Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it

August 21, 2024

Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it: Keeping it active all the time makes your device more vulnerable. Plus, you’ll get more battery life by turning it off from time to time. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. On an Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps may vary based on your phone model.)

Tags: Android, battery, device, devices, phone, settings

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Smart TVs: More loaded with ads than ever

Feeling bombarded with ads every time you turn on the tube? Well, you are. TV manufacturers figured out they could make more money from ad sales and tracking than actually selling TVs.

It used to just be commercials, but now we’ve got pop-ups, home screen ads, interactive ads — you name it. I’ve got the scoop on what’s next, plus some actionable tips to survive the ad avalanche.

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World Photography Day: 8 tips and tricks + a security must

August 19 is World Photography Day! It’s also National Potato Day and International Orangutan Day, but let’s focus on photos. (See what I did there?)

Below are some of my favorite tips and tricks for better smartphone pictures, along with a privacy tip at the end that always gets at least one major “thank you.”

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Scammer says there's oil on the moon!

Kitboga, one of the most famous scammer baiters on YouTube, hopped on Kim Komando Today and shared with us some of his favorite memories tricking scammers.

Big, bad reminder to keep your Mac updated: Security flaws in Microsoft apps like Word can let hackers in based on your existing app permissions — no extra verification needed. Stay safe: Keep your computer on the latest version of macOS and only download apps from the official Apple App Store.

What are the chances someone else’s face can open your iPhone? Is it … A.) 1 in 10,000, B.) 1 in 100,000, C.) 1 in 1,000,000 or D.) 1 in 1,000,000,000?

Find the answer here! →

$2 loss

For every $1 put toward sports betting. As federal and state guidelines have loosened, fewer Americans are investing in stocks and other safer assets. This past January, folks put $14 billion into online sports betting — compare that to $1.1 billion in January 2019.

Fraud and identity warning: Protect your info in one simple step

What do these things have in common: A data breach, a credit card offer in the mail, a form at the doctor’s office and a Dark Web marketplace?

If you guessed anything to do with your identity, you nailed it. All are ways someone can get their hands on your Social Security number. With just a handful of digits, they can do a lot of harm.

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3 ways to protect your privacy and swerve surveillance

Not long ago, I heard a familiar buzz while swimming in my backyard pool. Sure enough, a drone hovered overhead and quickly vanished when I shooed it away with my hand. That’s how I got the idea for this post.

The legality of drone surveillance varies by country and state, but if the drone is flying on your private property and recording you without your consent, call the police. It’s a violation of your privacy.

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98% accurate

Success of an AI model that examines your tongue to detect medical conditions. It’s all about color: Yellow signals diabetes, purple can mean cancer and an unusually shaped red tongue can indicate a stroke. Incredible stuff. Can you roll your tongue? I can’t.

Mental health help: The first FDA-approved app to treat depression is now available. Rejoyn offers a six-week program with brain-training exercises and short skill-based therapy lessons. You’ll need a prescription, which means you must be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, currently on antidepressants and at least 22 years old. More info here.