Plus, turn it off and on again? Here’s why sometimes a reboot is the best fix for your tech. Let your creativity flow with personalized emoji creations. Director-approved TV setting, and professional wiffle ball is a homerun online.
Your boss('s robot) is watching
Companies using tech to keep an eye on employees is nothing new. But the spyware that tallies productivity and ensures you’re logged in on time is so last decade. We’re living in an AI world, folks.
Let’s look at what might be taking a close look at you or someone you know who’s working remotely.
It all started back in the good ol’ days …
… when we were sitting on our couches, baking bread and hoarding toilet paper. Employee surveillance software exploded when millions of workers went home during the 2020 COVID lockdown. Employers wanted ways to check if their employees worked their hours, did their jobs and generally toed the line.
Three years later, life has returned to normal. But many people are pushing back, saying they are working at home and loving no commute.
There’s a big push on why employers need software to track workers’ work. They say this kind of surveillance is invasive and a sign of petty micromanaging, judging everything from time on work chat apps to their computer keystrokes.
But 85% of leaders report remote work makes them worry employees are slacking or snacking on the job. Spoiler: Many are, and that’s life. I can tell you that I’m not one of that 85% of leaders. My team busts their butts every single day. I don’t need to track anyone.
What AI will track
AI’s marketing propaganda promises surveillance can lower stress and help employees feel better. That’s a lofty goal. So what’s out there? Here’s a short list.
- Listening to customer service reps to detect stress in tones of voice and remind them to take a break. That’s nice. Imagine, though, you get too many notifications.
- Let’s say you’re in a meeting. AI is analyzing your facial expressions to see if you’re paying attention (you’re probably not) or getting stressed asking for a pay raise (you probably are). All this tracking goes right into your employee file.
- How’d you like to wear wrist sensors on the job to track your heart rate, perspiration and movements throughout the day? When I worked at IBM, my manager told me I went to the bathroom too many times a day, as tracked by my badge that opened the door. I went three times which she said was “excessive.” And that wasn’t anything close to AI.
- New AI sensors can assess your mood through recognition technology and automatically adjust your office, such as lowering the temperature and dimming the lights. Maybe you’re just hungover? I mean, even working on an elevator has its ups and downs.
Remember, while AI is having a kumbaya moment with your feelings, it’s also tracking what you are doing. This brings up a ton of HR and legal issues. What happens with all this data? Who has access to it? Where does it go? No good answers to any of these questions yet.
Is this such a good idea?
3 common mistakes when installing security cameras
Security cameras give us peace of mind that our homes and valuables are safe when we’re away. A doorbell camera can be a significant deterrent for sneaky thieves.
They aren’t failsafe, though. Crooks can jam Wi-Fi-connected video doorbells and rob you before you realize what happened. It’s rare but possible. Tap or click for smart ways to stop them in their tracks.
Security camera warning: This brand is missing a key privacy feature
There are plenty of reasons to install a video doorbell at your home. The most significant benefit for many is seeing who walks to the front door. Tap or click for a handy product that solves the Ring doorbell’s biggest problem.
Top hidden dangers of your smart home (and how to stay safe)
Our homes are filled with smart tech these days: You may love the convenience of spotting packages from video doorbells or asking Siri how many fluid ounces are in a cup (it’s eight!). But in return for convenience, you have to make some trades, including your contact information.
How fast can thieves set up a credit card skimmer?
Would you believe 30 seconds is all it takes to install a sneaky credit card skimmer onto a gas pump? Scammers are even pinpointing targets on Google Maps. Here’s a video explaining how it works so you can stay protected.
Home security 101: Where to put cameras
When it comes to home security, camera placement is everything. Tech gadgets can be finicky, so their location can make a difference. For example, here are the best places to put your router for better internet speeds.
Yes, your smart TV is spying on you - Here's how to stop it
Smart TVs are big money savers compared to other tech on the market. They include built-in apps that can save you from buying streaming devices like a Roku or Fire TV Stick.
As with any smart technology, there’s a price to be paid for the convenience. In return for an always-connected experience, smart TVs collect data on users — a lot of it. Tap or click here to listen to Kim’s Daily Tech Update about the smart TV dilemma.
5 features you should have in every indoor security camera
Research the best indoor security cameras and you’ll get many results. One way to cut through the nonsense and hone in on what you want is by asking yourself which indoor security camera features you need.
This way, you can filter out cameras that don’t have everything you need. Once you find your perfect camera, you must consider the best placement and location. Here are three ways to make the most of your video cameras.
5 signs your security camera was hacked and steps to prevent it
When setting up a home security system, you must password-protect your Wi-Fi and set up two-factor authentication (2FA). Hackers could take over your home network if you don’t take these precautions.
Safeguards like these can help stop a digital home invasion. Hackers are increasingly breaking into home security cameras, taunting and extorting people. A security oversight on your part could open the floodgates for a criminal to launch a reign of terror on you and your family.
7 clever uses for your smart doorbell camera
Smart doorbell cameras add a ton of value to your life. Not only do they make you feel more secure in your home, but they can deter criminals, too. If you let a burglar know you’re watching them, they may be too spooked to try anything.
Smile! You’re on cam at the airport
Be on the lookout for face-scanning tech next time you fly. Airports in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and a few other cities are using facial recognition to speed up the security process. Worth it or invasive? Depends on who you ask.
Candy kids scam
A new scam you have to watch out for. Kids looking to sell you candy for their school may now be a scam. Here’s what happened to one woman.
3 places you should never put a security camera
Location is everything when it comes to your home security setup. You could spend thousands on a top-of-the-line system, but setting up your cameras near the ground does nothing. You always want your security cams high on walls and near room corners.
Is your car tracking you? Here's how to find out and put a stop to it
Whether you drive a classic or a 10-year-old car, safety should still be your chief concern. Here are five ways tech can modernize your old car.
New cars are computers on wheels. Don’t believe me? The average vehicle nowadays has over 1,400 microchips in it. Because your car is connected, it can also collect a lot of data about you. Your car is like your phone, computer or tablet now — always listening.
Protect your privacy: How to remove your home's photos from Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.com
If you’re not trying to sell your home, there’s no reason to leave interior photos and other details on real estate sites like Realtor, Zillow and Redfin. Just think about how valuable your floor plan might be in the wrong hands.
5 home security mistakes that may be putting you at risk
There are a few common flubs homeowners make when it comes to security, like keeping doors and windows unlocked or flaunting their wealth. Some subtleties can also endanger your possessions.
Sometimes, it’s hard to notice little signs burglars look for. You may be making their job easier. Tap or click here for simple ways to protect your home from burglars.
Thieves going through headlights to steal cars
Hackers have a new method to break into your car: Through the headlights and a chip from a cheap JBL smart speaker.
Be careful: ChatGPT likes it when you get personal
ChatGPT has taken the world by storm since its introduction in November and continues to impress and surprise us. Here are some recent ChatGPT developments that’ll blow your mind.
With all the hype surrounding AI-powered chatbots, it’s easy to get carried away and forget the risks. While we haven’t reached the point where we have to worry about AI taking over humanity, there’s a more immediate concern we’re dealing with right now: privacy.
Your every move tracked: How to remove Apple and Google’s location data
It’s no secret anymore. Nearly everything you do online is tracked or recorded and used to learn more about you.
Many of your data points ends up on creepy people search sites. You’ll be shocked to find your full name, address, relatives, phone number, and more. Here’s a list of sites where you can opt out of this invasion of privacy.