Pixie Dust is a decade old Wi‑Fi exploit that can crack your router in seconds and most devices are still vulnerable. Researchers found only 4 of 24 devices patched and seven never updated.
The privacy threat no one blocks
ChatGPT
You mention Antarctica once. Just a throwaway joke near your phone, “Wouldn’t it be cool to go freeze my face off?” Suddenly, your phone, laptop, smart TV, smart speaker and even your fridge are pitching you parkas like it’s QVC Arctic Edition. 🥶
Chances are, you were hit by ultrasonic cross-device tracking.
This high-frequency sound is too high for your ears to notice, but it connects your devices without your knowledge. No clicks. No cookies. Just vibes.
🎯 What is ultrasonic tracking?
It’s audio surveillance in stealth mode. Ultrasonic tones (usually 18–22 kHz) are baked into ads, websites and retail kiosks. It’s crazy smart. You won’t hear the tone, but your devices do.
Advertisers use it to link your laptop, phone, smart TV and speaker together as belonging to one person. That’s how you get hyper-targeted ads across your devices and platforms.
🩵 Why marketers love it
Because it’s invisible and almost no one’s blocking it. Unlike cookies, this doesn’t ask for permission. You can’t even hear it, how are you supposed to know it’s going on?
The FTC isn’t thrilled about this tech. They issued warnings to companies using it without proper disclosure, especially those embedding code into apps and ads. Marketers are still pushing the limits, quietly experimenting without you clicking a thing.
🛑 How to protect yourself
The basic steps might vary by device. If it’s not exactly where I say, just poke around. You’ll find it.
✅ Limit mic access on your devices
The suburban hacker house: She helped North Korea infiltrate American tech
US Department of Justice
This isn’t a ripped-from-the-headlines new Netflix series. This really happened in a quiet neighborhood called Litchfield Park that’s about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix, Arizona.
Christina Chapman, 50, looked like your average middle-aged suburban woman. But inside her humble home? A secret cyber ops center built to help North Korean IT workers buy equipment and tools for their military by infiltrating hundreds of U.S. companies.
🛏️ Fake sleep science: Turns out sleep trackers are only 65% accurate at guessing your sleep stages. They’re basically playing a slightly smarter version of “Are You Asleep Yet?” based on your wrist twitches. Helpful? Maybe. Lab-grade reliable? Not even close. Still, 1 in 3 adults say they aren’t getting enough sleep, which explains why we keep buying the devices.
A sneaky virus could be lurking. It’s better to be safe than sorry. For just $19 for the first year, you get rock-solid antivirus protection on up to 5 devices. It’s smart, simple and keeps your tech safe without breaking the bank.
Get a free second phone number
Google
Here’s something smart to start your week. Get a free, private second phone number you can use from your smartphone. It’s perfect for keeping your personal number personal.
With Google Voice, you get a real U.S. phone number that rings to your cell, computer or tablet. You can call, text, screen calls and get your voicemails transcribed to text, all without revealing your main number.
Guess who’s spying from your bookshelf
ChatGPT
With more than 500 million Alexa-enabled devices sold worldwide, odds are you’ve got one sitting on your counter or desk, quietly glowing, always listening. Ever mutter something like, “I need new jeans,” and suddenly your phone’s serving up Levi’s ads? Creepy coincidence or hot mic in action?
AI has ears everywhere
Today on The Current AI Podcast, George takes you inside the hidden world of ultrasonic tracking, the creepy tech that links your devices through sounds you can’t even hear. Then it’s off to the Web Water Cooler, where we talk Samsung’s swollen Galaxy Ring, Alexa’s new paywall, AI-powered scams, and even China’s pay-to-wipe toilets. In Device Advice, learn how AI now fights ransomware in Google Drive, the fastest way to cancel sneaky app subscriptions, and smart tricks for Google Docs, YouTube, and Fire TV. From smart speakers to smart scams, this episode is packed with AI, security, and gadget hacks you don’t want to miss.
Meet the scammers driving your neighborhood
ChatGPT
Ever get one of those weird texts that says something like, “Your package is waiting” or “Click here to unlock your cash reward”? We all have. Most people figure it’s just a scammy mass text from some sketchy website.
⌚ watchOS 26: The Notes app is finally on the Apple Watch. Open it and you’ll see all your synced notes. Pinned notes show up first, then everything else is sorted by date. To create a new one, tap the Note button in the bottom right, dictate with Siri and hit Done. It’ll appear in Today and sync across your devices.
🔥 Delete these apps now: Hackers snuck 224 fake apps into Google Play, downloaded over 38 million times. Yes, you read that right. Disguised with names like CreateCreatives, Foocus, ChatGLM and ClapTrack (ahem, clap to find your phone?), they looked harmless but installed shady ads. Then came the real damage: The apps hijacked devices, silently launching invisible web browsers that ran 24/7, draining battery life, eating up data, slowing down performance and overheating phones, all to generate 2.3 billion fake ad views per day. Ad networks paid out as if real users were watching, while your phone was working overtime behind your back. Check your device for any apps listed here.
Your new router might be a waste of money
Midjourney
You’ve probably seen the sales pitches. “Get blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 with internet speeds like you’ve never seen before. Just $600 for a new state-of-the-art router!” Let me save you money.
Yes, Wi-Fi 7 is fast. Theoretical speeds reach up to 46 Gbps. That’s 46,000 Mbps, compared to Wi-Fi 6, which tops out around 9.6 Gbps (9,600 Mbps). Here’s what that means in real life.
💬 Check linked devices on WhatsApp: If you’ve used WhatsApp on Windows, Mac or in a browser, make sure no one’s snooping on your chats. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Linked devices and log out of anything that looks suspicious. FYI: WhatsApp also auto-disconnects inactive linked devices after 30 days.
Turn a tracker into a lifesaver
Turn your AirTag or tracker into a personal safety tool. Share your location, set up check-ins, and alert loved ones instantly. Works with Apple or Android devices for peace of mind anytime, anywhere.
My pick for antivirus protection: TotalAV delivers strong, real-time protection that blocks malware, cleans junk and keeps your devices running fast. Start your first year of protection for $19 today!
The catfisher in the minivan
Netflix
Alert: This article is a spoiler for Unknown Number: The High School Catfish on Netflix.
Imagine you’re a high school girl. Your phone won’t stop buzzing. It’s not friendly DMs, texts or social media notifications.
Fingerprints can save lives, literally
Make life easier for loved ones with quick phone access. Set up fingerprint or face ID on your spouse’s, child’s, or parent’s devices for emergencies, navigation, or shared logistics. It’s secure, simple, and keeps the people you trust connected.
My secret to speedy, safe devices: I use TotalAV to keep my devices safe and running fast. It blocks viruses, cleans out junk and even stops hackers before they strike. Get your first year for just $19 today!
Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth
Midjourney
Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.
Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.