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Score big on Amazon Black Friday 2024 with my insider tips

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Score big on Amazon Black Friday 2024 with my insider tips

Amazon’s Black Friday sales event will start on Friday, Nov. 22, and end on Friday, Nov. 29. This is Amazon’s longest Black Friday sale yet. 

The first phase of deals is from Nov. 22-28, and, from Nov. 29expect exclusive deals.

During the main Black Friday event, you can browse through deals from a wide number of categories, including major TV brands, smart home devices, fashion, beauty and wellness, furniture, pet supplies, tools, fitness equipment and more.

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A woman using the Amazon app to shop  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to work the deals — be fast!

Black Friday deals can expire in minutes, and some deals conclude when inventory is gone. Inside the Black Friday event are promotions called Spotlight Deals, Gold Box Deals of the Day and Lightning Deals. I rank these in order of urgency.

The Lightning Deals almost always offer the best prices and last for a small window of time or when sold out, sometimes even just minutes. Even though it may look like a deal is gone, there’s a tip below that could provide an easy workaround to getting the deal anyway.

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A woman using the Amazon app to shop  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST GIFTS FOR WOMEN 2024

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CyberGuy Black Friday battle plan tips

  • Create a Wishlist on Amazon. Put on it everything you buy on a recurring basis throughout the year, like dog food, light bulbs and staple goods. Add upcoming birthdays and big-ticket items you have been holding off buying, and get your holiday list done for Christmas gifts way ahead of time while saving huge.
  • “Join Waitlist” on sold-out products you want and missed. Think it’s sold out? Maybe not. Items sitting in another shopper’s cart expire if not purchased within 15 minutes. If you are on a waitlist, you could get notified that the deal is yours.
  • Download the Amazon smartphone or tablet app to see deals first. The app shows deals coming first and allows you to create a “Watch this deal” list to get notified when a deal is going live.
  • Say, “Alexa, what are your deals?” for exclusive offers. You can power through this audio form of deals by saying “Alexa, next” as they are being described to advance to the next deal. Voice shopping is a complete hassle, and Amazon knows it. That’s why it is tempting us to try it with even better deals than what you can find on the site.
  • Compare prices at other retailers like BestBuy, Walmart, Kohls and Target since so many other sources are taking advantage of the Black Friday excitement.

woman on laptop

A woman shopping on the Amazon website  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST GIFTS FOR MEN 2024

Watch out for these losing Black Friday mishaps

  • Avoid Unknown Brands that can often disappoint
  • Avoid Fake Reviews by using fakespot.com. Instead of adding its browser extension, just link to the search field to copy and paste an Amazon product listing. Fakespot will analyze the results to show a letter grade and explanation. The goal is to weed out fake reviews and identify troubled listings.
  • Avoid overpaying by checking the lowest price history at CamelCamelCamel. A price history of almost every Amazon item is recorded here to show if you are really getting the lowest price.
  • Avoid the Amazon Assistant browser plug-in for privacy concerns. While Amazon’s browser plug-in can make comparing items and tracking deals convenient, it also comes at a cost to your personal privacy in the way it can track your web browser activity.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET 

Kurt’s key takeaways

As you prepare for Amazon’s longest Black Friday sales event yet, from Nov. 22-29, get ready to uncover some fantastic deals. With a wide range of categories, including electronics, home goods and fashion, there’s something special waiting just for you. Remember, timing is everything. Many of the best offers will only last for a short window. So, having a solid plan will help you grab those must-have items. Be sure to take advantage of the Amazon app and ask Alexa for notifications on the latest deals. Happy shopping, and may you score some incredible savings this holiday season.

What types of products are you most excited to shop for during Amazon’s Black Friday event and why? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

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This digital D&D watch lets you roll a fireball from your wrist

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This digital D&D watch lets you roll a fireball from your wrist

Dice hoarding is a common hobby among Dungeons and Dragons players, but I’m betting most won’t have a digital watch in their collection. Alongside displaying the time, day, and date, the Timestop D-20 includes all the dice-rolling features you need to play tabletop roleplaying games directly from your wrist at the push of a button.

The watch allows the wearer to digitally roll a 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 20-, or 100-sided dice, alongside “Advanced Combat” features such as rolling up to 12 dice at once, and D20s with advantage or disadvantage (a fancy way of rolling two dice and taking either the higher or lower results). It’ll also display specific icons when a D20 rolls a 1 or a 20 — known as a “critical failure” or “critical success” respectively in D&D.

“We wanted a fun animation while rolling, but also an overall subdued look so you could ‘take the game with you’ and even wear the watch at the office,” Timestop says in its blog describing the design process. “We included day and date complications with a perpetual calendar so it was still a practical timepiece.”

Pricing starts at $99 and is available in three colors: black, orange, and stainless steel. Shipping starts next year, with stock available for delivery in either January or February. 

One feature you won’t find on the Timestop D-20 is an alarm, because alarms “aren’t fun,” according to its creator. Otherwise, it’s water-resistant, features a backlit LCD display, and uses a replaceable coin cell battery that can last up to three years with “typical use.” I’m not sure how many fireball spells would be considered typical, but it certainly offers a more unique way to play than traditional dice or digital dice-rolling apps.

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Honda has a plan to build solid-state batteries for EVs

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Honda has a plan to build solid-state batteries for EVs

Honda set up a demonstration facility in Japan to show off its plans to mass-produce solid-state batteries at lower costs, which could be crucial to unlocking higher-range, longer-lasting electric vehicles for the future.

Solid-state batteries have been elusive for many companies due to the complexity of scaling up production. The technology swaps out the liquid electrolytes found in current lithium-ion batteries with dry conductive materials, promising higher energy density and longer lifespans. But it will require a whole new production process to be successful.

Roll pressing of cathode for solid-state batteries.
Image: Honda

Honda says it is accelerating research at its new 27,000 square-meter demo facility set up in Sakura City, Japan, and is shortening the time required to make a single unit. The site has full-scale equipment that is split between three buildings: the first for cathode formation and cell assembly; the second for anode formation; and the third for electrolyte activation and module assembly.

The plan includes using a continuous inline mixer that Honda says is “three times faster” than typical cell batch processing. Honda plans to make batteries on this line in January.

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Honda is readying its solid-state tech for mass production in the second half of the 2020s. The company’s CEO Toshihiro Mibe has eluded that solid-state batteries will also be the key to unlocking cheaper EVs.

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How your browser is spying on you: Hidden dangers lurking behind every click

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How your browser is spying on you: Hidden dangers lurking behind every click

A browser is one of the most popular apps we use. It’s the gateway between the internet and its users, translating raw code into something we perceive as a web page and allowing us to interact with the web. It’s safe to say that anyone who uses the internet uses a web browser. 

But while this tool is extremely useful, it can also be equally dangerous. For example, clicking malicious links can redirect you to harmful websites that either steal personal information or infect your device with malware.

If you use a search engine like Google through Chrome, it can collect data on your searches, browsing history and even your location (if location services are enabled). Most browsers also use cookies, small files that store information about your online behavior. Let’s discuss the risks associated with web browsers and how to stay safe.

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A person conducting a Google search on their laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How a browser doubles as spyware

Browsers are much more than simple tools to navigate the web. They are, in many ways, tools for surveillance. While they help you access websites and services, they also track your every move online to feed the ever-hungry advertising industry.

First off, most browsers collect data about your searches, browsing habits and even your location. This data isn’t just stored to “improve your experience,” it’s used to create a detailed profile of you, which is then shared with advertisers who target you with personalized ads. 

Google Chrome, for example, is notorious for tracking your activity. As you browse, it feeds data to Google’s advertising engine, allowing it to serve highly targeted ads based on your behavior. This includes everything from your search history to the websites you visit, even down to the smallest detail, like how long you stay on a page​.

“Google may share information about you with advertisers, business partners, sponsors, and other third parties,” Google boldly mentions on its privacy policy page.

Browsers also use cookies to keep tabs on you. These cookies track your activity across different sites, even after you’ve left a site. This means that ads you saw on one website might follow you across others, creating a persistent digital footprint. And while cookies can be blocked or deleted, many websites rely on them to function, making it hard to escape this kind of tracking.

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Google browser (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MASSIVE SECURITY FLAW PUTS MOST POPULAR BROWSERS AT RISK ON MAC

Even Incognito mode isn’t safe

Even if you’re using privacy-focused browsers or tools like Incognito mode, they don’t really guarantee privacy. A 2020 class-action lawsuit revealed that Google kept scraping searches by gathering data from users browsing in Incognito through ad tools used by websites, picking up “potentially embarrassing” searches from millions of people. Google then used that data to track web traffic and sell ads.

It’s not just Google. Your internet service provider, the websites you visit and even governments can monitor your browsing activity, even in Incognito mode. All it does is hide your activity from your local browser history.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

laptop

A person conducting a Google search on their laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

TOP 6 HIDDEN WAYS A VPN CAN SAVE YOU MONEY NOW

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How to protect your privacy 

As you all know, web browsers are essential tools for accessing the internet, but many popular options compromise your privacy by collecting extensive data. While Google Chrome is widely used, it tracks significant amounts of user information to power targeted advertising. However, there are several privacy-focused browser alternatives that prioritize user data protection. Also, to enhance your online security and protect your personal information, consider implementing these essential cybersecurity practices.

Keep software updated: Regularly update your operating system, browsers and other software to patch security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates whenever possible to ensure you’re always protected against the latest threats.

Use strong, unique passwords: Create complex passwords for each of your accounts and avoid reusing them. Consider using a password manager to generate and securely store strong passwords.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on all accounts that offer it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond your password.

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Be cautious with emails and links: Avoid opening suspicious emails or clicking on unknown links. These could be phishing attempts designed to steal your information or infect your device with malware. 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 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

Use secure networks: When using public Wi-Fi, connect through a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic. For sensitive transactions, stick to secure, private networks.

Be mindful of social media sharing: Limit the personal information you share on social media platforms and adjust your privacy settings to control who can view your posts.

VPN: Your first line of defense against browser spying: A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet connection, making it difficult for anyone, including your browser, to track your online activities. By masking your IP address and routing your traffic through secure servers, a VPN not only protects your personal data from prying eyes but also helps you avoid targeted advertising and potential data breaches.

Regardless of whether you are new to VPNs or not, you’ll want to choose trusted VPN providers known for robust encryption and no-log policies to ensure your privacy. Whether for sensitive tasks or everyday use, reputable VPN services will boost both your security and speed. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

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By implementing these security practices and using privacy-focused browsers, you can significantly enhance your online safety and protect your personal data while browsing the web. Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and regular updates to your practices.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE USING A VPN TO SAFEGUARD YOUR STOCK TRADING ACTIVITIES

Kurt’s key takeaway

The web browser is an essential tool for accessing the internet, but it also opens the door to a host of privacy and security risks. Whether it’s being tracked for ads, snooped on by your ISP or accidentally stumbling onto a malware-filled site, the risks are everywhere. Tools like Incognito mode or cookie-blocking can help a bit, but they’re not enough to truly protect you. If you’re serious about staying private and secure, you need to up your game. Use a VPN, be cautious about what you click on and stay informed about the ways your browser might be working against you.

Do you think companies have gone too far with tracking? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

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KURT’S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES

Unbeatable Best Black Friday deals 

Best gifts for MenWomenKidsTeensPet lovers 

Best deals: LaptopsDesktops

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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