Airbnb won't stop hidden cams

At this point, I don’t even want to risk it. There are just too many scary stories — and I once stayed in a place loaded with cameras! Luckily, I was savvy enough to spot them.

Smartphone use and your heart

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A new report links heavy smartphone use to an increased risk of heart disease, but the real cause might not be what you’d expect. 

🧬 Your DNA, for sale: 23andMe’s stock is close to being delisted, and the entire board of directors has quit. Now, the CEO says she’s open to selling the company, including the DNA of 15 million customers. Imagine insurers using your genetic predispositions to calculate your risk. Ugh. Log in and delete your account ASAP. Here’s how. I told ya not to use this service so many times for so many years …

Trivia

What’s the name of the asteroid that’s going to fly pretty close to Earth in 2029? Is it … A.) Apophis, B.) Halley, C.) Kimster or D.) Eros? Make your best guess, and bonus points if you also know how many miles above Earth it’ll be.

Find the answer here!

3 cups of coffee

The amount linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. That’s 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day. One small steep for man, one giant steep for mankind.

Fired for his OnlyFans

Joe Gow and his wife Carmen are facing backlash after Joe’s employer, a university, found the couples’ OnlyFans account. His tenure is at risk, but he’s not giving up just yet.

🔥 Anker power bank recall: You risk a fire if you’re using an Anker 334 MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Anker Power Bank and Anker MagGo Power Bank with a model number of A1642, A1647 or A1652. These were all sold between Jan. 3, 2024, and Sept. 17, 2024. If you own one, stop using it immediately and fill out the recall form.

200 to 300 milligrams

The daily dose of caffeine linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke. After a whole lot of testing, scientists say the sweet spot is two to three cups of coffee or up to three cups of tea per day. I use this iced tea maker at home and at the office!

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1 hour a week

Of phone usage leads to a 10% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. So, uh, yeah, that’s pretty much all of us, right? This is a classic example of correlation, not causation. Using a phone doesn’t impact your heart directly, but too much sitting on your butt sure does.

The smishing scam

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Received a message from FedEx or UPS about a package you didn’t order? Don’t fall for it —clicking that link could put your personal and financial information at risk.

1.6M brain scans

Used to train an AI tool that predicts dementia risk. Researchers are using MRI and CT scans to find patterns that could help doctors spot dementia sooner and treat it better. I sure hope it works; by 2050, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple.

⚠️ Scan at your own risk: YouTube is rolling out QR codes for all channels, making it easier to find creators. Be careful what you scan. It’s incredibly easy to whip up a fake QR code that leads to a malicious site. Double-check the URL to be sure it looks legit when you get there.

Know a policeman? Ford is recalling 85,000 Explorer Police SUVs due to an engine fire risk. The recall affects models from 2020 to 2022 with 3.3L hybrid or gas engines. No fix yet, but Ford will notify owners by mail. In the meantime, Ford says to stop driving your vehicle if you hear any strange engine noises.

Google is an illegal monopoly

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A judge ruled Google illegally built and maintained a monopoly in online search by paying to be the default on smartphones. Plus, a website flaw puts democracy at risk, scammers hit the skies, and why wrapping your keys in tin foil could save you trouble.

3 times a week

How often you should snack on baby carrots. Researchers found that frequency “significantly increased” skin carotenoids, which are associated with less inflammation and lower risk of heart disease. Crunch on!

🚨 FBI crypto warning: Cybercriminals are posing as cryptocurrency exchange employees. They try to convince you your account was hacked or at risk and then ask for your login details so they can transfer all your money to their wallets, all as you watch. No one legit will ever, ever ask for your login details or seed phrase.

30 grams of xylitol

Made healthy people more likely to have blood clots. The sugar sweetener common in keto and low-carb treats may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. That amount is common for a single scoop of keto ice cream or a few low-sugar cookies, btw. Read those ingredients!

🔒 Over 200 PC models are at risk: This affects millions of PCs. Secure Boot keeps your PC from booting on sketchy software but is now completely useless. Why? An employee posted the platform’s four-digit password online. Acer, Dell, Gigabyte, Intel and Supermicro PCs are all vulnerable. If you’re downloading software, use a sandbox. I’ll let you know when there’s a patch.

50% of U.S. cancer deaths 

Are avoidable. A new study shows at least half of cancer cases are linked to avoidable risk factors, like smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, physical inactivity and UV radiation. That means the other 50% can be attributed to other factors. I hate cancer.

New scam: The government won't ask for gold

Share with someone who might be at risk of falling victim to this junk. So sad.