Hi, Friday! It’s here and I’m thrilled you are, too. It’s a packed edition. Jump on in. The water’s fine. You’ll be swimming in tech know-how!

⌛ Quick insider tip: Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is next Tuesday and Wednesday. I found a secret page where you can see the deals and add the ones you want to your watchlist. Here’s the page to bookmark. Shh! — Kim

Your phone is way more valuable than just the amount someone could sell it for (although that's pretty enticing if you have a newer phone).

That's why I want you to know about a few ways criminals get their hands on people's phones — and even the PIN code that protects all the info inside.

‘I’ll take the pic for you!’

My friend, Mary, was on vacation in Rome with her 14-year-old daughter. They stopped to take selfies and a seemingly kind stranger — a man in his 30s — offered to take their picture. Mary punched in her PIN, handed the phone over, and, yep, the supposed good Samaritan snatched it and ran away with her $1,800 iPhone.

‘Let me give you my number.’

You meet someone at a bar and strike up a conversation. The time comes to exchange numbers, and they watch you tap in your PIN to send a text or open your contacts. Bam! They quickly swipe your phone from your hands and disappear.

‘Help! My phone died.’

Ah, the emergency ploy. Someone who's clearly frazzled asks if they can quickly call a friend on your phone to pick them up because their car won't start. You unlock your device, hand it over and it's gone.

So, what the heck can you do?

Once someone gets your PIN, it's all over. It's easy for them to change it and lock you out of your account. Even if you have Find My to track down your phone, you can't request help.

There are a few simple ways to protect yourself:

• When you're in public, shield your PIN. If you really need to open your phone in front of people, use Face ID or your fingerprint.
• Don't use an easy PIN. No more four-digit ones! Make it as long as you can remember.
• If you don't want to use Face ID, use a passcode with numbers and letters if your phone allows it.

I know it stinks to think criminals are ready to pounce on you, but it really is happening. Do your loved ones a solid and pass this along.

🧬 Leaked: If you have an account with DNA company 23andMe, change your password ASAP. Hackers say they have the data of at least 7 million users. The company says there’s no evidence of a breach. With personal details like your photos, health information and more at risk, I wouldn’t take a chance.

They’re all winners to me: Love when this lands in my inbox each year! The finalists are out for the annual Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Check ‘em out here for a few good laughs. I can’t get over the fox with a cigar.

“Work hot” is the new term taking over TikTok. In a viral vid, a Gen Zer warns a “work hot” colleague is just the most attractive person around, not someone you’d necessarily fall for in another situation. Oh, Gen Z, this is nothing new. Forbes reports 43% of people have married someone they met at work.

🗺️ Safe and sound: Let your friends and family know you’re home safe with Apple’s new Check In feature. Open a text convo with the person you want to share with, then hit the plus button > More > Check In > Edit. From there, you can notify your recipient automatically when you arrive at a specific location (like your home or office). You can also share your location, battery percentage and cell signal with them for a set amount of time. Tap the blue arrow button (like you’re sending a text) to turn it on. NOTE: Both iPhones must be on iOS 17 or later to work.

Grab the tinfoil: Research from Dartmouth shows adding standard aluminum foil to your router setup can boost the signal and even strengthen cybersecurity. Your router pumps out a signal in all directions, and foil (along with a 3D-printed dish) can reduce interference. Next week, I’ll show you how to build one in a newsletter.

I make the complex world of tech simple and approachable. From explaining the latest gadgets in plain English to offering easy-to-follow cybersecurity advice, I’ve got you covered.

👉 Tech understanding is just a click away!

Pic pick-me-up: Open your phone’s (or tablet’s) Photos app, and search for terms like “selfies,” “dogs” or “sunsets,” or even emotions like “happiness” to find photos in your camera roll fitting those descriptions.

📅 Bookmark this: Time and Date has a ton of different calculators. I like the one that helps you find the exact time between two dates. Excellent for planning across different time zones, too.

No more clickbait: Say goodbye to those YouTube shocked-face thumbnails — simply install the free DeArrow extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera to see a pic from the vid itself. It’s easy to install and even easier to use.

Find that pic you sent your aunt last week: On iPhone, open Messages, tap a convo, then the person’s profile photo or group name. Scroll to Photos > See All. On Android, open Messages, then tap the search bar at the top.

🗑️ They’re trash: Look around. Do you see USB or other charging cables starting to fray? Do yourself a favor and toss them. You’re just asking for trouble — specifically, a fire.

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.

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

You can only listen to the same album so many times. Try something new with Radio Paradise. Choose a type of music (mellow, rock, global) and skip anything you don’t like. Best part? No ads!

Time to jam →

Always knock on your fridge before opening in case there’s a salad dressing inside. (Oh, I laugh at myself sometimes!)

🌊 Ride the wave of victory — share your unique link below, get those referrals, and win big with a brand-new Apple or Windows computer valued at $1,200. The clock is ticking!

I’ll be back in your inbox on Sunday, and let me tell you, it’s packed with great stuff, including a free, legit app to take back your privacy. You don’t want to miss that. Until then, stay your fabulous self! — Kim