Don’t want to allow nosey people to see your house? Try this!
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.
If you’re ready to regain your privacy, you need the right tools. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great place to start. A VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address, giving you an extra layer of protection from snoops, advertisers and Big Tech companies looking to profit off you.
Like so many things in life, you get what you pay for. Some VPNs will slow down your connection or, much worse, track your internet activity and compromise your security. If you’re shopping around, here’s what to look for.
1. A company that genuinely has your protection in mind.
We’ve said it before: when something is free, you’re the product. With something as important as your online privacy, don’t skimp.
We recommend our sponsor, ExpressVPN, in large part for this reason. ExpressVPN is a leader in the VPN world, putting your protection first without slowing you down. Here are a few ways it stands out from the rest:
- ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology ensures none of your data is ever saved to its hard drive. ExpressVPN’s servers run on RAM or volatile memory that is cleared each time the server is reset.
- TrustedServer also maintains the security of ExpressVPN’s entire network of servers. If a patch or piece needs to be updated or deleted, an entire block is replaced rather than just the one outdated piece. That means every server run by ExpressVPN is running at the same speed. With every operating stack uniform across all servers, risks and vulnerabilities are minimized.
- Then there’s Lightway, ExpressVPN’s custom VPN protocol. This innovative technology allows you to connect to the VPN at rapid speed. Once connected, your internet experience is blazing fast, taking the frustration out of slow-loading VPN connections.
2. Outstanding customer service.
Sometimes things go wrong. We’ve all been there. Look for a company that’s there for you when you need a helping hand. The last thing you want is a company you can never get ahold of.
With ExpressVPN, you get:
- 24/7 live chat: You will always have help troubleshooting with live chat, available 24/7 online.
- Easy-to-use apps: ExpressVPN is truly easy to install and use. You can connect with just one click and add the app to different devices without signing in every time.
- More server locations in more countries: ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide. That means you can use ExpressVPN anywhere, and your connection will remain quick and secure.
3. Protection for all your devices, including your router.
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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.
Calling all YouTubers: Starting Oct. 15, you’ll be able to upload YouTube Shorts up to 3 minutes long. The Shorts player is getting streamlined, too. They say these updates are to put creators front and center, but all this really translates into is “Use us instead of TikTok.”
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.
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.
Stop annoying political texts
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I’ve heard from the presidential candidates, their families and every politician within a 100-mile radius. The texts don’t stop in October of an election year, especially when it comes to a presidential election.
👻 If the broom fits, fly it: Most smart doorbells let you change the tone to something more festive around the holidays. For Halloween, yes, I’m talking about a witch cackle or howl. Open your doorbell app, go into the settings, and look for something like “chime tones” or “doorbell theme.” In the Ring app, it’s under Devices > Audio Settings > Chime Tones.
🙃 Bingo, bang-o! It’s National Cybersecurity Month. The National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (what a mouthful!) made a bingo card for businesses.
15 out-of-the-box ways to make extra cash from anywhere
By now, you probably know that you don’t have to leave home to make money. After all, many companies sent employees home to work during the pandemic. But even if you aren’t a salaried employee, you can still make a living from the comfort of your own home.
6 ways tech can solve life's little annoyances
Minor tech annoyances can seem small at the moment. But in the grand scheme of things, they can cause stress and wasted time. If you don’t want tech issues to have a significant impact, cut them off with these tech life hacks.
It’s not the holidays without a Hallmark movie or five … And here’s a link so you can print this list out if you want.
5 things you should never put on a resume
In life, few rewards come without risk. Take your dream job, for instance. If you want to land that position you’ve been dreaming about, you’ll need to make a great first impression.
When you’re applying for jobs, that all comes down to your resume. Every little detail makes a big difference. For example, a small mistake could take you out of the running for a job you’re qualified for.
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.
5 free resources to grow your business
Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.
Why you need a VPN (even if you're not tech-savvy)
When surfing the web, you might encounter a few confusing acronyms. Take VPN, for example. You might shrug and scroll past it if you don’t know what it means. Just like that, you could miss out on the best internet privacy tool.
Update your iPhone: iOS 18 is live for every model newer than the iPhone X. No Apple Intelligence (aka Apple’s take on AI) until next month, but it’s still worth updating. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Follow the on-screen steps, then you’re good to go.
Using free antivirus? Here's what it could cost you
The internet is dangerous and laden with hidden threats. Luckily, antivirus (AV) software can spot lurking dangers that want to take over your computer. Tap or click here to find out why you need antivirus software.
You may consider a free version if you’re looking for an antivirus tool. A few solutions won’t cost you a dime, which can be appealing. But, as with all things, you get what you pay for.
How to rock a remote interview: Tips for shining over the phone or on video
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Remote interviews are the present and the future. Why? The pandemic forced many companies nationwide to move to a remote system nearly overnight.
Now that we’ve been operating remotely for a while, many employers have seen the positive benefits of having remote employees. Increased productivity is one of them.