Monday is upon us, friend! Let’s start things with our daily tech fun fact. This is for you if you’re sitting there daydreaming of a trip abroad. How much does the most expensive Airbnb in France cost during a week in July? Per night, is it … A.) $5,281, B.) $12,294, C.) $17,299 or D.) $27,586? Answer at the end, as always!

🛑 Stop in the name of malware! Hey, you. I talk about it all the time because it matters. If your computer or phone is unprotected, you’re asking for trouble. TotalAV is affordable and keeps five of your devices safe against malware and other junk. FYI, if you buy, I don’t get any kickbacks! Now, get ready for a tech know-how download. — Kim

The airports? Crazy. The weather? Unpredictable. Travel is tough enough. But the FBI threw a wrinkle in the sheets with a warning to avoid public phone charging stations. It crossed my desk, so I figured you heard about it, too.

Those charging kiosks in airports, hotels and malls can be big timesavers, especially for a family on the move. Their owners promise they’re safe. The government disagrees — and so do I. Groan, I know.

Welcome to the newest phase of juice jacking. The phenomenon has been around for more than 10 years. Hackers use public phone charging to upload malware to your devices. Then, they ransom your phone or steal your passwords. Super duper.

Have no fear. When your batteries hit the low-low point in your travels, just follow these Komandon’ts (never gets old), and your family will stay virus-free in busy places!

Don’t use public USBs – just outlets

Fortunately, actual cases of juice-jacking are rare or nonexistent in America. But they can happen through USB connections. How can you avoid malware? If a kiosk has actual power outlets to charge your phone with your own adapter, there’s no fear of hacking. Sweet!

For 100% protection, stay away from USB ports of any size, especially when traveling overseas. While USB standards are international, foreign hackers can target popular hotel room USB ports to steal data, even if you’re not using a kiosk.

Don’t use a cable at all

Keep up with the Komandonians and use wireless charging pads instead of USBs when possible. More and more public kiosks are using wireless charging. This method doesn't exchange data directly with your phone, so it's virus-free by default. Score.

Don’t use a data cable

If you’re desperate for juice, you can use a USB connection safely … with the right cable. Pack a charge-only cable for your trip. They're cheap, compact and don't allow for data transfer. Come to think of it, that's more of a Komando. (Sorry, I know.)

Don’t choose the ‘trust’ option

Newer phones are smart enough to be wary of an unknown USB connection. (Some humans could learn a thing or two). They'll ask if you want to "trust this device" or "share data."

Always say “No” to these options when traveling! Both allow data communication between your phone and the charging hardware, which may have implanted malware. Choose the "charge-only option." If that's not available, keep walkin'.

FYI: This works with most phones a few years old or newer. It may not offer the choice if you have a particularly old phone.

Don’t forget your external battery

They're slim and durable, and you'll never regret packing one. Drop your external battery into a suitcase side pocket or laptop bag and keep it close. Just remember to charge it back up when you stop at a hotel or airport, and you're good to go.

Going on a big trip? I really, really suggest checking out my recommendations for international charging adapters before you leave, as well as my travel prep cheat sheet. Now you’re ready to travel in style and stay safe!

Your computer and your phone are under attack. I’m not being dramatic! The tallies aren’t done yet, but cybercrime losses for 2023 alone are predicted to be around $8 trillion worldwide.

That’s why I make sure all my devices are protected, and you should, too. “Kim, can I just use a free option?” At best, they’re not enough. At worst, those companies are stealing your info.

I negotiated a special deal for you: Award-winning antivirus protection on up to five devices for just $19 for the first year. It works with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS — 100% compatibility across all your devices. Btw, if you buy, I don’t get any kickbacks or residuals.

🚨 Beware, X users: Hackers are targeting accounts with gold and grey verified checkmarks for crypto scams. Just ask Google-owned Mandiant security firm or Canadian senator Amina Gerba — their accounts got hit. Time to double-check your security settings, especially your connected apps and sessions, to make sure no one else is logged in. Oh, and maybe ditch that old account.

⚠️ Google account alert: Bad guys are hijacking accounts using an exploit called MultiLogin. A long, complicated story made short, they use expired cookies to sneak into accounts. To stay safe, Google recommends logging out of your browsers, frequently updating your account password, turning on Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome and using trustworthy antivirus software. I recommend TotalAV. Told ya that’s important.

Surprise lifesaver: During a blackout in Australia, Kristy Holmes's BYD-brand electric car was an unexpected hero. It powered her son Levi's dialysis machine, crucial to his kidney condition. The car's "vehicle to load" feature kept the machine running all night.

Big leap for tiny lives: Scientists are on the brink of trialing an artificial uterus. After 300 successful tests with preterm lambs, the technology shows huge promise for helping tiny lungs grow. It’s meant to help babies 28 weeks or earlier continue developing once they’re born. Hopefully, that’s all an artificial uterus will be used for in the future.

👚 Don’t be clothes minded: Next time you chat with the young'uns in your fam, drop this juicy news — "Digital wardrobe tracking is all the rage now!" Folks are tallying up their clothes and turning their closets into spreadsheets to track their costs per wear. It's all about wearing what you've got and dodging fast fashion.

Fight Parkinson’s: Sergey Brin of Google’s $1.3 billion donation is funding the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative, which aims to create treatments that slow the disease’s progression and develop early detection tests. It’s a glimmer of hope for the 8.5 million affected worldwide.

👑 Hunka-hunka digital love: "Elvis Evolution," an AI holographic show, is coming to London. Layered Reality is bringing the King to life with a life-sized Elvis performing his iconic hits. After London, it's set to tour Vegas, Berlin and Tokyo. They are going to make so much money.

Keeping it lit: GE's new $999 smart indoor smoker turns your kitchen into a BBQ joint. It uses Active Smoke Filtration to make your place smell like a rib shack, minus the smoke. Remote control via an app? Check. Smoke and Hold features for 24-hour warm food? Check. Affordable? Ahem, no.

Pop quiz! Picture this: Side by side in the garage, a shiny, new car fresh from the showroom and your trusty, old car. Which do you think a thief would swipe? Yep, the older one.

New vehicles are loaded with security features like immobilizers and alarms. Your vintage ride? It’s easy pickings.

• Go old-school: Get a steering wheel lock — yes, the very same thing your grandpa swore by.
• Ring the alarm: Outfit an older car with a decent alarm system. The sound can send those crooks running for the hills. This popular one is only $52.
• Etch it out: This one's clever. Get your VIN etched onto expensive car parts, like your catalytic converter. Police departments are starting to do this for free, so call yours.
• Secret tracker: Hide an AirTag or Tile tracker in your car. Pro tip: Tape it in the engine bay — It’s hard to find anything in there.

🛞 I finally made a table out of my old car tires. It took a Goodyear or two.

Who thought this was a good idea? Anyone with the Venmo app can see all your contacts unless you change your settings. Creepy, right? Go to Privacy settings > Friends list > Private. While you’re there, turn off Appear in other users’ friends’ lists.

⌨️ Pew-pew: Improve your typing with this fun browser game. (Sound on for explosion noises.) Pro tip: Don’t click all those Start buttons on the side. Those are ads. Choose New Game in the middle. Good luck!

Crying face: On Windows, press the Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji picker and insert emojis easily. On Mac, press Ctrl + Cmd + spacebar to select emojis. Or do what I do and copy the emoji from the texting app on your phone!

⏲️ Your time matters: Before you start a book, show or movie, see how many hours you’re locking yourself in for. For books, use How Long to Read. It has times for millions of books. For movies, try BingeClock, and for TV show times, head to Tiii.me.

Stealth mode: You can hide your number all the time when you make calls. On an iPhone, tap Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Toggle it Off. On Android, the option is called Hide Number.

There’s enough annoying stuff in the day-to-day. Let’s knock out a few of them so you can focus on what matters.

• You scrub and scrub surfaces and they're still dirty. This drill brush attachment does all the hard work for you.
• When twisting the lid off the pickle jar is a real struggle, try this grip jar opener to win the battle. It mounts under a cabinet, so it takes up no space.
• Does your dog get nervous or too excited in the car? This seatbelt tether keeps your pooch safe so you can focus on the road.
• Every time you need brown sugar for Grandma's cookie recipe, it’s rock hard. Never again! This fired clay bear maintains its moisture.
• Love my dog, but boy, does she shed. Rubber brooms attract fur like a magnet to remove it from carpets, rugs, hardwood and linoleum.

Did someone ring the dinner bell?

The answer: D.) $27,586. Yep, that’s per night. The secluded home in the hills of Cannes has 12 bedrooms. Load it up with you and 23 relatives, and that’s $1,149.42 each. Of course, a week with 23 relatives might drive you to drink double that amount.

And with that, we’re done! Be sure to check out TotalAV if your phone, computer, laptop or whatever isn’t protected from malware and viruses. These can strike at any time, and trust me when I say they’re easy to fall for. I’ll see you back here tomorrow at the same time, same place, with the best newsletter in the USA! — Kim