Hello and happy techno Tuesday, my friend! I’ve got a riddle for you today that’s stumping people on social media. Ready? I have keys but no locks and no rooms. You can enter, but you cannot go outside. What am I? Make a guess now, and you’ll find the answer at the end.

💪 Have you ever wondered why some emails reach you effortlessly while others seem to vanish? It's Big Tech's algorithms filtering what you see and don't see. But today, you have the power to change that. Simply reply to this email, and my messages will always make their way to you, uninterrupted. Even a simple "Yes, I got it" or "Hello" will make a dent. Your help is crucial. Thank you! — Kim

When I have a question now, whether it’s finding a recipe or doing math, I’m using AI a lot more than doing a good ol’ Google Search. My go-to is ChatGPT, but Perplexity is useful, too. I often ask both AI bots the same question as a way to double-check things. Google Gemini is a big “meh” to me so far.

There are things Google Search works better than AI for — say, finding a software download, a customer service number or your doctor’s website. Keep in mind that cybercriminals and hackers are also using AI to up their game. You might not think twice about clicking a Google Search result, and cybercriminals know that. I don’t want you to become a victim.

Be careful where you click

Google doesn’t vet everyone who buys an ad. Cybercrooks have a long history of hiding nasty malware in Google Ads, and they're getting really good at SEO, driving up their malicious search results to the top.

We’re talking about everything from bogus Amazon ads to fake tech support numbers. Doctors, clinics and hospitals are a major target, too. Yep, you could end up with malware just by searching Google for your doctor’s name so you can grab the address.

Any site with a ton of traffic is risky. Think YouTube, Facebook, Target and Walmart. Those are just a few companies attackers use to get you to click on their malicious results.

How to protect yourself

With more tools than ever at their disposal, scammers are good at writing things that can trick anyone. Outsmart these jerks.

• Don’t click on sponsored links or advertising when Googling something.
• Type all web addresses directly into your browser so you know you’re going to the official or legitimate site.
• Before clicking any link, hover your cursor over it to see where it goes. Does the URL look off? Don’t click it.
• Look for extras in the URL, like “USA” added to the end. For instance, instead of target.com, scammers might send you to targetusa.com. This is an easy way to make a fake version of a site you’d otherwise trust.

Browser settings to enhance your security

These simple, quick changes can help protect you.

On Chrome:

• Enable pop-up blockers: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and choose Don’t allow.
• Enable safe browsing: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Security and select Enhanced protection.
• Disable Flash: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > JavaScript, and set it to Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript.

On Safari:

• Enable pop-up blockers: Go to Safari > Settings. A box will pop up. Select Websites > Pop-up Windows on the left, and set it to Block and Notify.
• Enable fraudulent website warning: Go to Safari > Settings > Security, and check the box for Warn when visiting a fraudulent website.
• Disable Java: Go to Safari > Settings > Security, and uncheck the box for Enable JavaScript.

Want to make sure you’re protected? Antivirus software is your friend.

🎸 Watch out for a new text messaging scam. It says you won $500 or VIP tickets to the Elvis show in Las Vegas. You’ll need to press “1” for the money or “2” for the show. (Good one, right?)

The days of easy virus detection are long gone. It’s not about sticking to “safe” sites anymore — malware can even pop up at the top of your Google search results. That’s why you need a trusted antivirus solution on your side.

I’m not talking about free options you can find in the app store, by the way. At best, they aren’t good enough to keep up with today’s threats. At worst, they’re stealing your info or even planting malicious software.

I use and trust TotalAV. You get total protection on five devices — and it’s only $1.59 a month for the first year. Amazing deal that I negotiated just for you!

🐷 He got butchered: A 75-year-old Midwestern man is broke after giving $715,000 to a sly romance scammer. It started with a LinkedIn message but quickly turned into a classic “pig-butchering” scheme. The crook promised huge returns on investments. Hit this link to read the texts between the man and his fraudster. So very sad and so very avoidable.

Heads up, Verizon users: A weird glitch in Android messaging apps is causing photos to come through blurry. The issue only pops up when multiple images are sent in a single message. Sending them individually seems to bypass the problem. Why? It’s a mystery. In the meantime, make sure your apps are up to date, and hang tight for a fix.

News from X: This is what happens when you buy a company for $44 billion that’s now worth $12 billion — advertisers leave and no one wants to pay $8 a month for a dumb blue checkmark. X is now officially open to adult content, whether it's AI-generated, photographic or animated. The rules? It must be “consensually produced and distributed,” labeled, and kept out of profile pics and banners. Maybe they’ll change the name to “XXX.”

⚠️ Toyota and Lexus recall: Over 100,000 Tundra trucks and Lexus cars (model years 2022 and 2023) are crash risks. Dangerous machine debris might've been left in the engines. Toyota will reach out to owners by the end of July, or you can be proactive and pop your registration number into this dedicated page. Yup, it’s a double on Tundra.

The phone call etiquette battle: More and more folks insist on a “text-me-first” rule. The two sides (WSJ, paywall link): 1.) “Cold” calls are too intrusive, so text first, and 2.) Calling without a text first is totally fine. I always text before calling. I never leave a voicemail, either.

🙏 Faith palm: Meet Carlo Acutis, a British-born teen who might be the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. Known as "God's Influencer," he preached online before dying at 15 of leukemia. Now, he's recognized for miracles and resting in a glass tomb in Assisi, drawing pilgrims from around the globe.

Hard pass: Zoom CEO Eric Yuan wants to bring AI clones to the platform. "Digital twins" will attend meetings on your behalf and even make decisions, freeing up your schedule and maybe leading to shorter workweeks. Uh, no. Digital Kim is not making decisions for Real Kim.

🛸 This is far out: In Haywood County, North Carolina, a man found a strange three-foot object on a remote trail. He thinks it might be from outer space. It has burnt carbon fiber dotting the surface, heavy-duty metal plates, and it’s held together with thick bolts. It was so heavy that he had to move it with a lawnmower. What do you think it is?

🤝 I want to be your helper and mentor: I’ve been around tech forever. My business has thrived for over 20 years without any debt or investors, and I continue to innovate or else I might evaporate. I’m a mom and have been a caregiver. If you have an issue, problem or question about your life or business, I would love to help you out. Ask me your questions here on my site. I read every single note.

Ad overload, begone: Ads are now baked into the Windows 11 Start menu, but you can disable that. Hit Start > Settings > Personalization. Choose Start, then uncheck the option to show recommendations. Done!

Oh, carp: You now have 15 minutes to edit DMs on Instagram. Fix your embarrassing typo by pressing and holding the message, then tapping Edit. You can unsend from here, too.

Shortcut your hiring process: Stop sorting through resumes that don’t fit your open position. LinkedIn is the best at doing it for you. I’ve had great success finding really wonderful, hardworking people there. Post a job for free right now using my link.*

Check your WhatsApp account: Open the chat app, then hit Settings > Linked devices for a list of every device where your account is in use. If you see a device that doesn't belong to you, someone else has access. Log out of all devices, then change your password ASAP.

✋ Get with the program: Starting next week, Google will disable access to Chrome browser extensions built using outdated code. If your installed extensions don’t use the latest standard, Manifest V3, you’ll see a pop-up notification in your browser. You can choose to delete or upgrade to the latest version in the Chrome Web Store.

June 16 is coming up fast! If the dad in your life is a golfer, I found fore great deals for him (OK, actually five).

• A tool for sharpening the grooves in his wedges and irons (25% off, $5.99), in case that’s what’s been keeping him from greatness.
• A little putting set for the bathroom (28% off, $17.99) is good for a laugh, and I bet he’ll use it, too.
• A golf ball picker-upper ($6.99) that affixes to the top of his putter. After he sinks the putt, he just has to flip his club to pick up the ball. Back saver.
• An ice mold ($8.99) that makes golf-ball-shaped ice for his post-round par‑ty.
• A phone holder ($14.97) that attaches to his golf cart or bag so he can record his game. The real present is acting interested when he shows you the footage.

An absolute cat-astrophe.

The answer: A keyboard! By the way, a standard QWERTY keyboard usually has about 104 keys. The other day, I got so mad at my computer, I threw the keyboard. The Shift hit the fan.

🙀 One for the road: This morning, I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought the cat could understand her. I went inside and told my dog, Abby. We laughed a lot.

Hit the ratings below to let me know how I’m doing. Knowledge is power! I’ll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another issue of the best tech newsletter in the world. Until then, bask in your new, confident tech smarts. — Kim