Plus, Gmail security pop-up explained, boost your biz online, clever way to extend Wi-Fi coverage
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August 8, 2023

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In partnership with SimpliSafe

Taco Tuesday! OK, now I’m hungry. Speaking of, I wrote a great tip on how to get right to the recipe instead of reading a food blogger’s life story. 

Quick digital life hack: Are you that person who reads an email or text, mentally reminds yourself to reply later … and never does? Stop relying on memory alone! Mark the text or email as unread. You’ll find this in the options of your email or convo. You can also say, “Hey Siri/Google, remind me to share Kim’s newsletter at noon.” Oh, I’d love that for sure! — Kim

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IN THIS ISSUE

  • ⏱️ 5-min security check
  • 😖 Gmail’s buggy reminder
  • 📶 Right way to reboot your internet

TODAY'S TECH HACK

Give your Amazon account a security check

Give your Amazon account a security check

Dr. Cindy Smith started getting so many random packages from Amazon, they blocked her front door. We're talking over 100 Amazon boxes filled with stuff like 1,000 headlamps, 800 glue guns and dozens of pairs of kids' binoculars. Everything was addressed to Lixiao Zhang.

A case of mistaken identity? Nope. A third-party seller picked a random address to send its unsold merch to instead of paying Amazon to get rid of it. Yes, the Virginia woman gets to keep it all.

Despite having to deal with all this stuff, Cindy was lucky her account wasn't hacked. It happens, though, and receiving something you didn't order is one tip-off. Time to check your account, folks.

🎧 Btw, Cindy was on my national radio show! Subscribe to my podcast to listen to our chat later this week. How she got rid of all the Amazon stuff is super interesting and inspirational.

Check your Amazon orders

  • Sign into your Amazon account, hover your cursor over the Account & Lists tab, and choose Orders.
  • Look for anything suspicious or unexpected. If you share an account, check with the other people with access.
  • On the Orders page, select the drop-down menu next to Orders placed and choose Archived Orders. See anything you didn’t buy? Major red flag.

Now, look through your reviews

  • Sign into your Amazon account, hover your cursor over the Account & Lists tab, and choose Account.
  • Scroll to the Ordering and shopping preferences section and tap Your Amazon profile.
  • Scroll down and you’ll see your reviews. Look for anything you didn’t write.

How to change your Amazon password

Change your password now if there are signs someone else is poking around.

  • Sign into your Amazon account, hover your cursor over the Account & Lists tab, and choose Account.
  • Select Login & security and enter your password to verify it's you. (NOTE: If you have two-factor authentication, or 2FA, enabled, enter the code you receive.)
  • Select Edit next to Password. 
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Didn't get a 2FA code? Turn that on to see if someone on a random device is attempting to access your account. While you’re at it, look at your Amazon public profile. Yes, I said public.

Pro tip: If you receive something you didn’t order, report the package with Amazon’s Report Unwanted Package form. Yep, you still get to keep it.

🃏 Funny thing … I ordered a deck of cards from Amazon two weeks ago. It still hasn’t arrived. Customer service told me they're dealing with it.

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DEAL OF THE DAY

Problem: Never enough space in your suitcase

Problem: Never enough space in your suitcase

Solution: These compression packing cubes work like vacuum-seal bags, allowing you to pack almost double the amount of clothes. Put jackets, pants and bulky items in the big ones and shirts, shorts and undies in the small ones. Goodbye, extra baggage fees.

A 4-pk. is less than $27!

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Please quit it: Keep getting nudged by Google to activate Enhanced Safe Browsing? You're not alone. It's happening to people even after switching it on. The feature warns you if a link in Chrome or Gmail goes to known phishing and malware sites. It also briefly links your browsing to your Google account. Decide if it's worth the trade-off for you.

There’s only so much we can stream: Netflix is pushing hard into gaming. The Netflix Game Controller smartphone app just hit the Apple App Store. You can use it to play games on your TV — no console or physical controller necessary. Expect an Android version soon.

💣 Badda-boom, badda-bing: Bing Chat is now available in Chrome and Safari on your smartphone. Microsoft’s AI uses the ChatGPT-4 tech but has more up-to-date info. To try it, open your browser and go to Bing.com. You can ignore the push to use Edge or the Bing app.

Cheaper Apple gear: Have a college student, teacher, professor, school staff member or homeschool teacher in the fam? You can save up to $50 on a higher-end iPad or $100 on a MacBook. Here’s the secret shopping site to use.

🚢 Yacht or nyacht: On my boat, we’re playing “Yacht Rock Radio” all summer long. It’s a certain vibe from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. I found a great site that rates “yacht music,” so you can make your own playlist, too.

🎙️ Stay tech-savvy anytime, anywhere

Got a few spare minutes during your drive? Or maybe you're chilling at home? Sounds like the perfect time to tune in to The Kim Komando Show podcast!

I keep it real, breaking down the latest tech trends, cybersecurity tips and gadget reviews into snack-sized, easy-to-understand episodes.

👉 Download an episode today!

TECH LIFE UPGRADES

Be patient: Your internet is down. Before you unplug the modem and router and plug them right back in, take a beat. Leave both unplugged for 30 seconds, then plug in the modem. Give it time to reconnect, then plug in the router. If you have a combo modem and router, give it 60 seconds after you unplug.

🙈 Built-in burner: Apple iCloud+ subscribers get free burner emails. Go to Settings and tap your Apple ID. Go to iCloud > Hide My Email > Create New Address. Follow the onscreen instructions, and use that the next time you’re trying to get a coupon code. Alternative: 10-Minute Mail.

Productivity hack: Instead of navigating to Google Drive, start a new Google Doc by typing doc.new into your browser’s address bar. You can also use sheet.new for a spreadsheet or slides.new for a presentation.

Just say no: Google doesn’t vet everyone who buys an ad. Cybercrooks can buy ads just like trustworthy companies — except they hide nasty malware on their sites. A few targeted terms: Free credit report, tech support phone numbers and how to make money online. I put together answers you can trust here.

⏱️ Not enough time in the day: Too many podcasts in your feed? Adjust the playback speed. Look for 1x or similar in your podcast player. Tap that, then you can adjust, often all the way up to 3 times the speed. Pro tip: Only move up .25 or .5 speed at a time. Anything else is jarring, and your brain needs time to adjust.

Check this out: I write great how-tos for the Daily Mail. Here’s one about saving money by making better tech decisions

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH  

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When there’s an intruder, every second counts

That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about the latest innovation from SimpliSafe Home Security: 24/7 Live Guard Protection and the new Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera.

With a Fast Protect Monitoring plan, if an intruder breaks into your home, SimpliSafe monitoring agents can actually see, speak to and deter them through the camera, warning them they’re being recorded and police are on their way.

Right now, get 20% off any SimpliSafe system when you sign up for Fast Protect Monitoring. This huge offer is only available for a limited time.

✅ Save 20% now at simplisafekim.com! →

ASK ME YOUR QUESTIONS

How do I get Wi-Fi to my barn?

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I live on 9 acres with pastures and a large barn on the rear of the property. I have great Wi-Fi coverage in my home, but the barn is in a 100% dead zone. Help! — Jeff in Georgia

Kim's photo

You asked the right person, Jeff. I was looking for a strong wireless extender when my home was under construction. I found one strong enough to connect to a kind neighbor’s Wi-Fi 1,800 feet away.

Now, this solution can carry a signal for up to six miles with a clear line of sight. With the Ubiquiti NanoBeam AC Gen 2, you can get strong internet pretty much anywhere on your property. Here’s more about how I used it. Yes, there are a ton of pretty nerdy setup pictures, too!

🎧 Listen up: Hear my chat with Jeff. Go to the 20-minute mark. Have a question you want to talk to me about? Drop me a line here.

FREEBIE OF THE DAY

Get more people to your website

I don’t know many businesses that can opt out of having a good online presence. Where should you start if you’re new to the world of websites, social media scheduling and ranking on search sites?

Skip the consultant and do it yourself with HubSpot Academy, which offers a free digital marketing certification. Learn how to rank higher on Google, create successful video marketing strategies and master social media. At the very least, educate yourself to know what you’re paying for.

No degree required

BYTES OF HUMOR: LOADING LAUGHS

Every day, I want to leave you with a smile. Look here for a clean joke you can share with family and friends. Hit “Reply” to share your jokes with me. I’ll give you credit if I use it.

👩‍🚀 Let’s say Elon Musk's space company establishes a colony on Mars. You have a girlfriend there but later break up because of the long distance. She'd be your … Space X

Good one, right? I sure hope you picked up a few tidbits to make your digital life better. This is our tech hacks and tips daily newsletter. For tech news each day, sign up now and I’ll be in your inbox tomorrow morning. — Kim

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