🕵️‍♀️ VPN myths debunked

A very happy Tuesday, {{first_name | friend}}. Ever get the creeping suspicion your gadgets are eavesdropping on your private convos? One minute you’re whispering to a friend about hiking boots. Next thing you know, every ad’s a trail-ready lace-up.

🧐 Here’s where it gets wild. Which of these real-life tech snoops actually happened? A) Smart TVs recorded conversations and sent them to strangers, B) A fitness app exposed secret military bases, C) A robot vacuum snapped a toilet selfie that hit Facebook, or D) All of the above. Log your guess, the truth is stranger than science fiction and is waiting for you at the end. 

“Free phone?” Sure, and I’ve got some oceanfront property for sale here in Arizona. 🌊 The truth is, big carriers stretch the cost over long contracts that can empty your wallet faster than you can say “unlimited data.” I switched to Consumer Cellular. What you see is what you pay. Plus, you get two lines for $30 each line. No one beats that. — Kim

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“Hi, Kim, I’ve heard you talk about VPNs. Will using one make me anonymous online?” — Dennis in Texas

Great question, Dennis, and one a lot of people ask. A VPN (virtual private network) is one of the best tools for privacy, but it’s not a magic invisibility cloak. There’s a lot of hype out there, so let’s set the record straight.

Nope. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, but websites still recognize you through cookies, browser fingerprinting and account logins. 

A VPN hides where you are, not who you are. Combine it with private browsers, tracker blockers and good password habits.

A VPN secures your connection, especially on public Wi‑Fi, but it won’t save you from clicking a bad link or downloading malware. Think of it as a safe passage for your data, not a shield against every threat.

You still need to keep your antivirus running and your skepticism dialed up.

If you’re not paying, you’re the product. Free VPNs often log and sell your data, inject ads or use weak encryption. Plus, many are from China where they grab a copy of everything on your device. 

A legit VPN provider earns its keep through subscriptions, not by harvesting your info.

Here’s where it gets impressive. A VPN encrypts your data end to end, turning everything you send online from account logins, passwords, emails and streaming into scrambled code. Hackers, advertisers and even your internet provider can’t see a thing.

Did you know your ISP can legally sell your browsing history? A VPN shuts that door.

It’s like a private, armored tunnel through the internet keeping your info safe and your habits private.

My pick? ExpressVPN, a longtime sponsor of my national radio show and the one I personally use. It’s fast, incredibly reliable and doesn’t keep logs of what you do online. One click and you’re protected.

It works on up to eight devices at once, including your phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, even your smart TV. Whether you’re at home, at the airport or traveling abroad, ExpressVPN keeps your connection private and secure.

If you’re serious about privacy, this is the one to get. 

✅ Click now to get four extra months using my exclusive link. Btw, if you do get ExpressVPN, I get no kickbacks or residuals. Everyone needs a solid VPN nowadays.

AI is taking jobs, but it’s also creating better ones. Some pay more than $200,000, and you don’t need to be a techie to get in. Dr. Ross Maciejewski, who leads Arizona State University’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, explains the new AI careers and how to land one.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen now on your favorite platform:

A few clever tools make your tech life a whole lot easier on your eyes.

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Your TV’s raincoat: Guard your outdoor screen from Mother Nature with a weatherproof cover ($30, 15% off). Saves you hundreds in replacements.

✅ Promo code of the day: Use LEBOPX10 for an extra 10% off stylish fits. Hurry, this steal ends tomorrow.

Plug into more great picks: Tap over to my Amazon page for more smart upgrades that are all on sale.

What a bunch of Grok: Remember when “just Google it” was the answer to everything? Elon Musk quietly launched Grokipedia, an AI-powered encyclopedia built into X. It has around 900,000 articles. For comparison, Wikipedia clocks in at nearly 8 million. Not sure we need Grok, but Elon must have something else in mind for it.

Grandma’s little genius: A 13-year-old from California out-invented the Life Alert people. Kevin Tang built “FallGuard,” a $30 camera system that spots falls, using an algorithm he coded himself. No necklaces, no subscriptions, no forgetting to charge your smartwatch. He built it after his grandma’s fall caused brain damage. He’s got $25K and a waiting list. Go Kevin! 

🧃 The “secret” drink I reach for instead of coffee: Tired of the jitters and sugar crashes? Same. I just found a clean electrolyte drink that tastes great and actually works. No caffeine, no junk. I’m talking all-day energy, mental clarity and zero crash. I’ve been sipping NativePath Hydrate daily, and I’m hooked. Try it for 44% off with free shipping before it sells out.*

X marks the lock: If you use a physical security key (like a YubiKey) for 2FA on X, you’ve got until Nov. 10 to reenroll, or your account gets locked. Why? X is cutting ties with the old Twitter.com domain, which means you’re basically reregistering your key under X.com. Authenticator and SMS 2FA folks? No action needed.

🏗️ Flying 3D printers: Is it me, or does looking up get more crowded every decade? Carnegie Mellon’s developing drones that double up as construction workers. Really. Picture a swarm of little bots 3D-printing shelters and bridges after a disaster. These things use AI to turn “build a bridge” into an actual blueprint, then adjust midair if something goes wrong. 90% success rate so far! Who would have thought that would ever be possible?

In this AI-powered podcast, go treasure hunting in the real world with geocaching, then get nostalgic for old-school gadgets. Plus, some wild AI fails and helpful tech tips.

Listen on Komando.com →

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On Google Maps, you don’t need exact names. Type “hiking trails,” “coffee shop” or “car repair,” and it’ll show local results. Sweet.

Cool Windows 11 shortcuts: Save yourself clicks with these. Snap windows to the left or right side of your screen using Windows key + arrow keys. Open the widget panel for weather, stocks or sports updates with Windows key + W. Need your notifications or calendar? Try Windows key + N.

🎨 Better AI images: The next time you use an AI image generator like Bing, imagine you’re giving directions to an artist who takes things literally. Start with your main subject, then layer in details such as color, background and mood. Don’t forget the style. Try “watercolor,” “realistic photo,” “Pixar style,” “vintage film” or even “cyberpunk.” And always say what to avoid. Example: “A happy golden retriever in an autumn park at sunset chasing a ball, Pixar style. No people.” The clearer you are, the better the magic turns out.

🔎 Scammers on Facebook Marketplace: It’s tough to tell who’s legit, so start by checking when the seller joined. Scroll to Seller information on their post. Profiles that are under a year old, private or blank are red flags. But that’s not a 100% guarantee all is legit. If there’s a phone number, search it in Groups for warnings. And always meet in public and bring a friend.

Find your receipts on iPhone: If you take photos of receipts or tickets, your iPhone automatically organizes them, so you can find them later. Open the Photos app, then tap Collections > Utilities > Receipts. Or use the search icon (the little magnifying glass) and type something like “parking receipt.” No more endless scrolling.

🔐 Lock down your digital life: If you’re still reusing the same passwords (or just adding “123”), it’s time for a real fix. NordPass keeps every password safe behind one master key. Even if someone gets your device, they’re still locked out. It’s fast, smart and packed with features like Password Health, Secure Sharing and Email Masking. Get 58% off plus 4 extra months free with my exclusive link.*

Remember as a kid checking if your sneakers were the “fast ones”? Nike’s new prototype makes that dream real with motors.

It’s called Project Amplify, and it looks like a sleek ankle cuff that connects to a carbon-plated shoe. Inside, there’s a compact motor, drive belt and rechargeable battery. 

As you walk or jog, it literally gives you a gentle push like a second set of calf muscles helping you along. Now, this isn’t built for elite runners chasing sub-6 miles. It’s for real people. The kind of folks pacing a 12-minute mile who want a little help with hills, distance or just feeling stronger on a walk. 

Nike says it could be coming “in the next few years.”

🏃🏼‍♀️ Reminds me of when I was running down the street where the houses were numbered, 64k, 128k, 256k, 512k and 1MB. Whoa, what a trip down the memory lane!

The answer: D) All of the above. Yikes! Every last one of those unsettling scenarios really happened, even the toilet one.

🚽 If it’s smart and connected, it can spy. Always check the privacy settings, and keep your Roomba out of the bathroom. It’s been collecting dirt on you for years.

Before you go: Those “free phone” deals look tempting, right? The truth is, free isn’t really free. Big carriers sneak costs into long, expensive contracts that are hard to escape. I switched to Consumer Cellular. No gimmicks, no games, just honest pricing and reliable coverage. Save $25 when you switch with code KIM25.

🔐 Tomorrow, what happens when a YouTuber picks a lock the company says is unpickable. They sued him. This is the #1 free tech newsletter in the U.S.

💬 Tell a friend something cool you learned, or just forward this. I won’t mind. — Kim

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Photo credit(s): ChatGPT, VIXLW, Nike

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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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