Technology News Articles on Fox News

Fox News AI Newsletter: Bezos predicts labor shortage

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:57:52 -0400

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

- Jeff Bezos predicts AI will create a labor shortage, not replace human workers across the economy

- OpenAI faces multistate investigation into data handling and chatbot behavior

- AI-designed 'universal vaccine' passes first human clinical trial, could prevent future pandemics

WORK IN PROGRESS: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) won't lead to the replacement of humans in the workforce and will instead create labor shortages.

UNDER SCRUTINY: OpenAI faces a multistate investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, scrutinizing its data handling, minor safety and chatbot behavior. This comes as the company reportedly slashes product prices and prepares for a potential IPO, amid accusations from Florida's AG regarding unsafe product releases.

FUTURE-PROOFED: A vaccine created using artificial intelligence that could potentially provide broader protection against multiple coronaviruses and help prepare for future outbreaks has passed its first human clinical trial.

POWER STRUGGLE: As data center projects continue to get shut down across the country, "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary and other investors are warning that the facilities are needed to compete with China in the artificial intelligence race.

TABLES TURNED: As artificial intelligence (AI) companies race toward IPOs and scramble to construct data centers, a new Fox News Poll finds voters now view Big Tech — not Big Government — as the greater threat to the nation's future, a striking turnaround from seven years ago.

PERSONAL SHOPPER: Amazon Alexa and Echo VP Daniel Rausch discusses the extensive A.I. overhaul of Alexa, now dubbed Alexa+. He explains new capabilities like personalized shopping assistance for Prime Day and more. Rausch emphasizes the vision to make customers' lives easier, announcing global expansion into over 10 additional countries, including Brazil, while supporting devices up to eight years old.

AUTOPILOT WARFARE: We are watching a fundamental restructuring of how military power works, and most of the institutions responsible for governing it are still thinking in the previous century. And this is all due to how AI is rapidly changing warfare.

RESTORING INDEPENDENCE: In honor of America's 250th birthday, Meta is donating Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to every legally blind veteran. Army veteran Don Overton, who served in the 82nd Airborne, describes how the glasses have restored his independence and dignity. Meta President Dina Powell McCormick highlights Don's collaboration with Meta to optimize features for blind veterans.

SILICON SHIELD: The Senate Banking Committee convened a hearing June 11 around a question that cuts to the core of American competitiveness and the American Dream: Can the United States ensure that rapid advances in artificial intelligence support "innovation, affordability, and American dominance?

CYBERCRIME BUST: The FBI, Google and Black Lotus Labs helped disrupt a massive China-based phishing-as-a-service operation known as Outsider Enterprise. Authorities say the operation powered fake websites built to steal credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information.

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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.

China's brain chip breakthrough raises big questions

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:30:26 -0400

A coin-sized brain chip in China could help people with paralysis control devices using their thoughts. China has approved a brain-computer interface called NEO for commercial medical use in certain patients with paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. That moves brain-chip technology out of research trials and closer to real-world medical care.

Developed by researchers at Tsinghua University and Shanghai-based Neuracle Technology, NEO sits under the skull but rests on the brain's protective outer layer rather than piercing deep into brain tissue. That design could make it less invasive than some competing implants.

For patients who have lost movement, this kind of technology could be life-changing. It could help restore a level of independence that once felt out of reach. But here's where we need to slow down a bit. If a brain chip can turn your brain signals into digital commands, we need to ask who controls that data and how well it is protected.

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BRAIN IMPLANT ENABLES ALS PATIENT TO COMMUNICATE USING AI

NEO is a brain-computer interface, often called a BCI. These systems read brain activity and translate it into commands for an external device. In this case, the implant uses sensors placed near the brain's motor-control area. Those signals can help a patient operate equipment such as a robotic glove or computer interface.

What makes NEO especially notable is its placement. Brain-computer interfaces can be designed in different ways, and some go deeper into the brain than others. The company most people know in this space is Neuralink, the brain-chip startup co-founded by Elon Musk. Its implant uses tiny threads that enter the brain's cortex. NEO takes a less invasive approach by placing electrodes on the dura mater, which is the protective membrane around the brain.

That design matters because every brain implant carries medical risk. Surgery can cause bleeding, swelling, infection or tissue damage. Even a small complication in the wrong part of the brain can affect speech or movement.

China's approval does not mean brain chips are suddenly available for anyone who wants one. This remains a medical device for a narrow group of patients. Right now, the focus centers on helping people with severe paralysis regain some digital or assisted movement control.

The medical upside here is hard to deny. More than three billion people worldwide live with neurological conditions, according to the World Health Organization. That includes people dealing with stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and other serious conditions.

For someone who has spent years unable to move freely or communicate easily, even a small amount of restored control could feel enormous. That is why brain-computer interfaces are getting so much attention. They could give some patients a new way to interact with the world around them.

Neuralink has already shown what that can look like in real life. Audrey Crews, a Neuralink trial participant who has been paralyzed for years, publicly shared that she wrote her name using the implant by controlling her computer.

ELON MUSK SHARES PLAN TO MASS-PRODUCE BRAIN IMPLANTS FOR PARALYSIS, NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

Elon Musk's Neuralink has attracted most of the public attention in the U.S. brain-chip race. Musk has talked openly about restoring movement, helping people communicate and one day addressing vision loss.

Neuralink received approval to begin human trials, and more than 20 people have reportedly received its implant through testing. However, it has not received broad FDA approval for general commercial use.

China's NEO approval puts a different kind of pressure on the field. It shows that China wants to move brain-computer interface technology into its health system and build a major industry around it.

This also fits a larger pattern. China has made BCI development part of its strategic technology push. The country wants breakthroughs by 2027 and a globally competitive brain-computer interface industry by 2030.

We already worry about phones listening, apps tracking location and smart TVs collecting viewing habits. Brain-computer interfaces take that concern to another level.

A BCI collects signals from the nervous system. Today, that may mean decoding movement intent, such as whether a patient wants to move a cursor left or right. But as the technology improves, the data could become more sensitive.

That raises some big questions. Who owns the brain data? Can it be sold, shared or used to train AI systems? Could an insurer, employer or government ever demand access? What happens if a company changes its privacy policy after the implant becomes part of someone's daily life?

Those questions sound dramatic until you remember how many connected devices began as conveniences and turned into data pipelines.

A brain chip designed for medical help should not become another ad platform, another surveillance tool or another database waiting to be breached.

YOUR HEALTH DATA IS BEING SOLD WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT

This is where the whole brain-chip conversation gets very serious. Any device that connects to a computer raises security questions. A brain-computer interface raises even bigger ones because it deals with signals from your body and, in some cases, the devices that help you move or communicate.

The concern here is someone getting access to neural data, device settings or the commands moving between the implant and outside equipment. Think about that for a second. If a brain chip helps someone control a robotic hand, a wheelchair or a communication device, a security failure could affect far more than privacy. It could affect that person's independence and safety. That to me is scary.

Companies building these devices need to treat cybersecurity like part of the surgery, not some software update they figure out later. Encryption, strict access controls, medical-grade testing and clear update policies should be baked in from day one.

And because a brain implant may stay inside a person's body for years, long-term support has to be part of the deal. No one should end up with an outdated implant in their head because a company moved on to the next big product launch.

For now, this technology is geared toward patients with serious medical needs. So, no, most of us are not lining up for a brain chip anytime soon. But this should still get your attention.

We already give up a lot of personal data through our phones, watches, cars and smart home devices. A brain implant takes that to a whole different level because the data comes from inside the body. That is about as personal as it gets.

Before this technology moves beyond hospitals and medical trials, patients need plain answers before they agree to anything. They should know who can access the data, how long it gets stored, whether it can be shared and whether it can help train AI systems.

The medical potential here is incredible. Helping someone regain control or communicate again could change a life. But the privacy protections need to be just as strong as the technology itself.

NEURALINK BRAIN IMPLANT HELPS ARIZONA MAN REGAIN CONTROL OF HIS LIFE

Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here: CyberGuyLive.com

China's NEO brain chip could be a huge step forward for people living with paralysis. If this technology helps someone regain control or communicate again, that is powerful. But I also think we need to be very careful here. Once a device connects your brain signals to outside technology, the privacy stakes change fast. We are talking about data tied to your nervous system. That to me is the line we need to watch closely. Brain chips could do incredible good. But companies and governments need clear limits before this technology moves any further into everyday life. The promise is real. So are the risks. And when the data comes from inside your own head, "trust us" will never be enough.

Would you ever consider a brain implant if it could restore movement or communication, or does the privacy risk feel too personal to accept? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Should you change your phone number after a hack?

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:04:41 -0400

Getting hacked once is scary enough. But getting hacked again after changing carriers, replacing cards and trying to recover your accounts can make it feel like the criminals are always one step ahead. That is exactly what happened to Lela in Ohio, who reached out after a frightening string of account takeovers.

"All my accounts have been hacked," Lela said. "I had my phone number transferred to another carrier, AT&T, and I'm experiencing it again. They have hacked my phone number again." She said criminals accessed her checking accounts, credit cards and even started charging new cards before she received them.

Then she asked the question anyone in her situation would be asking: "Should I be just getting a new phone number instead of trying to recover the number I've had for 20 years?"

The answer is maybe, but changing your number should rarely be the first move. A new number can help in some cases. However, if hackers still control your email, bank login, recovery settings or wireless account, they may keep breaking back in.

SCAMMERS TARGET WIRELESS CUSTOMERS IN NEW PHONE SCHEME

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Your phone number may feel harmless. After all, it is how friends, family, doctors and businesses reach you. But today, that number is also connected to some of your most important accounts. It may be tied to your bank accounts, credit cards, email accounts, Apple ID, Google account, medical portals, shopping accounts and password resets.

That makes it valuable to criminals. If a scammer takes control of your number, they may receive your calls and text messages. That includes security codes meant only for you. From there, they can reset passwords, break into email, access financial accounts and keep returning even after you think you fixed the problem.

A SIM swap scam happens when a criminal tricks your mobile carrier into moving your phone number to a SIM card or eSIM they control. A port-out scam happens when they move your number to another carrier.

Once that happens, your phone may suddenly lose service. Meanwhile, the scammer may start receiving your calls and texts. That can give them access to verification codes for email, banking, credit cards and other accounts.

In some cases, victims do not realize what happened until money disappears or accounts get locked.

Maybe, but not immediately. If Lela gives up her long-time number too fast, she could lose access to accounts that still use that number for recovery. Even worse, if a criminal still controls the old number, they may continue receiving password reset codes for accounts tied to it. Before changing the number, she should secure the number she has and update her most important accounts.

A new number may make sense if the number keeps being targeted despite carrier protections. It may also help if hackers keep using it to reset accounts, the carrier confirms unauthorized SIM swaps or too many accounts tied to that number have already been compromised. A new number may also be worth considering if the old number is widely exposed on the dark web or data broker sites. Still, keeping the number may be safer for now if she needs it to recover critical accounts.

Lela should call AT&T directly using the official number on AT&T's website or on her bill. She should avoid numbers from texts, emails or voicemails. She should ask AT&T to check for SIM swap attempts, port-out requests, unauthorized account changes, new devices, call forwarding, number transfer activity and unknown authorized users.

Then she should ask AT&T to add stronger protections, including a strong account PIN, port-out freeze or number transfer lock, SIM lock if available and extra account verification. She should also remove any unknown authorized users. This makes it much harder for criminals to move her number again.

Your email is often the master key to your digital life. If a hacker controls your email, they can reset passwords for banks, credit cards, shopping accounts and social media. Before changing every password, Lela should make sure her main email account is clean and secure.

She should change her email password from a safe device, sign out of all sessions, check recovery email addresses, review recovery phone numbers and remove unknown forwarding rules. She should also review connected apps and devices and turn on stronger two-factor authentication (2FA). If email remains compromised, a hacker can keep undoing every recovery step.

Text message codes are better than having no protection. However, they become risky when criminals target your phone number. For important accounts, use an authenticator app, a security key or passkeys where available.

This matters most for email, banking, credit cards, Apple ID, Google account, social media, password managers, tax accounts and government accounts. This makes your accounts much harder to break into, even if a criminal gets control of your phone number.

ARE BANK TEXT CODES ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOU?

If your phone, tablet or computer has malware, changing passwords from that device may hand the new passwords right back to the hacker. Before resetting passwords, make sure the device is safe. Update the operating system. Delete unknown apps. Run strong antivirus protection. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Avoid links in suspicious texts or emails. Then use a password manager to create unique passwords for every important account. Never reuse old passwords after a hack. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.

Since Lela said criminals charged new cards before she received them, she should treat this as possible identity theft or account takeover. She should call each bank and credit card company directly and ask for the fraud department. She should explain that her accounts, phone number or identity may have been compromised.

Ask each bank to cancel compromised cards, issue new card numbers, review recent activity, add verbal passwords or extra verification and remove unknown devices from online banking. She should also turn on transaction alerts and ask whether wire transfers, Zelle or other payment tools need temporary limits. Finally, she should check whether criminals opened any new accounts in her name.

If criminals have enough information to keep attacking your accounts, a credit freeze can help stop them from opening new credit in your name. Place a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can also place a fraud alert.

Then file an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov. That report can help create an official recovery plan. It can also provide documentation if banks, lenders or credit bureaus need proof.

If scammers already have your phone number, email, address, date of birth or other personal details, they may use that information to impersonate you.

A data removal service can help reduce the amount of personal information exposed on people-search sites and data broker sites. Data removal will not fix a hacked account by itself. Still, it can reduce the information scammers use to target you again. 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.

Even after you lock things down, keep watching for signs that criminals are still trying to use your number or accounts. These red flags should get your attention fast.

If your phone switches to SOS mode, loses service or stops receiving calls and texts, contact your carrier right away. That can be a sign of a SIM swap or port-out attempt.

Random security codes can mean someone is trying to break into one of your accounts. Do not share the code with anyone. Go directly to the account website or app and change your password from a safe device.

Take any wireless account alert seriously. This includes alerts about a new SIM, eSIM, device, PIN change or number transfer request.

HOW SIM SWAPPING LED TO A $1.8M CYBER FRAUD CASE

Watch for small test charges, declined transactions, new payees or changes to contact information. Criminals often test an account before making bigger moves.

Check recent login activity, connected devices, forwarding rules and recovery options. If anything looks unfamiliar, remove it and change your password.

If the warning signs keep showing up after you lock things down, then changing your number may be worth considering. Changing the number may help if the current number remains a constant attack path. But before switching, Lela should update her phone number on critical accounts first.

That includes email, bank accounts, credit cards, Apple ID, Google account, Social Security account, IRS account, password manager, medical portals, insurance accounts, investment accounts, utilities and shopping accounts. Then she should remove the old number from account recovery settings wherever possible.

A common mistake after a hack is changing the password but forgetting the recovery options. If the scammer added their email, phone number or device, they may still be able to get back in.

Check every important account for recovery phone numbers, recovery email addresses, trusted devices, backup codes, linked apps, forwarding settings, authorized users and payment methods. Remove anything unfamiliar.

A new phone number can help, but it is no magic fix. If hackers still have access to Lela's email, bank logins, recovery settings or personal information, they may keep getting back in even with a new number. The smarter order is to lock down the wireless account first. Then secure email, stop using text codes, change passwords from a safe device and protect bank accounts. After that, freeze credit, file an identity theft report and remove exposed personal information from the web. Only then should you decide whether changing your number is necessary. Your phone number may feel personal, especially if you have had it for 20 years. But once criminals use it as a doorway into your life, the real goal is cutting off every way they can use it against you.

Have you ever had your phone number, email or bank account hacked? What was the first sign that something was wrong? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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McDonald’s AI drive-thru may take your next order

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:04:15 -0400

The next time you pull up to a McDonald's drive-thru, the voice taking your order may not be human. McDonald’s is testing a new AI-powered system called ArchIQ at five U.S. locations. The company has not said where those restaurants are located. The voice assistant, nicknamed Archy, can take drive-thru orders and has shown it can handle both English and Spanish.

For anyone who has repeated "no pickles" into a speaker box more than once, this could sound helpful. However, if you remember McDonald’s last AI drive-thru experiment, you may also wonder whether your burger order could somehow turn into a bag full of surprise McNuggets.

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WOULD YOU EAT AT A RESTAURANT RUN BY AI?

ArchIQ is McDonald's new AI system for restaurants. It can take drive-thru orders and also help with operations behind the scenes.

In a post on X, McFranchisee, an anonymous McDonald's franchisee account, said the system is in five test stores and has processed more than 1 million transactions. The account also said about 90% of orders were completed without a human stepping in. That number sounds promising. Still, McDonald's has not confirmed a nationwide launch date. For now, this remains a limited test.

The system also appears to connect with a bigger McDonald's plan called "McDonald's > NEXT." CEO Chris Kempczinski described the strategy as a way to bring in more customers and improve restaurant productivity. The plan also includes menu changes, restaurant redesigns, technology upgrades and more focus on hospitality.

Drive-thrus can get chaotic fast. Someone changes an order after the total appears. A child calls out from the back seat. Road noise makes the speaker hard to hear. Then the driver remembers the extra sauce after everything has already gone through. That is the type of pressure McDonald's wants AI to handle.

If ArchIQ works well, it could help restaurants move cars through the line faster. It may also reduce mistakes during busy hours. Workers could then focus more on preparing food, handling payments and helping customers who need a real person.

ArchIQ also appears to have a management role. In the same X post, McFranchisee described Archy as a tool that could alert managers to bottlenecks or other issues before they slow down operations.

STARBUCKS USES CHATGPT TO SUGGEST DRINKS BASED ON MOOD AS EXPERT WARNS OF HIDDEN DOWNSIDES

This new test follows McDonald's earlier AI drive-thru experiment with IBM. That program involved more than 100 restaurants. McDonald's ended the test in 2024 after customers complained about order accuracy. Some mistakes also went viral, creating an embarrassing moment for McDonald's and raising questions about whether the technology was ready for the drive-thru. Customers reported wrong items, strange quantities and other order mix-ups. That history is why this new test will get extra attention.

This time, McDonald's is working with Google technology. McFranchisee also claimed every McDonald's in the U.S. is getting Google Edge Cloud hardware in anticipation of the rollout. McDonald's seems to believe the newer system can perform better than the last one. The real test will come when regular customers use it during real drive-thru rushes.

If McDonald's gets this right, the most obvious benefit is speed. An AI ordering system does not get tired during a long shift. It may also help more customers order in the language they prefer. That could make a busy drive-thru feel less frustrating, especially during breakfast or late-night hours.

The system may also ask clearer follow-up questions and catch missing details before the order reaches the kitchen. That would be a win for customers who want to get in, get their food and get on with the day.

The biggest concern is accuracy. AI can still misunderstand people. That gets frustrating fast when you are trying to grab lunch between errands or get your kids fed from the back seat. A wrong order wastes time. It also puts workers in the position of fixing a mistake the machine made.

There is also the customer service side. Some people like hearing a real person at the speaker. Others may find an AI voice cold or annoying, especially if the system gets confused.

Then there is the privacy question. If an AI system takes your order, customers may wonder what gets collected, how long it is kept and who can access it. McDonald’s has not publicly explained those specifics for this current ArchIQ test.

ALEXA+ LETS YOU ORDER FOOD LIKE A REAL CONVERSATION

Before you leave the drive-thru, take a moment to check the order screen. Make sure the items match what you said. Listen when the system repeats your order. Keep your receipt until you confirm the food is right.

Also, avoid sharing extra personal details at the speaker box. Your order should only require your food choices and payment.

If the AI gets confused, ask for a crew member. You do not need to keep going back and forth with a machine over fries.

For now, you probably will not notice a change at your local McDonald's. The ArchIQ test appears limited to five U.S. restaurants, and the company has not said when it could expand.

Still, this gives customers a preview of where fast food may be heading. AI could soon play a bigger role in how restaurants take orders and manage the kitchen. That may speed up the line, though it could also make the experience feel less personal.

McDonald’s clearly wants AI to play a bigger role in its restaurants. From a business point of view, the idea makes sense. Shorter drive-thru lines could help franchisees and customers. Better restaurant data could also help managers fix problems faster. But I still want the human backup. Food orders can be messy because people are messy. We change our minds. We talk over each other. We forget the extra ketchup until the last second. AI may handle much of that one day. For now, I would treat it like any busy drive-thru interaction. Speak clearly. Check the order. Do not pull away until you know your food is right.

Would you trust an AI voice to take your McDonald’s order, or do you still want a real person on the other end of the speaker? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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6 in 10 identity crimes now begin with a new account

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:52:26 -0400

For years, two women in Bremerton, Washington, opened credit cards and lines of credit in other people's names, working from documents they pulled out of stolen mail. Emily Vranic and Heather Marquis redirected the new accounts' statements to an address they controlled, so no bill ever reached the victims. They pleaded guilty in federal court this month to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme prosecutors say stole nearly $229,000 from banks and bank customers.

If you have ever worried about a credit card opened in your name, this case shows how quickly stolen mail can turn into a much bigger identity theft problem. Opening a new account is the leading form of identity misuse reported to the Identity Theft Resource Center. In its latest data, 62.1% of attempted misuse cases began with a new account application rather than the takeover of an account the victim already held.

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WARNING SIGNS YOUR MAIL HAS BEEN FRAUDULENTLY REDIRECTED

When people picture an account opened in their name, they may imagine a checking account at a bank they have never set foot in. The more likely target is a credit card. Credit cards made up 41% of attempted account misuse reported to the ITRC last year. Checking accounts came to 17.7% and personal loans to 8.5%.

A credit card is one of the easier accounts to open in someone else's name, and the reason is in how the application is cleared. A lender matches the submitted name, date of birth, address and Social Security number (SSN) against the bureau file. When those details fit a record that already exists, an automated system can approve the application with no one confirming that the applicant is the person being described. Assemble enough of someone's information from breaches and stolen mail, and the check clears.

Vranic and Marquis did not stop at one account per victim. Once they controlled someone's identity, they activated existing cards, opened new credit lines and moved money out of bank accounts tied to the same name.

This is common. The ITRC found that 25.6% of victims are now handling two or more identity incidents at once, up from 23.5% the year before. The same stolen details, including name, date of birth, address and SSN, can open the next account as easily as the first.

DON’T LET THIS CREDIT CARD FRAUD NIGHTMARE HAPPEN TO YOU

A new account does not announce itself. It reaches your credit report only after the first statement closes, which puts the first record 30 to 60 days behind the opening. Banks report to the bureaus monthly, and the bureaus need up to two weeks more to post the change.

The first paper notice goes wherever the application is listed. Vranic and Marquis had the statements mailed to their own address, not the victims'. When the mail reaches the right house, it may read like a routine offer or a card no one ordered, which makes it easy to set aside.

By the time a denied loan or a collections call makes the account impossible to ignore, it has been open and drawing money for weeks.

WHY THAT $4 CHARGE ON YOUR STATEMENT COULD BE FRAUD

Move quickly, because every day an account stays open gives a thief more time to spend money, damage your credit or try the same information somewhere else.

Call the credit card company or lender that opened the account and tell them the account is fraudulent. Ask them to close or freeze the account, stop any pending charges and send written confirmation that you are not responsible for the debt.

Go to IdentityTheft.gov. The Federal Trade Commission's site generates an Identity Theft Report and recovery plan to help you report identity theft, limit the damage and fix your credit.

Your FTC Identity Theft Report is usually the key document for disputing fraudulent accounts. Some lenders, banks or debt collectors may also ask for a police report. If that happens, file one with your local police department and keep a copy for your records.

Keep copies of account statements, collection letters, emails, dispute letters, FTC reports, police reports and confirmation numbers. A clear paper trail can make it easier to prove the account was fraudulent if a creditor, credit bureau or debt collector questions your claim.

Dispute the fraudulent account directly with the lender that opened it, in writing. Also dispute it with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion if it appears on your credit reports. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, companies that furnish information to credit bureaus have a duty to investigate disputed information.

Place a freeze at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to help block the next application. Freezes have been free since 2018 and can be lifted online when you need to apply for credit.

A credit freeze blocks access to your credit file. A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name. You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert, and that bureau must notify the other two.

If you believe stolen mail helped someone open the account, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the Postal Service. You can report mail theft, identity theft, fraudulent change-of-address requests, fraudulent mail holds and fake Informed Delivery accounts at mailtheft.uspis.gov.

If your Social Security number was used, request an IRS Identity Protection PIN at irs.gov/ippin. This helps keep a thief from filing a tax return in your name.

Change the passwords on your bank, credit card and email accounts, especially if your email address was part of the fraud. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for each account, so one exposed password cannot unlock the rest of your financial life. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) where available. Then review recent transactions, saved payment methods and automatic payments for anything you do not recognize.

Cleaning up identity theft can mean dealing with creditors, credit bureaus, debt collectors and repeat follow-ups. Keep copies of every report, dispute letter, confirmation number and account closure notice so you have a clear paper trail if the fraud resurfaces.

No service can prevent every account opened in your name. Continuous three-bureau credit monitoring may alert you to new accounts as they are reported, rather than weeks later when a lender turns you down or a collections notice arrives. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

A stolen credit card account can quietly grow into a much bigger identity theft mess before you ever see a bill. That is what makes this Washington case so alarming. The victims were not ignoring warning signs. The statements were being sent somewhere else. The best move is to make it harder for thieves to open the next account. Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, watch for hard inquiries and check your credit reports for accounts you do not recognize. If something appears, go straight to IdentityTheft.gov, file a report and dispute the account in writing with the lender. Credit monitoring can also give you a faster heads-up when a new account or inquiry hits your file. It will not stop every scam, but it can shorten the time between the fraud starting and you finding out.

Have you ever found a credit card, loan or account on your credit report that you did not open? Let us know how you discovered it and what it took to fix it by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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FBI helps take down AI phishing ring

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:07:26 -0400

That suspicious text about a package, toll bill or account problem may look harmless at first. You glance at it, see a familiar brand name and think, "I'll just check." That quick tap can lead straight into a professional scam funnel.

The FBI, Google and Black Lotus Labs helped disrupt a massive China-based phishing-as-a-service operation known as Outsider Enterprise. Authorities say the operation powered fake websites built to steal credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information.

What makes this one especially troubling is how polished these scams have become. Criminals no longer need to build every fake page from scratch. They can rent phishing kits, use AI to speed up the work and send waves of scam texts to unsuspecting people. That should make every one of us pause before tapping a link in a text.

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GENAI, THE FUTURE OF FRAUD AND WHY YOU MAY BE AN EASY TARGET

Outsider Enterprise was a phishing-as-a-service operation. In other words, it gave other criminals the tools to run scams. Instead of one scammer typing out sloppy messages from a laptop, this setup worked more like a criminal software business. It offered phishing kits, fake websites and infrastructure that helped criminals impersonate trusted brands.

Google says the network was tied to more than 9,000 fake websites and over 1 million fraudulent URLs. Those sites were designed to look real enough to trick people into entering credit card details, passwords or other sensitive information.

The scams often started with text messages. Some appeared to come from major wireless carriers, delivery services, toll agencies or other familiar companies. That's what makes these attacks so dangerous. The text may arrive in the same place you get real alerts from banks, delivery services or phone providers.

AI helped give this operation speed and polish. In a civil lawsuit filed in federal court in New York, Google alleges the phishing kit used AI tools, including Gemini, to help criminals create fraudulent sites and scam content. That means the messages can look cleaner, the websites can appear more convincing and the operation can move faster.

That's a big shift. Many people still expect scam messages to have bad grammar, strange wording or obvious red flags. Those clues still show up, but they are becoming less reliable. A fake page can now look like the real thing. A scam text can sound normal. A payment request can appear urgent without feeling ridiculous. That to me is scary because the average person has less time to spot the trap.

The scale was huge. Google says 2.5 million messages were sent to Android users from Outsider Enterprise infrastructure over a two-week period in May. Android users flagged 55,000 of those messages as fraudulent.

FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Brett Leatherman said Outsider infrastructure was tied to an estimated 3.87 million stolen credit cards and $1.9 billion in losses.

That number tells you something important. These scams are not random annoyances. They are part of an organized criminal business built to reach huge numbers of people fast.

The action against Outsider Enterprise included both technical and legal steps. The FBI said the technical takedown was dubbed Operation Ghost Hook. Leatherman also tied the effort to Operation Riptide, a broader FBI campaign aimed at disrupting cybercrime operations.

The FBI and its partners seized administration servers, phishing domains, a Shopify storefront and about $100,000 from payment wallets tied to the operation.

Google's civil lawsuit is part of the broader effort to disrupt Outsider Enterprise's infrastructure. The company says it is working with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to help block fraudulent messages before they reach subscribers. Google says its Android protections also help detect suspicious calls and block malicious messages. Still, no filter catches everything.

GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS

Text scams often arrive when you are distracted. Maybe you are heading into a meeting, paying bills or waiting for a package. A message about an account problem can make you react fast before you stop to question it.

Scammers count on that split-second panic. A fake text might say your delivery failed, your phone bill has an issue or your account will be locked. The link then sends you to a page that looks real enough to steal your login, credit card number or one-time code. The whole trick depends on speed. The less time you spend thinking, the better the scam works.

These steps can help you avoid the fake texts, fake websites and account traps that phishing operations rely on.

Treat unexpected links like a warning sign, even when the message looks official. Go directly to the company's app or website instead. Type the address yourself or use a saved bookmark.

Scammers want you to panic. Take a breath before you act. Real companies usually give you more than a few minutes to fix an issue.

Look closely at the domain name before typing in a password, card number or code. A scam site may use one extra word, a strange ending or a spelling that looks close to the real company.

A legitimate company will not ask you to send back a one-time code by text. If someone asks for a code, assume they are trying to break into your account.

If a text asks for a credit card number, password or account login, stop. Open the official app or call the company using a number from your card, bill or trusted website.

Spam protection can help move suspicious texts out of your main inbox before you accidentally tap a bad link.

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders > turn on Screen Unknown Senders. You can also open Messages, tap Filters and review messages under Unknown Senders or spam/junk filtering when available.

For suspicious texts on iPhone, use Report Junk when it appears under the message.

On Samsung using Google Messages: Open Google Messages > tap your profile icon or initials > tap Messages settings > tap Spam protection or Protection & Safety > turn on Enable spam protection.

For suspicious texts on Samsung, open the message in Google Messages, tap the three dots, tap Details and choose Block & report spam.

IS THAT TRAFFIC TICKET TEXT A SCAM OR REAL?

Set a strong account password and add a carrier PIN when your provider offers one. This helps protect your phone number from criminals who try to hijack accounts or reset passwords.

Scammers often sound convincing because they already know something about you. That information can come from people-search sites, data brokers, old breaches or public records. Consider using a data removal service to reduce how much personal information is floating around 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

Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links, fake websites and phishing pages before they cause damage. It adds another layer of protection when a scam slips past your first line of defense. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

A password manager can help you avoid reusing passwords across accounts. It can also make fake login pages easier to spot because it may not autofill your credentials on a bogus site.

Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts, especially email, banking and wireless carrier accounts. An authentication app or hardware security key gives you stronger protection than texted codes.

Some banks and card issuers offer virtual card numbers. These can limit the damage if a shopping site, fake checkout page or scam link steals payment details.

Check your accounts often for small mystery charges. Criminals sometimes test a stolen card with a small purchase before going bigger.

A credit freeze can stop criminals from opening new accounts in your name. You can freeze your credit for free with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Forward suspicious texts to 7726, which spells SPAM. You can also report phishing attempts to the company being impersonated and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

Taking down Outsider Enterprise is great news. But let's be real here. Scammers are not going away because one operation got hit. What worries me most is how real these fake texts and websites can look now. AI gives criminals another way to clean up the wording, copy trusted brands and move faster than most people expect. So my advice is simple. Don't tap the link. Open the company's real app or type in the website yourself. Those few extra seconds can be the difference between staying safe and handing a scammer your credit card, password or one-time code.

Does this takedown make you feel better about the fight against scammers, or do you still think the crooks are one step ahead? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Thief uses Waymo as a getaway car

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:30:50 -0400

A getaway car with no driver? That is a new one. Police say that is what happened outside Hot 8 Yoga in San Francisco's Marina district. Police records reportedly show that a burglar slipped inside the studio, grabbed activewear and got out in under three minutes. Waiting outside was a Waymo robotaxi.

The suspect allegedly loaded the stolen clothing into the trunk, climbed in and rode away as if the whole thing were a normal pickup.

That is what makes this case so wild. A basic burglary suddenly turned into a bigger question about self-driving cars, privacy and police evidence. What happens when a robotaxi becomes part of a crime scene?

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UBER UNVEILS A NEW ROBOTAXI WITH NO DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL

The suspect allegedly used the autonomous vehicle the same way someone might use a regular ride-hail car. The Waymo vehicle dropped him off near the yoga studio, waited while the burglary happened and then drove him away. That is the part that makes you stop and say, wait, what?

There was no driver to look back and wonder why someone was loading stolen activewear into the trunk. No one behind the wheel to say, "Something feels off here." The car simply followed the ride request.

In a statement to CyberGuy, San Francisco Police Department confirmed officers responded on Jan. 9, 2026, to a business on the 3300 block of Fillmore Street regarding a burglary that occurred at about 4:07 a.m. Police said an employee reported that an unknown suspect burglarized the business, stole items and fled in a vehicle.

SFPD described the case as an "open and active investigation" and said, "No arrest has been made at this time." Anyone with information can call SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Police believe this may be San Francisco's first known case of someone using a self-driving car to flee a crime scene. And yes, the stolen haul reportedly included men's shorts. That bizarre detail gives the whole thing a strange twist. But underneath it all, there is a real question here. What happens when a robotaxi becomes part of the crime?

At first, this sounds like an easy case to solve. Waymo vehicles have cameras. Riders need accounts. Payment information is usually tied to the trip. So, you might think the police would have a clear trail. That did not happen here.

Police reportedly obtained a search warrant for Waymo account information and footage from the vehicle. The detective on the case said the account information did not lead police to the suspect. He also said the company no longer had interior footage by the time the warrant was filed months later.

The outside footage had another issue. Faces were blurred for privacy. That created a strange problem. The same privacy protections that help protect innocent bystanders may also make it harder to identify someone suspected of a crime.

When contacted by CyberGuy, Waymo declined to comment on this specific burglary. More broadly, Waymo says it carefully reviews each law enforcement request to make sure it satisfies applicable laws and has a valid legal basis. The company says it closely scrutinizes those requests and may narrow the scope or push back when needed.

Waymo also says it does not use facial recognition or other biometric identification technologies to identify people. That detail is important here because these cars see a lot as they move through a city. Waymo says its cameras and sensors help the vehicle understand its surroundings and drive safely in real time. The company also says that information helps improve the Waymo Driver over time. In other words, Waymo says its technology can recognize that it sees a person, but it does not match that person to an individual identity.

To me, that is where this story gets complicated. If a real crime happens, you want the police to have useful evidence. At the same time, you probably do not want every self-driving car turning into a rolling surveillance camera with no clear limits. That balance between safety, privacy and police access may become a much bigger issue as robotaxis show up in more cities.

This case shows how quickly an old-fashioned crime can run into new technology. A burglar once needed a friend, a taxi or a stolen car. Now, someone can call a driverless ride with an app and leave the scene without ever dealing with a human driver.

That creates a problem for the police. If the ride was ordered with stolen information or a burner phone, the account may not point to the person who actually committed the crime. And even with all those cameras, the footage may not show what investigators need.

That is the part that stands out to me. We often assume more cameras mean more answers. But this case shows that assumption can fall apart fast. If key video gets deleted, faces stay blurred or the account information leads nowhere, a high-tech getaway car may still leave police with very old-fashioned detective work.

FACIAL RECOGNITION JAILS INNOCENT GRANDMOTHER, ATTORNEY SAYS

If robotaxis operate where you live or where you travel, this story should get your attention. These cars are no longer test vehicles quietly roaming around a few streets. They are picking people up, dropping them off and now, in this case, showing up in a police investigation.

That is what makes this so important. A self-driving car can become a witness, a source of evidence or even the ride someone uses to leave a crime scene.

At the same time, privacy protections can create a real tradeoff. Blurring faces may protect people walking down the street who have nothing to do with a crime. But it may also limit what police can use later.

And this case proves something else. Cameras alone do not guarantee answers. A vehicle can record plenty of data and still miss the one image, account detail or clue investigators need.

For riders, here is the part to remember. A robotaxi may feel private because no driver sits up front. But it still leaves a digital trail. Before you climb in, assume the trip, the account and some vehicle data may be recorded.

This case also gives riders something to think about. A robotaxi may feel more private because no driver sits up front. But the vehicle can still collect trip details, account information and sensor data.

Review the company's privacy policy so you understand what it collects, how long it may keep certain data and when it may share information with law enforcement. You do not need to read every line like a lawyer. Look for sections about cameras, audio, trip history, account data and legal requests.

Use a strong, unique password for your ride-hail account, and consider using a trusted password manager to create and store it securely. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) when available. Also, keep your phone locked with a passcode, Face ID or fingerprint protection. If someone gets into your phone, they may also get into your ride apps.

Avoid sharing sensitive personal details during a robotaxi ride unless you really need to. That includes financial information, passwords, medical details or private family matters. Also, be careful about phone calls on speaker. Even without a human driver, you should treat the space like a connected vehicle.

Use a credit card instead of a debit card when possible. Credit cards often offer stronger fraud protections if an account gets compromised. Check your ride receipts and payment alerts. If you see a trip you did not take, report it right away.

If you feel unsafe during a ride, use the app's help or emergency option. Take screenshots of your trip details if you can do so safely. If you see a robotaxi near a crime or emergency, remember that useful footage may depend on timing and legal process. Police may need a warrant or another valid request before a company turns over data. That gap between what the car saw and what investigators can later use can make a big difference.

HOW SURVEILLANCE TECH LED POLICE TO ACCUSE THE WRONG PERSON

A burglar using a Waymo as a getaway car sounds almost ridiculous, but the privacy questions are very real. These vehicles can capture a lot of what happens around them. Still, that does not mean police will always get clear evidence or a quick answer. This case also shows why timing matters. If footage is deleted, blurred or tied to a stolen account, a high-tech vehicle may not solve the crime as easily as you might expect. To me, this is where cities need to catch up. Robotaxis are already on the road. Now we need clearer rules for how long footage is kept, when police can access it and how innocent people's privacy is protected.

Would you feel safer knowing robotaxis keep more footage for police, or more concerned about what that could mean for your privacy? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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The Father's Day gift that protects your dad from scammers

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:00:31 -0400

You have probably already thought about the usual Father's Day gifts. A golf shirt. A grill tool set. Another gift card that feels easy, but not exactly meaningful. So, here's something worth thinking about this year. Your dad's name, home address, phone number and even your name as his child may already be sitting on dozens of people-search websites. Completely exposed. Visible to anyone with an internet connection and a few minutes to search.

Scammers are not just browsing those sites. They are using them to build detailed profiles. That means they may know where your dad lives, who he is related to and how to make a fake emergency sound real. That is why one of the most useful gifts you can give him this Father's Day may not come in a box.

It is 30 minutes of your time, a few smart privacy steps and a service that helps protect him the other 364 days of the year. Here's what is going on and exactly what you can do about it.

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HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PERSONAL INFO FROM PEOPLE-SEARCH SITES

You don't have to take my word for it. Go to Spokeo, WhitePages, or BeenVerified right now and type in your dad's name. What comes back will probably stop you cold. A typical profile looks something like this:

Robert D. Henderson | Age: 67 | Tampa, FL Also known as: Robert David Henderson Current address: [home address] Previous addresses: 5 records found Phone numbers: 3 found Email addresses: 2 found Relatives: 7 found, including [your name] Profile shown for illustrative purposes.

That's just the preview. The full report costs a few dollars at most. Some of it is completely free. And that "Relatives" field? That's where your name shows up. Linked directly to his profile. The scammer now has a starting point. From here, they start connecting the dots.

Once a scammer has your dad's basic profile, the damage can grow quickly. Data broker sites do more than list current contact information. They can also show address history, estimated household income, property ownership status and a web of family connections.

Here is how scammers can put that information to work.

A phone call may start with, "Hey Dad, it's me. I'm in serious trouble, and I can't tell Mom yet." The scammer may know your name. They may know your city. They may even know he is your father. Suddenly, the call does not sound like a scam. It sounds like a family crisis.

Many banks and financial institutions still rely on knowledge-based verification. That can include a mother's maiden name, a previous address or a city of birth. The problem is that those answers may already be sitting in public data broker profiles. A scammer can call his bank, pretend to be him and answer those questions correctly without ever touching his password.

Data broker profiles often include estimated home value and income range. Those details can come from public property records and marketing databases. If your dad's profile shows a paid-off home and years of stable residence, he may look like a strong target for investment fraud, fake Medicare schemes and government impersonation scams.

When one person's profile is exposed, it can map the whole family network. Your dad's data may lead to your profile. Your profile may lead to his grandchildren. One exposed profile can turn into a family-wide vulnerability.

REMOVE YOUR DATA TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT FROM SCAMMERS

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, complaints from victims over 60 exceeded 201,000 in 2025, with reported losses topping $7.7 billion, a 59% increase in losses compared to the previous year. The average reported loss for older victims was more than $38,000.

This isn’t like a stolen credit card charge that a bank can reverse. For many older victims, the loss can come from a retirement account or home equity built over decades. Once that money disappears, recovery can be difficult and sometimes impossible.

The FTC documented a more than fourfold increase since 2020 in reports from older adults who say they lost $10,000 or more to impersonation scams. Combined losses reported by older adults who lost more than $100,000 increased eightfold, from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024.

And because most elder fraud goes unreported, out of embarrassment, confusion, or simply not knowing how, the FTC estimates the real losses experienced by older adults in 2024 could be as high as $81.5 billion. Your dad isn't careless. He's not naive. He's just exposed, and he has no idea.

This is the part that surprises most adult children. Your dad didn't sign up for any of these sites. He didn't consent to having his address history and family members listed publicly. It happened anyway.

Data brokers pull from voter registration records, property tax filings, court documents, old marketing survey responses, loyalty program memberships, phone directories and from each other. None of that required his permission. Once it's in the system, it gets bought, sold, refreshed, and resold constantly.

Even if your dad has never heard of Spokeo or BeenVerified, his profile may already be out there. Social media can make the problem worse. A Facebook account, a tagged photo or a public family connection can give scammers more clues. Add that to a data broker profile, and they may have enough detail to sound like someone who actually knows him.

You can run a quick free scan right now at CyberGuy.com/ to see exactly how much of his information is already out there. Results usually arrive by email within an hour. Most people are shocked by what shows up.

Think of this as something you do with your dad, not just for him. It takes about 30 minutes together, and it's worth more than anything on a store shelf.

Open a browser and go to Spokeo.com, Whitepages.com, and BeenVerified.com. Type in his name and state. Screenshot what you find. That's the baseline, what's visible right now to anyone who's looking. While you're at it, search your own name too. Your profile is his entry point.

Start with the data broker sites that appeared in his search results. Each site should have an opt-out or "Remove My Information" link, although it may be buried in the page footer. Then submit removal requests for the profiles you find. Some sites require email verification. Others may re-list the same information weeks later. A few may make the process frustrating on purpose. Even so, walking through two or three of the biggest sites with your dad can help him see the risk clearly. It also shows him why ongoing protection deserves attention.

WHAT HACKERS CAN LEARN ABOUT YOU FROM A DATA BROKER FILE

Call his bank together and update the knowledge-based security verification on his account. If the bank still asks for his mother's maiden name or previous address as a verification question, those answers are likely already on a data broker site. The fix is simple: replace them with nonsense answers only he knows and store them somewhere safe. "Mother's maiden name: BlueTractor62." No scammer is finding that answer on a people-search site.

This step costs nothing. It may also be the single most effective thing you do together. Agree on a word or short phrase that only your immediate family knows. If he ever gets a call from someone claiming to be you, or claiming to be calling about you, he asks for the code word. No code word means he hangs up and calls you directly. With advances in AI, scammers can now clone the voices of loved ones, making impersonation calls even harder to detect. A pre-agreed family code word cuts right through that. Scams work by creating panic. A calm, pre-planned protocol eliminates the panic before it starts.

Here's the honest limitation of Steps 1 and 2: they're a snapshot. Data brokers refresh their databases constantly. Information you remove today may quietly reappear in a few months, automatically, without any action on his part or yours. Manual opt-outs don't fix the underlying problem. They just create a temporary gap. The most genuinely useful Father's Day gift isn't a one-time cleanup. It's ongoing protection that runs in the background without either of you having to think about it.

A data removal service can send removal requests to hundreds of data brokers on your dad's behalf. It can also keep checking for his information and send new requests when it reappears.

That ongoing part is key. You can set it up for him, and neither of you has to keep chasing every people-search site one by one.

A family plan may be the smarter option because your exposure is connected to his. If your name appears in your dad's profile, scammers can use that link to target both of you. Covering several family members under one plan can help protect your dad, yourself and other relatives at the same time.

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.

5 STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCES FROM FAMILY SCAMS

Before you wrap up your visit, leave him with one sentence he can actually remember:

"If anyone ever calls claiming to be me and asking for money, hang up and call me back directly. I will never reach out through an unknown number."

Say it out loud. Make sure he hears it. Then say it again at the end of the visit.

That one instruction can help stop a devastating scam before it starts. It does not require an app, a password or a subscription. It only requires a clear conversation with your dad, which is something you can have this Father's Day.

Your dad's personal information may already be sitting on people-search sites, and he may have no idea it is there. Scammers can use that data to make calls, texts and emails feel much more personal. They may know his address, phone number, relatives' names and even past places he lived. That gives them enough detail to impersonate family members, target his finances or get around weak security questions. That is why a good Father's Day gift can go beyond another shirt, tool set or gift card. Spend 30 minutes with your dad. Search for his information, remove what you can, update his bank security answers and create a family code word. Then consider automated data removal, so his information does not quietly reappear later. The best gift may be the one that helps him avoid the call, text or email that could cost him far more than money down the road.

Have you ever searched your dad's name, or your own, on a people-search site and been surprised by what showed up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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New wheeled robot says no thanks to humanoid hype

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:47:33 -0400

The robot race has a familiar look right now. Two legs. A face-like head. A body that tries very hard to look human. Genesis AI is taking a different route with Eno, its first general-purpose robot. Instead of building another humanoid that looks like all the others out there, the company designed a wheeled robot that focuses on work first. That choice may make Eno more useful in the real world.

Genesis AI says Eno combines its full-stack hardware platform with GENE, the company's robotics-native AI brain. That means the company wants Eno to reason through tasks, adjust when conditions change and carry out jobs that go beyond pre-programmed movements.

In other words, Genesis wants Eno to do more than wait for step-by-step instructions. It wants the robot to understand the job and figure out how to get it done.

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A WHEELED ROBOT MAY BEAT HUMANOIDS INTO YOUR HOME

A lot of robot companies seem focused on the same idea: build a machine that looks like a person. You can understand why. Our homes, offices, hospitals and factories were all designed around people. But legs bring problems. They add cost, complexity and plenty of ways for something to go wrong.

That is why Eno's wheeled base stands out. Genesis AI says industrial customers actually asked for wheels. That tells you what businesses may care about most. They want a robot that can move reliably through a workspace and get a job done. In places like warehouses, labs and factories, wheels can make a lot of sense. The floors are usually flat. The routes are more predictable. The robot does not need to climb stairs to be useful.

Eno sits on that wheeled base with a tower-like body made of articulated panels. It can adjust its height and reach when needed. It can also fold down when the work is done.

The wheels get attention because they break from the humanoid trend. Still, the hands may decide whether Eno succeeds. Genesis AI says Eno uses proprietary dexterous robotic hands designed to match the form and function of human hands. That could help it interact with tools, doors, handles, buttons and everyday objects already made for people. A robot that can roll into a workspace still needs to grab, twist, lift, press and sort things with precision. Without useful hands, the robot becomes a moving camera with arms.

Genesis AI recently showed off GENE-26.5, its robotic foundation model system. The company says it can support complex physical manipulation, including cooking tasks, lab pipetting, multi-object grasping, and even solving a Rubik's Cube.

One optional feature on Eno could make a big difference for the people working around it: a screen that shows what the robot is thinking and doing in real time.

Think about it. If a robot is moving near you, reaching for objects or changing direction on its own, you probably want some clue about what it plans to do next.

That is where the cognitive interface could help. It could show whether Eno is planning a route, waiting for someone to move or getting ready to pick up an object.

Seeing what Eno is about to do could cut down on guesswork. It could also make the robot feel a little less unsettling in shared spaces.

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

Genesis AI says Eno will start with industrial customers by the end of 2026. The first deployments are expected to focus on manufacturing, logistics companies and laboratories. That rollout makes sense. Industrial settings offer clearer tasks, tighter workflows and more controlled environments than homes.

After that, Genesis AI plans to bring Eno into service settings such as hotels and hospitals. Home and outdoor uses would come later.

That timeline also keeps expectations grounded. A robot that can help stock a production line may arrive long before one that can safely handle laundry, dishes, pets, kids and clutter. Homes are chaotic. Factories at least try not to be.

The phrase "general-purpose robot" sounds simple. The reality is much harder. A factory robot can weld the same part thousands of times. A vacuum robot can map a floor and avoid furniture. A delivery robot can follow a route.

A general-purpose robot has to do more than repeat one job. It has to understand a goal, read the room, use tools and recover when something goes wrong. That is the challenge Genesis AI says GENE is built to handle. The company says the model gives Eno memory, reasoning and the ability to plan multistep tasks over time.

Genesis AI also has high-profile backing behind the robot. Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO and Genesis AI investor, said: "What Genesis is building with Eno is a fundamentally new model for extending human capability through advanced robotics." Schmidt added, "The combination of agentic intelligence, intuitive interaction and the ability to operate alongside people in the physical world creates a system that can help individuals and organizations accomplish more. The breakthrough is not replacing human expertise, but amplifying it — making advanced robotics genuinely useful, accessible, and scalable across industries. That is how we will unlock one of the largest economic opportunities of the AI era."

Eno arrives at a time when robot companies are trying to prove that machines can do more in the physical world with less human direction. Some companies are betting on humanoids. Genesis AI is betting that useful design may beat human-like design.

That choice could resonate with businesses. If a wheeled robot costs less, breaks less often and performs better on flat floors, it may beat a humanoid in many practical settings. The keyword is "if." Genesis AI still has to prove Eno can work reliably with real customers. Demos can show potential. Deployments reveal the hard truth.

BMW PUTS HUMANOID ROBOTS TO WORK BUILDING EVS

For most of us, Eno will not show up in our living rooms anytime soon. You are more likely to see this kind of robot at work before you see it at home. Robots like Eno could start in factories, warehouses, labs, hospitals or hotels. That could affect how products get made, how supplies move and how businesses deal with labor shortages. It also raises some real questions. Who is responsible when a robot makes a bad decision? How much should workers be able to see about what the robot is doing? What data does a workplace robot collect as it moves around people?

The screen idea could help build trust, but it does not solve everything. A robot that can reason through tasks still needs clear limits, strong safety rules and human oversight. The bigger takeaway for you is this: The home robot future may not look like a metal person walking through your kitchen. It may look more like a compact machine on wheels with very capable hands.

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What I like about Eno is that it does not seem obsessed with looking human. It skips the legs and the fake face and gets right to the bigger question: Can this thing actually help people get work done? That is where this robot gets interesting. A wheeled robot may not look as flashy as a humanoid, but it could make a lot more sense in the places where robots are likely to show up first. Think factories, labs, warehouses and hospitals. Of course, Genesis AI still has to prove Eno can handle the real world. A demo is one thing. A busy workplace with people, tools, tight spaces and unexpected problems is another. Still, this may be a sign of where home robots are headed. The first truly useful robot in your life may not walk through the front door on two legs. It may roll in on wheels and get straight to work.

Would you feel comfortable working next to a robot that shows you what it is thinking, or would that make you trust it even less? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Text job scam cost him $10K in crypto

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:30:26 -0400

A text about making extra money can feel harmless at first. Maybe it shows up while you are between errands, scrolling on the couch or looking for a way to pad your budget.

That is exactly why these scams work. They do not always begin with a wild promise. Often, they start with a simple message about flexible online work. Then the scammer slowly turns curiosity into trust.

Rick S. shared this painful warning after reading one of our articles on scams:

FAKE JOB INTERVIEW EMAILS INSTALLING HIDDEN CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING MALWARE

Rick's story fits a growing scam category often called a task scam, task-optimization scam or crypto job scam. These scams often begin with unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages offering online work. The "job" may involve fake tasks such as app optimization, product boosting, liking content or rating items online.

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A text job scam is a fake employment offer sent by text, WhatsApp, Telegram or social media message. The pitch usually sounds easy. You may be told you can earn money from home by completing simple online tasks.

In Rick's case, the supposed work involved uploading apps to help them get more exposure. Scammers often use vague tech terms because they sound legitimate without being easy to verify. Task scams commonly use buzzwords like "optimization tasks" or "product boosting."

That vague wording gives the scammer room to keep changing the story. One day, you are doing small tasks. Then you are told you need to deposit crypto to unlock more work, complete a set or withdraw your supposed earnings.

The scam often starts with a friendly recruiter. They may claim to represent a real company or a company name that sounds real. That detail matters because a quick online search may not be enough to protect you. Crypto job scammers often pose as employees of legitimate companies. They may contact victims by text, then push the conversation to WhatsApp, Telegram or another private messaging app.

Next, the scammer gives you access to a website or app that shows your "earnings." At first, you may even be allowed to withdraw a small amount. That early payout makes the whole setup feel legit.

Then the trap tightens. You may be told to add your own money to keep working. The fake platform may show a negative balance. A "customer service" contact may tell you that you need to deposit crypto before you can unlock your account. The FBI warns that victims are often hit with a large deposit requirement after they already have money trapped inside the platform. That is the moment many people keep paying. They are not being careless. They are trying to save the money they have already put in.

These scams are built to mess with your judgment. The fake dashboard may show commissions climbing. A group chat may include supposed workers bragging about payouts. A fake customer service rep may sound calm, professional and helpful. Scammers sometimes invite hesitant victims into group chats filled with fake success stories. The goal is simple: make you feel like everyone else understands the system and you are the only one holding back.

That pressure can make a smart person second-guess their gut. It can also create embarrassment, which helps scammers. If victims feel ashamed, they may wait longer to tell someone or report it. Rick's comment is valuable because it cuts through that shame. He did what many people would do. He researched. He stayed skeptical at first. He still got pulled in.

GOT A BANK TRANSFER ALERT TEXT? IT MIGHT BE A SCAM; HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Crypto adds speed and distance. Once you send cryptocurrency to a scammer's wallet, it can be extremely difficult to recover.

That is why scammers love it. The FTC says crypto has become the payment method of choice in many task scams. Job scam losses involving cryptocurrency have surged, according to FTC data.

The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report also shows how costly crypto fraud has become. Americans who filed cryptocurrency-related complaints reported more than $11 billion in losses in 2025.

Rick's story includes several warning signs that everyone should know. The first is the unexpected text. Real companies rarely recruit strangers by random text for easy online work.

The second is the vague job description. "Upload apps," "optimize apps," and "boost exposure" may sound tech-related, but a real employer should explain the work clearly.

The third is crypto. A legitimate employer should not require you to use crypto to get paid, unlock tasks or access earnings.

Another warning sign is the idea that the more you put in, the more you can earn. The FBI lists this as a common feature of cryptocurrency job scams.

If this happened to you, stop sending money immediately. Do not pay a "fee," "tax," "unlock charge," or "recovery deposit." That is often the next stage of the scam.

Then gather everything. Save screenshots of texts, wallet addresses, usernames, websites, transaction IDs, emails and phone numbers. Document the company or scammer name, contact methods, dates, payment methods, where funds were sent and a detailed description of the interactions.

Report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You should also contact the crypto exchange or wallet service you used. They may not be able to reverse the transfer, but reporting quickly gives you the best chance of getting the transaction flagged.

Also, watch out for recovery scams. If someone contacts you claiming they can get your crypto back for a fee, that is another major red flag.

FROM FRIENDLY TEXT TO FINANCIAL TRAP: THE NEW SCAM TREND

These scams often start with a simple message, so the best defense is to slow things down before you click, reply or send money.

If a job offer arrives out of nowhere by text, slow down. Search the company's official website on your own. Do not use links sent by the recruiter.

A real job pays you. It does not require you to deposit crypto, buy credits or "recharge" an account before you can collect earnings.

Scammers often move conversations to WhatsApp, Telegram or similar apps. That makes the scam feel more personal and harder to trace.

A website can show any number the scammer wants you to see. A growing balance on a screen does not mean real money exists.

Look up phrases from the message in quotes. Search terms like "app optimization scam," "task scam," "crypto job scam" and the company name.

If the recruiter claims to represent a real business, contact that company through its official website. Ask whether the job and recruiter are legitimate.

A fake job text may include a link to a bogus website, a fake app download or a malicious attachment. Strong antivirus software can help block dangerous links, phishing pages and malware before they do damage. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Scammers can use your name, phone number, address, job history and other personal details to make a fake job pitch sound more believable. A data removal service can help reduce how much of that information is floating around on people-search sites and data broker pages. 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.

Before sending any crypto for a job opportunity, pause and ask a trusted friend, family member or financial institution. A five-minute conversation can save thousands.

Scammers count on silence. Reporting helps investigators connect wallet addresses, websites and phone numbers to larger fraud networks.

Rick's story is a tough reminder that scams can look polished enough to fool careful people. He checked things out and still lost $10,000. That is exactly why these fake job offers are so dangerous. They mix hope, pressure, fake proof and crypto into one expensive trap. The safest rule is simple: if a job asks you to send money before you can earn money, walk away. A real paycheck should never start with you paying the employer.

Have you ever received a text offering easy online work? If so, what happened? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Smart street sensors could be watching your city next

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:19:22 -0400

New York City is expanding the use of small street activity sensors that count pedestrians, cyclists, buses and vehicles. The city says the goal is safer street design, better traffic planning and a clearer picture of how people actually use roads. That may sound like a very New York story. However, it is really a sign of where many U.S. cities could be headed.

Across America, towns and cities are trying to solve the same problems. Drivers speed through busy corridors. Pedestrians cross where there is no crosswalk. Cyclists squeeze past parked cars. Buses get stuck in traffic. City leaders often have to make expensive safety decisions with limited data. Now, sensors can watch those patterns all day and all night.

HOW SURVEILLANCE TECH LED POLICE TO ACCUSE THE WRONG PERSON

The promise is safer streets. The concern is privacy. The big question is whether cities can use this technology without making everyone feel like they are being watched.

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The New York City Department of Transportation says it will expand its street activity sensor program to about 100 locations across the five boroughs. The city first tested the sensors at 20 intersections during a pilot program that began in 2023. Now, it plans to add about 80 more locations.

The tech behind the sensors is a form of AI called computer vision. In simple terms, the device looks at the street scene and classifies what it sees. That could be a pedestrian, cyclist, car, truck, bus or scooter. NYC DOT says the processing happens in real time. The video frames are deleted nearly instantly after the sensor collects the count.

The devices are mounted on city street infrastructure, such as poles or signs. Beyond counting different road users, the sensors can also measure speeds, capture turning movements and map how people move through a street or intersection.

Traditional traffic studies often depend on workers standing near a road and counting what they see. That can work, but it has limits.

A worker may count vehicles for a few hours. A city may collect data during one part of the day. Bad weather, school schedules, holiday traffic or construction can skew what gets recorded. Smart street sensors change that.

They can collect street activity data continuously. That gives transportation officials a much broader view of what happens over time. For example, a sensor may show that pedestrians cross mid-block every morning because a crosswalk is too far away. It may show that cyclists keep swerving around loading trucks. It may show that vehicles turn too fast near a school or bus stop. That kind of information can help cities redesign streets around real behavior, not just how people are supposed to move.

Street safety often starts after something terrible happens. A crash occurs. A complaint gets filed. A dangerous intersection gets attention.

Smart sensors could help cities act sooner. The sensors can detect what transportation officials call near-misses. These are close calls that do not always show up in crash reports.

Think about a car door that swings open near a cyclist. Or a driver who turns while a pedestrian is already crossing. Or a delivery truck that blocks a driver's view at a busy corner. Nobody may get hurt in that moment. Still, the pattern can reveal real danger.

If sensors detect repeated close calls in the same place, city planners may have a stronger reason to act before a crash happens. That could mean adding a crosswalk, changing signal timing, redesigning a bike lane or adjusting how curb space gets used.

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The most interesting part of this technology may be what it shows cities about everyday habits. Roads rarely work the way they look on a planning map. People cross where it feels convenient. Cyclists avoid lanes that feel unsafe. Drivers speed up when a road feels too wide. Buses slow down when curb space gets clogged. A sensor can help document those patterns.

That could help cities answer practical questions: Are pedestrians crossing in the same unsafe spot every day? Do cyclists avoid a certain bike lane because cars block it? Do buses slow down near busy loading zones? Are drivers turning too quickly near a school? Is a street redesign actually working? Better answers could lead to better decisions. But only if cities use the data in a way people can see and understand.

This is where many people will pause. A sensor on a street pole can sound helpful. It can also sound creepy.

New York City says the sensors are designed with privacy in mind. According to the DOT, video is processed in real time and then discarded. The city says only anonymous data is kept. Faces and license plates are deliberately obscured.

That means the system is supposed to keep the traffic pattern, not the personal identity behind it.

Still, privacy concerns will not disappear with one promise from city officials. People have good reason to ask what gets collected, how long data is stored, who can access it and whether the rules could change later.

Those questions matter for every city that considers similar technology. Safer roads are important. So are clear limits on how much street-level data a city collects.

If taxpayers help fund street sensors, the public should know what the sensors find. New York City says some information will be added to its open data page. Street safety advocates want more regular reporting. That is important.

A city should not collect information from public streets and then bury the results in a hard-to-find system. Residents should be able to see whether the technology leads to safer crossings, better bike routes, faster buses or fewer dangerous close calls.

Public reporting also helps build trust. If a city says sensors protect privacy, it should show how. If officials say sensors improve safety, they should show the results. Without that transparency, even a useful technology can feel like another layer of surveillance.

WASHINGTON COURT SAYS FLOCK CAMERA IMAGES ARE PUBLIC RECORDS

Even if you do not live in New York, this rollout is worth watching. Your city may be paying attention to how New York uses this technology. If the program helps planners make safer decisions faster, similar sensors could show up near schools, busy intersections, bike corridors or downtown streets in other communities.

If you walk often, the data could support better crosswalks and safer signal timing. Cyclists may benefit from stronger evidence for protected bike lanes. Drivers could notice new street designs that slow traffic, change turns or shift parking. Bus riders may see improvements if cities use the data to find where transit gets delayed.

However, cities need clear policies before these systems spread. They should explain what the sensors collect, what they delete, who reviews the data and how the public can see the results. Safer streets are a good goal. Public trust is part of getting there.

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Smart street sensors could help cities fix dangerous roads before someone gets hurt. That is the strongest argument for this technology. If a city can spot risky patterns, identify near-misses and redesign streets based on real data, that could save lives. At the same time, cities need to handle privacy with care. People should not have to choose between safer streets and reasonable limits on public surveillance. The best version of this technology gives planners better information while keeping personal details out of the system. New York City may be one of the biggest test cases, but this is now a national conversation.

Would smart street sensors make you feel safer, or make public streets feel a little too watched? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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UK to ban TikTok, YouTube, other social media apps for children under 16, Starmer says

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:05:23 -0400

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on some of the world's largest technology companies, announcing Monday that Britain will ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms — including TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube — and impose hefty penalties on companies that fail to keep minors off their services.

The restrictions, expected to take effect early next year, would also apply to Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal, as well as YouTube Kids, would be exempt.

Starmer said he is prepared to confront resistance from technology companies and acknowledged some teenagers will try to circumvent the rules, but argued the government has a responsibility to act.

"Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy," Starmer, who has two teenage children, told reporters. "I've heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them."

AFTER AUSTRALIA PASSES SOCIAL MEDIA BAN LAWMAKERS PROBED ON WHY CONGRESS HASN'T DONE MORE TO PROTECT KIDS

The move places Britain at the forefront of a growing international push to limit children's access to social media. Australia last year became the first country to prohibit children under 16 from holding social media accounts, while Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced or proposed similar age-based restrictions. France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are among others studying or developing similar approaches.

Under the British plan, platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent kids under-16 from accessing their services could face multimillion-dollar fines. Starmer said enforcement efforts would be directed at technology companies rather than the children themselves.

The decision follows a public consultation that drew 116,000 responses from parents, children and the tech industry — the second-highest response total for a government consultation since one on same-sex marriage in 2012.

DAN GAINOR: ENGLAND DOESN’T HAVE FREE SPEECH AND WANTS TO TAKE OURS AWAY, TOO

More than 90% of respondents supported an under-16 ban, according to the government.

A YouTube spokesperson warned Monday that a blanket social media restriction could "push kids out of such curated, supervised, beneficial experiences and towards anonymous, less-safe services."

The U.S. Embassy in London warned that any regulations should be narrowly tailored and not infringe on free speech protections, while also expressing concern about additional burdens on American technology companies.

Starmer said he expected to discuss the issue with President Donald Trump and other world leaders at the G7 summit in France that starts Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FBI says Russian hackers hijacked old Wi-Fi routers

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 13:01:20 -0400

Your Wi-Fi router may be the least glamorous gadget in your home. It sits on a shelf, blinks in the corner and only gets attention when Netflix freezes. However, that little box controls a lot more than you may think.

The FBI and Justice Department say a Russian military intelligence hacking group abused vulnerable small office and home office routers to help run an espionage operation. The group is known as APT28, Fancy Bear and Forest Blizzard. It has been linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.

The hackers changed router settings so internet requests could flow through servers they controlled. That gave them a way to watch for valuable targets, redirect traffic and steal sensitive login information. The Justice Department and FBI say they disrupted the U.S. portion of the network in April. That is good news. Still, law enforcement cannot walk into your house, update your router or change the password printed on an old sticker. That part is on you.

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FBI WARNS OF HACKERS EXPLOITING OUTDATED ROUTERS. CHECK YOURS NOW

This attack focused on SOHO routers. That stands for small office and home office routers. In other words, these are the kinds of devices used by small businesses, remote workers and some homes. The Justice Department says the hackers used weaknesses in older routers to change DNS settings.

DNS is like the address book for the internet. When you type a website name, DNS helps your device find the right online destination. If hackers control that address book, they can send certain requests through their own servers. That can let them spot valuable targets and try to steal passwords, authentication tokens, emails or browsing data.

That to me is scary because the victim may not see anything obvious. Your laptop may still connect. Your phone may still browse. Your router may still look normal. Meanwhile, the traffic can be quietly routed through a bad path.

Routers age like any other device. The problem is that many people keep them for years after the manufacturer stops supporting them. That can leave known security holes sitting open.

Many people also never change the router's admin username and password. That admin login is different from your Wi-Fi password. It controls the router itself. If that login still uses a default password, a hacker has a much easier path inside.

Think of it this way. You may have strong passwords on your bank account, email and phone. But if your router is outdated and poorly protected, your network still has a soft spot.

DON'T USE YOUR HOME WI-FI BEFORE FIXING CERTAIN SECURITY RISKS

The FBI specifically referred to the TP-Link WR841N in its warning. The UK National Cyber Security Centre also listed other TP-Link models targeted by APT28. The agency says the list may not be complete.

Here are the routers named in the advisory:

If you see your model on this list, take it seriously. Many of these routers are older. Some may no longer get normal security support. We reached out to TP-Link for comments, but did not hear back before our deadline.

A spokesperson from TP-Link Systems Inc. told CyberGuy the company is aware of recent public reporting involving legacy consumer routers, including TP-Link models listed in those reports. The company said the referenced legacy router models reached End of Service and Life status several years ago.

"While these products are outside our standard maintenance lifecycle, TP-Link has developed security updates for select legacy models where technically feasible," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also urged customers using legacy or end-of-service devices to upgrade to currently supported hardware that receives regular security updates.

"As immediate precautions, users should update to the latest available firmware, disable remote management, and restrict device access to trusted internal networks only," the spokesperson said.

TP-Link added that the security of its customers is its highest priority and said detailed mitigation guidance, along with a list of identified affected legacy products, is available on its official security advisory page.

Most people do not think about their router until the Wi-Fi drops. But your router sits between your devices and the internet. That gives it a powerful position in your home or small business. If a hacker changes the router's settings, every connected device can feel the impact. That includes your laptop, smartphone, tablet, smart TV and work computer.

This is especially important if you work from home. A weak router can create a risk for your personal accounts and your workplace accounts. The good news is that you do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to lower the risk. You just need to stop treating your router like a forgotten appliance.

ETHERNET VS WI-FI SECURITY COMPARISON REVEALS SURPRISING RESULTS FOR HOME USERS SEEKING PROTECTION

The good news is that a few simple router checks can reduce your risk and help keep hackers from quietly changing how your internet traffic moves.

Look at the label on your router. You can usually find the model number on the bottom or back of the device. If it matches one of the listed models, check the manufacturer's support page for firmware updates. If the device is no longer supported, replace it. Do not keep an end-of-life router because it "still works." A router can still provide Wi-Fi while leaving your network exposed.

Firmware is the software that runs your router. Updates often fix security problems. Open your router's app or log in to its admin page. Look for a firmware update section. Turn on automatic updates if your router offers that option. If it does not, set a reminder to check for updates regularly.

Your router has an admin login. This is separate from your Wi-Fi network password. Change the default admin username and password. Use a long, unique password that you do not use anywhere else. A password manager can help you create and store a strong router password so you do not have to remember it. Also, change your Wi-Fi password if you have shared it widely or kept it for years. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com

Most people do not need to manage a home router from outside the house. Remote management can give attackers another way to reach your router. Log in to your router settings and turn it off unless you truly need it. The wording may vary by brand. Look for "remote management," "remote access" or "WAN access."

A reboot will not fix every router problem. However, security agencies often recommend restarting routers as part of basic home network hygiene. Unplug your router, wait about 30 seconds and plug it back in. This can help clear some temporary malicious activity. Still, it does not replace updates, stronger passwords or replacing an outdated device.

Do not click through browser warnings that say a site certificate is invalid or unsafe. Those warnings can appear when something is interfering with a secure connection. In this kind of attack, that warning could be a major red flag. Close the page instead. Then check the site by typing the address yourself on a trusted network.

If you handle work files or sensitive accounts from home, use your company-approved VPN. A VPN can help protect traffic when you connect to workplace systems. It can also reduce exposure when you use networks you do not fully control. Still, a VPN isn’t a free pass to ignore router updates. You need safer habits and safer hardware. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Strong antivirus software can help protect your devices if a bad link, a fake login page or a malicious download reaches you. It will not fix a vulnerable router, but it can add another layer of protection for your computer and phone. Look for security software that can detect malware, warn you about phishing sites and help block suspicious activity before it causes damage. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

If hackers steal your login details, the damage can spread beyond your Wi-Fi network. Identity theft protection can help monitor for signs that your personal information is being misused. It may alert you to suspicious activity involving your credit, accounts or personal data so you can act faster. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

A data removal service can help reduce the amount of personal information about you that is available online. That is important because scammers often combine stolen logins with exposed details from data broker sites. Removing your information from those sites can make it harder for criminals to build a fuller profile of you or your family. 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 router no longer receives security updates, replace it. That may feel annoying. I get it. Nobody gets excited about buying a router the way they might get excited about a new phone. But your router protects everything connected to it. Spending money on a supported device can be cheaper than cleaning up stolen passwords later.

This router warning should make every home and small business owner pause for a minute. The scariest part is how ordinary the target is. We are talking about routers that may be sitting in homes, home offices and small businesses right now. The FBI and its partners disrupted part of the Russian operation. However, that does not magically secure old routers still sitting on shelves. So check your model. Update the firmware. Change the admin password. Turn off remote management. Replace the router if it no longer gets updates. Your router may be boring. But if it gets hijacked, it can become one of the most important security problems in your home.

Would you know how old your router is right now, or is it one of those devices you have not touched since the day it was installed? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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New Amazon AI search turns words into shoppable images

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 07:57:10 -0400

You know that shopping moment when you can picture the exact item in your head, but you have no idea what to call it? Maybe you want a dining chair with a curved back. Maybe you are looking for a black dress with sheer sleeves, but you do not know the exact style name. So you type a few vague words, scroll through a wall of products and wonder why online shopping still feels like a guessing game.

Amazon now wants AI to help close that gap. Its newest search feature creates AI-generated images in real time as you type inside the Amazon Shopping app. The idea sounds simple: describe what you see in your head, watch the image change with your words and tap the version that looks closest to what you want.

From there, Amazon shows visually similar products you can actually shop. Here's how the new search experience works and why it could change the way you browse for clothes, furniture and home finds.

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AI HOME SEARCH COULD CHANGE HOW YOU BUY A HOUSE

Amazon says the new feature appears in the search suggestions area of its Shopping app for U.S. customers. It is rolling out on iOS and Android, starting with apparel and home, where looks carry a lot of weight. Amazon says more categories will be added over time.

That makes sense. Visual details can make or break a purchase. A "blue chair" may give you thousands of results. A "blue velvet accent chair with gold legs" gets closer. Add "curved back" or "tufted seat," and the AI image can shift as your description gets sharper.

Instead of forcing you to know the right design term, Amazon lets you describe the look. Then the app turns that description into a visual cue.

You start by typing into the Amazon search bar the way you normally would. However, this time, Amazon wants you to use more descriptive language.

For example, you might type: "green dress with puff sleeves" or "wood coffee table with rounded edges."

As you add details, AI-generated images appear below the search bar. Those images update as you refine your wording. When one looks close to what you imagined, you can tap it and shop for products with a similar look.

That last part is important because the AI image itself may not represent a real product listing. It works more like a visual guide. Amazon uses it to understand the style you want, then matches that idea to items in its store.

HOW GOOGLE’S ‘ASK PHOTOS’ USES AI TO FIND THE PICTURES YOU WANT

The best use case here involves those hard-to-describe purchases. Furniture, clothing, accessories and decor often depend on texture, shape, pattern and color.

Search has always handled exact terms pretty well. Type a brand name or model number, and you usually get somewhere useful. The problem starts when you know the vibe but not the vocabulary.

Amazon's AI search could help when you want:

That could save time, especially for those of you who browse with a mental image instead of a shopping list.

There is just one big caution here: AI can create something that looks perfect but may not exist. That could lead to disappointment if the generated image looks better than the real products Amazon surfaces afterward. Shoppers may tap an image expecting an exact match and end up with close-enough results.

So treat the AI image as a sketch, not a product promise. Before you buy, check the actual listing photos, dimensions, materials, reviews and return policy. That extra minute can save you from ordering a "close match" that misses the detail you cared about most.

The new real-time AI image search fits into a larger push by Amazon to make shopping more visual. Amazon Lens already lets you point your phone camera at an item and search for similar products. Lens Live takes that further by scanning items in real time and showing matching products in a swipeable carousel.

You can also add text to an image search. So, if you upload a photo of a beige sofa, you can add a note like "in white" or "smaller size" to narrow the results.

Amazon also offers a "More like this" option on product images. That can help when you like one product's look but want a different sleeve, length, color or style.

For iPhone users, Amazon Lens can also launch from the lock screen through a widget. That means you can spot something in the real world and search for it faster.

Amazon is also using AI-generated style images in apparel search results. When you search for clothing, you may see "Shop by style" collages tied to looks such as "Urban luxe" or "Soft elegance."

Tap a collage, and Amazon takes you to a page with shoppable items, similar products and style options you can browse. That makes the experience feel closer to a digital stylist than a basic product search.

It could help those of you who want outfit ideas rather than a single item. However, the same caution applies. Use the AI styling as inspiration, then judge the actual products on their own.

5 E-COMMERCE TECH TERMS EVERY SHOPPER SHOULD KNOW

Amazon wants to make search feel less like typing keywords and more like describing a picture. That could make it easier to find products when you lack the exact name for a style, material or shape. It may also make browsing feel more personal and less frustrating.

Still, AI shopping tools can nudge you toward impulse buys. A polished image may make a product idea feel more appealing before you compare prices or check quality. So use the feature as a starting point, not the final word.

The smartest approach is simple: describe what you want, use the AI image to narrow your search and then slow down before checkout. Look at the real listing, read recent reviews and confirm the details that matter to you.

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Amazon's new AI search could make online shopping feel more natural for those of you who think visually. Instead of guessing the right product term, you can type what you imagine and let the app build a picture from your words. That could be genuinely useful for home decor and fashion, where small details often decide whether something feels right. At the same time, shoppers should remember that AI images can create expectations that real products may not match. So yes, Amazon's search bar may soon feel more creative. The bigger question is whether that creativity helps you buy smarter or simply makes you want more.

Would you trust an AI-generated shopping image to guide your next purchase, or would it make you more skeptical before clicking buy? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Beware of hackers showing up pretending to be IT

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

A person walks into an office, says he is 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 the hacker sit sat a workstation, he can copy sensitive files, gain more access and leave behind malware.

Then he walks away. The company may not hear from him 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. He may say they need to troubleshoot a problem, update a system or check a device. Once seated at the computer, the hacker inserts a USB drive or external hard drive. From there, he can pull off files and quietly increase their access.

The FBI says the group uses stolen data to extort victims. It threatens to sell the files or post them online. It 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 him 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 his 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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