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.
Read this before you renew your car insurance
ChatGPT
You’ve probably seen this pitch from your insurance company: “Drive safely and save. Sign up for our smart driving program today!”
You’ve got a squeaky-clean record, so what’s the harm, right? Before you sign up, let’s pop the hood.
😳 What they’re tracking
These programs use an app on your phone or a gadget in your car to monitor how you drive. It tracks:
- Speed
- Hard braking
- Quick acceleration
- Late-night driving
- Phone use behind the wheel
That data gets mixed with your age, ZIP code and driving history to build a score. If your score’s high enough, you might get 10% to 30% off your premium. Sounds good, but there’s more to it.
🤑 Your driving habits = gold mine
State Farm dings you if you go just 8 mph over the limit, even to avoid an accident. GEICO and Allstate frown on nighttime driving. That’s fine if you’re in bed by 9, but not if your kid’s practice wraps up after dark or you work the late shift.
You can bet every insurer, including Progressive, Travelers and, yes, State Farm, tracks phone activity. That means if your screen lights up in your pocket, you’re “distracted.”
Use Do Not Disturb While Driving mode and stash your phone in a compartment or mount. Even pocket motion can trigger a flag.
🪄 Your data doesn’t disappear
Here’s where it gets sketchy. Some insurers raise your rates if they think you’re risky, even if you never file a claim. And they’re not always transparent about how long they keep or share your data.
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.
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.
Facebook profits from sick ads
Social media’s dark side is growing. Reports show Meta profited from ads selling child-like sex dolls, even as scams and exploitation spread across its platforms. With billions in resources and AI tools, why is Big Tech still failing to stop it? Here’s what you need to know.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
📸 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.