You and a friend split some apps and cocktails. Cash? Nah, payment apps make it way easier. Type in the amount, hit send and boom, you’re set.
But every time you send money, there’s a risk it could end up in the wrong place. That’s why I’m here to help you get it to the right place. Let’s dive in.
For my Gen Zers, you can find these at your bank, credit union, USPS and some grocery stores. There’s a $1,000 limit and a small fee of a few bucks. But it’s more secure than sending cash or a check that can get lost or stolen.
USPS only takes cash, debit cards and traveler’s checks. Fill out the form, pay the amount (plus the fee), and track it on the USPS app. It usually takes a few business days to arrive. The person you sent it to will need to pick it up in person.
🛑 Caution: Money orders aren’t easy to reverse once they’re cashed. That’s why scammers love them. Never send it to someone you don’t trust.
Payment apps like Venmo, Apple Pay, CashApp and Zelle are great because they’re quick and easy. Here’s the deal: If you send money to the wrong place, you’re not getting it back.
Always verify the recipient’s username, email or phone number. A single wrong digit can send your money into the void. For pals and people you send to often, don’t type in their info each time. Your app of choice saves previous recipients.
Need to send a lot of money? Start with a small test transfer to confirm it goes to the right place.
🛑 Use Venmo? You might not know that every time you send or receive money, it’s public by default.
Anyone (including shady folks) can see how much you sent your roommate for rent. Make your Venmo feed private so you don’t become a target.
I bet you’ve never heard of Mars Hydro. It’s a company headquartered in Communist China that makes Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Their speciality? LED lights and hydroponics equipment.
Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler (I had him on the show about other breaches, and he’s a smart, standup guy) was digging around and found they had a massive 1.17TB database online for anyone to see. There was no encryption and no password required.
Hey, web developers: Have you tried Amazon Q Developer? Think of it as your intern to help write code, create README files and find security holes. There’s a free tier for 50 chats per month, or pay $19 per month for more perks. It’s not a sponsor, but it just caught my eye.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
2.7 billion records leaked: A Communist China company that sells smart hydroponics and grow lights proved what I’ve been saying for years. Security in Internet of Things (IoT) devices is a joke. You already know about the massive breach if you’re on my Current Alerts list. Read the full story for the best steps to protect your home network.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s the perfect excuse to spread a little love in the simplest ways. A quick heart emoji, a sweet message to a friend or even just a kind word can make someone’s day. And if you’re flying solo? Treat yourself to something special and enjoy a little you time.
I get so many calls during my national radio show and DMs from folks who think they’re being stalked. Sometimes, the person is seeing signs that aren’t there. Other times, it’s clear there’s something going on. It’s not surprising, given how easy it is for tech to watch someone’s movements.
Go back on a Mac: Plug in your drive, and Time Machine will prompt you to set it up for automatic backups. On Windows, connect your drive, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup, click Add a Drive, and turn on Automatically back up my files.
🔒 Small-biz security 101: The principle of least privilege could save you big headaches down the road. The idea is you only give employees access to the data and systems they absolutely need to do their jobs. The fewer people with admin rights, the better.
Security system flaw: Most systems alert you after a break-in occurs. SimpliSafe uses Live Guard monitoring to detect intruders before they enter your home. So smart. Use my link to save 50% on a new system right now.
Update your PC: Like, now! This month’s Patch Tuesday update fixes four zero-day vulnerabilities and 55 other issues. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and hit Check for updates. By the way, you can update your iPhone to 18.3. It’s all good.
💻 The nerd in me loves this: The world’s fastest supercomputer just went online at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The $600 million El Capitan is powered by 44,544 AMD chips. Its job is to secure the U.S. nuclear stockpile, run national security research and crunch other classified tasks. How fast is it? Its peak performance is 2.746 exaflops. That’s about 69 million times faster than a top-of-the-line MacBook.
From Ed in Florida: “Kim, I want to get away from Google. If I sign up for StartMail, will it import all my email and contacts?” Yup. You can transfer your entire mailbox, including messages and contacts, with zero downtime and 100% security. Right now, get 60% off your first year.
Everyone wants your Social Security number. Some requests are legit, like when you’re starting a new job, applying for a loan or verifying your identity.
But countless others, from data brokers to scammers, are after your nine-digit code, too. In fact, an estimated 2,400 data brokers operate in the U.S., collecting and selling billions of personal records, often without your knowledge. Some even offer “credit header data,” which includes Social Security numbers, for as little as $5 per record.
The latest stats say 80% of stalking victims are tracked using tech. One of the most popular ways to do it? GPS trackers, like an AirTag. They’re small enough to slip into a bag, pocket or your car undetected.
“Kim, this doesn’t impact me.” I wish that was true. Maybe you have an ex or friend who won’t buzz off, or maybe you met a stranger at a bar or store who was acting creepy. You’re at risk. Did you drive across the U.S. border? Yep, crooks are targeting tourists, too.
Website owners, beware: There’s a war brewing between the WordPress co-founder and WP Engine, a major managed WordPress hosting provider. What does this mean for you? Fewer updates and security fixes. If your site runs on WordPress, it’s not a bad idea to consider other options. I like Wix and Squarespace.
📞 “Hi, it’s Jessica”: No, it’s a scammer pretending they’ve been trying to reach you about your loan application. All they need is to verify a few details … like your bank account and Social Security number. If you’ve actually applied for a loan, hang up and call the company directly.
AI is all over the news and for good reason: Whoever controls AI controls geopolitics and economics. One big player in the AI world is Larry Ellison. He never finished college; he left to start building databases for the CIA. After that, he co-founded Oracle, and now, depending on the day, he’s the fourth-wealthiest person in the world.
🏥 Your health, at risk: Two patient monitors that track your vitals have gaping security holes. Hackers can snoop on data, mess with settings or even assume total control. The Chinese-built models completely ignore network settings, meaning someone with the right know-how can break in. The only fix hospitals have? Unplug it and keep it off the network.
Update your Apple gear — except your iPhone: Apple dropped updates for new and old devices. Wait a few weeks to update your iPhone, though, because I’m hearing the new update destroys your battery life. On the bright side, the security flaws patched in iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, tvOS 18.3 and visionOS 2.3 keep malicious apps from taking full control of your device. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and get it done. Here’s the full list of fixes.
