⚠️ New hack, no download

Welcome to your Tuesday, {{first_name | friend}}. Ever wonder which pet is laughing all the way to the bank, I mean bowl? Some animals have gone from cute to cash cows, commanding serious fees for a single post. 

🛑 Don’t let your email provider or Big Tech decide what you see! Simply reply to this email and say “Hi.” That will tell the algorithm you want my content. If you can reply for a few days this week, I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much. — Kim

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Remember when viruses came from clicking on sketchy email attachments like “hotpics[.]exe”? Good times. Today’s malware doesn’t even need a file. It slips into your system’s memory like a digital ninja, using tools already on your computer like PowerShell, WMI or macros to do its dirty work. 

No download. No alert. Just boom, you’re compromised.

These are called fileless viruses, and they’re exploding. Security firms say they’re up nearly 40% this year. Why? Because your antivirus doesn’t see them coming. No file, no warning. But wait, it gets worse.

Some of the newest malware doesn’t just sneak in, it learns. This next-gen code changes its form on the fly, adapting in real time to whatever security software it bumps into. Think of it like the T-1000 from Terminator, but instead of turning into liquid metal, it changes its signature to hide.

And it’s not being built in a basement. These tools are mass-produced and sold like Netflix subscriptions on the dark web. It’s called Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), and yes, that’s as terrifying as it sounds. For a few hundred bucks, anyone with bad intentions can launch a full-blown cyberattack.

You’ve got a smart thermostat, maybe a printer, a tablet, a few security cameras. All it takes is one “forgot to update,” and they’re in.

Even developers aren’t safe. A few months ago, a virus slipped into a popular open-source library. Anyone who downloaded the update brought the malware into their own code. That’s how fast this stuff spreads.

Most important: Use solid real-time antivirus with behavior monitoring, not just signature scanning. TotalAV, a sponsor of my nationally syndicated radio show, protects you in real time. It doesn’t just wait for a scheduled scan. 

It’s always watching in the background, blocking viruses, trojans, adware and other threats the moment they try to strike. TotalAV even checks for suspicious, virus-like behavior to catch threats that haven’t been cataloged yet. 

That means you’re protected not just from known attacks but also from brand-new ones cybercriminals are cooking. Right now, you can get TotalAV on up to five devices for $19 for the first year.

The malware game is leveling up. Time to do the same.

Driverless cars are hitting the roads in major cities, but when they break traffic laws, police are left scratching their heads. Who gets the ticket when there’s no driver behind the wheel?

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform:

Skip the endless scrolling. I rounded up the steals worth your cart space.

⚡ Portable power station (50% off): Save $400 and don’t get left in the dark when the first winter storm hits. 

Cordless car vacuum (50% off): No cords, no limits. With a pet brush and flexible hose, you’ll leave no crumbs.

🔒 Anti-theft cable lock (60% off): Braided steel and 100K+ code combos keep your bike safe from thieves.

Manual can opener (60% off): Soft-grip handle and magnetic lid make cutting cans and popping bottles easy.

😁 Philips electric toothbrush (50% off): Comes with a charging travel case so you never settle for a “so-so” clean on the go.

⏰ It’s go time: These prices won’t last long. Shop all the markdowns before the best stuff disappears. I have some other great Prime Day links at the end, too.

⚠️ Pop goes the malware: You’re scrolling the web when, bam, a pop-up says you need to “verify your identity.” Nope. That’s not security, that’s a scam called ClickFix. The NSA says these fake pop-ups now target iPhones and Androids, tricking you into clicking, copying or pasting your way into malware. If you see one, just close everything. Save yourself the clicks and tears.

Musk made me do it: Look, if “Elon Musk” messages you about a hot crypto deal, it’s fraud not fate. Scammers are out there pretending to be him, using fake videos, livestreams and even his mom to vouch for the hustle. Folks have lost anywhere from 10 grand to a quarter million dollars. Some even think they’re dating him. Spoiler: You’re not.

💓 Wi‑Fi’s got a pulse on you: Your home Wi‑Fi might soon do more than stream Netflix. Soon, it will track your location and heartbeat. Researchers say new tech turns routers into 24/7 motion and vital sign monitors, no cameras needed. That buffering circle? It’s watching you breathe.

Say goodbye to sluggish days! NativePath Hydrate keeps me energized and focused with clean electrolytes and 14 essential vitamins. No sugar, no junk, and perfect after walking my dogs. My readers save up to 44% off plus FREE shipping!*

🪐 Make a wish (maybe duck): That bright streak lighting up the sky isn’t a shooting star, it’s a Starlink satellite crashing out of orbit. With 8,500 up there (and more on the way), we can expect up to five fiery reentries daily soon. The FAA warns falling space junk could start injuring people by 2035. Heads up, literally.

🎓 Creepin’ 101: Students at the University of San Francisco got a safety alert after reports of a man using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to film women without consent. Who could have predicted that happening? He’s allegedly posting the clips on TikTok. Idiot. 

Viral thrills or reckless danger? MrBeast’s latest video is both literally and figuratively sparking outrage. Then, Google admits it caved to daily White House pressure to censor opinions. Plus, kids aren’t passing notes in the hallway anymore, they’re using Google Docs instead.

Listen on Komando.com →

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⚡️ 3-second tech genius: If an app, service or your internet seems down, check Downdetector. Search the name to see current outages along with problems reported in the past few hours. And if there are none, reboot your device. 

Powerful, fast and hassle-free. OCI, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, gives you serious speed, big power and smart savings. No cloud drama, no headaches, just reliable performance. Discover why businesses are making the switch, and try it free today.*

💻 Time to leave Windows 10: Support ends Oct. 14, and even with an extra year of security updates, it’s best to move on. To upgrade, go to Settings > Update & Security and click Download and install Windows 11 (at the top). Don’t see it? Get the Windows 11 Installation Assistant online and follow the steps. Need a new PC? Here are my picks.

Organize Kindle books: Your Kindle doesn’t have to be chaos. Create Collections (mini folders) to keep your favorite reads together. In your Library, select the three-dot icon on a book, choose Add to/remove from Collection, hit (+), name it, tap Create and Save. Then repeat with other books to add them.

🔑 See your Wi-Fi password: No more squinting or digging through sticky notes. On iPhone, open the Passwords app, tap Wi-Fi and select your current network. Long-press the password field and hit Show in Large Type. Ta-da, your Wi-Fi password appears in big, colorful letters, perfect for typing into that smart TV.

Student discounts rock: Got a kid in school? Their .edu email or student ID unlocks deals on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium, Hulu and more. Example: Hulu with ads drops from $9.99 to $1.99 a month. Easy win.

Craving a glimpse into our robot overlord future? Buckle up, because a Chinese robotics firm just birthed a nightmare with eyebrows.

Meet the Origin M1, a disturbingly lifelike robot head that blinks and breathes. Under its synthetic skin are 25 tiny motors working overtime to make it look like a wax figure that saw some things and never emotionally recovered.

Its eyes follow you, thanks to hidden cameras, and it listens with built-in mics. You know, in case you want to whisper your fears directly into its cold, mechanical soul. 

The company says it’s designed for “emotion-driven AI research,” which is hilarious because it already nailed one emotion, that is, sheer panic.

🐾 The answer: C) dog. Jiffpom isn’t just cute, he’s business. With 9 million followers on Instagram, this pint‑size Pomeranian rakes in an estimated $32,000 per sponsored post (or more) thanks to brand deals, accessories, apparel and pet‑centric campaigns. 

Let’s all paws for the applause. 

🎉 Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are here! 

Hope you enjoyed today’s free newsletter. Drop a rating and a comment below. 

Tomorrow, a guy who lost $1B in Bitcoin, literally in the trash, is launching a way to dig it back up. This is a definite talker.

Until then, stay curious, trust your gut, silence your smart speaker and remember, even when tech drives you nuts, at least you’re not being replaced by a blinking robot head (yet). 😄 — Kim

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Photo credit(s): ChatGPT, AheadForm

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This newsletter and its content are intended for informational purposes only. They are provided without warranty of any kind. You shouldn’t construe anything provided here as legal, health, medical, technical, tax, investment, financial or any other kind of advice.

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