500 catalytic converters

Are stolen every month in Los Angeles County. It was 900 per month a few years ago. Police there are curbing thefts by etching VINs onto catalytic converters, making them easier to track. Give your local police a ring to see if they offer something like this. If not, ask them, “Why not?” I had the converter stolen out of my truck. What a pain.

Tags: easier, Los Angeles, Police, Ring, track, truck


It’s getting hot in here …

If your late-night Zillow scrolling has gotten more desperate lately, you’re not alone. Home prices are going bonkers. In the past decade, home values shot up 47.1%, beating out the 2010s and 1990s. U.S. home prices are expected to rise another 1.6% over the next year alone. And I found a few markets that are growing nearly five times faster than that.

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Like Uber but with guns: BlackWolf’s rideshare drivers must have at least four years of police, military or private security experience. Why? For high-profile folks seeking extra protection. The service was shut down in Phoenix for operating without the necessary permits. You can still snag a BlackWolf ride for the price of an Uber Black in Atlanta, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Trivia

Let’s jump in with some Android operating system trivia. It wasn’t designed for smartphones at the beginning. Did they develop it for … A.) Digital cameras, B.) Smartwatches, C.) Gaming consoles or D.) Home automation systems?

Find the answer here!

🫶 Don’t play heart to get: I make a “hand heart” sign by touching my thumbs and curving the rest of my fingers into a “C” shape. Gen Z says nope, that’s the old way. The new way? Touch your middle and index fingers together. Having trouble picturing? Here it is in action.

When a bot is not a bot: People are calling folks a “bot” when they don’t agree with them or they question their intelligence. It’s getting political, too. Research shows it’s largely left-leaners hurling it at right-leaners who speak up on social media.

Seoul you wanna start a revolution: I thought this was super interesting. Korean activists are using 3D-printed smart balloons to send messages deep into North Korea. Each balloon costs up to $1,000 and can carry up to 16.5 pounds of cargo, like leaflets or mini speakers. The mission: Undermine dictator Kim Jong Un.

Where did the hacker go? He ransomware: Microsoft and Google are offering free or discounted cybersecurity to nearly 1,800 rural hospitals across the U.S. Why? Because, without IT resources and cybersecurity training, they’re sitting ducks for ransomware. These places are often the only health hubs for miles, so if they’re hit, real lives are at risk.

⚠️ Still using a Netgear WNR614 N300 router? It’s hit end-of-life status and won’t get any more security patches. It already has six scary vulnerabilities, including storing passwords in plain text. You’ll need a new one. Here’s an affordable option for medium-sized homes and a budget mesh system for larger homes.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Stop using Good Earth Lighting: Over 1.2 million of their rechargeable lights are being recalled after a customer died. The batteries in models RE1122, RE1145, RE1362 and RE1250 can overheat, ignite the plastic housing, and pose serious fire and burn risks. Check the back sticker for a model number, and visit their website for a free replacement.

🚨 Buddy, can you spare a phone? If a stranger or someone you don’t know very well asks to borrow your phone, don’t fall for it, even if it’s a teen. They’ll quickly access your payment apps and transfer money directly into their accounts. If you really want to help someone in need, offer to make the call for them and keep it on speaker.