Tag: devices

Your clearance aisle find is a future paperweight

That $49 smart camera looked like a deal, until it forgot how to smart.

Top 10 bestsellers you absolutely loved in 2025

I’ve been tracking your shopping habits and pulled together the top 10 items you bought again and again in 2025. And guess what? They’re all on sale! Think of it like your Spotify Wrapped but way more useful. Not in a money-saving mood right now? Scroll down to the Web Watercooler section to learn about […]

iCloud/Google Drive are NOT backups

From silent SSD failures to cloud syncing disasters, digital terrors are plaguing your most important files.

 🛍️ Best Amazon Black Friday deals

Before you fall down the Black Friday rabbit hole, let me save you hours and frustration.

Smart mirrors for your bathroom are here

I remember the first time I saw a bathroom mirror with a built-in TV. I was at a ski lodge in Vail and called Barry to come see it.

Stop saving passwords in browsers, seriously

I got an email from a listener named Jim K., and it’s the kind of note that sticks with you. “I checked Have I Been Pwned and found one account breached twice, another nine times, and another five times. I keep my usernames and passwords in Notes. I don’t let websites store my credit card […]

Plug the leaks in your digital life

Hackers, scammers and snoopers are getting slicker every day. Your gear should, too. I did the digging (so you don’t have to) and found the best tools to outsmart them. Let’s check them out! 🛡️ Guard your cards RFID blocking cards ($5, 50% off) stop fraud before it even starts. Slip one into your wallet, […]

For whom the bell tolls unpaid

You’ve probably seen it: a text that says something like, “You have an overdue toll balance. Click here to avoid late fees.” It looks official, urgent and believable enough to make you think maybe it’s legit. That text is part of a very sophisticated scam run by Chinese criminal gangs, and they’ve already made over […]

That ‘free space’ in your closet might be worth hundreds or more

Let me guess, you’ve got a few mystery boxes in the garage, a closet that could double as a thrift store, and a drawer of random chargers for devices you haven’t seen since the Obama administration. We all hold onto stuff we might use again but never do. That clutter? It could be worth real […]

Your password is too short. Let’s fix that

I hate passwords. They are a total pain in the butt. Now don’t kill the messenger… Hackers have amped up their game and are using powerful AI software that can rip through millions of password combinations in seconds. Brace yourself, your password really needs to be at least 20 characters, and there should be a […]

How not to explode

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, powering your phone, laptop, iPad, toothbrush, e-bike, EV and power bank. We love them because they’re compact, rechargeable and efficient. But when things go wrong? They go really wrong. Fires caused by lithium batteries are becoming more common and more dangerous. A small phone battery can ignite a couch. Now imagine […]

New malware changes everything

Remember when viruses came from clicking on sketchy email attachments like “hotpics[.]exe”? Good times. Today’s malware doesn’t even need a file. It slips into your system’s memory like a digital ninja, using tools already on your computer like PowerShell, WMI or macros to do its dirty work.  No download. No alert. Just boom, you’re compromised. […]

The privacy threat no one blocks

You mention Antarctica once. Just a throwaway joke near your phone, “Wouldn’t it be cool to go freeze my face off?” Suddenly, your phone, laptop, smart TV, smart speaker and even your fridge are pitching you parkas like it’s QVC Arctic Edition. 🥶 Chances are, you were hit by ultrasonic cross-device tracking. This high-frequency sound […]

The suburban hacker house: She helped North Korea infiltrate American tech

This isn’t a ripped-from-the-headlines new Netflix series. This really happened in a quiet neighborhood called Litchfield Park that’s about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Christina Chapman, 50, looked like your average middle-aged suburban woman. But inside her humble home? A secret cyber ops center built to help North Korean IT workers buy equipment and […]

Get a free second phone number

Here’s something smart to start your week. Get a free, private second phone number you can use from your smartphone. It’s perfect for keeping your personal number personal.  With Google Voice, you get a real U.S. phone number that rings to your cell, computer or tablet. You can call, text, screen calls and get your […]

Guess who’s spying from your bookshelf

With more than 500 million Alexa-enabled devices sold worldwide, odds are you’ve got one sitting on your counter or desk, quietly glowing, always listening. Ever mutter something like, “I need new jeans,” and suddenly your phone’s serving up Levi’s ads? Creepy coincidence or hot mic in action? Alexa is always in listening mode, waiting for […]

Meet the scammers driving your neighborhood

Ever get one of those weird texts that says something like, “Your package is waiting” or “Click here to unlock your cash reward”? We all have. Most people figure it’s just a scammy mass text from some sketchy website. You can’t be so sure anymore. What if I told you those shady texts didn’t come […]

Your new router might be a waste of money

You’ve probably seen the sales pitches. “Get blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 with internet speeds like you’ve never seen before. Just $600 for a new state-of-the-art router!” Let me save you money. 🤑 The reality check Yes, Wi-Fi 7 is fast. Theoretical speeds reach up to 46 Gbps. That’s 46,000 Mbps, compared to Wi-Fi 6, which tops […]

The catfisher in the minivan

Alert: This article is a spoiler for Unknown Number: The High School Catfish on Netflix.  Imagine you’re a high school girl. Your phone won’t stop buzzing. It’s not friendly DMs, texts or social media notifications. Instead, hundreds of cruel, anonymous messages flood in, calling you names, threatening you, turning your friends against you and even […]

Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth

Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.  Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.  Here’s where it gets shady: Some […]