You asked, we listened: We’re relaunching my Tips & How-tos newsletter as The Current Hacks to give you useful tips and tricks to get the most out of your tech in a streamlined, skimmable format.

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Surveillance is part of every law enforcement agency, but are some taking it too far? How can you uncover the extent of surveillance technology in your area? We have an excellent place to get started. This interactive site shows over 10,000 examples of license plate readers, facial recognition, body cams, drones and more across the U.S.

Today’s tip is a simple one: Move your router if your Wi-Fi isn’t what it should be. Here are a few ground rules:

• Don’t stick it on the floor in a closet or far from where most internet use happens.
• Try to put your router near the center of the room for the fastest speeds. 
• Place it as high as possible, like on a shelf, or you can even mount it on the wall. 
• If your router has antennas, point them in different directions.

Other devices can impact your router, too. Keep it away from cordless phones, Bluetooth speakers, microwave ovens and baby monitors. 

👎 Still dealing with dead zones and a bad connection? Try these steps.

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You pay big money to ensure your home, your car and your health. But what happens when something goes wrong with your vehicle? If there's serious issue with your engine or transmission, you could be looking at a four-figure repair. That's where CarShield comes in.

Twitter is full of trolls and politics. Not my page, though. Come say hi and learn a thing or two.

Computer systems in cars are the new normal. When something breaks, it could cost a fortune. And now is not the time for expensive repairs. That’s where CarShield comes in. You could save thousands on covered repairs. CarShield offers customizable and flexible payment plans with no long-term contracts — plus, you can choose your favorite mechanic or dealership to do the work. They also offer complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance and a rental car while yours is being fixed.

CarShield has helped over 2 million customers! Drive with confidence with America’s No. 1 auto protection company. Protect yourself from surprises and save thousands for a covered repair!

A strong password is critical, but it takes more than that to foil hackers and threat actors. You must keep up with the latest password mistakes and combine your knowledge with tools such as two-factor authentication and password managers. Here's everything you need to know.

Who doesn't want to save a buck? And I'm not just talking about free samples here. I rounded up some killer deals on free storage, books, movies, software and lots more.

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In the late 18th century, electricity was evolving from an exciting parlor trick to real science. Scientists used glass bottles, wool cloth and metal balls to create and control electricity. But what if you tried recreating one of these objects using the tools from that era? Would it work?