Technology
Cyberattacks on nursing homes: How to protect your loved ones

Taking care of your loved ones comes in many forms: cooking a warm meal after a long day, lending a listening ear when life gets tough, sending a check-in text just because or making sure they receive the right support at a nursing home. But as recent events have shown, care shouldn’t stop there.
Physical and mental well-being are essential, but protecting finances and personal information is just as important.
I’ll walk you through some steps you can take and some services worth considering to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
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A man being helped with technology (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Protecting nursing home residents from cyberattacks and data breaches
Scammers and fraudsters often have no moral compass, and they increasingly target the most vulnerable, especially nursing homes and the personal data of their residents.
Take the case of Hillcrest Nursing Home, the victim of a cyberattack that led to a data breach affecting more than 100,000 people. Names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, patient records, treatment information, insurance details and provider data — all leaked in a single incident.
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The good news? There are things you can do to help safeguard your loved ones’ financial and personal data in the event of a similar breach.

A group of elderly nursing home residents (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Cyberattacks exploit vulnerable systems and elderly patients
In the first few months of 2025 alone, more than half a dozen nursing homes have reported some form of cyberattack. Experts say elderly patients are being targeted because they’re simply easier marks, from limited digital literacy to a lower likelihood of regularly monitoring their financial or medical accounts.
Add to that the often outdated and vulnerable IT infrastructure of nursing homes, and you’ve got a prime target. As a security advisor from Optiv, a cybersecurity solutions company, explains, these centers typically operate on tight budgets, which means cybersecurity isn’t always a top priority — or even feasible at the level it should be.

A woman in a wheelchair in a nursing home (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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6 things you should do to make sure your loved ones are safe from cyber threats and identity theft
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but, with the right precautions, you can protect your loved ones from falling victim to these threats. Here’s a guide to six essential actions you can take to safeguard their personal and financial information.
1. Freeze credit accounts to prevent fraud
Data breaches usually happen for one reason — financial gain. This often involves selling stolen information to scammers or hackers who use it for fraudulent activities, such as running credit fraud schemes. Since many forms of identity theft revolve around credit accounts, it’s crucial to take action if your or a loved one’s personal data has been exposed.
One of the most effective ways to prevent credit fraud is by placing a security freeze on your credit accounts. A security freeze stops anyone from opening new accounts, issuing new cards or conducting any credit-related activities in your name while the freeze is in place.
If managing this process feels overwhelming, consider using an identity theft protection service. These services can handle placing and managing security freezes on your behalf, saving you time and ensuring the process is done correctly. Many of these services also offer additional features, such as credit monitoring and alerts, to help you stay on top of potential threats to your personal information. Taking this step can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft and provide peace of mind that your financial information is secure.
Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
2. Place a fraud alert
A fraud alert is an extra layer of protection for your credit accounts. Like a credit freeze, you can set it up with all three credit bureaus.
When you activate a fraud alert, it notifies the bureaus that there may be suspicious activity on your account. As a result, any attempts to open new credit or make changes will be looked at more carefully.
Equifax: You can place a fraud alert online or by calling their customer support at (888) 298-0045.
Experian: Place a fraud alert online or contact their customer service at (888) 397-3742.
TransUnion: You can place a fraud alert online or call them at (800) 916-8800.
3. Sign them up for a data removal service
Now that your credit accounts are secured, there’s one more step worth taking, a broader layer of protection. I’m talking about personal data removal services. These companies specialize in removing your personal information from the internet. With how easy it is for someone to find details like your name, address, contact info, relatives and more, you and your loved ones are at greater risk for scams and identity theft.
This is especially true for older adults, who are often seen as easier targets by scammers. Even just for peace of mind, it’s worth taking this extra step. There are plenty of services out there that tackle this issue. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
4. Install strong antivirus software
Install strong antivirus software to further safeguard your loved ones’ devices and personal information. Strong antivirus programs help block malware, spyware and phishing attempts that can lead to identity theft.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
5. Regularly review financial statements
Encourage your loved ones to regularly review their bank and credit card statements for any suspicious transactions or do it for them. Early detection can help prevent significant financial loss.
6. Educate on internet safety
Many elderly people fall victim to scams due to limited digital literacy. Providing basic cybersecurity education, such as recognizing phishing emails, avoiding suspicious links and using strong passwords, can significantly reduce their risk of being targeted. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Remember that protecting your loved ones from cyber threats and identity theft is an ongoing process. It’s not just about taking a few steps and forgetting about it. It’s about continually updating your strategies as new threats emerge. By combining these measures, like freezing credit accounts, using fraud alerts, removing personal data from the internet, installing strong antivirus software, regularly reviewing financial statements and educating them on internet safety, you can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft and provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
Have you or a loved one ever been a victim of a cyberattack or identity theft? How did you handle it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Technology
Love, Death, and Robots keeps a good thing going in volume 4

At its best, Netflix’s Love, Death, and Robots creates the same feeling as picking up a collection of sci-fi short stories. You don’t always know what to expect, and not everything is brilliant, but you’re guaranteed to experience something interesting. That was especially true of volume 3 of the animated anthology, which offered nine shorts, all of which were excellent. The latest volume doesn’t quite hit the same heights, nor does it have a singular standout episode like “The Very Pulse of the Machine,” but it’s still a strong offering.
What volume 4 does do well — and it’s something that’s a strength of LDR as a whole — is offer a wide variety of tones and styles. There are still the dark, violent, and hyperreal episodes that are so closely associated with LDR, like “Spider Rose,” a follow-up to last season’s “Swarm,” which tells a cyberpunk story about a woman consumed with revenge who ends up finding it with the help of a very strange creature. There’s also “The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur,” in which trained warriors fight to the death in front of rich dignitaries and royalty, all while racing on dinosaurs. In a strangely inspired bit of casting, the death races are hosted by MrBeast.
But the show also continues to push beyond classic, darker science fiction. There’s a lot of comedy here, for instance. One episode is a confessional for smart devices like connected toothbrushes and toilets, which complain about how horrible it is to serve humans. Another follows a cat intent on world domination, who finds the perfect accomplice when its owners bring home a robotic assistant. And if you enjoyed last season’s “Night of the Mini Dead,” there’s a sequel that similarly turns an alien invasion into a cutesy diorama of death and destruction.
And while the show still skews heavily toward CG animation, there are a pair of great 2D episodes, as well. “How Zeke Got Religion” is pure Heavy Metal and is a story about a group of WWII soldiers who end up fighting a demonic monstrosity summoned by the Nazis. It’s filled with copious amounts of blood and gore and a truly terrifying monster that’s all hands, mouths, and screams. That’s joined by “400 Boys,” a wild and kinetic post-apocalyptic action story about a world filled with warring gangs that join together to fight a group of towering, naked babies that are simply called “boys.”
Volume 4 takes a few fun risks, as well. “Golgotha” is the show’s first fully live-action short, a simple story about a priest, an alien invasion, and a resurrected dolphin who might be the messiah. Like the best of LDR, the episode is satisfying on its own, but it also leaves you wanting to see and learn much more about its world. Not all the episodes are quite so successful. “For He Can Creep” is a fine-if-forgettable tale of a cat fighting Satan, while “Can’t Stop” is an impressive-looking music video that turns the Red Hot Chili Peppers into marionettes but feels pretty out of place amid the rest of the season (and LDR as a whole).
But even the worst episodes of volume 4 are still interesting, and that’s the promise of Love, Death, and Robots, really. Streaming services have helped usher in a new wave of sci-fi anthologies, which have ranged from prophetic and impactful to completely unnecessary. LDR might be the most consistent modern example of the form. It’s funny, violent, and surprising — and almost never boring.
Volume 4 of Love, Death, and Robots is now streaming on Netflix.
Technology
Jeff Bezos backs radical $20,000 small electric pickup truck

Jeff Bezos is backing a bold new venture that’s positioning itself to disrupt the electric vehicle space: Slate Auto. It’s a startup that has unveiled a simple, modular electric pickup truck called the Slate Truck. It’s priced at $20,000 after federal EV incentives, a concept some would consider radical and even inconceivable.
The Slate Truck’s base model defies industry norms by stripping down to essentials, with no power windows, no touchscreen and a minimalist dashboard.
However, at the same time, it offers a range of customization options, allowing buyers to transform it into a five-seat SUV.
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Image of the exterior of the Slate Truck. (Slate Auto)
Slate Truck by the numbers
The Slate Truck is a compact electric pickup, measuring 174.6 inches in length, 70.6 inches wide excluding mirrors and 69.3 inches tall, making it more than 20 inches shorter than a Ford Maverick and reminiscent of classic pickups like the 1985 Toyota truck. It rides on a 108.9-inch wheelbase and features a five-foot bed that is slightly longer and wider than the Maverick’s, offering 37 cubic feet of cargo space. The truck is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, delivering rear-wheel drive only and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, with a top speed near 90 mph.
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Buyers can choose between a standard 52.7 kWh battery with an estimated 150-mile range or an optional 84.3 kWh pack for up to 240 miles of range. Charging is flexible, with an 11 kW onboard AC charger and DC fast charging up to 120 kW through a NACS connector, allowing a 20% to 80% charge in about half an hour. The Slate Truck has a maximum payload capacity of 1,433 pounds and can tow up to 1,000 pounds, making it practical for everyday hauling needs.
Safety features include traction control, electronic stability control, automated emergency braking, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and up to eight airbags, with the company targeting a five-star NCAP safety rating. The curb weight is about 3,600 pounds.

Specific details of the Slate Truck. (Slate Auto)
AMERICA’S SMALLEST EV TRUCK PROTOTYPE HAS ARRIVED
Funding and mission
Slate Auto, founded in 2022, secured $111 million in funding from Bezos and other investors, including Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The company aims to disrupt the EV market by making electric trucks accessible to budget-conscious consumers. This is a stark contrast to an industry dominated by high-priced models.

The exterior of the Slate Truck. (Slate Auto)
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Slate Truck manufacturing strategy
Slate Auto’s production is set to begin in Warsaw, Indiana, at a repurposed paper facility, an unconventional approach to manufacturing. The company is betting on affordability and modularity to carve out a niche in the EV market and is looking to challenge industry giants like Tesla and Ford. Maybe with Bezos’ backing, Slate Auto can redefine what an affordable EV looks like.
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An illustration of the Slate Truck’s customization options. (Slate Auto)
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Customization options
One of Slate’s standout features is its extensive customization. Starting as a minimalist two-seater, the Slate Truck can be transformed into a five-seat SUV with an add-on kit that includes rear seats, a roll cage and airbags. Buyers can choose from over 100 accessories, including roof racks, cargo storage, all-terrain tires and lift kits. The vehicle’s exterior can be wrapped in different colors and designs instead of painted, allowing owners to easily change its look or even do it themselves with a DIY kit. This modular, build-it-your-way philosophy makes the Slate Truck feel like a rolling Lego set, appealing to both everyday drivers and enthusiasts who want a personalized EV experience.
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The Slate Truck. (Slate Auto)
When will the Slate Truck be available?
Reservations for the Slate Truck are open for a refundable $50 deposit. Customers should expect deliveries to start in late 2026. You can go to the Slate Auto website to reserve yours by clicking on this link.
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The exterior of the Slate Truck. (Slate Auto)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Slate Auto’s approach to building a simple, modular electric pickup truck at an affordable price could shake up the EV market. Its focus on practicality and customization, backed by Jeff Bezos, offers a fresh alternative to pricey, tech-heavy trucks. With production starting in Indiana and deliveries expected in late 2026, the Slate Truck may well redefine what an affordable EV looks like.
Would you consider buying a Slate Truck, with its minimalist design and customizable features? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Netflix’s ad tier is growing really fast — and that means more ads

Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s president of advertising, said the streaming service has “the most engaged audience anywhere,” with subscribers on its ad-supported tier spending an average of 41 hours per month on the service.
The new ad formats are part of Netflix’s in-house advertising platform, which is now live in the US after arriving in Canada. It plans to bring the platform to all 12 countries with ad-supported plans by June. “The foundations of our ads business are in place,” Reinhard said. “And going forward, the pace of progress will be even faster.”
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