Technology

I’m a tech expert still in shock at these ways hackers steal your password

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

Press Room

I’m a tech expert still in shock at these ways hackers steal your password

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You’ve probably heard it a million times, right? Keep your passwords strong, unique and under wraps. Don’t go clicking on shady links, and change your passwords like you change your socks. Oh, and let’s not forget about tucking them away in a cozy, encrypted password manager. The advice list is never-ending.

But here’s a kicker. What if you tick all those boxes and your password still ends up in the wrong hands? I know it sounds like we’re going overboard, but it’s a legitimate worry. How can you keep yourself safe from all the password-stealing scams out there and the damage that can potentially come with that?

The truth is, you can never keep yourself 100% safe from anything. But you can try your best. It starts by taking a step back and understanding the ways that your password, emails and usernames could be potentially compromised.

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Illustration of locking up your devices (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The many ways hackers try to steal your password

Theoretically, there are many ways that hackers can go about stealing your password and other login information, especially when it comes to tricking you into giving it to them. But, all the methods go back to the basics. Here are some of the methods hackers employ to steal passwords from innocent people like you and me.

Password spraying: This isn’t always successful, but attackers may attempt to log in to your accounts by trying random common passwords and seeing if anything hits.

Credential stuffing: Hackers test databases or lists of stolen credentials against multiple accounts to see if there’s a match. If you use the same password across different sites, these hackers have a good chance of finding a match.

Phishing: Phishing attempts are one of the most common ways that hackers can get your password. It’s a social engineering tactic where they attempt to trick you into providing your login credentials. Phishing often takes place through emails or messages, perhaps telling you that you missed a payment or your credit card will be charged soon. In a panic, you contact them to resolve the issue, sometimes not realizing you gave away your information to a scammer until it’s too late.

THE VERY WORST AND WEAKEST PASSWORDS OF 2023

Extortion: Extortion is more aggressive when hackers demand passwords through threats or blackmail.

Keyloggers: Another way is to get you to download malware onto your device, which is capable of capturing everything you type, including your passwords.

Brute force attacks: This is a trial-and-error method of stealing passwords by employing an algorithm that attempts to crack passwords by trying every possible combination.

Local discovery: This is when hackers are physically able to find your passwords that are written down or stored insecurely. Perhaps they break into your home and steal a list of passwords on a notepad in your office desk drawer. Or, they find a way to use malware to hack into your password storage software. This is scary as those are meant to be trusted, but it can happen.

Once hackers get the information they need, they can access your various accounts – including bank accounts – and potentially wreak havoc on your finances and other aspects of your life.

Woman talking about password situation (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THE VERY WORST AND WEAKEST PASSWORDS

How to keep your passwords safe

In addition to the basics we mentioned earlier – like changing your passwords often – there are other strategies you can use to help protect yourself.

Use strong, unique passwords: This is one you probably know, but your password should be long (more than 12 characters) and contain a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols (and whatever you’re allowed to use on the platform it is). Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

Reset your password often: Sometimes, forgetting your password isn’t all that bad. Okay, kidding. But the reason I mention this is because the more often you reset or change your password, the harder it is for hackers to guess it.

Enable two-factor authentication: Most banks and other platforms that hold your sensitive data already have 2FA incorporated into their system, but sometimes, you do need to set it up yourself. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by sending a code to your device or email address. It’s easy once you get it going and can keep your account extra secure.

Check your bank accounts often: One of the most common reasons that a hacker tries to steal your password is to have access to your bank account. Check your activities and statements often to make sure no one is using your account or card to buy anything, and let your bank know of any suspicious or fraudulent activities.

Don’t download suspicious apps: This goes without saying, but if you’re downloading an app from a third-party app store or someone sends you an invitation to download an app, it is best not to do it.

Don’t use public devices or sensitive information: If you must use a public or someone else’s device (for instance, a computer at the library), create a guest user account, use private browsing and sign out of your account before leaving the device and clearing the history.

Be careful on public Wi-Fi: In addition to being careful with which devices you use, you also need to be cautious connecting to public Wi-Fi. Hackers lurk in these places, waiting for people to connect to these often unsecured networks, allowing them to creep in and steal your information.

Do regular software updates on your devices: Clever hackers can find ways to install malware on your device. But by doing software updates regularly, you stay one step ahead of their tricks. These updates patch security vulnerabilities, strengthen defenses and ensure your digital fortress remains resilient against their cunning tactics.

Have good 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 and actively running 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 & iOS devices.

Username and Password on device (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: HOW TO ENSURE YOUR PASSWORDS DON’T DIE WITH YOU

What if your password gets stolen anyway?

If you try all of these methods and find out your password has still been stolen, don’t fret. Keep an eye on your accounts, report any identity theft or fraud to the FTC, and reset all your passwords with new, stronger passwords as quickly as possible.

MORE: DITCH YOUR PASSWORD AND SWITCH TO A PASSKEY FOR YOUR AMAZON ACCOUNT

Kurt’s key takeaways

Remember, no security measure is 100% foolproof, but these steps can significantly reduce your risk of being hacked. Stay safe. Any hacker who is determined to steal your password will try nearly every attempt they can think of to get it. But by following the tips above, you can keep yourself that much safer until the hacker moves onto a target who is not as safe.

Have you ever been the victim of a password-related security breach? If so, how did you handle the situation? 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.

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Technology

Bill Gates says accusations contained in Epstein files are ‘absolutely absurd’

Published

10 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Bill Gates says accusations contained in Epstein files are ‘absolutely absurd’

Reports of Bill Gates’ connections with Jeffrey Epstein grow more lurid with each dump of documents from the Department of Justice. The latest includes somewhat confusing emails that Epstein may have been drafting on behalf of someone named Boris, who worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The messages claim that Bill contracted an STD and wanted to “surreptitiously” give Melinda antibiotics. It also claims that Bill had “trysts” with married women and “Russian girls.”

“These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”

It’s unclear who the Boris referenced in the emails is, or if the messages were ever sent to anyone. Only Epstein is listed in the to and from fields.

Gates’ relationship with Epstein has become a major issue for the billionaire philanthropist. He initially downplayed his connections, but documents have suggested the two were closer than Gates admitted. He has repeatedly denied associating with Epstein outside of fundraising and philanthropic efforts and said their meetings were a “huge mistake.” However, Melinda Gates has stated that Bill’s association with Epstein played a role in her decision to file for divorce.

Technology

AI wearable helps stroke survivors speak again

Published

11 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

AI wearable helps stroke survivors speak again

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Losing the ability to speak clearly after a stroke can feel devastating. For many survivors, the words are still there in their minds, but their bodies will not cooperate. Speech becomes slow, unclear or fragmented. This condition, known as dysarthria, affects nearly half of all stroke survivors and can make everyday communication exhausting. Now, researchers believe they may have found a better way forward. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a wearable device called Revoice. It is designed to help people with post-stroke speech impairment communicate naturally again without surgery or brain implants.

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FULLY IMPLANTABLE BRAIN CHIP AIMS TO RESTORE REAL SPEECH

A soft, flexible choker like this houses Revoice’s sensors, which read subtle throat vibrations to help reconstruct speech in real time. (University of Cambridge)

Why dysarthria makes recovery so hard

Dysarthria is a physical speech disorder. A stroke can weaken the muscles in the face, mouth and vocal cords. As a result, speech may sound slurred, slow or incomplete. Many people can only say a few words at a time, even though they know exactly what they want to say. According to professor Luigi Occhipinti, that disconnect creates deep frustration. Stroke survivors often work with speech therapists using repetitive drills. These exercises help over time, but open-ended conversation remains difficult. Recovery can take months or even longer, which leaves patients struggling during daily interactions with family, caregivers and doctors.

How the Revoice device works

Revoice takes a very different approach. Instead of asking users to type, track their eyes or rely on implants, the device reads subtle physical signals from the throat and neck. It looks like a soft, flexible choker made from breathable, washable fabric. Inside are ultra-sensitive textile strain sensors and a small wireless circuit board. When a user silently mouths words, the sensors detect tiny vibrations in the throat muscles. At the same time, the device measures pulse signals in the neck to estimate emotional state.

Those signals are processed by two artificial intelligence (AI) agents:

One reconstructs words from mouthed speech
The other interprets emotion and context to build complete sentences

Together, they allow Revoice to turn a few mouthed words into fluent speech in real time.

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

This diagram shows how Revoice combines throat muscle signals and pulse data with AI to turn silently mouthed words into full, expressive sentences in real time. (University of Cambridge)

Why this AI approach is different

Earlier silent speech systems had serious limits. Many were tested only on healthy volunteers. Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural. Revoice avoids those delays. It uses an AI-driven throat sensor system paired with a lightweight language model. Because the model runs efficiently, it uses very little power and delivers near-instant responses. The device is powered by a 1,800 mWh battery, which researchers expect will last a full day on a single charge.

What early trials revealed

After refining the system with healthy participants, researchers tested Revoice with five stroke patients who had dysarthria.

The results were striking:

Word error rate: 4.2%
Sentence error rate: 2.9%

In one example, a patient mouthed the phrase “We go hospital.” Revoice expanded it into a complete sentence that reflected urgency and frustration, based on emotional signals and context. Participants reported a 55% increase in satisfaction and said the device helped them communicate as fluently as they did before their stroke.

PARALYZED MAN WALKS AGAIN AFTER EXPERIMENTAL DRUG TRIAL TRIGGERS REMARKABLE RECOVERY

This figure breaks down the Revoice hardware and AI pipeline, showing how strain sensors, wireless electronics, and emotion decoding work together to reconstruct natural speech. (University of Cambridge)

Beyond stroke recovery

Researchers believe Revoice could also help people with Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease. Because the device is comfortable, washable, and designed for daily wear, it could fit into real-world routines rather than being confined to clinics. Before that can happen, larger clinical trials are required. The research team plans to begin broader studies with native English-speaking patients and hopes to expand the system to support multiple languages and a wider range of emotional expressions. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.

What this means for you

If you or someone you care for has experienced a stroke, this research points to a major shift in recovery tools. Revoice suggests that speech assistance does not need to be invasive to be effective. A wearable solution could support communication during the most difficult months of rehabilitation, when confidence and independence often suffer the most. It may also reduce stress for caregivers who struggle to understand incomplete or unclear speech. Clear communication can improve medical care, emotional well-being and daily decision-making.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Communication is tied closely to dignity and independence. For stroke survivors, losing that ability can be one of the hardest parts of recovery. Revoice shows how artificial intelligence and wearable tech can work together to restore something deeply human. While it is still early, this device represents a meaningful step toward making recovery feel less isolating and more hopeful.

If a simple wearable could help restore natural speech, should it become a standard part of stroke rehabilitation? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Nvidia CEO denies he’s ‘unhappy’ with OpenAI

Published

22 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Nvidia CEO denies he’s ‘unhappy’ with OpenAI

“We are going to make a huge investment in OpenAI. I believe in OpenAI, the work that they do is incredible, they are one of the most consequential companies of our time and I really love working with Sam,” he said, referring to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

“Sam is closing the round (of investment) and we will absolutely be involved,” Huang added. “We will invest a great deal of money, probably the largest investment we’ve ever made.”