TikTok is addictive for a reason: It’s the algorithm, but the format helps, too. If you want something a little smarter than mindrot videos, try WikiTok. It’s a visual way to browse random articles. Hey, that’s how I just learned there’s an Amsterdam, New Jersey.
Data brokers are cashing in, but you can stop them
Everyone wants your Social Security number. Some requests are legit, like when you’re starting a new job, applying for a loan or verifying your identity.
But countless others, from data brokers to scammers, are after your nine-digit code, too. In fact, an estimated 2,400 data brokers operate in the U.S., collecting and selling billions of personal records, often without your knowledge. Some even offer “credit header data,” which includes Social Security numbers, for as little as $5 per record.
And then there are data breaches, a hacker’s goldmine. In 2024 alone, there were 3,158 reported data breaches, exposing millions of sensitive records, many including Social Security numbers. Once stolen, your SSN ends up for sale on the Dark Web for as little as $1 to $4. Criminals then use it for identity theft, fraudulent loans, fake tax returns and even creating new identities.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was gearing up to crack down on data brokers with a new rule banning the sale of your personal data, but big business lobbying put the brakes on it. That means your most sensitive information remains up for grabs.
So, what can you do to protect yourself? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s happening and how to lock down your Social Security number before it’s too late.
What was supposed to happen?
Meet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He’s the acting CFPB director, and he hit the agency’s brakes on everything from new regulations to announcing anything publicly. Why?
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is combining the books. This means the rule to stop data brokers from selling your info might not drop as planned on March 3 … or ever.
Why should you care?
Trusting data brokers with your info is a gamble. They don’t just sell your details to advertisers who want more info to tell you stuff. Hackers and identity thieves buy from them, too.
Even if a data broker doesn’t sell it directly to those shady folks, there’s always the possibility of a breach. Just ask the millions of Americans (that’s us!) exposed in the Gravy Analytics hack. That’s why taking control of your info is the way to go.
How to safeguard your SSN
Got a side hustle? Watch out for this tax change
Every morning, I sit down with my amazing executive producer, Madi, to plan what tech tidbits I’m going to bring you in my national radio shows, podcasts and this newsletter. Today, she came in with a doozy.
Her boyfriend got an email from the IRS with a tax form he wasn’t expecting. Last year, he made about $20,000 on eBay selling comics, some bikes and a few other things. Like most folks getting a 1099‑K for the first time, he has no idea just how much he’ll owe yet.
Hey! You look good
Ever wonder why some people just seem to glow with health? No, it’s not a filter or some secret Hollywood lighting trick. (OK, for some people it is.) But for the lucky ones, it’s what’s happening inside their body. And one of the biggest factors? Collagen.
AI how-to: 10 prompts to try with ChatGPT or your favorite bot
Twenty-five-odd years ago, CBS and ABC execs told me tech was just a fad and passed on my national radio show. So, I syndicated it myself. The rest is history.
Now, I hear the same thing about AI: It’s a phase, and it won’t last. Hate to break it to you, but AI is here to stay, and it’s already changing everything. Start using it now or risk getting left behind.
Hearing loss happens in phases: With mild hearing loss, whispers and soft sounds fade away. Busy places like restaurants make keeping up with conversations tough. When it progresses to moderate, subtle sounds like ticking clocks or birds are hard to hear. With moderately severe, voices sound muffled. If you or someone you love is dealing with anything beyond mild hearing loss, let me introduce you to the Horizon IX hearing aids.
Have an iPhone? Store for-your-eyes-only pics in the Notes app. Open the pic in the Photos app, tap the share icon and select Notes. Open the note you want to protect, tap the three-dot icon in the upper right, then choose Lock.
👁️📢 No snooping: If you have sensitive pics like your driver’s license on your phone, set up a locked folder in Google Photos. Open the Google Photos app > Utilities > Set up Locked Folder. Follow the on-screen directions to finish up.
“Make me a template”: Try this with your AI chatbot of choice. I use ChatGPT. Instead of starting a report, spreadsheet or agenda from scratch, ask AI to create a template you can use again and again. Bonus: Your boss will think you have it all together when your monthly report always comes in a nice, tidy package.
📚 Turn “da-da” into data: Get your kiddo ready for the future (and AI) with these 30 free STEM resources. The list includes apps, games and classes to teach youngsters stuff like coding, aeronautics, mathematics and, yes, data science. You could have the next little Elon.
I’ve tried so many password managers over the years: I did a deep dive to find the best option on the market right now. My thoroughly tested recommendation and pick, NordPass, uses military-grade encryption. Store all your logins in one safe spot and access them on any device. Hit my special link for 52% off.
⚒️ Sharpest tool: Find the Tools menu in Google Docs quickly. On a PC, just hit Alt + T in Google Chrome or Alt + Shift + T in other browsers. For Mac folks, it’s Ctrl + Option + T in any browser. Skip the mouse and get right to it.
See if your genius idea already exists: Google Patents has the full text of more than 120 million patents from around the world. Weird patent of the day: A combination toy dog and vacuum cleaner. Ahem, it blows hot air out the tail end.
Feelin’ lucky this Super Bowl? Get in on the action with DraftKings Sportsbook. Use code KIM to get $200 in bonus bets when you bet just five bucks. Play online or download the DraftKings Sportsbook app for iPhone or Android. Let me know if you win!
Play hide-and-seek: Deleted the Google Play Store? Relax, you can’t uninstall it. But if it’s hiding, go to Settings, then Apps — it might be called Installed apps or Application Manager, depending on your Android. Find Google Play Store and just tap it. Don’t see it? Tap the three dots and select Show system apps.
🔍 Where app thou? Apple’s App Store can’t be deleted, but if the icon is hidden, swipe down for Spotlight Search, type App Store and tap to open it … or find it in the App Library by swiping left on your iPhone’s last Home Screen page. Press the app’s icon and drag it onto the home screen. Don’t lose it again.
“What was that link?” I only work with brands I trust to keep you secure. Hit this page to see the five must-have tools I recommend to keep your cybersecurity locked up tight.
Neat and tidy: Drag a window to the left or right edge to snap it in place on Windows. Shake a window to minimize all others you have open. On a Mac, hold the Option key, hover over the green expand button at the top of a window, and snap it to one side.
Two smart troubleshooting shortcuts:
✅ On Windows: Holding down the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B forces a GPU reset without restarting your computer. This is useful if your screen freezes or you have graphics glitches.
✅ On a Mac: Pressing Cmd (⌘) + Option + Esc lets you force-quit any frozen application instantly. This shortcut bypasses needing to go through the Apple menu.
🔍 Where’s the remote? If it’s for a Roku, here’s a trick to find it. Just open the Roku app, tap the microphone, and say, “Hey, Roku, find my remote.” Follow the beeping to track it down. Once you find it, press any button to stop the sound.