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TSA’s new travel warning: Don’t fall for ‘Free Airport Wi-Fi’
ChatGPT
You know the drill: You hit the airport, find a seat near your gate, and your first thought is, Where’s the free Wi-Fi? You see a network called “Free Airport Wi-Fi” or “Airport_Guest” and think, Perfect.
The TSA says: Stop right there. Their latest warning is the digital equivalent of “Don’t take candy from strangers.” Public Wi-Fi, especially in airports, is a hacker’s playground.
💻 The fake network trap
Cybercriminals love high-traffic spots like airports. They’ll set up a “rogue hot spot,” a network that looks official but isn’t. They’ll copy the airport’s naming style, right down to the capitalization, so “Airport_Guest” and “AirPort_Guest” look the same at a glance.
Signs it’s fake:
- No password prompt, or a password that’s posted on a random sign or piece of paper instead of an official screen.
- It’s not listed on the airport’s website or information desks.
- The signal strength seems “too good,” no matter where you are in the terminal.
Once you connect, every password, message and email you send can be intercepted and stolen. You’ll never know it’s happening.
🔌 Juice jacking: The charging port scam
The TSA’s warning isn’t just about Wi-Fi. Those free USB charging ports in terminals can be just as dangerous. Juice jacking happens when a hacker loads malware onto a public charging station. Plug in your phone or laptop, and in seconds they can:
- Install spyware and malware.
- Steal your contacts, files and photos.
- Grab saved logins without you clicking a thing.
If you must use airport charging, always pack a USB data blocker ($9.89 for two) or bring your own wall adapter.
With summer travel numbers at record highs, the timing is no accident.
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⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Need an emoji fast? On Windows, press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji keyboard. On Mac, it’s Command + Control + Space. No excuse for dry replies. 😉
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Customize your Gmail inbox: By default, Gmail shows 1–50 conversations per page. The alternative? Go to Settings (top right) > See all settings > General > Maximum page size. Now pick between 10 and 100, scroll down and hit Save Changes.
📌 Can’t pin an app to the Windows 11 taskbar? Usually, you right-click the desktop shortcut and select Pin to taskbar. If that option’s missing, use the search bar instead. Just type the app’s name, and when it appears, click Pin to taskbar on the right side of the menu.
Change Haptic Touch speed on iPhone: Haptic Touch is that press-and-hold gesture that reveals extra options. You can change how quickly it responds. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Haptic Touch. Pick Fast, Default or Slow.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Don’t waste your money on “extended warranties” for electronics. If your new tablet, speakers, TV or whatever are going to die, it’ll likely happen in the first 90 days. After that, it’ll probably keep going for years.
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Add Bluetooth devices to your PC: If your Windows computer has Bluetooth, you can connect a wireless mouse or headset. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices and make sure Bluetooth is toggled On. Click Add device and choose Bluetooth. Put your gadget in pairing mode, select it when it shows up and hit Done.
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🌡️ Stop your Android from overheating: First one’s obvious, don’t leave your phone in direct sunlight. Next, avoid using it for heavy tasks, like streaming video, while it’s charging. And make sure it’s running the latest updates! Go to Settings > Software Update and follow the prompts.
Stand out on LinkedIn by posting when your audience is actually watching. Peak times are Tuesday to Thursday, 7–9 a.m. or 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Skip weekends and late nights. Use my special link to post a job for free.
Bamboozling Gemini: At Black Hat (cybersecurity event), researchers showed how Google’s AI Gemini can be hijacked with a single calendar invite. One hidden prompt, and boom, Gemini starts spewing lies, deleting meetings or opening your windows via Google Home. It’s like a robbery, but your AI assistant is opening the front door.
Use AirDrop to share from your iPad: Quickly send photos, docs or links to nearby Apple devices. For example: In Photos, select what you want, tap the Share icon and choose AirDrop. Nearby devices will show up under People. Tap the one you want. It’ll ding on their end, and they’ll be asked to accept.
🤐 AI learns to shut up: OpenAI’s newest model finally admits what the last ones wouldn’t: Sometimes, it just doesn’t know. No more flattery, fewer fake facts and a 45% drop in hallucinations. It’s also 80% better at admitting it’s clueless, which is more than I can say for half my group chats.
GPT-5 eats its siblings: OpenAI says GPT-5 is so good they’re deprecating every older model. That means GPT‑4o, GPT‑4.1 and GPT‑4.5 will be gobbled up. ChatGPT defaults to GPT‑5 via a unified “auto‑switching system” sometimes. Comes with “personalities,” can solve real-world problems, and yes, it’s free.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Feeling tense? Type “breathing exercise” into Google. You’ll get a one-minute guide that walks you through when to inhale and exhale. No extra apps needed.
Hide shady content on X: Don’t want NSFW stuff popping up in your feed? Go to Settings > Privacy and safety > Content you see and turn off Display media that may contain sensitive content. Then, under Content you see, tap Search settings and switch on Hide sensitive content.