Hello there on a fine Sunday, friend. Trivia to start us off. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense experienced the worst breach of military computers, ever. Was the source a ... A.) Phishing email, B.) USB flash drive, C.) Confused employee or D.) Stolen laptop? You’ll find the answer at the end!

✋ Big Tech’s sneaky algorithms control your email. They decide what you can see. That’s why I need you to do me a huge favor: Reply to this email with something like, “Hello.” That simple action tells Big Tech and your phone or internet provider you want my emails so you’re never left tech-behind. Thanks, as always. — Kim

Let’s take a minute to appreciate something: Today’s tech can solve our problems. All of them? No, definitely not. Some major annoyances? Yep! Let’s do this.

It’s stuck in your head

When you can’t figure out what you’ve been humming all day, grab your phone. These tricks also work when a song comes on and its name is stuck on the tip of your tongue.

• Option 1: Open the Google app or search. Tap the microphone icon and say, “What's this song?” or click “Search a song.” Then, hum the tune for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Option 2: For songs playing around you, use Shazam. On an iPhone, open the Control Center and tap the Shazam button. Let Shazam listen for a few seconds, and you’ll get the song’s title. On an Android device, download the app.
• Option 3: For songs on ads, TV shows, movies or video games, go to Tunefind.

You always lose your stuff

I was sick of Barry losing his wallet and keys, so I put AirTags on everything he owns. You think I’m kidding — I’m not. I also put one in each of my cars, all my luggage, my bag and on Abby, our golden retriever.

• Apple AirTags are 14% off today and a no-brainer if you’re an iPhone person.
• Chipolo’s ONE ($25) is like an AirTag that works with iPhone and Android. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and there’s an app that tracks the location even when it’s out of range.
• Chipolo also makes a card version ($30) that you can insert in your wallet or stick on the remote.
• Tile trackers work with iOS and Android, and they’re 28% off right now!

The dialogue is too hard to hear

When you’re streaming, the audio, sound effects, music and voices are compressed into one soundtrack to fit the available bandwidth — your internet speed. The result? Sometimes, you can’t understand a thing you’re hearing.

No matter what device you’re using or who makes it, you can turn on captioning in your phone’s accessibility settings. These features are designed to help people with disabilities use technology more easily — and people like me understand Scottish accents when I watch “Outlander.”

• On your device, look in the Accessibility settings and find Live Captions.
• Turn it on. You’ll see the text written out in the center of your device’s screen whenever speech is detected.

🫡 Now, go forth and have a smarter Sunday with all your newfound tech knowledge. If you picked up a good tip, use those buttons below to share this with a friend!

Products for the care and growth of your tresses, locks and quiffs (look it up).

• Rosemary oil strengthens your hair and makes your scalp happy, and some say it regrows your hair, too. Worth a shot for under $10.
• Anti-thinning biotin shampoo is a nice boost if your locks are feeling meh. This highly rated one is 25% off.
• This $40 cordless clipper has 10 clipper combs for DIY trims.
• A folding barber cape (only $8) may look ridiculous, but reviewers say it saves them from getting hair everywhere.
• A patented, made-in-the-USA silent haircut kit for kids who hate the barbershop.

📧 Google is shutting down more Gmail accounts: They started with accounts created but never logged into. Now, accounts with no activity in the last two years are on the chopping block. Sign into your Gmail account, open an email, and you’ll be fine.

Calling all cat owners: There’s a line of self-cleaning litter boxes that could put your furry friend in danger. A sensor issue means cats can get stuck inside during the cleaning process. The litter boxes are sold under generic names and haven’t been officially recalled. More details and pics here.

😭 Look who died: Don’t click on a strange link making the rounds on Facebook that says, “Look who died.” Surprise, it’s a scam. Lowlifes want to get all the deets on your account to wreak havoc.

Hold me closer: Touch is vital to human happiness, and researchers just found a way to recreate it from far away. The wearable, a small silicon fingertip connector, uses vibrations to stimulate nerve cells. That, in turn, makes it feel like you’re holding hands with a loved one on the other side of the world. Incredible.

💩 I thought they fixed it: Google Search AI summaries are back, and the latest major flub is a bizarre (and gross) potty training tip: Smear poop on a balloon. The idea comes from a YouTube video that suggests putting shaving cream or peanut butter on a balloon to help kids practice wiping. Uh, something got lost in translation.

Science anus as easy as it seems: The Ig Nobel Prize (a play on the Nobel Prize) honors those doing quirkier work. Some of this year’s award-winning discoveries: Real plants can imitate the shapes of nearby fake plants, a coin is more likely to land on the side it started (heads or tails), and many mammals can breathe through their anuses. Yup, you read that right.

🌽 What does baby corn call its dad? Pop corn: Kids find ways to communicate things that could get them flagged or banned online. Here’s a new one: Corn. That’s internet speak for “porn.” Now you know.

Have a spare $300,000 sitting around? Call me: … Or you could spend it on the C SEED N1, a 4K TV that unfolds like a Transformer in 90 seconds. When you’re done binging, it turns back into a funky metal sculpture. You have to see this thing in action.

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.

Better Google searches: Use the Verbatim option! After you do a search, tap Tools (desktop) or Search tools (mobile) at the top of your results. Tap the dropdown menu for All Results, then choose Verbatim. Now you’ll get results for what you actually searched for, not what Google thinks you want.

I’m not easily rattled: I don’t miss using a Nokia cellphone, but there was something soothing about playing the built-in Snake game. Want to play? Search online for “Google Snake,” and it’ll pop up right in your browser.

Traveling soon? Install the TSA app on your phone. With it, you can view real-time security wait times, get tips on what you can and can't bring on board, check your delay info, and report security issues. Download it on Android or Apple.

Scored you a deal: You don’t need $150 headphones for good sound and the ability to take calls anywhere. Grab a pair of budget-friendly earbuds from Raycon* that sound high‑dollar. Use code KIM so they know I sent ya.

Clear activity from businesses you visit off Facebook: You read that correctly. With the right permissions, FB can track you IRL.

• Open Facebook on your computer and click your profile pic in the upper right. Tap Settings & privacy > Settings.
• Click View next to Off-Facebook activity, then tap Clear previous activity.
• Next, tap Manage future activity and select Disconnect future activity.

• Clark Howard, 95.5 WSB Radio Consumer Expert and my pal, shares tips to score cheap flights. One of the best? Instead of booking a round-trip, try booking two one-way tickets for a better deal!
• Annette and Peter Manes are in a rough spot. Scammers tricked 85-year-old Annette out of $1.4 million — her life savings. Peter, her son, is fighting to get it back.
• Becca in Santa Barbara is concerned there may be spy cams in her room and bathroom after finding a family member sneaking around. Yikes.

Plus, Mark wants refurbished iPhones, Mary worries about TikTok, Paul needs a camera for his son with autism, Robert is looking for AI tools for sports photography and lots more!

Stick it: Gaffer tape is basically duct tape without the residue. I hear it has many devout adherents.

Find: Your next superstar employee. I’ve had the best luck on LinkedIn. Use my link to post a job for free.*

Defuzz: Your couch, sweaters — you name it. Everyone needs one of these.

Welcome: Fall with butternut squash and sage pizza. Now you’re drooling.

Save: With Jenny’s number next time you’re at a store and don’t have their loyalty card. Use your area code and 867‑5309.

Cha-ching: Are you overpaying for internet? Plug in your address here to check.

I love a good prank: Who says you have to until April 1? I just got Barry good the other day. Some of my favorites (with steps!) here.

I’m over it: Fix your streaming suggestions with these quick hacks.

Goop, begone: A quick and easy way to clean out the gunk in your earbuds.

The answer: B.) USB flash drive. A DOD employee found one in a parking lot, plugged it into their work laptop and unleashed malware onto the whole network. It took 14 months to clean up and was eventually attributed to Russia.

🤣 The inventor of the USB flash drive recently passed away. He was lowered into his coffin, flipped over, then lowered again. (I know, it’s so bad, it’s good.)

Tip before you go: To insert a USB drive the right way every time, look at the USB symbol on the metal connector. If the port is horizontal, the symbol should face up; if it’s vertical, the symbol should face you. Some USB drives have a seam or logo on one side; that side usually faces up when plugging into a horizontal port.

I appreciate all you do to support me and the team behind the radio shows, podcasts, newsletters and website. Now, go look in the mirror, smile big for me and say aloud, “I am a tech smarty-pants! Thank you, Kim Komando!” You’re so very welcome. — Kim