293% increase

🥽 So long, farewell: Microsoft is pulling the plug on its HoloLens headsets, once promised to power the future of virtual worlds. Womp, womp. The HoloLens 2 will receive security and software updates until the end of 2027. If you own the original HoloLens, software support ends Dec. 10. Don’t buy one if you see it on sale.

A U.S. senator was deepfake duped: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, D-Md., had a Zoom call with a scammer posing as Ukraine’s former foreign minister. The deepfake looked and sounded just like the real guy, and the scammer pressed for Cardin’s opinions on sensitive foreign policy and the upcoming election. Cardin got suspicious and the call ended. It’s still unclear who was behind it.

Honesty is the best, honestly: Some unemployed Gen Zers are putting a #Desperate banner on their LinkedIn profiles. They’re applying for jobs, barely getting responses, and they figure there’s no harm in being totally transparent. Remember: “He who mentions price first loses.”

🛡️ Microsoft offers built-in ransomware protection for Windows PCs: The catch? You must use OneDrive to back up your data. Keep in mind it’s not 100% foolproof, either. If you want to try it, open the Windows Security app > Virus & threat protection > Manage ransomware protection, and turn on Controlled folder access. It’s free for now, but I’ll bet they’ll start charging for this soon.

🔥 Jeeps recalled: Nearly 200,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs can catch on fire, even with the ignitions off. Yikes! If you have a 2020 to 2024 Wrangler 4xe or 2022 to 2024 Grand Cherokee 4xe, call your dealership ASAP. Don’t charge it, and be sure to keep it outside, away from all structures.

Drone on: U.S. officials have a bright idea to defend military bases from drone attacks — defensive drones. This comes after months of deadly drone strikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East by Iran-linked groups. For now, U.S. troops will need to rely on electronic jamming and anti-aircraft guns; defensive drones could take another two years to roll out.

💊 Killer online pharmacies: Cybercriminals set up online pharmacies selling counterfeit pills disguised as prescription drugs. Adderall, Xanax and oxycodone knockoffs were laced with deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl. At least nine people have died. Please, please stick to real pharmacies for all your medications.

Weird science: A scientist claims our universe might be an advanced computer simulation, and the proof is in the Bible. The Gospel of John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He says “the Word” refers to the underlying computer code controlling the simulation. I know what you’re thinking: “Whoa, this is too much for my brain. I’m going to see if Prince Harry is divorcing Meghan Markle yet.”