Wi-Fi Archives

Why you need a second phone number

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I have a second number on my phone. You should, too.

Your main number? Keep that locked down for the important stuff — your bank, doctor’s office and family. But when you’re ordering takeout, signing up for a one-time deal or making an online purchase, why give out your real number?

That’s where a second number comes in. It keeps your personal line free from spam, telemarketers and who-knows-who selling your info.

Why have one?

🔹 For privacy – Meeting new people? Selling something online? A second number keeps strangers from having your real one. It’s especially useful for dating apps or marketplace transactions.

🔹 For work-life balance – Some people reserve an extra number just for business calls or VIP contacts. This way, when you turn it off, work stays at work.

How do you get a second number?

You don’t need a second phone to get a second number. Here are the easiest ways to set one up:

📱 App-based services – Virtual phone number apps are affordable, easy to manage and don’t require a separate SIM card.

Google Voice – Free with a Google account. You get a U.S. number, and calls can go straight to voicemail when you activate Do Not Disturb. Works internationally for Wi-Fi calling to U.S. numbers.
Burner – Lets you create and swap numbers as needed. Plans start at $10/month, and you can manage multiple lines. It’s mobile only.
Hushed – Purchase temporary or long-term numbers. Plans start at around $7/month for pay-as-you-go or $5/month for unlimited talk and text. Available on mobile only.

📡 Carrier add-ons – Verizon, for example, lets you add an extra number to your existing plan for around $10/month.

What do I use? Google Voice.

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Flying or cruising? They’re watching you.

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You might not realize it, but airlines and cruise lines collect a lot of data, from your seat choice to the websites you browse on their Wi-Fi.

When you book a flight or cruise, they collect the usual stuff, including your name, email, phone number, passport info and payment details. But it doesn’t stop there. They also track:

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‘How do I reset my old router?’

After I shared my router picks (and so many of you realized you have a TP-Link …), my inbox is flooded with this one: “What do I do with my old router after I upgrade?” Good question. A factory reset wipes your username, password, Wi-Fi network name or SSID, and any security settings.

Step 1: Look for a small button on the back or bottom of your router. It’s usually recessed (so you’ll need a paper clip to press it in) and may be labeled “Reset.”

Step 2: Do a 30-30-30 reset. It’s a bit of a pain but works for every router model I’ve come across. Here’s how:

👉 With your router plugged in, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds.
While still pressing reset, unplug your router from the power source and count for another 30 seconds.
Finally, still holding reset, reconnect the router to the power cord and count another final 30 seconds. Done!

Fix this: About 40% of folks have had their info stolen after connecting to public Wi-Fi. iPhones automatically join networks. Open Settings > Wi-Fi > Auto-Join Hotspot. Choose from Automatic, Ask to Join or Never (my pick). Then, go back to Auto-Join Networks and turn it off.

Dangerous free Wi-Fi

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Tempted to pop on the free public internet? Take my advice: Don’t do it.
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🚨 A billion devices at risk, thanks to one chip: A popular Chinese Wi-Fi + Bluetooth chip known as “ESP32” lets cybercriminals hijack smart gadgets and target computers on the same network. Most attacks need physical access, but with no fix yet, it’s a major risk. PSA: Put your IoT devices on a guest network.

Avoid a Wi-Fi traffic jam: Most routers let you switch channels for a clearer signal. Log into your router’s online interface. (Check the manual or online guide if you’re not sure how.) Look for Wireless Settings and find the Channel option. Channels 1, 6 or 11 are typically less congested. Reboot your router and you’re good to go.

Retailers, data brokers and ads, oh my!

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Linda recently called my national radio show with a question that flooded my inbox. Clearly, a lot of you have experienced a similarly eerie moment.

I hear you: “Kim, her phone was listening!” The answer isn’t that simple, but I can explain what’s really going on.

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Avoid a Wi-Fi traffic jam: Most routers let you switch channels for a clearer signal. Log into your router’s online interface. Look for Wireless Settings and find the Channel option. Channels 1, 6 or 11 are typically less congested. Reboot your router and you’re good to go.

Safe Wi-Fi anywhere: Using public Wi-Fi is risky no matter where you go. It doesn’t make a difference if you stay at a five-star luxury hotel, have lunch at your hometown diner or you’re at the airport. The easy way to protect yourself? Turn on a VPN.

Whoa, it’s not an iPhone SE 4! Apple’s newest budget model ($599) is the iPhone 16e. It’ll have a 6.1-inch OLED screen, 48MP Fusion Camera, 5G modem, Apple Intelligence and a beefier A18 chip. What’s missing? MagSafe, the old Home Button and zippy Wi-Fi 7. Preorders start on Friday. Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE were discontinued, too.

This is why I don’t change at the gym: A 68-year-old creep in Kaysville, Utah, planted a camera in a gym’s private tanning room. He connected it to the gym’s Wi-Fi for remote access to the footage. It was there two whole days before anyone noticed. Before you tan, change clothes or go to the bathroom in public, look around for a camera first. There are so many creeps in the world.

Attention, parents: New research says 77% of educators think kids are losing their fine motor skills because of tech. Kids aren’t playing outside as much or using their hands to draw and build, so they’re having trouble holding pens, turning pages and tying shoelaces (paywall link). Remember, Play-Doh is cheap, fun and doesn’t need Wi-Fi.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

February 1st, 2025

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DeepSeek AI is here, but China’s keeping quiet about the real price. Plus, toxic Apple Watch bands, why new cars get hacked, and the fake story about Elon Musk. Also, are Wi-Fi signals frying your brain?

There’s an app for that: The next time you need shampoo, you might not have to wait around for someone to unlock the case. CVS is updating its app to let you unlock antitheft shelves on your own after connecting to the store’s Wi-Fi. It’s being tested in NYC locations, with plans to expand to more stores, mostly on the West Coast.

What to know about DeepSeek

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Did China just win the AI race? Meet a little-known Chinese startup called DeepSeek. Their AI models are outperforming big names like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini — not just in price but in performance — triggering a global tech selloff. And the surprises don’t stop there. The U.S. government is eyeing another piece of Chinese tech for a potential ban: your Wi-Fi router.

Dear Kim: Thomas wrote in to ask me for the “best VPN that doesn’t slow down my Wi-Fi connection.” Hey, that’s ExpressVPN! Most of the time, I forget it’s turned on, which is high praise, really! Some VPNs slow you down to a crawl. Use my link for an extra four months free.

Mac hack: Low Data mode is a lifesaver if you’re stuck using a hotspot or have a slow connection. Click the Apple logo > System Settings > Wi-Fi to see the network you’re connected to. Tap on it, then choose Details and enable Low Data mode. FYI: You’ll have to do this for each network you connect to.

Bye-bye, Gogo: Whoa … fast, free in-flight Wi-Fi that actually works! Starlink’s satellite broadband is coming to United. Testing starts next month, and it’ll launch across hundreds of Airbus and Boeing jets if all goes well. You’ll need to sign up for a free MileagePlus frequent-flyer program for access.

Holiday lights ruining your Wi-Fi

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Your tree, lights, and tinsel could be wrecking your internet. Here’s how to stop it and when to get a better router.