Technology
6 ways to stay warm and save money this winter
’Tis the season when the thermostat drops and the cost of heating rises.
Luckily, there are a variety of ways to stay warm this winter that go beyond turning on central heating or throwing some logs in the fireplace.
Whether you are staying in or stepping out, below are six different ways to stay warm(er) this season.
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1. Space heaters
Space heaters have long been a favorite for those needing to heat smaller spaces or not wanting to turn up the thermostat for their entire home.
Navy-blue space heater on marble countertop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Top reasons to use a space heater:
- Form factor: Because space heaters are small and usually portable, they are convenient to plug and unplug and transport with you from one room to another. This is especially convenient when you only want to heat where you are and not your entire home.
- Cost Effective: Because the price of oil usually rises in the winter, it can be cheaper to use a space heater because it uses electricity, not gas, to heat.
- Temperature Control: Because sometimes it is hard to control how hot or cold you get with central heating, the space heater gives you a little more control. You can also control how much hotter it can get by adjusting the temperature on the space heater and also by your proximity to it.
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There have been safety concerns over using space heaters, as improper use can cause fires. In addition to keeping the space heaters away from any objects, crowding them, or placing them where they can be knocked over, there are specific qualities to look for in a good space heater. Newer space heaters usually include technological advances to make them safer. To find out safer features to look for as well as our top picks of space heaters, check out the right way to use a space heater in this cold season.
2. Cozy indoor gear
A man staying warm with a blanket
This may seem like a very basic principle: wear more items to get warmer. Yet new winter gear is taking warmth to a new level: instead of piling on layers in your own home, a few select items can keep things simpler and warmer. Whether it is a cozy blanket that is made into an oversized sweater like comfy or refillable hand warmers, you can be assured to take the warmth with you from room to room. For these items and more, check out the best gifts for keeping cozy all year long.
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3. Winter gloves
Gray gloves holding a peach mug (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
A good pair of gloves is a winter essential. All gloves, however, are not created equal. Several features available in more contemporary gloves can keep you warmer than gloves of years past:
- Touchscreen friendly: At some point in your winter day or night, you’ll inevitably need to access your phone. And nothing makes you colder faster than having to take off your gloves in order to use your phone. Touchscreen-friendly gloves usually have special fibers in the thumb and index fingers, allowing you to use your phone with the gloves on. Now if only being touchscreen friendly could keep you from dropping your phone!
- Waterproof: Winter usually brings rain or snow in most regions, and nothing makes you shiver and ruin the day faster than when your gloves get wet. Not only will it make you colder, but it is less likely to dry with dropping temperatures. Waterproof gloves, however, help to keep water and the chill out.
For our picks of best winter gloves in a variety of materials, check out the top 8 absolute best winter gloves that work on touch screens.
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4. Smart thermostat
Ecobee smart thermostat (Ecobee)
When push comes to shove, turning on the central heating system is definitely necessary during the cold winter months. When you need to heat multiple rooms at the same time, or the temperature drops to a certain point, it may be time to turn on central heating. In order to keep the costs manageable, you can utilize a smart thermostat. One of the top reasons why a smart thermostat can keep you warm while saving you money is that it learns your and your family’s behavioral habits and adjusts temperature settings automatically. No more forgetting to turn off the heater before leaving the house again because your thermostat will turn it off for you.
For our favorite Smart Thermostat as well as other ways to keep bills lower, check out three crucial ways to keep temperatures high and bills low this winter.
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5. Wi-Fi Thermostat
Sensi Wi-Fi thermostat (Sensi)
Even if you are ready to utilize central heating, it’s helpful to use a Wi-Fi thermostat if a smart thermostat is too expensive or incompatible with your system. Because you can access your central heating system while you’re away with a Wi-Fi thermostat, you can keep it off while you’re out of the house and turn it on when you are returning home so you can walk into a warm, comfortable home. It’s also great for those days when you can’t remember if you left the heating on or off because you can check with the corresponding app and turn it off if necessary.
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Find out the differences between smart vs. Wi-Fi thermostats as well as our picks in smart vs. Wi-Fi thermostats: the pros and cons + my 5 top picks.
6. Smart plugs
By now, most people understand that electronic devices plugged into an outlet use energy even while the device is turned off. By using a smart plug, you can turn off the outlet completely. Additionally, smart plugs can be a great way to control your portable heating devices, such as space heaters or electric blankets.
If you own older models without auto shut-off features, it can be easy to leave them turned on, which increases the risk of overheating and causing a fire. But if you have your heated blanket or space heater plugged into a smart plug, not only can you make sure it isn’t using energy while off, but you can usually connect through the smart plug app to turn it off if you’ve accidentally left it on. Get more information on how smart plugs work and our top picks for the seven best ways to save money on your electricity bill.
Kurt’s key takeaways
The colder temperatures during the winter season may be inevitable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find new ways to stay warm. Small to big additions to your life can bring more warmth and possibly monetary savings.
What are your tried and true winter staples? Are you one of those people who wait until it is absolutely necessary to turn on central heating, or do you turn it on as soon as you get a hint of chill? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show
Amazon has slowly been teasing out casting details for its live-action adaptation of God of War, and now we have our first look at the show. It’s a single image but a notable one showing protagonist Kratos and his son Atreus. The characters are played by Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson, respectively, and they look relatively close to their video game counterparts.
There aren’t a lot of other details about the show just yet, but this is Amazon’s official description:
The God of War series storyline follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
That sounds a lot like the recent soft reboot of the franchise, which started with 2018’s God of War and continued through Ragnarök in 2022. For the Amazon series, Ronald D. Moore, best-known for his work on For All Mankind and Battlestar Galactica, will serve as showrunner. The rest of the cast includes: Mandy Patinkin (Odin), Ed Skrein (Baldur), Max Parker (Heimdall), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Thor), Teresa Palmer (Sif), Alastair Duncan (Mimir), Jeff Gulka (Sindri), and Danny Woodburn (Brok).
While production is underway on the God of War series, there’s no word on when it might start streaming.
Technology
300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions
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Your web browser may feel like a safe place, especially when you install helpful tools that promise to make your life easier. But security researchers have uncovered a dangerous campaign in which more than 300,000 people installed Chrome extensions pretending to be artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. Instead of helping, these fake tools secretly collect sensitive information like your emails, passwords and browsing activity.
They used familiar names like ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Assistant. If you use Chrome and have installed any AI-related extension, your personal information may already be exposed. Even worse, some of these malicious extensions are still available today, putting more people at risk without their knowing.
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More than 300,000 Chrome users installed fake AI extensions that secretly harvested sensitive data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know about fake AI extensions
Security researchers at browser security company LayerX discovered a large campaign involving 30 malicious Chrome extensions disguised as AI-powered assistants (via BleepingComputer). Together, these extensions were installed more than 300,000 times by unsuspecting users.
Some of the most popular extensions included names like AI Sidebar with 70,000 users, AI Assistant with 60,000 users, ChatGPT Translate with 30,000 users, and Google Gemini with 10,000 users. Another extension called Gemini AI Sidebar had 80,000 users before it was removed.
These extensions were distributed through the official Chrome Web Store, which made them appear legitimate and trustworthy. Even more concerning, researchers found that many of these extensions were connected to the same malicious server, showing they were part of a coordinated effort.
While some extensions have since been removed, others remain available. This means new users could still unknowingly install them and expose their personal data. Here’s the list of the affected extensions:
- AI Assistant
- Llama
- Gemini AI Sidebar
- AI Sidebar
- ChatGPT Sidebar
- Grok
- Asking ChatGPT
- ChatGBT
- Chat Bot GPT
- Grok Chatbot
- Chat With Gemini
- XAI
- Google Gemini
- Ask Gemini
- AI Letter Generator
- AI Message Generator
- AI Translator
- AI For Translation
- AI Cover Letter Generator
- AI Image Generator ChatGPT
- Ai Wallpaper Generator
- Ai Picture Generator
- DeepSeek Download
- AI Email Writer
- Email Generator AI
- DeepSeek Chat
- ChatGPT Picture Generator
- ChatGPT Translate
- AI GPT
- ChatGPT Translation
- ChatGPT for Gmail
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These malicious tools were listed in the official Chrome Web Store, making them appear legitimate and trustworthy. (LayerX)
How the fake AI Chrome extension attack works
These fake extensions pretend to offer helpful AI features, such as translating text, summarizing emails, or acting as an AI assistant. But behind the scenes, they quietly monitor what you are doing online.
Once installed, the extension gains permission to view and interact with the websites you visit. This allows it to read the contents of web pages, including login screens where you enter your username and password.
In some cases, the extensions specifically targeted Gmail. They could read your email messages directly from your browser, including emails you received and even drafts you were still writing. This means attackers could access private conversations, financial information and sensitive personal details.
The extensions then sent this information to servers controlled by the attackers. Because they loaded content remotely, the attackers could change their behavior at any time without needing to update the extension.
Some versions could also activate voice features through your browser. This could potentially capture spoken conversations near your device and send transcripts back to the attackers.
If you installed one of these extensions, attackers may already have access to extremely sensitive information. This includes your email content, login credentials, browsing habits and possibly even voice recordings.
We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson told CyberGuy that the company “can confirm that the extensions from this report have all been removed from the Google Web Store.”
BROWSER EXTENSION MALWARE INFECTED 8.8M USERS IN DARKSPECTRE ATTACK
Once installed, the extensions could read emails, capture passwords, monitor browsing activity and send the data to attacker-controlled servers. (Bildquelle/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
7 ways you can protect yourself from malicious Chrome extensions
If you have ever installed an AI-related Chrome extension, taking a few simple precautions now can help protect your accounts and prevent further damage.
1) Remove any suspicious or unused browser extensions
On a Windows PC or Mac, open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar. Review every extension listed. If you see anything unfamiliar, especially AI assistants you don’t remember installing, click “Remove” immediately. Malicious extensions depend on going unnoticed. Removing them stops further data collection and cuts off the attacker’s access to your information.
2) Change your passwords
If you installed any suspicious extension, assume your passwords may be compromised. Start by changing your email password first, since email controls access to most other accounts. Then update passwords for banking, shopping and social media accounts. This prevents attackers from using stolen credentials to break into your accounts.
3) Use a password manager to create and protect strong passwords
A password manager generates unique, complex passwords for each account and stores them securely. This prevents attackers from accessing multiple accounts if one password is stolen. Password managers also alert you if your login credentials appear in known data breaches, helping you respond quickly and protect your identity. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
4) Install strong antivirus software and keep it active
Good antivirus software can detect malicious browser extensions, spyware, and other hidden threats. It scans your system for suspicious activity and blocks harmful programs before they can steal your information. This adds an important layer of protection that works continuously in the background to keep your device safe. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
5) Use an identity theft protection service
Identity theft protection services monitor your personal data, including email addresses, financial accounts, and Social Security numbers, for signs of misuse. If criminals try to open accounts or commit fraud using your information, you receive alerts quickly. Early detection allows you to act fast and limit financial and personal damage. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
6) Keep your browser and computer fully updated
Software updates fix security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Enable automatic updates for Chrome and your operating system so you always have the latest protections. These updates strengthen your defenses against malicious extensions and prevent attackers from taking advantage of known weaknesses.
7) Use a personal data removal service
Personal data removal services scan data broker websites that collect and sell your personal information. They help remove your data from these sites, reducing what attackers can find and use against you. Less exposed information means fewer opportunities for criminals to target you with scams, identity theft or phishing attacks.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaway
Even tools designed to make your life easier can become tools for cybercriminals. Malicious extensions often hide behind trusted names and convincing features, making them difficult to spot. You can significantly reduce your risk by reviewing your browser extensions regularly, removing anything suspicious and using protective tools like password managers and strong antivirus software.
Have you checked your browser extensions recently? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Technology
Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance
Less than 24 hours before the deadline in an ultimatum issued by the Pentagon, Anthropic has refused the Department of Defense’s demands for unrestricted access to its AI.
It’s the culmination of a dramatic exchange of public statements, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, coming down to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desire to renegotiate all AI labs’ current contracts with the military. But Anthropic, so far, has refused to back down from its two current red lines: no mass surveillance of Americans, and no lethal autonomous weapons (or weapons with license to kill targets with no human oversight whatsoever). OpenAI and xAI had reportedly already agreed to the new terms, while Anthropic’s refusal had led to CEO Dario Amodei being summoned to the White House this week for a meeting with Hegseth himself, in which the Secretary reportedly issued an ultimatum to the CEO to back down by the end of business day on Friday or else.
In a statement late Thursday, Amodei wrote, “I believe deeply in the existential importance of using AI to defend the United States and other democracies, and to defeat our autocratic adversaries. Anthropic has therefore worked proactively to deploy our models to the Department of War and the intelligence community.”
He added that the company has “never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner” but that in a “narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values” — going on to specifically mention mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. (Amodei mentioned that “partial autonomous weapons … are vital to the defense of democracy” and that fully autonomous weapons may eventually “prove critical for our national defense,” but that “today, frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough to power fully autonomous weapons.” He did not rule out Anthropic acquiescing to the military’s use of fully autonomous weapons in the future but mentioned that they were not ready now.)
The Pentagon had already reportedly asked major defense contractors to assess their dependence on Anthropic’s Claude, which could be seen as the first step to designating the company a “supply chain risk” – a public threat that the Pentagon had made recently (and a classification usually reserved for threats to national security). The Pentagon was also reportedly considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic comply.
Amodei wrote in his statement that the Pentagon’s “threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.” He also wrote that “should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. Our models will be available on the expansive terms we have proposed for as long as required.”
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