The FBI warns that outdated routers make easy targets for foreign hackers. Here are the warning signs.
Digital cash, physical threat
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Picture this: You’re worth millions in crypto. You think your money’s safe because it’s digital, anonymous and locked up behind a strong password. But there’s one security hole you didn’t count on, your physical body.
That’s exactly what happened in a terrifying case out of New York City.
Two men allegedly kidnapped a crypto investor and held him captive for weeks in a luxury town house. Why? To beat the password out of him. It’s called a “$5 wrench attack” by insiders.
Kidnapped for crypto
According to The Wall Street Journal, Michael Carturan, with $30 million in crypto, walked into a Soho town house expecting a pitch meeting … and left 25 days later barefoot and traumatized.
The goal? Force him to unlock his Bitcoin wallet. Kidnapped. Held hostage. Tortured, yes, even threatened with a chain saw, until he gave up his wallet info.
This isn’t a plot from a Netflix thriller, it’s real life. And it’s a terrifying new way criminals are going after digital riches.
Carturan finally escaped barefoot into the street, flagged down an NYPD officer and lived to tell the tale.
Two suspects were caught, including (because this story wouldn’t be complete otherwise) a former crypto CEO.
This isn’t just one wild story
It’s happening more than you might think.
A Connecticut couple cruising around in their Lamborghini get kidnapped. Six guys grab them not because they’re flashy but because they thought the couple’s son was sitting on a fortune in crypto. Federal prosecutors say the plan was to hold them for ransom.
Apple’s serious health warning
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Apple quietly issued a warning that could seriously affect your health. Before you say, “I’m good, I use Android,” pump the brakes.
If you’re one of the nearly 4 million Americans with a pacemaker or defibrillator (or you deeply love one of them), this isn’t just a scare headline. It’s a legit, science-backed heads-up.
🚦 You have unpaid tolls: No, you don’t. DMVs in NY, FL, CA and elsewhere are warning about scammy texts pretending you owe traffic fines. They threaten to yank your license. Spoiler alert: It’s fake. Don’t click the links, unless you really want scammers to know your SSN.
🖨️ Print-happy warning: When you print a doc at FedEx, Staples or UPS, check the fine print. Their policies say they can use whatever you print for advertising or share it with unnamed third parties. No, thanks. UPS: “Sure, we’ll print your divorce papers … and maybe send them to Pepsi’s marketing team.”
AI isn’t just stealing jobs, it’s also fighting death
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When people hear “AI,” they think of deepfakes, bogus essays or robots stealing jobs. But there’s something way bigger happening behind the scenes: AI is low-key helping doctors beat diseases that terrify us. Like actually saving lives.
Digital self-destruction for fun and paranoia
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How to make any USB drive self-destruct
“Kim, I’m paranoid about losing my USB drive. Is there any way to make it so if someone steals it, they can’t see or open anything?” — Dave in Denver
Is cellphone radiation really safe?
Robert F. Kennedy is catching heat for warning about cellphone radiation. But is he right? Here’s the scoop.
Scammers listed her home online — May 17th, Hour 2
Strangers kept showing up at her door, but her house wasn’t for rent. A scammer listed it on Facebook. Plus, Waymo chaos and a Disney+ warning for parents. I also talk to Earl from Chicago, who needs tech help to officiate his daughter’s wedding.
🩸 ChatGPT spotted it first: A woman had night sweats and itchy skin, but her doctor said everything looked normal. She ChatGPT’d her symptoms, and it said blood cancer. The warning was ignored, and a few months later, she was back at the doctor with chest pain and fatigue. Turns out? It was Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Your brain got doxxed: Warning for you. Neurotech sleep and wellness gadgets are quietly collecting, and selling, your brain waves. These supposed brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies aren’t covered under medical privacy laws. Your mood, thoughts or mental health patterns are on the market to the highest bidder. It never stops.
🚨 iPhone alert: Apple sent out a major warning that mercenary spyware is on the loose. This kind of attack targets specific people based on what they do, like journalists or government officials. For the rest of us, it’s a good reminder to update to iOS 18.4.1 for the latest security fixes. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
💊 Hair-raising warning: Hims, Keeps and Ro promising to bring back your hairline? That topical finasteride they’re peddling isn’t FDA-approved (paywall link). Only the pill version is. They also don’t always spell out the side effects: erectile dysfunction, brain fog and depression that can last after you stop trying to get a head of hair.
🚨 Gmail warning: Scammers are sending fake emails that look like legit Google security alerts. Click the link, and you’ll land on a phony sign-in page built to steal your login details. This one’s extra sneaky because it looks like it’s coming from “no-reply@accounts.google.com.” The red flag? Check the “mailed-by” field. If it says “privateemail.com,” it’s a trap.
😩 Homeowner’s nightmare: Imagine random cars using your private driveway for years because of a Google Maps error. That’s what happened to Michael. GPS apps marked his property as a public road, and even warning signs didn’t stop people from tearing up his yard. His grass has seen more burnout than corporate America. He told the local news, and they reached out to Google, which finally got it updated.
😱 A coworker poisoned her drink: Imagine feeling sick every time you sip something at your desk. That’s what happened to a woman in Wisconsin. She noticed a strong chemical smell and suspected someone was messing with her drinks, so she set up a hidden camera. Sure enough, she caught a dude at work spiking them with super glue! HR really needs a new category between “verbal warning” and “call the cops over an attempted poisoning.”
Tech how-to: Delete your DNA data
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You can freeze your credit. Change your password. Replace a stolen phone. But there’s one thing you can’t ever change: your DNA.
That’s why the news that 23andMe just filed for bankruptcy should set off alarms. This company collected genetic information from over 15 million people. Yours could be sold as part of bankruptcy proceedings, absorbed into a merger or leaked in a breach. You’ll never know until it’s too late.
🚨 Chrome warning: Watch out for websites offering free file conversions, like .doc to .pdf. Hackers are booby-trapping them with malware that can steal your SSN, banking info and passwords. FYI: These sites are hard to spot, so make sure you’ve got real-time antivirus protection. This is the one I use.
🧬 23andMe filed for bankruptcy: I’ve been warning you about this for years. They’re selling off what they can to pay the bills, and that includes your personal info and genetic data. Delete your account ASAP before someone gets your DNA. Go to Profile > Settings > 23andMe Data > View > Delete Data, then confirm the deletion via email.
Scam alert: Google’s new call-scanning feature tells you in real time if you’re getting swindled on the phone. AI analyzes conversations, and if something sketchy happens, you get an audio, vibration and visual warning. It’s for Pixel 9 or later only. Go to the Phone app > Settings > Scan Detection. PSA: Google says they’re not saving your calls. Yea, right.