Open enrollment kicks off next week, and so do the fake calls. If someone asks for your Social Security or bank info, hang up.
Stop porch pirates from ruining your holidays
ChatGPT
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for gift-giving and the worst time because of gift-stealing. Over $2 billion worth of parcels got stolen in the last three months of 2024 alone. That’s a lot of missing presents and stocking stuffers. With the right gear, you can leave porch pirates out in the cold.
🔔 No wires, no fuss
Mount Ring’s Battery Doorbell Plus ($80, 47% off) and keep an eye out with motion detection and Live View. Plus, Smart Alerts notify you the instant a delivery arrives at the doorstep. Genius.
Lock that cam down
Grab an anti-theft mount ($17, 23% off), so crooks can’t yank your Ring or Blink off the wall. Perfect for apartments, homes or your office building.
🚗 Garage drop-off?
The myQ smart garage hub ($54, 33% off) works with Amazon Key in-garage delivery. Watch your driver safely drop off your gifts right from your phone.
Neighborhood watch kit
These battery-powered outdoor security cameras ($140, 22% off) last 240 days on a single charge. No subscription fees, only solid “don’t try me” energy.
💡 Yard on guard
Boom, solar motion lights ($30, 36% off, two-pack) beam up to 40 feet, putting would-be thieves in the spotlight. Waterproof and easy to clean, too.
Early-warning detection
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Unleash your inner IT overlord
Bing Image Creator
I read every comment you leave at the end of this newsletter, and one theme always stands out: You want to know all the hidden things your tech can do!
Lucky for you, uncovering those “I had no idea!” moments is my superpower.
Low-quality bamboozling: If that viral clip looks like it was shot on a flip phone, your alarm bells should be ringing. AI videos are getting scary good, but the fakes still hide behind grainy, short clips. Think “security cam from 2006.” The newest fakes want to look bad because the blur hides the glitches. Don’t trust it just because it feels real.
🌐 Update your web browser: If websites are loading slower than usual, your browser might be out of date. Updating gives you better speeds, new features and important security fixes. In Chrome, go to Settings > About Chrome, and it’ll auto-check for updates. In Firefox, click the (☰) icon > Help > About Firefox to do the same.
Ransomware hackers upped the game, and it’s personal
Bing Image Creator
If you read one thing today, let it be this, because the rules of ransomware have officially changed, and not in a “Yay, innovation!” kind of way.
For years, the scam was simple: Hackers locked up your computer, holding your files hostage and demanding a ransom in Bitcoin for a promise to give your data back.
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.
X marks the lock: If you use a physical security key (like a YubiKey) for 2FA on X, you’ve got until Nov. 10 to reenroll, or your account gets locked. Why? X is cutting ties with the old Twitter.com domain, which means you’re basically reregistering your key under X.com. Authenticator and SMS 2FA folks? No action needed.
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.
📷 Webcam not working on Windows 11? Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and toggle on Camera access. Also toggle Let apps access your camera. Then open the app you’re using and press F8 to turn it on. Still blank? Go to Device Manager > Cameras, right-click yours, select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers, then Restart your PC.
💾 Nuclear files and chill: Get this. A Department of Energy employee lost his security clearance after uploading 187,000 porn images to a federal network. He said it was for an “AI project,” not pleasure, and compared his interrogation to the “Spanish Inquisition.” The collection reportedly spanned 30 years. That’s not what “data backup” means, champ.
How to freeze your credit and protect your identity
ChatGPT
First, look at the handy AI photo. If only, I’d be so good at multitasking. (lol)
“Hey, Kim, I just was notified that my personal data was part of the recent SimonMed data breach. My data’s already out there from another breach. Does it even matter anymore?” — Sara in Newport Beach, CA
🪟 Final Windows 10 update: Microsoft has ended support for Windows 10, but there’s one last update that patches 173 bugs. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates to install it. After this, there are no more security fixes unless you’re on the ESU program. Folks, skip the headache and move to Windows 11.
Fake refund frenzy: Get ready for scammers pretending to be the state tax department texting promises of “Inflation Refunds.” The messages link to a fake site that steals personal info like Social Security numbers. Real refunds are automatic, so no links, no forms, no “enter your bank info or else” vibes.
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.
🚨 Upgrade to Windows 11 ASAP: Microsoft is ending Windows 10 support today, so it’s time to move on. Go to Settings > Update & Security and select Download and install Windows 11 (at the top). If you don’t see the option, use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant online and follow the steps.
🚨 Live alone, not in fear: Whether you’re in an apartment, condo or your dream home, living solo doesn’t mean feeling unsafe. SimpliSafe’s award-winning security gives you 24/7 peace of mind with no contracts or hardwiring. You can set it up yourself in minutes or have a pro install it for you. For a limited time, get 50% off. I trust SimpliSafe, and you can, too.
Stop auto driver updates: On Windows 11, you don’t have to let updates mess with hardware that’s already working fine. Go to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings. In System Properties, head to Hardware > Device Installation Settings, toggle No, and Save Changes. Very important: Don’t forget to manually check for security updates.
🧱 Microsoft tightens the leash: Microsoft’s killing every sneaky way to skip signing in with a Microsoft account during Windows 11 setup. The newest test blocks local account work-arounds, forcing you online whether you like it or not. Supposedly, it’s about “configuration.” They swear it’s “for your security,” which is classic villain lingo.
🔐 Lock your PC: Want stronger security on Windows 11? A few clicks can make snooping way harder. Go to Settings > Accounts > Account settings > Sign-in options. From there, you can update a weak PIN or Password, or step it up with Facial recognition, Fingerprint sign-in or a physical Security key.