You have to be smarter than this

You have to be smarter than this: Over 10% of people still use 1234 as their four-digit PIN. Other most-used options include 1111, 0000, 1212 and 7777. If this is you, time for something more complex — and no, your birth year or address won’t cut it. On iPhone, upgrade to six digits. On Android, stick with your fingerprint if your phone has biometrics.

Tags: addresses, Android, Apple iPhone, biometrics, fingerprint, options, phone, T, time, upgrade


How to find and stop hidden fees

When I’m booking air travel, it seems like the price goes up with every click. By the time I pay to check a bag or two, that “great deal” isn’t looking so, well, great

So of course airlines are fighting the Biden administration’s “junk fees’” rule, which would make them show their fees upfront for checking bags, carrying on a bag, and changing or canceling a reservation. 

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How to deal with a cyberstalker

Let me tell you, more and more victims of cyberstalking are reaching out to me for advice using my Ask Kim page. Here’s one note I received recently from P.W. in Oklahoma:

“I’ve been cyberstalked for three years. I recently discovered it was my roommate. I moved out and he launched another attack. He’s on my and my fiance’s phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth — everything. He has stolen financial data, pictures, erased accounts, taken over emails and harassed me through VOIP. … He admitted to sitting outside our house all night. I thought he was spying on me. Now I know he was also gaining access to my Wi-Fi. I can’t do this anymore and need expert advice/help terribly.”

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The new Komando Reddit page: Find it here. I’m not sure who set it up, but it’s a nice spot to share tech intel, helpful info you read in my newsletter and anything else you want to share. I’d like each of you to make one post in this new subreddit today. Before you say, “I don’t do Reddit, Kim,” just try it. Let’s make it huge together!

Trivia

There’s a new theory making the rounds on TikTok all about generational texting. The claim is that your texting technique is a solid tell for your age. So, how does Gen Z text? Is it with … A.) One thumb, C.) Two thumbs, C.) Two thumbs and an index finger, or D.) An index finger?

Find the answer here!

80% accuracy

How well a new brain implant can “decode” your inner monologue (aka read your thoughts). Sounds creepy, but for people who lose their ability to speak, it’s a huge step towards helping them communicate.

50,000 trips a week

For Waymo driverless taxis. That’s across Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, where the robotaxis operate 24/7. I’m still not ready to hop in one.

298 miles per hour

Speed of record-breaking new quadcopter drone. Father and son Luke and Mike Bell’s remote-controlled Peregrine 2 flew past the competition for the title of world champ. See it in action here. Talk about bonding!

Trivia

Which platform is winning the streaming wars, with the largest share of viewers? Is it … A.) Prime Video, B.) Netflix, C.) Hulu or D.) YouTube?

Find the answer here!

Trivia

Three-quarters of “knowledge” workers say they’re using AI tools at work. But what percentage of those workers use it with their company’s knowledge? Is it … A.) 22%, B.) 32%, C.) 52% or D.) 72%?

Find the answer here!

Trivia

The Pulitzer Prize is the biggest award in journalism, and two winners this year used AI. Was it to … A.) Write their first drafts, B.) Analyze aerial photography, C.) Survey police files and/or D.) Generate images? Two are right!

Find out