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1-minute tech changes for more privacy

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1-minute tech changes for more privacy

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You’re shopping for a gift, or doing something personal, and oops! Someone waltzes into the room. No problem — just hit Command + M on a Mac or Windows + M on a Windows PC to instantly minimize the program you have open.

There are so many little tips and tricks that make using your tech better. I’ve got a ton up my sleeve that are privacy-focused. If you find one new to you, share this article with a friend!

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5-stars! Watch Kim Komando’s Daily Podcast on YouTube. It’s tech news with a fun slant!

Every time I share this, someone thanks me

7 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER ASK SIRI, GOOGLE ASSISTANT OR ALEXA

Apple keeps track of where you go and how often you visit. It can then make suggestions based on what it calls Significant Locations. You might see these as calendar events or map directions alerts.

Sure, it’s helpful, but not everyone likes it. You can clear this list.

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  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
  • Tap Significant Locations.
  • Hit the Clear History button.

You’re sending more than a selfie

Most people don’t realize all they share when sending a picture via text. Nearly every social media site strips out the metadata that reveals a photo’s little details, like when, where and how it was taken. But that info is not protected if you text a pic. You can stop that.

To stop location sharing on iPhone:

  • Open the image you want to send and tap the share button.
  • Select Options and toggle off Location. Tap Done.

To disable location tracking in your camera altogether:

  • Open Settings. Tap Privacy & Security > Location Services.
  • Scroll down, tap on Camera, then select Never.

FULTON COUNTY, GA, STILL DEALING WITH DAMAGE LEFT BY JANUARY RANSOMWARE CYBERATTACK

On Android, here’s how to wipe the location data for a single photo:

  • Open your gallery and select the photo.
  • Go to Details (it may be a three-dot menu) and click Remove location data.

Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it

Bluetooth works similarly to Wi-Fi and cellular networks but performs simpler tasks at shorter ranges. You don’t need a cellular signal or network connection to use Bluetooth, and it doesn’t use data. And like any other connection, it’s not 100% safe.

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Hackers and scammers must be close to you to use Bluetooth to hijack your phone. But in just about any public space, you’re arm’s length from strangers.

My advice: Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it. Keeping it active all the time makes your device more discoverable. As a bonus, keeping Bluetooth off will increase your device’s battery life.

African American teenage boy writes something in a notebook while studying in the campus library. An open laptop is on the table. He is wearing wireless headphones. (iStock)

  • On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. You can also swipe down from the top right of your screen to open the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon.
  • The same steps work for Android phones. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps vary based on your phone’s model. Look or search for Bluetooth if these steps don’t match your phone.)

Airplane mode also disables Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among other things, so it works in a pinch — but you won’t receive calls or texts.

Swap your pen for a safer one

It’s kind of crazy to me that check fraud is increasing in a big way. Criminals go to mailboxes and target envelopes that look like checks being mailed or bill payments.

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Check washing is the most common type of check fraud. This is where a crook steals a check from the mail and alters the payee’s name so they can cash it. They often change the amount of money as well. 

GOOGLE CANNOT OVER-OPTIMIZE WITH ‘IDEOLOGICAL FILTERS’: DIGITAL CONSULTANT KRIS RUBY

If you need to write a check, use a security pen, also known as a check-washing pen. Uni-ball 207 Series pens (4 for around $10 on Amazon) use specially formulated ink that gets trapped into the paper, making it difficult for criminals to wash or erase the ink on a check.

To be extra safe, skip the mailbox and take your checks directly to your local post office. More smart steps here if there’s a mail fraud surge in your area.

Check washing fraud is when important information is removed from an original check and new information is added on. (Fox News)

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Don’t forget crooks like to go offline, too

Thieves still use old-school tactics they think we all forgot about. We’re too smart for that, right?

  • Out in public, keep your purse and wallet close. Only bring the cards you’ll be using.
  • Be aware of who’s around when you pull out your phone, and hide your screen as you type in your PIN.
  • Leave your Social Security card, birth certificate and passport at home unless you truly need them.
  • Shred old bills and financial records before tossing them. I use this shredder.
  • Review your credit report and bank statements regularly. Here’s how to get a free report.

If you get scammed, resist the urge to stay quiet. Report fraud, scams and bad business practices to the FTC. If you gave out your Social Security number, contact the SSA immediately.

Keep your tech-know going 

My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

PODCAST PICK: The SWAT team raided Kim’s house

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Plus, Madeline Smith has caught over 1,000 cheaters caught online. She shares her insights on spotting an unfaithful spouse. Kim and Andrew also talk about NASA’s Mars simulator and demystify baffling Gen Z slang.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon. Listen on 425+ radio stations or get the podcast. And join over 400,000 people who get her free 5-minute daily email newsletter.

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Technology

Silksong is getting a free expansion next year

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Silksong is getting a free expansion next year

It’s still hard to believe that Hollow Knight: Silksong actually came out this year, but now, we all have a new thing to wait for: the game is getting a free expansion in 2026, titled Sea of Sorrow. Team Cherry calls it the game’s “first big expansion.”

“New areas, bosses, tools, and more!” Team Cherry says in a blog post. “Hornet’s adventures continue in our nautically themed expansion, coming free for all players next year. We’ll keep further details a secret for now, but expect additional info shortly before Hollow Knight: Silksong – Sea of Sorrow releases.”

More than 7 million people bought Silksong, according to Team Cherry, and “millions more” played on Xbox Game Pass.

The original Hollow Knight is getting updated, too. Team Cherry is working on a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game that “incorporates all the updates and enhancements that Silksong received on the platform: High frame-rate modes, higher resolutions, and many additional graphical effects.” Players who own the Switch version of the game will get the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition as a free update when it’s available in 2026.

Ahead of that launch, Team Cherry says it will be “updating all versions of the original game for current platforms, adding features and fixing bugs.” Those changes include “full 16:10 and 21:9 aspect ratio support for those of you with Steam Decks or ultrawide monitors,” and PC players can try the new updates in public beta.

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Petco confirms major data breach involving customer data

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Petco confirms major data breach involving customer data

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Petco revealed a data breach that exposed sensitive customer information. The company disclosed the details in state filings after identifying a configuration in one of its software applications that made certain files accessible online. This issue has now been corrected, but the impact is significant.

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THIRD-PARTY BREACH EXPOSES CHATGPT ACCOUNT DETAILS

Petco disclosed a breach that exposed customer data after a software setting left files accessible online. (Photographer: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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What Petco says the breach exposed

According to reports filed with the Texas attorney general’s office, the exposed data included names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account details, credit or debit card numbers and dates of birth. Filings in California, Massachusetts and Montana confirm additional affected residents.

In California, companies must report breaches involving at least 500 state residents. Petco did not disclose the exact number, which suggests the real total is higher. For context, Petco said in 2022 that it served more than 24 million customers.

Petco says the company sent notifications to individuals whose information was involved. The sample notice released by the California attorney general explains that a software setting allowed certain files to be accessible online. Petco says it removed those files, corrected the setting and added new security measures.

The company is offering free credit and identity theft monitoring to victims in California, Massachusetts and Montana. It is not clear if similar support is being offered to affected Texas residents.

We reached out to Petco for comment, and a representative provided CyberGuy with the following statement,

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“We recently identified a setting in one of our applications which inadvertently made certain Petco files accessible online. Upon identifying the issue, we took immediate steps to correct the error and began an investigation. We notified individuals whose information was involved and continue to monitor for further issues. We take this incident seriously. To help prevent something like this from happening again, we have taken and will continue to take steps to enhance the security of our network.”

What this breach means for you

A breach that exposes government IDs, financial numbers and birth dates creates long-term risks. Criminals use this mix of information to open accounts, take over existing ones or try to pass identity checks. Even if no fraud happens right away, exposed data can sit in criminal markets for years.

Ways to stay safe after a breach like this

You can take several steps today that help lower your risk and protect your identity going forward.

1) Place a credit freeze

A freeze blocks new credit accounts in your name. It also stops criminals from opening loans or credit cards with your stolen information. You can freeze your credit for free at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

2) Add two more freezes

Two additional freezes cover accounts that do not run through the major credit bureaus. Freeze ChexSystems to stop criminals from opening checking or savings accounts. Freeze NCTUE to block fake phone, cable or utility accounts.

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3) Turn on account alerts

Set up alerts for banking, credit cards and online shopping accounts. Alerts help you spot suspicious activity fast.

4) Use a password manager

Strong passwords protect you from credential stuffing attacks. This happens when criminals take stolen passwords from one breach and try them on other sites. A password manager creates unique passwords for every account and helps you stop those attacks before they start.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. 

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com

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5) Monitor your identity

If Petco offered you free identity theft monitoring, enroll as soon as possible. It helps you catch fraud that can happen months or years later.

Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com

WHY YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DATA NEEDS A CLEANUP NOW

State filings show Petco customers had Social Security and financial information exposed in the breach. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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6) Remove exposed personal data

Data broker sites collect and share personal details that fuel scams. Removing your information reduces your exposure and makes you a harder target.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

WHY SCAMMERS OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS IN YOUR NAME

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Petco says it corrected the software issue and notified individuals whose information was compromised. (Photo by Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

7) Watch for phishing and use strong antivirus software

Scammers often follow a breach with emails or texts that look real. Slow down and check every message before you click. A strong antivirus helps block malicious links and alerts you when something looks risky.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Data breaches happen often, but this one involves information that can cause lasting harm. You can protect yourself with a few quick steps that reduce the chance of fraud and limit how far criminals can get with your data.

How much trust do you place in companies to protect your personal information? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved. 

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Technology

Kindle app now answers questions about the book you’re reading

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Kindle app now answers questions about the book you’re reading

Amazon has launched a new AI feature in the Kindle app that gives spoiler-free answers to questions about the book you’re reading and confirmed that authors can’t opt out from the feature.

The company calls Ask this Book an “expert reading assistant” in its announcement and says that it’s capable of answering questions about “plot details, character relationships, and thematic elements,” all while avoiding spoilers by limiting its answers to content from the pages you’ve read so far. It’s essentially an in-book chatbot, accessible from the book menu or by highlighting a passage of text you want to ask about.

Amazon spokesperson Ale Iraheta told Publishers Lunch that the answers are “non-shareable and non-copyable” and only available to readers who’ve purchased or rented books. Iraheta also said that the feature is always on, noting that “there is no option for authors or publishers to opt titles out.”

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