Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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Three Teams Demonstrate Remote Hacks of Fully Patched Google Pixel 10 at Pwn2Own
Three research teams successfully broke into a fully updated Google Pixel 10 phone at Pwn2Own, a security contest held in Ireland where all devices must have the latest software installed. The contest pays researchers to find these flaws and then reports them to Google so they can be fixed. For Portage County: Your Pixel phone is not in immediate danger, but make sure automatic updates are turned on so Google's fixes reach your device as soon as they are released.
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GoBalance Flaw Lets Attackers Hijack .onion Addresses by Recovering Tor-Format Keys
A security flaw in a tool used by hidden websites on the dark web lets attackers steal the web address of those sites and redirect visitors to a fake copy. The bug was discovered and reported by a cybersecurity firm called Searchlight Cyber on October 8. For Portage County: This affects criminal and privacy-focused dark-web sites, not regular websites you visit, so no action is needed on your part.
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Microsoft 365 Family subscribers will finally be able to share AI benefits
Microsoft is now letting everyone on a Microsoft 365 Family or Premium plan use the AI writing and editing tools called Copilot, not just the main account holder. Until now, only the person who paid for the subscription could access those AI features, even though family members shared everything else. For Portage County: If a family member pays for your Microsoft 365 Family plan, check with them because you may now be able to use the AI writing help in Word and Outlook without paying anything extra.
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Meta bans TikTok ads from its platforms in tit-for-tat row
Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has banned all ads from ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, on its platforms. The move appears to be a response to TikTok blocking Meta from advertising on its platform. For Portage County: This is a business dispute between two big tech companies and does not affect how you use Facebook or Instagram.
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OpenAI doubles down on decision to fire three AI safety researchers
OpenAI fired three researchers who worked on AI safety, saying they broke company rules about handling sensitive information. The company posted a statement standing by the decision after the firings drew public attention. For Portage County: This is an internal company matter, but it raises questions about whether the people building AI tools are being careful enough, something worth keeping in mind as AI features show up in more everyday apps.
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Fired OpenAI safety researchers dispute their dismissals in open letter
The three fired OpenAI safety researchers wrote an open letter saying their dismissals were unfair and may discourage other employees from speaking up about safety concerns. They dispute OpenAI's claim that they violated policies on handling sensitive information. For Portage County: No action needed, but this story is a reminder that even the companies building AI tools have internal disagreements about how safe those tools really are.
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Citrix Patches Critical NetScaler Flaw That Could Enable RCE in SAML Deployments
Citrix, a company whose software is used by businesses and hospitals to let employees log in remotely, has released an urgent security patch for a serious flaw that could let attackers take control of a system or shut it down. The flaw, labeled CVE-2026-107406, affects two Citrix products called NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. For Portage County: Most home users are not affected, but if your doctor's office or a local business uses Citrix remote login tools, their IT team should apply this patch right away.
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Co-creator of Empire Market dark web marketplace given 40-year sentence
A man named Raheim Hamilton was sentenced to 40 years in prison for helping run Empire Market, a dark-web marketplace used to sell illegal drugs. He also agreed to give up more than 100 million dollars in Bitcoin and several properties. For Portage County: This is a good reminder that dark-web drug markets do get shut down and their operators do go to prison, and that Bitcoin transactions are not as anonymous as many people believe.
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Super Skygazing: Step Outside to See October’s Meteor Showers, Views of All 8 Planets and More
October is a great month for stargazing, with meteor showers and a chance to see all eight planets, plus one of the last good views of the Milky Way before winter. You do not need any special equipment to enjoy most of these sights. For Portage County: Step outside on a clear night away from street lights, look up, and enjoy the show. No telescope required.
This digest is auto-generated daily at 6 AM ET from leading tech news sources.
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— Bill's Home Tech, Atwater, OH