A firefighter’s dog chewed a lithium battery and set the rug on fire. Here’s the one thing you should never do with battery-powered devices.
Stop saving passwords in browsers, seriously
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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 info, but I do reuse passwords. I’m not sure I trust password managers. And I really don’t want to change every password the next time there’s a breach.”
Jim, you’re not alone. Most people, especially smart, careful folks like you, are in the exact same boat. That’s why I’m sharing this.
🔓 Reused passwords = a hacker’s dream
Once a password is leaked, hackers use credential stuffing to try logging in across hundreds of sites. And when you reuse passwords, you’ve made their job a whole lot easier.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
- Bots run 24/7, plugging stolen or breached logins into banks, shopping sites, retirement accounts, even church donation portals.
- Hackers sell your info on the dark web, and multiple criminals buy and exploit it.
- One breach can lead to financial fraud, identity theft and years of cleanup.
And no, your Notes app won’t protect you. It’s not encrypted, and if someone gets into your phone or iCloud, they’ve got your entire digital life. Stop that now. Browser-stored passwords? Same problem, they’re often just a click away from being stolen.
🛡️ The fix
This is where a dedicated password manager comes in. It’s not some clunky tech tool. It’s like autofill, but encrypted and actually safe.
- Every account gets a strong, unique password.
- You only need to remember one master password.
- It syncs securely across your devices.
- You can share logins the right way (not over text).
- And when a breach happens, you update one password, not 30.
I get the hesitation. I was skeptical, too. But I’ve tested dozens of options, and the one I trust with my own accounts is NordPass. Full disclosure: They’re a longtime sponsor of my national radio show. They use zero-knowledge encryption, so not even NordPass can see inside your vault.
Plug the leaks in your digital life
ChatGPT
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!
RFID blocking cards ($5, 50% off) stop fraud before it even starts. Slip one into your wallet, and forget it’s there. Your ID and financial info stays safe and sound.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🕵️ Legal stalking: Well, this is creepy. A Nebraska woman thought she’d lost her AirPods, but it turns out, she found four tracking devices hidden under her car. Four! Investigators say her ex used them to stalk her. Get this, it’s not technically illegal in Nebraska to plant trackers. What? Lawmakers are now pushing to close that terrifying loophole.
Sync your Kindle devices: Reading the same book on your phone and e-reader? No need to remember the last page. Go to Settings > Device options and toggle on Sync. Your reading position, notes and highlights update automatically, so you can pick up right where you left off. FYI: Both devices must be connected to the internet.
For whom the bell tolls unpaid
Washington, D.C., Attorney General’s Office
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 ‘free space’ in your closet might be worth hundreds or more
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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 cash and might come in handy for Christmas and holiday gifts.
Mirror Android to TV: Sharing your phone screen on a smart TV is easy as long as both are on the same Wi-Fi. On your phone, go to Settings > Connected devices > Smart View, then select your TV name > Full screen > Start now.
Use WhatsApp on your iPad: Yes, it finally works. Download WhatsApp from the App Store, open it and get a QR code. On your phone, go to Settings > Linked devices > Link device and scan the code. Your chats and contacts will sync so you can message or call right from your iPad.
If the broom fits, fly it: Most smart doorbells let you change the tone to something more festive around the holidays. For Halloween, yes, I’m talking about a witch cackle or howl. Open your doorbell app, go into the settings and look for something like “chime tones” or “doorbell theme.” In the Ring app, it’s under Devices > Audio Settings > Chime Tones.
✈️ On the go? Your data’s going with you: Public Wi-Fi at hotels, airports and cafés, it’s a gold mine for hackers. That’s why I never travel without ExpressVPN. One tap, and my connection is encrypted and secure no matter where I am. Fast, private and works on all your devices. Travel smart. Stay safe. Get 4 extra months at ExpressVPN.com/Kim.
📱 Connect AirPods to Android: AirPods can work without an iPhone. On your Android phone, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn it on. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back or double tapping the front light until it turns white. Then select them under Available devices and tap Pair.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Use a mouse with your phone: You can connect a Bluetooth mouse to your Android instead of swiping with your finger. Turn on the mouse and put it in Pairing mode (the light should flash). On your phone, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, toggle it on, and select your mouse under Available devices. Tap Pair, and you’re set.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Your password is too short. Let’s fix that
ChatGPT
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 completely different one for each account.
How not to explode
ChatGPT
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.
🚨 There’s a new Y2K bug: Meet Y2K38. It’s what happens when older tech hits a digital wall in January 2038 and thinks it’s 1901. (Talk about a throwback.) Hackers aren’t waiting around, either. They can mess with systems right now using fake GPS signals and bogus time stamps. We’re talking cars, printers, even nuclear subs going haywire. What can you do? The usual smart stuff: Keep your devices updated, turn off auto time-sync if it seems sketchy, and don’t let old gear connect to weird networks.
Surprise, you’re in the cloud: Starting now, if you open Word on Windows, it’ll autosave everything to OneDrive by default. No more “Save As,” it just uploads. Convenient for syncing across devices, maybe not great if you didn’t want your journal entries on Microsoft’s servers. Go to OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup if you’re used to files living on your desktop.
🍏 Take calls on your iPad: You don’t always need to grab your iPhone to answer. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Calls on Other Devices and toggle Allow Calls on Other Devices. Make sure both devices use the same Apple ID, then select your iPad. Remember to keep them nearby and on the same Wi-Fi.
AI-powered side hustles
Turn your creativity into cash with AI! Learn how to start your own AI-powered T-shirt side hustle from home, no design skills required. Then, things get serious with the rise of fileless viruses and how to protect your devices from next-gen malware that hides in plain sight. Plus, the latest buzz on Elon Musk crypto scams, falling Starlink satellites, and ChatGPT’s new shopping feature.
New malware changes everything
ChatGPT
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.