🕵️ Google finally admits Incognito wasn’t private

Good Sunday to you, {{first_name | friend}}.

Holy wearables! Forget counting steps, let’s count blessings. Back in 2019, the Vatican dropped the ultimate spiritual accessory: the Click to Pray eRosary. For $110, this smart bracelet tracked your Hail Marys and synced with an app, but it only “woke up” if you performed one very specific motion.

Can you guess the gesture? A) Folding your hands together, B) Making the sign of the cross, C) Kneeling for five seconds or D) Tapping the device against your heart. The answer is below, along with how hackers sent this gadget straight to purgatory.

🤑 I’m giving away $100, $200, $500 and $1,000 Amazon gift cards. Be a pal and tell your friends, family, coworkers, or entire congregation to enter at WinFromKim.com! There’s no purchase necessary.

Plus, my Christmas Cash Giveaway is rolling! Every single day, one lucky subscriber wins a $100, $200, or $500 Amazon gift card. Take a peek at the Golden Ticket section below. Today might be your day!— Kim

📬 Was this forwarded to you? Be the first to know, not the last to hear. Sign up now. It’s free!

I’ve been telling you for years that your browser’s private mode is about as private as getting naked in a room with glass walls. Now we finally have proof, straight from the source. Google settled a $5 billion lawsuit accusing them of tricking millions of people into believing Incognito mode made them invisible online.

Spoiler: It didn’t. Not even close.

During the case, internal Google emails came out that were jaw-dropping. One engineer wrote that they should stop using the little “Spy Guy” icon with Chrome because it suggested a level of privacy that did not exist. 

Another memo joked they should rename it “Guy Hiding in the Bushes Mode,” because even if you don’t see Google, it definitely sees you. Ouch.

When you opened an Incognito tab in Chrome, you thought you were slipping off the grid. In reality, Google’s ad trackers, Analytics and other built-in tools running across the web were still logging all your activities. 

Your shopping habits. Your late-night questions. Your health searches. It was all collected, tied to you and sold off to advertisers, marketing companies and who knows who else.

As part of the massive settlement, Google has to delete billions of records of people who thought they were browsing privately. They also had to rewrite the Incognito disclaimer to admit that websites and Google itself can still track you.

Incognito mode does nothing to stop your ISP, Google, advertisers and the websites you visit from tracking your activity. You might feel hidden, but everyone sees everything.

Here are smart steps to take.

1. Break up with Chrome. Use a privacy-first browser like Firefox or Brave that doesn’t tie your entire life to Big Tech’s data machine. Now if that doesn’t sound very appealing, you can still use Chrome but be sure to do #2.

2. Install a tracker-blocking extension. uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger stop the hidden trackers most sites load in the background. Both are free. If you only want one, install uBlock Origin. The power user privacy move is to install both.

3. Turn off “ad personalization.” Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft all have dashboards where you can shut down some of the snooping. Nosy around in the privacy settings.

4. Use a private search engine. My favorite is Startpage. If you hate Google the company but you love Google’s search results, use it. I like it over DuckDuckGo because StartPage gives better, more thorough results and doesn’t try to upsell you like DuckDuckGo.

5. Use a VPN. This is the one step that actually blinds the snoops and trackers. A VPN encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address, meaning your ISP, advertisers, and creepy websites can’t track your digital footprints.

Never, ever use a “free” VPN. If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product. Many free VPN apps have ties to China, harvest everything you type in while you’re using the app, and slow your connection to a crawl.

ExpressVPN has been a longtime sponsor of my national show for one reason: Their security is unmatched. While other VPNs write data to hard drives, ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology. This means their servers run entirely on RAM, so all data is wiped instantly. They literally cannot see what you do because the data doesn't exist.

ExpressVPN is the only tool I trust to protect me on public Wi-Fi. One click and you’re wrapped in AES-256 encryption (the same standard that banks, the military and NSA uses).

Click this link to get 4 extra months. It works seamlessly across your iPhone, Android, Mac, PC, and even your Smart TV. Transparency Note: I get no residuals or kickbacks if you sign up. I use it and think it’d be good if you did, too.

Google admitted Incognito isn’t private. Now it’s your turn to browse like you mean it.

Brag about crypto? You invite a robbery. Hear how a fake delivery guy stole $11 million worth of Bitcoin. Also, Amazon is dumping the USPS. Find out what that means for you. Plus, Gemini vs. ChatGPT, Elon’s retirement date and a new tool to catch AI fakes.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen now wherever you get your podcasts, search for “Komando.”

💳 Fake shop flood: Scammers are using AI to whip up fake ads on Facebook, selling knockoff tech products and nonexistent boutiques like “C’est La Vie.” Meta says it removed them, but this stuff keeps popping up. One estimate says Meta’s raking in $7B a year from scam ads. So yeah, if it looks too good to be true, Zuckerberg’s getting paid either way. 

Driverless, not drama-less: Waymo’s driverless cars are done being pushovers. Now they’re pulling “California stops” (aka slowing down just enough to pretend they stopped), breaking traffic laws and driving like they’re late for a gig in Queens. One got pulled over for an illegal U-turn. It apologized through a speaker. All part of a “confidently assertive” (paywall link) rebrand, according to Google. Next up, a delivery robot yelling at you, “Watch it! I’m walkin’ here!” 

Imagine turning on your computer tomorrow and seeing a black screen. The baby photos, videos, tax returns you need for an audit gone forever. Hard drives have a 100% failure rate eventually. I don’t gamble with my memories, and neither should you. I use Carbonite. It works quietly in the background, automatically backing up every new file without me lifting a finger. If disaster strikes, I get it all back with one click. Save 75% on Carbonite Safe Basic, just $1.99/month.*

Dumbest smart crime: Two brothers, fired government contractors with a previous hacking conviction, allegedly tried to delete federal records minutes after getting canned. But get this: They didn’t know how to cover their tracks, so they asked an AI chatbot how to wipe logs. It’s like Ocean’s Eleven if everyone in it had a concussion. The only thing they stole successfully? A spot on America’s Dumbest Cybercriminals.

🤖 Build-a-bot: You can build your own AI assistant inside Google Workspace. It’s called Workspace Studio, and it works with plain English prompts, no code, no fuss. Think of tools like ChatGPT as your on-call genius for one-off tasks, while these sorts of agents are like tireless coworkers who do recurring stuff without being asked twice. For example: Anytime you get an email from Greg, share a 1-sentence distilled version with me, and respond, “Thanks, Greg!” Basically, it’s keeping that intern who never sleeps energy going. Try it!

Long-lost half siblings are using DNA results to sue for estate money. I explain why skeletons in the closet are getting expensive. Plus, why the IRS is watching OnlyFans, ChatGPT snitches to police, and Netflix kills casting.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen now wherever you get your podcasts, search for “Komando.”

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Need to do quick math or currency conversion? Don’t open a calculator app. The trick: On Mac (Cmd + Space) or Windows (Win key), type the math: 500 * 1.2 or 100 USD to EUR. The answer appears instantly in the search bar. 

Change how ChatGPT talks: Enough with the robo replies, make it sound human. Open Settings > Personalization > Base style and tone. You’ll see options like Professional (polished and precise), Friendly (warm and chatty) or Cynical (sarcastic and critical). Or keep it on Default and prompt it exactly how you want: “Reply like a supportive bestie.”

🏠 A home break-in happens every 26 seconds. I don't rely on a simple deadbolt. I have a digital fortress. My system blankets my home with advanced sensors on every door and window, plus AI-powered cameras that can distinguish between a stray cat and a criminal. It watches over me 24/7. Stop hoping you’re safe and start knowing you’re safe. This weekend only, you’ll get 50% off any new system. The peace of mind is priceless, but the hardware is half price.*

Separate Chrome profiles: If your little ones use the same computer, you might not want to share your bookmarks. Create separate Chrome profiles to keep things private. And no, they don’t need their own Google accounts. Click your profile icon in the top right and select Add Chrome profile. Give it a name, pick an icon and you’re set.

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a scanner: There’s no need to buy an expensive printer-scanner combo. Your Notes app can handle it. Open Notes, tap the Attachment button and select Scan Documents. Point your camera at the page and snap a photo. Adjust the corners, tap Keep Scan, then Save. I use it for all my receipts. 

🎧 Listen to audiobooks on your Kindle: Go to All Settings > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth and toggle on Bluetooth. Tap Bluetooth Devices, put your headset in pairing mode and choose it from the list. If it doesn’t show up, hit Rescan. PSA: Raycon is currently running 30% off earbuds with adjustable tips, perfect for those long listening sessions.*

🚶🏼‍♀️ Take me with you wherever you go: Listen to my latest show on Apple, iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts.

AI detective: See whether a song was likely made by an AI model or a human.

🎬 Watch a great movie: First, check out Oh. What. Fun. on Amazon Prime, where Michelle Pfeiffer plays an unappreciated mom who "kidnaps" herself to force her chaotic family to save Christmas. I liked it. If you want a little action with your romance, flip over to Netflix for Jingle Bell Heist, a clever caper about two thieves who fall in love. Finally, Disney+ dropped Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, serving up that classic, cringey middle-school humor that always hits the mark with the kiddos.

🤑 Save money: Hit this link on Amazon to see if the stuff you buy all the time is on sale right now.

Contribute: Your own pics to Google Street View. Great way to promote a small business, just sayin’.

🔍 Zoom in: Zoom Earth lets you track weather systems and satellite views in real time.

🛍️ Cozy up or gear up: While you’re checking off your Sunday list, peek at my new Etsy shop. I’ve added hats, hoodies and beanies for the chilly season, plus the tough phone cases and AirPods covers you’ve been asking me about. Click here to use coupon code SHOPWITHKIM for 20% off right now.

FPV pilot Luke Bredar decided to toss a GoPro-strapped drone into a tornado because apparently drones needed a harder mode. 

He joined two pro storm chasers in Oklahoma, put on his goggles from inside the getaway car and flew straight to a funnel cloud like he was getting footage of the Death Star. Yep, front row seats to the atmosphere’s spin cycle.

You have to watch this! The footage is incredible. 

✝️ The answer: B) Making the sign of the cross. The sleek little bracelet, made of black agate and hematite, used motion sensors to detect that sacred swipe across your forehead, chest and shoulders. Only 48 hours after it launched, a security researcher found a hacker could easily hijack a user’s account, see their personal info and prayer requests. Usually, you have to wait until after you die to have your sins read back to you.

True story time: When I was in second grade at Our Lady of Hungary School in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, we went to confession every week. I remember standing in line, racking my brain for something I had done wrong, and coming up empty. I spotted a Bible, opened it to the Ten Commandments and thought, “I’ve got it.” So I walked into the confessional and said, “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was a week ago. This week, I committed adultery.” The screen slid open and the priest leaned in with wide eyes and said, “You did not. You lied, so say ten Hail Marys and ten Our Fathers. And when you get home, ask your mother what adultery means.” So I did. I told her the whole story and she laughed until she cried.

This is the #1 free tech newsletter in the United States. Tomorrow, I’m talking useless gadgets, smart tech scams hiding in plain sight in the clearance aisle, and how that $49 deal might actually be a security nightmare.

Until next time, go in peace and curiosity. — Kim

📣 Don’t keep me a secret: Send your friends to GetKim.com

Photo credit(s): Gemini, Lovery, GoPro

Companies and products denoted by an asterisk (*) within this publication are paid sponsors or advertisements. As an Amazon Associate, the publisher earns from qualifying purchases. Statements regarding products denoted by a double asterisk (**) have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration; such products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This newsletter is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or professional advice of any kind. Readers should consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this content. The publisher disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from the use of or reliance on the information contained herein.