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+ Mac scam spreading, smart glass, Ford recall, car tech slowdown, new streaming service and TikTok trend -

May 17, 2025

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In partnership with NordPass

Happy Saturday, friend. Ever get a text that makes you do a double take? Like, is this person mad? Did I forget something? Turns out, some replies pack way more of a sting than you’d think. 

Which reply ranks as the most emotionally destructive, according to science: A) “K,” B) “Sure,” C) No reply (aka being left unread), or D) 👍? The answer is passive-aggressively waiting for you at the end of this free newsletter. 

✅ Need a password manager you can trust? Use the one I do. It locks down your data with zero-knowledge encryption and military-grade security. It works on all your devices, stores unlimited passwords, auto-fills logins and even makes sure you have super strong passwords. — Kim

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TODAY'S DEEP DIVE

Hotel headaches? Pack these

Image: ChatGPT

You rolled into your “deluxe” hotel room only to be stuck with dim lighting, mystery smells and Wi-Fi that makes you nostalgic for dial-up. Having fun yet?

Seasoned travelers know this secret: Pack smart. I tracked down the best gadgets on Amazon that are worth your carry-on space. Let’s check in.

🔌 Outlets where you need them: YISHU’s 6-foot power strip ($9.99, 17% off) actually reaches the nightstand. Plus, eight outlets and four USB ports charge everything at once.

New country, new plugs: Don’t be that person scrambling for a loaner adapter. TESSAN’s universal travel adapter ($19.99, 11% off) works in 150+ countries and protects against voltage issues.

🔋 You forgot your charger (again): For iPhone and Android, VRURC’s portable charger ($19.99, 33% off) has five ports, three built-in cables and an LED display that shows how much juice is left.

Stone age Wi-Fi: A travel router ($34.90, 30% off) is a must if you work remotely. It boosts connection speeds and adds extra security. Plus, you can share a room’s internet connection.

🏨 What’s that smell? Drop a little essential oil in a portable diffuser ($20.99). Boom, your room feels more like a spa than a stranger’s den.

The A/C barely works: Quiet but powerful, SweetFull’s portable fan ($12.99, 24% off) is a lifesaver in stuffy rooms.

💡 Bad lighting = bad vibes: Evershop’s ring light ($24.99) is perfect for Zoom calls, reading and even doing your makeup. You’ll look fab.

Feel safer at night: This travel security kit ($11.42, 11% off) has a portable door lock and a doorstop with an alarm to scare away bad guys.

☕ Hotel coffee tastes like regret: No more watered-down sludge. OutIn’s portable espresso machine ($149.99) makes café-worthy coffee wherever you are.

Can’t sleep with thin walls? Grab a pair of comfy reusable earplugs ($18.99) to block out the world.

🔊 You want white noise: Yogasleep’s USB-powered sound machine ($19.99, 33% off) drowns out that hallway chatter with ease.

Are those sheets really clean? Pack some pillow protectors ($9.99) so you’re not at the mercy of the hotel washing machine.

👕 Laundry piles up fast: Toss your dirty clothes into these laundry bags ($8.99). Sharing space? They’ve got name tags.

Overpacked and overweight: Etekcity’s luggage scale ($8.87, 19% off) will save you from repacking at the check-in counter.

📱 Don’t leave anything behind: Stick an Apple AirTag ($24.95, 14% off) or Tile tracker ($24.98) in your suitcase or purse. Your future self will thank you.

“Kim, what do you pack?” Glad you asked; click here for more of my travel essentials that I know you’ll love, too. 

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH  

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Password problem solver

I read every email, comment, and note you send. Your stories, tips, and tech questions brighten my day. One message recently stood out, a reader raving about NordPass, the password manager I recommend to everyone!

We’re all guilty of weak passwords, reused logins, sticky notes on the monitor… A hacker’s dream. But with NordPass, you don’t have to stress. It stores your passwords securely and autofills them for you, so logging in is always a breeze.

Here’s what a loyal reader shared with me:

"I finally stopped using the same password for everything. NordPass made it so easy. And I feel a lot safer online now."

Setting up NordPass is simple and works on all your devices. No more guesswork, no more lockouts, no more ‘forgot password’ headaches.

Get started today with my exclusive deal — 52% off NordPass. →

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THE KIM KOMANDO SHOW

Deepfake Elon stole millions

Want billions like Musk? Don’t fall for this crypto scam. Some people are paying $217K to freeze their bodies. I’ll also share five signs your phone might be tapped. Plus, I talk to Randy from Oregon, who wants to cash in on a viral video.

Listen on Komando.com →

WEB WATERCOOLER

🚨 Urgent recall: Ditch this Igloo cooler if you value your fingertips. Over 130,000 just got recalled after causing 78 injuries, including 26 with fractures or even amputations. The handle can pinch hard when you push it against the cooler. Over a million are now affected, so check here if you own one.

CNN’s deja vu: It’s launching a streaming service with live news, original shows and documentaries (paywall link). No word on pricing yet. Ahem, remember CNN+ from three years ago? That one flopped in a few days.

Moon me: Hidden CIA files claim the U.S. made contact with aliens in 1959 and met them face-to-face to swap info about our species. A group called Majestic 12 was behind it all, handling communication and experiments … while keeping it secret from the White House. The FBI says it’s all fake. 

🔘 Car buttons are coming back: Studies show touch screens slow your reaction time more than driving drunk or high. Back in the day, changing a setting took 10 seconds (paywall link). Now with touch screen menus? Try 45. Europe’s stepping in first. 

🔥 Mac scam spreading: A new phishing scam makes your Mac pretend to freeze, throw a meltdown alert, then sweet-talk you into handing over your Apple ID like it’s a lost kitten. It’s fake. It’s bad. And it’s targeting typo-prone Mac users who think “MacOsHelp.vip” is a real Apple site. 

Cavemen love rock music: Have a teen? Know that TikTok viral videos are telling teens to do absolutely nothing to their face. No products, not even water. The idea? Let the skin barrier heal naturally. But dermatologists say it leads to acne, clogged pores and infections. Cavemen also didn’t have mirrors. Just saying. Can a joke about dinosaurs make you laugh? You bet jurassic can.

Safe Wi-Fi anywhere: Public Wi-Fi is public for a reason, anyone can jump on it, and that includes hackers. Doesn’t matter if you’re at a fancy hotel, your favorite local diner or waiting at the gate at the airport. Want to stay safe? Just flip on a VPN. I’ve got a link where you can get four months free.*

DAILY TECH UPDATE

Starlink’s taking over the sky

Musk’s satellites beam the internet everywhere. Soon, your phone will work off-grid, too.

Listen on Komando.com →

DEVICE ADVICE

🎉 You’re invited! This weekend, my award-winning national radio show is broadcasting on 420+ stations across the U.S., and I’d love for you to join the fun. I’m talking tech tips, digital life hacks, wild stories I can’t fit in the newsletter and taking calls from listeners just like you. Find your local station or get the podcast.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Lost your cursor? On Mac, shake your mouse. The pointer temporarily enlarges so you can find it.

🕒 Working across time zones? Add extra clocks on Windows 11. Just right-click the date and time on your task bar > Adjust date and time > Additional clocks. Click Show this clock, choose a time zone, name it, then hit Apply and OK. When you hover over the time, your extra clocks will show up.

Reddit to the rescue: Curious if that “get-paid-to-play” app is legit or a scam? Before you hit download, head to Reddit and search for the app’s name. Pro tip: Click the Time filter (like Past month) at the top to find the most recent posts.

📖 Learn new words on Kindle: Come across a word you don’t know? Long-press it and you’ll get the dictionary definition. Each one you check gets saved to your Vocabulary Builder. To look back, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, select Vocabulary Builder, then Flashcards to run through them. Mark as Mastered when you’re done.

Reel look: Want to bring movie magic home? Turn on your TV’s Filmmaker Mode to tweak the color, contrast and frame rate to match the director’s vision. You can find it on Hisense, LG, Philips, Samsung and Vizio. Head to your picture settings and select picture mode. Don’t forget the popcorn.

💼 Get your résumé noticed: LinkedIn is the best place to show off your skills, connect with people in the same industry and find new job opportunities. Whether you’re job hunting or branding your company, LinkedIn helps you stand out! It’s not just social media, it’s your digital handshake. Click here to post your job for free!*

BY THE NUMBERS

$20 million

The bounty Coinbase is offering for tips leading to the capture of the crooks who tried to extort it. When cybercriminals demanded $20 million in Bitcoin to keep stolen customer data secret, Coinbase slapped a $20 million bounty on their heads instead. It’s like Catch Me If You Can but with way more crypto and way less Leonardo DiCaprio.

274,000

The number of Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators recalled over brake issues. Apparently, Ford’s version of stopping power is just hoping real hard. The recall affects 2022–2024 models with front brake lines that might leak, reducing function. If your brake pedal suddenly feels like a soft pillow, maybe don’t test your luck.

$500 million

How much a Bay Area tech trio is willing to spend on a 6% stake in the San Francisco 49ers. Vinod Khosla, Byron Deeter and Will Griffith are dropping half a billion to own a slice of the 49ers, valuing the team at over $8.5 billion. If approved, it’ll be one of the priciest valuations for any sports team on the planet.

WHAT THE TECH?

What the tech?

Image: SmartGlass International

Remember when “window upgrades” meant new curtains from Bed Bath & Beyond? Well, buckle up, smart glass is here, and your blinds are officially obsolete. 

This futuristic window tech goes from clear to frosted faster than your iced coffee melts in July, all with the tap of a button.  

From bathrooms craving sunlight (but not peeping Toms) to home gyms hiding your dusty treadmill, smart glass keeps things chic and private. Bonus? It can even cut your AC bill.

This sleek sorcery comes at a cost: $100–$200 per square foot. Yep, your windows now cost more than your car. 

Great for privacy, especially if you need to sell all your furniture to afford it.  

LOGGING OUT ...

📱 The answer is: A) “K.” Yep, science confirmed what your gut always knew, this one-letter menace is the text version of an icy stare. It’s colder than ghosting, more ominous than “Sure” and more triggering than a thumbs-up from someone who clearly meant anything but approval.

✅ Now is the time: You start using the #1 password manager that has continued to innovate and add great features. Check it out now and get a deal. Just $1.43 a month!

I’ll leave your Saturday with this gem: Never use “beefstew” as a password. It’s not stroganoff.

🔐 Tomorrow, I am going to make you sound so smart. Aren’t you glad you get the best darn free newsletter in the USA! Until then, make today a day that is password-protected against all negativity! 😌 — Kim

📣 Don’t keep me a secret: Share this email with friends (or copy URL here)

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Photo credit(s): ChatGPT, SmartGlass International

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