Sometimes you can make do with the cheap stuff when it comes to tech. But sometimes that'll come back to bite you. It takes a keen eye to separate the rip-offs from genuine bargains. In this Digital Life Hack, Kim has a list of tech to avoid and some genuinely good discount products that don’t skimp on security.

The internet was still in its infancy just a couple of decades ago. In those days it was much more complicated to connect and required the use of actual phone lines. Well, back in 2001 a small town in England joined forces with Microsoft to create the first internet bench. The reasoning seems pretty crazy.

Graphene is just a bunch of carbon atoms made into a lace-like structure. When you look at it under a microscope, it looks like little more than miniature chicken wire. But this stuff is some of the strongest material on earth. Up till now, it was excessively expensive to produce. Now, scientists are changing that. You won’t believe what they’re using to make graphene.

The future of building is here. In the past, it would take a team of men laying hundreds of bricks by hand to build a solid wall or home. But now, with this new bricklaying robot, it can be done in much less time.

Whether it's your phone, tablet or computer, a hacker with enough gumption and know-how can break in. Your best defense is knowing what to expect and the signs to look for. Here are some surefire ways to know if your system has been hacked, and what you can do to fix or prevent it.

You may have noticed that the USB charging cables we know and love, and were meant to unify different devices, have been changing. These basic plugs seem to be everywhere, but why can’t engineers agree on a standard? Well, the true history of this technology will surprise you.

Are you tired of weeding through the videos that seem interesting but end up being a disappointment? Stop wasting hours of your life searching YouTube feeds and follow my Kim Komando channel instead! I'll show the videos you actually want to watch and keep you up to date with the latest technology, news and those incredibly cute videos!

Stay up to date on the latest tech, news and digital lifestyle hacks, all from your phone or tablet. Join the 80,000 users who have downloaded the Komando.com App and get my best info at your fingertips, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Are you sick of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars each month on channels you never watch? Ready to save money and still watch your can’t-miss shows, sports, news and movies? It’s time to cut the cord or ditch the satellite dish. You’re probably not sure where to start, and that’s where I come in. In “How to Get Free HDTV and Cut the Cable,” I’ll walk you through how to say goodbye to your expensive cable subscription and still watch the shows you love. I’ll teach you about the different service options and help you find the hardware you need.

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