All rise: Emojis have entered the court. Plus, three WFH jobs that pay $20 per hour, a popular game for kids goes woke and a high-tech way to protect your logins that’s better than 2FA.
Digital self-destruction for fun and paranoia
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How to make any USB drive self-destruct
“Kim, I’m paranoid about losing my USB drive. Is there any way to make it so if someone steals it, they can’t see or open anything?” — Dave in Denver
Dave, losing a USB drive isn’t just annoying. It’s the secret nightmare of anyone who’s ever stored files they’d rather not see on Reddit 10 minutes later.
Here’s how to make your flash drive digitally self-destruct.
The secret weapon
VeraCrypt is a free tool that doesn’t merely slap a password on your files. It completely locks down your entire USB with heavy-duty encryption that’s virtually impossible to crack. It works on Mac, Windows and Linux.
🔐 Step 1: Encrypt everything (the right way)
- First, download VeraCrypt.
- Install it and encrypt the entire USB drive, not just a folder labeled “Totally Not Important Stuff.”
- Pick a strong password. The longer and more random, the better.
Now, if someone plugs your drive into their computer, all they’ll see is a scrambled mess unless they know your password.
💣 Step 2: Hide a secret partition
You can also create a hidden volume inside your encrypted drive. Basically, a vault within a vault.
- You create two volumes: One decoy vault holds fake but boring files (tax documents, cat photos, recipes you’ll never cook).
- If someone forces you to unlock it (think: bossy thief), you open the decoy.
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We’ve all had those texts we want to delete — from bad jokes and typos, to (gulp) sending something sensitive to the wrong contact. Can you really ever remove a text from your life? Is a deleted text really deleted for good? It’s complicated.
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Gmail’s getting more secure: Google’s making it way easier for businesses to send encrypted emails. Before, you had to deal with something called S/MIME, which was a pain to set up. Now? Just turn on the Additional encryption option when drafting an email. FYI: It only works within your company, so yes, your boss can finally encrypt that calendar invite you’ll ignore.
1 terabit per second
Of data was sent over 750 miles using optical fiber. For context, that’s like streaming around 40 Netflix shows in Ultra-HD at the same time. The real twist? Researchers did it completely securely. How? They built a new “IEAC” system that hides the encryption inside the light signal itself. Pretty genius.
Set up your Wi-Fi for easy sharing with guests
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You’ve got a turkey in the oven, presents need to be wrapped, and your cousin’s kid screams (again), “What’s the Wi-Fi password?” You’re juggling a hundred things at once, and the last thing you want to do is to spell out your password.
How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi
You don’t leave your front door unlocked. So why would you use public Wi-Fi networks without protection? Defend your private data from cybercriminals in public places with these five tips.
If you listen to The Kim Komando Show and Kim’s podcasts, you know about digital dangers. Accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi networks can heighten these risks even more.
Under the radar: A flaw in Microsoft’s Windows BitLocker encryption system could expose your sensitive data, including passwords in unencrypted form. BitLocker is meant to protect your data if your laptop or PC is stolen by encrypting your hard drive. The fix? Update to the latest version of Windows. PSA: I only work with brands I trust to keep you secure. Hit this page to see the five must-have tools I recommend.
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When I shared my tip on opting out of the Transportation Security Administration’s new facial recognition tech at airports the other week, I got a ton of questions. First and foremost, though, a lot of you said, “I didn’t know I could do that.”
3 reasons you shouldn't go another day without antivirus software
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If you don’t have antivirus software, you’re putting every internet-connected gadget you own at risk. Something as simple as an unchanged router password can be an entry point for an invader to shut down your phone or even taunt your children through a security camera or smart speaker.
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.
I ticked off the creepy people-search sites, and you can, too
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My son asked me where I lived for a few months in Los Angeles over 25 years ago. It was a gig working for Unisys that was far from memorable. He found that address at a free people search site, along with my other addresses and cell phone numbers. Nice.
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Let’s face it, the internet can be a scary and unpredictable place when it comes to maintaining your privacy and security. You never know who may be keeping virtual tabs on you.
Whether it’s a hacker or scammer out to get your personal info, a government agency or even your creepy neighbor, you need to secure your web browsing.
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Have a printer at home? Follow these five critical security steps to keep hackers out. Plus, new smart screws detect when they’re loose, MIT researchers build ultra-thin speakers, 3 gotchas about unsending text messages, encryption 101 and all you need to know about Spaceship Neptune, a space travel capsule that costs $125,000 per ticket.
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Not sure what encryption is? Here’s a quick explanation, plus how to tell if your texts are encrypted. In this episode, you’ll get the scoop on new Netflix ads, the creepiest tech to watch out for and how to hide your phone number when making a call.
Encryption 101
Not sure what encryption is? Here’s all you need to know, in 60 seconds.
Robin Hood ransomware, 'Top Gun' AI, Facebook downgrade
A new kind of ransomware is on the loose, and victims can’t pay to get the encryption key to their files — they must complete three acts of charity. Plus, Val Kilmer is back in “Top Gun: Maverick,” thanks to the help of AI and deepfake technology. And Facebook is losing one of its best security features. We’ll tell you what to do instead to keep your account safe.
Windows and Mac security settings to check now
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It’s never good to go too long without checking your security settings. Now and then, you should brush up on your protections. Whether you use a Mac or a PC, all devices are vulnerable to attacks.
On the bright side, there are tons of built-in features you can take advantage of for your safety. For example, Windows Defender can help protect your PC from lurking threats. However, many native protections might be a bit hard to find on your own.