Hey, hi, happy Saturday, friend! Before you melt into the couch tonight, log into Netflix from your computer for an easier way to adjust the settings. You can turn off autoplay, hide titles you’re tired of seeing and erase (certain embarrassing) shows from your watch history. Even sweeter, everything you change syncs across all your devices. Now no one has to know about your 12-season “Grey’s Anatomy” marathon.

🔐 Manage, store and create secure passwords. Keep your logins locked down with my favorite password management app for PC, Mac, Android, iPhone and web browsers. Save a username, password, billing address or credit card once, and this great program will autofill it for you, allowing you to log in or check out instantly. You’ll love it as much as I do! — Kim

You’ve got a turkey in the oven, presents need to be wrapped, and your cousin’s kid screams (again), “What’s the Wi‑Fi password?” You’re juggling a hundred things at once, and the last thing you want to do is to spell out your password.

Here’s the good news: You can slap a printout on the fridge, and everyone can scan it with their phones to connect. But first, I’ll show you how to create a separate network so you don’t need to worry about little Billy getting into your personal stuff on your devices and computers.

Be my guest

Most modern routers let you set up a guest network without having to be a tech guru. Warning: This will take you a few minutes, but it’s totally doable, even if you’ve had a few beers.

Step 1: Log into your router’s admin console. You’ll need your IP address. You can usually find this on a sticker on the bottom or side of your router. Seeing 192⁠.⁠168⁠.⁠1⁠.⁠1 or 192⁠.⁠168⁠.⁠0⁠.⁠1 is common.

If you don’t see yours …

• On Windows: Open the Start menu, search for “Command Prompt” and, with your Command Prompt open, type in ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says “Default Gateway.” This is your router’s IP address.
• On Mac: Go to System Settings > Network. Select your Wi‑Fi network > Advanced. Your router’s IP address is under Router.

Step 2: Open your browser, type http:// and paste in your IP address. Hit Enter to open a login page. For the credentials, try the username admin and the word password for the password. If the defaults are different, they’re likely printed on your router — or check this site that lists default passwords for almost every router in use.

Step 3: Look for a setting called Guest Network or Guest Wi‑Fi. Give it a different name (aka SSID) than your main network, along with a strong, unique password.

🕵️ If you have snoops in the family … When family and friends connect to your Wi‑Fi guest network, you can block them from accessing your files or devices on your primary network. Turn off the local access setting. I bet you feel like James Bond right about now.

Now for the fun part

Create a QR code that automatically connects guests to your new guest network — no hassle, no drama. With the free site QIFI.org, all you need is three pieces of info:

• SSID: This is your Wi‑Fi network name. Find it on the back of your modem, in the admin console or on your network app.
• Encryption type: Choose WPA/WPA2/WPA3. You can find this in your phone’s Wi‑Fi section under the network details.
• Key: This is your router password. It’s on the back of your router if you’ve never changed it. (Please tell me you’ve changed it!)

Hit Generate and your QR code is ready. Print some copies of it to hang around the house, or do what I did: Order this custom sign that looks classy. Now, when someone asks for the Wi‑Fi password, you can just point.

🚢 Did you know Denmark, Norway and Sweden put QR codes on their boats? That way, they can Scandinavian when they set sail. (Come on, you laughed.)

NordPass, my favorite password manager, is always adding new ways to protect your online life. Before we get to that, let’s review the perks that caught my eye in the first place:

• Securely stores all your login info in one place
• Generates strong, uncrackable passwords for you
• Automatically autofills your credentials
• Store secure files and notes alongside passwords

Now NordPass has a feature called Emergency Access. It allows you to give someone you trust access to your password vault. They will not be able to edit, remove or share anything from your NordPass encrypted vault — they can only view it, in case of an emergency. So smart.

2.6 million Stanley mugs recalled: Not the 40-ounce ones everyone’s obsessed with. The lid threads on the 12- and 16-ounce Switchback and 12-, 16- and 20-ounce Trigger Action travel mugs shrink when they get hot and pop off. So far, 11 of the 38 people who have reported burns needed medical attention. Hit this link for a free replacement lid.

Out of control: A family is suing Character AI after its chatbot encouraged their autistic teen to hurt himself and told him murdering his parents was a “reasonable response” to their limiting his online activity. It’s the same app that led a 14-year-old to suicide. Parents, keep tabs on your kids’ AI usage. You have to be ahead of what they’re doing.

🪫 It’s not just you: Apple’s new iOS 18.2 update is draining iPhone batteries. If it’s happening to you, don’t panic. Turn down your screen’s brightness and turn off apps refreshing in the background. Apple says to give it a few days to settle. Or you could get this portable charger for just $17.75 (26% off; click the box for an additional 5% off).

RIP, Do Not Track: Mozilla axed the 13-year-old privacy option in its latest Firefox browser update. The idea was you could hit a button to tell websites not to opt you into browsing cookies you encountered online. Spoiler: It never really worked, since most advertisers just ignored it. Chrome and Microsoft Edge still include the useless option. You’re better off with a VPN.*

You’ve got mail: Psychologists say those who aim for “Inbox Zero,” aka no unread email, might be perfectionists craving control. If you let unread emails pile up, you might be more laid-back and focused on priorities over organization. Some people even get more stressed trying to keep a clear inbox. Try as I might, I’m not an “Inbox Zero” gal.

Ship happens: Google’s shiny new AI assistant, Mariner, will take over Chrome to do stuff like book flights, fill out forms and do your shopping without you doing a thing. It can’t fill out credit card or billing info “for privacy reasons.” (Google actually had the gall to say that!) Watch the prototype in action here.

🦁 This cheetah isn’t lion: Professional blackjack and poker players say tech is powering cheating schemes in casinos. People pass info via tiny cameras hidden in their shirts at card level, then get feedback through earbuds from card counters outside. Two players won $220,000. Speaking of … Never play poker with a toilet — too many flushes.

🤝 I want to be your secret helper and mentor: I’ve been around tech forever. My business has thrived for over 20 years without any debt or investors, and I continue to innovate or else I might evaporate. If you have an issue, problem or question about your life or business, I would love to help you. Ask me your questions here on my site. I read every single note.

🏡 And they won’t even have to leave the house.

• Stop spending hours in the candle aisle trying to guess what scent they like. They can make their own with this kit!
• A cozy cup holder is great for movie lovers … or anyone who doesn’t want to tear apart an entire sectional looking for a lost remote.
• You’ll have the hottest gift of the day with a hot sauce-making kit. Maybe pair it with a gallon of 2%.
• A dream decoder ($16) might help them figure out why they keep dreaming about pugs wearing tuxedos.
• For the person who loves YouTube and podcasts more than crafting, these headphones sound as good* as models three times the price.
• A sushi-making kit (23% off, $8), because paying $16 for a California roll at a restaurant is lunacy.
• Channel Columbo with a fun murder mystery game (33% off).
• This cookbook (29% off) has 100 recipes straight from Disney’s parks. And yes, it has the Magic Kingdom Dole Whip. Mmm.
• This book (34% off) is like paint-by-numbers but with stickers. Even I can do that!

📻 Catch up with my award-winning national radio show: I’m on over 420 stations across the USA! Find your local station and tune in, or get my show’s podcast. I share so much there I just can’t get to in this newsletter.

🍎 Secret spot to hide pics: On an iPhone, use the Notes app. Open the pic in your Photos app, tap the share icon and select Add to Quick Note. Then, go into the note you want to protect, tap the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner, and choose Lock.

🤖 Team Android: If you have 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.

Stop losing your car at the mall: Open the Google Maps app, tap the blue dot that shows your location, then select Save parking. That alone was worth the price of this newsletter! Wait, it’s free.

🐴 Trojan horse: If your phone is infected with malware, it’s worth doing a full factory reset. A royal pain in the rear, yes, but it’s the only way to ensure your phone is clear. You also need solid security software.*

📦 One person’s return … is another’s “new” purchase. Amazon lets items that pass a quality check be resold as “new,” even if they’ve been opened. Look for the letters “LPN” on the packaging. That’s a telltale sign it’s been reprocessed. Hit up Amazon’s customer service pronto for a replacement.

Total sci-fi stuff: These robots patrol the streets in China using AI and facial recognition.

😎 Stream something new: Netflix is dropping a whole bunch of new stuff this month:

• Holiday thriller “Carry‑On” came out yesterday.
• The Aaron Rodgers documentary drops on Tuesday.
• A bunch of “Project Runway” seasons are coming Thursday, Dec. 19. Make it work!
• “Squid Game” is back on Dec. 26. I watched Season 1, so I’m in.

Netflix will air its first live NFL game on Christmas Day: The Kansas City Chiefs versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Beyoncé performing at halftime. I wonder if the livestream will run any smoother than the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight. That was awful.

✅ Hit this page for 58% off my password manager pick. You’ll be glad you took a smart online security step. Bonus (I get asked this a lot): This password manager makes it easy-peasy to share your passwords with a trusted contact when you pass away.

Did you make it all the way down here? You’re awesome. Drop a review below, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow bright and early with the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim