Want to make the most of your smartphone? Listen to this one-minute podcast for three of my favorite Siri tricks.
5 silly mistakes putting your online privacy and security at huge risk
© Vilgun1 | Dreamstime.com
There are so many online scams and tricks out there I can’t cover them all on my website and national radio show. I make it my duty to inform you of the tactics bad actors use to fool you.
A great podcast was the episode when I dove into the mind of a hacker. Tap or click to listen to an episode of my podcast, Kim Komando Today, with an IBM social engineer. She spills the secrets hackers use to scare and confuse people.
I know you have seen a common trick: fake calls and emails pretending to come from government agencies. No one wants to deal with the IRS or a problem with Social Security. Tap or click for a new government scam making the rounds.
Here are five more ways you’re at risk — with easy solutions to be a little safer online. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, TotalAV, Kim’s pick for protecting all your devices from malware, dangerous sites and other threats.
1. You post for the whole world to see
I read a study from Pew Research that blew me away. Of those polled, 53% of Twitter users said that their profiles were set to public. Pew examined the profiles of everyone who submitted their account handle, and a whopping 89% were public.
Yikes. It looks like we could all use a reminder to check if our profiles are private.
An easy way to check what others see is to open up a new browser window in private or incognito mode. Navigate to your profile, such as https://twitter.com/kimkomando. If your tweets are visible, your profile is public.
To lock down your Twitter account from a computer:
- Log in. On the left-hand side, click More > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety
- Go to Audience and tagging > Check the box next to Protect your Tweets
Now only those who follow you can see your posts. It’s your job to clean up that list and block anyone you don’t want following you.
What about on Facebook? Tap or click for an easy way to keep out creeps and snoops.
Streaming insider money saving tricks
Want to lower your monthly streaming bills? Listen to this one-minute podcast for my top cheapskate secrets.
Get free e-books, stop political spam, Apple AirTag mistakes
Want a fully self-driving car? Tesla plans to roll one out by the end of the year. Plus, political spam will flood your inbox, microtransit will change the way we commute and an Apple AirTag mistake you should avoid. Also, use these secret tricks to get free e-books, use your phone’s best browser and boost your home’s value!
Dangerous rubber ducky, lawn mowing robot, secret voice commands
Did you know USBs can be dangerous? Take this rubber ducky, for example. Speaking of safety, don’t use rice on a drenched smartphone. Use THIS instead. Plus, if you want to save money on landscaping, here’s a bot you can hire. Also, try these seven genius voice commands for Siri and Google Assistant. These insider tricks are lifesavers!
Universal chargers, data broker bill, smart assistant tricks
Europe is moving closer to universal charging cables. Will we get the same here in the U.S.? A new bill could put a stop to some of those scummy data-broker sites. Plus, three easy ways to get Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant to understand you better. And the internet is losing its collective mind over Kim Kardashian’s red carpet walk in Marilyn Monroe’s famous dress.
Best digital life hacks, credit score danger, new Zoom tricks
We’ve all been there. You want to buy something online … but it’s too expensive. That’s why online sellers let you buy now and pay later. Beware: These incremental payments can hurt your credit. Plus, here’s how to control Zoom with your hands, stop missing important emails and stop forgetting what you need at the store. You don’t want to miss out on my top life hacks!
3 fast Google Search tricks
Can’t find what you want when you use search engines? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a few insider tricks. (After this, you’ll know how to find what you’re looking for in a SNAP!)
Sneaky ways to read a message without the other person knowing
Want to read a message — without letting the sender know you read it? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a few insider tricks.
Universal chargers, data broker bill, smart assistant tricks
Europe is moving closer to universal charging cables. Will we get the same here in the U.S.? A new bill could put a stop to some of those scummy data-broker sites. Plus, three easy ways to get Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant to understand you better. And the internet is losing its collective mind over Kim Kardashian’s red carpet walk in Marilyn Monroe’s famous dress.
Best Amazon Echo tips, Google tricks, USB secret
Plugging in a USB cable the right way feels like a no-brainer. Then why do we get it wrong on the first try so often? Here’s a secret trick you can use to put your USB drive in the right way the first time. I’ll also share a useful Google trick, news of an Instagram scam, Zuckerberg’s latest metaverse hijinks and whether the Ford F-150 Lightning Truck is worth the money. You’ll also learn about 15 clever uses for your Amazon Echo — and security steps you can’t skip.
Cheap smartphones, smart canes, save money on phone bills
Want to save money on your phone and cable bills? Try these insider tricks. I’ll also tell you how to get new smartphones cheaply. Plus, smart canes with GPS are coming out, along with a live translation feature for Google Meet. Oh, and watch out for Apple’s app subscription changes.
How to electronically sign PDFs
Got a PDF file in your email that you need to sign? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a few tricks you can use to sign it in a jiffy.
Get free tech, clone your dog, creepy Alexa news
Now, Zoom can track your emotional state. Plus, shocking new research about Amazon Echos will creep you out. In this episode, you’ll learn about smart tech for camping tricks, Buy Nothing groups that hand out tech for free and a secret app you’ll use all the time. Oh, and here’s how to clone your pet.
Crypto chaos, photo tip, Windows and Mac tricks
Capturing movement with your smartphone’s camera is tough. Here’s an insider trick the pros use to get the best action pics. Plus, Matt has all the details on a free game you can play on your browser. (Hint: It involves YouTube.) Also, cryptocurrency and NFT investors are having a rough time. Here’s why.
How to win at Wordle
Are you playing the game Wordle? Listen now for a few tricks that will help you guess the word every single day.
Use these YouTube search tricks to browse like a pro
Want to make the most out of YouTube? Listen now for some of my favorite search tricks.
Digital Life Hack: YouTube keyboard shortcuts you'll use all the time
Want to save time when you type? Listen now for a few easy tricks to work faster than ever before.
10 years of data on you, Amazon Echo on wheels, tech tricks
Have you heard of ShadowDragon? It collects data from 120 major sites going back a decade. Yes, 10 years of info about YOU. Plus, the iPhone 13 and iOS 15 are here, along with Amazon’s new smart home gear, including Astro, the Echo on wheels.
Digital Life Hack: Tricks to get great photos of your pets
Struggling to snap cute pet photos? Listen now for some tricks to taking the perfect pics.