Is the crypto craze losing steam amid rising scams and government regulations? I have the inside scoop in this 60-second podcast.
Reader question: Is it safe to hit the ‘unsubscribe’ button on spam?
I got an email from a reader asking if hitting the “unsubscribe” button in her inbox is smart. Like many things in tech, it depends. In some cases, reacting to spammers might make your email a hot commodity, leading to more unwanted emails or even a spot on a “for sale” list.
Here’s the lowdown on how to stop getting emails you don’t want — without opening yourself up to more junk.
It could go one of two ways
With reputable companies, clicking unsubscribe should do the trick. If you’re receiving newsletters or promotional emails from brands you know, they generally follow email marketing regulations.
For unsolicited spam from unknown senders? Clicking unsubscribe may indeed make things worse. You inadvertently confirm that your email address is active … possibly leading to even more spam.
‘How do I know what to pick, Kim?’
Stick to familiar ground: If the email is from a trusted source (think brands you’ve shopped with or newsletters you’ve signed up for), go ahead and hit that unsubscribe button.
Dodge the unknown: If it’s a random email about a long-lost prince or a miracle cure, steer clear of the unsubscribe link. Mark the email as spam in your email client.
For Outlook:
- Select the messages you want to report as junk.
- From the top toolbar, select Report > Report Junk.
For Apple Mail:
- On your iPhone or iPad, swipe left on the message, tap More, then Move to Junk.
Messaging or emailing your doctor? Be careful, it might cost you
If you have a question for your doctor, but it’s not an emergency, sending an email is the easiest way to communicate. But beware. Some doctors are now charging a fee to send emails or text messages.
Read on for details on why doctors are considering a fee for answering medical questions by email.
Another “godfather”: There seems to be at least a dozen people claiming to be the “godfather” of AI. The newest says OpenAI’s latest o1 model can scheme and deceive us. Yoshua Bengio is calling for better testing and regulatory oversight before things spiral out of control. Researchers have already found o1 is better at lying than previous models. OpenAI’s response? It’s safe. Uh-huh.
7,000 pancreases
Listed as missing and never transplanted from 2021 to 2023. There’s a loophole in federal transplant regulations that allows organ procurement organizations to use pancreas cells for diabetes clinical trials. Meanwhile, there are folks sitting on the waiting list for these organs and the operations aren’t happening.
Stores and restaurants open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve
Season’s Greetings! The countdown to Christmas is speeding up, and hopefully, you have most of your holiday and grocery shopping finished. Tap or click here for some shipping deadlines to consider.
Most retail outlets are closed on major holidays, and Christmas might be considered the biggest holiday of the year. Even so, there are still some stores and restaurants that will remain open for guests and patrons to shop and eat.
Google just banned these apps with millions of downloads
Online dating has been around for many years, with apps like Tinder and Bumble exploding in popularity. Especially when people were encouraged to stay home during a pandemic, online dating seemed like the next best thing.
🛡️ A win against deepfakes: The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the first bill to crack down on AI porn. The bill will let victims sue anyone who creates or distributes explicit content depicting the victims without their consent, with a 10-year statute of limitations. You know more regulations are coming.
Game night is getting real: Soon, you’ll be able to bet real money on arcade games like Skee-Ball and Hot Shots basketball. Using the Dave & Buster’s app, loyalty members can wager between $5 and $10. How is this legal, you ask? Since these are “skill-based” games, not “games of chance,” they bypass the usual gambling licenses and regulations.
Privacy warning: Do mental health apps share your data?
No matter what you do online, your privacy should be a priority. Whether you’re shopping or working, your information and data are at risk.
There are ways to protect yourself, including changing your browsing habits, keeping your devices updated and more. Tap or click here to see how a virtual private network can help keep you safe.
5G utility boxes are going up in front yards without notice
How shocked would you be if an unsightly metal utility box popped up on your front lawn — seemingly overnight? These boxes are not part of an elaborate inter-state art project and have nothing to do with the mysterious monoliths.
Worst companies for data privacy? You've got to see this list
At Komando.com, we’re always on the lookout for new information that will help you protect your online privacy. The digital world is constantly changing, and making informed decisions about where you share your data is critical in this day and age. With so many platforms to socialize and do business with, knowing safe places from unsafe ones can mean the difference between browsing in peace versus facing down hackers, targeted advertising, or worse.