5 steps to take control of your data

Every day, it feels like there’s another company saying, “Oops, we lost your info.” Feel helpless? Don’t. I’ve got some smart steps that help lock things down and keep creeps from using your info against you. Let’s jump in.

🔒 Change your username and passwords

If hackers get one of your passwords, they’ll try it everywhere. Don’t make it easy for them.

👉 Make it tough to crack:

  • Go long and random: Aim for at least 16 characters with upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
  • Use a passphrase: “BigKimK0mandoF@n!” beats “abc123.”
  • Lie on security questions: Your mom’s maiden name is a Google search away. Give a fake answer and jot ‘em down somewhere safe.

🔑 Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)

You’ve probably used this already. It’s that code you get via text or using your fingerprint to log in. MFA makes you 99% less likely to be hacked.

Set it up:

  • Android: Open your Google Account > Security. Under “How you sign in to Google,” choose Turn on 2-Step Verification and follow the prompts.
  • iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication. Select Add a Trusted Phone Number and follow the steps.

✅ Pro tip: Lock down your payment apps like CashApp, Venmo and Zelle. Here’s how.

🧊 Freeze your credit

This one’s big. If your name, address or Social Security number were exposed, a scammer could open a credit card or take out a loan in your name. 

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184 million accounts just leaked, yours could be next

Hackers just hit a massive jackpot: 184 million accounts across Apple, Google and Microsoft were exposed in a sweeping data breach. I’m talking email addresses, usernames, passwords, device info (the whole buffet), now up for grabs on the dark web.

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🏠 All it takes is one forged signature: Cybercriminals can steal your home, take out loans and leave you buried in debt. Get a free title history report and 14-day trial at Home Title Lock with code KIM.  

$20 million

The bounty Coinbase is offering for tips leading to the capture of the crooks who tried to extort it. When cybercriminals demanded $20 million in Bitcoin to keep stolen customer data secret, Coinbase slapped a $20 million bounty on their heads instead. It’s like Catch Me If You Can but with way more crypto and way less Leonardo DiCaprio.

🏠 All it takes is one forged signature: Cybercriminals can steal your home, take out loans and leave you buried in debt. Get a free title history report and 14-day trial at Home Title Lock with code KIM.

Your smart thermostat is basically a nosy roommate

Charles in San Antonio asked, “Kim, I have one of those smart thermostats. It must collect a lot of my data. Where does it all go?”

Buckle up, Charles, because your thermostat might know more about you than your best friend, your doctor or your cat. If you’ve got a Nest, Ecobee or any of those sleek little screens controlling your HVAC, they’re managing temperature while they basically stalk you, politely and with your permission.

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Your Wi-Fi was part of 2.7 billion records leaked

I bet you’ve never heard of Mars Hydro. It’s a company headquartered in Communist China that makes Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Their speciality? LED lights and hydroponics equipment.

Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler (I had him on the show about other breaches, and he’s a smart, standup guy) was digging around and found they had a massive 1.17TB database online for anyone to see. There was no encryption and no password required.

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🏠 Hackers are targeting homes, not just bank accounts: With just a few clicks, cybercriminals can steal your home title and rack up huge loans in your name. It’s one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. Home Title Lock is your watchdog, monitoring and protecting your most valuable asset. Sign up with code KIM to get a free home title history report and a 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.

Hackers can steal your home: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Click here to get a free home title history report, when you sign up using code KIM. You’ll also receive a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.

Hackers want your home: Cybercriminals can steal your home title, take out massive loans in your name and leave you stuck with the fallout. It’s one of the fastest-growing cybercrimes. Get peace of mind with a free home title history report when you sign up with Home Title Lock using code KIM. You’ll also get a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.

Hackers can steal your home: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Click here to get a free home title history report, when you sign up using code KIM. You’ll also receive a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.

All it takes is one forged signature. Cybercriminals can snatch your home title, rack up loans in your name and leave you drowning in debt. Scary stuff. Get peace of mind with a free home title history report when you sign up with Home Title Lock using code KIM. You’ll also get a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Hackers can steal your home: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Click here to get a free home title history report, when you sign up using code KIM. You’ll also receive a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.

Hackers can steal your home: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Click here to get a free home title history report, when you sign up using code KIM. You’ll also receive a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.

🚨 Hackers can steal your home without you even knowing: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Home Title Lock monitors your title 24/7 and alerts you to any tampering because your biggest investment deserves the best protection. Click here to get a free home title history report, using code KIM250.

82%

K-12 schools hit by cybercriminals from July 2023 to December 2024. That’s over 9,300 incidents. Most happened when staff fell for phishing scams. But they didn’t just lose data. Some attacks forced schools to close and affected meals and special education services.

🚨 Hackers can steal your home without you even knowing: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Home Title Lock monitors your title 24/7 and alerts you to any tampering because your biggest investment deserves the best protection. Click here to get a free home title history report, using code KIM250.  

🚨 A billion devices at risk, thanks to one chip: A popular Chinese Wi-Fi + Bluetooth chip known as “ESP32”  lets cybercriminals hijack smart gadgets and target computers on the same network. Most attacks need physical access, but with no fix yet, it’s a major risk. PSA: Put your IoT devices on a guest network.

📬 Ransomware by snail mail? It’s happening. Cybercriminals are now sending ransom demands through postal mail. The letters warn folks that their networks have been compromised and sensitive info stolen. The price to keep it private? $250,000 to $350,000 in bitcoin, due in 10 days. And because they’re oh-so-considerate, they include a QR code so you can send the crypto right to their wallet.

🚨  Hackers can steal your home without you even knowing: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity, and leave you with the mess. Home Title Lock monitors your title 24/7 and alerts you to any tampering because your biggest investment deserves the best protection. Click here to get a free home title history report, using code KIM250.