Antivirus isn't just for your computer - Here's why you should protect your smartphone, too
You probably know that antivirus software is essential for your computer. Without it, you’re browsing without protection, exposing yourself to ransomware, viruses, Trojans, spyware and countless other threats. But your computer isn’t the only gadget that needs antivirus protection.
🦾 The ultimate brainchild: Elon Musk’s Neuralink is moving to the next phase of human testing: A brain implant and robotic arm to help people with paralysis control devices using just their thoughts. Two patients in the U.S. are testing it, and Canada is recruiting six more. I had such a good chat with the very first Neuralink patient.
1,000-plus
Fake news sites tied to China that were just blocked by Google. The Glassbridge network was trying to pass off communist propaganda as “journalism.” One firm ran over 600 sites. The real question: Why did it take Google this long to spot and remove them?
Minimalist vibes, maximalist court fees: One influencer is suing another, claiming she copied her posts and “aesthetic.” Both hawk Amazon affiliate links for minimalistic “clean girl” products (aka everything boring and beige). Can vibes be copyrighted? Common sense tells me no.
Netflix, just chill: When Netflix banned shared passwords about 18 months ago, they’d send occasional emails to request verification. Now, these emails are more frequent, and people are getting logged out. Duh, Netflix wants that $7.99 extra member fee. Netflix’s profits soared after the password-sharing crackdown, jumping to $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2024; that’s up 79% from the same quarter in 2023.
🔊 “A Swiss Army knife for sound”: That’s what Nvidia is calling Fugatto, its new AI audio generator. As you might expect, people are using it to create bizarre sounds from their text prompts, like turning the sound of a train into a string orchestra. Fugatto’s creators think it could spark new music genres like the electric guitar did. Listen for yourself.
A criminal’s best asset is his lie ability: A moron from Missouri thought he could land a job by hacking into businesses and offering them cybersecurity help. Spoiler: It didn’t end well. Nicholas Kloster was arrested after he hacked into a health club and bragged online about taking over their security cameras and lowering his membership to $1. The FBI and local police were not amused.
56% fewer
Job postings out there for software developers. AI tools are taking the place of entry-level developers. The tech boot camps (paywall link) that used to help up to 90% of people get jobs are now helping only 50%. One analyst says it’s the worst hiring period for entry-level tech jobs in 25 years. Tell your kid to major in something else.
🤑 Swimming in bitcoin? Cryptocurrency values are off the charts right now. The IRS also noticed and is ready to tax all your sweet gains. There are new rules (paywall link) coming next year. Brokers will have to report all crypto sales, and you can now donate up to $18,000 to charity each year tax-free. I’m sure some will try to use the word “charity” very loosely.
20 drivers stranded
When GPS directions led them to a snowy, unpaved road. Drivers were trying to avoid traffic on an Oregon interstate. It took hours for rescuers to clear a path. Always double-check your GPS directions. I changed my GPS so instead of hearing, “You have reached your destination,” it says, “Whoomp, there it is!”