Tech Refresh: Bezos in space, crypto scam warning, clear duplicate contacts

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Jeff Bezos went to space and back and had a, well, unusual way of thanking all of us for it. Security cameras are watching at just about every store; some are smarter than others. In the tech tip, Ben has details on how to find and clean up all your duplicate Google contacts.

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Before your next Google search, beware of these spam ads distributing malware

A preferred method for cybercriminals to deliver malware is through phishing emails and spam messages. It has generally yielded enough victims for them to use those tactics continually. But criminals are also exploring different ways of beating antivirus systems.

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2 smartphone screens are cracked every second in the US - How to protect yours

If you’re a smartphone owner, you understand the fear associated with dropping your precious device on the ground. Dropping your phone is one thing — after all, you might crack the screen or lose valuable information — but there’s a special kind of loss you feel when you drop your phone and hear that heartbreaking shatter.

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Patch your printer! Millions of devices impacted by 16-year-old flaw

Office equipment and home peripherals are bought and installed daily. New owners blissfully going through the motions recommended by the manufacturer as usually things like printers, webcams, or card readers need software drivers to work. Tap or click here for free programs to keep your computer software up to date.

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Retail stores that are using AI to track you and those that refuse [Full list]

There is a line in the theme song lyrics to the sitcom “Cheers” where it says that the bar is “where everybody knows your name.” That might have been a fictional place, but it turns out that some stores are a place where everybody knows your face.

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Suspect someone of hacking the US government? There's $10M in reward money on the line

Hackers are a persistent threat to anyone with an internet connection, but some widen their scope to target companies, militaries and governments. When this happens the risk spreads to anyone connected to that network and beyond.

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Considering an electric car? Chevy is warning of a dangerous fire risk

Electric vehicles might be somewhat better for the environment, but several models have proven to be a danger to owners. Over the last few years, a variety of EV cars have been recalled over different issues.

Earlier this year, a Tesla S Plaid caught fire while the driver was still in the car. The owner had to force his way out of the vehicle, as the blaze seemingly caused the door locks to malfunction. The exact cause of the fire hasn’t been determined yet.

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Smartphone security: Do you need a VPN on your phone?

Compared to computers, smartphones have weak defenses and easy-to-crack passwords. They’ve also got a ton of valuable data. Just think about everything on your phone.

Chances are your work email is connected, which means a savvy cybercriminal could steal your company’s secrets. There’s also your contacts list, which is stuffed with phone numbers and maybe even emails.

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How to enable celebrity voices like Shaq on your Amazon Echo

Mobile navigation devices like TomTom and Garmin had a host of celebrity voices that could give you directions. As things shifted towards a smartphone-driven society, bulky GPS devices fell out of favor.

But the appetite remained for celebrities to tell you what your day is going to be like and the weather you can expect. To bring the two together, Amazon’s Alexa introduced the voice of actor Samuel L. Jackson in 2019.

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This great freebie from Google stops annoying robocalls and gives you a second phone number

Fun fact: Two of the most popular tips on my website over the years are all about blocking your number and revealing the identity of blocked or strange numbers calling you.

I get the curiosity. It’s not always a robocaller ringing you from a number you don’t recognize. Tap or click here for four ways to find anyone’s cellphone number online.

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Can cellphones cause cancer? 5 steps to minimize the risk

I have lost count of the number of times someone has called my national radio show or emailed me asking about a tech myth.

Here’s one I’m asked quite a bit. Will charging your phone overnight ruin the battery? Tap or click for my final ruling.

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