Hello, hi, it’s Wednesday, my friend! Let’s start today with some tech-nerd trivia. What does the acronym URL stand for? Is it … A.) Uniform Resource Locator, B.) Universal Retrieval Link, C.) Unified Reference Library or D.) User Request Log? Answer’s at the end!

Your data, exposed: Today’s top story is an important one. You need to be proactive about what data broker sites collect, sell and leak about you. Use the sharing icons below the story to send it to the people you care about. Let’s do this. — Kim

Every now and then, a story is so big, I can’t wait for the next day’s issue of The Current. That’s exactly what happened yesterday.

Massive data broker MC2 Data left more than 100 million records of Americans exposed online for anyone to copy, grab, forward, sell on the Dark Web — you name it. This comes only a month after the National Public Data breach of 2.9 billion records. I’m getting so tired of these data broker companies and people-search sites screwing up, and it’s you and me who have to pay for their mistakes.

What’s the government doing about these leaks?

Not much, sorry to say. You’d think we’d have a system in place to at least fine the companies. Nope. Sure, there’ll be class-action lawsuits we can be a part of. They usually pop up within 48 hours of a data leak. But you know the drill for those: The lawyers make the money, while those of us affected get only a few bucks.

I saw that firsthand when my dad took an over-the-counter antihistamine that put him into heart arrhythmia, causing him to pass away. They yanked the med from store shelves, my mom filled out reams of paperwork as part of a class-action lawsuit, and she got a check for about $300. Disgraceful.

Thanks to these companies' shoddy cybersecurity practices, your personal info is floating around for anyone who wants it. Let me help you lock things down. Incogni is the company I used to remove my info online about a year ago. I’m so glad I did. More on them later.

How the heck did that happen?

We can’t blame hackers for this leak. It was an inexcusable lack of security dubbed “human error.” MC2 Data owns several background check sites, including PrivateRecords, PrivateReports, PeopleSearcher, ThePeopleSearchers and PeopleSearchUSA.

They left a whopping 2.2 terabytes of private information exposed — no password required to see it. The info included everything from names and contact info to criminal records, employment histories and family data.

So far, MC2 Data hasn't released a formal response to the breach. The story is still developing, but I wanted to make sure you knew about it.

Your action plan for security and privacy

Since this breach essentially impacts one out of every three Americans, it's time to take action. Use these tips to keep your information and identity safe:

• Be wary of urgent requests. Many scam emails look like they're from a legitimate bank or company. Always expand the email address to verify it's official company correspondence, not some random Gmail account. When in doubt, go to the bank or company's official website and contact customer service.
• Freeze your credit. This will keep scammers from opening a credit card or loan in your name. Like setting up a fraud alert, you’ll need to contact each of the three credit bureaus. (Watch out for bogus emails from the credit bureaus, too.)
• Be skeptical of unsolicited calls or emails referencing hacked info. For example, if your credit union was impacted by a breach, be extra careful with emails or calls claiming there's an issue with your account.
• Take proactive steps. Start with your financial life. Update your bank PIN and login credentials. Do the same with your credit cards. Set up banking alerts on your phone to stay on top of fraudulent activity.

Go a step further

It’s nearly impossible to keep yourself off data-broker and people-search sites. I spent enough hours to fill a workweek and still didn’t make a dent. That’s when I went looking for a company I could trust to do it for me.

So far, Incogni has removed me from 380 data-broker and people-search sites. Incogni puts your name on data-suppression lists, too, so these shady companies can’t sneak you back onto their sites.

You can add three different email addresses, phone numbers and physical addresses so they pick up all your profiles. It’s easy to add family members and friends, too.

✅ Try it free: Right now, try Incogni free for 30 days. If you’re not completely satisfied, get your money back. Use this link to get 60% off when you sign up. I don’t get any residuals or kickbacks if you buy. I just want to help you stay safe.

🦸 Finding good sales is my superpower.

• I found a fantastic 4-pack of AirTag holders perfect for keeping track of everything from keys to luggage. Click the coupon for 20% off.
• Ladies, if you wear flats, you need no-show shoe liners instead of socks. Comfy, discreet and no more sweaty feet (ew).
• For cozy days at home, slouchy socks (12% off) are my new go-to. Yes, Barry makes fun of me.
• This wireless Bluetooth sleep mask plays calming sounds, white noise or your favorite tunes without disturbing your partner.
• Your pet deserves the best, and this pet water fountain will keep ‘em hydrated and happy.
• For all-day comfort, try the groundbreaking insoles with NASA foam technology (10% off). They never flatten!
• Made right here in the USA, this fluoride-free whitening toothpaste is packed with natural ingredients and under $10.
• Snag a cable organizer pouch (40% off) to keep all your chargers and gadgets neat and protected.

🏠 Buying or selling property? Scammers are targeting you. A sharp title company owner just stopped a fraudulent sale. The first clue: The seller's driver’s license was from West Virginia, but the property tax bills had been sent to the Bahamas since 1978. They asked the seller to video chat to confirm, and the seller, a woman who said she was deaf, turned out to be a looped AI video. Here’s what the faker looked like.

Check your phone: Necro malware has infected 11 million Android devices through the Wuta Camera and Max Browser apps. The malware steals info and downloads harmful programs. If you downloaded either app, uninstall it and run a malware scan. My pick is TotalAV.*

🌎 Sharper satellite images coming to Google Maps and Earth: The Cloud Score+ AI model removes clouds, haze and mist for a clearer, more vibrant view of the globe. Street View is getting an update, too, with better images across 80 countries. And Google Earth will soon show 80 years of historical aerial and satellite shots. Have a minute? Check out these cool Google Earth images.

Hitman-for-hire: A Tennessee woman will spend over eight years in prison for hiring a hitman to kill the wife of a guy she met on a dating app. She paid him $9,750 in bitcoin, insisting the murder look like an accident. Super scary: She tracked the couple through fitness app Strava so she could tell the hitman when the woman was out for a walk. Yup, make those location settings private.

🇨🇳 Patreon copycat: Communist China app TikTok’s new Subscription feature lets you offer paying subscribers exclusive content, like videos, notes and unique badges. To qualify, you must be 18 or older and have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the past calendar month. I wouldn’t put my efforts into this until we know what’s going on with the ban.

Ghouls just want to have fun: Ring is giving out $100,000 for camera footage of spooky activity, whether it’s real paranormal stuff like floating orbs or staged shots in costumes. Submit your video by Nov. 1, 2024. Hurry, they’re cutting it off at 5,000 entries.

📻 AM comeback: A new bill could require all car manufacturers to install AM radios. This is one of the best, most reliable ways to reach people during emergencies when other systems like mobile networks can fail. I also appreciate all you “hams” in the crowd. It’s such a contact sport.

Hope for the future: Scientists are developing AI tools to monitor brain health and catch early signs of dementia before symptoms appear. Think headbands or caps that track brain activity, with AI algorithms that spot subtle patterns. In one study, AI identified Alzheimer’s disease with over 90% accuracy. Isn’t that something?!

🤫 Secret pricing strategy: Selling stuff on Amazon? Use the “charm pricing” trick — set the price just below a round number. Research shows folks perceive $9.99, for example, as much lower than $10. Bonus tip: Put expensive items next to affordable ones to make them seem like an even bigger bargain.

iPad modes to get more done: Split view lets you open two apps side by side. To try it, drag an app to the left or right side of the screen. Watching a video? Tap the PiP icon (two small rectangles) to minimize it into a corner of your screen.

🚴 Have an e‑bike? Here’s one thing that ruins the battery: Letting it drain completely before you recharge. Lithium-ion batteries perform best when kept charged between 20% to 80%. Keep your e‑bike inside, too, once the temps drop for winter. Anything below 32 degrees is no bueno for your battery life.

That’s refreshing: Refresh rates (found in your computer’s display settings) control how things look on your screen. For regular work and browsing, go with 60Hz. For gaming or video editing, try 120Hz or 144Hz. Competitive gamers use 240Hz or higher. Now you know!

🎞️ Don’t face the camera straight on: Instead, position your body at a far more flattering 45-degree angle. Put your weight on your back foot and lean your torso slightly forward. This tip was brought to you by 20 years of broadcasting and looking fabulous each time … well, most of the time!

The internet is abuzz with people insisting the kid in front has a tablet, proving time travel exists. Looks like a book to me.

The answer: A.) Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is the web address for any resource on the internet — webpages, images, documents, whatever. Use this fun fact to win a few bets.

🤣 What do you call a dead URL? RIP. (Yeesh, I know.)

Thanks for reading, friend. You really need to sign up for Incogni. It’s essential in the times we live in. Use this link to get 60% off and a free 30-day trial. You’ll be glad you did.

One more thing: You can keep your tech know-how going with my national radio show’s commercial-free podcast. If it’s been a while since you listened, check it out here. I’ll see you right back here tomorrow with the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim