Hello to your back-to-work Tuesday, friend. What kind of music actually boosts your productivity? Science says it’s not your favorite songs or “deep focus” playlists, either. Music should have a moderate tempo, steady rhythm and zero lyrics. Lyrics distract your brain, even if you don’t realize it. At the end, I’ll share one music trick that’s been proven to boost your spatial IQ by up to nine points! You’ll be as busy as a Bieber.

🚀 We’re hiring! Join the Komando Team: We’re looking for talented, tech-savvy professionals! Exciting opportunities are available both in Phoenix and remotely. If you’re passionate about tech, digital media and making a real impact, check out our open positions and apply here. — Kim

Let’s start with the basics. Chrome extensions add extra features not built into Chrome, like ad blocking, translations and one-click full-page screenshots.

Just like apps on your phone, extensions request permissions to track what you do, see and share online. But many extensions get far more access than they need and collect data way beyond their intended purpose. And that’s when you’re at risk of identity theft, scams and data harvesting.

The tracking runs deep

The folks at Incogni analyzed 238 popular Chrome extensions that sell themselves as AI-powered. A staggering 67% of the extensions they reviewed collect user information.

On average, each one requests three shady permissions and 41% gather personally identifiable details like your name, address, email and other sensitive data.

What bad extensions do

I like to keep things simple, so rather than giving you programming know-how, here are a few examples of what bad Chrome extension permissions can do.

activeTab: You install a coupon extension that applies discount codes. But in the background, it could also read what you're typing into checkout forms, including your email and credit card details.

Scripting: A grammar-checking extension highlights mistakes as you type. But it could also modify webpages you visit, adding pop-ups, changing links or injecting malicious ads.

all_urls: A productivity extension claims to block distracting websites. But because it has access to all sites, it’s secretly logging your browsing history, even on your bank and email accounts.

webRequest: You install an ad blocker to remove annoying pop-ups. If it's shady, it’s capturing everything you do online, including login details and payment info, or rerouting you to fake sites.

These AI extensions are the worst

Al translator and writing assistant, developed by DeepL: It collects your “personal communications” like emails and chats (yikes!), location, web history, network info, and what you’ve interacted with on a website.

Al Grammar Checker & Paraphraser - LanguageTool, developed by LanguageTooler GmbH: This one collects your communications, too, plus payment info, your name and address, and your user activity. That’s everything from where your mouse went to what you typed.

Sider: ChatGPT Sidebar + GPT-40, Claude 3.5, Gemini 1.5 & Al Tools, developed by Vidline Inc.: It collects identifying info like your name and address, plus details about all the websites you visit.

But wait, there’s more

I’d remove these if you have them on your system, too.

• QuillBot: Al Writing and Grammar Checker Tool, developed by QuillBot
• Grammarly: Al Writing and Grammar Checker App, developed by Grammarly
• Monica - Your Al Copilot powered by ChatGPT4, developed by BUTTERFLY EFFECT PTE. LTD.
• ChatGPT for Google (it’s not the official ChatGPT but a rip-off), developed by BUTTERFLY EFFECT PTE. LTD.
• AIPRM for ChatGPT, developed by AIPRM, Corp.
• Superpowers for Chatgpt, developed by someone identified only by email address

‘Kim, how the heck do I check my extensions?’

Glad you asked. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon next to the URL bar, then hit Manage Extensions to review and delete any you don’t trust. In Safari, hit the Safari menu > Settings (or Preferences), then Extensions.

Here’s the real problem. Deleting shady extensions is just one piece of the puzzle. Your data is already out there, being bought and sold by data brokers, people-search sites, insurance companies, marketing outfits and scammers.

That’s where Incogni comes in. While these extensions make money off your private data, Incogni fights back, removing your info from the internet, data brokers and people-search sites automatically.

If you’re serious about protecting your privacy, don’t just clean up your browser. Clean up your entire digital footprint. It’s easy, it works, and it’s one of the smartest privacy moves you can make.

✅ Hit my link for 60% off. You’ll be glad you did. I sure am.

Little upgrades to make the day-to-day better.

• It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. This cocktail shaker ($10) has measurements on it so you don’t need to dirty another thing.
• Some bidets blast cold water. No, thanks. Snag one ($139) that lets you adjust the temp.
• Struggling to fasten your bracelets? Use a handy helper tool (23% off).
• Forget your old power strip. Get one with a flat plug (10% off) that doesn’t stick out behind furniture.
• A gel cushion ($45) goes a long way if your back hurts.

💡 Bright idea: LED lights keeping you up at night? Put some blocking stickers (20% off) on your tech so you catch those sweet z’s.

😨 AI can clone itself now?! Relax. Researchers insist it only happens when instructed by humans. For example, AI could be programmed to clone itself if it senses it’s about to shut down. It’s basically a survival instinct. This is getting pretty scary.

Chatbot war continues: Perplexity AI just dropped a deep research tool that gives you detailed reports about nearly anything in two to four minutes. Free users get five queries a day, while Pro subscribers ($20 per month) get 500. Want to test it out? It’s live here.

You’ve got 60 days to dispute bank fraud: A Denver woman’s SoFi account was drained of nearly $7,400 by scammers. The bank refused to reimburse her. She fought back and won. The takeaway? Act fast or they’re not liable.

I've tried so many password managers: I did a deep dive to find the best option on the market right now. My thoroughly tested recommendation and pick, NordPass, uses military-grade encryption. Hit my special link for 52% off.*

Are noise-canceling headphones bad for your brain? Scientists warn blocking out background noise 24/7 might train your brain to "forget" how to filter sounds naturally. This could lead to auditory processing disorder (APD). Share this with the kids in your life.

✈️ Traveling abroad? Starting Feb. 27, Uber is rolling out a Preferred Currency Pricing feature that quietly tacks on a 1.5% conversion fee. It keeps prices in your home currency, but you’re just paying extra. Here’s how to turn it off: Open the Uber app > Account > Wallet > Preferred Currency > No preferred currency.

Temu is planting seeds for something: A Texas man ordered a dog toy from China-owned Temu but received seeds instead. It’s the fifth suspicious package reported in the state. One was an invasive plant species. If you receive seeds in the mail, don’t throw them away or plant them. Report it to your state’s Department of Agriculture.

If shortcuts are wrong, I don’t wanna be copyright: Work with trademarks or intellectual property? On a Mac, press Option + G for the copyright symbol and Option + R for the registered trademark. For PCs, use Ctrl + Alt + C for © and Ctrl + Alt + R for ®.

🔕 Pause doorbell cam notifications: Good for when you’re hosting. In the Ring app, press Alerts Snooze > Snooze Duration > Start Snooze. For SimpliSafe cams, press and hold a notification, and snooze options will pop up. Easy!

Cancel what you’re not using: I use Rocket Money,* an app that finds all your recurring subscriptions and lets you easily cancel anything you don’t want. The first time I logged in, it saved me $360!

Fix this: About 40% of folks have had their info stolen after connecting to public Wi-Fi. iPhones automatically join networks. Open Settings > Wi-Fi > Auto-Join Hotspot. Choose from Automatic, Ask to Join or Never (my pick). Then, go back to Auto-Join Networks and turn it off.

🖼️ Rotate images on Google Docs: On a PC, hit Alt + right arrow or left arrow. On a Mac, it’s Option + left arrow or Option + an arrow key. Great for changing pics to horizontal or vertical.

The 007 package adds all the Bond favorites to the $485,000 Rezvani. It includes thermal night vision, electromagnetic pulse protection, a pepper spray dispenser, electrified door handles and gas masks. It’s an extra $45,000.

The Mozart Effect: Ever heard of it? Researchers found you get a brain boost for up to 15 minutes after listening to Mozart's sonata for two pianos (K448) for 10 minutes. Listen on Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube, smartypants.

😂 Mozart was an incredible musician. It's a shame he died baroque. Ba-dum‑tss!

Do yourself a favor. Privacy isn’t impossible, but it is harder to maintain these days. Incogni made a huge difference clearing my personal info off the web, and it can do the same for you. Hit this link to save 60%.

🎶 On that note, see you right back here tomorrow so you’ll always be tech-ahead and not left behind. — Kim