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.
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.
A digital Barbie? Not even close
Zepeto carries a 12+ age rating, the kind of label that gives parents a false sense of security. Briana trusted it. Why wouldn’t she? That rating implies it’s safe and age-appropriate.
Narrator voice: It was not harmless.
Within days, her daughter was receiving explicit messages from a stranger pretending to be a teenager.
He asked: What do you like to do? Do your parents check your phone? Have you ever had sex?
That’s not harmless chat. That’s grooming. And it was happening right under her mom’s nose inside what looked like a sweet, sparkly avatar world.
Mash-up of Roblox, Snapchat and The Sims
Zepeto, developed in South Korea, is a metaverse-style app where kids create 3D avatars, explore virtual spaces and chat with others. It has bright colors, customizable outfits, dance moves and digital selfies.
But behind the filters and fashion lies a darker reality.
Apps like Zepeto are wide open to abuse:
Best high-yield savings accounts for 2025
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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.
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.
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.
🚨 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!
Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks
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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.
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.
📸 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.
🛑 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.
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.
Try this $1 face mask hack to keep your glasses from fogging up
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People with glasses have a major sticking point when it comes to wearing masks: It fogs up their lenses and makes everything difficult to see.
Mask wearing is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19, and the last thing anyone needs is a reason to find themselves kept out of stores and essential businesses. Tap or click here to see how to make your own mask at home.
Best face mask brackets for easier breathing from Amazon
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The COVID-19 pandemic is still at our doorstep, and it looks like we’ll be dealing with it for the near future. Numbers are still increasing, and without a vaccine, it’s unclear when life will go back to normal.
We’ve all had to make sacrifices to help stop the spread of the virus. Some of us are homeschooling our kids, others are working from home, and most of us are still wearing masks to protect ourselves and others from the deadly virus. Tap or click here to see which mask is right for your needs.
Amazon now selling its own low-cost face shields
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Do you live in an area where masks are mandatory? If so, you might be wondering what all your options are before you venture outside your house and get back into the rhythm of shopping, dining and socializing.
Due to a shortage in medical-grade masks and respirators like the N95, most people are resorting to wearing cloth masks — including simple masks made from materials at home. Tap or click here to see how you can make your own mask.
Bonus episode: Full hour of The Kim Komando Show
This week’s exclusive episode of Komando On Demand is a full hour of The Kim Komando national radio show. Listen on your schedule on the Komando Community. Try it free for 30 days at getkim.com. In this hour, governments around the world have been scrambling to get contact tracing apps on smartphones to track the spread of COVID-19. We’ll tell you why it’s not working. Plus, Amazon is close to a major milestone on the stock market. And dozens of models of routers are vulnerable to being hacked. Find out if yours is on the list.
Anonymous: Who are they and how they work
You’ve probably heard of the hacktivist group Anonymous, but what do you know aside from some famous cyberattacks and those signature masks? Kim dives into everything Anonymous with Dr. Gabriella Coleman, an anthropologist and professor at McGill University. She studies hacktivist groups and tells us what Anonymous is up to these days and how you can help stop the spread of their sensational messages.
Why that COVID contact tracing text is a scam
Don’t be surprised to hear from coronavirus tracers who track the spread of the disease. But if you were one of the millions who got a text that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, it was probably a scam. I’ll tell you what tipped me off.
Purdue virologist: Here's what's coming - How to cut the cord - Finding WFH jobs
In this episode, Kim talks to a virologist about the spread of COVID-19, the importance of technology in the fight and what it means for the future of healthcare. Plus, the best way to start streaming to lower your cable bill and advice on cutting the cord. And hear the hilarious story of a Zoom class gone wrong.