Hello there, Wednesday! There’s a helpful new tool everyone needs to know about: The Better Business Bureau’s free scam survival kit. Answer a few questions if you’ve been scammed, and you’ll get back tailored advice and personalized resources. That includes steps to take next and even mental health support.

🛑 Don't let your email provider decide what you see! Hit Reply on this email now, and leave me a comment, too. It tells the algorithms you want my content, keeping Big Tech from shoving me in your spam folder. Make your inbox your choice! Thank you so much. — Kim

Feeling bombarded with ads every time you turn on the tube? Well, you are. TV manufacturers figured out they could make more money from ad sales and tracking than actually selling TVs.

It used to just be commercials, but now we’ve got pop-ups, home screen ads, interactive ads — you name it. I’ve got the scoop on what’s next, plus some actionable tips to survive the ad avalanche.

How TV makers really rake in the cash

Here’s something you probably didn’t know. TV maker VIZIO makes significantly more money from its advertising and data business than from actually selling TVs.

VIZIO’s Platform Plus, which includes advertising and viewer data, generated $57.3 million in gross profit over a three-month period, while its devices segment, which includes TV sales, made $25.6 million. So, VIZIO’s profit from ads and data is more than double what it earns from selling TVs.

Big names like Samsung, LG and Roku are also stepping up their ad games. Manufacturers and advertisers put on their creativity caps to find ways to make that money:

• Force-feed: Roku recently tested a feature that forces viewers to sit through ads when they click away from their TV’s screensaver to return to the home screen. They also filed a patent to show ads over anything else that gets plugged into your TV.
• Under one roof: In November, Amazon swapped a proprietary operating system into its Fire TVs, meaning they get a bigger take of whatever is sold. Fun fact: Amazon’s ad business had its most profitable year in 2020.
• Till you drop: Brands like Samsung are developing shoppable ads. Soon you’ll be able to purchase stuff right from the tube. They’re exploring games, QR codes and ads you can interact with using your remote.

It won’t be long until you see mega brands like Walmart and Amazon all over your screen. Think of how targeted those ads will be when they combine your purchase and viewing histories.

Tuning out

Watching TV completely ad-free is close to impossible, but there are a couple of things you can try.

Stop the snoop

Smart TVs have what’s called “automatic content recognition,” or ACR, technology. ACR tracks everything you watch to send you targeted ads. Here are the latest steps to shut that down for today’s most popular brands.

Keep in mind that many TV manufacturers really want to discourage you from turning off ACR. Some models may even disable basic features like internet connectivity when you do.

Block and tackle

If you want to completely block ads on your smart TV, you can change the DNS server settings on either your TV or your router or block each domain that sends ads to your smart TV, one by one.

I know that sounds complicated — and it is. The easiest way to do it is to change your TV’s default DNS server to one that can filter out ads and trackers, like AdGuard DNS.

▶️ Go to your TV’s network settings to change your DNS server. Note: Not all smart TVs allow this, but most popular brands do.

Now, this method only squashes ads that come directly from your smart TV’s operating system, like those that pop up on your TV’s home screen, app store or app launcher. This won’t block ads delivered through streaming platforms. Did you get all that? Bravo!

• Shower curtain liners get nasty. Stop it with all the cleaning spray and replace yours (11% off).
• Turn any pair of lace-up shoes into slip-ons with elastic laces that come in lots of colors.
• Ah, organized cords and cables for only $7.
• These are sweet: QR code labels (29% off) for your storage boxes. Scan to know what’s inside — Christmas decorations, winter coats, old paperwork …
• Ow, my achin’ back! A hanging footrest makes sitting on a plane or at a desk all day easier on your feet, back and legs.

I’ve seen it: Photos of a Pennsylvania man, Brian Posch, are all over Facebook with the message “HELP FIND HIM.” Sadly, Brian passed away months ago. So why are messages still being shared? Because scammers are posting them to trick others into sharing their link. Once the post gets a ton of shares and follows, they change their page to a scammy site where they steal your money. Gotta be on your toes!

🚨 Wookie mistake: You’ve probably heard about the recent National Public Data breach, which exposed the deets of 2.9 billion people. Now, a sister site with access to the same consumer records as NPD accidentally published passwords in a publicly accessible file. Nutso. It was available until Aug. 19. If you haven’t yet, I strongly advise you to freeze your credit.

Drive-by theft: Thieves are snatching $550 AirPod Max headphones right off people's heads. As your music blasts, they sneak up on a peddle bike or moped, and before you realize it — poof! — those pricey headphones are gone.

🌲 Donate to your favorite nature-ity: A 53-year-old Colorado hiker was rescued after four days missing in the backcountry. She was on a “spiritual retreat” without food or her phone. If you think this sounds like fun (and, if so, ask a friend), toss this Spot Satellite (33% off today) in your pack. You can send an SOS to friends, family or authorities.

🏠 Off the grid: More folks are blurring their homes and businesses on Google Maps. With burglaries and break-ins on the rise, thieves can easily use Maps to scout properties and find the best way in. Protect yourself: Search for your address on Google Maps Street View, click Report a problem in the bottom right, select what you want blurred and answer the questions.

Naan compare to you: Rumor has it Apple will manufacture its most expensive iPhone Pro models in India this year. Finally, they’re trying to diversify production beyond China. They say it’s about supply shortages, but politics and national security definitely play into this.

🧑‍⚖️ Minding my own bid-ness: Christie’s is auctioning off some insanely rare items from the collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Highlights include an Apple‑1 from Steve Jobs’ desk (valued up to $800,000) and a signed letter from Albert Einstein to then-President Franklin Roosevelt (worth an estimated $6 million). Full details here if you have a few million lying around.

Malware is harmful software designed to damage, disrupt or steal information from your computer, phone or another connected device. Back in the day, a little common sense was all you needed to avoid it. That’s just not the case anymore.

These days, 94% of all malware comes from email. Just receiving a harmful email can be enough of a way in for cybercriminals. And if you mistakenly download a malicious file, you’re in for a heck of a time cleaning up your system.

That’s why you need antivirus software that does the hard work for you. I did the research and picked TotalAV. Their award-winning tech protects you in real time from all the threats cybercriminals throw at you each day.

💯 Help me hit 100,000: I’m close to a huge milestone on YouTube. Hit this link to subscribe to my channel. Every click helps me win a bet with my husband! Come on, we can do this!

No one reads the terms and conditions: There’s a free resource that does it for you. Terms of Service; Didn’t Read is a website and a browser add-on that summarizes the key points before you hit “Agree.”

📚 When the e-book is … complicated: Activate Word Wise on your Kindle to get brief definitions above tricky words. Open your book, then tap the Aa menu. Select More, then Word Wise. Toggle it on.

Germ buster for cold season: Grab a sanitizing wipe and give your computer mouse, remote controls and car key fob a cleanup. Bonus points if you also wipe down your front doorknob.

Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it: Keeping it active all the time makes your device more vulnerable. Plus, you’ll get more battery life by turning it off from time to time. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. On an Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps may vary based on your phone model.)

🧷 9 gadgets to keep you safe and secure: Keep your personal info, devices and even your car safe from prying eyes and sneaky thieves.

A buck is a buck: See if you’re eligible for any of these class-action lawsuits.

👬 Digital twin: That’s a copy of you that can save your life. Sounds like sci‑fi, but it’s real.

Stay calm and carry on: Residents of which state are least likely to yell at their virtual assistant? Take your guess. Here’s the answer.

I started with a free, useful tool, so let’s end with one, too. 🆓 Here’s how to check what data and personal info your car collects about you. It never ends, I know. My husband, Barry, put in his car’s details, and we were both shocked by what they collected.

🍝 When we were kids, my sister bet me I couldn't make a car out of spaghetti. You should have seen her face when I drove pasta. (Oh, that was so bad, it was good!)

Thanks for letting me in your inbox. It's an honor. I'll see you tomorrow for another edition of the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim