Ransomware by snail mail?

March 7, 2025

📬 Ransomware by snail mail? It’s happening. Cybercriminals are now sending ransom demands through postal mail. The letters warn folks that their networks have been compromised and sensitive info stolen. The price to keep it private? $250,000 to $350,000 in bitcoin, due in 10 days. And because they’re oh-so-considerate, they include a QR code so you can send the crypto right to their wallet.

Tags: bitcoin, cybercriminals, Now, price, ransomware

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Coming to Google Gemini: Show to tell

Soon, you can open up your phone’s camera with Google Gemini to know what you’re seeing or answer questions in real time. Watch it in action. Now, imagine all the uses from knowing what you’re looking at when traveling to identifying a skin rash that your doctor will say, “You’re a sight for psoriasis.” (I saw you smile!)

Fresh and flawless

When life gets a little messy, I’ve got the fixes for you.

We’re approaching the window-open season. Grab an air purifier (16% off) while they’re on sale.
These duster sponges (15% off) wipe away all the muck from your floorboards, blinds or wherever.
Spill your drink on your favorite shirt? Whip out a Tide pen ($7.88) and that stain’s history.
Downy wrinkle releaser spray ($11.96) is like an iron in a bottle.
If you’re hunting for an actual clothes steamer, I found one (20% off).

🏠 Home upgrade? Check out my handpicked favorites to get your place all ready in time for spring.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

15 minutes

Before your plane takes off, arrive at the airport. I bet that just stressed you out. This “airport theory” has almost 400 million views on TikTok. Some folks breezed through security and made it on time. Others weren’t so lucky. Don’t chance it.

33 mushers

Are taking on this year’s Iditarod dogsled race in Alaska because the usual route didn’t get enough snow. There are normally 50 to 75 mushers. The new course is farther north and now stretches a record 1,128 miles, forcing racers through endless wilderness and brutal blizzards (paywall link). You know, life is like a dogsled team. If you’re not the lead dog, the view is always the same.

$5,700

Asking price for 509-SWIFTIE. That’s the phone number 509-794-3843. Taylor Swift-related phone numbers have become a hot commodity. Also for sale: 75-ERAS-TOUR for $4,500 and 41-SWIFT-ERA for $3,300. I have a Roomba that I named “Taylor Swiffer.” I named my iPhone “My little phoney.” Before you ask, none of my tech is named “Hugh Jass.”

6 Google Pixels

Inspected the New York City subway system. They were placed on subway cars from September to January to check for things like broken rails and signals. Using AI, they collected 335 million vibration and sound readings and found 92% of issues human inspectors spotted later. Neat.

$100 billion

U.S. investment from Taiwanese chip company TSMC. They make over 90% of the world’s advanced computer chips. That money will go toward three fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities and a major research and development center. That’s a heck of a lot of jobs here in the USA!

1,500 parts

In business class seats on new airplanes. They come with heated and cooling options, big HD screens and comfy beds. The R7 from seat manufacturer Germany’s Recaro weighs 176 pounds. Older seats weighed as much as 350 pounds each. Does this mean we get more carry-ons? Nope.

6 years ago

23andMe was sold by Anne Wojcicki for $6 billion. Today, she’s trying to buy it back for $42 million. That’s one way to make money. PSA: If you have a 23andMe account, remove it. You just don’t know who’s going to buy your DNA and use it. Here’s how.

60 hours

How much Google’s cofounder wants employees to work. Sergey Brin says the sweet spot is 12-hour days Monday through Friday, in the office. His goal? For Google to win the AI race.