Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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JSCeal Malware Can Bypass Google Authentication Using Stolen Session Cookies
A new type of malware called JSCeal can steal the login cookies your browser saves, which lets criminals slip into your accounts without needing your password. Google accounts are among the targets, meaning even two-step verification may not protect you if a thief already has your session cookie. For Portage County: If you use Gmail or any Google service, sign out of your account on any computer you share, and run a free Malwarebytes scan on your home PC this week.
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Communities may soon be left in the dark about new local data centers under a proposed EPA rule change
A proposed change to EPA rules could let companies build large data centers near neighborhoods without notifying the public about air or water impacts. Critics say communities, especially smaller ones, would lose their chance to weigh in before construction begins. For Portage County: If a data center is ever proposed near Ravenna or another local town, residents may have less time and fewer ways to comment, so watch your county commissioners' meeting notices.
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Apple A20 Pro chip: why it’s such a big deal for the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple is expected to put a new, more powerful chip called the A20 Pro inside the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max and a rumored foldable iPhone Ultra. The chip is said to handle more demanding tasks, including on-device AI features, faster than current models. For Portage County: If your iPhone is more than four years old and feeling slow, this fall's new models may be worth a look, but your current phone is not broken and does not need replacing right away.
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N-able Issues Fourth N-central Hotfix in Five Weeks for Unauthenticated RCE Flaw
N-able, a company that makes software used by IT professionals to manage and fix computers remotely, has released a fourth emergency patch in five weeks for a serious security flaw that may already be exploited by attackers. Any business or tech shop still running an older version of this software is at risk of having outsiders take control of the computers they manage. For Portage County: If a local business or repair shop manages your computer remotely, it is fair to ask them whether their tools are fully up to date.
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DIY plug-in solar gains momentum in the US
Small plug-in solar panels that you simply hang on a balcony or mount in a window and plug into a regular outlet are becoming more popular across the United States. These devices, common in Europe for years, can quietly trim a few dollars off your electric bill each month without any professional installation. For Portage County: Prices are dropping and some models now sell for under two hundred dollars, so if you own your home and get good sun on a south-facing wall or yard, this is worth a look at a hardware store.
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Banking giant UBS wants all new employees to have AI skills
Banking giant UBS is now requiring all new hires to demonstrate AI skills before joining the company, signaling how quickly AI is becoming a basic job requirement in finance. The bank joins a growing list of large employers reshaping what they expect workers to know before their first day. For Portage County: If you have grandchildren or family members job hunting right now, encourage them to spend time learning basic AI tools, because employers are starting to treat it like knowing how to use a spreadsheet.
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Plastics Companies Are Writing Lesson Plans. What Could Go Wrong?
Plastics industry groups are providing free science lesson plans to schools around the country, and critics say the materials downplay the environmental and health risks of plastic while promoting recycling as more effective than it actually is. Several states have already adopted the curriculum without much public debate. For Portage County: If you have grandchildren in local schools, it is worth asking their teachers where science materials on recycling and plastics come from, and whether the school uses independent sources as well.
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How To Send High-Quality Images And Videos From Android To iPhone
Sending a photo or video from an Android phone to an iPhone often results in a blurry, compressed image, but using apps like Google Photos, WhatsApp, or a shared cloud link can preserve the original quality. The problem happens because standard text messaging compresses files before sending them. For Portage County: If your grandkids have Android phones and you keep getting fuzzy pictures on your iPhone, ask them to share photos through Google Photos instead of texting them.
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Is it safe to buy a refurbished iPhone from Walmart?
Walmart sells refurbished iPhones at lower prices than Apple, but the quality and warranty terms vary depending on which third-party seller is listing the phone on Walmart's site. Buying directly from Walmart's own inventory is safer than buying from a marketplace seller on the same site. For Portage County: If you want a less expensive iPhone, Apple's own certified refurbished store at apple.com gives you a one-year warranty and a phone that has been fully inspected, which is a safer bet than an unknown Walmart marketplace seller.
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How to use your MacBook's built-in backup tool instead of paying for cloud storage
MacBooks come with a free built-in backup tool called Time Machine that saves copies of your files to an external hard drive, so you do not have to pay for iCloud or another cloud service. You just plug in a drive, turn Time Machine on in your settings, and it runs automatically in the background. For Portage County: If you have a MacBook and worry about losing photos or documents, ask Bill about setting up a simple external drive backup so your files are safe without a monthly fee.
This digest is auto-generated daily at 6 AM ET from leading tech news sources.
Notice something off? Reply or text Bill at (330) 200-8042.
— Bill's Home Tech, Atwater, OH