Out the door, dinosaur: Microsoft is ending support for its Windows Mail, Calendar and People apps. Starting Dec. 31, 2024, you’ll lose the ability to send and receive emails through Mail. Microsoft wants everyone on its new Outlook app. Here’s the official exporting guide for your Mail emails and contacts. FYI: The Outlook app is slow, so you might want to switch to a different email client altogether. Thunderbird is a good free option.
Area codes and numbers that are probably spam
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Whew, the election’s over. The onslaught of robocalls and texts is over, too … right? Nope.
There are fewer political calls and messages, sure, but there are always scammers and spammers. It may be easier for these creeps to get a hold of us now that our phones aren’t constantly lighting up with election-related notifications.
Today, I’m sharing how to spot scammers faster and the privacy tool I used to cut my spam calls to zero. That’s right — I get none at all.
If you see these, don’t answer
It’s surprisingly easy to spoof phone numbers. A scammer can make it look like they’re calling from your bank or doctor’s office so you’re more likely to hand over your info.
Here’s what they definitely don’t want me to tell you: They spoof numbers from some area codes more than others. If you get a call from one of these area codes and you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail:
- 216: Cleveland, Ohio
- 469: Dallas, Texas
- 657: La Palma, California
- 332, 347, 646: New York City
- 218: Northern Minnesota
- 712: Western Iowa
‘Any specific numbers I should watch for?’
Glad you asked. Certain spam numbers can get past your carrier. Give these a read so you’re better at spotting cybercriminals’ tricks:
- (865) 630-4266: This one’s tied to a Wells Fargo scam telling you your account has been locked.
- (469) 709-7630: Callers from this number will use your name and say you have a package awaiting delivery.
- (805) 637-7243: Hooray! You won a prize from Publishers Clearing House … not.
- (858) 605-9622: Someone’s trying to tell you your bank accounts have been hacked. (They haven’t.)
- (312) 339-1227: This one has a ton of scams associated with it, from weight loss supplements to failed package delivery attempts.
- (917) 540-7996: It’s an automated robocaller advertising any number of products.
- (347) 437-1689: Tax and sweepstakes scams are common for this number.
- (301) 307-4601: This one pretends to be your local post office.
- (878) 877-1402: More “frozen debit card” claims.
- (202) 221-7923: “Kelsey” calls with info about student loan forgiveness initiatives.
So, what can you do about this?
- The obvious one: Put yourself on the Do Not Call Registry. It’s worth doing, but just keep in mind it’ll only make a dent in the number of calls you receive … or have no impact at all.
- Block numbers: On an iPhone, you can block a caller by hitting the Info button (lowercase i icon) next to the call, then tapping Block this Caller. On Android, select the call in your Phone app, tap the three dots > Block/report spam. Blocking a number, though, doesn’t do much; spammers will just fire up a new one.
- Report it to the feds: Go to ftc.gov. Select Report to the FTC > Report Now > Report an annoying call. Maybe they’ll check it out … or maybe not.
Protect all your devices with the best antivirus software
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When it comes to antivirus software, there’s no better choice than our sponsor, TotalAV. For one, it’s available for your phone and computer, so all your devices are protected.
This security suite protects all your devices from the scariest online threats, such as ransomware, spyware, adware and (of course) malware. Its WebShield browser extension provides advanced protection against malicious websites and even blocks bad guys from stealing your data.
100 calories of candy
Adds up pretty quickly around Halloween. Here’s how many of your favorites you can enjoy while staying under that limit: 24.6 Skittles, 22.8 M&M’s, 13 HARIBO Goldbears, 4.3 Jolly Rancher hard candies, 2.8 snack-sized Kit Kat bars, 2.4 Hershey’s Miniatures or 1.2 fun-sized Butterfinger bars.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Free online financial calculators to get debt under control, plan for retirement and see your net worth
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If you need help managing your money, you’ve come to the right place. We have tons of financial tips for investors and small business owners. Case in point: Here are 10 free spreadsheet templates to help you get a handle on your money.
Because we all want to hear, ‘Wow, you look great’
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I do my best to eat enough protein, get in my veggies and drink lots of water. I’m all about high-quality supplements, too, for things that are hard to get through good habits alone. I’ve been taking collagen for years, and it’s scientifically proven to improve not just how you look but also how you feel.
⏰ Don’t miss out: If you used Cash App between Aug. 23, 2018, and Aug. 20, 2024, you’ve got less than a week to claim your share of a $15 million settlement. You could get up to $2,500. Submit your claim online by Monday, Nov. 18.
My top password manager pick has an A+ security feature built in
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But there’s a smarter way to protect your online accounts — using a trusted password manager like NordPass.
Remembering complex, unique passwords for every single account is practically impossible. If you’re like most people, you probably end up reusing passwords or writing them down somewhere, which isn’t your best bet if you value security.
Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'
If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.
Job site comparison: LinkedIn vs. ZipRecruiter vs. Craigslist
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Where do you look for your next career move? There are several job boards, but which is right for you?
Let’s look at a few places job seekers go online and find the right one for your needs.
7 LinkedIn tips for a recent high school or college grad
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New to LinkedIn? Newly-graduated students may have used the platform before, but the game changes as the stakes increase after college.
Presenting a professional and friendly persona through your profile is vital to potential employers. Experience, interests and a great bio can all get you far.
Protect up to 5 devices from malware, viruses and more - Just $20 for an entire year
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There’s nothing wrong with looking for ways to save money. Cutting back on things like your cable or electric bill is just good business. But you need to be smart about where to cut corners. Protecting your devices and critical files should not be skimped with all the cybercriminals and digital threats lurking.
Best way to stop spam texts for good
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“Official notice from USPS. Your delivery is on hold.” I wonder why …
“Hi, how are you?” Who could this be?
3 security steps every small business needs to take right now
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Business accounts can be hacked as easily as personal accounts. Imagine all your hard work being held at ransom by a hacker or your data falling into the hands of someone who can sell it to the competition.
You need to secure your business as best you can, and here are three crucial tips to get started. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, NetSuite.
Tech how-to: Switch to a beta browser
play.google.com, google.com, mozilla.org, microsoft.com
Let me tell you a secret: I’m all about staying tech-ahead and not trailing behind, so I’m constantly tapping into apps, programs, hardware and more before they’re released to the public. You can do the same thing in one way, even if you’re not a Digital Goddess®.
5 common antivirus mistakes to avoid at all costs
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Computer viruses can ruin everything. Systems that once worked well grind to a halt as your computer struggles to recover. That’s why antivirus programs are non-negotiable: They keep your digital life safe if you avoid the most common mistakes.
What makes a good VPN? 3 features to look for before you spend a dime
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What you do online should be your business. That’s not the world we live in, though. Your internet service provider can see every site you visit, even in incognito mode, and your data is routinely packaged up and sold to the highest bidder.
58 days ahead
Cheapest day to shop for Christmas flights. Set a calendar reminder for Oct. 28. Pro tip: Buy the earliest flight you can; it’s the least likely to get canceled if delays pile up. And score Google’s low-price guarantee, if possible.
Smart ways to make more money and find new customers
Small business owners must build trust, set trends and share their customers’ values. Connecting with customers is one of the most important ways to make money.
Success starts close to home. Before connecting with customers, you must build strong bonds with your teammates. Tap or click here for five leadership secrets every small business owner should know.
How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi
You don’t leave your front door unlocked. So why would you use public Wi-Fi networks without protection? Defend your private data from cybercriminals in public places with these five tips.
If you listen to The Kim Komando Show and Kim’s podcasts, you know about digital dangers. Accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi networks can heighten these risks even more.