Technology News Articles on Fox News

Beware of hackers showing up pretending to be IT

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 14:45:14 -0400

A person walks into an office, says they are from IT and asks to sit at a computer for a quick fix. Most employees would feel relieved. Finally, someone came to solve the tech problem. That trust is exactly what one cybercrime group appears to be counting on.

The FBI is warning that a group called the Silent Ransom Group is targeting U.S. businesses, especially law firms, by pretending to be IT support. The group first tries to talk employees into installing remote access software. When that fails, the scam can move from the phone to the front door.

That is where things get especially brazen. According to the FBI, these impostors may show up in person with flash drives, external hard drives and other equipment. Once they sit at a workstation, they can copy sensitive files, gain more access and leave behind malware.

Then they walk away. The company may not hear from them again until the ransom demand arrives.

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM MICROSOFT TECH SUPPORT SCAMS

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The Silent Ransom Group, also known as Luna Moth, Chatty Spider and UNC3753, uses phone calls, phishing and old-fashioned nerve. The scam often starts with a call. The person on the phone pretends to be IT support and tries to convince the employee to install remote desktop software. That software gives the attacker access to the computer.

If the employee refuses or the plan fails, the attacker may send someone to the office. That person then poses as tech support. They may say they need to troubleshoot a problem, update a system or check a device. Once seated at the computer, they insert a USB drive or external hard drive. From there, they can pull off files and quietly increase their access.

The FBI says the group uses stolen data to extort victims. They threaten to sell the files or post them online. They may also call employees or clients to pressure the company into paying. That adds a personal layer to the attack. It also turns stolen files into a public shaming campaign.

Law firms hold some of the most sensitive information a business can store. That can include client records, lawsuits, contracts, financial details and private negotiations. For criminals, that information has value even without encrypting a single computer.

This group appears to focus on stealing data first. Then it uses embarrassment, legal pressure and client panic as leverage. That makes law firms an attractive target.

However, the warning should concern any business that handles sensitive records. Medical offices, financial firms, insurance companies and small businesses can face similar risks. A fake IT worker does not need a huge hacking setup if someone lets them sit down at a computer.

YOUR EMAIL DIDN’T EXPIRE; IT’S JUST ANOTHER SNEAKY SCAM

Most people picture hackers hiding behind screens in another country. This warning flips that idea. Here, the threat may arrive with a badge, a laptop bag and a calm voice.

That makes the scam easy to miss. A receptionist may think the person has an appointment. An employee may assume someone else approved the visit. A busy manager may wave them through because the person sounds confident. That is the trick.

The attacker takes advantage of workplace habits. People want to be helpful. They want broken tech fixed. They also may not want to challenge someone who appears to know what they are doing. However, politeness can give a criminal the opening they need.

A surprise IT visit should raise questions. Be careful if someone shows up without a scheduled ticket, refuses to name who sent them or asks to use a computer without supervision. Also, watch for anyone who brings their own flash drive or external drive.

Another red flag is urgency. Scammers often rush people so they skip normal checks. They may say the issue needs immediate attention. They may claim a security update failed. They may say your machine has a problem that could affect the whole office. That pressure is the point. Slow the situation down before anyone gets access.

FBI WARNS ABOUT NEW EXTORTION SCAM TARGETING SENSITIVE DATA

The good news is that a few simple habits can make it much harder for a fake IT worker to get past the front desk, sit at a computer or walk out with sensitive files.

Never let someone sit at a computer because they sound official. Call your company's known IT number. Do not use a number the visitor gives you. Confirm the person's name, reason for visit and ticket number. If your business uses outside tech support, keep an approved vendor list at the front desk. Staff should know who can enter and who needs management approval.

Create a simple rule. No outside technician gets workstation access without approval from a manager or IT lead. That approval should happen through a known channel. A quick verbal claim should never be enough. This protects employees, too. It gives them permission to pause a suspicious situation without feeling rude.

Businesses should restrict USB access where possible. If employees do not need external drives for daily work, block them. If they do need them, limit access to approved devices. Attackers love removable storage because it can move data fast. That small device can carry out client files, payroll records or legal documents in minutes.

Security training should include in-person scams, not only phishing emails. Employees need to know that a friendly visitor can still be dangerous. They should feel comfortable saying, "I need to verify this first." That one sentence can stop an attack.

The FBI says SRG often tries to get victims to install remote desktop management tools. Your IT team should monitor for new remote access software. They should also review alerts when those tools appear on computers that should not have them. Legitimate tools can become dangerous when criminals use them.

Employees should only access files they need for their role. That way, if one computer gets compromised, the attacker gets less data. Strong access controls can reduce the damage from a stolen laptop session or a fake IT visit.

Businesses should track device connections, file transfers and privilege changes. This can help spot suspicious activity after an unauthorized visit. It can also give investigators a clearer timeline if data leaves the network.

A receptionist or office manager should have a written checklist for unexpected visitors. That checklist can include photo ID, company name, ticket number and approved contact. Visitors should never wander through an office alone. A fake IT worker counts on confusion. A checklist creates friction.

If someone shows up pretending to be IT support, report it right away to your manager, your IT team and local law enforcement if needed. Businesses can also report cybercrime tips to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Even if the person leaves before getting access, the attempt still counts. It may help investigators connect the visit to a larger campaign.

Install trusted security software on office computers to help detect malware, ransomware and other threats if someone gets access to a machine. For example, strong antivirus software provides real-time protection against malware, spyware, ransomware and other online threats on a PC or Mac. Still, software should support your visitor checks, USB controls and employee training, rather than replace them. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

The unsettling part of this FBI warning is how normal the attack looks. No dramatic break-in. No Hollywood-style hacking screen. Just someone pretending to help. That is why this scam can work. It blends into a normal workday. It uses trust, speed and workplace pressure to get past defenses. So the next time someone says they are from IT, pause before handing over your keyboard.

Would you challenge a surprise tech support visit at work, or would you assume someone else already approved it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Robot soccer player dents wall with terrifying kicks

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:37:48 -0400

A robot soccer player just gave goalkeepers another reason to feel nervous. Booster Robotics titled its YouTube video "Try Stopping This Robot," and after watching its T1 humanoid hammer soccer balls toward a goal, you can see why.

Most of the kicks hit the curtain behind the net. But several shots appear to hit with enough force to leave visible impact marks and dents in the wall. That part is what everyone is talking about.

At first, it just looks like a viral robot soccer video. Then the wall damage makes the whole thing feel a lot more serious. This video also raises an important question: What happens if someone were to end up in the path of a soccer ball kicked by one of these robots?

AUTONOMOUS HUMANOID ROBOT SOCCER DEBUTS IN CHINA

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The Booster T1 is a humanoid robot from Beijing-based Booster Robotics. According to Booster, the T1 stands about 3 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 66 pounds. Booster says the T1 has 23 to 41 degrees of freedom, depending on the configuration. In everyday terms, that means it has enough moving joints to walk, turn, balance and perform athletic movements.

The company also says the T1 can walk for about two hours and stand for about four hours on a charge. It supports open-source tools, software frameworks and API interfaces. That makes it easier for teams to train the robot for new tasks. The company also says more than 50 robotics teams and research institutes already use the platform.

There is also a serious reason companies test robots this way. Soccer forces a humanoid robot to deal with movement, balance and split-second changes. The ball does not stay still. The robot has to adjust its body, shift its weight and decide what to do next. That makes soccer a useful test for machines that may one day work around people.

Those lessons can carry beyond the soccer field. A robot that learns how to recover from a fall or adjust to a moving object could be more useful in a warehouse, lab or disaster zone. That is why robot soccer has become a way for engineers to test how these machines handle pressure when the action does not go perfectly.

ROBOT PLAYS TENNIS WITH HUMANS IN REAL TIME

The T1 is meant for research and development. Booster positions the robot as a platform for schools, labs and robotics teams. Developers can use it to test software, train motion models and build new robot behaviors.

The company also offers RoboCup-related tools, including an open-source reinforcement learning framework and a demo system. That demo system covers perception, localization and decision-making for robot matches.

In other words, the T1 works like a serious robot body that developers can teach. That also explains why the wall-denting video is such a strong showcase. It shows the power, balance and control of these robots.

NEW CHINESE HUMANOID ROBOT SHOWS OFF ITS STRENGTH BY LIFTING 35 POUNDS PER HAND

A robot strong enough to dent a wall can damage more than drywall. If a system fails, a powerful leg or arm could hurt someone nearby. That does not mean every humanoid robot poses a danger. It means companies need strong guardrails before these machines move into homes, hospitals, stores or public spaces.

Force limits matter. Emergency stops matter. Testing environments matter. Clear rules about where robots can operate matter. A robot in a lab can be impressive. A robot near the public needs a much higher safety bar.

Booster's T1 is also part of the RoboCup world, which is basically an international robot soccer competition. But RoboCup isn’t only about robots kicking a ball around a field. The long-term goal is much bigger. RoboCup wants fully autonomous humanoid robots to eventually beat the human World Cup champions under official soccer rules.

That may sound like a wild idea. However, there is serious research behind it. Robot soccer forces teams to improve how these machines balance, see the field, react to movement and make decisions on their own. Booster says the T1 was built around robot soccer and RoboCup standards. The company also offers tools that help teams create robot soccer demos more quickly.

So while robot soccer may look like a game, it is also helping engineers figure out how humanoid robots could become more capable in places far beyond the soccer field.

You may not care about robot soccer. Still, this kind of demo says a lot about the future of everyday robotics. Humanoid robots are learning to move with more confidence. They can balance better, recover faster and use their bodies with more force. That progress could eventually help with useful jobs, including warehouse work, elder care support or disaster response.

At the same time, stronger robots create new questions. Who checks their safety? Who sets the rules? Who is responsible when a robot breaks something or injures someone? The T1 video shows why the next phase of robotics really needs testing, transparency and accountability.

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This robot soccer video makes you stop and think. Booster Robotics' T1 can kick a soccer ball with enough force to leave visible dents and impact marks in a wall. That to me is scary. It also raises a real safety question. As humanoid robots get stronger, companies will need to prove they can control that power around people. A robot kicking soccer balls in a lab is one thing. A robot near players, workers or bystanders is a very different story. Robot soccer may look like a game today. But it may also be showing us what tomorrow's machines will be able to do. That is why it is important to keep an eye on this technology as it develops.

When you see a robot kick with this much force, does it make you excited about what is coming next, or worried about how safe these machines will be around people? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Google wants to release millions of mosquitoes

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:30:38 -0400

I know what you are thinking. Why on earth would Google want to release millions of mosquitoes? That was my first reaction too.

Usually, when we hear "Google" and "bugs" in the same sentence, we think about software. This time, the bugs are real.

Google's Debug project is asking federal regulators for permission to release sterile male mosquitoes in New Jersey, California and Florida. The goal is to reduce mosquito populations that can spread disease.

Now the big question is whether this is a smart new way to fight mosquito-borne disease, or a tech-backed experiment that needs much more public scrutiny.

GOOGLE’S DARK SIDE: 5 SEARCH TERMS TO AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Google's Debug project says it is using science, automation and engineering to fight disease-carrying mosquitoes. The idea comes from a method called the sterile insect technique.

Here is the basic version. Scientists raise male mosquitoes that cannot produce viable offspring. Then they release those males into the wild. When the sterile males mate with wild females, the eggs do not hatch. Over time, the local mosquito population can shrink.

That part is important. Male mosquitoes do not bite. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite and can spread disease. So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods. It is trying to release males that can help stop future generations from hatching.

Google's Debug project sees mosquito control as a public-health and technology challenge. The team says it wants to use engineering, automation and AI tools to reduce disease-carrying mosquito populations.

The idea is to stop "bad bugs" with "good bugs." That may sound strange, but the science behind it has been studied for decades.

Sterile insect releases have been used against other pests, including fruit flies, screwworms and codling moths. Mosquitoes are harder. They are fragile, difficult to raise at a massive scale and challenging to sort by sex. That is where Debug says Google's technology can help.

Debug says the process starts by raising sterile male mosquitoes. One approach uses Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacterium found in many insects.

The bacteria can make males incompatible with wild females that do not carry the same Wolbachia strain. When they mate, the eggs fail to develop.

After that, Debug has to separate males from females. This step matters a lot. If the project releases too many females by mistake, the whole idea becomes much harder to trust.

That is where Google's tech background comes in. Debug says its team is using sensors, algorithms, automation and monitoring tools to raise, sort, release and track mosquitoes at scale. In other words, this is mosquito control with a Silicon Valley twist.

STOP GOOGLE FROM FOLLOWING YOUR EVERY MOVE

Mosquito-borne diseases are a serious global health problem. Some mosquitoes can spread dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus and other illnesses.

Traditional mosquito control often depends on pesticides. Those can help, but they can also raise environmental concerns. Mosquitoes can also become harder to control over time.

That is why sterile male releases interest some researchers. The approach targets a specific mosquito population. It also avoids spraying more chemicals into the environment.

If it works, the local mosquito population drops because fewer eggs hatch. That could mean fewer disease risks in areas where these mosquitoes are a problem.

Even with the science behind it, the public concern is easy to understand. Nobody likes the phrase "release millions of mosquitoes." It sounds like the start of a bad summer, not a public-health project.

Some residents also worry about control. Once living insects are released, people want to know what happens next. They want to know who monitors the program, who pays for follow-up work and what happens if the results are not what scientists expected. Those are fair questions.

There is also a trust issue. A project like this can feel very different when a private tech giant is involved. People may support disease prevention and still feel uneasy about a corporation playing such a large role in local ecosystems.

The success of this idea depends on precision. Male mosquitoes do not bite. Female mosquitoes do. So the sorting process has to be extremely accurate.

Debug says it is working on technology to separate males from females quickly. That may include sensors, algorithms and engineering systems that spot biological differences between them.

However, this is the part many people will focus on. If the public is told only males will be released, they will want proof. They will also want clear oversight from regulators. When you are dealing with living insects, "close enough" isn’t the most reassuring phrase.

NEW GOOGLE TOOL MAKES REMOVING PERSONAL INFORMATION EASIER

The EPA is reviewing Google's request for an experimental use permit. The filing involves Wolbachia pipientis contained in live adult male mosquitoes.

The purpose is to test whether Debug's male mosquitoes can mate with wild females and suppress the population.

The EPA will decide whether to approve or deny the request. If it approves the permit, it can also set conditions for how the project must operate.

Even if you do not live in one of the proposed release areas, this is worth watching. If Google's project works, more communities may look at sterile mosquito releases as another tool against disease. That could be good news in areas dealing with mosquito-borne illnesses.

At the same time, it raises a larger question. How much public-health work should depend on private companies with their own funding, technology and long-term goals? For many people, the science may sound promising. The setup may still feel uncomfortable. Both reactions can be true.

Google releasing mosquitoes may sound strange, but the goal is real public health. Debug wants to use sterile male mosquitoes to cut down populations that can spread disease. There is a reason scientists are interested. Male mosquitoes do not bite, and sterile insect releases have been studied for decades. Still, communities deserve more than a promise that everything will go as planned. They need clear answers about monitoring, safeguards, costs and what happens if the project fails. Fighting mosquito-borne disease is important. But once living insects are released into the wild, trust and oversight have to come first.

Would you trust Google to help control mosquitoes in your community? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Top 12 takeaways from Apple's new AI features

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:13:29 -0400

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

- 12 biggest Apple WWDC 2026 takeaways you need to know

- California city votes to permanently ban data centers in first-of-its-kind measure

- Meta launches $115M skilled trades academy with guaranteed jobs for graduates in 4 states

SIRI UPGRADE: Apple used WWDC 2026, its annual developers conference, to lay out what is coming next for your iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and Vision Pro. This year's keynote also carried extra weight because it marked Tim Cook's final WWDC as Apple CEO before John Ternus takes over in September. Still, the biggest story for users was software. Apple put Siri AI and Apple Intelligence at the center of the keynote, while also announcing iOS 27 support for older iPhones, new child safety tools, faster performance and smarter features across everyday apps.

POWER GRID LOCK: Voters in a Southern California city overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that permanently prohibits data centers within city limits, underscoring growing local resistance to the infrastructure powering the artificial intelligence boom. Monterey Park voters approved Measure NDC by a margin of 10,321 votes to 1,362 votes, or 88.34%, according to official election results from Los Angeles County.

WORKFORCE WIN: Tech giant Meta on Monday announced that it's launching a new academy for workers to receive training in a skilled trade at no cost with a job guaranteed for all graduates.

RED THREAT: Sen. Tom Cotton urged the Justice Department to investigate a covert campaign linked to China designed to "kneecap" America's rapidly expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure in a letter obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital.

LABOR RECKONING: U.S. employers ramped up layoffs in May as the artificial intelligence (AI) rollout was the leading factor cited by companies cutting their workforces, new data shows.

WHO IS THIS? Your phone rings. It's your son's voice. Panicked. He says he's been in a car accident. He hurt someone. He's about to be arrested. He needs $15,000 wired before the end of the day, and please, don't tell anyone yet. You'd wire the money. Of course you would. Except it isn't your son. It's a scammer who spent about 10 minutes online, pulled three seconds of audio from a Facebook video your son posted last Christmas, and fed it into an AI voice cloning tool that costs less than a Netflix subscription.

PRIVATE NO MORE? OpenAI said Monday it has taken a formal step toward a potential stock market debut, signaling that the artificial intelligence company is preparing for the possibility of becoming a publicly traded firm.

INTELLIGENCE QUESTIONS: Apple has spent years telling us that privacy starts on the device. For many users, that message feels reassuring. Your messages, photos, emails and app data sit in your hand, protected by Face ID, passcodes and Apple's security layers. Now, new research gives Apple's on-device AI a reality check.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

Stolen iPhones fuel scary passcode scam

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:44:16 -0400

Your iPhone can feel nearly useless to a thief once you mark it as lost. Apple's Activation Lock can help turn a stolen device into a locked brick. That should make phone theft less profitable. Yet thieves have found a nasty workaround.

According to new research from Infoblox Threat Intel, the cybersecurity research team at Infoblox, criminals are using fake Apple pages, smishing texts and Telegram-based unlocking tools to trick stolen iPhone owners into handing over their passcodes.

Infoblox Threat Intel tracks cybercriminal activity partly by studying DNS, the system that helps devices find websites online. Think of DNS as the internet's phone book. By watching patterns in suspicious website names and traffic, researchers can spot fake domains, phishing pages and larger scam networks.

The scary part is how personal the scam can feel. The thief may already have your phone. The message may arrive right after the theft. The fake page may even show what looks like your iPhone moving on a map.

WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS

Researchers found that many thieves care less about the data on the phone and more about turning the device into resale cash. Once they get your passcode, they can remove protections, wipe the device and sell it.

Here is the part that feels especially cruel. When you lose an iPhone, you may put a message on the lock screen with a phone number to call. That feature can help a good person return your device. A scammer can use that same number to contact you.

In one case described by the researchers, a stolen iPhone owner received a text shortly after the theft. The message linked to a fake Apple-style website. The page showed what looked like a moving phone location on a map. Then it asked for the phone's PIN code. Had the victim entered it, the thief would have gained control of the device. That is what makes this scam so believable. The thief may really have your phone. The message may arrive at the perfect moment. The fake page may look close enough to Apple's real Find My experience to catch someone who is stressed and trying to recover an expensive device.

A locked iPhone has limited resale value. An unlocked iPhone can be wiped, removed from an Apple account and sold for much more. The researchers found Telegram groups selling phone unlocking services. Some tools target older phones. Others help criminals collect information about newer devices so they can build a more convincing phishing attack. These services can include "Find My iPhone Off" kits, fake Apple login pages, AI voice call tools and prerecorded messages that impersonate Apple.

The pricing also makes this underground business easy to enter. Some unlocking attempts cost only a few dollars. According to the research, unlocking a recent iPhone can cost anywhere from $5 to $50, depending on the seller, with an average price below $10.

That low cost helps explain why this scam can spread. A thief no longer needs deep technical skills. They can buy a kit, follow instructions and send a polished scam message.

The scam does not stop with one generic text. Criminals can customize phishing pages with details pulled from the phone or from linked accounts. That can include the victim's name, email address, device details and even whether the passcode has four or six digits. The fake page may also show a chosen location on a "lost iPhone" map. Then the scammer sends the link by text, WhatsApp or email.

Once the victim enters credentials or a passcode, the information can go straight back to the attacker through Telegram. From there, criminals can remove linked devices from the Apple Account and prepare the phone for resale. That is why the message can feel oddly personal. The scammer may know enough to make the alert feel urgent and official.

Researchers identified more than 10,000 domains tied to these phone unlocking tools and smishing campaigns. Many used Apple lookalike names or generic customer-support wording, such as fake location and phone-finding themes. They also found that traffic to verified smishing domains rose 350% in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Some tools even try to fight security blocks. The research found scripts that check whether smishing domains are blocked. Then those scripts submit fake explanations to try to get them removed from Google Safe Browsing warnings. That means criminals are not only building fake pages. They are also working to keep those pages online long enough to fool victims.

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE 'APPLE ID SUSPENDED' PHISHING SCAM

If your phone gets stolen, the most dangerous message may arrive after the theft. You may be worried, angry and desperate to track your device. That is exactly the moment scammers want. A message claiming to be from Apple, Find My or customer support can feel helpful.

However, Apple will not ask you to enter your iPhone passcode through a random link sent by text or WhatsApp. The passcode is the prize. Once you give it up, you may help the thief turn your locked phone into a sellable device.

If your iPhone goes missing, a few calm steps can help you avoid handing thieves the one thing they need most: your passcode.

Your iPhone passcode should stay on your iPhone. Do not type it into a website that arrives by text, email or WhatsApp, even if the page looks like Apple.

If your iPhone is missing, use the Find My app on another Apple device or go directly to iCloud through your browser. Do not use a link from a message.

Scammers love pressure. A message may say your phone has been found, moved or scheduled for removal. Pause before you click. Open Apple's tools yourself instead.

Avoid simple codes such as birthdays, repeating numbers or easy patterns. A longer alphanumeric passcode gives thieves a much harder target.

Make sure Find My is enabled before anything happens. On iPhone, go to Settings > your name > Find My > Find My iPhone and confirm that Find My iPhone is turned on.

If your iPhone is stolen, keep it listed in Find My and your Apple Account. Removing it can also remove Activation Lock, which helps stop someone else from erasing, activating and reselling your phone. If you use Find My, select the stolen iPhone and choose Mark As Lost or Erase This Device if needed. Avoid Remove This Device unless Apple Support, your carrier or law enforcement tells you to do it.

FIND A LOST PHONE THAT IS OFF OR DEAD

Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links, phishing pages and scam sites before they do damage. It can also warn you when a site looks unsafe. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Report the stolen phone to local police and your wireless carrier. Your carrier may be able to suspend service or block the device from the network.

Yes. Android phones have their own anti-theft protections, but thieves may still try a similar trick. Instead of asking for an iPhone passcode, a scammer may send a fake Google, Find My Device, Find Hub, Samsung Find or carrier message after your Android phone is stolen.

The message may claim your phone was found, moved or ready to be recovered. Then it may send you to a fake page that asks for your Google account password, Samsung account password or screen lock PIN, password or pattern.

That information can help a thief get around protections that make a stolen Android phone harder to reset and resell. Google’s Factory Reset Protection can require the previous Google account or screen lock after an unauthorized reset. Samsung says Google Device Protection works on Galaxy phones when a Google account and lock screen are set up.

The advice is the same: do not use a link from a text, email or WhatsApp message to recover a stolen Android phone. Go directly to Google’s Find Hub, Samsung Find or your carrier’s official website yourself. Never type your phone’s screen lock or account password into a recovery page that arrived by message.

A stolen iPhone used to be a headache for thieves because Activation Lock made resale harder. Now, criminals are trying to make you part of the unlocking process. They do it with fake Apple pages, carefully timed texts and slick-looking maps that play on panic. The safest move is to slow down. If your phone disappears, use Apple's official Find My tools and ignore any message that asks for your passcode. That very code may be the one thing standing between a locked brick and a payday for a thief.

Should phone makers and wireless carriers do more to stop stolen phones from being resold, or is the responsibility mostly on users to lock down their devices? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Grandparents are identity theft's biggest payday

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:22:19 -0400

The FBI calls it a "distress scam." It is also known as a grandparent scam. The scam works by making an older adult believe a grandchild is in serious trouble and needs money right away, often before a court date or legal deadline. Victims reported more than $5 million in losses to this type of fraud in 2025. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center also noted that reported losses likely show only part of what scammers actually stole.

The Federal Trade Commission found in August 2025 that some of the fastest-growing scams targeting older adults use fear and urgency to override good judgment. A caller may claim your bank account was hacked and say you need to move your money immediately to protect it. However, the money does not move to safety. It goes straight to the scammer.

HOW TO HAND OFF DATA PRIVACY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS TO A TRUSTED LOVED ONE

AI voice-cloning tools have made these scams even more convincing. Scammers can use a birthday video, voicemail or social media clip to mimic a grandchild's voice. Then they place the call. The voice sounds familiar, the emergency feels real and the request for bail money seems urgent. The FBI counted $352 million in AI-related scam losses among victims 60 and older this past year.

The same three pieces of data are required for identity verification at most banks, brokerages, pension recordkeepers, and Medicare: date of birth, last four digits of a Social Security number, and a current mailing address. For most people in their sixties and seventies, all of those accounts are open.

Those three fields have turned up in breach after breach. The Conduent Business Services breach pulled names, SSNs, dates of birth, and home addresses for more than 25 million Americans from systems that process Medicaid records and employer health plans. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called it the largest data breach in U.S. history in February 2026.

Americans between 65 and 74 held a median net worth of $409,900 in 2022, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, more than ten times the median for adults under 35. The FBI found average losses of approximately $38,500 per victim among Americans 60 and older in 2025, nearly double the figure for younger filers.

Older adults reported $2.4 billion in fraud losses to the Federal Trade Commission in 2024. However, the FTC's December 2025 report to Congress estimated that real losses may have reached $81.5 billion that year. Most cases likely went unreported.

That gap makes identity theft harder to stop. A fraudulent wire from a pension account may never alert a bank. A new credit account opened with stolen information may not reach the victim until it appears on a credit report. By then, weeks may have passed since the application was approved.

Scammers move fast, so it helps to set up account protections before anything goes wrong. These steps can give banks, brokerage firms and family members more ways to spot trouble early.

Brokerage accounts have a protection option many account holders never activate: a trusted contact designation. Under FINRA Rule 4512, brokerage firms must ask for a trusted contact when you open or update an account. A trusted contact can be a family member, attorney or accountant. The firm can contact that person if it suspects financial exploitation or cannot reach you. However, that person cannot trade, withdraw funds or view your account balances. FINRA, the SEC and the North American Securities Administrators Association asked investors in August 2025 to contact their firm and add one. You can name more than one trusted contact. You can also change the designation at any time.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PHISHING SCAM TARGETS RETIREES

Under FINRA Rule 2165, brokerage firms can place a temporary hold on disbursements when they reasonably believe financial exploitation may be happening. That hold can last up to 55 business days. In January 2026, FINRA proposed extending the window to 145 business days. Ask any firm holding a pension, brokerage or annuity account about its policy on disbursements after an address change.

When a caller claims a grandchild is in trouble or a federal agent needs immediate action, hang up. Then call back using a number you already have, not the number in the message. The FTC found that 41% of older adults who reported losing $10,000 or more to impersonation scams in 2024 said a phone call was the initial point of contact. That makes one simple habit especially important: verify the story before you act.

Social Security lets you block electronic and automated telephone access to your account record. Once blocked, no one can change your direct deposit information or mailing address online or through the automated phone system. After that, any changes must go through a live SSA representative at 1-800-772-1213 or a field office visit. FINRA also operates a free Securities Helpline for Seniors at 844-574-3577, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Even strong account protections may not catch every scam attempt. That is why identity theft monitoring and recovery support can help families respond faster when personal information gets exposed or misused.

Some identity theft protection services monitor dark web marketplaces, data broker sites and people-search sites for exposed Social Security numbers, addresses and other personal information. If fraud happens, recovery support may help contact creditors, file disputes with the three credit bureaus and organize the documentation needed to restore an identity.

OUTSMART HACKERS WHO ARE OUT TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY

Some plans also include identity theft insurance for eligible recovery costs, such as lost wages and legal fees.

No service prevents every misuse of an older adult's identity. However, family monitoring and fraud resolution can shorten the time between when theft happens and when you or someone in your family acts on it.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

Grandparents have become a prime target because scammers know where the money is and how to create panic fast. A familiar voice, a stolen Social Security number or a fake emergency can turn one phone call into a devastating loss. The best defense starts before the call comes. Add trusted contacts to financial accounts, block online Social Security changes, verify urgent requests through a number you already know and talk openly with family about scam warning signs. Identity theft protection can also help spot exposed personal information and speed up recovery if fraud happens. No family can stop every scam attempt. However, a simple plan can give older adults more time, more backup and a better chance of keeping their money safe.

Is enough being done to stop scammers from using AI voices and stolen data to target grandparents? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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12 biggest Apple WWDC 2026 takeaways you need to know

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:47:59 -0400

Apple used WWDC 2026, its annual developers conference, to lay out what is coming next for your iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and Vision Pro. This year's keynote also carried extra weight because it marked Tim Cook's final WWDC as Apple CEO before John Ternus takes over in September.

Still, the biggest story for users was software. Apple put Siri AI and Apple Intelligence at the center of the keynote, while also announcing iOS 27 support for older iPhones, new child safety tools, faster performance and smarter features across everyday apps.

The updates range from big changes, like Siri AI, to smaller fixes that could still make a difference. You may notice them when your phone finds a photo faster, shares a file quicker or helps clean up a weak password.

Here are the 12 biggest takeaways from Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote.

ARE APPLE DEVICES SPYING? WHAT YOUR IPHONE TRACKS

The headline from WWDC 2026 is Siri AI. Apple says it rebuilt Siri around Apple Intelligence so it can handle more complex requests and carry on longer conversations.

The new Siri still works in familiar ways, including "Hey Siri." Apple also showed a dedicated Siri app where you can return to past conversations. That means a longer answer or planning session does not disappear after one interaction.

Siri can also sound a lot more expressive. Apple says you can customize Siri's voice by adjusting its pace and expressivity until it feels right for you.

During the keynote, Apple showed Siri answering a question about a local concert. From there, Siri helped with tickets, created a reminder for the lottery opening and played a song from the artist.

Apple also showed Siri using what was already on the screen. In one demo, Siri identified a location along the Santa Cruz coast from an image. Then it found a friend's address from Messages and helped create a route with a stop along the way.

In another example, Siri searched Photos for images from a recent trip. It narrowed the results to specific family members and added those photos to a shared family album.

On Mac, Apple showed Siri working inside Spotlight and context menus. Siri compared selected files, turned the information into a table and used details from Messages and Mail to help draft an email.

One of the most surprising moments came when Apple said it worked with Google on the next generation of Apple Foundation models.

Apple said it used technologies behind Google's Gemini family of models to help create new models for Apple Intelligence. Those models are designed to run on-device and through Private Cloud Compute.

Apple is still presenting the experience as Apple Intelligence. Still, the Google connection is important. It shows Apple is willing to lean on outside AI technology to make its own system stronger.

Apple says the new models bring better reasoning, image understanding, speech support and image generation.

Apple confirmed that iOS 27 will support iPhone 11 and the same iPhone models as iOS 26.

That is good news if you are not rushing to buy a new phone. Some of Apple's biggest software updates will still reach older devices.

Apple also said it brought an improved CPU scheduler to older iPhones going back to iPhone 11. That system helps your phone manage processing power as you move between tasks.

In everyday terms, Apple says older iPhones should feel more responsive. That could help when you switch apps, search for photos or use several features at once.

FIRST 15 THINGS TO DO OR TRY FIRST WHEN YOU GET A NEW IPHONE

Apple did not spend the keynote only chasing new AI features. It also talked about speed. The company said iPhone and iPad apps can launch up to 30% faster. New photos may appear in your library up to 70% faster. AirDrop transfers may be up to 80% faster. On iPad, browsing files and moving them to an external drive may be up to five times faster.

Waiting for an app to open is annoying. So is taking a photo, then waiting for it to appear. Faster AirDrop could also make file sharing feel less clunky.

Apple also said it improved network transitions. Your iPhone should be smarter about moving between Wi-Fi and cellular. That could help in places where your phone clings to a weak Wi-Fi network, even though cellular would work better.

Apple also revisited Liquid Glass, the visual design system it introduced last year. This time, Apple said it refined Liquid Glass so that complex content behind it is easier to read. The goal is better contrast and clearer separation between controls and background content.

Apple is also adding a new slider in Settings. You can adjust Liquid Glass from ultra clear to fully tinted. That gives you more control. Some of you may like the transparent look. Others may want a stronger tint so buttons and text stand out.

On Mac, Apple is also bringing back more structure. Toolbars look more uniform. Sidebars stretch to the edge of app windows. Sidebar icons regain color. Windows also have a more consistent shape. The message is clear. Apple still likes the look of Liquid Glass, but it knows readability matters.

Apple devoted a major part of WWDC 2026 to kids, teens and parental controls. The company says the most important first step is creating a Child Account. That account automatically turns on age-based safeguards, including adult website blocking, media limits and App Store restrictions. Apple also said parents can convert an existing account into a Child Account.

This year, Apple is adding a more guided setup process. Parents can decide which apps a child can use right away, then add more as the child is ready. In other words, a child may need Messages or school apps before they are ready for broader web access.

Apple also expanded Ask to Buy. Parents can now review app requests in Messages. A new Ask to Browse feature lets kids request permission before visiting a new website in Safari. Ask to Browse and Ask to Buy are both on by default for kids under 13. Parents can also turn them on for teens.

Screen Time is getting a new look and more flexible controls. Apple says parents will see a clearer view of how kids use their devices. They can also adjust access faster.

A new Time Allowances feature gives parents suggested limits for app categories such as Entertainment, Games and Social Media. Apple says those recommendations are based on a child's age and developed with clinical and child development experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. Parents can still adjust the limits themselves.

Apple also added schedules. That means parents can decide which apps are available during different parts of the day. For example, a parent could allow learning apps during school hours and entertainment apps later. Weekend settings can also be different from weekday settings. That is all very important because families do not all handle screen time the same way.

IS APPLE INTELLIGENCE ON YOUR IPHONE REALLY SECURE?

Safari is getting Apple Intelligence features that could help with one of the most common browsing problems: too many tabs. Safari can now organize open tabs into topics. If you are researching a vacation, comparing products or planning a project, Safari can group related pages together. It can also add new related tabs to a topic as you keep browsing. That could help anyone who leaves tabs open because they are afraid of losing something important.

Safari is also adding Notify Me. You can ask Safari to watch a page for a change, then close the tab. Apple gave examples, like waiting for camp signups or a product to come back in stock. When Safari detects the update, it sends you a notification. That may sound small. For tab hoarders, it could be a big relief.

Apple is also bringing Apple Intelligence into the Passwords app. That could be a big help because weak and reused passwords are still one of the easiest ways for scammers to break into accounts. Passwords already warns you when a password may be weak or compromised. Now, Apple says it can help update eligible accounts to stronger passwords with one tap.

That is the part that may get more people to act. Most of us know we should clean up old passwords. The hassle is getting it done. You have to visit the site, sign in, hunt for the account settings and create a better password.

Apple says Passwords can use Safari to handle supported password changes for you. That could make it much easier to fix risky accounts before they become a problem. Just do not treat it like a set-it-and-forget-it tool. After changing a password, make sure it is saved correctly and know where to find it later.

Visual Intelligence is becoming a bigger part of Apple's AI plan. On iPhone, Apple is adding a Siri mode inside the Camera app. You can point your camera at something, tap the shutter button and let Siri respond to what it sees.

Apple showed examples like getting nutritional insights from food and helping split a restaurant bill with Apple Cash.

On Mac, Visual Intelligence works through a keyboard shortcut. You can select something on your display, then ask Siri about it.

On iPad, Visual Intelligence connects with screenshots. On Vision Pro, Apple showed Siri answering questions about objects someone was looking at.

This could make Apple Intelligence feel more useful because it connects to what is in front of you. It is not limited to typing a question into a chat window.

Apple also showed how Apple Intelligence will show up inside the apps you already use. This is where the update could become more useful in everyday life. Instead of making you open a separate AI tool, Apple is building these features into places like Messages, Mail, Calendar, Phone, Home and Shortcuts.

In Messages, Apple says it can understand the context of a conversation and offer one-tap suggestions. For example, it could help create a reminder or note from a message. If someone asks for photos, Messages can help find the right shots by recognizing keywords, locations and people in your library. Mail is getting more capable suggestions, too. Apple says those suggestions will be based on the email you are reading and can help you take action with your favorite apps, including third-party apps.

Calendar is also getting a more natural way to add events. You can type what you want in plain language, and Calendar can fill in details as you go. Apple showed it identifying a contact, adding a location and creating a title. It can also adjust a recurring event when you describe the change. The Phone app may get one of the more useful upgrades. With Call Context, your iPhone can surface helpful details when you call a business. Apple gave the example of calling an airline and having your confirmation code appear from Mail when the call starts. Apple says the feature looks at who you are calling, not what you are saying, and runs entirely on your device.

The Home app is getting smarter about notifications and cameras. Apple says it can understand related accessory alerts as one activity, so you get one notification that keeps updating. For compatible cameras, the Home app can also summarize recorded clips, pull up related footage and let you search by what was captured. Shortcuts may become less intimidating, too. Instead of building an automation step by step, you can describe what you want. Apple showed an example where Shortcuts could message a partner with an ETA when someone leaves work. That is the bigger point here. Apple Intelligence is not only about Siri answering questions. Apple wants it to handle small tasks that usually require digging, tapping or searching inside the apps people already use.

HOW HACKERS ARE BREAKING INTO APPLE DEVICES THROUGH AIRPLAY

Apple also announced several visual creation features. Image Playground is getting a major upgrade with more powerful image models. Apple says it can create higher-quality images in many styles, including photorealistic images. It can also use people from your Photos library, create images in different dimensions and help make Messages backgrounds, contact posters and Lock Screen wallpapers.

Apple also said you can refine images by describing changes. You can touch part of an image, then move it, resize it or add details. Photos is getting its own AI tools. Apple said Clean Up is improving. It also announced Extend, which can expand a photo beyond its original frame. Another feature, Spatial Reframing, lets you adjust the framing of a photo after you take it.

That could be very useful when a photo is close to perfect, but the edges feel off. These features show where Apple is headed. Your photo library is becoming more editable and easier to search with help from Apple Intelligence.

Siri AI will not arrive for everyone at the same time. Apple said Siri AI will be available in beta later this year. Developers can try it first. It starts in English, with more languages to follow. Apple also said Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iOS and iPadOS. In China, Siri AI and other new Apple Intelligence features will not be available while Apple works through regulatory requirements.

Some Apple Intelligence features will also have daily usage limits. That includes image generation and other features that rely on Apple's server-based models. Apple says people with most iCloud+ subscription plans will get increased access. While some features may depend on region, language, device support and usage limits.

Apple also announced several smaller updates that may be useful.

These may not be the headline features. Still, they could end up being the updates some of you use most.

Apple is trying to make AI feel like part of your device instead of another app you need to open. That means Siri could search your photos, understand messages, draft emails, compare files, summarize camera clips and help you act inside apps. Safari could organize tabs. Passwords could fix weak accounts. Calendar could understand a normal sentence. Shortcuts could become easier for people who never wanted to build automations. That sounds convenient. It also requires trust.

Apple says its approach is privacy-first. The company says Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, so your data is only used to complete your request. Apple also says outside experts can verify those privacy promises. Still, you should pay attention to the features you enable. AI becomes more useful when it understands your personal context. That same access makes it more important to know what your device can search and use. The promise is less friction. The question is how much access you are comfortable giving.

Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote felt like a reset for Siri and Apple Intelligence. Apple is trying to turn Siri into a more useful assistant that can understand what is on your screen and help inside the apps you already use. I also like that Apple focused on everyday frustrations, from faster apps and better AirDrop to smarter search, stronger passwords and improved parental controls. Still, Siri AI has to prove itself outside a keynote demo. Some features will have limits, and some regions will have delays. To me, Apple is finally saying it is serious about AI. Now it has to prove it on the devices people already own.

Would you trust Siri AI to search your messages, photos, files and apps to get things done for you, or does that feel like too much access? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Texas mom jailed over dirty water Facebook post

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:00:11 -0400

Jennifer Combs says she never set out to become the face of a fight over free speech, dirty water and small-town power. She says she was simply trying to help people in Trinidad, Texas, report problems with their water. Some residents had complained about discoloration, sediment, odors and health concerns. So Combs used her Southern Belle Watch Facebook page to collect reports and send them to the state.

Then, according to Combs, the situation took a turn that still sounds hard to believe. She says police came to her home and arrested her on a felony warrant over a Facebook post.

"I've never even had a speeding ticket," Combs said. "I'm a mom of four kids. I have one grandbaby right now. I have two more grandbabies on the way."

Now, Combs says her arrest has become about something much bigger than one Facebook post.

HOW I WAS TRICKED AND LOCKED OUT OF FACEBOOK AFTER BEING HACKED

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Jennifer sat down with me for my CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberguyPodcast.com to explain what happened, why she started asking questions and what she wants other communities to learn from her ordeal.

Combs says she got involved after seeing a post from an older woman who needed help buying bottled water. According to Combs, the woman was on a fixed income and had already spent part of her monthly money on bottled water. Combs said the woman claimed her doctor had told her not to cook with or drink the tap water. That moment stuck with her.

11 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY IN 2025

"I'm a firm, firm person on transparency," Combs said. "I stand on it. I think if you're going to be in government, there should be zero reasons for you not to be transparent with your people that elected you to be there."

So she started collecting complaints. Her plan was simple. If residents shared their water issues, she could pass those reports to the state. That way, inspectors would know where to look.

Combs says the water issue had been going on for years in parts of Trinidad. "That's real. That's not AI. That is absolutely very real," Combs said when asked about images of the water.

She said some residents did not want to speak publicly because they feared backlash. "A lot of them wanted to be able to message me anonymously, because the retaliation in Trinidad is very, very real," Combs said.

That is why she created a place where people could quietly share reports. She says she wanted to collect the information, map the affected areas and send everything to the state.

Combs read the Facebook post during our conversation. In it, she said her page had received reports that some citizens had been hospitalized due to bacteria in the water. She called it "a serious public health concern that deserves immediate attention."

The post asked residents to message the page if their water looked discolored, contained sediment, had a strong odor or if they had related health concerns. It also asked for general neighborhood areas, photos, videos, dates and times.

Combs says the post was later removed by Facebook after it was reported by a select group of people from the community and flagged, though she says Facebook did not tell her why. But before it came down, she says, then-Trinidad Police Chief Charles Gregory had taken a screenshot of it and posted it on the Trinidad Police Department Facebook page, accusing her of making a false report.

"I never filed a report with the police department," Combs said. "I only filed a report with the state of Texas with the water." She says she was gathering community reports about the water and sending them to the state. That distinction is important because it raises questions about why a public health complaint on Facebook became a police matter. We reached out to Meta, Facebook's parent company, for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

Combs says the city had hired a contractor to help manage the water problem. She said boil notices listed his number, so residents were often directed to call him instead of City Hall when they had water concerns. According to Combs, that created even more frustration. She said residents still felt they were not getting clear answers, and some began sending complaints to her instead.

Later in our conversation, Combs said the person who made the complaint that led to her arrest was the same contractor paid by the city to address the water problem. "Do you want to know who that someone is?" Combs said. "That someone that made the call report is the contractor that's paid by the city to fix the water."

That detail adds another layer to the story. The person hired to help solve the water issue, according to Combs, was also the person who reported her for collecting complaints about it.

FACIAL RECOGNITION JAILS INNOCENT GRANDMOTHER, ATTORNEY SAYS

Combs says this all came to a head on April 6. Two officers came to her home in Kerens, Texas, about eight miles from Trinidad. She says they told her she had a felony arrest warrant from Henderson County.

"I said, 'Oh, what? What do you mean?'" Combs said. "And they said, 'Yeah, you have a felony arrest warrant. We have to take you to Navarro County Jail.'"

Then she was handcuffed in her front yard. "To be handcuffed in my front yard and taken to jail and spend 23 hours in jail before I could get out was very traumatic," Combs said. "It was insane."

Combs says she was charged with a felony false report tied to public panic over the water system. "I was just in disbelief, in absolute disbelief," she said.

Combs says Gregory later doubled down on Facebook and defended the decision to arrest her. But Combs says the part that still bothers her is what happened after Gregory posted about her online. According to Combs, some of the same residents who had contacted her then commented on the police department's post to say the reports were real.

"The people that had made the reports to me commented on there, and they never even interviewed them," Combs said. "They never even talked to them. But they literally commented on his own post saying, 'Hey, this really happened.'"

That raises a basic question. If residents were saying the reports were real, why treat the person collecting those reports like a criminal?

After Combs arrest, the costs started adding up. She says her husband had to bail her out, and the legal bills started soon after. "It's $2,500," Combs said about the bail amount. "So he had to pay 300 and something to get me out of jail. And then we've had to pay attorney fees."

Combs says the felony charge eventually went before a grand jury. The grand jury no-billed the case, meaning it did not indict her. "The grand jury said no bill. Absolutely no part of this," Combs said. "No bill, not enough evidence."

That meant the charge was no longer hanging over her head. Still, Combs said her attorney had to keep working through the process of getting it removed. By then, the damage had already been done. Combs had spent nearly a day in jail. Her husband had to bail her out. She had to hire a lawyer. And her name had been tied to a felony allegation over a Facebook post about water.

Combs says the fallout did not stop with her arrest. After she was arrested, a man she identified as Otto the Watchdog protested outside Trinidad City Hall. Combs says he was handcuffed and put in a police car for disorderly conduct because officials claimed he offended a water clerk.

Then, according to Combs, the water clerk said she was not offended. "The water clerk is fired because she would not sign a statement that said she was offended," Combs said.

Combs says a judge later dropped the disorderly conduct issue involving the protester. Then, she says, the city fired that judge. "The judge dropped it. They fired the judge," Combs said.

She also said the city attorney was fired the same night. Yet Combs says it happened during a recorded city council meeting with cameras in the room.

MICROSOFT CROSSES PRIVACY LINE FEW EXPECTED

CyberGuy requested comment from the City of Trinidad. Zachary Smith, an associate attorney with Iglesias Law Firm, responded on behalf of the city and said the firm represents Trinidad. "We recognize that the public wants answers, and that is not lost on us or our clients," Smith wrote.

Smith said the city is leaving the details to the legal process. "Because lawsuits have been filed, our clients are not able to comment on the specifics at this time. As you know, this is standard practice in active litigation," Smith wrote.

He also defended the city's position. "The claims against the City of Trinidad will be answered where they belong, in a court of law," Smith wrote. "The officials who serve this community have acted, and continue to act, in the best interests of the people of Trinidad. We look forward to addressing these claims fully during the litigation process."

People complain online about local problems every day. They post about roads, trash pickup, schools, taxes, crime and public utilities. Some posts are emotional. Some include claims that still need to be checked. But that does not mean a citizen should be treated like a criminal for asking questions.

Combs said it best. "You have the right to question what anybody is doing," she said. "You have the right to figure out what is in your water, what you're drinking."

Then she added one line that says a lot about her. "I'm never going to tell people, 'Oh, just keep your mouth shut. Don't say anything and just be quiet.' That's not me. I don't hush very well.

Combs says the water problem still needs outside attention. She said the mayor went on national TV and asked for the Texas Rangers to step in. Combs also said she had reached out for support.

"I need someone to help," Combs said. "It's insane. It's not going to get fixed the way it is." She said people in Trinidad have waited long enough.

"They've had all of these years to do it," Combs said. "And now you're putting people in jail for talking about it." That is the part that should make all of us pay attention. If people are afraid to speak up about water, what else will they stay quiet about?

At the end of our conversation, I asked Combs what message she has for people who speak out online about local issues. Her answer was direct.

"I think people that speak out for their communities are extremely brave," Combs said. "So I'm never going to not tell people to speak out."

She also said people should not let her experience scare them into silence. "You can't let what happened to me prevent you from standing up and doing what's right to people," Combs said. "You can't because then there's no good people left."

Facebook can be a powerful way to raise local concerns, but you should think carefully before posting. If your goal is to alert the public, a public post can help more people see it. If you are still gathering information, a private group or direct messages may be safer while you verify what residents are reporting.

Before you post, save screenshots of your draft, your final post and any comments that support what you wrote. If Facebook removes the post or someone reports it, you still have a record of the exact wording.

Also, protect people who contact you. Ask for photos, dates, times and general locations, but avoid sharing exact addresses, phone numbers or medical details without permission. You can show a pattern without exposing someone's private information.

Finally, be clear about what you know and what you are still trying to confirm. Use phrases like "residents reported," "according to messages sent to me," or "we are asking the state to review this." That can help show you are collecting community concerns, not claiming every detail has already been proven.

HOW SURVEILLANCE TECH LED POLICE TO ACCUSE THE WRONG PERSON

Jennifer Combs says she wanted clean water, transparency and answers. Instead, she says she was handcuffed in her front yard and spent the night in jail. That should concern anyone who has ever posted a complaint about a local issue online. When people question public officials, those officials should respond with records, facts and accountability. They should not turn criticism into a police matter. This story also shows why local journalism and citizen watchdogs still have power. Small towns can have big problems. Sometimes the person asking the uncomfortable question is the one doing the public a favor. The bigger question is simple: If a Facebook post about dirty water can lead to a felony arrest, what would stop another local government from trying the same thing? To hear Jennifer tell her story in her own words, check out The CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberguyPodcast.com.

Have you ever spoken up about a local problem and felt ignored, intimidated or brushed aside? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Do not click fake 'account recovery' Amazon email

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:43:56 -0400

Amazon is getting ready for Prime Day, and you can bet scammers are, too. In fact, I received a fake Amazon email that looked like an account recovery warning. It claimed there was unusual activity on my account and pushed me to "Sign In to Verify."

That kind of message can make anyone uneasy. It certainly did for me. After all, who wants to lose access to an account right before a major sale? Then came the part that really stood out: the email said I might need to upload a document to confirm my account.

That was the giveaway. A real deal can save you money. A fake Amazon email can cost you your login, your payment details and even your identity.

Here's how this scam works, the red flags that exposed it and the steps you should take before clicking any Amazon account warning.

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The timing made this phishing email more convincing. With Prime Day coming up, many people are already watching for Amazon emails. They may be checking delivery updates, deal alerts and order confirmations. That creates the perfect opening for a fake account warning.

The email used the same tricks you see in many phishing scams. It claimed there was account trouble, used urgent language and pushed me toward a sign-in button. That is exactly what scammers want.

They want you to react before you inspect the message. They want you to sign in before you think through the request. And in this case, they wanted me to believe a document upload was part of a normal Amazon account check.

This fake Amazon email had several warning signs. First, it landed in my junk folder. That alone does not prove fraud, but it should make you cautious.

Second, the subject line sounded awkward. It said, "Account Recovery: Sign-in and Verify your Amazon account." That wording felt stiff and a little off.

Third, the greeting was generic. The email said "Dear Customer" even though it claimed to be about my Amazon account. That alone does not prove the email is fake, but it adds to the concern.

Fourth, the message created urgency. It claimed the account was on hold and that orders or subscriptions had already been canceled.

Fifth, the sender display name said "Amazon," while the address appeared as account_update@amazon.com. That may look official at first. Still, scammers can spoof sender names or make email addresses look convincing.

Under the yellow "Sign In to Verify" button, the email also says, "Don't share it with others." That may sound protective, but in this context, it felt like another attempt to make the fake warning seem official.

The biggest warning sign came from the document request. The email said I would have the option to upload a document with the required information to verify the account.

That should stop you cold. Scammers may be after more than your Amazon password. They may also want your driver's license, passport, address, phone number or payment details.

This scam works because it hits a very real fear. Most people do not want to lose access to an online shopping account. That concern grows when a big sale is about to start. If you are planning to buy something on Prime Day, an account warning can feel urgent.

The email also borrowed Amazon's familiar look. It used the Amazon name, a logo area and a yellow sign-in button. It also included a footer that appeared to show an Amazon.com link. That can make the message feel safer than it really is.

Here is the problem. The visible link text in an email can mislead you. A link can appear to point to Amazon while sending you somewhere else. It can also pass through tracking links, redirects or look-alike pages. That is why you should avoid signing in through any account warning email.

120,000 FAKE SITES FUEL AMAZON PRIME DAY SCAMS

If you click the link, you may land on a fake Amazon sign-in page. It may look close enough to fool you. Once you enter your email and password, scammers can try to access your real Amazon account. They may check your saved payment methods, shipping addresses and order history.

They may also try that same password on other websites. That becomes a bigger risk if you reuse passwords.

The document request adds another layer of danger. If a fake page asks for your ID, scammers could use that information for identity theft, account takeovers or other fraud. That is why one quick click can turn into a much bigger mess.

A fake Amazon email can look convincing at first, so the best move is to slow down and use these simple checks before you click, sign in or share anything.

Skip buttons like "Sign In to Verify," "View details" or "Restore access." Open the Amazon app or type Amazon.com into your browser yourself.

After signing in directly, go to Your Account > Message Center. If the alert is real, you should see a matching message there.

Scammers often say your account is locked, your orders were canceled, or you must act right away. That pressure is designed to make you click before thinking.

If an email asks for a passport, driver's license or other document, stop. Contact Amazon through the app or website before sending anything.

A password manager can help you spot fake login pages. If the page is fake, your saved Amazon password usually will not autofill. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.

Install strong antivirus software on your computer, phone and tablet. Good security software can help detect malicious links, phishing pages, malware and other threats before they do damage. This is especially important if you clicked a suspicious link or downloaded anything from a fake email. Security software should back up your smart habits, not replace them. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Scammers often build more convincing attacks with information they find about you online. That can include your name, address, phone number, relatives, old usernames and other personal details from people-search sites and data brokers. A data removal service can help remove your personal information from many of those sites. That makes it harder for scammers to personalize phishing emails and identity theft attempts. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

Forward suspicious Amazon emails to reportascam@amazon.com. Then delete the message from your inbox or junk folder.

JANUARY SCAMS SURGE: WHY FRAUD SPIKES AT THE START OF THE YEAR

Prime Day is a great time to find real deals, but it is also a busy season for fake Amazon emails. Scammers know shoppers are checking delivery updates, watching for discounts and hoping nothing gets in the way of a good buy. That is what made this email so sneaky. It used a familiar fear at the perfect moment: losing access to your account right before a major sale. The safest move is to slow down before you click. Do not trust the button. Do not trust the sender name alone. Open the Amazon app or type Amazon.com into your browser and check your account yourself.

Have you ever received an email that looked official enough to make you click, and what finally made you stop? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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HOW TO DETECT FAKE AMAZON EMAILS AND AVOID IMPERSONATION SCAMS

AI voice scams can clone your family’s voice

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:29:32 -0400

Your phone rings. It's your son's voice. Panicked. He says he's been in a car accident. He hurt someone. He's about to be arrested. He needs $15,000 wired before the end of the day, and please, don't tell anyone yet. You'd wire the money. Of course you would. Except it isn't your son.

It's a scammer who spent about 10 minutes online, pulled three seconds of audio from a Facebook video your son posted last Christmas, and fed it into an AI voice cloning tool that costs less than a Netflix subscription. The voice that broke your heart wasn't real. The emergency wasn't real. But the $15,000 transfer? That would have been.

This is already happening to families right now, in every state. And what most people don't understand is that the voice clone is actually the easy part. What makes these attacks so devastatingly effective is everything that happens before the call.

AI CYBERSECURITY RISKS AND DEEPFAKE SCAMS ON THE RISE

AI can now clone a person's voice using as little as three seconds of audio, pulled from a social media video, a voicemail greeting, or a voice message. The technology copies tone, speech patterns, and accents closely enough that many people can't tell the difference between a real voice and a fake one.

Three seconds. That's shorter than it took you to read that sentence. AI scams surged 1,210% in 2025, and global AI scam losses could reach $40 billion by 2027. This isn't a slow-building trend. It's an explosion.

A new study found that 1 in 4 adults have already experienced an AI voice scam. One in four. That's your neighbor. Your coworker. Someone in your family. But here's the thing nobody's telling you.

Every article you've read about AI voice cloning focuses on the technology. The scarily realistic audio. The three seconds of audio that's "all they need." What those articles miss is the setup that happens before the call. A voice clone is useless without answers to two questions: Whose voice do I clone? And who do I call with it?

To answer both of those questions, scammers don't need to hack anything. They go to the same places anyone can access right now: data broker websites. Armed with your phone number and personal details from a data broker profile, scammers can call you directly and reference your name, address, or recent transactions to appear legitimate. Here's the step-by-step process, because you need to know exactly how this works.

A scammer types your name into Spokeo, BeenVerified, or Whitepages. Within seconds, they have:

They didn't hack anything. They paid a few dollars. Or nothing at all.

Once they have your family network mapped, they make a decision: Who's the most vulnerable person to call? And whose voice will make them act?

5 STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCES FROM FAMILY SCAMS

Often, the target is an elderly parent. The cloned voice is a grandchild or adult child. That combination of a panicked young voice and an older parent who loves them is the most reliably devastating pairing a scammer can manufacture.

Then they go looking for audio. A Facebook video from Thanksgiving. A YouTube clip of a school play. A TikTok your kid posted last summer. Three seconds is enough. The AI tool replicates pitch, cadence, accent, and emotional inflection.

This is where the call starts to feel personal. Data broker profiles can reveal more than your phone number. Scammers may find relatives’ names, rough ages, your city, your property address and other public record details. Then they use those clues to make the fake emergency sound believable.

Scammers introduce physical excuses, like a broken nose or a bad connection, to cover any slight artifacts in the AI voice, then create maximum urgency. The victim is directed to wire money, send cryptocurrency, or hand cash to a "bail bondsman" courier who arrives at the door.

The call sounds real because it was built on real information. Your mother picks up. She hears her grandchild's voice, the right name, the right emotional register, the right panic. Her rational brain doesn't stand a chance.

Cybersecurity researchers have noted that the emotional realism of a cloned voice removes the mental barrier to skepticism. When it sounds like your loved one, your rational defenses tend to shut down.

In one documented case in Florida, a woman lost $15,000 after receiving a call from her "crying daughter." She withdrew cash and placed it in a box, which a driver came to collect from her house. Another call, and a larger money request, soon followed.

The Trapp family in the San Francisco Bay Area received a frantic call from their "son" saying he'd been in a car accident, injured a pregnant woman, and needed urgent help. The scammers posed not only as the son but also as police, instructing the mother to quickly withdraw $15,000 and hand it to a courier already on the way. The family became suspicious just in time and called their son directly. They were the lucky ones.

Hiya's Q4 2024 Global Call Threat Report found that one-third of survey respondents across the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Spain encountered deepfake voice fraud in 2024 and 30% of those who encountered it fell victim.

Neither did some of the victims' families. You don't need to be the one posting. Your grandchild's TikTok account, your daughter's Facebook, your son's YouTube channel, or any public audio of them is all the scammer needs.

And even if your entire family has locked down social media? The data broker profile built on you, listing your phone number, your relatives' names, and your address, is still there, still searchable, and still pointing scammers directly at the most vulnerable people in your network.

Here's an uncomfortable truth: data brokers update their databases constantly. Your information can be pulled from voter registration records, property filings, court documents, marketing surveys, and loyalty programs, none of which require your permission. You likely have a profile on dozens of sites right now that you've never seen. You can run a free scan to see exactly how exposed you are. Results usually arrive within an hour.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT: WHY RETIREES ARE SCAM TARGETS

The voice clone is only one part of the scam. The targeting makes it work. When you remove your family's information from data broker sites, you cut off the scammer's research. They may lose access to your mother's phone number, your relatives' names or clues about who lives alone. Without that personal map, it becomes much harder to choose the right target and the right voice to clone.

Data broker profiles might link your mobile number to your home address and your relatives' names. That makes family scams, now frequently enhanced by AI voice cloning, much easier for criminals to execute.

This is why I recommend using a data removal service. It can automatically send removal requests to hundreds of data broker and people search websites on your behalf. It can also keep monitoring and resubmitting requests when your data reappears. Because it will reappear. That's how these sites work.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan

Beyond removing your data, do these things this week:

THE ONE THING THAT COULD PROTECT YOUR PARENTS FROM SCAMMERS

Pick something random, "purple cactus," "blue kettle," anything unconnected to your actual life. Every family member agrees: any emergency call requesting money must include this word before anyone acts. Scammers cannot guess it. No data broker sells it.

No matter how real a voice sounds, hang up and call the person back at their known number, not the number that called you. Real emergencies can wait two minutes for a callback. Scammers count on the panic preventing exactly this.

Set profiles to friends only. Limit public videos. The less audio of your family that's publicly available, the harder voice cloning becomes. Talk to your kids and grandkids about this specifically.

Don't assume they'll figure this out. Have a specific, explicit conversation: "If you get a call that sounds like me asking for money, stop. Ask for our code word. Call me back at my number. It might not be me."

This is how every one of these scams ends. The payment method itself is the red flag. Legitimate emergencies don't require Venmo, wire transfers, or a courier showing up at your door.

AI voice scams work because they sound personal. A scammer may only need a few seconds of public audio to copy a loved one's voice and make a fake emergency feel real. However, the voice clone is only part of the attack. Scammers also use data broker and people-search sites to find phone numbers, family connections and personal details that make the call more convincing. That is why a simple family code word can help stop panic before money changes hands. So can a strict callback rule, locked-down social media and direct conversations with older relatives before a scammer calls. The best defense is to slow the moment down. Hang up, call your loved one directly and never send money, crypto, gift cards or cash to a courier based only on a phone call.

If a phone call sounded exactly like someone you love asking for help, would you stop long enough to question it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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8 apps that can help you cut your food bill

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:35:14 -0400

Food prices have a way of sneaking up on you. One week, your usual grocery run feels normal. The next week, a few basics suddenly cost a lot more than you expected.

That is why money-saving food apps are worth a closer look. All of these apps are free to download or sign up for, but you still pay for any food, groceries or purchases you make through them.

Some help you find discounted groceries before stores toss them. Others connect you with surprise meals, receipt rewards, free local listings or recipes based on what you already have at home.

The trick is knowing which app fits the way you actually shop. Here are eight apps that can help you stretch your food budget, reduce waste and maybe make your next receipt feel a little less painful.

10 THINGS TO STOP PAYING FOR TO SAVE MONEY NOW

Flashfood helps you find discounted groceries from participating stores near you. The app focuses on food that is still good but getting close to its best-by date. You browse local deals in the app, pay through the app and pick up your order in the store. Flashfood says shoppers can find grocery deals for up to 50% off. That can include produce, meat, dairy, pantry items and other staples, depending on what stores near you have available.

Misfits Market delivers groceries to your door. The company says it offers high-quality rescued foods and lets you choose what goes in your order. After signing up, you receive a weekly shopping window. You can review your cart, remove items, add groceries and skip orders when needed. This can work well if you want grocery delivery and like the idea of reducing food waste at the same time. Misfits Market says there are no subscription fees or order obligations. You can skip, pause or cancel.

Misfits Market lets you customize grocery deliveries with rescued or excess food that may cost less than traditional shopping.

Too Good To Go helps you buy surplus food from nearby restaurants, bakeries, cafés and stores. The app uses "Surprise Bags," which means you usually know the type of food and pickup window, but not every exact item inside. That surprise part can be fun, especially if you like trying local spots. It can also be less ideal if you need a very specific dinner plan. Too Good To Go says users can save and enjoy food at half price or less.

HEALTH-CONSCIOUS AMERICANS EMBRACE YUKA APP TO GUIDE GROCERY SHOPPING CHOICES

Olio connects people locally so they can give away food and other useful items. The app says you can browse free food from local shops and neighbors. You may also find books, toys, toiletries and household items. This one feels more community-based than a regular coupon app. It can be especially helpful if you live in an active area where neighbors and local shops often post.

SuperCook helps you turn the food already in your kitchen into meals. You enter the ingredients you have at home, and the app suggests recipes you can make. That can save money in a different way. Instead of buying more groceries, you may find a way to use the half bag of rice, frozen vegetables or canned beans you already paid for.

Ibotta gives you cash back on eligible purchases. Before you shop, you add cash-back offers in the app. After shopping in-store, you submit your receipt. Ibotta says you can withdraw earnings once you reach $20. It's great because it can work with groceries and other everyday purchases. The key is remembering to add offers before you shop and submit your receipt after.

Fetch turns receipts into points. You shop, snap receipts and earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards. Fetch says you can earn points from in-store or online shopping, plus offers from participating brands. This app can be simple because you do not always need to pick offers before you shop. Still, special offers can help you earn more points.

Fetch turns receipts into points you can redeem for gift cards from popular retailers.

10 TECH UPGRADES TO SAVE YOUR TIME, PRIVACY AND MONEY

Upside is best known for gas savings, but it can also work for groceries and restaurants where offers are available. You open the app, claim a cash-back offer near you, shop as usual and pay with a credit or debit card.

For direct links to each app and any available CyberGuy savings codes, visit CyberGuy.com and search for "8 apps that can help you cut your food bill."

Which app should you try first?

Start with the app that fits your normal routine. If you already shop at grocery stores in person, try Flashfood or Ibotta. If you save receipts anyway, Fetch is an easy add-on. If you order groceries online, Misfits Market may be worth checking. If you like trying local food, Too Good To Go can be a fun way to save. If your fridge is full, but dinner still feels impossible, SuperCook may help you avoid another grocery run. For gas and food cash back in one place, Upside deserves a look. For free local food and community sharing, Olio may surprise you, depending on where you live.

Before you download every app on this list, take a moment to think about your habits. First, check whether the app works in your area. Some apps depend on local stores, restaurants or community activity. If there are no nearby offers, the app may not help much yet.

Next, watch pickup windows. Apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go can save you money, but they also require timing. If you miss the pickup, you may lose the deal. Also, avoid buying food only because it looks cheap. A discounted item saves money only if you actually use it. Finally, read the app's privacy settings. These apps often work through location, receipts, purchases and rewards accounts. Use only the permissions you feel comfortable sharing.

Food savings apps can help, but they work best when they match your real life. Flashfood and Too Good To Go are great for deal hunters who can pick up food nearby. Misfits Market works better for people who want groceries delivered. Ibotta, Fetch and Upside can help you earn something back from purchases you already make. SuperCook and Olio come at savings from a different angle. One helps you use what you already bought. The other connects you with local people and shops that share food and useful items. The biggest takeaway? Do not let the app make you spend more. Use it as a tool, not a temptation.

Would you try an app that sells surprise food bags, or do you want to know exactly what you are getting before you pay? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Robot pets with AI could soon live with you

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:01 -0400

A robot that follows you around the house may sound a little strange at first. Yet Colin Angle, the cofounder of iRobot and one of the people behind Roomba, is betting that the next big home robot may feel less like a machine and more like a companion.

His new company, Familiar Machines & Magic, has revealed its first robot concept called a Familiar. It is a pet-inspired, emotionally aware home robot designed to live with you, learn your routines and support healthier habits. "The next era of robotics is not just about dexterity or humanoid form. It is about machines that can build and sustain human connection," Angle said.

That may sound great to some of you, and others not so much. Whatever your take, it raises some important questions too. Do you really want an AI-powered companion roaming around your home 24/7? Can a robot provide comfort without creating dependency? And will privacy hold up when a device can see, hear and remember what happens around you? Let's take a closer look.

AI HUMANOID ROBOT LEARNS TO MIMIC HUMAN EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR

A Familiar is a physically embodied AI robot built for human interaction. Unlike a chatbot on your phone, this robot has a body. It can move, react and express itself through animal-inspired behaviors.

The first version is a four-legged robot with a soft, touch-sensitive coat. It uses cameras, microphones, speakers and onboard AI to respond to people in real time. The company says it can read facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.

So, if you smile, it may tilt its head. If you seem stressed, it may nuzzle you. If you get excited, it may wiggle its tail. The goal is to build a warm presence that feels natural in your home. Familiar Machines & Magic says the robot is designed to support people through daily life rather than perform one simple task.

Most home robots have focused on chores. Roomba vacuumed your floors. Other robots promised security patrols, video calls or entertainment. Familiar is doing something different. It is built to support your daily routines and respond to how you are feeling.

The company describes it as a companion that can encourage better habits. For example, it may notice that you have been doomscrolling and give you a gentle nudge. It could encourage movement, help engage kids in screen-free play or offer a non-judgmental presence when you need to vent. That makes the robot feel more like a pet than a device. Still, the company says it is meant to supplement your life, not replace people or real animals.

A WHEELED ROBOT MAY BEAT HUMANOIDS INTO YOUR HOME

The Familiar is designed to build memory over time. The more you interact with it, the more distinct its personality may become. That could mean it learns when your household eats dinner, when you usually relax or when you tend to fall into habits you want to break. Then it can react in small physical ways.

Instead of barking orders, it may use movement, sound and expression. A paw tap could remind you to move. A gentle approach could signal that it wants attention. A scared reaction could warn you if it senses an unsafe situation, such as being placed near heat.

This is where the idea gets interesting. The robot does not need to speak to communicate. In fact, Familiar Machines & Magic says the first Familiar currently does not talk. That restraint may be smart. A robot that acts through gestures may feel less intrusive than one that constantly chats.

Colin Angle helped turn consumer robotics into a real business with iRobot. That gives this project extra weight because many social robots have come and gone without lasting success.

Robots such as Jibo, Anki's Vector and other home companions generated excitement, but many struggled to keep people engaged after the novelty wore off.

Familiar Machines & Magic seems aware of that challenge. The company says the robot must build a long-term connection rather than offer a flashy demo. In other words, cuteness alone will not carry it. A Familiar has to keep earning its place in your home.

HOME ROBOT COOKS, CLEANS AND ORGANIZES YOUR LIFE

A robot that sees and hears what happens inside your home naturally raises privacy questions. Familiar Machines & Magic says its AI runs on the device, so your private data does not need to stream constantly to the cloud.

The company also says data is stored on the robot, and you decide when it gets shared with the cloud. The robot should still work if you disconnect it from the internet, although you may miss out on new features.

That is the kind of privacy setup you want to see with a home robot. Still, you should read the fine print before bringing one into your house. Look for clear answers on what it records, how long it keeps that data, who can access it and how you can delete it.

A Familiar could make sense for people who want a little extra support at home without adding another screen to the mix. Parents may use it to help pull kids into screen-free play. Someone living alone could feel a little more company in the house. Older adults may eventually get help with reminders, routines and companionship.

That last part could be where this type of robot really proves itself. It could gently encourage daily habits, check in through movement and sound and stay out of the way when needed. For homes where people want support without feeling watched or managed, that balance could make a real difference.

NEW MOBILE ROBOT HELPS SENIORS WALK SAFELY AND PREVENT FALLS

Familiar Machines & Magic has not announced a price or release date yet. The company also says this reveal isn’t a commercial product launch.

So, for now, this is more of a first look at where the company is headed. The real test will come when people can actually bring one home. Can it move safely around a busy house? Will people still use it after the first week? Will the privacy controls be clear enough? And will the price make sense for families?

Those are the questions that will determine whether Familiar becomes something people truly want in their homes, or something that looks great in a demo but never becomes part of our daily lives.

Familiar is one of the more interesting home robot ideas we have seen in years because it moves beyond chores and into emotional support. That is exciting, but it is also a much harder promise to keep. The Roomba connection gives this project credibility, especially since Colin Angle knows how difficult it is to make robots useful in real homes. Still, Familiar Machines & Magic has to prove this robot can stay helpful after the novelty wears off. If the company can balance usefulness, privacy, safety and emotional connection, Familiar could point to a new future for AI at home.

Would you want an emotionally aware AI robot in your home, or would you rather keep that kind of technology out of your personal space? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Why your VPN keeps getting blocked and the simple fix

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:51:38 -0400

You fire up your VPN, connect to a server and pull up the streaming service or website you were trying to reach. A few seconds later, you see the dreaded message: blocked. So you try again. Still blocked. Then you switch servers. Same result.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. VPN blocking has become much more aggressive over the past few years. The old VPN tricks that once worked reliably no longer always get the job done.

The good news is that there is usually one specific reason your VPN keeps failing. Even better, most people never think to address it.

STUCK BEHIND A VPN WALL? LET’S FIND A WAY AROUND IT

Platforms block VPNs in a couple of main ways. The most common method is IP address detection. VPN providers use large pools of IP addresses. However, over time, those addresses get flagged and added to blocklists.

That creates a cat-and-mouse game. Cheaper VPNs often lose that fight because they do not have the resources to rotate and refresh their IP pools often enough.

Beyond IP detection, some websites and networks use deep packet inspection, also known as DPI. This technology can identify VPN traffic even when the IP address itself has not been flagged yet.

Corporate networks, schools and countries with heavy internet restrictions often rely on this method. It can even catch some respected VPN services off guard.

Premium VPN providers avoid many of these issues because the service is built around a more advanced protocol that addresses the problem closer to the source.

Before you assume your VPN has failed, try a few simple checks. First, close and reopen the app or browser you are using. Then, make sure your VPN app is updated because older versions may not handle blocked networks as well.

THIS CHROME VPN EXTENSION SECRETLY SPIES ON YOU

Also, check whether your browser has location permissions turned on. If a website can access your device location, it may still figure out where you are, even while your VPN is connected.

Here is where most people go wrong. When their VPN gets blocked, they do the obvious thing. They switch servers. Sometimes that works for a little while. However, if the real issue is DPI rather than IP blacklisting, changing servers will not solve the problem. That is because the traffic pattern itself gives you away.

The fix is obfuscation. In other words, your VPN needs to disguise its traffic so it looks like regular web browsing instead of VPN activity. Surprisingly, many VPN users have never heard of obfuscation. Even some VPN providers do not make it easy to use.

Obfuscated servers make your VPN traffic look like ordinary HTTPS web traffic. To a network monitoring tool or a streaming platform's detection system, your connection looks like a regular browser session. There is no obvious VPN fingerprint to flag.

A premium VPN handles this automatically. Its Lightway protocol is built with obfuscation in mind and adapts depending on the network you are using. You do not have to dig through settings or manually turn anything on.

If a network is aggressively blocking VPN traffic, Lightway adjusts to help get around it without making you do the hard work.

IS YOUR VPN ENOUGH WITHOUT ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION?

There is one more thing worth checking: your Domain Name System (DNS) settings. Even when your VPN connection is active, DNS leaks can reveal your real location. A DNS leak happens when your device sends domain name requests outside the encrypted VPN tunnel. That means websites may see your actual internet provider and location, even though your IP address appears to be somewhere else.

In other words, your VPN may look connected, but part of your browsing activity may still be pointing back to your real internet provider.

Here is the simple way to check:

You may also want to run a WebRTC leak test, especially if you use Chrome, Edge or Firefox. WebRTC is a browser feature that can sometimes reveal your real IP address. To check, stay connected to your VPN, open a WebRTC leak test page and look for your real public IP address. If your real IP appears, your browser may be leaking identifying information.

A premium VPN routes DNS queries through its own encrypted servers and includes built-in DNS leak protection. As a result, most users do not need to troubleshoot this manually. Still, running a quick leak test gives you peace of mind that your VPN is doing what it should.

Free VPNs and many budget options often share server infrastructure. That means their IP addresses can get flagged and blacklisted quickly.

Their servers may also be overcrowded. Their protocols may be outdated. Many also lack meaningful obfuscation, which leaves your VPN traffic easier to detect.

A premium VPN maintains thousands of servers across 110+ countries and works to keep those servers accessible, even on networks that try hard to block VPN traffic. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it and see whether it solves the blocking issues you keep running into.

ROUTER VPNS VS DEVICE VPNS: WHICH PRIVACY SOLUTION IS BEST FOR YOU?

If your VPN keeps getting blocked, the problem may go deeper than the server you picked. The website, streaming platform or network may be detecting the way your VPN traffic looks.

That is why obfuscation can make such a big difference. It helps your connection blend in with regular web traffic, which can reduce the chances of being flagged.

DNS leak protection also helps because your location can still slip through if your device sends requests outside the VPN tunnel.

In other words, a stronger VPN can help you stay connected, private and secure with far less frustration.

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 at CyberGuy.com.

When your VPN keeps getting blocked, switching servers may feel like the easiest fix. Sometimes it works for a short time. However, it often acts more like a temporary patch than a real solution. The better answer is to use a VPN with modern protocols, obfuscation and strong DNS leak protection. That combination helps hide the telltale signs that make websites and networks block VPN traffic in the first place. With a premium VPN, that technology works behind the scenes. You connect through the app, and the VPN handles the harder technical work for you. The result is a simpler experience: a more private, secure and open internet without constantly fighting blocked connections.

Have blocked VPN connections made you rethink which VPN you use? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Antares reaches reactor criticality under Trump pilot program, marking major nuclear milestone

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:06:35 -0400

Antares Nuclear, Inc. announced Thursday that its Mark-0 microreactor achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory, becoming the first advanced reactor to reach the milestone under a U.S. Department of Energy pilot program established after President Donald Trump's 2025 executive order aimed at accelerating nuclear development.

The Torrance, California-based company said the reactor reached initial criticality under DOE authorization, making Antares the first private company to bring an advanced reactor to criticality through the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program.

"Hitting our commitments is everything to us. Nuclear in America has been defined for too long by delays, by companies that said they would and then didn't," Antares CEO Jordan Bramble said. "We said criticality in 2026, electricity production in 2027, and power to the warfighter in 2028. Today is the first of those commitments delivered on the schedule we set."

Criticality occurs when a reactor achieves a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, a major milestone in reactor development. Antares said the demonstration validated key reactor physics parameters and produced testing data and control system performance information that will support future reactor development.

NEWT GINGRICH, JASON HAYES: THERE'S A NUCLEAR SOLUTION TO RECHARGING AMERICAN INDUSTRY

The Department of Energy confirmed the achievement Thursday, describing it as the first privately developed non-light-water reactor to reach criticality in the U.S. in more than four decades.

"Today’s achievement is a historic moment for American nuclear energy," Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement. "By bringing the first American non-light water privately developed reactor to criticality in more than four decades, Antares has shown what is possible when American innovation is unleashed."

The milestone comes just over a year after Trump signed four executive orders directing the federal government to accelerate reactor testing, expand domestic nuclear fuel production and streamline pathways for advanced nuclear technologies.

FLORIDA REPUBLICAN'S BILL WOULD MAKE TRUMP ORDERS PERMANENT IN BID FOR US 'DOMINANCE' IN KEY INDUSTRY

One of those orders, Executive Order 14301, directed the Department of Energy to establish a pilot program designed to speed testing and demonstration of advanced reactor designs. The administration set a goal of achieving criticality for advanced reactor concepts by July 4, 2026.

"The President and DOE set an ambitious timeline for reactor testing, and we met that challenge," Bramble said. "I want to thank our partners at the Department of Energy, Idaho National Lab, BWXT, and the U.S. Army. This is what happens when industry and government work together to accomplish big things."

Antares said the criticality demonstration was conducted in partnership with the Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory and BWX Technologies, while the U.S. Army participated as a future end user of the technology.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR TRANSPORTS NEXT-GENERATION REACTOR IN NUCLEAR ENERGY MILESTONE

The company said the Mark-0 used TRISO fuel fabricated by BWXT and benefited from fuel technology developed through Project Pele, a Defense Department effort to build transportable microreactors for military applications.

DOE officials said the achievement demonstrates the potential of the Reactor Pilot Program.

"The skeptics didn't believe President Trump's Reactor Pilot Program could achieve criticality in less than a year," Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish said. "Today, we celebrate the first of the pilot projects to reach criticality and the people who rolled up their sleeves to shape the future of nuclear energy in the United States."

The company said engineers gained critical insight into reactor physics, control systems and supply chain performance during the demonstration. The data will be used to support future reactor development and eventual commercial licensing.

"We went from concept to a critical reactor, safely, in less than 12 months. That doesn’t happen by accident. The team treated the schedule as non-negotiable," Bramble said. "For the American nuclear renaissance to succeed, we need efficient, iterative reactor testing, not a decade per design."

Antares said it expects to begin producing electricity from the same facility in 2027 and remains on track to deploy electricity-generating microreactors to U.S. military installations by 2028.

Is Apple Intelligence on your iPhone really secure?

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:59:11 -0400

Apple has spent years telling us that privacy starts on the device. For many users, that message feels reassuring. Your messages, photos, emails and app data sit in your hand, protected by Face ID, passcodes and Apple's security layers. Now, new research gives Apple's on-device AI a reality check.

Researchers with RSAC Research found a way to manipulate Apple Intelligence using prompt injection, adversarial prompts and Unicode tricks. In 100 tests, they reported a 76% success rate against the on-device model used by Apple Intelligence. The researchers disclosed the findings to Apple on October 15, 2025. Apple later hardened protections in iOS 26.4 and macOS 26.4, according to RSAC.

Here's the part that should get your attention: this kind of attack may not require someone to steal your iPhone, crack your passcode or break into Apple's servers. It could start with carefully crafted text that tricks the AI into doing something you never asked it to do. If your phone's AI can read, summarize, rewrite or help apps take action, attackers will try to trick it into doing things you never intended.

So what can you do? Start by understanding how this attack works, why Apple patched it and which settings can lower your risk.

APPLE TAPS GOOGLE GEMINI TO POWER APPLE INTELLIGENCE

RSAC researchers tested the on-device large language model built into Apple's operating systems. That's important because third-party apps can access Apple Intelligence through system tools and APIs.

Their attack used two main techniques. The first, called Neural Exec, used strange-looking prompts designed to confuse the model and push it toward a specific response. The second used Unicode's right-to-left override feature. That feature can make text appear in a different direction, which may help hide malicious instructions from filters while still influencing the model.

NEW EMAIL SCAM USES HIDDEN CHARACTERS TO SLIP PAST FILTERS

In simple terms, the attack tried to sneak instructions past Apple's AI safeguards. The prompts may look meaningless to you and me. Yet the model may still interpret them as commands. That is where the risk grows. Apple Intelligence can connect to apps and system features. So a manipulated response could do more than produce a strange answer. In a worst-case scenario, attackers could try to manipulate data or functions available to an Apple Intelligence-enabled app, especially if that app has access to sensitive information.

Prompt injection is one of the biggest security problems facing AI tools. It happens when attackers hide instructions inside text that an AI model later reads. Think about a suspicious email, a strange document or a webpage with hidden text. You may see one thing. The AI model may process something else.

That creates a new kind of risk. An attacker may not need to break into your iPhone. They may only need to get a carefully crafted message, file or app input in front of the AI model.

OPENAI ADMITS AI BROWSERS FACE UNSOLVABLE PROMPT ATTACKS

If an app asks Apple Intelligence to summarize that content, rewrite it or act on it, the hidden prompt could try to steer the response. For you, that means AI safety now depends on more than strong passwords and software updates. It also depends on how well AI tools handle hostile instructions.

Apple Intelligence uses a hybrid design. Some tasks run directly on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. More complex requests may move through Apple's Private Cloud Compute system.

Apple has framed that setup as a privacy-focused alternative to cloud-only AI tools. That approach makes sense. Keeping more processing on your device can reduce how much personal data leaves your phone.

However, local AI does not automatically mean risk-free AI. RSAC's research shows that deeper system access can create a larger attack surface. The more Apple Intelligence connects with apps and system features, the more important the guardrails become.

A simple writing tool carries one level of risk. An AI tool that understands personal context and works across apps carries a higher one.

The concern here goes beyond strange chatbot responses. Apple Intelligence can connect directly to apps through system-level tools. That means manipulated responses could affect how an app behaves. Researchers said the model could be pushed into generating offensive or unintended responses. They also warned that attackers could potentially manipulate data and functionality available to an affected Apple Intelligence-enabled app.

THOUSANDS OF IPHONE APPS EXPOSE DATA INSIDE APPLE APP STORE

RSAC estimated that between 100,000 and 1 million users may already be using apps with potential exposure. That estimate was based on apps Apple had identified as using the on-device LLM and RSAC's rough calculations from App Store review data. That does not mean criminals are actively using this exact attack right now. RSAC said there was no public evidence of active exploitation when the research appeared. Still, the high success rate makes the findings hard to ignore.

RSAC shared its findings with Apple before making the research public. According to RSAC, Apple hardened the affected systems against this attack in iOS 26.4 and macOS 26.4. Apple has not publicly detailed every change. That is common with security fixes, since companies often avoid giving attackers a roadmap.

The research appears to be a proof of concept, not a known active attack against everyday users. The most important takeaway for users is simple: keep your devices updated. Security patches only help if they reach your phone. If you delay updates for weeks or months, you may miss protections that close known gaps.

DON'T IGNORE APPLE'S URGENT SECURITY UPDATE

You do not need to stop using Apple Intelligence, but you should treat it like any powerful phone feature: keep it updated, limit what it can access, and stay careful with unfamiliar content.

Start with the easiest protection. Make sure your device runs the latest software.

On iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update

On Mac: Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen > System Settings > General > Software Update

Turn on automatic updates when possible. That helps your device receive security fixes as soon as Apple releases them.

If you do not use certain Apple Intelligence features, consider turning them off or limiting them. This can reduce how often AI tools interact with your apps, messages, summaries and personal content.

On iPhone: Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri

From there, review which features are enabled. Turn off anything you do not need.

Do not give every app access to sensitive information just because it offers an AI feature. Before installing an app, check the developer, reviews and privacy details. Also, ask yourself whether the app really needs access to your messages, files, photos or contacts. If the answer feels unclear, skip it.

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE 'APPLE ID SUSPENDED' PHISHING SCAM

Prompt injection can hide inside content that looks harmless. That could include emails, webpages, documents, notes or copied text. Be careful when asking AI to summarize unfamiliar content. A malicious file could contain hidden instructions meant for the AI rather than you.

Take a few minutes to check which apps can access your private data.

On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security

Then review categories such as Photos, Contacts, Location Services, Microphone and Files. Remove access when an app no longer needs it.

Keep your most sensitive information out of AI prompts when possible. That includes Social Security numbers, banking details, tax documents, medical records and passwords. AI can help with many tasks. It should not become a dumping ground for your private life.

Unused apps can put your data at risk. If you downloaded an app months ago and forgot about it, remove it.

On iPhone: Touch and hold the app > Remove App > Delete App > Delete

The fewer apps you keep, the fewer ways your personal data can move around.

Strong antivirus software adds another layer of protection against malicious links, scam websites, infected downloads and phishing attacks that may try to steal your personal information. While antivirus software will not directly stop every AI prompt injection risk, it can help block threats before they reach your device or trick you into handing over sensitive data.

The best antivirus software can also warn you about suspicious emails, dangerous attachments and fake websites. That extra protection becomes more important as scammers use AI to make attacks look more convincing. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Identity theft protection will not stop a prompt injection attack. Still, it can help if your personal information gets exposed or misused. A good identity theft protection service can monitor your personal data, alert you to suspicious activity and help you respond if someone tries to open accounts or use your identity. As AI tools become more integrated with apps and personal data, that extra monitoring can provide another layer of protection. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

Keep Face ID or Touch ID enabled. Use a strong passcode instead of a simple four-digit code. Also, turn on Stolen Device Protection if your iPhone supports it.

On iPhone: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Enter your passcode if prompted > Stolen Device Protection

This will not stop prompt injection by itself. However, it adds another layer if someone gets physical access to your phone.

Apple Intelligence still has a strong privacy story. Running more AI tasks on your iPhone and using Private Cloud Compute for tougher requests gives Apple a real advantage over many cloud-only AI tools. But this research is a reminder that private does not always mean untouchable. If an AI model can read prompts, summarize content and connect with apps, attackers will look for ways to bend it to their advantage. For you, the takeaway is simple. Keep your devices updated, be selective about AI-powered apps and think twice before letting AI process sensitive information. Apple can build strong walls around your data, but you still decide what you invite inside.

Would you trust an AI assistant more because it runs on your iPhone, or does deeper access to your personal data make you more cautious? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Android fake call detection warns you about scams

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:46:47 -0400

You know that little moment when your phone rings and the name on the screen makes you drop everything?

Maybe it says your spouse, your daughter, your boss or your best friend. You answer because you trust the name. Then the voice sounds familiar too.

That is exactly what makes the latest phone scams so dangerous.

Scammers no longer have to call from a strange number. They can spoof a trusted contact's phone number. Then they can use AI voice tools to sound like someone you know. Android is now rolling out a new feature called fake call detection to help warn you when that familiar call may be a fake.

FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US

Android fake call detection is a new protection built into Phone by Google. It is designed to spot suspected spoofed calls when both people on the call use Phone by Google.

Think of it as your phone quietly asking, "Is this call really coming from that person's device?" If the answer looks suspicious, your phone can show a warning and advise you to hang up. That small alert could stop a scam before fear, panic or confusion takes over.

ANDROID SECURITY UPGRADES OUTSMART SCAMS AND PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

The feature works automatically in the background. You do not need to answer a quiz, scan a code or press a button during the call. When a trusted contact calls you, their phone sends a silent confirmation signal to your phone. That signal helps prove the call really came from their device.

If a scammer spoofs your contact's number, that confirmation signal may be missing. Your phone then checks with your contact's actual device. If the real device says it is not placing a call, your screen can warn you that the call may be fake.

The system uses end-to-end encrypted RCS technology, so the check happens privately. You can also turn the feature off in Phone by Google settings.

AI DEEPFAKE ROMANCE SCAM STEALS WOMAN'S HOME AND LIFE SAVINGS

For years, caller ID gave people a sense of control. If the name looked familiar, most of us felt safer picking up. That old habit now works in the scammer's favor.

Scammers can use internet-based calling tools to spoof numbers. That means your phone may display the name of someone you trust, even though the call comes from somewhere else.

Then comes the AI voice trick. With today's audio tools, scammers can make a fake voice sound shockingly real. They may pretend to be a family member in trouble, a bank employee warning about fraud or a manager asking for urgent help.

SCAMMERS EXPLOITED MOM’S FEARS TO STEAL HER ENTIRE LIFE'S SAVINGS

That combination makes the call feel personal and immediate. It also makes you more likely to act before you think.

Impersonation scams have become a major global problem. INTERPOL's March 2026 Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment cited impersonation fraud as one of the leading contributors to more than $400 billion in global losses.

In the U.S., impersonation scams remain one of the top fraud categories reported to the FTC. Losses reached $2.95 billion in 2024.

GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS

Those numbers tell you why this feature deserves attention. Scammers go where the money is. Right now, they know trusted voices and trusted names can open the door.

Google says fake call detection is rolling out globally in Phone by Google this month, starting with Pixel devices.

The feature is available on Android 12 and newer devices with Phone by Google, Contacts and Google Messages installed. It also requires RCS capability in Google Messages.

SAMSUNG MESSAGES ENDING? WHAT ANDROID OWNERS MUST KNOW

There is one key limitation. Both you and the person calling you must use Phone by Google for fake call detection to work.

Phone by Google already comes as the default phone app on many Android devices. If your phone uses a different calling app, you can install Phone by Google from the Play Store and set it as your default phone app.

This feature gives you an extra warning at the exact moment you need it most. That timing is important. Scam calls often rely on emotion. The caller may say someone got arrested, a loved one had an accident or a bank account faces an urgent threat.

SSA IMPERSONATION SCAMS ARE GETTING MORE PERSONAL

When the voice sounds familiar, your guard drops. A warning on your screen can interrupt that emotional rush. It gives you a reason to stop, hang up and verify the story another way.

This new tool helps, but it cannot protect you from every scam. It may not work if the other person does not use Phone by Google. It also may not cover calls from businesses, unknown numbers or contacts using unsupported devices. So you still need basic scam rules.

If someone asks for money, gift cards, crypto, account codes or remote access to your device, hang up. Then call the person or company back using a number you already trust.

Also, never stay on the line just because the caller tells you to. That is one of the oldest pressure tactics in the scammer playbook.

AI voice scams work because they sound personal, urgent and believable, so your best defense is to slow the conversation down before you act.

Pick a simple word or phrase that only your close family knows. It should be easy to remember but hard for a scammer to guess. Then, if someone calls with an emergency and asks for money, ask for the safe word. If they cannot give it, hang up and verify the story another way.

9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU

Scammers want you scared because fear makes people act fast. That is why fake emergency calls often sound intense, emotional and rushed. Take a breath before you do anything. A real loved one, bank or employer will let you verify what is happening.

If a call feels suspicious, hang up. Then call the person back using a number saved in your contacts or one you know is real. Do not use a number, link or instruction the caller gives you. That could send you right back to the scammer.

Do not send gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment app transfers because a caller sounds convincing. Also, never share a one-time passcode, PIN or account login code over the phone. Once scammers get that information, they can move fast.

Use the built-in protections already available on your device. Pixel and Samsung users can enable Scam Detection in the Phone by Google app to help flag suspicious calls. Also, consider using strong antivirus software that includes AI-powered scam protection to help detect scams in texts, online content and deepfake videos. Keep an eye on call warnings too. If your phone tells you something looks risky, treat that alert seriously. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Update Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages when updates are available. These tools work best when your apps and phone software stay current. Updates often include security improvements, bug fixes and new scam protections.

Here's how to check for updates on Android:

You can also turn on automatic app updates by opening the Google Play Store app, tapping your profile icon, then going to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. From there, choose whether to update apps over Wi-Fi, over Wi-Fi or mobile data, with limited mobile data or not at all.

Android's fake call detection is a smart step in the fight against AI-powered phone scams. It recognizes something many people already know: the name on your caller ID no longer proves the person calling you is real. This feature gives Android users another layer of protection when scammers try to hijack trust. Still, the safest move remains simple. Slow down, verify the call and never let panic make the decision for you.

Should the government do more to stop scammers from using AI voices to impersonate the people you trust? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

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Why scammers target retirees in a 6-week summer window

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:52:06 -0400

Summer feels like freedom. Maybe you have grandchildren visiting, a road trip on the calendar or a beach rental already booked. Scammers see summer differently. For them, it can be one of the best times of year to target retirees.

The six-week stretch from Memorial Day weekend to the Fourth of July creates a dangerous mix. Retirees are booking trips, using hotel Wi-Fi, posting vacation photos and spending more time away from home. At the same time, adult children may be busy with camp schedules, cookouts and travel plans, which can make it harder for families to spot trouble quickly.

That timing does not happen by accident. It gives scammers a playbook. They can use fake rentals, grandparent scams, public Wi-Fi traps and holiday distractions to make their attacks feel more believable.

Here's how that six-week summer fraud window works, what scammers may be watching for and how you can protect yourself before they reach you.

INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU

Scammers look for routines they can predict. Summer gives them plenty. Retirees may be booking trips, visiting family, checking accounts from the road and spending more time away from home. They may also post vacation photos before they return, which can reveal where they are and when their home may be empty.

Family schedules can also get harder to track. Grandchildren may be out of school, adult children may be juggling camps and holiday plans and a fake emergency can sound more believable when everyone's routine has changed. That mix gives scammers several openings at once. A fake rental can catch someone before a trip starts. A grandparent scam can create panic. A public Wi-Fi network can steal logins. A holiday weekend can make families harder to reach. That is the window scammers try to use. Here's what their six-week calendar can look like.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Before you pack a bag, scammers may already have fake vacation listings ready to go. Starting as early as April, fraud operations can post fake rentals on platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The listing may show a lake cabin, an ocean-view condo or a beach house in the Carolinas priced just below market.

The photos may come from a real property. The reviews may look convincing. The "host" may sound friendly and quick to respond. By Memorial Day weekend, those listings may be live and waiting for travelers.

The FTC reported that travel, vacation and timeshare fraud led to $274 million in reported consumer losses in 2024. FTC data also shows older fraud victims often reported higher median losses overall, with people ages 70-79 reporting a $1,000 median loss and those 80 and over reporting $1,650.

HOW SCAMMERS TARGET YOU EVEN WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

Here's how the scam works: You find the listing. You message the host. They're warm, responsive and quick to reply. Then comes the ask: pay outside the platform. Wire transfer. Zelle. Gift cards. "The system is having trouble processing cards right now." You pay. You arrive at your destination and discover the house doesn't exist, is already occupied or belongs to a completely different owner who has never heard of your booking.

What they're collecting this week: Your email address. Your phone number. Your travel dates and destination. How many people are traveling with you? Which payment method you were willing to use. All of it goes into a profile that will be used again before summer ends.

This is the week professional scammers have been waiting for all year. The grandparent scam — a criminal posing as a grandchild trapped in an emergency — has a very specific seasonal pattern. It spikes when school ends.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT: WHY RETIREES ARE SCAM TARGETS

The reason is behavioral, not calendar-based. When grandchildren are in school, grandparents know their schedule. They know where their grandkids are on a Tuesday afternoon. But the moment summer starts, all of that predictability disappears. A grandchild could be on a road trip. Camping in Colorado. Flying to visit a college roommate. Anywhere. That unpredictability is exactly what a scammer needs to make a fake emergency feel real.

The call goes something like this: "Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble. I was in a car accident, and I'm stuck in [city]. My phone got damaged. Please don't call Mom and Dad. I don't want to worry them. I just need $2,000 to get out of here. Can you help?"

In 2024, the FTC reported that impersonation scams, of which grandparent scams are a major category, resulted in almost $3 billion in losses. Victims aged 60 and over were disproportionately affected.

Here's what most people never realize: The scammer already knows your grandchild's name before they dial. Their age. Roughly where they might be traveling this summer. They got it from data broker sites, family Facebook posts and genealogy platforms your family has been building for years. The "emergency" isn't random. It's researched.

What they’re collecting this week: Whether a family emergency makes you act quickly, which payment method you might use and whether you followed the "don’t tell your parents" instruction, if you kept the call secret once, scammers may see you as someone they can target again later in the summer.

By mid-June, vacation photos start filling social feeds. Beach sunsets. Grandkids at the pool. "Finally made it to Yellowstone!" A dinner photo from a waterfront restaurant 900 miles from home. To friends and family, those posts are memories. To scammers, they can become clues. Here's what a scammer may learn from one public vacation post:

GENEALOGY BOOM EXPOSES PERSONAL DATA SCAMMERS CAN EXPLOIT

This information does not stay on one post. Public photos, captions and comments can get scraped, saved and connected to other personal details already online. By the time you get home, scammers may know where you went, who traveled with you and roughly when you returned.

What they're collecting this week: Your location, travel timeline, family connections, routine changes and financial clues. Scammers can use that information to make future calls, texts or emails feel more personal.

Airports, hotel lobbies, resort pools and marina restaurants often have one thing in common: free Wi-Fi. That convenience can also create risk.

One common threat is an "evil twin" attack. A scammer sets up a fake Wi-Fi network with a name that looks almost identical to the real one. For example, you might see "Marriott_Guest" instead of the hotel's official network or "Airport_Free_WiFi" instead of the legitimate airport connection. On a small phone screen, those names can look convincing. If you connect to the fake network, scammers may be able to monitor your activity or try to capture sensitive information. That can include passwords, email logins, account details or information entered while using banking, credit card or payment apps.

This can be especially risky when you are away from home. You may check your bank account more often, watch for fraud alerts, review travel charges or pay a bill that comes due during your trip. That means you may be handling sensitive information at the exact moment public Wi-Fi risk goes up. Tourist-heavy areas can add another layer of risk because people often connect quickly without checking the network name carefully.

What they're collecting this week: Login details, email access, banking clues and account information. Scammers may not use that information right away. They may save it and try again weeks later, when you are home and your guard has dropped.

The Fourth of July can create one of the riskiest moments in the summer fraud calendar. For scammers, the holiday brings a predictable distraction window.

Families may be spread out, busy with cookouts or traveling between gatherings. Adult children may be focused on their own kids and plans. Older relatives may spend time alone before or after the main celebration. That can make it harder to quickly confirm whether an emergency call or text feels real.

FBI WARNS EMAIL USERS AS HOLIDAY SCAMS SURGE

This is when impersonation scams can hit harder. A scammer may pretend to be a grandchild, relative or close friend who needs money fast. The story may involve a car accident, an arrest, a lost phone or a travel problem.

The timing helps the scam. A line like "Don't call your son right now, he's at a barbecue with the kids" can sound believable during a holiday weekend. Banks may have reduced hours, families may be harder to reach, and a fake crisis can feel more urgent when everyone's schedule has already changed.

The FBI's IC3 has warned that major holiday periods can bring elevated impersonation and emergency scam activity.

Who they're targeting this week: Seniors who live alone, recent widows or widowers and families whose normal communication has been disrupted by holiday plans. Scammers want a moment when someone may act before they can check the story with a trusted relative.

Many people think the danger ends when the call ends. Scammers may see it differently. By mid-July, fraud operations may start a follow-up cycle. If you were targeted earlier in the summer, that interaction may have been recorded. That can happen even if you never sent money. Sharing your name, phone number or other details can still make you more valuable to scammers.

That information may get added to what scammers often call a "sucker list." In other words, it is a list of people who responded to a scam attempt or appeared likely to engage. Those lists can be sold or shared with other criminals. A week or two later, a new caller may show up with a different story. Some pose as fraud recovery services and claim they can help you get your money back for a small fee. Others use a completely different pitch, phone number or angle, making the second scam harder to connect to the first one.

AARP's Fraud Watch Network has documented that people who have been scammed once are significantly more likely to be targeted again within the same calendar year. The summer doesn't close the fraud cycle. It seeds it.

What they're collecting this week: Whether you might respond again, how much money you may have paid, whether you reported the scam and whether your family knows. Those details can help scammers decide how to target you next.

Every phase of this summer scam calendar depends on the same thing: personal data. The more scammers know about you, the easier it becomes to make a fake rental, emergency call or fraud alert feel real.

Many scams now start with research. Before a scammer calls, they may already know your name, home address, relatives, travel habits, marital status or financial clues. That information can come from data broker sites, which collect public records, marketing data, social media activity and family connections into searchable profiles.

That is why I personally recommend using a personal data removal service. It can help remove your information from hundreds of data broker and people-search websites, including sites that may list your name, address, relatives, phone numbers and other personal details.

When vacation photos get scraped, genealogy details appear online or public records get connected to family information, ongoing removal requests can help keep that information from staying in circulation.

You can also run a free exposure scan to see where your personal information may already appear online. Results typically arrive by email within an hour.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan

You don't have to cancel your trip or skip the Fourth of July. But a few specific habits will make you a much harder target across all six weeks.

Book rentals only through platforms with verified buyer protection-never pay via wire transfer, Zelle or gift cards, regardless of the reason given. Tell your bank your travel dates, so unusual activity gets flagged. And wait until you're home to post vacation photos publicly. A beach photo posted after you're back shares a memory. One posted while you're still there shares your location, your timeline, and a signal that your house is empty.

Use your phone's cellular data, not hotel or airport Wi-Fi, for anything involving banking or email. If you must use public networks, a VPN encrypts your connection before it leaves your device. Turn off your phone's auto-connect to open networks so it doesn't join unfamiliar Wi-Fi without your permission.

9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU

Establish a code word with your grandchildren now, before summer starts. Tell them if you ever call in an emergency, you'll use it. If the caller doesn't know the word, it's not you. Tell elderly relatives the same thing. Create a simple rule: No one in this family will ever ask for emergency money over the phone from an unknown number, no matter how convincing the story sounds.

Check every financial account for activity that happened during your trip. Search your own name on Spokeo or Whitepages and see exactly what a scammer sees. And if you haven't taken steps to remove your personal information from data broker sites, this is the moment to start.

Scammers do not take the summer off. They plan around the exact weeks when retirees travel, post photos, use public Wi-Fi and gather with family around major holidays. The six-week stretch from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July can create several openings at once. Fake rentals can appear before trips begin. Grandparent scams can feel more believable once school ends. Vacation photos can reveal who is away, where they are and when they plan to return.

The biggest lesson is that these scams run on personal data. Your name, relatives, address, travel habits and financial clues may already sit on data broker sites where criminals can find them. Reducing that exposure and setting family rules before an emergency call comes in can make you a much harder target. Your summer belongs to you. Do not let scammers build their calendar around it.

Have you or someone in your family ever been targeted by a vacation, grandparent or holiday scam, and what warning sign do you wish you had noticed sooner? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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A wheeled robot may beat humanoids into your home

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:07:51 -0400

A new wheeled robot could help people at home before many humanoid robots are ready for everyday use. That is the big idea behind Hello Robot's Stretch 4. While many companies are developing human-shaped robots that walk, balance and try to act like us, Stretch 4 takes a different route. It rolls.

That may sound less exciting at first. However, inside a real home, wheels may make more sense than legs. Homes have rugs, cords, pets, narrow hallways, tight corners and furniture that always seems to get in the way.

A robot that can move carefully through that mess and reach for useful objects could become more helpful than one that looks impressive in a social media video.

HOME ROBOT AUTOMATES HOUSEHOLD CHORES LIKE ROSIE FROM 'THE JETSONS'

Stretch 4 focuses on safe movement, reaching and practical assistance in homes and workplaces. That could make it one of the more realistic ways to build a robot that actually helps people where they live.

Stretch 4 is a mobile robot designed to help indoors. It looks more like a slim rolling assistant than a humanoid robot. That design choice is intentional. The robot has a wheeled base, a lifting column and an arm that can reach for objects. It is built with tools for mapping, navigation, self-charging and VLM grasping demos.

Hello Robot presents Stretch 4 as calibrated, portable and deployable. However, its technical sheet also says it is intended for research, development and laboratory use. Researchers and enterprise customers can buy it now. The company also plans home pilot deployments. That real-home testing is important. A staged demo can look great online. A hallway with a rug, a laundry basket and a dog is a much better test.

HUMANOID ROBOTS ARE GETTING SMALLER, SAFER AND CLOSER

Humanoid robots get plenty of attention because they look familiar. They also make it easy to imagine a machine moving through your home like a person. However, legs add risk and complexity.

A bipedal robot has to balance. It has to manage many moving parts. It also has to avoid falling near people, furniture and pets. Stretch 4 takes a simpler route. It uses wheels.

That choice makes sense for many homes, especially homes adapted for people with mobility challenges. If someone already uses a wheelchair, the home may already work well for a robot that rolls. So the question becomes pretty simple. Why make a robot walk if rolling works better?

WHEELED WONDER ROBOT DOG SHOWS OFF CRAZY DANCE MOVES IN ALL KINDS OF TOUGH TERRAIN

One of the biggest upgrades in Stretch 4 is its omnidirectional base. That means it can move in any direction without turning first. That could make a big difference in tight rooms.

Think about a robot trying to move near a bed, chair, kitchen island or wheelchair. A machine that can slide sideways may be easier to control. It may also be safer to position.

Hello Robot spent months developing this new base. The company used newer omnidirectional wheel technology that came from powered wheelchairs. That connection fits the mission. A home assistive robot should borrow from designs that already help people move.

THE NEW ROBOT THAT COULD MAKE CHORES A THING OF THE PAST

Stretch 4 also gets a more advanced sensor setup. Earlier versions had a smaller moving head. Stretch 4 now uses lidar and cameras with a wider field of view. It also has a wrist-mounted depth camera to help with reaching and grabbing. Those sensors help the robot understand what is around it. They also help it avoid obstacles and handle objects with more care.

Hello Robot appears to be choosing richer data over a cheaper camera-only setup. That could help the robot work more safely in homes, where things change constantly. A cord may cross the floor. A rug may bunch up. A threshold may get in the way. A useful home robot needs to see enough to react.

Stretch 4 includes autonomous features, but Hello Robot keeps a human involved. That can mean direct control. It can also mean a person supervises while the robot handles certain actions on its own. That approach feels realistic for home care.

Fully autonomous home robots still face a tough road. Homes are personal, unpredictable and often cluttered. People also need time to trust a machine that works near them every day. With Stretch 4, a person can stay involved. That could make early home use safer and more practical.

Stretch 4 may have its strongest early impact with people who have severe mobility impairments. That is where a home assistive robot could offer real value. Picking up a dropped item can become a big deal when someone has limited movement. The same goes for moving an object across a room or reaching something on a shelf. Small tasks can affect independence.

Hello Robot has worked with Henry Evans, who is paralyzed and cannot speak. Evans uses a computer to control robots and has tested assistive robots in his home for years. His view cuts through the hype. For someone who cannot walk, a robot with legs may offer little benefit. A stable wheeled robot may do the job better.

Safety may decide which robots actually make it into our homes. A robot in a factory works in a controlled space. A robot in your home works near people, pets, furniture and medical equipment. That raises the stakes.

Stretch 4 includes safety features such as force limiting, collision avoidance, tilt avoidance and a dedicated run-stop button. A humanoid robot faces a harder problem. If it loses balance or stops suddenly, it could fall. That creates a real concern for older adults, caregivers and people who cannot move quickly.

That risk may explain why a less flashy robot could reach homes sooner. A robot that helps safely beats a robot that looks cool on video.

Stretch 4 costs $29,950. That is a lot of money, especially if you are thinking about it as something for the average home. However, this version is not aimed at everyday folks just yet.

Hello Robot says Stretch 4 is only certified for laboratory and research use while the company works toward additional certifications. The company also notes that some purchases may be restricted under the DOD 1260H designation, depending on the use of certain government funds.

For now, Stretch 4 is more likely to appeal to researchers, care organizations and pilot programs that want to test what a wheeled robot can actually do.

BERKELEY LAUNCHES A LIGHTWEIGHT OPEN-SOURCE HUMANOID ROBOT

Those early deployments could help Hello Robot improve the system before a future version reaches our homes.

The first truly helpful home robot may look nothing like an actual person. It may roll into the room. It may use one arm. It may look more like a tool than a character from a cartoon. That could all be a good thing.

A home assistive robot should help with real tasks. It should move safely, reach carefully and work in the spaces people already use.

For families caring for someone with limited mobility, that could become meaningful. A robot that helps someone grab an item or complete a simple task could support more independence at home.

For the rest of us, Stretch 4 is a reminder that the first useful home robot may not be the one that looks the most human. It may be the one that can safely help with the small tasks that make daily life easier.

Stretch 4 will not win a robot beauty contest. It will not walk through your house like a person. It will not look like the humanoid robots taking over social media feeds. Yet it may be closer to what you actually need. Hello Robot seems focused on a more grounded goal: build a robot that can help safely inside real homes. That may sound less exciting than a humanoid helper. However, it could mean far more to someone who needs daily help. And if Stretch 4 proves itself in homes, humanoid robot companies may have to answer a tougher question.

Would you rather have a robot that looks human or one that can safely help you at home? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Sanders bill would seize 50% of stock in OpenAI, Anthropic for sovereign wealth fund

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:00:48 -0400

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

- Bernie Sanders unveils plan to take 50% stake in AI companies for government wealth fund

- College grads expect to earn $80,000 a year, but the math isn’t mathing

- Jensen Huang says Nvidia's new RTX Spark chip will reinvent the PC

SOCIALIST SHARE-UP: Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is arguing that the federal government should establish a sovereign wealth fund that's financed by taking possession of half of the stock in AI giants like OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI, among others.

PAPER CHASE: If you want to understand what's broken about higher education in America, look no further than one statistic.

According to a recent survey, the average college student expects to earn $80,000 a year shortly after graduation. The reality? The average starting salary is closer to $56,000. That's a 30% gap between expectation and reality before a graduate even receives their first paycheck.

THE AGENTIC ERA: Nvidia on Monday unveiled a new chip that will bring artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities onto laptops and desktop computers.

The new AI chip, known as RTX Spark, was built as part of a collaboration between Nvidia and Microsoft to make personal computers that are built to power AI tools.

CRACKED IN DAYS: Apple devices have earned a reputation for being tough to break into. That comes from Apple's tight control over the hardware, software and many of the protections standing between you and an attacker. However, a new claim from security startup Calif shows how quickly the cybersecurity world may be changing.

FINANCIAL DYNAMITE: Billionaire Jeff Bezos just detonated a financial hand grenade in the middle of America’s tax debate.

The Amazon founder recently suggested that the bottom half of American earners should pay zero federal income tax. Not lower taxes. Not a temporary rebate. Zero.

BIG BROTHER BOSS: The NewsGuild of New York has accused The New York Times of using artificial intelligence technology to monitor and surveil the performance of unionized tech workers in violation of their collective bargaining agreement.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

Carnival breach may put your travel data at risk

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:12:54 -0400

Carnival Corporation has confirmed a data breach affecting nearly 6 million people, and the fallout could reach travelers who may not think of themselves as Carnival customers.

The company says the incident involved a social engineering attack on a single user account. In other words, someone fooled an employee and gained access to part of Carnival's IT system.

For cruise customers, the real concern starts after the breach. Stolen personal details can help scammers write messages that feel far more believable. Here is what may have been exposed, what Have I Been Pwned found in the leaked data and what you can do now to protect yourself.

MAJOR CRUISE LINE HACK EXPOSES SENSITIVE DATA OF NEARLY 6 MILLION TRAVELERS

Carnival Corporation says the breach began with a social engineering attack on a single user account. An unauthorized actor gained access to a limited part of the company's IT system. Carnival says it immediately blocked the activity, brought in third-party security experts and alerted law enforcement.

A Carnival Corporation spokesperson told CyberGuy,

"In April, we identified unauthorized access to a limited part of our IT system caused by a social engineering attack on a single user account. We immediately blocked the activity, engaged third-party security experts and alerted law enforcement. Our investigation found certain personal information was illegally accessed. We're notifying affected individuals and deeply regret any concern this causes. Protecting the privacy and security of personal data is a priority for us and we've added new layers of security and monitoring on top of the comprehensive protections already in place. We'll also continue advancing our defenses against evolving threats."

State breach reporting shows 5,995,277 people were affected. Carnival says the impacted data varies by individual. However, the company says the information known to be involved includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and government-issued identification numbers, such as driver's license numbers and passport numbers.

Have I Been Pwned also analyzed the data published by ShinyHunters and said it contained 8.7 million records with 7.5 million unique email addresses. That data appeared tied to Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program and included names, dates of birth, email addresses, genders, geographic locations, salutations and loyalty program details.

That means this breach could affect you even if you think of yourself as a Holland America customer, not a Carnival customer. Even without a credit card number, this type of data can create problems. Criminals can use it to build fake emails, texts and calls that sound like they came from a real cruise brand. For example, a scammer could mention loyalty points, an upcoming trip, a refund or a cabin upgrade. That one familiar detail may be enough to get you to click.

Carnival has not publicly confirmed that ShinyHunters carried out the attack. However, the extortion gang claimed responsibility in April 2026 and said it stole millions of records and internal corporate data.

ShinyHunters has also been tied to broader data theft and extortion activity involving Salesforce customers. The group often pressures companies by threatening to leak or sell stolen information.

The FBI has warned victims not to pay ransom demands from the group. Paying does not guarantee stolen data will be deleted. It also does not stop criminals from trying to extort victims again.

For you, the concern is what happens next. Once your data leaks, scammers may try to use it in emails, texts or calls that sound more believable than the usual junk.

Travel scams work because they catch you when you are excited, rushed or distracted. Maybe you booked a cruise years ago. Maybe you joined a loyalty program and forgot about it. Maybe you sailed with Holland America, Princess Cruises or another Carnival-owned brand. That old account can still have value to criminals.

Carnival has also dealt with several cybersecurity incidents before. The company disclosed breaches in March 2020 and June 2021 after attackers accessed employee email accounts. Ransomware incidents in August 2020 and December 2020 also exposed personal information tied to Carnival customers and employees.

That history does not mean every Carnival customer will face fraud. But it does show why old travel accounts deserve attention. A loyalty account can reveal more than points. It can connect your name, email, birthday, travel history and brand preferences.

That gives scammers more ways to sound convincing. A fake email may claim your loyalty points are expiring. A text may say you qualify for a refund. A caller may say your account needs verification. Those tricks can lead to stolen passwords, malware, fake payment pages or identity theft attempts.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY AND SECURITY ON YOUR NEXT CRUISE VACATION

If you receive a Carnival breach notice, read it closely so you know what information may have been involved. Some impacted data may include government-issued identification numbers, so take these steps to lock down your accounts, spot fake cruise messages and reduce the chances that scammers can use your personal details against you.

Carnival says it is offering eligible U.S. individuals two years of complimentary credit monitoring. If you receive a notice, use the contact details in that notice or Carnival's official breach webpage. Do not trust random links in emails, texts or search ads claiming to help you enroll.

Go directly to the official website or app. Do not click a link from an email or text. Use a strong, unique password for every travel account. A password manager can help you create and store better passwords. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of protection. Even if someone steals your password, they still need a second approval. Use an authentication app when possible. Text codes help, but they can be weaker if a scammer tries a SIM swap attack.

Be suspicious of messages about refunds, loyalty points, upgrades, cancellations or account verification. Scammers love urgent wording. They want you to click before you think. Instead, go straight to the company's website or app. Check your account there.

A data removal service will not undo the Carnival breach. However, it can help remove your personal information from data broker and people-search sites. That can make it harder for scammers to combine leaked breach data with your home address, phone number, relatives' names or other details found online. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Breaches often lead to phishing emails with dangerous links or attachments. Strong antivirus protection can help block malicious websites, scam pages and malware before they do damage. Also, keep your phone, tablet and computer updated. Security updates close holes that criminals try to exploit. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

If someone calls and claims to represent a cruise line, do not give out your date of birth, payment details or login codes. Hang up and call the company using a number from its official website.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Check your statements for charges you do not recognize. Small test charges can show up before larger fraud attempts. Report suspicious activity right away. Many banks also let you lock a card from the app while you investigate.

A credit freeze can block criminals from opening new credit accounts in your name. You can freeze your credit for free with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can also lift the freeze when you need to apply for credit.

Check your credit reports for accounts, addresses or inquiries you do not recognize. You can get free weekly credit reports from the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Because Carnival says some impacted data may include driver's license or passport numbers, be extra cautious with messages asking you to "verify" your identity. Do not upload a photo of your ID through a link in an email or text. Go directly to the official company, bank or government website instead.

Identity theft protection can help monitor your personal information, credit files and financial activity for warning signs of fraud. Some plans also include breach or dark web monitoring, which can alert you if your email address or other personal details appear in known leaks. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

Keep a copy of any notice you receive from Carnival. It may explain what information was involved and what support the company offers. Be careful with fake settlement or claim websites. Scammers often create lookalike pages after major breaches.

The Carnival data breach shows why travel accounts need the same care as banking, shopping and email accounts. A cruise may last a week, but the data you shared can stick around for years. Take a few minutes now to tighten your accounts. Change reused passwords, watch for cruise-themed scams and consider freezing your credit if you want stronger protection.

Have travel companies earned enough trust to keep collecting so much personal data, or should loyalty programs start asking for far less? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Will a four-armed robot replace astronauts in space?

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:00:42 -0400

Space changes the rules for almost everything, including how a robot should move. On Earth, legs help us stand, balance and walk across a room. In microgravity, those same legs lose much of their purpose.

That is why Orbit Robotics, an academic spinout from ETH Zurich, took a different approach with Helios. The robot was built with four arms so it can grip, brace and work inside a spacecraft. Two arms can hold on while the other two handle tools, cargo and equipment.

It is a smart design for a place where floating is easy and staying steady is the real challenge. Here is how Helios works and why it could change the way astronauts get help in orbit.

IS THIS SPACE CAPSULE HOW WE WILL LIVE AND WORK IN ORBIT IN THE FUTURE?

Helios uses two pairs of arms with different jobs. One pair can anchor the robot to interior surfaces. The other pair can handle tools, unload cargo, move equipment or perform other work inside a spacecraft.

That setup is important because stability and work need to happen at the same time in orbit. A floating robot cannot casually plant its feet, bend over and pick something up. It needs to hold on while it works.

That is where Helios makes sense. Two arms can keep it steady while the other two get the job done. In microgravity, legs become extra hardware unless they can grip, brace or manipulate objects. Helios skips that problem by turning the whole body into a tool for movement and work.

Orbit Robotics says Helios uses a tendon-driven system. Instead of placing motors at every joint, the robot keeps many of those motors closer to the shoulders. Cables and pulleys then transmit force through the arms.

That design can reduce weight at the ends of the limbs. In space, heavy limbs can create awkward movement. A robot also needs control, especially when it is holding cargo or tools near expensive equipment.

Helios also uses a rolling-contact elbow joint. That may sound like a tiny detail. In orbit, it can make a big difference. A sudden jerk could destabilize the robot. It could also send whatever the robot is carrying drifting across a spacecraft. Smooth movement becomes a safety feature.

Before Helios, the team built an earlier robot platform called IKARUS. That project helped test ideas such as teleoperation, imitation learning and dual-arm manipulation. In other words, IKARUS gave the team a way to learn how a robot could move, copy tasks and handle objects in a space-like setting.

Those lessons helped shape Helios. That is important because space hardware rarely gets a second chance. A robot designed for orbit has to be reliable, compact and useful in cramped conditions. It also has to behave predictably around humans. Helios builds on that earlier work with a body that better fits the environment.

QUADRUPED ROBOT PLAYS BADMINTON WITH YOU USING AI

Orbit Robotics says its mission is to free astronauts, not replace them. That sounds reassuring. It also makes practical sense. Astronauts are highly trained people doing some of the most expensive labor imaginable. Yet a major chunk of crew time aboard the International Space Station goes toward maintenance.

Some estimates put maintenance at roughly 35% of crew time. At an estimated $140,000 per astronaut-hour, basic logistics can become shockingly expensive. That means sorting supplies, moving equipment or handling routine work can carry a huge price tag. Helios does not need to be a genius to help. It needs to move through narrow corridors, stay stable without gravity and manipulate objects with care. That is the point of the design.

The first job for Helios appears focused on interior spacecraft work. That could include unloading cargo, helping manage supplies, moving gear and assisting with routine maintenance. Those jobs may sound boring. In orbit, boring tasks still take time, training and attention.

Over time, Orbit Robotics sees a broader role for robots like Helios. That could include satellite servicing. It could also include in-space construction as commercial stations and orbital habitats become more common.

If launch costs keep falling, more equipment will head into orbit. More hardware means more maintenance. More stations mean more logistics. That creates a clear opening for robots like Helios, built for space from the start.

Human spaceflight still captures the imagination. It always has. However, the human body has serious limits in space. Astronauts can face radiation exposure, bone loss, vision problems and cognitive effects linked to fluid shifts in the brain.

Those risks grow during longer missions. Robots do not need air, food, sleep or radiation protection in the same way humans do. They can also take risks that would be unacceptable for astronauts.

That does not make astronauts obsolete overnight. Still, it changes the conversation. If machines can handle more work in orbit, humans may spend less time on routine tasks and more time on science. That could mean more attention on research tied to aging, cancer treatments, organ bioprinting and other experiments that benefit from microgravity.

CHINA'S COMPACT HUMANOID ROBOT SHOWS OFF BALANCE AND FLIPS

If commercial space stations grow, they will need constant care. Cargo will need to be sorted. Equipment will need to be moved. Structures may need inspection or repair. Satellites may need servicing. Future habitats may need robots that can assemble, maintain and adapt.

That is where a machine like Helios becomes more than a cool prototype. It could become part of the labor force that keeps space infrastructure running.

The big question is whether humans remain at the center of that work or move into a more selective role. We may still send astronauts into orbit, but their jobs could change dramatically.

Instead of doing every task by hand, they may supervise robots built for a place where the human body struggles.

Engineers are starting to design machines for specific environments instead of forcing them into human-shaped bodies. That shift could affect more than space exploration.

On Earth, robots already work in warehouses, factories, hospitals and disaster zones. In each case, the best design may not look human. It may look strange, specialized and a little unsettling.

Helios shows why that can be a good thing. A robot built for its environment can work more efficiently. It can also take on risky jobs and help humans focus on work that needs judgment, creativity or science training.

For space, that could mean safer missions. It could also mean fewer astronauts spending precious hours on routine maintenance.

Helios stands out because it was built for the place it is meant to work. In orbit, walking offers very little help. Gripping, bracing and handling equipment become much more important. That is what makes the four-armed design so practical. It gives the robot a way to hold on while it works, which is exactly what astronauts need in microgravity. Orbit Robotics says Helios is meant to help astronauts, not replace them. Still, this robot raises a bigger question. As machines grow more capable, they could take on more of the risky and repetitive work beyond Earth. That could give astronauts more time for science, discovery and decisions that need human judgment. It could also change how we think about sending people into space in the first place.

Would you rather see astronauts doing the work in orbit, or robots taking over the risky stuff? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Charter breach warning: What customers should know

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:44 -0400

A phone call may have opened the door to a major telecom security scare involving Charter Communications, the company behind Spectrum. Charter is one of the largest broadband and cable providers in the United States, serving more than 32 million customers across more than 40 states with internet, cable TV, mobile and phone service.

The company has confirmed a cybersecurity incident after the ransomware group ShinyHunters listed it on a leak site. Charter says the most sensitive customer information was not released. However, the hackers claim they stole millions of records, which means customers should stay alert for scams that may follow.

TRANSUNION BECOMES LATEST VICTIM IN MAJOR WAVE OF SALESFORCE-LINKED CYBERATTACKS, 4.4M AMERICANS AFFECTED

The incident became public after ShinyHunters added Charter to its data leak site. The ransomware group claimed it breached the company's systems and threatened to release stolen data unless a ransom was paid.

Charter has confirmed it is aware of the situation. The company says it is following security protocols and working with authorities. CyberGuy reached out to Charter for comment. A Charter spokesperson provided this statement:

"We are aware of the situation, following our security protocols and are working with appropriate authorities. Only sales tools used to manage current, past and prospective Business customers were impacted; no CPNI or sensitive PI was released by the threat actor."

In other words, Charter says the breach affected sales tools used for current, past and prospective business customers. The company also says hackers did not release sensitive personal information or private telecom account data. Private telecom account data can include details tied to someone's service, account activity or communication services. For customers, the key point is this: Charter says the incident was limited. The hackers are making a much broader claim.

ShinyHunters claims the attack happened on April 1, 2026. The group says it used a voice phishing scam, also known as vishing, to get inside.

A vishing attack usually starts with a phone call. The attacker pretends to be someone trustworthy, often IT support, customer service or a security employee. Then the scammer tries to pressure the person into approving access, sharing a code or opening a company system.

According to ShinyHunters, the attackers obtained access to a Microsoft Entra account belonging to an employee. Microsoft Entra helps companies manage employee logins and access. From there, the group claims it accessed Charter's Salesforce system. ShinyHunters says it pulled customer names, email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, phone types, plan information and support ticket data.

The group also claims some private telecom account data was stolen. Charter denies that sensitive personal information or private telecom account data was released. That gap between Charter's statement and the hackers' claims is why customers should pay attention.

1 CLICK COST A FATHER $4 MILLION IN BITCOIN TO VISHING SCAMMERS

Even if the most sensitive information was not released, exposed contact details can still create problems. Scammers can use names, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses and service details to make fake messages feel more believable. They may pretend to be Charter, Spectrum, billing support or technical support.

A scammer might claim your account needs verification. They could warn that your service will be disconnected. They may also offer a fake refund or ask you to update your payment information. That is where customers can get caught off guard.

The scam may sound more believable if the person already knows your provider or account details. That does not mean you should panic. It does mean you should slow down before clicking, replying or sharing anything.

This incident also shows why companies need to take phone-based attacks seriously. Hackers no longer need to rely only on malicious emails. Sometimes, they call an employee and talk their way into a system.

Companies should train workers to verify unexpected support calls. They should also limit employee access, monitor unusual logins and use stronger sign-in protections for cloud tools.

Salesforce, Microsoft Entra and other business platforms can hold valuable customer information. That makes them attractive targets. A convincing phone call should never be enough to open the door.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

You may not control what happens inside a company's systems, but you can control how quickly you react to suspicious calls, texts, emails and account changes.

Be careful with unexpected calls, texts or emails claiming to come from Charter or Spectrum. Do not click links in surprise messages. Instead, open the official Spectrum app or type the company's website into your browser.

Never give a one-time login code to someone who calls you. Scammers often ask for these codes because they are trying to break into your account. A real support agent should not need you to read that code out loud.

If you have a Spectrum account, change your password. Use a strong password that you do not use anywhere else. A password manager can help you create and save stronger passwords without having to remember each one. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.

Log in through the official Spectrum website or app. Review your email address, phone number, billing information and account settings. If anything looks strange, contact Spectrum directly through a verified number.

Scammers may use breach news to send fake payment warnings. They might say your card failed or that your account will be suspended. Do not pay through a link in a text or email. Go directly to your account instead.

If someone calls claiming to be from Charter or Spectrum, do not rely on caller ID. Scammers can spoof real company numbers. Let the call go to voicemail. Then call back using a number from your bill or the official website.

Install strong antivirus software on your devices. It can help detect malicious links, fake websites, malware and other online threats. That extra layer helps if you accidentally click something risky. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

A data removal service can help reduce how much of your personal information appears on people-search sites and data broker databases. After a breach, scammers often combine leaked information with public records. The less they can find about you online, the harder it becomes to make a scam feel personal. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

If your personal information appears in a breach, identity theft protection can help you spot suspicious activity faster. Some services monitor the dark web, alert you to possible misuse and help with recovery steps. You can also check your credit reports and consider a credit freeze if you are worried about identity theft. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.

The Charter data breach story comes down to two very different claims. Charter says the incident affected sales tools for business customers and that hackers did not release sensitive personal or private telecom account information. ShinyHunters claims it stole millions of records with customer details. Until more facts come out, the safest move is to stay alert. Check your account, avoid surprise links and be careful with anyone who calls claiming to be from Charter or Spectrum. Even basic contact information can help a scammer sound more convincing.

Should companies do more to protect your data from phone-based attacks before one employee mistake turns into a breach? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Are humanoid robots now coming for retail jobs?

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:58:23 -0400

Humanoid robots just got another real job. This time, they are clocking in behind the scenes at a major retail operation. Figure AI has signed a commercial agreement with Catalyst Brands. That is the company behind JCPenney, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica.

The first rollout begins at Catalyst's Reno, Nevada Distribution Logistics Center. So, no, these robots are not greeting shoppers or folding jeans in the store aisle. At least not yet.

For now, they are heading into warehouse and supply chain work. Still, the announcement has some people worried. Many see humanoid robots entering a workplace and immediately wonder what happens to human jobs. That concern is fair.

THE AI-POWERED ROBOT ARMY THAT PACKS YOUR GROCERIES IN MINUTES

Catalyst Brands says Figure's humanoid robots will help with supply chain work. The companies say the robots will focus on repetitive, physically demanding sorting and packing tasks. In other words, this starts with warehouse work that can wear people down over time. The robots will first assist with Catalyst's Joey Pouch sorting system in Reno. That system helps with computerized induction, sorting and packing inside the facility. Catalyst says the Reno site also underwent a $40 million infrastructure update in 2024.

"As we invest in and scale our portfolio, this collaboration with Figure shows how emerging technologies can modernize our operations while strengthening our workforce," said Marc Rosen, CEO of Catalyst Brands. "When we automate routine tasks, our associates can focus on higher-value work and better serve our customers across all our brands."

So, this is happening behind the scenes in the warehouse, not on the store floor. That detail is important, especially because some online reactions made it sound like robots were already headed into retail stores. The announcement points to warehouse operations first. Still, warehouse jobs are real jobs. That is why this deal is getting so much attention.

Catalyst Brands owns several major retail brands and operates a large retail network. Figure AI also describes this as a step toward deploying humanoid robots at scale, even though it has not said how many robots will be used.

There is also a financial connection behind the scenes. Brookfield is an investor in Figure AI and also has a stake in Catalyst Brands. Figure says this is the first commercial bridge between Figure and a Brookfield portfolio company.

If the robots perform well in Reno, the companies could look for more ways to use them across the business.

AI LAYOFFS MAY BE BACKFIRING ON COMPANIES

The announcement leaves out several key details. We do not know how many robots Figure AI will deploy. We do not know the exact start date. We also do not know whether Catalyst is buying the robots, leasing them or using a robots-as-a-service model. The companies have also not said how many human roles could change because of the rollout.

Figure AI says the robots are being integrated into Catalyst's distribution facility and will focus on physically demanding work. However, the release does not spell out the exact jobs the robots will handle day to day.

That missing information gives people room to worry. It also gives people room to guess. And online, people did both. Some thought humanoid robots were coming straight into stores. Others focused on the bigger fear, which is that robots could take over jobs that people depend on.

The fear around this deal goes beyond one company. Workers have already watched companies use AI to cut costs, slow hiring and reorganize teams. Now, physical robots are entering spaces where people lift, sort, pack and move products. That feels different.

Figure AI and Catalyst say the robots can handle routine tasks and help associates shift toward higher-value work. That sounds promising. However, workers may hear a very different message. They may wonder who gets retrained. They may also wonder who gets replaced. Companies cannot brush off those concerns. If humanoid robots are coming into more workplaces, workers deserve clear answers.

JOBS THAT ARE MOST AT RISK FROM AI, ACCORDING TO MICROSOFT

Warehouse work can be tough on the body. People lift boxes, move products, repeat the same motions and race to keep up when orders spike. That is why retail companies are looking hard at automation.

Figure's pitch is that humanoid robots can fit into places already built for people. They do not need a warehouse rebuilt from scratch. In theory, they can step into certain jobs and help with repetitive work.

For a retailer, that could mean products move faster, and workers face less physical strain. It could also help during busy shopping seasons, when distribution centers get slammed.

The next big signal will be whether Catalyst expands the robot program beyond Reno. A small rollout may be a learning test. A wider deployment would point to a much larger shift in how retailers move products.

Watch for details on robot count, job duties and worker impact. Those specifics will tell us more than anything else. Also, pay attention to how companies talk about employees. If they say robots will help workers move into better roles, they should explain exactly how that will happen. Workers deserve more than buzzwords.

These robots may start in a warehouse, but the ripple effect could eventually reach workers, shoppers and prices.

For shoppers, the upside is easy to see. If robots help move products faster, stores may have fewer empty shelves. Online orders could also move through warehouses more quickly.

For workers, it gets more complicated. Companies often say robots will take over the hardest tasks so people can move into better roles. That sounds good, but workers need more than a promise. They need training. They need clear answers. They also need to know whether a robot is there to help them or replace them.

And for the rest of us, this raises a bigger question. Are we comfortable with retailers using humanoid robots if it makes shopping faster or cheaper? Or do we want companies to prove that people are still part of the plan?

Figure AI's deal with Catalyst Brands shows how quickly humanoid robots are entering our workplaces. For now, these robots are starting in a distribution center. They are not walking through the aisles at JCPenney. That distinction is important. Still, the bigger concern remains. People want to know whether these machines will help workers or slowly push them aside. Automation can reduce hard physical work. It can also create real fear when companies avoid direct answers. Humanoid robots may soon become a normal part of warehouse operations for retailers. The real test will be whether companies use them in a way that helps people, instead of treating people like a cost to cut.

Would you shop with a retailer that uses humanoid robots in its warehouses, or would that make you think twice? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Dark web monitoring: does it put your data at risk?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:23:37 -0400

You hear the phrase "dark web monitoring," and it can feel unsettling. If a company is scanning shady corners of the internet for your information, are they exposing you even more?

That question comes up often. In fact, Joyce from Florida wrote in with a concern many people share:

"When companies scan the dark web for your data, doesn't that put you at risk? Your information is now out there. Please explain what that really means." Joyce, Fanning Springs, Fla.

Joyce, great question. A lot of people assume these services are pushing your data somewhere new. That isn’t what is happening. The short answer is simple. No, dark web monitoring does not put your information at risk. Let's walk through what is really going on.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENS ON THE DARK WEB, AND HOW TO STAY SAFE

These services are not uploading your data anywhere. They are not spreading your information.

Instead, they are:

Here is the key point to understand. Your information is already out there before they ever find it.

The simple answer is no. Think of it like checking if your stolen credit card is being used. No one is putting your card out there.

A monitoring service watches for signs that your data is already in use, so you can shut it down quickly.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Reputable services use secure methods to check for your data. They are designed to protect your information during the process.

These include:

They are not:

That distinction matters. They are observers, not participants.

While the concept itself is safe, the provider you choose matters. There can be a risk if:

That is why it is important to stick with well-known providers that have a strong track record.

BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN

Without monitoring, you might never know your data was exposed. That means:

With monitoring, you get an early warning. That gives you time to change passwords, lock accounts and stop fraud before it spreads. In many cases, that early alert is the difference between a close call and a major financial hit.

Even with monitoring, you should take simple steps to protect yourself.

Use a data removal service to reduce your exposure over time. A data removal service works to remove your personal data from data broker sites. That reduces how much of your information is circulating online in the first place. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Choose an identity theft protection service with strong security practices and clear privacy policies. They monitor your personal information and alert you quickly if it appears in breaches or suspicious activity. They also include identity theft protection tools in one place. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

If you get a breach alert, change your password right away. Avoid reusing passwords across accounts. A password manager can help. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com

THE ONE THING SCAMMERS CHECK BEFORE TARGETING YOU ONLINE

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection, even if your password is compromised.

A credit freeze can stop criminals from opening new accounts in your name without your approval.

Check your bank and credit card statements often to catch suspicious activity early.

Dark web monitoring does not expose your data. It checks whether your data has already been exposed. Think of it as a radar system. It scans for danger so you can respond before things get worse. In a world where data breaches are common, that kind of early warning can make all the difference.

If your personal data was already out there right now, would you want to know or stay in the dark? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Could your Samsung phone replace your passport?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:46:24 -0400

Anyone who travels a lot knows the moment. You reach the TSA line, your bag slides off your shoulder, your boarding pass is somewhere on your phone and your passport somehow sinks to the bottom of your carry-on. Samsung wants to make that routine less annoying.

The company has partnered with CLEAR to launch Samsung ID with CLEAR, a free digital ID inside Samsung Wallet. It uses information from a U.S. passport and lets eligible Galaxy users verify their identity at more than 250 TSA checkpoints that support digital IDs.

That sounds incredibly convenient. Still, this new feature also raises a bigger question. How much of your identity should live inside one app on your phone?

If you use an iPhone, we break down Apple’s version here.

GOOGLE CHROME AUTOFILL NOW HANDLES IDS

Samsung ID with CLEAR is a mobile digital ID stored in Samsung Wallet. It is backed by information from your U.S. passport and verified by CLEAR.

Once approved, you can use it at supported TSA checkpoints by presenting your phone instead of digging out your physical ID. Samsung says travelers can present the ID with a tap or QR scan.

That could make a real difference when you are juggling a carry-on, laptop bag, coffee and impatient travelers behind you.

Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said the feature is designed to make airport travel and identity verification "easier and frictionless" for users.

However, this feature does not mean you should leave your passport or REAL ID-compliant document at home. Keep a physical ID with you in case TSA needs it or a checkpoint does not support digital ID verification.

Right now, Samsung ID with CLEAR has a few important limits. Samsung says the feature is available to U.S. passport holders and works only at select TSA checkpoints that support digital ID verification.

Samsung Wallet itself requires a compatible Samsung smartphone, Android 9.0 or higher and a Samsung account. However, availability can still depend on your phone, airport and TSA reader support.

That means you should not assume every TSA lane will accept it. Look for a supported digital ID checkpoint before relying on your Galaxy phone.

1 BILLION IDENTITY RECORDS EXPOSED IN ID VERIFICATION DATA LEAK

Here's how Samsung says you can add Samsung ID with CLEAR to Samsung Wallet:

CLEAR verifies U.S. passports added to Samsung Wallet, then Samsung Wallet stores the digital ID on your phone.

Once your Samsung ID with CLEAR is approved, you can use it at supported TSA checkpoints. Samsung and CLEAR say travelers can present the ID with a tap or QR scan.

That means you may be able to keep your physical passport in your bag while moving through airport security. Still, Samsung notes the feature only works at select TSA checkpoints with compatible TSA reader machines. A boarding pass may also still be required for ID verification at the checkpoint.

So, the smart move is simple. Use the phone for convenience, but keep your backup ID close.

BIOMETRIC IRIS SCANNING LAUNCHES IN US CITIES FOR DIGITAL IDENTITY

Samsung says Samsung Wallet now supports passports, travel, age 21+ checks and other government use cases through this CLEAR integration. The company also says Samsung ID with CLEAR can be used at select sporting arenas, including BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Samsung isn’t the only tech company moving in this direction. Apple Wallet and Google Wallet also support passport-based digital IDs for domestic TSA checks at select airports. The difference here is that Samsung's version uses CLEAR for identity verification and places the credential inside Samsung Wallet.

That could make venue entry and age checks faster. Instead of handing over your driver's license or passport, you may be able to verify from your phone.

This is where the bigger digital wallet race gets interesting. Your phone already stores payment cards, tickets, boarding passes, keys and loyalty cards. Now identity is becoming part of that same experience.

Samsung says Samsung ID with CLEAR requires fingerprint or PIN access. The company also says Samsung Knox helps secure the digital ID on Galaxy devices and that ID information is encrypted directly on the device.

That should give users some confidence. However, convenience always comes with tradeoffs.

A digital ID can reduce how often you pull out your passport. It can also lower the odds of leaving your ID behind at a checkpoint, bar or stadium counter.

At the same time, your phone becomes even more important. If it gets lost, damaged, locked or drained, you need another way to prove who you are.

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

Before adding your passport to Samsung Wallet, update your phone and Samsung Wallet app. On your Galaxy phone, go to Settings → Software update → Download and install. To update Samsung Wallet, open the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store → search Samsung Wallet → tap Update if one is available.

Also, make sure your Samsung account has strong protection. Go to Settings → tap your Samsung account name at the top → Security and privacy → Two-step verification and make sure it is turned on.

Use fingerprint authentication or a secure PIN. To check this, go to Settings → Security and privacy → Lock screen → Screen lock type, then choose a stronger unlock method. Avoid obvious PINs like birthdays, repeated numbers or your street address.

11 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY IN 2025

You should also keep your physical passport or REAL ID-compliant document in a safe pocket of your bag. That gives you a fallback if a TSA reader is unavailable or your phone fails.

Finally, review what you store in Samsung Wallet. Open Samsung Wallet → tap All → review your cards, passes, IDs and keys. Digital wallets can be useful, but they should not become a messy drawer for every credential you own.

Samsung ID with CLEAR could make travel feel a little less frustrating. For frequent flyers, the appeal is obvious. Your phone is already in your hand, your bag is probably full and the TSA line rarely feels like the place to start searching for documents. Still, this is about more than airport convenience. The more your phone becomes your wallet, key ring, boarding pass and ID holder, the more you need to protect it like the center of your digital life. Digital IDs may soon feel normal. For now, Samsung ID with CLEAR looks useful, but your physical passport still deserves a safe spot in your bag.

Would you trust your phone enough to use it as your main ID at the airport, or does that feel like giving one device too much control over your life? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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