My husband Barry and I seem to lose the remote way too often. With this new feature, it won’t be a problem.
Crooks are jamming security cameras — Protect yours now!
Security cameras work in two ways. First, they act as a deterrent to thieves. If that doesn’t work, it captures them in the act of stealing your things or breaking into your home.
Your surveillance system is only as good as what your cameras can see. Placement is critical — you don’t want a tree blocking the view of your backyard. You also don’t want cameras to send a notification whenever a squirrel runs across the lawn. Tap or click here for four mistakes you’re making with your home security system.
Many popular security camera systems rely on Wi-Fi. It’s convenient and easier to get these cameras up and running. But this isn’t as secure as you might expect. Crooks can jam the Wi-Fi signal, rendering the cameras blind. Here’s what you can do to prevent this from happening to you.
A cheap and scary hack
So you set up your cameras in optimal locations and configure the settings for the best coverage. You feel safe and secure. But you might literally miss the big picture if your cameras are connected to your Wi-Fi network.
WXYZ reported on a woman in Detroit whose car was stolen right in front of her house, and guess what? When she reviewed her Ring camera recordings, she found that hours of footage were missing.
It turns out that crooks used a signal jammer to disrupt her Wi-Fi and stop her cameras from recording. While jamming devices can be pricey, a deauther costs $15 at most and is small enough to fit in your pocket. It works by overwhelming the Wi-Fi system when held close to a camera.
Ring is apparently aware of the issue and says it’s a rare occurrence. There’s no word on a fix at this time.
RELATED: Do this, or anyone can see what your security camera sees
How to protect yourself
Wi-Fi cameras are easy to install, but is it worth the security compromise? Even without criminal interference, other factors can affect the signal between your camera and Wi-Fi router.
A hardwired camera system is more reliable and secure. They are connected directly to your internet via an ethernet cable, which makes them more challenging to hack. You also don’t have to worry about spotty or weak Wi-Fi signals affecting your cameras’ performance. You’ll get clearer audio and video thanks to a consistent internet connection.
These handy sites can help you find the streaming shows you’re looking for
Thanks to streaming, we’ve reached a point where we have too much of a good thing. You can watch just about any TV show or movie you can think of, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to nostalgic cartoons of your youth.
Gifts for every mom
Mother’s Day is coming up quickly — Sunday, May 12. I’m sharing a series of slam-dunk gifts for all the moms in your life. Today: Gifts for the mom who loves to read.
- If Mom uses a Kindle or other e-reader or tablet, this comfy pillow stand (12% off, $21.99) is a total game-changer.
- Pair it with this remote, which lets her turn the page while cuddled under a blankie. It’s a whopping 67% off.
- For physical book lovers, grab a rechargeable book light with three color temps and dimming. It’s only $9.99.
- These lovely bookplate stickers (gold foil!) will help her keep track of her personal library ($6.99 for 60).
- A little tabletop bookshelf to help her organize the stack of books by her bed. This one is 18% off ($26.99).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
📺 Your remote is dirtier than your toilet: Remove the batteries and blast it with compressed air if you have it, then clean it with a disinfectant wipe. Cotton swabs and toothpicks are great for removing stubborn gunk. Remember: Don’t put the batteries back in until it’s fully dry.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Your DNA could soon be up for sale
You spit in a tube, and now 23andMe is thinking of selling your data after a massive hack tanked their value. So much for learning your ancestry. Meanwhile, Gen Z is going #desperate on LinkedIn, and Mazda’s charging $10 just to use remote start.
🇰🇵 Live fast, die Jong: A Nashville man could spend 20 years in prison for helping North Koreans infiltrate U.S. companies. North Korean intelligence used his identity to get remote IT positions, then had company-issued laptops sent to his home. Then the North Koreans logged onto these laptops to spy on U.S. companies.
$1,000,000 bounty
For anyone who catches a major Samsung security flaw. Bag a local arbitrary execution to score $300,000. Remote code execution vulnerabilities are worth up to $1 million. If you know what those terms mean, get to work.
Use your voice to control your TV
Fumbling with your remote every time you want to find a show? It’s time to let your voice do the work.
Is your car bricked? Since AT&T killed off 3G over two years ago, owners of 2014 to 2019 Volkswagens with VW Car-Net services have been in analog, so to speak. Without wireless connectivity, they no longer have features like remote start, emergency assistance or antitheft alerts. Volkswagen still doesn’t have a fix, and some 3G-reliant Hyundai and Nissan models are screwed, too. Cars with 4G should have until at least 2035. PSA: Check the connectivity specs before you buy, folks.
Dirty diaper ruined a family business
Paul and Rachelle Baron own Beau & Belle Littles, a once thriving swim diaper business. But when Amazon resold a returned diaper as “new,” a one-star review flagged by more than 100 buyers left them $600,000 in debt. Plus, CrowdStrike trouble continues, web searches are changing, and a remote worker turned out to be a North Korean spy.
📺 Psst! Most newer TVs have a secret menu: Turn on your TV and press the menu button on your remote. Go to the settings or advanced settings menu. Press the following buttons on your remote in this order: Mute, 1, 8, 2, power. This should bring up the service menu. From here, you can more accurately adjust the white balance, do a factory reset, adjust the color levels or calibrate the screen.
💣 Underwater tech for my history buffs: Remote-controlled German robots are tackling a massive task — clearing WW2 bombs from the North and Baltic seas. As 1.6 million tons of old munitions rust, they’re releasing carcinogenic substances and other toxins.
Remote Amazon tribe gets the internet
Nine months ago, the Marubo people got Starlink — now elders say everyone’s lazy and hooked on porn. Plus, Tokyo’s government launches a dating app, and remote job scams are on the rise.
🛸 This is far out: In Haywood County, North Carolina, a man found a strange three-foot object on a remote trail. He thinks it might be from outer space. It has burnt carbon fiber dotting the surface, heavy-duty metal plates, and it’s held together with thick bolts. It was so heavy that he had to move it with a lawnmower. What do you think it is?
60% decrease
In high-paying remote jobs in the past year. Wanna make the big bucks? You’ll probably have to do it in person; only 4% of jobs paying over $250,000 annually are fully remote. And in a survey of 1,000 companies, 90% said they expect a full five-day week back in office by the end of 2024.
Easiest ways to find your lost remote
You’ve wasted time searching under the sofa, the bed, and even the trashcan. Here’s how to ensure your remote is always easy to find.
298 miles per hour
Speed of record-breaking new quadcopter drone. Father and son Luke and Mike Bell’s remote-controlled Peregrine 2 flew past the competition for the title of world champ. See it in action here. Talk about bonding!
29% of remote workers are logging in from a vacation destination
And doing it without telling their bosses. If there’s no explicit rule against it at your company, it’s fair game to work from wherever you want. But calling in from Margaritaville? You may not be telling, but your new tan and conveniently blurred background are dead giveaways.
Calling all night owls: Have an older Roku model and a house full of light sleepers? Upgrade to the Voice Remote Pro (on sale right now) and get Headphone mode. Plug in your headphones, and enjoy the full sound of your favorite show without waking anyone up. Sweet!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.