Wednesday, you’re here! Did you get my first Tech Alert yesterday? I only send them when something big happens in the tech world that impacts your cybersecurity. It was a roundup of the major data breaches that happened this week. Make sure you’re on the list for the next one.

⌛ Quick tip: Use a Windows PC? Create a folder with your favorite wallpapers or pics. Right-click on the desktop, choose Personalize and set the background to a Slideshow with the folder you created. Mac users, don’t feel left out; I have a sweet wallpaper freebie for you down below. — Kim

Think of cookies as the trail you leave behind when you’re online.

A first-party cookie is created and stored in your browser when you visit a website. It keeps things like your login info and shopping cart so you don’t have to fill them in each time. We like those.

But what about cookies companies use to track where you go and what you do online? Some even track you on websites other than the one you’re visiting. These are called third-party cookies. (I’d rather have a snickerdoodle, thanks.)

Blocking third-party cookies and tracking is one thing, but how about not being subjected to tracking methods to begin with? That’s where AdChoices and WebChoices come in.

Secret to blocking tracking cookies

AdChoices is a program from the Digital Advertising Alliance, a group of advertising and marketing companies that self-regulate to offer choices for targeted advertising. They do this so no one else steps in to do it, of course.

Next time you see an ad online, look for the small AdChoices icon. It looks like a blue triangle with a lowercase “i” in the middle. Click that to get information about the ad, change its settings and block it.

Within AdChoices is a pretty nifty tool called WebChoices. You can use this to opt out of receiving ads from many companies in one step.

I kicked out 144 different cookies

Your mileage may vary. Go to https://optout.aboutads.info. WebChoices will scan your browser and computer to find any first- and third-party cookies that are enabled, plus they’ll compile a list of companies creating targeted ads for you.

• After the status check is complete, click Continue.
• Look at the Customizing Ads on your Browser column to see which companies use targeted ads.
  • If it says Yes, you can opt out of that company by checking the box under the Opt-Out column.
  • You can also select everything by clicking Opt Out of All.
• After making your selection, click Submit Your Choices. (You can skip those steps by clicking “Opt Out of All” as a first step.)
• The website will process your selection, and you can click View Updated Results to see how it turned out.

The WebChoices tool works for your current browser, so be sure to run it for each browser you use. Wow, where else can you get these practical, useful tech tips?

One time, I ate too much cookie dough and got sick. I guess you could call it an overdoughs.

🖥️ Update your PC: The latest Windows 11 update, rolling out today, includes over 150 improvements. The biggest: Microsoft Copilot, which is essentially AI for your desktop. It can write emails, summarize long articles or web pages, take screenshots, adjust settings, and lots more. Hey, it sure beats Cortana. Look for a full tip from me soon on all the new W11 features.

Prime-nesia: Until Oct. 7, Prime members who upload photos to the Amazon Photos app for the first time will get a $15 credit. The gotcha: It's only good during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 10 and 11), and you have to spend it on Amazon-made products as part of a $30 or more order.

¡Hola, me llamo Kim! Spotify is testing AI to translate podcasts into different languages. The goal is more authentic audio than dubbing — and I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say there’ll be translation flubs along the way. Right now, it's being used with a handful of podcasters, including Dax Shepard and Lex Friedman.

Shadow-ban alert: X, formerly Twitter, now leaves no uncertainties when it comes to hiding your posts. If you’re shadow-banned, you'll see a notification a label’s been added to your account to reduce your reach. X says that goes for anyone posting graphic violent, sexual, hateful or other sensitive content.

🛃 Oman, I Kuwait to Rome around: Download the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry app for iOS or Android. Snap a selfie while in the security line, and you don't have to wait to do it at the kiosk when returning to the U.S. from another country. The catch: You must be registered with the Global Entry program, which costs $100 for five years.

Sound like a tech pro, even if you're not one. Try my award-winning, daily podcast. Search for my last name with "K" wherever you get your podcasts and "Go Komando!"

Listen to my podcast, Kim Komando Today, here.

“Show me photos of … ” Summon Siri or Google Assistant and you can say people’s names, objects, activities, dates, locations or a combo. Pro tip: You must identify everyone in your photo library to make it work to its full potential.

🖼️ Search trick: Use Google Image Search to find similar images by dragging and dropping a pic into the search bar. This can help identify objects, locations or people.

If I've said it once, I’ll say it again: You don't need a separate QR code reader. If your phone is anything close to new, just open your camera app, scan the code and click the URL that pops up.

Clean up your documents: An easy way to keep things nice and organized is to have different sections start on their own page. Instead of hitting enter over and over, try this: In a Word or Google document, place your cursor before the place you want text to break, then hit Ctrl + Enter (Windows) or Cmd + Enter (Mac).

🖱️ Mouse magic: Middle-click (click on the mouse wheel) on a link to open it in a new tab, or middle-click on an open tab to close it. Sweet!

Picking out a new computer is stressful, but you don’t have to go it alone. That’s where the pros at Dell come in, and right now, you can save up to $750.

If you’re shopping for your small business, side hustle, new venture, you name it, you can chat with a small-biz expert to get totally free advice on the right hardware. No obligation to buy, either.

❓ Have a question for me? Drop it right here, or leave me a voicemail at 602‑381‑8200 ext. 290.

Use a Mac? You can set up a dynamic wallpaper. Simply put, it shifts and changes over the course of a day. Think sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening. You can make your own — or download one from this site. Pro tip: Click the gray download button under a wallpaper, not one of the green buttons that pops up. Those are ads.

Download a new background here. →

I love aviation jokes, but they always seem to go over people’s heads.

Thanks for being here. Be sure to rate this newsletter using the thumbs-up (or thumbs-down) below, and let us know how we did in the comments. If you loved it, consider forwarding it to a friend and encourage them to sign up. Appreciate you! — Kim