Wow, it’s Thursday, and Christmas Eve is 10 days away! My husband sent this text to fam and friends: “Merry Christmas! 🥗🎄🎅.” I asked, “Why are you sending a salad out for Christmas?” He thought it was a wreath.

It’s you, me and all the top tech news. First, today’s trivia is a heavy load. How much did the first 5MB hard drive weigh? Was it 25 pounds, 50 pounds, 250 pounds or 2,000 pounds? Answer’s at the end!

Know someone who lives alone? Maybe it’s you or someone you care for. Get peace of mind with a security system you can trust. SimpliSafe is easy to buy and install and has no expensive monthly charges. Right now, save 50% with my link. Btw, if you buy, I don’t get kickbacks or residuals. Without further ado, the tech news! — Kim

All I want for Christmas is to help keep your data safe. The bad news? There are a ton of cybercriminals out there doing their best to stop me.

Apple just shared the results of an MIT study on the growing number of cyberattacks around the globe. A mindblowing 2.6 billion personal records were breached in 2021 and 2022. I'd say it's time to act if you haven't already.

Be smart and do the steps I outlined below while you’re thinking about it. I’ll show you how to turn on built-in protections for your Apple or Android phone. You can do this. As always, I’m right by your side, and we’re in this together.

Apple makes it easy

End-to-end encryption has long been the default for Apple iMessage, iCloud Keychain and Health data. We like this.

But you're missing out if you aren't using Apple's Advanced Data Protection. It encrypts your messages in iCloud, your iPhone’s iCloud backup, iCloud Drive, Notes, photos, reminders, Safari bookmarks, Siri shortcuts, voice memos and Wallet passes.

This is good news, given how much personal info we store in all those different places. I’m looking at you, the person who saves all their passwords in the Notes app.

• First, make sure you’re running iOS 16.2 or later.
• Open your iPhone’s Settings app, then tap your name at the top.
• Choose iCloud, then scroll to the bottom and tap Advanced Data Protection.
• Tap Turn On Advanced Data Protection.

Follow the directions on the screen to finish up. Bam, you’re done.

Use an Android? I’ll be honest …

I’m not just saying this because I use an iPhone: Apple does better at this kind of data protection than Android. Alas, let’s see what you’ve got.

Google Play Protect analyzes your apps to look for hidden malware and anything phish‑y. (If you read this newsletter regularly, though, you know bad apps can slip through.) It also performs daily scans to disable malware and harmful apps on your phone.

At least backups are locked down. If you use Google One, they’re uploaded to Google’s servers and encrypted with your Google Account password. To set it up, get steps on my website. Sorry, too much to include here in my newsletter!

🙊 Speaking of … How do you send an encrypted email to Marcel Marceau? Using S/MIME. (I heard you chuckle at that!)

✅ You probably know at least one person who needs this information. Use the handy share buttons below to send these steps now. In return, I’ll bet you’ll get a “Wow, that’s great to know!”

Still shopping for gifts? I’ve found a few warm, cozy things so good, you’ll want one for them and one for you!

• A rechargeable electric hand warmer might stop the fights over how high to crank the heater.
• I love a big heated blanket this time of year — even in Arizona!
• These sweet gloves still let you use your smartphone. (And here’s a pair for small hands, too.)
• Everyone likes to bundle up in a plush blanket. Cute colors!
• A heated eye massage mask feels like a spa visit at home.

🛍️ Looking for more great gift ideas? Here are my picks for the 50 best tech gifts of 2023.

🚑 Tesla’s in trouble: Over 2 million Tesla EVs — just about all Y, S, 3 and X models produced from 2012 to 2022 — are being recalled. After numerous deaths, Tesla is finally rolling out a fix for its Autosteer feature. But wait, there’s more. Some Teslas will no longer get the $7,500 federal EV credit starting Jan. 1, 2024. Take delivery by Dec. 31, 2023, to receive the tax credit.

Scum-mies: An Arizona woman got duped by a deepfake ad with Oprah's face selling keto gummies. Hooked by the star power, she ordered a bottle for $49, only to get a shocking $258.77 charge. Attempts to cancel were futile. No refund, just a harsh lesson in fake celebrity endorsements. Come on, you have to be smarter than this!

Greedy Motors: GM's ditching Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its new EVs, like the 2024 Chevy Blazer. It says it’s for “safety reasons” — apparently, our phones are too distracting. But let's call it what it is: GM wants to force you into its “Ultifi” system. Ahh, just think of all the sweet data and cash from in-app purchases it's gonna make.

🔥 Don’t get burned: A flashlight battery went haywire and started a house fire in Tennessee. Your lithium-ion battery safety checklist: Don't buy cheap knockoffs with counterfeit batteries, unplug your devices after they've charged, and keep all lithium-ion batteries out of direct sunlight. Notice any damage or swelling? Recycle it.

Adios, thieves: Say hello to Stolen Device Protection, now available with Apple iOS 17.3. If someone steals your iPhone, they can't just reset and resell it; they'll need to pass location checks and biometric scans and wait out time delays to mess with your Apple ID. This feature’s still in beta, so don't toss your pepper spray just yet.

👁️ Eye-lert: The FDA is clamping down on homeopathic eye drops after some scary infections. Avoid over-the-counter eye drops promising to fix glaucoma or cataracts and those containing shady substances like MSM or silver sulfate. Scan this recall list if you have eye drops around.

E-book watchdog: Amazon, dominating 72% of the e-reader market, is tracking more than your favorite genres. It's snooping on your entire web activity to package it up and sell it to who knows who. Worse yet? No laws stop them. Big Brother's reading over your shoulder.

AI boyfriends: Meet Madeline Salazar, the TikTok star crafting fake beaus in her selfies. She's racked up 55 million views for images of dreamy guys resting on her shoulder or holding her hand. Some call it hilarious, others say it's toxic, and Madeline says it's all in good fun. FYI, she's got a YouTube tutorial for your DIY fake romance needs. What a world.

Has your connection been extra spotty lately? It’s not just you — holiday decorations can make your signal screwy.

No kidding, twinkly lights, tinsel and even your tree can impact broadband speeds. It’s not the Ghost of Christmas Past; it’s all that interference.

• Keep your router away from lights, tinsel, fake snowmen, whatever. Otherwise, the Wi‑Fi will go data‑way.
• The tree should be as far from your router as possible. If it’s covering it, you might be interfering with the signal.
• It’s probably easier to move the router than it is the tree, btw. Aim for up high, like on a shelf.

✅ Have a minute? Find the perfect spot for your router for the best speeds and fewer dead zones. Call it your Christmas gift to your family.

🧊 Set your Wi‑Fi password to "Itsonthefridge." When people ask for it, they’ll go to the fridge and look all over for it … but find nothing.

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.

👉 Get my podcasts today!

For your 2024 goals: If you’re starting a new business, a good web address and social media handle are important. Namecheckr scans the web and social platforms to see if the handle you want is open. Nice!

One click and you’re connected: I remember using VPNs back in the day. They were so much work to set up, and then your speed was in the toilet. Not anymore. ExpressVPN is fast and easy to use. I hardly even notice it’s on! Use my link to get three months extra, free!*

👂 Tone deaf: ChatGPT and other AI bots need all the instruction you can give. Have a distinct tone in mind? Include that in your prompt. Try something like "In a conversational tone," "In a friendly voice" or "In an authoritative tone" before your request. It works!

Call me, maybe: Do Not Disturb mode is fantastic, but what if you want someone to be able to reach you even if it’s enabled? Set them up as an approved contact. I did this with both Ian and Barry.

📄 Office freebie: Unless you absolutely need Microsoft 365, don’t waste your money. For years, I’ve recommended LibreOffice, the free, open-source office software suite. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux.

I love a deal, and I know you do, too. Maybe you only have a cheap Amazon cam that watches your porch. Or maybe you’re relying on an outdated security system. Stop that!

SimpliSafe is the best of the best. It’s total protection for your whole home, including advanced sensors to detect break-ins, fires, floods and more — all with 24/7 professional monitoring for less than $1 a day.

You won’t get roped into an expensive contract (they don’t have them!), and you can order it all online and install it yourself. It’s easy, and you’ll be so glad you did.

When you let IT decorate …

The answer: Shipped in September 1956, the first 5MB hard drive weighed over 2,000 pounds  — a literal ton. How do you eat a hard drive? One byte at a time. I just crack myself up sometimes!

🤗 Thank you. You’re the reason I send this free tech newsletter, and hearing your feedback helps keep us on the right track. Be sure to rate this issue. Bonus points if you share it with a friend! Triple points if you follow me on Facebook, X and Instagram.

I’ll see you tomorrow with the best newsletter in the USA! Until then, stay your wonderful self! — Kim