Hey-hi, it’s a techy Tuesday, my friend! Around this date 41 years ago, Microsoft released its very first software application. Was it ... A.) Flight Simulator, B.) Excel, C.) Notepad or D.) Word? Say your best guess out loud (I won’t listen!), and you’ll find the answer at the end!

✅ Do your part to keep this free newsletter coming at you daily. Click this link to check out RYSE. They’re changing the smart shades game, and you can invest. Now, let’s expand your tech horizons so you’re always ahead in today’s digital world. I curate this newsletter for you using my brain and time, not AI! — Kim

Here's a wild stat: Cybercriminals send 3.4 billion emails every day. That adds up to well over 1 trillion a year. With that many messages flying around, it's no wonder so many people get caught up in scams. And today's super-smart AI makes their messages all the more convincing.

So, how do you spot the tricks within their emails? It’s all in the details.

Word up

Email company ZeroBounce identified the most dangerous words based on how frequently they popped up in emails. They also looked at the clickthrough rate (CTR) and the infection/damage rate.

1️⃣ Topping the list is the word "money," with an 83.56% infection/damage rate. Dang, that’s high. It also had the second-highest CTR and appearance rate.

2️⃣ Coming in at No. 2 is "income." It has the highest CTR because we all want more income, right?

"Investment," "credit," "billion" and "free" also ranked high on the list. "Free" appeared most frequently in the spam emails researchers analyzed, but it also had the lowest CTR. Good to know if you do marketing, too!

The full list of spammy terms

Spam spotter

Now you know the words they use to reel you in. Let’s jump to Inbox Safety 202.

• Always click to see the sender's email address, not just the display name. Lazy spammers use unfamiliar, misspelled or strange email addresses. Emails from legitimate companies and organizations have a recognizable domain name.
• Weird subject lines are a red flag. If it doesn't make logical sense, it's probably spam.
• Most legitimate emails address you by your name in the greeting. If the message seems serious but it's not personalized, your guard should go up.
• Even with AI's help, crooks aren't the best writers. Be wary of emails full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Mismatched fonts and unprofessional formatting are also suspicious signs.
• Many real emails have links … But if they seem out of place or unexpected, they could be malicious.
• Legit companies won’t ask for your personal info through email. Requests for your account number or other info are a big red flag — they should already have that.
• Look for a professional signature at the bottom of the email. This will include things like the sender’s contact info and social media links. Always cross-check any contact info with a company's official website.

🔑 Now, be a pal and share this intel using the icons below with someone you care about. Consider it your good deed of the day! It could be the start of pumpkin big!

The smart home industry is booming and RYSE is on the cusp of making automated smart shades an in-home staple. If you missed investing in their company, here’s another chance.

They recently launched in over 120 Best Buy stores and just opened a new public offering. You can invest in their company now at just $1.75 per share. With double-digit growth projected until 2033 and billion-dollar acquisitions for companies like RYSE, you have the chance to invest before the retail distribution and patented technologies take over.

Early investors of RYSE have seen their shares grow, too, so don’t miss out on another opportunity to become a shareholder.

🧬 Your DNA, for sale: 23andMe’s stock is close to being delisted, and the entire board of directors has quit. Now, the CEO says she’s open to selling the company, including the DNA of 15 million customers. Imagine insurers using your genetic predispositions to calculate your risk. Ugh. Log in and delete your account ASAP. Here’s how. I told ya not to use this service so many times for so many years …

Printer hack (literally): A YouTuber figured out how to use more affordable third-party ink cartridges in HP printers that usually block anything but the HP brand. With a cheap circuit board, the printer gets tricked into believing the non-HP cartridge is genuine and works like usual. HP is threatening to brick any printers caught doing this.

Apple’s home robots may be coming soon: Rumor has it two smart display devices will run a new operating system called homeOS. The high-end model is tricked out with a robotic arm, a large iPad-like display and a price starting at $1,000. The cheaper model, which is made for controlling home appliances, is expected to debut next year. Yep, AI’s included.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an insurance drone! Just ask Mike Arman, who was spied on twice by two different insurers. The first refused to renew his policy after satellite images showed his roof “looked deteriorated.” The second hit him with a 25% increase when it was time to renew. Your insurance company could start doing the same.

💩 Speaking of drones: The “Poopcopter” is an AI drone system that cleans up your doggo’s mess in the backyard. Using real-time computer vision and machine learning, it scans the area to pinpoint the poop, and then it swoops down to scoop it up. It’s in the prototype phase, so you’re still on poop duty. Sorry.

Scalpers ruin everything: The PlayStation 5 Pro ($699) and PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Limited Edition bundle ($999) drop on Nov. 7. The updated models have 2TB of storage, a beefier GPU and AI upscaling tech. Only 12,300 Limited Edition models were made, and they sold out in seconds. Surprise, they’re on eBay for up to $12,300.

Weird science: A scientist claims our universe might be an advanced computer simulation, and the proof is in the Bible. The Gospel of John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He says “the Word” refers to the underlying computer code controlling the simulation. I know what you’re thinking: “Whoa, this is too much for my brain. I’m going to see if Prince Harry is divorcing Meghan Markle yet.”

• Bluetooth shower speaker: Turns your shower into a concert hall! Waterproof, good sound and super affordable. (60% off, now just $12)
• Smart LED bulbs (2-pack): Light up your life with color-changing bulbs you control right from your phone. (50% off, only $10)
• Cordless handheld vacuum: A lightweight lifesaver for crumbs and dust bunnies. (Just $19)
• Silicone baking mats (set of 2): Bake like a pro. No more scrubbing, sticking or buying expensive parchment paper. (Only $6)
• Multipurpose phone stand: Use it for video calls, watching videos or propping up your phone in the kitchen. (40% off, only $6!)

👀 Put your LinkedIn into “sneaky mode”: Unless you go into Private mode, anyone whose profile you browse will know. Go to LinkedIn, click your profile icon at the top > Settings & Privacy > Visibility. Next to Profile viewing options, click Change and choose Private mode. Done!

Quick rename: On a Mac, click a file, then press Return to quickly change its name. On Windows, double-click on the filename. Boom!

Stop the binge: Streaming apps usually queue up the next episode of a show automatically, but most have a setting to stop this. On Netflix, click your account picture (top right), then Manage Profiles and your profile to find the option.

⏳ When your kid (or someone else) is using your iPad: Lock an app to keep them off limits. Open Settings > Screen Time > Use Screen Time Passcode. Follow the instructions to set it up. Now, go to App Limits > Add Limit, choose the app, then tap Next > 1 min > Add. Use the app for one minute, then hit Ask for More Time > One More Minute. After the time runs out, the app is locked.

Are you getting the speeds you pay for? Use fast⁠.⁠com and speedtest⁠.⁠net to run internet speed tests. (Be careful not to go to the .⁠com version of Speedtest.) Both report your current speeds a little differently, so I like to check ‘em both. If you’re way, way below what you pay for, call your ISP and ask them to fix it.

A little friend hanging by my pool! Here’s another pic. While you’re there on Instagram, leave your best owl puns in the comments.

The answer: D.) Word. It was the first word-processing software that relied on the computer mouse to work properly. The demo came from PC World, and it was the first time a magazine included a floppy disk.

🚙 Microsoft is working on an operating system for self-driving vehicles. I can't wait until my car suddenly stops in the middle of the highway and reboots to install updates. You laugh because you know it’s true!

Thanks for being here! Don’t forget to check out RYSE. Your support keeps this tech train coming free to you. Tell a friend about this email, and I’ll see your smiling face tomorrow with easy ways to make your tech less annoying. Hallelujah! — Kim