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Even smart shoppers can get taken; here’s how to make sure you don’t.
Are your carefully crafted social media posts getting the same amount of attention as a tree falling in the forest with no one around? As the French say, that’s no bueno.
There’s a fine line though between “tech that improves your life” and “tech that ends up in a junk drawer next to the USB lava lamp.”
Breaking news and tips
How to spot hidden spyware, and kick it out for good
Ever get the feeling someone knows too much about what you’re doing online? I’m not talking about the sarcastic “My FBI agent is amused” way, but in the “Why did my phone just text my ex and order dog food at 2 a.m.?” kind of way.
If your device is acting sketchy, there’s a real chance someone’s planted spyware. And no, it’s not always a hoodie-wearing hacker from overseas, it’s usually someone closer than you think. Maybe a jealous partner, a controlling family member or even a roommate.
🕵️♀️ How spyware gets on your phone
Spyware can be installed in just minutes. Sometimes all it takes is someone borrowing your phone “for a sec” and secretly installing a hidden app disguised as “Device Helper” or “System Services.”
Other spyware programs get you to click a sketchy link, sideload an app or download “stalkerware” disguised as “parental control” tools. Once it’s on your phone, the spyware can read your texts, listen to your convos and track you like it’s their full-time job.
It logs every keystroke, reads texts and emails, accesses your camera and mic, and even tracks your location, all without your knowledge.
As this intel is being collected about you, it’s secretly sent to a cloud account. That’s how the person who put the spyware on your devices sees every single thing you are doing. Sneaky, right?
All hope is not lost. Good security software could prevent spyware getting on your device.
🚩 Signs something’s wrong
Your phone will give you clues if you know what to look for.
If your battery is draining faster than your patience, random pop-ups are showing up or strange autocorrect glitches keep happening, you may have spyware lurking on your device.
Unfamiliar apps, random noises during calls, or high data usage can all be signs of something sinister beneath the surface.
Less mess, more yum
😋 Here’s your shortcut to faster meals and easier prep.
- This 64-oz insulated bottle (21% off) keeps your drinks hot or cold all day.
- Cut down on your meal prep time with a vegetable chopper (22% off).
- This cute Splatypus jar spatula ($13) scoops every last bit.
- Your food stays warm on an electric tray (33% off) when friends arrive late.
- These oven rack guards (36% off) help protect against burns and scars.
- Don’t let leftovers go to waste. Grab a 24-pack of glass storage containers (8% off) to keep them fresh.
👩🍳 My kitchen faves: From the breadmaker I use to the nontoxic cookware, check them out here.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Romance scam victim faces 29 years in prison
Jean lives in the Midwest. She’s smart. She’s done well for herself. The kind of woman you’d think could spot a scam a mile away. Btw, that’s not her picture. It’s what I envision her looking like after talking to her.
Memorize this: On a PC, hit Alt + Tab. On Mac, it’s Cmd + Tab. Keep hitting Tab while holding down Alt or Cmd to switch between your open applications. It’ll make you feel like a total pro.
🧠 New Gen Z term to know: “Locking in.” If someone you know uses that phrase, it means they are cutting out distractions to focus on a personal goal. Think quitting social media, skipping parties and going all-in on fitness or making money. My dad used to call it “a kick in the a$$.”
The rental was fake
A Michigan mom thought she found the perfect home to rent on Facebook. Instead, she walked into a scam that cost her $2,500.
Cloudy days for ASUS: Update the firmware in your ASUS router. It has a severe vulnerability that lets attackers remotely execute functions. That is, do whatever the heck they want on your network.
$1 million
A rare photo of Abraham Lincoln might sell for that at auction. The pic was made between 1895 and 1900 using an original negative from 1860. Bidding starts at $250,000 and kicks off today at 10 a.m. ET. I’ll never forget when I told my son to get off his Xbox and said, “When Abraham Lincoln was your age, he used to walk 10 miles every day to get to school.” Ian responded, “Really? Well, when he was your age, he was president.” Kids.
100% critics’ score for Netflix’s new comedy series
That’s the critics’ score for Netflix’s new comedy series North of North. It follows a young Inuk mom who moves back to her small hometown after leaving her husband. It’s like Gilmore Girls meets snow meets 9,000 percent more gossip. The trailer looks pretty good.
Face the music
▶️ Ready to hit pause on the chaos and press play on self-care? Start here.
- Try these cooling pillowcases (23% off) for a soft touch on your skin.
- Drift off to sleep to calming music with a Bluetooth headband (38% off).
- Soothe your scalp with a portable massager (10% off) to feel your best.
- This mini fridge (17% off) for skin care keeps your beauty stuff chill.
- Grab a silicone face scrubber (20% off) that’s gentle but works wonders.
💐 Mother’s Day will be here before you know it. These are the gifts I want. Guys, I couldn’t make it any easier, seriously. Speaking of, I’ve totally revamped my Amazon storefront! You’ll find picks like my favorite dermaplaning tool (32% off for a nine-pack) that I reorder all the time.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
⚠️ Flying a drone? Be careful. They’re getting way too close to planes, especially around major U.S. airports. Some have come within 50 to 300 feet of passenger jets mid-flight. Most people don’t even realize they’re flying in restricted zones. The FAA is now testing jammers and lasers to stop it. Yep, it’s that serious.
Should you tape over your webcam?
A photo of Mark Zuckerberg shows tape over his laptop camera and mic. There’s a good reason you might want to do the same.
Hackers can steal your home: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Click here to get a free home title history report, when you sign up using code KIM. You’ll also receive a free 14-day trial of their Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection.
💍 Be smitten, not bitten: Couples are losing thousands to photographers they find on social media. It all seems legit with a digital contract. Then, the shady shutterbugs ask for a cash deposit through Venmo or Zelle. But on the big day? They ghost you or show up and never deliver the photos. Folks, do your homework.
Nintendo Switch 2 update: Preorders are set for April 24, and the price is holding at $449.99. Accessories are getting more expensive. The Joy-Con is $94.99, the Pro Controller is $84.99, and the Switch 2 Camera is $54.99. Launch day’s locked for June 5. By the time I finish buying accessories, Nintendo is legally allowed to claim me as a dependent.
Uber drove off with her kid
Her 5-year-old fell asleep in the backseat, and the driver left with her still inside. Uber refused to help until police stepped in. Their apology? A $7 credit. Plus, what’s up with Instagram Edits, Meta’s AI glasses now transcribe your convos, and chatbots place bets on the next pope.
$3.4 million
Price tag of the world’s most accurate clock. The Aether clock OC 020 is as big as two refrigerators and weighs over 440 pounds. Let it tick for 10 billion years, and it would only be off by a second. That’s better than atomic clocks and could help predict earthquakes. No word if it has a snooze button.
300
The number of calls a day businessman and talent agent Ari Emanuel makes. He also wakes up at 4 a.m. to work out, then jumps on a call with his buddy Mark Wahlberg (paywall link). Quick math? If each call is two minutes, that’s 600 minutes, or 10 hours a day on the phone. Either he’s got a clone or a Bluetooth headset glued to his head.
The truth? You never lost your privacy
Always feel like you’re being watched or listened to? You are. But here’s the part no one wants to admit…