The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR-15-type rifle, electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device.
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
TotalAV
TotalAV works with Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and iPhones. TotalAV is Kim’s pick and a sponsor of her national radio show. As far as features go, it stacks up compared to the other names on the market you already know. And you can get a killer discount using Kim’s special offer.
Here are the pros and cons.
The good
- Blocks phishing URLs through its SafeSite extension, which stays up-to-date on the latest malicious phishing URLs.
- Spots, quarantines and eliminates ransomware, viruses, adware, spyware, trojans and more.
- Provides remote firewall access to stop unauthorized access to private data.
- Schedule scans so you don’t have to mark a date on your calendar for your next scan.
- Lets you choose the type of scan you want to run (it’s hassle-free).
- Cleans your disk, app cache and duplicate photos to save disk space.
- Enhances your computer’s performance.
The bad
- No boot-time scanning.
- No email security features.
Get the best security suite and save 85% at TotalAV.com/Kim. That’s just $19 for a year of protection on up to five devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus
Bitdefender Antivirus can be used on Mac and Windows computers, and mobile versions for your smartphone also exist. A $39.99 subscription can cover five devices.
Sharing is caring: Bruce in Reno called my show with a bright idea. He just got an iPad and wants to watch movies on it with his wife on an upcoming trip. “Is there a way to split the audio signal?” There sure is, Bruce. This handy gadget connects two sets of Bluetooth headphones to any device with a headphone jack. Sweet.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Handwriting still matters: Studies show we remember things better by writing them down rather than typing them in on a computer or other device. Why? It activates multiple parts of the brain, like visual and motor pathways, so we process information more deeply. Bonus: Writing down things also boosts your focus and concentration (paywall link).
Hands off my Kindle: You can set a passcode. Go to the home screen and tap the three dots in the upper right. Now, tap Settings > Device Options > Device Passcode. Sweet.
💸 The next big thing? Former Apple designer Jony Ive and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are working on an AI-powered device. Details are scarce (of course!), but they say it’ll handle advanced tasks like booking travel and identifying plants from photos, with more power than the average smartphone and fewer disruptions than a standard phone.
Turning off alerts from your video doorbell is a mistake: Instead, set up custom motion zones. On a Ring doorbell, open the Ring app and select your device. Go to Motion Settings > Edit Motion Settings. To go into full don’t-bug-me mode, choose People Only.
👓 Skip the blue-light glasses: They don’t really protect your eyes from screen strain (paywall link). The real issue is looking at your device too closely for too long and forgetting to blink. We normally blink 15 times per minute, but that drops to six times per minute when staring at screens. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
Talk to the hand: You can use Alexa without vocal controls or needing to touch the screen if you have an Echo Show. Open your Alexa app and tap More > Settings. Select Device Options and tap Gestures. Now, just lift your hand to stop a timer.
A penny for your trucks: In Memphis, a tracker led police to the second chop shop in less than a week. The owners of a stolen pickup followed the GPS device to an industrial area. Days later, police came back with a warrant and found five cars. The suspect is in jail. I use an AirTag or get one of these car trackers for $15.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
“My phone died. Can I use yours?” It’s a trick spreading quickly across the country. Someone who’s clearly frazzled asks if they can call a friend on your phone to pick them up because their car won’t start. You unlock your device, hand it over and that person runs away with it.
No tech whiz needed to intercept Apple iMessage texts: Message forwarding, as the name implies, forwards messages to another device automatically. It’s handy if you set it up but an invasion of privacy if someone else did. To check, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
🤑 Amazon’s secret 25% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through its Trade-in Program and get a gift card for the value. They’ll take just about anything, but if you trade in Amazon gear like a Kindle, eero router system or Fire TV Stick, you get 25% off a new qualifying device. Nice.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it: Keeping it active all the time makes your device more vulnerable. Plus, you’ll get more battery life by turning it off from time to time. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. On an Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps may vary based on your phone model.)
Need a good story? I sat down with Noland Arbaugh, the first Neuralink brain chip implant patient. This brave guy shared the risks, including the possibility of the device being hacked, the application process and his hopes for the future. Check out the full exclusive interview on The Daily Mail. Give it a share and comment for me so my editor there asks me for more fabulous interviews like this one!
🚀 Houston, pass the popcorn: NASA’s free streaming app, NASA+, is awesome. Watch it for free on NASA’s website or download the app on your phone, TV or favorite streaming device. All programs are family-friendly and ad-free.
Be the James Bond of Windows: There’s a secret version of the Start menu. Hold down the Windows key and click the letter X, and you’ll access an advanced menu with Device Manager, Task Manager and Disk Management options. You can also right-click on the Start button to access this menu.
Keep your Android automatically unlocked: Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock. You can set it to stay unlocked when it’s on you, near a trusted device (like your laptop) or in a trusted place (like your house).
A round of a-paws: The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR-15-type rifle, an electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device. Wow, I hope these don’t get hacked.
Stop sending yourself emails: Need to transfer photos, vids and docs from your Android device to a Windows PC? Use the free Quick Share app. Works great!