Hey, hi, hello, it’s Friday, friend! Scammers have a way with words — and not in a good way. Three phrases they still use practically scream cybercrime: “My dear,” “Would you kindly” and any mention of (gasp) “gift cards.” Hang up, block their texts or delete their emails. Now, why don't scammers carry wallets? Because they don't keep cache.

🤑 I’m giving away a $500 Amazon gift card. Be a pal and share this link with your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors or the PTA. There’s no purchase necessary; all they have to do is try The Current. Wahoo! Let’s get down to business. — Kim

I’ve been talking about it for weeks, and now it’s all over the news: Communist Chinese hackers infiltrated telecommunications giants like AT&T and Verizon and wormed their way into government surveillance systems. The massive breach was detected over a month ago, but it’s been going on for over a year.

These hackers even intercepted live phone calls from Donald Trump, J.D. Vance and Kamala Harris’s staffers.

And what’s our government doing about it? The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, just released a “how-to” for secure communications … a whole month later.

Should you panic?

No. Now, it’s not good Chinese hackers are snooping around, but their targets are typically high-profile individuals and politicians. If you’re an average person texting friends and family and not sharing espionage information, don’t worry. Spies, keep reading.

What’s the big deal?

Text messages sent using Apple iMessages are encrypted, but only between iPhones. Text from your iPhone to someone using an Android device, and that message (SMS or RCS) is unencrypted. Android-to-Android texts are generally encrypted through Google Messages, but texting on an Android phone to an iPhone? Not protected.

The same goes for email. Standard Gmail or Outlook messages are vulnerable once they leave that network. Gmail to Gmail? Safe. Gmail to Outlook? No. (More about this below.)

There are tools that fix this problem

When you’re texting about the latest Hallmark movie, privacy probably isn’t at the top of your mind. But it needs to be if you’re sharing financial info (including account numbers, Social Security numbers and PINs), login credentials or passwords, or private health info.

Use a secure messaging app

The key here is end-to-end encryption. Popular picks include Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, Session and Briar. These apps also have:

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Secure voice calls go through the app instead of vulnerable cellular networks.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA): An extra layer of security for your account.

✅ Trying to get your friends and family to download one of these apps? Send them this article so they know why it matters.

Be smart about emails, too

For sensitive info, putting it in the body of a regular email won’t cut it. StartMail* is my pick if you’re looking for full encryption with just one click. You can also rely on your current email provider but send files as encrypted attachments.

• In Microsoft Office or Google Docs, click the Help button in the menu bar. Click Help again, then type in “Encrypt with password.” Your program will walk you through the steps. Easy.

Don’t count on telecom companies or government agencies to keep you safe — they won’t. But you’re already steps ahead just by getting my newsletter and tuning in to my shows. 🎯 I’ve always got your back!

🤖 Gifts that’ll make ‘em feel like the future is now.

• Channel “Blade Runner” with an LED shower head ($20). Disclaimer: No promises they’ll look as cool as Harrison Ford.
• Give them the tech to sit back with a glass of wine while an automatic pot stirrer handles the chili.
• An automatic dustpan sucks up everything, so they never have to look at that little dustpan line again. Click the box for $20 off.
• It’s cold and there’s about to be a new season of “Squid Game." Grab mirror glasses ($13) for your most Netflix-obsessed pal who wants to watch in bed.
• This blush oil goes on clear and transforms into the perfect shade based on the wearer’s skin pH. Cheeky!

💻 “An unspecified error has occurred”: That Windows message drives me nuts. Over the last few months, Windows 10 has grown in popularity, while Windows 11 has dropped in market share … despite Windows 10’s planned sunset on Oct. 25, 2025. Windows 10’s market share currently stands at 61.8%, compared to just 34.9% for Windows 11. No wonder folks are waiting to upgrade; about 240 million active PCs might not meet the new hardware requirements for Windows 11. Need a new system? Check out my three sweet laptop picks here!

Money cannot buy happiness: The founder of HowStuffWorks⁠.⁠com said his career was destroyed after he filed an ethics complaint with North Carolina State University. Professor Marshall Brain sent a tragic email to 30 of his NCSU colleagues before taking his own life last month. He sold HowStuffWorks⁠.⁠com for $250 million in 2007. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988 or visit this site.

Rolling out on Android phones now: Google’s Gemini AI will work in more apps, write captions for social posts and photos, combine emojis (Apple did it first), and share QR codes. Pixel phones get exclusives like having Gemini save your info and updates to Pixel Screenshots … which Apple already has. You can also circle something on your Pixel to search for it. It’s pretty sweet.

Singing like a canary: Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing life in prison for sex trafficking, racketeering and a slew of other charges. But it seems his biggest worry is not having a laptop in his cell to use whenever he wants. There’s a laptop he can use with supervision from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The judge says that’s enough time for him to do diddy‑squat.

🌊 Making waves for my science nerds: Researchers found a new way to turn seawater into freshwater. Even better, it’s not rocket science. They used cheap clay materials to hit evaporation rates 18.8% higher than pure water.

Wear your emojis on your sleeve: A new study says frequent emoji users have higher emotional intelligence — i.e., they’re better at understanding and connecting with others. On the flip side, people who avoid emojis, especially in close relationships, may struggle with emotional closeness. Great news for me! 💃

We didn’t need this: Haliey Welch, aka the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” launched a cryptocurrency called HAWK that skyrocketed to a $490 million market cap … then plummeted by 91%. It all happened within hours. The 22-year-old says the project isn’t a cash grab. If you invested, you should talk tuah your financial advisor.

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to an intruder in your home. A burglary happens every 30 seconds in the U.S., and homes without a security system are three times more likely to be targeted.

Right now, get 70% off a SimpliSafe system. Here’s why you need SimpliSafe:

• Peace of mind 24/7: Professionally monitored security to protect your home and loved ones, day and night, with agents who can help stop intruders in real time.
• Easy to use: Set it up yourself in no time, or have it professionally installed. Either way, support is a phone call away.
• No contracts: Unlike the other guys, there’s no long-term commitment or hidden fees.
• Built-in backup systems: Stay secure even during power outages or internet disruptions.
• Comprehensive protection: From break-ins to fires and floods, safeguard your home with sensors and cameras designed to meet your unique needs​.

🛠️ Built-in network helper: Can't connect to Wi‑Fi? On a Windows PC, right-click the Wi‑Fi icon in your taskbar, select Troubleshoot problems or Diagnose network problems, and let Windows work its magic. On a Mac, press and hold Option on your keyboard while clicking the Wi‑Fi icon in the menu bar. Choose Network settings from the menu.

No-tech zone: A friend did this with her kids and it’s so smart. She made a couple of special areas around their house “tech-free spots.” The family room couches and kitchen table are both no-tech zones. Beware: It only works if adults follow the rules, too.

🤓 Phone manuals still exist: They’re just digital now. Hit this link for Apple’s version. It’s trickier for Android since there are so many different phone manufacturers. Your best bet is to search for “[your phone model] + official manual.” I found the Google Pixel and Samsung S24 models for ya.

Cheap gas? Yes, please: The free Upside app gives you cash back on gas, groceries and dining out. Download Upside* and use promo code Kim to get an extra $0.25 back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

Work time-saver: Stop filing emails into endless folders and master your inbox searches. Advanced options let you filter by an email’s sender, subject, keywords or date range. In Gmail and Outlook, hit the three-line icon at the right side of the search bar. Combine keywords with operators like “from:boss” or “has:attachment” for even better results.

🪟 A little Friday fun: Window Swap lets you view the world from another person’s window. I saw a tree swaying in the wind in Warsaw, Poland, and a dreamy ocean view in Honolulu. It’s a lot of fun!

LinkedIn upgrade: A recruiter says to stand out on the job site, upload your resume (go to Jobs > Application settings) and select “Yes” to Share your resume data with recruits. Fill out your entire career history and add as much as possible to the “Skills” section. If you’re hiring, use my link to post a job for free.*

Next year, I'm moving to Greenwich, England. I don't know what I'll do in the Mean Time.

I’m heartbroken. Lately, my national radio show has been flooded with calls from people who’ve fallen victim to scams. Today, I’m releasing a podcast about a son desperately trying to convince his 70-year-old mother her “26-year-old boyfriend” in Nigeria is nothing but a scammer. Spoiler: Mom ended her 45-year marriage over the guy. Just search for “Kim Komando Today” wherever you get your podcasts or use this link.

🥷 Let’s fight back together. If you’ve been conned, please don’t keep it to yourself. The longer you wait, the harder it is to stop these predators in their tracks. You can talk to me about it — just drop me a note here. Then, visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline or call 877‑908‑3360, and they’ll walk you through what to do next, judgment‑free.

Thanks for being here. Be sure to rate this newsletter using the thumbs-up (or thumbs-down) below. I read every comment, too! I’ll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another issue of the best tech newsletter in the USA. — Kim