Holiday shopping stressing you out? Skip the gift-card trap. I’ve rounded up 10 amazing gifts, all under $50, that bring joy, wow, and are easy on the wallet. Let’s jump in. 🔪 Titanium tough, easy clean Slice your meat on one side of this cutting board (43% off) and your veggies on the other. Nonstick […]
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. […]
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. 🪟 Secret Windows restart trick Frequent shutdowns can fix most computer issues, […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
“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 Hearing about breach after breach at banks, hospitals, insurance companies, even schools, it’s easy to feel like throwing […]
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 […]
“Alexa, what’s new?” Oh, just about everything. Amazon just dropped a truckload of new gadgets, including smarter speakers, sharper sound and security tech that practically thinks for you. Don’t worry, I’ve translated all the techie stuff into plain English, so you know what’s worth your money. 🔊 Alexa gets bass (and smarts) Meet the Echo […]
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 […]
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 […]
A man named William Woods spent years trying to prove he was … himself. Why? Because another man, Matthew David Keirans, stole his Social Security number and birth certificate, built a whole new life with them and lived under Woods’ identity for decades. The guy really committed to the bit. Keirans got caught only after […]
Big news: Apple’s latest gadgets are now live on Amazon. Whether you’re due for an upgrade or just love shiny new tech, I pulled them all together so you can see what’s actually worth your money. Let’s bite in. 🍎 Apple’s fresh lineup AirPods Pro 3 ($249): My old AirPods are jealous. Noise cancellation is […]
I was shocked by this stat the other day. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says identity theft–driven insurance fraud is projected to spike 49% by the end of 2025. Really, insurance fraud? You see, identity theft isn’t just about someone opening a store credit card or taking a car loan out in your name anymore. […]
Your smartwatch is great for counting steps and buzzing you when you’ve been sitting on your butt too long. But have you ever stopped to think where all that personal data is going? From sleep patterns to how stressed you are on a Tuesday afternoon, it’s all being logged in a digital diary. And guess […]
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 […]
Our phones hold everything: photos, texts, money apps, health info, even our bad selfies. Handing over access to your partner? That’s not just convenient. That’s trust on a whole new level. Some people think it’s the 2025 version of giving someone a house key. Others worry it’s a recipe for drama, or even the prequel […]
You know I can’t resist a good sale. Amazon’s Labor Day best weekend deals are finally here, and I did some digging so you don’t have to. Here’s a link to everything on sale, if you want to explore. Have fun! 😋 Slice, dice and everything nice 🤖 Tech these out 🧼 Secret weapons for […]
Ashley in Washington asks: “Kim, do I really need identity theft protection? I used to have LifeLock years ago and dumped it because they constantly were selling me other things. I heard you say on your radio show that you use NordProtect now. Why? How is any of this different than freezing your credit? Love […]
Here’s the newest con in town: Scammers are using AI to clone legit websites, and they’re scary good at it. I’m talking about perfect logos, identical layouts, right down to the fonts and buttons. The crazy part is that they spin these sites up in minutes. Then, they shove them to the top of Google, […]
