February 19, 2022

Tech advice you can trust™

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This week on my show

How to turn an old PC into a home media server

Do you have an old computer lying around? You can turn it into a home media server that holds all your movies, photos, music, and videos with the right free software. Luckily, a home media server is straightforward to set up. You just need a PC, a few other tools and a little ingenuity. We'll show you how.

Tap or click here to turn an old PC into a home media server. →

Smishing is spreading - How to spot it

Smishing is a serious threat you'll find on your phone. Luckily, we put together some strategies for recognizing and avoiding these malicious text messages. In this cybersecurity tip, you'll learn all about these phishing attacks, how to spot them and ways to defend yourself.

Tap or click to find out what smishing attacks are and how to avoid them. →

The perfect laptop, handpicked for you

Choosing new tech is stressful. That's why our genius IT team built a smart tool to help you out. Try our laptop selector quiz and find the perfect model for the next time you're ready to upgrade.

TAKE THE QUIZ →

🎧 AUDIO BRIEFING

AirTag arrest, hide your Facebook profile, celebrity meltdown

After months of stories about people using Apple's AirTags to stalk others and even steal cars, an arrest has been made. Plus, if you don't want to give up your Facebook account but you don't want others to find it so easily, Allie has a quick tip. And Matt has the scoop on the latest embarrassing celebrity meltdown.

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Video from the show

Chat: Making the move to smart appliances

Kim and Ben discuss moving from traditional appliances to smarter ones, including oven ranges, washer/dryer sets and yes, even a refrigerator with a touchscreen built into the door. Check out the video to find out the good, the bad and the annoying — like having to wait to make a cup of coffee because your brewer is updating its firmware.

WATCH NOW →

Kim answers your questions

Got a question for Kim? Email her here.

Do I need antivirus software?

I have Windows Defender enabled. Do I need more protection than that? I get your emails, and I see how sneaky hackers are now. I would hate to fall for something.

You're smart to ask, and you're on the right track. The more we rely on our devices for work, school and personal lives, the more we have to lose. I recommend you do get extra protection, and my recommendation is TotalAV.

TotalAV’s industry-leading security suite is easy to use and offers the best protection in the business. Not only do you get continuous protection from the latest threats, but its AI-driven Web Shield browser extension blocks dangerous websites automatically, and its Junk Cleaner can help quickly clear out your old files.

Right now, get an annual plan of TotalAV Internet Security for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price.

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 in 2021. 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.

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%.

Need a new printer? You'll love the Epson EcoTank

Does your printer have enough ink for another year of work reports and tax forms? If you print a lot or wish you could print a lot without worrying about ink, it’s important to have the right printer.

Epson is changing the game with its cartridge-free EcoTank printers that have supersized easy-to-fill ink tanks and come with a ridiculous amount of ink — enough to print thousands of pages! EcoTank makes it easy, so make the switch today.

Add EcoTank to your online shopping list at Target, Walmart and at Epson.com/EcoTankKim. →

Kim's weekly column & tech tip

Your email is being tracked – Learn the secret advertisers don’t want you to know

You're always tracked online, but you have more control than you know over what advertisers, hackers and scammers can get from you. In this column, I reveal the hidden way your emails are being watched — and steps you can take to stop this intrusive tracking.

Tap or click to take back your email privacy. →

You’re using your keyboard wrong — 7 smart keyboard shortcuts to save time

Some keyboard shortcuts are as ingrained in us as typing out words. In this tech tip, I'm not going to remind you how to copy and paste or print with just your keyboard. I've got a handful of new shortcuts you're probably not using yet that will save you time and effort. And they're fun party tricks to show off!

Tap or click for Kim's favorite keyboard shortcuts. →

WEEKEND JOKE

My husband blocked me on Facebook because I post too many bird puns ...

Well, toucan play at that game

I thought that was a pretty good joke. I feel like we all could use a good laugh right now. You know what else we all could use? To stay up to date on everything going on in the digital world. Why not sign up for one of my daily newsletters so you can keep your finger on the pulse of tech?

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