Tech Refresh: Taking down the internet, sending secret messages, tech spring cleaning

April 16, 2021

Kim has the story of a guy who tried (and failed) to take down the internet. Is that even possible? A look at Google’s new ad tracking tech that might be active in your browser right now, and a secret way to send hidden messages from iPhone to iPhone. Find out how the crew cleans their tech inside and out, and see if Ben can fool Mike and Allie in Brand New or Not True.

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Have an F-150 or Mustang Mach-E? Soon you could drive hands-free

Many modern cars have some level of driver-assist. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic braking, once only found on high-end luxury cars, have trickled down to more affordable vehicles.

Self-driving cars are one possible future the automotive industry is looking towards. Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Super Cruise are making strides, and you can find this developing tech from other manufacturers, including Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, BMW and Audi. Even Apple may be adding autonomous driving to its rumored production car.

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Call and text history exposed for millions of cellphone owners

The U.S government has made several legislative changes over the last year to minimize the ongoing pandemic impact. One such change was to help low-income families with mobile data and easier ways to look for a job. Tap or click here for a tool that helps find your perfect career.

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Selling something online? Reveal your real number and someone could hack your accounts

As long as the internet exists, there will be scams. This is an unfortunate reality. We can only hope to be as vigilant as possible, but even the most careful people out there can fall victim.

A little extra pocket money is always useful, especially during a pandemic. One way to supplement income is to sell your old stuff. This can become quite lucrative if you have the right item and buyer lined up. Tap or click here to see how easy it is to sell old trading cards on eBay.

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Prepare to be shocked: See everywhere Facebook has followed you around the web

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that social media giant Facebook knows a lot about you. Most people fill out their profile information as thoroughly as possible, allowing them to connect to more people.

Besides signing into different websites and services with your Facebook credentials, you could reasonably expect that it stops tracking you as soon as you leave the platform. After all, what business does it have knowing what you do? Another Facebook data breach? Tap or click here to find out if your account was exposed.

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5 sites for checking your grammar

There is nothing worse than sending off a business email or posting a blog entry, only to realize later that you have typos or poor grammar. How did that happen? After all, you use Microsoft Word, which has a built-in spell-checking feature. Unfortunately, this type of spell checker is basic, nothing fancy.

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2.5M wireless hotspots recalled due to overheating batteries and fire risk

Smartphones have made the internet even more widespread than before their advent. Now we are connected 24/7. Many of us need the internet for our jobs as well.

What happens when you don’t have a signal or an open hotspot? You bring one with you, of course! Thanks to mobile hotspots, we can now be connected to our social media and email wherever we go. Tap or click here to find out how to set up a mobile hotspot.

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This support scam tricks you with a fake antivirus bill

We all can use a little support lately. There’s enough to worry about without pulling your hair out over the tech that currently drives careers, social engagement and education.

When something goes wrong with a device or service, you reach out to customer support. But what do you do if they reach out first, seemingly out of the blue? The truth is it’s most likely a scam. Tap or click here to see how to spot these types of crooked dealings.

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Data from another social media site leaked - Watch out for scams

For many, social media platforms are the primary way of communicating with friends and family during the pandemic. It has also served as a great way for people to remain in contact with old acquaintances.

But recently several social media platforms have come under attack from hackers, stealing millions of records and personal information. Earlier this month, hackers made off with 533 million Facebook records. Tap or click here to find out if your account was exposed.

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Can AI guess your emotions? Try this online game to see

Are you a master of disguise, or do you have a solid poker face? Think that you could fool artificial intelligence with your facial movements?

A group of social scientists created a game where the AI is designed to read your emotions through facial expressions. Tap or click here for a frightening example of how thieves are using AI to create ransomware threats.

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5 things you cannot remove about your personal life online

Ever hear about a digital footprint? Well, unless you’re a survival camper in the woods, you have one. With most of us living our lives online through social media, you’d be horrified to find out how much the internet knows about you. Tap or click here to see everything Google knows about you with one search.

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