Hello there on a bright and shiny Monday, friend. Let’s kick this off with tech know-how you won’t learn anywhere else. Here are a few fonts people will secretly make fun of you for using: Comic Sans, Brush Script and Papyrus. Want to know which fonts use the least ink? You’ll find the answer at the very end of this newsletter.

🛟 Having tech troubles? Drop your questions in my members-only Q&A Forum, and my team of tech geniuses and wizards will help you out! And, because you’re a Current reader, here’s a 30-day free trial! After that, it's only $3.75 a month to get trusted advice when you need it, watch or listen to my shows commercial-free, and download my free e‑books to learn great things. Psst! Today, anyone can check the box for an extra 10% off! — Kim

You might want to sit down for this one. Hackers posted a file named RockYou2024⁠.⁠txt to a dark web forum on July 4. The file includes a mind-numbing 9,948,575,739 passwords.

Wondering if this attack puts you at risk? Yup, it does. The RockYou2024 leak is made up of passwords from both old and new data breaches.

Give ‘em stuffin’ to talk about

Credential stuffing is no joke. This is when crooks take your leaked passwords and try to break into as many services, sites, accounts and apps as they can. They’re hoping you got lazy at least once and reused that password somewhere else.

Recent attacks on big names like Ticketmaster, Advance Auto Parts and Santander Bank were all the result of this technique. Any system that isn't protected against brute-force attacks is at risk, and this goes beyond smartphones and computers. Even internet-connected cameras and industrial equipment are on the hackable list.

What are your next steps?

If you have time, visit Cybernews' Leaked Password Checker to see if your passwords were exposed. HaveIBeenPwned is another option. Enter your email address into either one, and I’ll bet you’ll find yourself on the list.

Reset the passwords for every single account associated with those leaked passwords. Now, virtually shake my hand and promise me you won’t reuse your passwords — ever.

Your browser can help

Your browser’s password manager can alert you if your passwords have been involved in a breach. Here’s how to view or enable this feature in three popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Password alerts are enabled by default. If you think you might’ve missed one, head to Google’s Password Manager and run a Password Checkup.
• Microsoft Edge: You’ll need to turn on Edge’s Password Monitor. To do this, go to Settings and more (the three-dot menu at the top right of your browser window) > Settings > Profiles > Passwords. Then, toggle on the switch for Show alerts when passwords are found in an online leak.
• Apple Safari: Password monitoring is on by default for browsers running on MacOS 14 or iOS 14 and later. To check for alerts on your iPhone or Mac, and to update any compromised passwords, go to Settings > Passwords > Security Recommendations > Change Password on Website.

Oh, and this is important to remember: Any random two-factor authentification (2FA) codes you receive via email or text that you didn’t ask for could mean someone is trying to access your accounts.

🔒 I’m willing to bet just about everyone you know is impacted by this latest password dump. Do your loved ones a favor and use the buttons below to share these security tips.

You see ‘em and you want ‘em gone. Your wish has come true!

• Cover that wall outlet with this smooth, flat panel, which comes with an attached extension cord. Just plug and go for 23% off.
• This handy box organizes unsightly wires. Put your extension cord inside and voila! It’s 17% off right now.
• Clamp this cable tray to the bottom of your desk, and say goodbye to crawling underneath to plug in and unplug your cords. Plus, it’s 20% off!
• Get rid of that unsightly grease stain you’ve been staring at on the floor. This industrial cleaner wipes out heavy dirt, grease, food and other stains on lots of different surfaces, and it’s 49% off.
• Stop staring at the TV (cords). This wall cord hider is on sale for $9.99 and conceals all those wires to your wall.

🔫 Change is inevitable, except from vending machines: Several grocery stores in four states, including Oklahoma and Alabama, now have AI-powered vending machines that don’t dispense snacks; they sell bullets. American Rounds says their facial-scanning tech can verify the age of a buyer. I’m sure it’ll be able to detect if someone is wearing a mask or a ton of makeup, too, right?

P*rn passport: Spain is testing a new way to confirm the age of p*rn viewers on websites — digital passports. Once you verify you’re over 18, you’ll get 30 tokens good for 30 days. The Spanish government says it won’t track users’ activity or keep records of their identities. You can bet the U.S. government is keeping an eye on how it goes.

🚨 180,000 Shopify users just had their data compromised, thanks to a third-party app. The exposed info includes account IDs, names, email addresses, cellphone numbers and total spending. If you have a Shopify account, watch for any legit-looking emails from them and don’t give out any personal info.

I miss the bouncing DVD logo: Remember when I told you how YouTube hijacks your TV screensaver with its own videos? Now Amazon’s doing it, too, but it’s way more annoying. When you let your Fire TV fall asleep, it’ll show you a 30-second ad before your screensaver pops up.

Apple’s working on a little surprise: It’s an iPad 7 mini! A coder found clues to a new release hidden in Apple’s backend software. Insiders say it’ll have an 8.3-inch display, a better chip and a front-facing camera (finally). Plus, you’ll be able to use it with the fancy, new Pencil Pro.

🧠 Putting Neuralink to shame: The only thing more sci-fi than a brain-controlled robot? A robot controlled by a lab-grown brain. Chinese scientists grew a “mini-brain,” plugged a chip into it and taught it how to control a robot using electrical signals. I just know Elon Musk is punching the air right now.

Get your product stocked nationwide: This isn’t really tech news, but I know a lot of you own or run a business, and I wouldn’t want you to miss this opportunity. Walmart is accepting pitches from entrepreneurs through July 15. If you’re selected, you’ll pitch your product live at their HQ in Bentonville, Arkansas. Last year, they got 1,000 pitches. Not bad odds. Hurry! You only have one more week to apply here.

🧓 I know what I’m seeing this weekend: The movie “Thelma” follows a 93-year-old on a mission to get back $10,000 from a phone scammer. The scam is 100% real. A crook used an AI voice clone to pose as Thelma’s grandson in jail. Luckily, the real Thelma was smart enough to call her kids, who stopped her from sending the money. Then, her grandson made a movie out of it! The trailer's really cute.

💲 If you put a Ring on it: Ring raised its Basic video doorbell subscription costs to $4.99 a month, but you really want the Pro plan that starts at $20 per month. It’s always something, huh? More than ever, getting SimpliSafe* to protect your whole home is a smarter, cheaper choice.

Small-biz boost: TikTok isn’t my favorite, either, but if you have a small biz, it’s a good way to reach a ton of customers. Here’s a free webinar on how to make successful TikTok ads.

See why insurance denied your claim: This free tool from ProPublica walks you through the steps to see every scrap of info your insurance company legally has to provide.

🤳 Unlock apps with your face: You can use Face ID to unlock apps on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Enter Passcode > Other Apps, and toggle on the apps you want. Not every app is compatible, but this is handy for those that are.

Say when: The battery-saver mode on your Android kicks in at a certain battery level. You can set this up under Settings. Steps vary based on the model, but look for Battery > Battery Saver > Manage when Battery Saver turns on.

When a service is free, you're the product. The email providers everyone knows (yes, I’m talking about Gmail, Yahoo and all the rest) aren't really free. You’re paying with your privacy. From where you are and what you click, to who you talk to most, they know it all.

StartMail is the secure email provider I trust. There’s no invasive tracking or annoying ads. Plus, it’s packed with top privacy features, like unlimited disposable email addresses and easy-to-use encrypted communication. They offer a business subscription, too, that includes extra storage, shared email aliases and the flexibility to add unlimited domains.

I negotiated a special deal just for you. Right now, StartMail is offering an exclusive 60% off annual subscriptions, including the new business plan. No way you can beat that. I checked.

It’s pocket science!

More font smarts: When it comes to printing, Times New Roman uses the least ink. You’ll get almost 30% more pages printed using it instead of Arial. Coming in at a close second is Calibri, but it just doesn’t look as professional.

Speaking of … What did the printer say when it ran out of paper? "Oh, sheet!" (You can steal that one from me!)

✅ Just a reminder get a 30-day free trial to the Komando Community. After that, it’s only $3.75 per month for trusted advice, commercial-free shows and free e‑books! And today, anyone can check the box for an additional 10% off!

It’s an honor to be in your inbox. Share this newsletter with a friend who can use the tech smarts. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow — same time, same place — with the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim