November 5, 2022

Tech advice you can trust™

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This week on my show

Delete these apps to keep your phone fast and safe

No matter which phone you purchase, it'll come with built-in apps you never use. Then there are the apps you downloaded that have fallen out of favor. There's also bloatware that's designed to get your business and information. Deleting these apps will free up space and speed up your smartphone. We'll show you how to do it.

Tap or click here to get your phone running smoothly. →

If you're over 50, do these 3 things on your phone

Some tech-savvy seniors are great at managing their smartphones. Others have understandable struggles. If you ever have trouble with your smartphone, we're here to help. Use this guide to feel more confident with technology. You may discover a few valuable tricks!

Tap or click here for three phone tricks all seniors should know. →

BUSINESS SMARTS

When you own your own business, you're the CEO, the marketer, the IT person and the data analyst. Don't go it alone. Get Kim's must-read small biz tips every week.

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🎧 AUDIO BRIEFING

Update Chrome now, cash-saving travel tips, stop your boss from spying

Got a trip coming up? These are the best days to book a flight. Plus, update Google Chrome now if you have a Mac, why people are trying to get out of work, how to know if your boss is spying on you, use your PC's step recorder feature and Amazon review tips.

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Video from the web

How to make a planet out of dark matter

Over the last three decades, astronomers have cataloged some pretty strange worlds outside our solar system. There's a planet that is essentially ripped apart every day by a close star and a planet that's a deep shade of pink. But can a planet be made entirely of elusive dark matter? Scientists think it might be possible and they even know how to search for one.

WATCH NOW →

Kim answers your questions

Got a question for Kim? Email her here.

Expensive car troubles

I heard you talking about vehicle protection. I have two teenagers, and my wife and I each have our own cars. If someone's car has a big problem — or if more than one of us does — I don't know how we'll afford it. Do you recommend this for us?

The stress of seeing that check engine light come on is real, and that only gets worse with lots of drivers under one roof. When something breaks, it could cost a fortune. That’s where CarShield comes in. They offer customizable and flexible payment plans with no long-term contracts — plus, you can choose your favorite mechanic or dealership to do the work. They also offer complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance and a rental car while yours is being fixed. I LOVE CarShield. They recently took care of a huge repair bill on my Mother's old car.

Call 800-CAR-6000 and mention code KIM, or visit CarShield.com and use code KIM to save 10%.

Finding reliable pros

What's a safe way to find someone to work on a project at my house? I heard you mention an app you like. I don't want to waste money on bad work.

You've come to the right place. Spotting scams is harder than ever, and you can't trust Google results or many of the apps and sites out there that list home pros.

I've been using Angi, a sponsor of my national radio show, and I can't get over how easy it is to find the right person for any projects. You can search through thousands of qualified pros right there in the app and read through real reviews left by real users. I used it to find a new landscaper, and I couldn't be happier.

To try it yourself, download the Angi app.

Download for Apple iOS here.

Download for Android here.

Is cloud backup safe?

We used to do a lot of file backup online but with all of the hacks and ransomware, we're trying to figure out the best way to back up personal and business files. Any suggestions?

Cloud backup is still the way to go. You just need to make sure you're using a safe, reliable company to get the job done. My pick is IDrive. Your data is encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption on transfer and storage. You can set your privacy to the highest level by creating a private key for your account during signup. That means no one but you will have access to your data.

For personal storage, you can get 5 TB of storage a year for just a few bucks. Get your exclusive discount at IDrive.com and use promo code Kim at checkout.

Stop letting Yahoo and Gmail read your email

I don’t trust Big Tech and you shouldn’t, either. You’ve heard me say for years that free email services like Gmail or Yahoo aren’t really free. There’s a big price to pay — your privacy. These free email sites scan, analyze and save details of every email you send and receive, giving Big Tech a very intimate and detailed profile of you so they can easily sell your data to the highest bidder.

That’s why I use StartMail. With StartMail, I can send encrypted emails with one click, even if the recipient doesn’t use encryption. And StartMail never scans or analyzes your emails. Best of all, when you delete an email, it’s gone — forever.

Don’t trust Big Tech with your data and privacy. Go to startmail.com/kim today for a seven-day free trial and 50% off your first year. →

Kim's weekly column & tech tip

Remove these 5 dangerous tech gadgets in your home NOW

Our homes are full of smart this and smart that — and you might not realize when something turns from helpful to dangerous. In my latest column, five things you probably have sitting around that could put you and your family in danger.

Tap or click for a cleanup everyone should do. →

5 signs you need a new laptop

You've been using the same laptop for years, and it's just not the machine it used to be. Cleaning up your files and clearing out the junk can help, but there are some surefire signs it's time to retire your computer and upgrade to a new model. One sure giveaway? It's always running hot.

Tap or click for Kim's advice on when to upgrade. →