Scammers are getting smarter. Are you ready?
Plus: My favorite travel tools, why privacy experts say to delete your DNA data, and a clever gadget for wireless headphone freedom on planes.
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This week, I did something I haven’t done in a really long time: I mailed an actual, handwritten letter.
My wife and I were celebrating her birthday weekend in the tiny wine town of Los Olivos, and we were staying at the Fess Parker Inn. In the room was a classic writing desk, complete with a writing mat, stationery, and a pen—all laid out, invitingly old school.
I couldn’t resist.
My dad’s a huge fan of Fess Parker, so I decided to put pen to paper and write him a quick note.
At first, my instinct was to ask ChatGPT for help crafting the message (occupational hazard), but I resisted and just started writing.
Sure, my handwriting is awful, but it was kind of fun. I told him why we were there, about the lingering legend of Fess at the Inn, and how we ran into a USC student from the East Coast who reminded me of myself back in the day.
I sealed the letter, walked next door to the town’s tiny post office, and bought a stamp. Off it went. (Side note: did you know stamps are now 73 cents?! No wonder handwritten letters are a lost art—imagine if you had to pay to send every email.)
As much as I love technology, it’s always refreshing to do something the old-school way—and to be reminded of how simple life felt before we were connected in a billion instantaneous ways.
Now, on to this week’s news.
Scam watch reminder to stay sharp and safe
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love to share the latest scams and how to avoid them.
The thing is, the more you see these scams, the easier they are to spot. That’s why I always encourage sharing with friends and family—especially those who might need the occasional reminder.
Just today, as I sat down to write this very newsletter, I got an email from “Microsoft” saying there was unusual sign-in activity on my account. It looked official and included a link to check recent logins—which then asked for my Microsoft password. Nope.
Instead, I went directly to my Microsoft account and checked the activity page. Sure enough: login attempts from all over the world. Clearly, my password has been exposed in one of the bazillion data breaches out there.
I changed my password just to be safe, but what really protected me? Two-factor authentication. Without that extra code, even stolen passwords are much harder to use. I say “harder” because I’m sure nothing is foolproof—but it adds a crucial layer of defense.
And even the pros mess up sometimes. Just this week, a top cybersecurity expert, Troy Hunt, fell for a phishing email.
You might know him as the creator of HaveIBeenPwned.com, where you can check if your email address has been part of a data breach. (Definitely worth checking.)
What happened? He got a very convincing email pretending to be from Mailchimp. It said his account was restricted and asked him to log in. His password manager didn’t autofill—because the site was fake—but he typed in his credentials anyway. Then he entered his one-time passcode. And just like that, hackers had access to his Mailchimp account and exported his entire mailing list: 16,000 emails.
His mistake? He was tired from traveling and ignored the one thing that could’ve saved him: the fact that his password manager didn’t recognize the site.
The takeaway: We are our own last line of defense.
No amount of security tools or encryption can stop us from making a mistake. So be skeptical of links, even if they look official, use two factor authentication when possible and consider setting up Passkeys, which use your phone and your fingerprint or face instead of passwords. Enable safe browsing features in Chrome or Safari to help catch fake sites.
But overall, be careful what you click.
Spring cleaning starts with your PC
Funny story—there’s been a playset in our backyard that the kids totally outgrew. They’ve been asking me to get rid of it for months. I kept putting off calling the junk haulers… for longer than I’d like to admit.
Then my wife was home from work for one day. She made one call, and within an hour, the haulers showed up and the whole thing was gone.
It still makes me laugh—she’s incredibly efficient, and I clearly needed the nudge. But it also reminded me that spring is a great time to get organized—and that includes your tech.
Here are some quick ways to spring clean your computer and get it running like new again:
• Uninstall unused apps: Clear out software you no longer use—it takes up space and slows things down.
• Clean up startup programs: Too many background apps can make your PC sluggish on boot.
• Update your software: Make sure your OS, browser, and antivirus are up to date.
• Delete old downloads: Your Downloads folder is probably full of files you don’t need anymore.
• Back up your files: Use cloud storage or an external drive for peace of mind.
• Physically clean it: A little compressed air can go a long way in clearing out dust.
And if you do all that and your computer still feels like it’s from another era, it might be time for an upgrade. Check out the latest laptop deals under $1000 on Slickdeals—they’re crowdsourced, so you’re seeing what real people think is worth the money.
A fun budget phone—if you’re feeling adventurous
Nothing is a smartphone startup out of London that’s doing some neat things with budget Android phones called the 3a and 3a Pro. I actually think they make a really nice product—I love the design (at least on the entry-level model) and the clean, simple software.
The catch? In the U.S., these phones are being sold under a Beta program, so full cellular coverage isn’t guaranteed. There’s also only a 14-day return window and no warranty.
But if you’re willing to roll the dice, it’s a fun and stylish phone for just $379.
Card collecting goes high tech
Yes, I collected baseball cards as a kid—didn’t everyone? I never did pull that elusive rookie card I was hoping for, but these days, collecting is hot again. And now there are tech tools that let you scan, value, and even grade your cards—which really appeals to the tech guy in me.
I recently visited PSA, one of the biggest names in card grading. They showed me the latest version of their app, which offers valuable data like population reports (how many cards of a certain grade they’ve seen), pricing trends, and more.
I also got a behind-the-scenes look at PSA’s grading facility—top secret, so no photos or video allowed. But imagine a giant warehouse with teams of people processing up to 50,000 cards a day. The actual grading floor is a “lights out” zone—quiet and focused—with expert graders at individual desks, each with a special light and computer setup. It’s surprisingly low-tech and hands-on, considering how high the stakes can be for some of these cards.
Personally, I still think Collx is better when it comes to scanning raw, ungraded cards. But if you’re a serious collector, you’ll probably end up with both apps on your phone. And maybe a few more like Card Ladder and Mantel.
Tech Tidbits
Spectrum is now including Peacock Premium at no extra cost for TV Select customers. The ad-supported plan normally costs $8 per month.
This adds to Spectrum’s existing streaming bundle, which already includes Max, Disney+, Paramount+, and others as part of its cable package.
Disney+ now lets users remove shows and movies from the Continue Watching row—a long-requested feature.
To remove a title, press and hold it on Apple TV or tap the three-dot menu on mobile or web, then select Remove. The feature is rolling out now on Apple devices and the web, with support for more platforms coming soon.
Genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, raising concerns about the future of users’ sensitive data. Privacy advocates warn that the company that acquires 23andMe may not be bound by the current DNA privacy policy.
As a precaution, many experts are urging users to download and delete their genetic data from the platform.
Gadget of the Week
Frequent fliers swear by the AirFly, and now there’s a new and improved version: the AirFly Pro 2. It’s a small $60 dongle that lets you connect your Bluetooth headphones to the seat-back entertainment system.
You just plug the AirFly into the headphone jack on the seat-back screen, and it transmits the audio via Bluetooth to your preferred (hopefully noise-cancelling) earbuds or headphones.
Yes, more planes are adding direct Bluetooth support—but the rollout is slow.
The updated version offers better sound, faster pairing, and new physical volume controls. One of the best upgrades: you can now pair two sets of headphones at once, perfect for watching a movie with your travel partner.
You can also use it to convert old-school devices with a 3.5mm headphone jack—like an old iPod, car stereo, or gym machine—into a wireless Bluetooth source.
It has 25 hours of battery life and charges via USB-C. All in all, it’s a smart addition to your travel kit. I’m looking forward to testing it on my next flight.
More travel tips for spring break
It’s spring break travel season, so here are a few tools and apps I rely on while on the road (or in the air):
• Flight tracking: On iOS, my go-to is Flighty. For Android, try FlightAware.
• Itinerary management: I use AwardTravel to keep everything organized.
• Find free Wi-Fi: WiFi Map helps you locate nearby hotspots while you’re out.
• Airfare deals: Going is great for finding amazing flight prices.
• Road trips: iExit helps you spot upcoming fast food and gas stations along your route.
• Booking tools: Google Flights is my first stop when searching for airfare, and now Google Hotels lets you track hotel prices too.
For finding flights with points, I recommend checking out PointsYeah and Point.me—both are great tools that help you search award availability across multiple airlines, saving you time and frustration.
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—Rich