Signal has been in the news a lot lately, and maybe you’ve been wondering what it is.
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Signal is a free app you can use to send messages, make phone calls, and video chat with friends and family. It works a lot like WhatsApp or iMessage—you can send texts, pictures, videos, and even have group chats.

What makes Signal different is that it’s built for privacy. Everything you send on Signal is protected so that only you and the person you’re talking to can see or hear it. Not even the people who run Signal can read your messages.

Signal also doesn’t collect your personal information. It doesn’t store your messages or track who you’re talking to. It’s made by a nonprofit organization, not a big company trying to make money off your data.

That said, no app is 100% foolproof. If someone has access to your phone, they can still read your messages. And if you’re talking to someone who takes screenshots or shares what you say, Signal can’t prevent that. So while it’s one of the safest options out there, it’s still smart to be careful about what you share.
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If you want a simple, secure way to talk to people without being spied on or tracked, Signal is a great choice.

​Hackers are now using AI to make cyberattacks even easier and more dangerous. In the past, cybercriminals had to do a lot of work to steal passwords or trick people into clicking harmful links. Now, they can use AI to do most of the work for them.

Recently, researchers showed how AI can be tricked into helping hackers. One test got AI on to create a fake email designed to steal someone’s personal information. Another test tricked AI into building malware on the Chrome browser—a type of software that can steal login details, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data.

The scary part is that AI isn’t always able to tell when it’s doing something bad. If someone frames the request in a certain way, AI might help them without realizing it. This means cybercriminals can now create scams and harmful software faster than ever before.

Because of this, traditional security measures like passwords and basic two-factor authentication (2FA) aren’t enough anymore. To protect yourself, switch to passkeys, use app-based authentication instead of text message codes, and be extra careful about where you store your passwords. AI-powered threats aren’t just a possibility—they’re already happening.

The FBI and cybersecurity experts are warning people who use Gmail, Outlook, or other email services about a big online scam called Medusa.

Medusa is a bunch of hackers who break into computers and demand money to give access back. They’ve been doing this since 2021, and now they work with other hackers to hit even more people.
They usually trick people into clicking bad links or opening fake emails. Once they’re in, they lock your files so you can’t use them. Then, they demand money and threaten to leak your personal information if you don’t pay up.

By early 2025, Medusa had already hit over 300 businesses, including hospitals, schools, law firms, insurance companies, and tech companies. They like to target places with weak security because it makes their job easier.

To protect yourself, use strong passwords and turn on extra security steps like two-factor authentication (MFA) for email and other important accounts. Also, keep your computer, phone, and apps updated so hackers have a harder time getting in.

Think of virus protection like a guard dog for your computer. If it’s out of date, it won’t catch new threats. Make sure your antivirus software is updated so it can stop hackers before they cause trouble.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is like a secret tunnel for your internet connection. It hides what you’re doing online and keeps your information safe from hackers. If you ever use public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop or airport, a VPN helps keep bad guys from stealing your info. It’s an easy way to add an extra layer of security and keep your private stuff private.
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Online scams and hackers aren’t going away anytime soon, but taking a few simple steps can make a big difference in keeping your personal information safe. Stay cautious, think before clicking on links, and keep your security tools up to date. A little effort now can save you from a big headache later.

We say "please" and "thank you" to people all the time, but do we really need to extend the same courtesy to chatbots? Since they don’t have feelings, it might seem unnecessary. But some people argue there’s still value in keeping up polite habits, even when talking to AI. Others think it’s just a waste of time. So, does it actually matter?

On one hand, being polite to chatbots might help us maintain good manners in general. If we get used to barking commands at AI, there’s a chance that attitude could slip into how we talk to actual people. This is especially important for kids, who are still learning social norms. Plus, being nice—even to a chatbot—can put us in a better mood. Saying "please" and "thank you" is a small thing, but it can create a more positive tone in daily interactions.

There’s also the argument that how we talk to AI could influence how AI is designed in the future. If people consistently use polite language, developers might lean toward programming AI that promotes kindness and respectful communication. Maybe a world where people say "please" to their chatbots is one where we all get along a little better.

But then again, chatbots aren’t people. They don’t care how we talk to them, and being overly polite doesn’t actually change how they respond. For some, adding extra words like "please" just makes things slower and less efficient. If you’re just trying to get an answer or complete a task, cutting to the chase makes sense.
There’s also the concern that treating AI like it has feelings might blur the lines between machines and humans. Chatbots might seem friendly, but they don’t have emotions, and it’s important to remember they’re just tools. Being polite to AI is harmless, but getting too attached to the idea that they "deserve" kindness could lead to some weird social dynamics.
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At the end of the day, it’s really up to you. If saying "please" and "thank you" feels natural, go for it. If you’d rather keep things short and direct, that’s fine too—your chatbot won’t hold a grudge. Just make sure you save your best manners for the real people in your life, because they’re the ones who actually care.

​Spyzie, a shady stalkerware app used to secretly monitor people's phones, got hacked—big time. This breach exposed a ton of private data, putting both the spies and their targets at risk.

Stalkerware apps like Spyzie claim to be for “parental control,” but let’s be real—people often use them to spy on partners, employees, or others without consent. These apps collect everything from text messages and call logs to GPS locations and social media activity, all while staying hidden. But in a major security fail, Spyzie didn’t even bother to properly secure this data, making it easy for hackers to access and leak.

Reports say that the breach exposed usernames, passwords, phone details, and even surveillance logs. To make things worse, Spyzie didn’t use encryption, meaning hackers could just grab the data without much effort. This is a huge wake-up call about the dangers of spyware—not only is it creepy and invasive, but it’s also a massive security risk.

Experts are urging people to stay alert for stalkerware by checking for suspicious activity on their devices, keeping software updated, and using strong passwords. Meanwhile, privacy advocates are calling for tougher laws against these sketchy surveillance tools.

The bottom line? If a company’s entire business model is based on sneaky spying, chances are they don’t care much about security either. The Spyzie hack is just another reminder that privacy and cybersecurity should always come first.

Remember when Skype was the way to video call? Whether it was catching up with friends, awkward work meetings, or trying to explain tech issues to your parents, Skype was everywhere. But after years of decline, it's finally shutting down—and honestly, it’s not that surprising.

Skype used to be king, but it slowly lost its crown. It got slow and buggy, making it frustrating to use. At the same time, better options like Zoom, FaceTime, and WhatsApp came along, offering smoother, easier video calls. Microsoft, which bought Skype in 2011, focused more on pushing Teams for work calls, leaving Skype to fade into the background. People just moved on, and Skype never really caught up.

Even though it’s disappearing, Skype still had a huge impact. It was a game-changer in its time, helping people stay connected across the world. It walked so Zoom and FaceTime could run. Now, it’s heading off into internet history, joining the ranks of MySpace and AIM.
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RIP Skype, and thanks for the memories.