Don’t fall for this! Fake CAPTCHA tests are popping up. They’ll ask you to do three things: Press Windows Key + R (opens the Run command box), then Ctrl + V (pastes “I am not a robot – reCAPTCHA Verification ID: XXXX”) and hit Enter. You’ve just executed a hidden prompt that downloads malware onto your computer. Snap.
Flying or cruising? They’re watching you.
You might not realize it, but airlines and cruise lines collect a lot of data, from your seat choice to the websites you browse on their Wi-Fi.
When you book a flight or cruise, they collect the usual stuff, including your name, email, phone number, passport info and payment details. But it doesn’t stop there. They also track:
- Your travel habits: Where you go, how often, your seat selection, how many bags you bring and the weight, how likely you are to buy the upsells, and what perks you like (or don’t).
- Your onboard Wi-Fi activity: What sites you visit, how long you stay on those sites and the apps you use.
- Facial recognition: Some airlines and cruise ports scan your face for check-in and boarding. Your facial scan can also be cross-referenced with government databases and that tracking, too.
And they also know:
- What you eat and drink: Yes, all that is saved, and they even track how many minutes it takes for your drink to be empty so they can offer a refill (or sell you another cocktail).
- If you’ve complained before: Flight attendants and cruise staff can see your complete whining history before you even say a word.
- What you watch and shop for: Whether it’s a seatback screen or your in-room TV, they log what you browse, watch and buy.
😳 Your airline or cruise app is tracking you, too
If you downloaded the airline or cruise line’s app, you’ve handed over even more data, including your device info, operating system and cellular carrier. They also track:
- Your location: Even when you’re not flying or sailing, they may collect GPS data.
- Your browsing history: What you’re searching for inside the app, including trips you didn’t book.
- Your fitness data: Cruise lines will log workouts, spa treatments and even step counts.
🔒 How to lock down your travel data
It’s a safe bet that airlines and cruise companies are selling all your data. If this bothers you, there are steps you can take.
- Ask them to delete your data: If you’re in California, Colorado, Connecticut or Virginia, privacy laws work in your favor. Otherwise, call customer service and ask them what you need to do to remove your data.
- Skip onboard Wi-Fi: Download movies, music and books before your trip.
- Use your own devices: Avoid seatback screens and in-room entertainment to limit tracking.
🤣 What do you call an airplane that flies backward? A receding airline. Oof, I know.
🎧 Drown out distractions on your Mac: If you’re in a loud place, turn on background sounds to mask unwanted noise. Go to Accessibility > Audio > Background Sounds > Choose, then pick from Rain, Ocean and more. Pair this with noise canceling earbuds (like the Apple AirPods Pro 2) for an even better experience.
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Call me bilingual: The Microsoft Translator app is like a personal interpreter. Download the app, start your call on Teams and go to the conversation site. Type your name and language in the form and hit Enter. Share the session code, QR code or link so others can join the call and understand you.
🔄 Want to see which apps need updating on Windows? Open the Search bar, go to Command Prompt, then right-click and select Run as administrator. Next, type “winget upgrade” and hit Enter. You’ll get a list of apps with available updates. It’s also great for finding and deleting apps you haven’t used in a while. Whoa.
Don’t use a free VPN: Many log your keystrokes, track your activity and even sell your data, making you less secure, not more. Stick with a trusted, no-log VPN instead. Get four months free from the VPN I trust.
💰Need extra cash? Try these easy side hustles. Like meeting new people? Earn up to $50 an hour just hanging with someone on RentAFriend. No dating, nothing weird. If you have a pool, rent it out on Swimply. Some make thousands on weekends. And if you have extra space, sign up for Neighbor to get paid to store other people’s stuff.
📖 Make Kindle page turns less confusing: Ever flipped a page and weren’t sure if you went forward or back? The animation looks the same. Fix it with a realistic wiping effect. Tap on a page > select the Aa formatting button > go to the More tab > turn on Page Turn Animation.
WFP(hone): Google Meet’s Switch here lets you switch from your phone to your desktop without dropping the call. If you’re in a live meeting, click to Join the meeting on your other device, and you’ll see Switch here. Sweet.
📵 Kids glued to their phones? Pick a day or time for the whole family to unplug and spend time together. Download my kids’ tech contract for them to sign and hang it on the fridge as a reminder.
Save battery on your iPad: By default, most apps run in the background and drain power. Social media and messaging apps might need this, but many others don’t. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, check what’s important, and turn off the ones you don’t need.
👮 Need help but can’t speak? In many areas of the USA, you can text 911 instead of calling. It’s not available everywhere, so it’s best to check ahead. Visit text911.info to see if it works in your area. It could literally save your life.
Price tags can fool you: Always check the unit price (cost divided by the number of units). On sites like Amazon, it’s in parentheses in tiny letters next to the sale price. This makes comparing prices easier to see if buying in bulk is actually worth it.
📈 What’s hot? Google Trends knows. If you run a business, search for keywords related to what you do to see what’s popular. Use the filters at the top to search by region, time and category to make your content or products match the buzz.
📱TikTok’s parental controls: In a total PR move and after seven years in the U.S., the app is rolling out Family Pairing tools. You can block access at certain times and check who’s following your teens. There’s a new “Time Away” feature to set a schedule and a “wind down” option for bedtime. Why now? It’s looking at a sale or ban next month, silly.
From Bob in Illinois: “I switched to StartMail and I get no more junk email. Plus, no big tech snoops and trackers!” You can transfer your entire mailbox, including messages and contacts, with zero downtime and 100% security. Right now, get 60% off your first year.
📇 Android clipboard history: Your smartphone stores texts and links you’ve recently copied, making it easy to paste old snippets. To find them, tap the Clipboard icon when your keyboard appears. Don’t see it? Tap the arrow on the left side of the keyboard to open the menu, then select Clipboard.
Accidentally closed a tab in Safari? No need to dig through your history. Just tap the All Tabs button (two overlapping squares in the upper-right corner), then press and hold the “+” icon. A list of recently closed tabs will pop up, letting you quickly reopen any web page.
🚨 Hackers can steal your home without you even knowing: With just a forged signature, cybercriminals can take out loans in your name, drain your equity and leave you with the mess. Home Title Lock monitors your title 24/7 and alerts you to any tampering because your biggest investment deserves the best protection. Click here to get a free home title history report, using code KIM250.