Hello, friends, it’s your Tech Hacks Monday free newsletter! I’m so excited you’re here. Let’s kick things off with a great tip I use all the time.

⌛ Quick tip: When you’re crunched for time and your phone’s battery is running low, charge it in Airplane Mode. This shuts off wireless radios, reducing your phone's power consumption and allowing it to charge about 20% quicker. Brill! — Kim

When I upgraded to a mesh Wi-Fi network at our house, I renamed it "FBI Surveillance Van." A few hours later, Barry, my husband, came running into my office and said, "You're not going to believe this, but there's an FBI van on our street!" I laughed and told him that was our home network. 

You probably have a lot of devices on your network. There's your phone, desktop computer and Kindle. Oh, and your new laptop, a video game console, a tablet and a friend's phone. Add in your spouse, kids, roommates or whoever lives with you, and your wireless network is working overtime.

Your neighbors may be using your Wi-Fi, too. I’ll bet you have no idea about everything using your network. That's a mistake. I make it a habit to check my network every couple of months for anything that shouldn't be there — and so should you!

The simplest way

Log into your router’s online interface for a real-time look. You’ll need your computer’s IP address. (Here’s how to find it.) Type that into your browser’s address bar. The menu should pop up, and now you can log in with the custom username and password for your router — or the default information if you never set one.

Check for a list called “DHCP Client” or “Connected Devices.” If you see something you don’t recognize, you have an annoying-but-necessary task ahead of you: Change your Wi-Fi password and reconnect only the devices you trust.

Have an app do it for you

Advanced IP Scanner is a free, reliable option compatible with Windows 10 and 11. You have to download and install it, but it’s a little easier to use than your router’s online interface. Once you do, open the program and click the large, green button that says “SCAN.”

This is what the pros use

Acrylic’s Wi-Fi Analyzer is what Komando IT Genius John relies on. The free version gives you information for up to five devices (unlimited if you pay, starting at $45 a year). It can also monitor traffic on your network and manage passwords. It’s worth it for a business or if you have multiple networks.

Kick out strangers, but don’t forget these

• Remove devices you’re no longer using, including old phones, speakers, laptops, gaming consoles and tablets.
• Boot any guests you haven’t had over in a while.
• Sometimes, a technician accesses your network to diagnose a problem or set up a new system or device. Once they’re finished, remove their device.

If you go through a breakup, remove all your ex’s devices from the network and any shared ones just to be safe. 

🎸 I was just thinking … If Kenny Loggins forgets his Wi-Fi password, Ken he log in?

Remove this popular bad app: The NightOwl app lets you schedule your iPhone’s dark and light modes. Beware: NightOwl is now an early bird. Reports say its new owner will force your devices into a botnet for market research if you install it. So, uh, don’t.

iWatch would’ve been a creepy name: The new Apple Watch Series 9 is coming next month, but wait a year for the X. Some features coming to the X (the 10th anniversary of the Watch)? A sleeker design with magnetic band attachments, a brighter microLED display and the big one — blood pressure monitoring.

🤫 Instagram secret: Have you seen those IG posts with multiple accounts listed? You can do it, too! The Collab feature now lets you add up to three pals to co-author posts or reels. Before you post, tap Tag people and you’ll see the collaborator option. Sweet!

WhatsApp, doc? I told you about this before, and now it’s rolling out in WhatsApp for iOS, Android and Windows. Show off what you're looking at on your phone during video calls with the new screen-sharing feature — across all three platforms.

Saving up for an e-reader? Read your fave books and send notes to friends on Amazon’s Kindle Scribe. Amazon’s got a sweet deal on it right now — 18% off, dropping the price from $340 to $280. It’s a big upgrade from the Kindle Paperwhite. Get it while the price is low!

I turn tech complexity into simplicity with my Daily Tech Update podcast. I’ll give you the top tech news and a useful digital life hack, all in under two minutes. It's the perfect match for your daily routine — no tech expertise required.

👉 Your journey to tech confidence is a click away!

I use this trick every day: Tired of webpages loaded with ads, videos and pop-ups? In most browsers, you can click the "Reader" or "Read Mode" icon in the address bar or simply press F9. Up pops the page without all the ads and other distractions. You’re welcome!

Math magic: Spotlight is an easy way to search your Mac, but it can do math, too. Next time you don’t want to count on your fingers, hit Cmd + spacebar, then type in the equation and hit Enter.

Paste without the mess: Pasting text from different sources leaves you with a real Frankenstein of a document. Use Ctrl + Shift + V on PC or Option + Cmd + Shift + V on Mac to paste sans formatting.

Quick minimize: There’s a secret button in your Windows 10 toolbar. Clicking it will minimize everything you have open. It’s in the very bottom right corner, past the time and the notification icon — you’ll just see a tiny sliver. Click again to bring your stuff back.

For your phone: Swipe down on your phone’s home screen to open quick settings like Bluetooth, Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb. Even better, you can customize what’s there. On Android, hit the pencil icon. On iPhone: Settings > Control Center.

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Don’t wait in a long line to have someone take your picture for your passport. Head to Passport Photo Online and follow a few steps to take the perfect shot. It’s easy, and the site tells you exactly what to do. That means you won’t get rejected once you submit the pic.

😂 While filming a movie in the Swiss Alps, actor Hugh Jackman lost his Dell laptop. Just when he thought it was gone forever, he was grateful to see it found right in the hands of a yodeler who told him: "Your Dell lay here, Hugh!"

Don’t you feel tech-smarter? Appreciate you letting me in your inbox. I’ll see you tomorrow with the latest tech news. Make sure you’re on the list to get my other free newsletter, too! — Kim