An indoor cam caught a dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank, which then set the house on fire. The flames spread through the living room in minutes. The family (and all their pets) got out safely. Note to self: Keep power banks up high away from Abby.
Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth
Midjourney
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 apps piggyback on that signal to figure out where you are, how long you stay and who else is around. I’m talking about fitness apps, shopping apps, airline apps, even flashlights and wallpaper apps. (Yep.)
Retail stores can use this data to detect when you walk by or how long you linger near a display. Creepy and totally preventable.
🔧 Take back control
Plenty of popular apps request Bluetooth access, not to connect to a device but to build a profile of where you go and who you’re near. The good news? You can shut it down in seconds.
▶️ On iPhone:
- Go to Settings, tap Privacy & Security.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Look through the list. If an app doesn’t need Bluetooth (think: Uber, Target, games), toggle it off.
▶️ On Android:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Apps (or Apps & notifications).
- Tap See all apps (or the three-dot icon for Permission manager).
- Choose an app and tap Permissions.
- Check if it has Nearby Devices or Bluetooth access. If it doesn’t need it, hit Deny.
🤯 Why this matters
This has nothing to do with pairing your earbuds. It’s about passive location tracking done without GPS and often without your knowledge.
Scams are an underground industry
Midjourney
You already know the usual scams. Romance, crypto, tech support, job offers, fake investments, and the list goes on. But what you might not realize is that a growing number of people behind these scams aren’t evil masterminds.
Ripe for the picking
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Crap, you forgot the Christmas cards: It’s not too late to spread some holiday cheer with a heartfelt message. Hit up Canva, Adobe Express or Paperless Post online. Choose a template, whip up a greeting and send it in just a few minutes — no printing or trip to the post office.
News avoidance makes lies look legit
Over Labor Day weekend, false rumors spread online claiming President Trump had died, and millions believed them. Here’s why fake news travels faster than facts and how news avoidance fuels the problem.
Lithium-ion battery fire: A home in Fairway, Kansas, caught fire after a lawn mower battery blew up in the garage. It was on the charger when family members heard an explosion, and the fire spread quickly. Thankfully, everyone got out safely. PSA: Charge your electric goodies outside, not in the garage.
🍏 Mac trackpad tricks: Rotate a photo or PDF by moving two fingers in a circle. Swipe left or right with two fingers to jump between web pages in Safari or Chrome. Spread your thumb and three fingers to show the desktop. Bonus: Pinch your thumb and three fingers together to open Launchpad.
Check your kid’s phone for this app now
Briana from Houston is like so many moms I know. She’s busy, loving and doing everything she can to raise smart, safe kids in a digital world that changes faster than you can hit “update.”
She told me that when her 12-year-old daughter asked to download an app called Zepeto, it seemed harmless enough. Create a cute avatar. Dress it up. Play games. Chat with friends.
Best high-yield savings accounts for 2025
© Andranik Hakobyan | Dreamstime.com
I love answering your questions and Danielle in Austin, Texas, wrote, “I see online banks that offer really high interest rates. Are they safe? My bank doesn’t even pay 1%!”
High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) online earn much higher interest rates than what big-name banks like Chase or Wells Fargo offer. I wouldn’t go with just any online bank, though.
United's bad PR move
United Airlines grounded its entire fleet for a day, calling it a “technology disruption.” The rumors of a cyberattack spread fast!
🚨 Red alert for Androids: Be careful what you download. Hackers are using a tool called .NET MAUI to create what look like legit banking, dating and social media apps. They spread through texts and shady links instead of the Google Play Store. Always stick to the official app store, and keep your OS updated. Mahalo!
📸 Saving memories: A North Carolina woman is using Instagram to reunite families with photographs lost during Hurricane Helene. Taylor Schenker has collected hundreds of photos from the debris and shares them on her page, Photos from Helene. Folks can reach out to claim them or have them mailed back. Only about 15% have been returned. Spread the word if you can.
Not a joke: Two teenage boys in Pennsylvania thought it’d be fun to grab nearly 350 videos and photos of their female classmates from social media, use AI to make the girls appear naked, and then spread the pics around. They’re now facing 59 child porn charges. This is just getting worse.
Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks
Photo © Hani Eriani | Dreamstime.com
You can’t keep track of everything on paper. Excel can play a significant role in your daily workload. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro user, there’s much to learn — like these five useful Excel tricks.
Want to become an Excel expert? It’s a good strategy for small business owners who want to grow this year. After all, you’ll generate tons of data. Speaking of which, here’s how to stop third parties from selling your data.
🛑 Don’t be Russian me: The Kremlin is using gullible Americans to spread false info about the U.S. presidential race. They’ve hired marketing firms to pump out propaganda via phony news websites and social media. Be extra cautious if you see posts from a “local” news outlet you’ve never heard of.
LinkedIn features you should start using
LinkedIn is one of the biggest social media sites for professionals. If you want to reconnect with old coworkers or find new jobs, it’s the place to be. Users love its many features, especially the profile page you can use to brag about your accomplishments.
What to do about TikTok and the anti-Semite mob
Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” is popping up across TikTok. If you spot it, here’s how to curb its spread.
September 2nd, 2023
I chatted with journalist Jason Koebler of 404 Media about his investigation into sketchy Instagram ads. Plus, a principal is using TikTok to call out her students. Deepfake scam videos spread over social, lost kids found through video doorbells and Google Meet’s new AI features. All that and much more, plus all your calls and questions.
Does 5G cause cancer or other health problems?
The 5G revolution is here, and boy, has it caused a splash. Conspiracy theories spread through forums like tornadoes, whipping up fear about contamination and health issues. People are toppling cell phone towers, thinking they cause COVID-19. But how valid are these concerns? Kim sits down with radio wave expert Kenneth Foster, a University of Pennsylvania professor with all the facts. After this episode, you’ll be ready for the newest generation of wireless technology.