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FDA clears first at-home brain device for depression

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FDA clears first at-home brain device for depression

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For the first time, Americans with depression will soon be able to use a prescription brain-stimulation device at home. 

The approval comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and marks a major shift in how mental health conditions may be treated. The newly approved device is called FL-100, and it comes from Flow Neuroscience. 

It is designed for adults 18 and older with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. Clinicians can prescribe it as a stand-alone treatment or alongside antidepressants and therapy. This decision matters because depression affects more than 20 million adults in the U.S. Roughly one-third do not get enough relief from medication or stop taking it due to side effects.

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SIMPLE DAILY HABIT MAY HELP EASE DEPRESSION MORE THAN MEDICATION, RESEARCHERS SAY

Flow Neuroscience has gotten approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its FL-100 prescription brain-stimulation device. (Flow Neuroscience)

How the Flow FL-100 works

The FL-100 uses transcranial direct current stimulation, often shortened to tDCS. This technology delivers a gentle electrical current to the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain tied to mood regulation and stress response. In many people with depression, activity in this area is reduced. By stimulating it, the device aims to restore healthier brain signaling over time. The system looks like a lightweight headset and pairs with a mobile app. Patients use it at home for about 30 minutes per day while clinicians monitor progress remotely.

The clinical results behind the approval

The FDA based its decision on a randomized controlled trial that evaluated home use under remote supervision. Participants who received active stimulation showed meaningful improvement on clinician-rated and self-reported depression scales. After 10 weeks of treatment, patients experienced an average symptom improvement of 58% compared to a control group. Many users reported noticeable changes within the first three weeks. The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine, adding credibility to the findings. Side effects were generally mild and short-term. Reported issues included skin irritation, redness, headaches, and brief stinging sensations at the electrode sites.

The FDA has approved the first prescription brain-stimulation device for at-home treatment of depression in the U.S., marking a major shift in mental healthcare. (hoto by ISSAM AHMED/AFP via Getty Images)

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A growing shift toward tech-based mental health care

Flow’s device has already been used by more than 55,000 people across Europe, the U.K., Switzerland and Hong Kong. In the U.K., it is prescribed within parts of the public health system. Company leaders say the U.S. approval opens the door for broader access to non-drug treatment options. The momentum is not isolated. In 2025, researchers at UCLA Health developed another experimental brain-stimulation approach, signaling rapid growth in this field. Together, these advances suggest that at-home neuromodulation may soon become a standard part of depression care rather than a fringe option.

When will the device be available

Flow expects the FL-100 to be available to U.S. patients in the second quarter of 2026. A prescription will be required, and the companion app will be available on iOS and Android. The company also plans to explore additional uses for its platform, including sleep disorders, addiction, and traumatic brain injury.

10 HEALTH TECH PRODUCTS STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT AT CES 2026

Flow Neuroscience’s FL-100 headset delivers mild electrical stimulation to the brain and can be prescribed for home use under medical supervision. (Flow Neuroscience)

What to know before trying Flow

Flow is FDA approved for adults 18 and older with moderate to severe major depressive disorder, and it requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Doctors can recommend it on its own or alongside medication or therapy. The headset is non-invasive and designed for home use, but it is not meant for emergency situations or people considered treatment resistant. It also does not replace crisis care or immediate mental health support. Most users wear the headset for about 30 minutes per session. Mild tingling, warmth, skin irritation or headaches can happen, especially early on. These effects are usually short-lived and monitored by a clinician through the companion app.

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Flow pairs with a mobile app that guides treatment and supports remote clinical oversight. Your provider sets the treatment plan, and the device follows prescribed settings to ensure safe use. Pricing and insurance coverage may vary once the device becomes available in the U.S. Some patients may access Flow through clinics, research programs, or as it becomes more widely adopted in routine depression care. The bottom line is simple. Flow adds another evidence-based option, not a cure and not a one-size-fits-all solution. For people who have struggled to find relief, having another clinically proven choice can matter a lot.

What this means to you

If you or someone you care about struggles with depression, this approval expands the range of real treatment options. It offers a non-drug path that can be used at home under medical guidance. For patients who have not responded well to medication or who experience unwanted side effects, this could provide another way forward. It also reflects a broader trend toward personalized, tech-enabled mental healthcare. 

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ELON MUSK SHARES PLAN TO MASS-PRODUCE BRAIN IMPLANTS FOR PARALYSIS, NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

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The newly approved device targets adults with moderate to severe depression and can be used alongside medication or therapy. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

This FDA approval feels like a real turning point. For years, brain stimulation for depression stayed locked inside clinics. Now it can happen at home with a doctor still guiding the process. That matters for people who have tried medications, dealt with side effects or felt stuck with limited options. This device will not be the right answer for everyone, but it gives patients and doctors one more proven tool to work with. And for many people living with depression, having another option could make all the difference.

If a doctor could prescribe a brain-stimulation headset instead of another pill, would you be open to trying it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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You can now use ChatGPT with Apple’s CarPlay

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You can now use ChatGPT with Apple’s CarPlay

ChatGPT is now accessible from your CarPlay dashboard if you have iOS 26.4 or newer and the latest version of the ChatGPT app, 9to5Mac reports. Apple’s recently-launched iOS 26.4 update added support for “voice-based conversational apps” in CarPlay, opening the door to let you use AI chatbots with voice features through Apple’s in-car platform.

When using ChatGPT through CarPlay, the app doesn’t show text conversations, according to 9to5Mac — instead, you can only have conversations with the app using your voice. (Apple’s developer guidelines ask that apps don’t show text or imagery as responses.) The CarPlay app isn’t completely devoid of text, though, as there’s onscreen buttons to mute and end the conversation.

You can also look at a list of recent conversations you’ve had with ChatGPT, according to MacRumors. But you can’t use a wake word to use ChatGPT through CarPlay — you’ll have to tap on the app to open it up.

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Fake Google Meet update lets hackers control your Windows PCs

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Fake Google Meet update lets hackers control your Windows PCs

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You might think the biggest danger online is downloading a virus or giving away your password. But a new phishing trick shows how attackers can take control of your computer without either of those things happening. 

Security researchers recently uncovered a fake Google Meet update page that looks convincing enough to fool many people. All it takes is one click on a button that says “Update now.”  Instead of installing an update, you can be tricked into enrolling your Windows computer in a remote management system controlled by attackers.

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A fake Google Meet update page can trick Windows users into handing attackers remote control of their computers through a built-in device enrollment feature. (pocketlight/Getty Images)

All you need to know about the fake Google Meet update

Researchers at Malwarebytes, a cybersecurity company that develops software to detect and remove malware, discovered a phishing website designed to look like an official update notice for Google Meet. The page tells visitors they need to install the latest version of Meet to continue using the service. The design uses familiar colors and branding that many of us associate with Google products.

When someone clicks the “Update now” button, it does not download an update at all. Instead, it triggers a built-in Windows feature using a special device enrollment link that opens a real system window called “Set up a work or school account.” This window normally appears when a company’s IT department sets up a laptop for an employee.

In this scam, the setup window is already filled with information that connects the computer to a remote management server controlled by the attacker. The system points to an online management service hosted on Esper, which is a legitimate platform used by businesses to manage company devices.

If the victim clicks through the setup process, his computer becomes enrolled in what is called a mobile device management system. That gives whoever controls the server the same level of control a company’s IT department would have over a work laptop.

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Security researchers say the attackers are not expecting everyone to complete the process. Even if only a small number of people click through the prompts, that can still give them access to enough computers to make the campaign worthwhile.

How it works and why it matters to you

This attack works by abusing a legitimate Windows feature rather than installing malware. Windows includes something called device enrollment, which lets companies connect employee computers to a management system. Once a device is enrolled, administrators can remotely control many aspects of that machine.

In a normal workplace setting, this helps IT teams install company software, enforce security settings and manage devices. Attackers realized they could trick people into joining their own management system instead. When you click the fake update button, Windows launches a built-in enrollment process. Because it is a real system feature and not a fake pop-up, it looks legitimate and can bypass many security warnings.

If you complete the steps, the attacker effectively becomes the administrator of your computer. That could allow the hacker to silently install software, change system settings, view files stored on your computer, lock your screen or even wipe the device entirely. In some cases, the hacker could also install additional malware later. What makes this attack especially tricky is that traditional antivirus tools may not detect anything wrong because the operating system itself is performing the actions.

We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson provided the following statement: “These ‘update now’ prompts are not legitimate Google communications. This is a phishing campaign that attempts to trick users into a Windows device enrollment process. Google Meet updates are handled automatically through your browser or the official app. Google will never prompt you to visit a third-party site to enroll a personal device to receive an update.” 

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FAKE GOOGLE SECURITY PAGE CAN TURN YOUR BROWSER INTO A SPYING TOOL
 

Instead of downloading malware, victims who click through a fake update page may unknowingly give attackers administrator-level access to their Windows devices. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

7 ways to protect yourself from the fake Google Meet update

If you ever see a message saying you must update a service before continuing, slow down and verify it first. A few simple habits can prevent attacks like this from working.

1) Be skeptical of unexpected update prompts

If a website suddenly tells you that a service like Google Meet needs an update before you can continue, pause for a moment. Major platforms rarely force updates through random web pages. Google Meet updates happen automatically through your browser or official app and never require visiting a third-party site. Always check the URL bar. Legitimate Google Meet sessions only run on meet.google.com. A real update will never try to enroll your entire computer or trigger system-level setup screens. If it does, it is a scam. Instead, open the service directly from its official website or app and check for updates there.

2) Check if your device was enrolled without your knowledge

On a Windows computer, open Settings, then go to Accounts and look for “Access work or school.” If you see an unfamiliar account or organization listed, especially one you do not recognize, disconnect it immediately. This section shows whether your device has been enrolled in a remote management system.

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3) Reduce your exposure with a data removal service

Cybercriminals often rely on personal information found online to make phishing attacks more convincing. Data removal services help remove your information from data broker sites, reducing the chances that scammers can target you with personalized attacks. While it will not stop this specific trick, it can make you a harder target overall. 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.

4) Use strong antivirus software

Google says Gmail’s AI protections block more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware, but scams can still reach you through search results, ads or links shared outside your inbox. That’s why using strong antivirus software with real-time protection can help detect suspicious behavior that may emerge after an attacker gains control of a device. Even though this attack uses legitimate Windows features, security tools can still identify unusual system changes or malicious software installed afterward. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

DARKSWORD LEAK PUTS MILLIONS OF IPHONE USERS AT RISK
 

Security researchers uncovered a phishing scam that uses a fake Google Meet update prompt to enroll personal computers into attacker-controlled remote management systems. (400tmax/Getty Images)

5) Keep Windows and your browser updated

Software updates often include security protections that help block new attack methods. Running the latest version of Windows and your web browser reduces the chances of attackers exploiting older system behaviors or vulnerabilities.

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6) Use a password manager

A password manager only autofills your login details at the correct website address. If you land on a phishing page pretending to be a service like Google Meet, your password manager will not fill in your information. That warning alone can help you realize something is wrong before you click anything. It also encourages you to rely on saved logins instead of interacting with suspicious update prompts. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

7) Never complete system setup prompts you didn’t start

If a Windows system window suddenly appears asking you to set up a work or school account, stop immediately. Legitimate setup prompts typically appear when you are configuring a device or following instructions from your employer, not from clicking a random website. If you did not expect it, close the window.

Kurt’s key takeaway

Cybercrime is changing by the minute. Instead of writing obvious viruses, attackers are increasingly abusing legitimate features built into operating systems and cloud services. In this case, both Windows device enrollment and the management platform being used are real tools designed for businesses. The attackers simply redirected those tools toward people who never intended to hand over control of their computers. That should tell you how easily powerful enterprise features can be repurposed for attacks when there are few safeguards preventing misuse.

Should operating systems block device enrollment requests that come from random websites? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Another Starlink satellite has inexplicably exploded

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Another Starlink satellite has inexplicably exploded

SpaceX says it lost contact with a Starlink satellite after suffering an “anomaly.” SpaceX isn’t saying exactly what happened, but space-tracking company Leo Labs says it “immediately detected tens of objects in the vicinity” of Starlink 34343 after the event.

“Latest analysis shows the event poses no new risk to the @Space_Station, its crew, or to the upcoming launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission,” says SpaceX in a message posted to X. “We will continue to monitor the satellite along with any trackable debris and coordinate with @NASA and the @USSpaceForce.”

The satellite and fragments are expected to burn up in the atmosphere within a few weeks. SpaceX says it is working to determine the root cause.

The latest mishap occurred at about 560km above the Earth, an increasingly crowded area known as low Earth orbit where over 24,000 objects, including debris and about 10,000 Starlink satellites, are currently being tracked.

In January, SpaceX requested approval from the FCC for “up to one million satellites” to create orbital data centers. “We just recently gave a request for FCC licensing of up to a million AI satellites,” said SpaceX president and chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell in a recent Time profile. “I’m surprised that didn’t get more news. I thought for sure that would get a lot of news.”

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