TECH CORNER
04-01-2025
By Max Trenck
APR 2
Keep an eye on your Social Security payouts: Hackers are breaking into retirement accounts and changing the payment info to cash in for themselves. It’s shady and happening more than you’d think. Take a sec today, log in to your SS account and make sure everything looks right. Better safe than suddenly broke.
-from Kim Komando newsletter
NSA Warning—Change Your iPhone And Android Message Settings
MAR 31
Sam’s Club data breach: We don’t know a lot, yet. The Clop ransomware gang listed Sam’s Club on its leak site. All Sam’s Club says is that they’re investigating the matter. Better to be proactive. Watch your credit card statements for fraud.
-from Kim Komando newsletter
No bars: When your cell service is wonky, switch your phone to Airplane mode, wait a few seconds, then change it back. This will reconnect you to the nearest cell tower.
-from Kim Komando newsletter
Big Banking Mistake
When I told my bank I didn’t want them using my voice as a biometric security measure, they pushed back — hard.
“It’s for your protection,” they insisted.
But here’s the deal: I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t consent to it. And I definitely don’t want a recording of my voice floating in some database I have zero control over.
🧬 Your voice is you
We’ve all seen the headlines. AI voice cloning isn’t some futuristic sci-fi threat. It’s happening right now. You’ve heard my voice a thousand times. It would be nothing to clone it.
But guess what? It’s just as easy to clone yours.
All it takes is 10 seconds of audio. Just enough for a scammer to say, “Hi, I forgot my password,” in your voice. Once you hand over your voiceprint, there’s no taking it back.
🚨 The identity arms race
Here’s what to do, and it’s super simple: Call your bank’s customer service line and ask to opt out of voice authentication.
It takes two minutes. Can’t do it now? Set a reminder. You’ll thank yourself later.
Pro tip: Never Google your bank’s number. Scammers plant fake listings. Use the number on your debit card or go directly to the bank’s official website.
🛡️ Want even better protection?
You’re probably already doing a lot right:
✔ Strong password
✔ Two-factor authentication
✔ Only banking on secure Wi-Fi
✔ Checking your transactions often
High five! Now, here’s how to go even further:
- Secure keys: Physical or app-based tokens that generate 30-second passcodes. Safer than SMS.
- Real-time alerts: Get notified about logins, charges or changes instantly. I do, and it’s saved my butt.
- Account lockouts: Automatically lock your account after failed login attempts.
- Advanced login protection: Some banks (like Morgan Stanley) require a one-time code if you log in from a new location or device.
☕ Don’t do this at Starbucks
Too many people get this wrong, and it’s a big risk.
If you’ve ever logged into your bank account at a coffee shop, airport, hotel or anywhere on public Wi-Fi … yikes. You might as well be handing your info to a stranger at the next table.
If you have to bank away from home, there’s one smart move: Use a VPN
-From Kim Komando newsletter
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MAR 9
16 hijacked browser extensions expose 3.2 million users