Hey there, friend. It’s Thursday and I’ve got a heck of a lot to share. Let’s kick things off with a trick question. Which tech company stores the most information on the internet? Is it … A.) Amazon, B.) Facebook, C.) Google or D.) Wikipedia? The answer’s at the end.

😳 Just a few bucks: Anyone who wants it can buy your personal information online. Data brokers sell everything from your address to your Social Security number. Enter Incogni. They scrub your personal info from the web. I’m glad I signed up and you will be, too. — Kim

Not one of those "new phone every year" kind of folks? Hey, I don't blame you! We're all trying to save a buck or two.

But there’s a line. Using end-of-life (EOL) tech (aka hardware or software that’s no longer updated by the manufacturer) can leave you vulnerable to cyberattacks. Let’s run through what that includes.

Old operating systems

Your nine-year-old laptop might still work, but when operating systems go unsupported, you stop getting essential security updates and patches.

• If you have a PC: Windows 11 is your safest bet. Windows 7 is no longer covered; some versions of Windows 10 are supported until 2025.
• If you have a Mac running on macOS Big Sur: Time to upgrade. If yours is a 2016 Mac, upgrade to Monterrey. For 2017 Macs, use Ventura. Macs from 2018 and beyond get the latest macOS, Sonoma. To check what you’re running, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Is your Mac or PC 10 years old? You might not be able to upgrade to a supported OS, so it’s time to shell out for a new one.

Outdated routers

Routers with outdated firmware not only perform at slower speeds, but the old tech makes them a prime target for network attacks. 👍 Rule of thumb: Replace your router at least every five years. Solid options here.

If you have Adobe Flash …

Get rid of it. Adobe stopped supporting its Flash Player in 2020. Download the uninstaller for Flash Player (Windows, Mac), run it, and restart your computer.

Old Apple and Android devices

For the most part, Apple supports older phones longer than Android.

• iPhone: If you're still using an iPhone XS, you can download and run the latest operating system, iOS 17. iPhones 8 and older are out of luck. Check under Settings > General > Software Update.
• Android: No more support for the Google Pixel 4a, and the 5a gets cut in August! Head to Settings > System > Software Update for the latest.

There are way more unsupported programs and devices than I can list here. For a full list of tech in its twilight years, head to endoflife.date. It’s a fast and easy way to check your everyday gear.

🍎 Did you know the oldest computer can be traced back to Adam and Eve? It was an Apple with extremely limited memory. Just 1 byte and then everything crashed. (Oh, I just laughed while writing that!)

As many as 7.5 million people are cyberstalked every year. These creeps can easily find your info online and use it to harass you however they want. I hear from stalking victims all the time, and the person responsible is often experienced when it comes to tech.

If it’s a stranger harassing you online, that’s one thing. But it gets even worse if they find your address and get to you in person. That’s why I use and trust Incogni. They know where to find my information all across the web and wipe it out for me.

They can do the same for you! It’s so easy to set up and use Incogni. I love that all you have to do is create a profile, and then they get to work on your behalf.

🚨 Have an iPhone or Mac? Apple is warning about a big uptick in phishing scams. Crooks are using sly tactics to get your personal details, most commonly with phony texts, pop-up ads and convincing calls. Protect yourself: Make sure URLs match the company site (apple.com), never give out your password, and enable two-factor authentification (2FA).

Sad reality: Thieves are stripping copper and other metals from streetlights, statues and even gravestones. They sell it to recyclers for anything from a couple of bucks to a few hundred dollars. The worst part? People are dying because of it; missing streetlights mean more accidents.

Ticket heist: Cybercriminals are selling fake tickets online for the upcoming Paris Olympics. It’s a large-scale effort with over 700 fake domains. Telltale signs? Spelling and grammar mistakes and super inflated prices. Stick to the official sales platform.

🔪 Deadly affair: A 53-year-old sugar daddy was murdered in his Washington, D.C., apartment. In the attack, his right thumb was cut off. The severed thumb was used to access a cash app and buy liquor and drugs. Horrifying. The suspected culprits? Two women, one of whom was his sugar baby.

BMW is recalling 394,000-plus vehicles: The cars all have Takata-made airbag inflators that could explode in a crash. Affected models include 2006-2011 3 Series sedans, 2006-2012 3 Series sports wagons and 2009-2011 3 Series 335d sedans. Questions about a free replacement? Call BMW at (800) 525‑7417 or download the app.

⌚ Cha-ching: Samsung is coming out with its first-ever high-end smartwatch and smart ring with AI features. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is $650, and the Galaxy Ring is $399 — $100 more than the base model of its biggest competitor, the Oura Ring Gen 3.

Taylor Swift's password is Iknewyouweretroublewhenyouloggedin: Swift Alert (iPhone and Android) is a Swiftie’s favorite app. It calculates when a concert starts in your timezone so you know when to tune into the livestream. It also notifies you when Taylor’s biggest hits are about to play, along with any surprises on stage.

Please leave me alone: You can stop pesky political texts if you know the steps. Here’s what not to do: Reply “STOP.” You’ll just get more junk.

Free 3D design app: Tinkercad lets you make 3D designs right in your browser. It’s easy enough to jump in, or you can take one of their free courses to learn how to use it. Fun link to hit when the kids or grandkids get bored this summer!

Copycat: Before you share a file in Google Drive, make a copy. Hit File > Make a copy, then rename it and share that. If you don’t, anyone with access to the original doc can review all your edits, changes and versions.

I wonder why: Microsoft brought back its official guide for Windows 10 and 11 users wanting to switch from a cloud account to a local one. They pulled the steps from their site in June, probably to push folks toward the more ad-focused version. Want to go back? Here are the steps (at the bottom).

Coming in heavy!

• Chop-chop! This four-in-one vegetable chopper saves time on dinner prep and it’s 40% off.
• 🔥 Summer party trick alert! Change the color of the flames in your firepit with these packets — on sale for a pack of 25.
• Organize your fridge with clear plastic bins, now on sale ($19 for eight).
• If you’re in the market for a portable generator, it’s a good time to snag this well-reviewed model for 29% off.
• Update your router with a crazy-cheap Amazon eero model (43% off, $40) that’s supported through 2029. Extend your coverage with a three-pack mesh Wi‑Fi system for $100, more than half off.

Today you know!

The answer: A.) Amazon. Not the Amazon we shop but Amazon Web Services, which stores around 250EB of data. You’ll need to put on your thinking cap for this: 1 exabyte is equivalent to 1 million terabytes (TB), or 1 billion gigabytes (GB). So, 250 exabytes equals 250 million terabytes, or 250 billion gigabytes. It’s a lot of data.

Support our sponsors and help yourself out big time. Incogni is the reason I have zero spam calls and texts on my phone. They’ve sent 214 requests on my behalf to people-search and data-broker sites. Sweet. Try it yourself for 60% off right now.

🏡 See you tomorrow with a darn good option if you’re not into hotels and are sick of overpriced Airbnbs. Until then, make it a great day full of many reasons to smile! — Kim