Monday is here! And so am I, sharing tech smarts to make your life a little easier. Let’s do this!

⌛ Quick tip: Most programs make it pretty darn easy to find what you‘re looking for, even when you forget where the heck it is. Take MS Word, for example. Instead of looking everywhere for your document’s footer settings, click the search bar, type in “footer,” then choose Find. — Kim

When it comes to tech myths, I’ve heard ‘em all. That’s why I’m here — to help you keep a handle on what’s real and what’s not. For each of the myths below, I’ve got a step you can take to stay safe or a tech rule of thumb to live by.

Myth: Private browsing is totally private.

Fact: ISPs, advertisers and websites can still spot you. After all, the term “incognito” is rooted in the Latin incognitus, meaning “unknown.” Always log out from sensitive accounts and consider using a VPN for an extra layer of privacy.

Myth: The more megapixels, the better the camera.

Fact: Pixels are just part of the picture; today’s magazine cover photos are often shot with cameras under 20 megapixels! The pros know the software you use is just as important. Oh, and don't shoot in RAW unless you need to; the files take up so much room.

Myth: Macs are the Fort Knox of computers.

Fact: They're secure but not invincible. Macs get malware, too. Regularly update your software, and don't skip those security patches.

Myth: Deleting files means they’re gone forever.

Fact: With the right tools, files can resurface like digital zombies. That Recycle Bin on your desktop? It's more like a temporary holding zone. Use file-shredding software for sensitive documents to ensure they're truly deleted.

Myth: Charging your phone overnight kills its battery.

Fact: Modern phones are smarter than you might think. Lithium-ion batteries, found in most smartphones, have built-in circuits to prevent overcharging. Use manufacturer-approved chargers, though, to ensure safe and efficient charging.

Myth: Using a magnet near your computer could result in your PC’s instant death.

Fact: Today's solid-state drives (SSDs) aren't phased. This myth hearkens back to floppy disks, which could be wiped with magnets. Still, be cautious with strong magnets near older hard drives and your monitor.

Myth: "Free Wi‑Fi" is always safe.

Fact: It's a playground for snoopers. Use a VPN on public networks and never perform sensitive transactions on free Wi‑Fi.

Myth: More bars mean better phone service.

Fact: Bars measure signal strength, not quality. Sometimes, you may get clearer calls with fewer bars, as long as you’re on a less-crowded frequency. For consistent service, consider Wi‑Fi calling in areas with spotty reception.

Myth: Computers don't need rest.

Fact: They can get "tired," too. Restart your computer at least once a week to clear out temporary files and ensure smooth performance. For my trivia nerds, the infamous Windows blue screen was initially red.

Myth: You should always eject USBs before removing them.

Fact: While it's generally a safe practice, modern operating systems are a little more lenient. When transferring data, always eject first to prevent potential corruption. Btw, to plug a USB drive the right way every time, insert it with the logo facing up (or toward you, if it’s vertical).

🛌 Speaking of myths … Where does a myth buster sleep? In debunk bed. (Oh, that was a good one!)

Don’t you feel smarter? If you learned something new, pass this intel to a friend. Just use those share buttons below. You’re awesome!

🕵🏼 iProtect: A surprising move from Google, which makes billions selling online ads: A new Chrome feature masks your IP address. That code allows sites and services to track you across websites. Nice, but you can’t beat hiding your IP using a VPN, and my top pick is ExpressVPN.*

Beta be fun: Give Netflix’s new gaming library a spin. Log into the app on your smartphone to apply to the beta program. Then, try out an interactive story game called Oxenfree, a gem-mining arcade-style game called Molehew’s Mining Adventure and, of course, classics like Solitaire. Yes, you’ll need a Netflix account, and yes, this is part of justifying their latest price increase.

Caught on cam: Have you ever seen a Google Maps car rolling around your neighborhood? Maybe you just missed it. Check out this link to see where they’re currently mapping. Or head to Maps, enter your location, then click Street View. In the lower left, you’ll see a timestamp.

🍫 It was my last dollar: The vending machine ate your money. Oh, the disappointment. No wonder a video claiming there’s a secret number to type in to get your cash back is going viral. The guy behind it says to type in *5595ABC77* to open the machine. He ends with a classic CYA: “Don’t try this at home.”

About time: Certain characters are automatically converted into dates in Microsoft Excel. Take, for instance, the human gene called Membrane Associated Ring‑CH‑Type Finger 1. It’s abbreviated to “MARCH1,” which Excel not-so-helpfully swaps to "1‑Mar." No more! If you, like scientists, hate it, too, pop into your Excel settings and disable Convert continuous letters and numbers to a date. Yup, nothing like a geeky Excel tip to make a day complete!

Sound like a tech pro, even if you're not one. Try my award-winning, daily podcast. Search for my last name with "K" wherever you get your podcasts and "Go Komando!"

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🖨️ Give your printer some love: Soak a piece of paper with rubbing alcohol (not too much and leave the edges dry), and run that through your printer’s roller. It’ll clean it right up.

Calling Mr. Webster: Activate Word Wise on your Kindle to get brief definitions right above tricky words. Open your book, then tap the Aa menu. Select More, then Word Wise. Toggle it on.

When your pet does something cute: Don't waste time fumbling for your phone’s tiny capture button. On an iPhone or Android device, simply open your camera app, then press the volume up button to snap a photo quickly. Phew, got it!

💳 My shredder is so lonely: Stop all those preapproved credit cards and insurance offers coming to your physical mailbox with this site. You can halt all offers for five years or forever. I picked forever.

Rinse cycle: If you have a standard computer plastic keyboard that’s not wireless, throw it in the dishwasher. Don’t use any soap or heated setting. You want to rinse only. Give it a few days to totally dry out before using it.

Don’t lose all your photos, videos, documents and memories if yours bites the dust. You need to back things up the right way. My pick is IDrive.

It’s safe, fast and easy. You can back up all your devices — iPhone, Android, Mac, PC — to one account and access your stuff from anywhere.

❓ Have a question for me? Drop it right here, or leave me a voicemail at 602‑381‑8200 ext. 290.

Keeping up with all the little tasks that make life run smoothly is … a lot. Here’s one handy helper. CARFAX compiles your vehicle’s various records, including accident reports, service schedules and recall alerts. Pro tip: Don’t click “Get CARFAX Reports.” That will prompt you to pay for a complete vehicle report. Instead, click “Sign Up” in the top right corner and create an account.

Get started →

Now, even cars are dressing up for Halloween!

💪🏻 If you made it all the way down here, I appreciate you. And if I can help you with something digital in your life or business, drop me a note here. See you tomorrow with another issue of the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim