3 ways to stop hackers, Amazon’s scam checker & AI flight price alerts (190, September 5, 2026)

Driver’s license scans exposed: More than 153 million U.S. and Canadian ID records were reportedly offered on the dark web . Freeze your credit and consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN. Make accounts harder to hack: Rich shared three simple ways to better protect your accounts , including unique passwords, two-factor authentication and Chrome Enhanced Protection. Translation tools for travel: Timekettle , AirPods and Pixel Buds can translate conversations, but a phone translation app may be easier in important situations. Tesla Cybercab goes driverless: David Moss rode Tesla’s steering-wheel-free Cybercab in Austin and discussed how autonomous vehicles could improve mobility for blind, disabled and elderly passengers. International calling while traveling: Check your carrier for a roaming pass or use a travel eSIM. Simbye is one option that can include a real phone number. Amazon scam checker: Alexa for Shopping can check whether a suspicious Amazon email, text or call is legitimate. You can also forward suspicious emails to verify@amazon.com . Daily spelling game: Beeswax gives players five words a day to spell by listening to their pronunciation. iPhone blocked-number limits: Apple appears to limit how many numbers can be blocked, and removing thousands of old entries can be tedious. DVRs for antenna TV: Tablo and ZapperBox can record free over-the-air TV. Rich found the $15 Philips rabbit ears delivered consistent reception for his main channels. Sonos 27 gets smarter: Sonos is adding more natural voice control, AI features, lock-screen controls and easier volume adjustments. New Sonos gear: The Beam Ultra soundbar can use portable Sonos speakers as surrounds, while Ace Ultra headphones add improved noise cancellation and 35-hour battery life. Setting boundaries for AI: Will Cady says AI should expand human abilities rather than become a crutch that weakens them. Charging driverless cars: Autonomous EV fleets still need charging infrastructure, although modern fast charging can dramatically reduce downtime. Cleaning up Gmail: Use All Mail for bulk deletion or filter by sender to quickly remove large batches of unwanted messages. Free California data removal: California residents can use DROP to request deletion from registered data brokers, while paid services such as Incogni offer broader removal tools. Top laptops for 2026: Consumer Reports highlighted models from LG, Asus, Apple and Acer for Windows, travel, creative work, budget buyers and Chromebook users. HTC privacy-focused smart glasses: The $500 HTC Vive Eagle combines cameras, audio and AI with local encrypted storage and safeguards against covert recording. ChatGPT Finances: ChatGPT Finances can connect financial accounts for questions about balances, transactions and spending. Rich still prefers Monarch Money for a traditional dashboard. Mindtrip flight alerts: Mindtrip monitors airfare based on dates, destinations, budget and preferences, then alerts travelers to meaningful price drops. Save money on flights: Start tracking early and stay flexible on dates, airports and destinations. The cheapest flight is not always the best overall value. Google Guided Vision: Gemini Live can describe what a phone camera sees and guide blind or low-vision users to aim the camera correctly. Job scam warning: Fake recruiters impersonate real companies, offer jobs without legitimate interviews and eventually ask victims to buy equipment with fraudulent checks. Better antenna reception: Moving an antenna near a window can help, while larger antennas generally perform better when mounted higher and clear of obstructions. Internet during outages: A UPS battery backup can keep your modem and router running if your provider’s network still has power. Keep fighting fraud disputes: One listener recovered thousands in unauthorized PayPal transactions after repeatedly disputing the charges and securing his accounts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info