Alexa can update you on your favorite teams: In the Alexa app, open Settings > Sports Update. Add your teams (you’ll find all the major American sports), and then say, “Alexa, give me my sports update” for scores and schedule info.
Scam watch: 3 scams spreading like fire across the U.S.
Scammers are clever, but they’re not very creative. Most of their tricks are recycled versions of tricks that worked in the past. There are a few I’ve seen cropping up again because criminals know they work every time.
When these hit my timeline, I make sure to pass them on to you. I want you to be prepared and not a victim.
⚖️ Your day in court
Police in several cities are warning about this scam. You get a phone call that looks like it’s coming from law enforcement. The voice on the other end lays it on thick, claiming you’ve failed to appear for a court date, and — oh, boy — they’ve got a warrant out for you. Just pay over the phone and this mess will disappear … not.
- Always ask questions: Actual law enforcement officers won’t demand payments over the phone.
- Caller IDs can be faked: Spoofing is a common trick to make calls look real.
📦 The delivery text snare
You get a text that appears to be from the USPS. “Click here,” it says, adding, “Your package can’t be delivered until you update your address.” It’s crazy to me these scams continue to work. Folks, don’t believe ‘em, and warn your loved ones.
- No link? No problem: Official USPS communications won’t include unsolicited links.
- Check the details: Always keep track of what you ordered, where you ordered it from and how it should arrive.
- Guard your info: Never — and I mean NEVER — give out your personal data through a random text link.
⛽ Gas station skimmer alerts
An email in your inbox warns about gas station credit card skimmers. All you have to do is click a link for a list of affected locations. It’s a trap!
- Just delete: Treat unsolicited emails like uninvited guests. Don’t let them in.
- Inspect before you swipe: Always give a visual check to any payment terminal. Pay inside or move to the next pump if yours looks sketchy.
Stay informed, be skeptical and protect your personal info like it’s gold — because to you and these scammers, it is.
National Public Data breach: How to protect yourself and your SSN
National Public Data, a company that collects information from nonpublic sources without consent, according to a class-action lawsuit (paywall link), has been hit by a massive data breach. The company makes money by selling personal data to employers, private investigators and anyone conducting background checks.
Hackers steal $285M in Bitcoin
$285 million in crypto — gone. Two hackers stole over 4,100 Bitcoin from a billionaire, but they didn’t get away with it. Plus, tips for using Perplexity AI, a shocking Titan submersible update, and a fantasy football fan caught sending fake threats.
This Zoom feature isn’t even remotely funny: Zoom’s new AI companion takes notes, summarizes meetings and even tells you who talked most. Click the magic wand icon below the main video window to use it. You can ask it for a quick update or to pull out action items from the discussion, too. Fine print: Available for paid plans only.
64% fewer stolen cars
After Kia and Hyundai’s anti-theft software upgrades. The 2023 free update fixed shoddy security measures that made it way too easy to steal the vehicles. Drive one and not sure if you got the update? Call your dealership.
🍏 Apple Intelligence update: Apple’s AI, built for iOS 18, will drop across several updates. Some ETAs: iOS 18.1 in October brings Siri’s new interface, natural conversation ability, and call recording and transcription. In December, iOS 18.2 brings image generation and ChatGPT integration. By March 2025, iOS 18.3 or 18.4 will add Siri’s on-screen awareness and app control.
🚨 Major macOS warning: Apple’s latest macOS Sequoia update is breaking big-time cybersecurity tools from Microsoft, SentinelOne, CrowdStrike and others. Some people also claim Firefox stopped working for them after the upgrade. Pro tip: Wait a few weeks before installing a new OS, and always have a backup.
🔑 Open sesame: An update to Google’s Password Manager lets you sync passkeys across Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Previously, passkeys only worked on Android, and using them on other devices required scanning a QR code. Use a Chromebook or iPhone? Sit tight, you’re next to get the update.
🚨 $1,300 paperweight: If you have a brand-spankin’-new iPad Pro with an M4 chip, do not download the iOS 18 update! It’s bricking Apple tablets, causing them to shut down and fail to restart. There’s no fix yet. If you’ve already been hit, take your iPad to the Apple Store for a replacement.
Top reason to upgrade your phone to iOS 18
If you’ve got an iPhone, Apple’s latest iOS 18 update is free — and here’s why you should upgrade now.
🔄 Patch Tuesday: Microsoft rolled out fixes for 79 flaws, including four zero-days. One of the worst is a Windows Update that could roll back security fixes. Yikes. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates.
Update Chrome now: Google just dropped an update that fixes four high-severity vulnerabilities. No details yet on whether hackers have exploited them, but don’t wait to find out. In Chrome, go to Settings > About Chrome, download the latest patch, and hit Relaunch. You should be on version 128.0.6613.137 or 128.0.6613.138, depending on your OS.
Ram recall: Over 1.4 million Ram 1500 pickups from 2019 and 2021 to 2024 have a bug in the antilock brake system that could lead to crashes. Major red flag: Warning lights for your ABS, ESC, adaptive cruise control and forward collision systems. Call your dealership ASAP for a software update.
⚠️ Update ASAP: There’s a nasty zero-day flaw in Google Chrome that could let hackers run malicious code and take control of your computer. Protect yourself now: Go to Settings > About Chrome, download the latest patch and hit Relaunch. You should be on version 128.0.6613.85.
🚫 Ad crackdown: Google Chrome is tightening its grip on ad blockers, and the mega-popular uBlock Origin is getting the boot. New browser extension rules will automatically disable the ad blocker relied on by over 30 million Chrome users in an upcoming update. Heads-up if you have it: An updated version, uBlock Origin Lite, is already available.
Don't update older iPhones to iOS 18
Thinking about updating? You might want to hold off — sticking with your current version could save you a lot of headaches.
Delta lost $500 million in the CrowdStrike Windows outage: It took down 8.5 million PCs. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said, “When was the last time you heard about a big outage at Apple?” Ouch. Insider secret: Apple gives developers much lower access to their key internal framework so it’s unlikely a single update could do big damage.
Buy or build a PC in the past two years? If your PC has a 13th- or 14th-gen Intel CPU (like the Core i5-13400 or Core i9-14900K), Intel might owe you a new chip. They’re releasing an update this month for the crash-prone chips and extending its warranty by two years. If your PC is already crashing, the update won’t help. Reach out to Intel or your PC manufacturer.