone charger, throw it away now
Out of all the reasons to recall a product, fire hazards are one of the most serious. It’s never a good thing when a mass-produced item bursts into flames, but when it’s a device made for smartphones used every day, it can be even trickier to deal with.
Best charging cables for your iPhone or Android smartphone
Who among us hasn’t lost a charging cable or wished you had one that was longer, more durable, or simply easier to identify amidst a sea of black and white, identical-looking cords? We’ve all been there, but what you might not know is not all charging cables are equal, and it’s important to make sure you use only reputable cables to charge your phone.