Technology
Cities most targeted for travel booking scams
As the July 4th holiday and summer travel heats up, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting unsuspecting travelers through online booking scams.
A new study by online protection company McAfee has identified the top five destinations most frequently targeted by cybercriminals for online booking scams.
Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research at McAfee, has shared valuable insights on those top destinations exploited by scammers and how to protect yourself from falling victim to these schemes.
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A person kicking back on a hammock (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Top 5 online booking scam hot spots
It’s hard to immediately see why these destinations made this threat list. According to McAfee’s research, the following destinations are most frequently exploited by scammers:
1. Fort Myers Beach, Florida
2. Sandusky, Ohio
3. Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania
4. Waimea, Hawaii
5. Chicago
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A woman pulling her luggage while on vacation (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Why these destinations?
Karnik explains that popular vacation spots like Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky and Chicago attract significant consumer interest and spending, making them prime targets for opportunistic scammers. These destinations offer a wide range of experiences cybercriminals can exploit through various scams. These scams have led consumers to unknowingly install malware or jeopardize their data, privacy and identity.
Items packed for a vacation (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Common types of travel scams
Travelers should be aware of several prevalent scams:
AI-generated scams: The rise of AI tools has made it easier for scammers to create highly convincing and entirely fraudulent travel opportunities, including realistic-looking images of nonexistent accommodations and fake reviews.
Fake booking websites: Cybercriminals create convincing fake booking sites with enticing deals to capture financial information or secure payment for non-existent bookings. Stick to reputable websites or book directly with hotels and airlines to ensure your reservations are valid.
Impersonation scams: Fraudsters pose as hotel staff, tour guides or travel agents to deceive travelers into sharing sensitive personal or payment information. Always verify the identity of individuals before sharing any data or personal information.
Public Wi-Fi risks: Hackers can intercept data transferred over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks at hotels, airports and cafés, potentially stealing login credentials and credit card information. Use a VPN or avoid accessing sensitive accounts on public networks.
Phishing emails and texts: Be wary of unsolicited communications from supposed travel agencies, airlines or hotels prompting you to click on links or provide personal information. While these messages may appear legitimate, they often lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal your data. When in doubt, go directly to the source before responding or clicking any links.
Oversharing on social media: Sharing your location and travel plans on social media can make you a target for thieves, both digitally and in the physical world. Keep your plans private, or share them selectively, and avoid posting real-time updates that might indicate your home is unoccupied.
Karnik warns that the accessibility of artificial intelligence has increased the scale, effectiveness and speed of travel scams, including highly convincing phishing attempts and fraudulent travel opportunities.
A person relaxing in a hammock on vacation (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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The impact of travel scams
The consequences of falling victim to these scams can be severe. McAfee’s Global Safer Summer Travel Survey revealed that 25% of Americans have lost over $1,000 to travel-related scams. Additionally, 15% have experienced fraudulent payments after providing financial details on fake sites, and 13% have arrived at their destination to find their pre-booked accommodation didn’t exist.
A photo of a beach in Hawaii (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Protecting yourself from online booking scams
To ensure a safe and secure travel experience, Karnik recommends the following tips:
1. Book directly with reputable companies or through trusted platforms
2. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true
3. Conduct reverse image searches to verify property photos
4. Use a credit card and never a debit card for better transaction protection
5. Avoid using public Wi-Fi without a VPN
6. Be wary of unsolicited messages asking for personal information
7. Validate listings across multiple platforms to help determine legitimate accommodations
8. Have strong antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
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Chicago’s skyline (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Red flags to watch out for when booking online
Karnik advises travelers to be alert for these warning signs when booking online:
- Listings with no reviews
- Requests to communicate or pay outside the booking platform
- Pressure to make quick decisions
- Unusual payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards
An image of a beach in Florida (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
As Abhishek Karnik emphasizes, scammers are opportunists who take advantage of popular consumer trends and holidays when people might be more trusting or looking for vacation deals. By staying informed about common scams, recognizing red flags and following best practices for online safety, travelers can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to travel-related fraud. Remember, a little caution goes a long way in ensuring your summer getaway is memorable for all the right reasons.
How has the rise of artificial intelligence in creating realistic-looking travel opportunities affected your trust in online travel platforms? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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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.”
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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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