Hi, hey, hello, it’s Thursday, friend! By the time you read this, Hurricane Milton will be causing damage across Florida. Prayers up for all in the storm’s path. 🙏🏻

✅ One of the best Apple safety features is satellite texting, which lets you send an emergency message when there’s no signal. It works on iPhone 14, 15 and 16 models. The option will pop up if you're out of cell range. Follow the on-screen directions to find the best connection. Open spaces with a clear view of the sky work best.

Now, if you’re in the storm’s path, let me know what tech you’ve been using and/or how you’re doing. You can send me a voice memo (here’s how on Apple and on Android) to podcasts@komando.com. Be sure to give your name and city. You can also drop me a note here. — Kim

23andMe is going down like a sinking ship, and CEO Anne Wojcicki is waffling on whether to sell. You know what else would be up for sale if she did? The DNA of 23andMe's 15 million customers.

If you’ve used the genetic testing service, you have every right to be concerned. Depending on who buys it, your genetic information could be used in a whole new way. Here's the latest on what's happening and how you can protect yourself.

Why is 23andMe crashing and burning?

When the human genome hype first hit the scene, it came with the promise of personalized health plans meant for your specific needs. The problem is most diseases can't be narrowed down to a single gene, so DNA data isn't really all that helpful. Womp, womp.

The other big concern, of course, is privacy (paywall link). Unlike your doctor's office, 23andMe isn't bound by HIPAA, which keeps health information protected. Their privacy policy clearly states they have the right to sell off customer information in a merger or acquisition.

Yes, this is the major reason I’ve always cautioned against giving your DNA info to any company.

Right now, 23andMe makes you opt in if they want to use your data for advertising or research. If the company sells, the next one in charge is under no obligation to do the same.

Wojcicki and 23andMe have until Nov. 4 to raise the company's share price to $1. At the time of writing, it’s sitting at 30 cents … ouch. If they don't hit a buck, the stock will be delisted. A sale is absolutely on the table.

Who’d want to buy DNA data? I bet insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry would love to know our deep, dark genetic secrets. That’s a whole lot of info they can use for pricing and even more targeted ads.

Gene-ie in a bottle

If you've already handed your data over to 23andMe, the good news is you can delete it yourself before the storm hits. Here's how:

• Go to your account settings page.
• Find the Delete Your Data option under “23andMe Data.”

Pro tip: If you want a copy of your data, download it within your account settings before going through the deletion process. Once you submit your deletion request, 23andMe will send an email to the address linked to your 23andMe account.

Once you confirm your request, they'll start the deletion process. If you initially agreed to have your sample saved, it will also be physically destroyed. FYI: You’ll also lose access to your account. I’d consider that a good thing.

🤝 Now, say it with me: "I will not send my DNA to a company that wants to make money off it."

Your valuables, guns and money need to be locked up. Options? Yup, I’ve got ‘em.

• Amazon Basics’ steel safes use an electronic keypad. They’re highly rated and a good deal. The big one (1.8 cubic feet) is under $90 right now. A small option is $50.
• This looks like a normal frame on your wall but slides open to hide whatever you want. Just be aware it doesn’t lock.
• I haven’t tried it, but there are great reviews on this biometric gun safe (on sale for $56). You can use your fingerprint, PIN or a key to open it.
• This is a great option for important docs (26% off). It’s fire-rated for 30 minutes and holds 20 or more hanging folders.
• For fun, hide your stuff in one of these: A can (I like the ravioli and peaches), a fake wall outlet or a dictionary with a lock.

🚨 12 states and Washington, D.C., are suing TikTok: The lawsuit claims the Communist China app is purposefully loaded with things like infinite scrolling, push notifications and in-app currency to keep kids glued to their screens, leading to anxiety, a lack of sleep or worse. This is great, but where were they in 2018, when TikTok launched in the U.S.?

Don’t buy these Apple products now: I’m expecting to see new models of the MacBook Pro and Mac mini, along with an iMac with the powerful M4 chip, around Oct. 28 or Oct. 29. Plus, rumor has it an iPad mini 7 is on the way with a faster processor and upgraded camera.

🔄 Patch Tuesday: Microsoft just dropped fixes for 118 security flaws, including five zero-day vulnerabilities. These bugs let hackers bypass security features, execute malicious code remotely and take control of your system — all bad stuff. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates.

I couldn’t think of Ariel‑y good pun: Grocery chain Kroger is offering a free subscription to Disney+, Hulu or ESPN+ for members of their Boost loyalty program, which is $59 a year. Heads-up: Spectrum and DirecTV customers get Disney+ free, too.

🎾 Tennis takes balls: Wimbledon is replacing line judges with live AI electronic line calling to decide whether the ball is in or out. It’s already in play at big tournaments like the U.S. Open and Australian Open. My condolences to the 300 line judges out of a job. I’m going to miss the players throwing tantrums over the judges’ calls.

Forget shovels and brushes: Today’s archaeologists use cutting-edge tech to uncover ancient secrets. LiDAR sends laser pulses from drones or planes to map the ground and reveal entire lost cities hidden under forests. Advances in DNA sequencing now uncover shocking details about old bones and sacrificial practices. And AI is sifting through scrolls and deciphering text faster than ever. Sounds like a neat job!

✈️ It’s been over 10 years since Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared: Researchers have a new idea to solve the mystery — throw a Boeing 777 flaperon (part of the wing) strapped with sensors into the Indian Ocean. They’ll monitor how the flaperon moves in the sea and compare marine growth to what washed ashore from flight MH370. This guy told me he knows exactly where the wreckage is.

Yeah, I’m a health nut. I eat my veggies and egg whites, I love walking, and I even cut out my nightly glass of wine (most of the time). But some key nutrients are hard to get in the right amounts without high-quality supplements.

Magnesium Breakthrough from BIOptimizers combines all seven kinds of magnesium. One pill packs in all these benefits:

• Magnesium Malate: Can help with migraines, chronic pain and depression
• Magnesium Sucrosomial: Helps effectively produce energy
• Magnesium Taurate: Helps with heart function
• Magnesium Chelate:Important for muscle building, recovery and health
• Magnesium Citrate: Helps with the effects of obesity
• Magnesium Bisglycinate: Often used to treat upset stomach
• Magnesium Orotate: Helps with metabolic improvements

With Magnesium Breakthrough, maximize your sleep quality, manage stress more effectively, and provide your body with the building blocks for stronger bones and overall well-being. It has all-natural ingredients, and it’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and lactose‑free.

🕶️ Get “50 Smart Ways to Use AI” for free: All you have to do is refer my newsletter to one person. Grab your unique referral link at the bottom of this newsletter and share it however you please. Once your pal signs up, I’ll automatically send you my e‑book so you can jump to the next level with AI. Score!

⏸️ Cheapskate pro tip: When you’re out of town for an extended period, pause your internet and/or cable package. This is so much better than paying full price for those services when you’re not even using them. Get specific steps for your provider here.

Need a new computer? Knowing the minimum requirements for what you do helps. For using the internet and watching movies, a 1.3 GHz processor and 2GB to 4GB of RAM is fine. If you do anything more intensive, go for a 3.5 GHz processor and at least 8GB of RAM.

🤐 Keep it hush-hush: If you need a new Incognito or Private mode browsing window, press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (macOS). Firefox does this differently; here, swap the “N” for P. Keep in mind these modes don’t make what you do truly private; they just stop it from becoming part of your algorithm and saved searches.

👕 I’m so picky about my clothes and Barry’s: I like basics for both of us that we can dress up or down, that last, and don’t cost a ton. Bonus if I can throw ‘em in the washer. Quince has washable silk tops and $50 cashmere. Go to quince.com/kim for free shipping and 365-day returns.* They offer awesome men’s styles, too! Barry can’t stop wearing the shirts I got him for his birthday months ago.

The house is strapped down with concrete anchors in the ground. Hopefully, a thousand ratchet straps aren’t whipping around in 120 mph or higher winds. If I find a pic of what this house looks like after the storm, I’ll share it with you.

One last tech tip to leave you with. You’ll be glad you know this if you ever need it:

📍 If you’re lost, ask your phone. This is so handy if you’re on vacation or just get turned around. You’ll get your address and location on a map, which you can then share. Just say, "Hey, Siri/Google, where am I?" I used that on my trip to Japan a lot!

Thanks for being here, rockstar. My greeting to everyone I talk to today: “Ahhh, Oct. 10. Such a great day. 10/10!” I know you’re going to use that one. I’ll see you tomorrow with a tip I keep getting requests for. Until then, stay your awesome self. — Kim