Feeling bombarded with ads every time you turn on the tube? Well, you are. TV manufacturers figured out they could make more money from ad sales and tracking than actually selling TVs.
It used to just be commercials, but now we’ve got pop-ups, home screen ads, interactive ads — you name it. I’ve got the scoop on what’s next, plus some actionable tips to survive the ad avalanche.
Here’s something you probably didn’t know. TV maker VIZIO makes significantly more money from its advertising and data business than from actually selling TVs.
VIZIO’s Platform Plus, which includes advertising and viewer data, generated $57.3 million in gross profit over a three-month period, while its devices segment, which includes TV sales, made $25.6 million. So, VIZIO’s profit from ads and data is more than double what it earns from selling TVs.
Big names like Samsung, LG and Roku are also stepping up their ad games. Manufacturers and advertisers put on their creativity caps to find ways to make that money:
It won’t be long until you see mega brands like Walmart and Amazon all over your screen. Think of how targeted those ads will be when they combine your purchase and viewing histories.
Watching TV completely ad-free is close to impossible, but there are a couple of things you can try.
Smart TVs have what’s called “automatic content recognition,” or ACR, technology. ACR tracks everything you watch to send you targeted ads. Here are the latest steps to shut that down for today’s most popular brands.
“Dear Kim,
“My brother-in-law has our family cottage wired with a Ring security system. He is not to be trusted as he has been unfaithful to his wife and she has filed for divorce. My family is very suspicious that we are being watched or listened to all the time.
Save money on Wi-Fi while on the seven seas: Going on a cruise? Keep your data safe with a portable router (30% off, nice). Once you’re aboard and purchase the ship’s Wi-Fi package, connect the router to their network. Bam, your own private network. Connect all your devices without paying extra for Wi-Fi plans.
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Federal officials are raising red flags over TP-Link, warning their products might be linked to Chinese espionage. Plus, Redbox files for bankruptcy, Taylor Swift drops cassettes, and Apple’s next iPhone features AI.
Hackers are targeting VPN wireless routers: ASUS, TP-Link, Zyxel and Ruckus have already been hit. How it works: They break in, infect your router with malware, then use it to infect others. Warning signs you’re part of a botnet: Weird PC behavior, slow speeds when your internet is working fine, and strange emails and messages you didn’t send. Keep your router updated and run antivirus software.
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.
Let me tell you, more and more victims of cyberstalking are reaching out to me for advice using my Ask Kim page. Here’s one note I received recently from P.W. in Oklahoma:
“I’ve been cyberstalked for three years. I recently discovered it was my roommate. I moved out and he launched another attack. He’s on my and my fiance’s phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth — everything. He has stolen financial data, pictures, erased accounts, taken over emails and harassed me through VOIP. … He admitted to sitting outside our house all night. I thought he was spying on me. Now I know he was also gaining access to my Wi-Fi. I can’t do this anymore and need expert advice/help terribly.”
📶 Internet connection cutting out? Try a Wi-Fi extender to cover dead zones. Place it as far from your router as possible where it still picks up a strong signal. Pro tip: Download an app like NetSpot WiFi Analyzer (for Android and iOS) to test your signal quality and fine-tune your setup.
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You can’t see me: An SSID is your network’s unique identifier. Hide it so randos don’t see your Wi-Fi network when they’re scanning for nearby options. To do this, go into your router’s settings, look for Wireless Settings, and tap Disable SSID broadcast. “Kim, how the heck do I access the settings?” Go to No. 1 here.
Avoid a Wi-Fi traffic jam: Most routers let you switch channels for a clearer signal. Log into your router’s online interface. (Check the manual or online guide if you’re not sure how.) Look for Wireless Settings and find the Channel option. Channels 1, 6 or 11 are typically less congested. Reboot your router and you’re good to go.
📶 Goodnight, kids: If your kids sneak back onto their phones, tablets and computers at night, I have a trick: Disable the Wi-Fi after a specific time for all your devices or just certain ones, like your kiddo’s iPad. If you use an app to control your internet, pop in there. Otherwise, log into your router’s web interface. Steps here!
🤑 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.
🚨 How Charmin! Major TP-Link warning: U.S. lawmakers want to investigate TP-Link over fears China could use these routers to spy on Americans and the U.S. military. TP-Link is a hugely popular brand, but with routers made in China and a history of security issues, the concerns are real. Feeling uneasy? Here are a few steps to secure your router.
🖨️ Print from your iPhone or iPad: If you have an AirPrint-compatible printer, open your doc and tap the Share button. Scroll to Print > Printer Options > Print. FYI: Both devices need to be on the same network, either via Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable connected to your router.
🗣️ Ring camera hacked: A Texas family got the scare of a lifetime when a man hacked into their Ring camera and whispered to their 5-year-old son in the middle of the night. Even scarier? The video “deleted” itself 15 minutes later. This is your reminder to keep your devices up to date, never use your router’s default Wi-Fi password, set up 2FA and create strong passwords. Watch the scary 42-second video here.
⚠️ Router warning: Linksys Velop Pro 6E and Velop Pro 7 mesh routers are sending Wi-Fi login details in plain text to Amazon servers. That means a hacker can gain access to your network. There’s no patch yet. For now, change your network name and password via the web interface.
⚠️ Still using a Netgear WNR614 N300 router? It’s hit end-of-life status and won’t get any more security patches. It already has six scary vulnerabilities, including storing passwords in plain text. You’ll need a new one. Here’s an affordable option for medium-sized homes and a budget mesh system for larger homes.
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It just works better: If you live in a home larger than 2,000 square feet or have a lot of devices, mesh networks are your Wi-Fi’s secret sauce. Instead of a single router struggling to send a signal to every nook and cranny, you’ve got multiple “nodes” working like a tag team.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
It’s one of the most important tech items in your house. Is yours vulnerable to hacks? Here’s one way to tell.
