The latest stats say 80% of stalking victims are tracked using tech. One of the most popular ways to do it? GPS trackers, like an AirTag. They’re small enough to slip into a bag, pocket or your car undetected.

"Kim, this doesn’t impact me." I wish that was true. Maybe you have an ex or friend who won’t buzz off, or maybe you met a stranger at a bar or store who was acting creepy. You’re at risk. Did you drive across the U.S. border? Yep, crooks are targeting tourists, too.

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The good news is your phone can alert you when an unknown tracker is with you. If all else fails, good old-fashioned sleuthing works, too. I’ll show you how.

THE BIGGEST WI-FI MISTAKE YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU WERE MAKING

The clock is ticking

An AirTag starts beeping only after 24 hours away from its owner. That gives the stalker plenty of time to reach you, especially if they’re local. If a carjacker tags your ride, they could learn your routine and follow you home before you even know what’s going on.

The rumor mill says Apple’s AirTags 2, coming later this year, will have antistalking tech. With the most current AirTags, tech-savvy stalkers can rip out the built-in speaker so you won’t get alert, but the new ones should make it harder.

For now, you need to do everything you can to stay safe.

RELATED: AirTags aren’t just for creeps. I always toss one in my luggage.

On your iPhone, make sure a few settings are enabled:

5-MINUTE CLEANUP FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER

On Android, the process is similar as long as your phone is running Android 6.0 or newer. If it’s not, you really need a new phone!

The alerts aren’t foolproof

It’s not just ripping out the speakers. Older tracking devices might not set off an alert, and savvy creeps can reconfigure new trackers to follow you undetected for months. 

That’s why it’s important to check your car now and then, even if you don’t hear that telltale beep. First, grab a flashlight and a mirror.

If you don’t find anything but still feel uneasy, try a bug detector. This well-rated option ($37) works for cars, homes, bags or whatever.

Small hidden cameras are popular with creeps now, too. Here’s my guide on spotting cameras in a rental, dressing room, private space at the gym or anywhere else you expect privacy.

I’M A TECH EXPERT: 10 AI PROMPTS YOU’LL USE ALL THE TIME

‘I found a tracker. What now?’

Don’t smash it or disable it. You want to give the police all the info they need to catch whoever planted it. 

First, hold your iPhone or NFC device to the white side of the AirTag. Tap that notification that pops up to see info about its owner. Jot down the serial number and phone number so you can share them with the cops.

Now, make an aluminum foil envelope. Wrap the tracker inside, making sure there are no gaps or holes. This will block any signals, so the person who installed it will just think it’s out of range. Take the foil-wrapped tracker to a police station. They’ll know how to pin down who put it there.

Are you being stalked or just paranoid? It’s a fine line. Read this if you can’t shake that "someone’s watching" feeling.

I’ve heard too many stories from stalking victims. I don’t want you or a loved one to be another. Share this with folks in your life.

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The chances of your Instagram, X, Facebook, Amazon, Threads, Rumble, Twitch or other accounts getting taken over by spammy bots and data-stealing thieves have never been higher. So, don’t sit there all smug, thinking, "Oh, Kim, that could never happen to me!"

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A lot of the advice you find online about hacked social media sites and profiles is just plain wrong or, worse, leads to a scammer who promises to get your account back but really just steals your money. Keep reading for advice you can trust.

DON’T SCAM YOURSELF WITH THE TRICKS HACKERS DON’T WANT ME TO SHARE

Step 1: Sign out on every device

It’s alarming to think about someone else’s hands all over your social media account, posting crap on your page. Fully sign out of your account on every device you’re logged in.

Pro tip: Under the Settings section in every social app, you’ll see a list of all (or the most recent) devices signed in. On Facebook, for instance, just click your profile picture > Settings & privacy > Activity log > Where you’re logged in.

This step will often boot more casual hackers piggybacking on automatic sign-ins. They’ll get asked for passwords they don’t have and won’t be able to log in again, so they can’t spam your peeps. But don’t stop here!

Step 2: Change your password

Log into your account on one device and change your password. The account or settings page will have that option, like here on Instagram. If hackers did get your password (maybe from a massive data breach), this will lock them out.

You know the drill: Replace your old password with a strong one. Make it at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Better yet, have a password manager come up with a great one for you.

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Step 3: Report the hack

Now, hackers should be mostly locked out of your socials. Before you take a deep breath, though, report the hack. This way, your social media platform can help you roll back your hacked messages and freeze your account until you’re sure everything is safe.

Account hacking is so bad, some social media sites have dedicated pages to report the problem. Here’s Facebook’s hacked page, and, no surprise, there’s also an Instagram hacked page and X’s questionnaire.

Step 4: Check for surprise changes

No one likes cleaning the house, but it has to be done. Jump over to your account settings and check for any funny business, like:

I’M A TECH EXPERT: 10 AI PROMPTS YOU’LL USE ALL THE TIME

Step 5: One last thing

Phew, you’re almost done. Be sure to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your account. You can get a code via text, but it’s more secure to use an authenticator app. Steps here if you’re new to the 2FA game.

FYI, you can only get 2FA on X if you pay for its $8 monthly Premium service. Annoying.

If you run into any trouble with these steps …

… Or if a hacker got your account suspended, call the social media platform. Keep in mind these companies don’t care about you, so they really don’t want to help you. You’ll have to be persistent. Here’s a list of popular tech numbers. Do not search on Google for these phone numbers.

Reminder, get my newest ebook "50 Smart Ways to Use AI" free right now.

Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.

When my husband and I were on the very long flight last year, he leaned over and asked, "I want to check our Morgan Stanley account. Do you think it’s OK to do it using the plane’s Wi-Fi?"

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How did we live without Wi-Fi on a plane? Oh, yeah, we read magazines! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Wi-Fi isn’t as protected as we hope. Fear not. I’ve got some tips on protecting yourself and surfing safely in the skies.

10 TECH UPGRADES TO SAVE YOUR TIME, PRIVACY AND MONEY THIS YEAR

Hackers use all kinds of sneaky tactics to hijack your privacy in flight. One thing in their favor: VPNs are more likely to drop in and out in the air than on the ground. (More on that below.)

Without that layer of protection, cybercriminals using the same airline Wi-Fi can easily tap into your devices, access your information and spread malware.

"S" for security: Only visit encrypted websites — the ones that start with "HTTPS" (that "S" is important!). In general, this blocks a hacker from viewing your activity on a given site, like the password or credit card number you typed in.

Beware of AirDrop: Keyloggers keep track of every single thing you type, and criminals love to pass them along using Apple’s AirDrop feature. Don’t accept drops from strangers in flight. Steps here to disable or limit AirDrop if you need help.

Name game: Crooks can create fake Wi-Fi networks with almost identical names to the airline’s. If you’re not careful, you could plug into a copycat network instead of the legit one.

THE NSA SAYS DO THESE 5 THINGS WITH YOUR PHONE RIGHT NOW

Is your home connection locked down? Do this check twice a year.

I know you’re not going to skip the Wi-Fi altogether. That’s OK, just be smart about it.

Update everything: Before you hit the road, make sure your phone, computer, tablet, smartwatch and any other connected devices are running the latest software. Steps here for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. Updates often include critical security patches that protect against the new threats. Don’t forget to update your apps, too.

Add a layer of security: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection. Before accessing anything sensitive, like your email, online banking or shopping accounts, turn on your VPN. Double-check its status to ensure it’s actively protecting your connection. It should display as "connected" or "secured."

Verify names. If you notice multiple Wi-Fi networks with similar names, check with the airline staff and confirm which is the right one.

Use 2FA: For any account tied to financial information or personal details, two-factor authentication is a must. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, like a code sent to your phone or email, after entering your password. Set this up for all accounts with ties to your finances to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Secure your devices. Invest in antivirus and malware-protection software, and keep your devices physically secure. Avoid leaving your phone, tablet or laptop unattended, even for a moment. 

THE STEP I TAKE TO CLEAR MY INBOX EVERY JANUARY

Stop looky loos. Get a privacy screen for your laptop to prevent nearby shoulder snooping.

Bonus: Don’t post pics of your boarding pass or other travel docs

You’re excited, waiting for the plane. What’s the harm in posting a pic of your boarding pass? A whole lot. Boarding passes display your full legal name, ticket number and passenger name record. That six-digit code plus your last name gives anyone access to your booking information online.

The same goes for your license, passport, visa or other identification documents. Thieves keep an eye out for any detail they can use.

Keep these photos on your phone before vacation. Scroll to No. 3. You’ll thank me if something goes missing.

Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.