It’s happening more and more. I keep several extra cases of water on hand, just to be safe.
Safety first
I bet you or someone you know has a scary travel story. These gadgets are no-brainers to bring on your next trip to protect yourself and your stuff.
- Major security flaws have compromised a huge portion of keycard hotel locks. Easy fix: This doorstop with a built-in alarm (17% off).
- Traveling with valuables? Bring your own safe. Hotel rooms don’t always have one. This little portable option is under $24.
- Whether you’re traveling abroad or just going out at night, take a personal alarm. This sleek option is 20% off and goes right on your keychain.
- Only one in four U.S. homes has a carbon monoxide detector. Bet your Airbnb doesn’t. This one’s 33% off!
- Two words: Fanny pack. Wear it across your chest for extra street cred (I do!). This one’s inexpensive and looks great.
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Protect yourself: Medical identity theft victims often don’t realize something is wrong until it’s too late. I recommend you store hard copies of medical records and documents with personal identification information in a safe or lockbox.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Sextortion scams are getting more realistic
Got an email saying your webcam was hacked? Don’t worry — it’s just another sextortion scam. I’ll tell you why it’s all fake and how to stay safe.
💸 Someone’s getting fired: Texas-headquartered company Orion lost $60 million in a bank wire transfer scam. Details are scarce, but these schemes usually involve someone tricking a finance department employee via email. The FBI warns it’s becoming a multibillion-dollar problem. Here are tips for staying safe if you run a biz or ever need to make a wire transfer.
$100,000 in cash
At the bottom of a lake. A couple of magnet fishers in New York City hooked a metal safe with a small fortune inside. What’s magnet fishing? Finding sunken metal treasure with high-powered magnets instead of hooks, aka your new hobby.
Small-but-mighty household helpers
I love the little things that make life easier.
- Toss this little silicone cactus (38% off) in the dryer. It gathers up hair, reduces wrinkles and softens fabric.
- A magnetic cord for your AirPods when you want to be extra safe (like when traveling or during a jog).
- A bestselling carpet cleaner that works on every kind of stain. It’s 59% off, too.
- Skinny brushes (under $6) made for grout, windows and other slim spots. This is your sign to throw out the crusty toothbrush you’ve been using.
- Love a good twofer — here’s a pretty coffee bag clip with a built-in scoop.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
5-minute phone privacy check
In just five minutes, you can secure your phone from unwanted snooping. Follow these quick steps to stay safe.
Parents, know this about Disney
Disney+ adding Hulu content might seem like a win for variety, but parents aren’t thrilled. R-rated flicks and reality drama are creeping into what used to be a family-safe zone.
Smartphones in school? Not so fast
Giving your kid a smartphone is meant to keep them safe and connected. But now, schools are pushing back, saying they cause more harm than good.
An 82-year-old woman almost lost $3 million in a gold bar scam: First, she was swindled out of nearly $1 million of her life savings. A pop-up ad on her PC scared her into calling a fake federal agent. The “agent” said her money was in danger and would only be safe if she converted it to gold. Good news: Just as she was ready to hand over another $2 million in gold bars, they caught the 19-year-old scum behind this.
Self-driving cars do not drive themselves
Can you really trust your car’s self-driving mode? Turns out, study after study shows it’s not as safe as you might think.
The truth about cell phone radiation
The cell phone industry says phone radiation is harmless, but I prefer to play it safe. Here’s how.
America's drinking water is under attack
Water systems in Kansas, Texas and Pennsylvania have already been hit by hackers in China, Russia and Iran. Plus, clothes that block 5G waves, AI coming to Alexa, and Walmart’s new digital pricing. We also chat with Joseph Cox about his book “Dark Wire,” which is about Anom, the FBI’s secret app used by criminals.
Amber Alert for your pets
You definitely don’t want your furry friends to go missing. But just in case, here’s a system you should set up to keep them safe.
Don’t use this word when texting: Replying with only the word “sure” in a text is now seen as sarcastic, rude or dismissive. The younger crowd expects a bit more enthusiasm in those replies. It’s safe for agreeing to errands, but for invites? Try “Absolutely!” Bonus points for adding emojis. 😃 Fo shizzle!
You get what you pay for: Hackers got their hands on 19 million IP addresses by luring people in with “free” downloads like MaskVPN and DewVPN. If you ever downloaded a free VPN, uninstall it ASAP. My pick is ExpressVPN for a solid, safe option.
👕 Toxic threads: Millions of clothing items from cheap Chinese retailer Shein are packed with toxic chemicals linked to cancer, autism and infertility. They’re sold on Amazon under different names, too, with some containing over 400 times the safe levels. Check your clothes: Drop a bead of water on the fabric. If it stays beaded up, rolls around and leaves no residue, you have a problem. Return or trash it.