Hey there, friend, it’s Friday! Let’s start this party with trivia. Before Netflix was Netflix, it had a placeholder name for paperwork: Kibble. When it was time to roll out the real thing, one name was not considered. Was it … A.) Quickflicks, B.) Directpix, C.) Replay or D.) Luna? Answer’s at the end!

🛑 Stop, in the name of malware! I talk about your internet security all the time because it matters. If your computer, tablet or phone is unprotected, you’re asking for trouble. TotalAV is $19 for the first year and keeps five of your devices safe against malware and other junk. FYI, if you buy, I don’t get any kickbacks! — Kim

Today’s topic isn’t the most exciting — you might call it downright boring. If you don’t care about damaging your computer and losing your work because of a power outage, keep scrolling for the tech news you need to know. You won’t hurt my feelings.

Oh, good, you’re still here! 👍

So, an uninterruptible power source (UPS) is one of those tech necessities you need, and I don’t want you to get the wrong one. Here’s the scoop on what to look for and how to choose the perfect one for your needs.

How does a UPS work?

If you’ve ever had your computer shut down mid-project or you’ve lost data because of a sudden power outage, you know just how annoying and dangerous that can be. A UPS is a backup battery, giving you precious time to save your work, shut down properly and protect your tech from harmful surges.

It’s plugged into the wall, quietly charging its internal battery while you go about your day. When the main power fails, the UPS takes over instantly. It also shields your computer from voltage spikes that could fry the hardware.

Features to consider

A few key things matter. Don't worry, I’ll keep the jargon minimal.

• Power capacity: Measured in volt-amperes (VA) and watts, this tells you how much equipment a UPS can support. Your UPS needs a higher wattage rating than the total wattage of the devices you're plugging in.
• Runtime: The higher the capacity, the longer the runtime. Most UPS devices give you 5 to 30 minutes. All you truly need is enough to shut down properly.
• Surge protection: The higher the joule rating, the better the protection. This is super important!
• Number of outlets: Some UPS devices are battery-backed; others provide only surge protection. Make sure your UPS has enough battery-backed outlets for your critical devices. Surge-only outlets are perfect for printers and other peripherals you don’t need to keep running.
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR): This keeps your voltage levels consistent, protecting your devices from high and low voltages without switching to battery power.

Choosing the right UPS

The most important step is calculating the total wattage of the devices you want to protect. Then, add a 10% to 20% buffer for future upgrades. If you’re a tech geek, you can find that in your device specs.

Don’t worry, I did the hard work for you. Below are my UPS recommendations, depending on your gear. These are all fair prices when it comes to protecting your expensive devices.

• Basic: 425VA/225W (22% off, $59); a great option for plugging in your modem and router so you keep the internet going for a few more minutes in an outage.
• For a computer: 600VA/300W ($80); get about 15 minutes of extra life for your desktop computer.
• Home theater protection: 900VA/480W (13% off, $126); you don’t have to worry about surges if you hook up everything to this. It filters the power for better-quality audio, too. No more humming!
• Top of the line: 1500VA/1000W (8% off, $220); ideal for two computers or a computer and other equipment.

Pro tip: Never hook up a laser printer or shredder to a UPS. They can draw way too much power and overload it.

💤 Phew, I hope I didn’t put you to sleep. A good UPS is like insurance. You might not think about it until you need it, but when you do, you’ll be glad it’s there.

The holiday season is almost here — and so is the wave of online threats that could leave you vulnerable. With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and a surge of holiday deals just around the corner, cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts to exploit online shoppers.

Think you’re safe while scrolling? Think again. Scammers are lurking everywhere, from fake websites that mimic your favorite stores to malicious ads and sketchy links that could steal your money in an instant.

Now's the time to protect your devices with reliable antivirus software before you get caught off-guard. I recommend TotalAV, which works behind the scenes to block threats before they reach you, securing your devices from the relentless stream of online dangers.

For just $19 for the first year, you can protect up to five devices. My exclusive deal gives you a massive 85% discount on TotalAV’s robust security. Don’t miss out on peace of mind while shopping this holiday season.

⚠️ Targeting older adults: A 76-year-old man was duped out of $740,000 by criminals pretending to be government officials (paywall link). He had trouble logging into his retirement account and received a message from the firm (complete with a legit logo), telling him to call the fraud department. He sent money via bitcoin, wire transfers and gold to “secure” places. PSA: Government agencies will never call and tell you to move your money.

ICYMI, check your email address: This month, hackers stole the sensitive info of 31 million Internet Archive users. Details are scarce so far, but we know they grabbed email addresses and encrypted passwords. Hackers left a message on the homepage: “See 31 million of you on HIBP,” aka Have I Been Pwned. Click this link to see if you’re on their list.

Of course they are: Streaming services and advertisers are suing to stop the FTC’s new click-to-cancel rule. Yep, that’s the rule that forces companies like Disney to make canceling subscriptions as easy as signing up. They call the rule “arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion,” which is just a fancy way to say, “We don’t want to make it easy for people to cancel.”

They have feelings, too: Being polite to a chatbot can get you better results. AI mimics human reactions, so if you’re rude, it might hit you with short or wrong answers. Next time, throw in a “please” and follow up with a “Great job” or “That’s perfect.”

🍖 I’m warning you again, just in case: BrucePac recalled 11.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products infected with Listeria. Many have been repackaged and resold through retailers like Amazon Fresh. Check your fridge and see if any of your food is on the updated contamination list.

Focus on the positive: Huge deposits of lithium have been found in Arkansas, and it could reshape the world’s energy future. The resource was in short supply, but estimates suggest there could be between 5 million and 19 million tons buried there. That’s enough to meet the projected global demand for lithium car batteries nine times over.

🏥 Hope she’s OK: Celebrity chef Rachael Ray posted an Instagram video in which she was slurring her words. It racked up hundreds of thousands of views, and internet “doctors” speculated a stroke, alcoholism or worse. On a recent podcast, Ray said she’d suffered “a couple of bad falls” but no other details.

Six months: That’s how long Ford’s CEO has been driving a Xiaomi electric vehicle. Is that a new Ford model? Nope. Xiaomi is a Chinese-owned electronics company. The Ford CEO previously called China's auto industry an "existential threat.” I guess he got over that.

🧘 A day at the spa or a hotel is here and gone. Invest in some goodies that make the everyday a little nicer.

• Slip into fresh sheets. These are crazy popular, cooling, extra soft and on sale right now (31% off, $34.97).
• A bed better than a hotel needs big, fluffy, queen-sized pillows (41% off, $47.49).
• Gals and guys, no one wants stringy, dry hair. This hair mask is affordable and so easy to use (22% off, $7.40).
• While you’re in the shower, make your skin soft again with an exfoliating mitt (33% off, $9.99).
• Homemade soup is better than canned, and a veggie chopper makes it easy to get a pot going (40% off, $29.97).
• After a long day, put on Dr. Scholl’s warming foot booties. They’re like giving your tootsies an Epsom salt bath without filling the tub (3 pairs for 5% off, $12.35).

Check your permissions: Certain websites may have access to your webcam and microphone. To check in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox, click the icon to the left of the address bar. In Safari on a Mac, open the Safari menu and pick Settings for ...

🎶 Update your AirPods: Too many models to list just got a firmware update. Apple says your AirPods will update when they connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth. To make sure, charge ‘em both for 30 minutes.

For customers aged 55 and up, T‑Mobile offers an unbeatable deal: Two lines of talk, text and data for just $30 a month per line. That's a whopping 45% savings compared to other providers! Visit T‑Mobile.com/55 or stop by your local store to switch and save today!*

📚 If you read on a Kindle: Install the Kindle app on your phone, too. It syncs directly with your reading progress on your e-reader, so you can get through a few pages even when your Kindle isn't with you. Use these links for iPhone and Android.

Take a break: By default, YouTube will load a new video for you to watch after the one you’re viewing ends. The setting to change it isn't very easy to spot. It's the small toggle switch down in the right corner. You’re welcome. ⭐️ Oh, and be a pal — click this link to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I’m so close to hitting 100,000 subscribers, and every click matters a ton!

This “doorway” in Antarctica was spotted on Google Maps, and conspiracy theorists have plenty of wacky ideas about it.

The answer: A.) Quickflicks. I made that one up. Imagine if “Netflix and chill” was “Replay and chill.” Doesn’t have the same ring to it!

🤣 Watching TV is a nightmare nowadays, what with all the violence, fighting, cursing and swearing — and that's just to get the remote!

One last bit of wisdom: Cybercriminals are just too good for you to spot all their tricks. You need software that does the job for you. Check out TotalAV before it’s too late. See you back here tomorrow at the same time, same place. Hit the ratings below to let me how we’re doing! — Kim