The EcoFlow Wave 2 is an air conditioner, heater, and fan that can uniquely be powered by a battery and solar panel. This portable heat pump packs a lot of cooling and heating for its size and could be a game changer for some or a disappointment for others. It all depends on whether you believe EcoFlow’s marketing.
Technology
Is your child's data up for grabs? The hidden dangers of school tech
![Is your child's data up for grabs? The hidden dangers of school tech Is your child's data up for grabs? The hidden dangers of school tech](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1-Is-your-childs-data-up-for-grabs-The-hidden-dangers-of-school-tech-intro.jpg)
This might come as a surprise, but schools collect a significant amount of data about students, often for administrative purposes or through the use of learning apps and school-issued devices. As the new school year begins, it’s crucial to be aware of how this data is managed and protected.
During the back-to-school period, when educational institutions ramp up their use of technology, the risk of data breaches increases. If unauthorized parties, such as marketers or threat actors, gain access to this data, it could be used to create customer profiles for targeted ads or, in more severe cases, identity theft.
Let’s explore the often-overlooked dangers associated with school technology, and I’ll provide preventive measures to help protect your child’s data as they return to school.
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A child and parent working on a computer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Understanding school technology
Most schools use apps, devices and management software to make learning easier for your kids. There’s no denying that technology has made schools more efficient and learning more accessible. But, like with everything good, school tech also has its downsides.
Classroom management apps are widely used to track academic performance, while some learning apps also monitor engagement. These apps are intended for educational purposes, but some still share tracked data with third parties, such as advertisers.
Legal protections: COPPA and FERPA explained
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires these apps and websites to obtain parental consent before collecting information from children younger than 13. However, schools can grant COPPA consent on behalf of parents if a service is used solely for educational purposes.
Also, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), public schools can share information like your child’s name, address, date of birth, attendance and any honors or awards with third parties without needing parental consent.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET
Risks of school-issued devices
Another potential risk involves school-issued devices. Many schools provide tablets or laptops to students, but these devices can easily be targeted by hackers. Hackers can misuse privacy settings, such as location and browser tracking.
If your child uses a school device to post on social media, threat actors could use that information to target them. Even with stringent privacy settings, there’s no guarantee that their posts won’t be seen by the wrong people.
![student on laptop](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/2-Is-your-childs-data-up-for-grabs-The-hidden-dangers-of-school-tech-details.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A student working on her laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MUST-HAVE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRODUCTS FOR EVERY STUDENT
Teach your child about the dangers online
Kids today are spending more time online than ever before, and it’s important to teach them that the internet isn’t always a safe place. Talk to your kids about the dangers of interacting with strangers online. Just because someone has a social media account or email doesn’t mean they’re who they say they are.
Pay close attention to your child’s social media. This means setting clear rules about who they can talk to online. Make sure you have access to their accounts and know their usernames and email addresses.
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![classroom](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/3-Is-your-childs-data-up-for-grabs-The-hidden-dangers-of-school-tech-outro.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Students in a classroom working on their laptops. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST BACK-TO-SCHOOL LAPTOP DEALS
4 ways to protect your child from the dangers of school tech
Below are four steps that you can follow to keep your child’s personal data secure.
1. Let schools know your privacy preference: At the start of the year, schools often provide privacy options. If you prefer not to have your child’s data shared with third parties, be sure to communicate that. You can opt out by notifying the school not to share your child’s directory information. If you don’t receive a form for this at the beginning of the year, contact the school administrator to request your child’s removal from the directory.
2. Check the school apps: Schools often require your child to use various apps, some for learning and others for tracking. However, it’s important to ensure these apps are trustworthy and aren’t requesting unnecessary device permissions. Be cautious of apps that ask for location access or track browsing activities, as these could pose privacy risks. Take the time to review each app’s permissions and privacy policies to protect your child’s data. Get my picks for the top 4 child monitoring programs of 2024.
3. Monitor school-issued devices: It’s important to know what apps and services they’re accessing on the device. If the device has a camera, consider putting a piece of masking tape or a webcam cover over the lens when it’s not in use. This simple step helps ensure that no unwanted apps or threat actors can use the camera to monitor your child. It’s a quick and effective way to block any potential prying eyes.
4. Beware of back-to-school shopping scams: Hackers are attempting to scam back-to-school shoppers by tricking them into clicking malicious links. Between May and mid-July of this year, the McAfee Labs team identified nearly 6,000 suspicious or malicious links that directed back-to-school online shoppers to inappropriate or torrent sites.
According to the data, McAfee has observed a 380% year-over-year increase in suspicious links targeting consumers doing their back-to-school shopping online, along with a 6% year-over-year rise in unsolicited emails related to the back-to-school season.
The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware is to have strong antivirus protection installed on all your devices. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
5 EXPERT HACKS TO SAVE ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL ESSENTIALS
Kurt’s key takeaway
As schools increasingly use technology in the classroom, it’s important to understand how your child’s data is being collected and used. While educational apps and school-issued devices offer many benefits, they also pose risks that are often overlooked. Sharing student data with third parties and the possibility of cyberattacks on school devices are major concerns.
Have you ever reviewed the privacy policies of the apps or software your child’s school uses? What did you find? 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
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
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Technology
iPhone 16: all the leaks and rumors about Apple’s next smartphone
![iPhone 16: all the leaks and rumors about Apple’s next smartphone iPhone 16: all the leaks and rumors about Apple’s next smartphone](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RM-r7K1gVA9oSVC5uSkgJo2d_Sw=/0x0:2040x1360/1200x628/filters:focal(1020x680:1021x681)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24931969/236794_iPhone_15_pro_pro_Max_VPavic_0011.jpg)
A rose (iPhone) by any other name.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posted that the company plans to release the iPhone 16 Pro in “black, white (or silver), grey (I think it’s natural titanium), rose.”
The non-Pro models, he predicts, will come in the same hues as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, though he notes the colors could “look different,” despite having the same name.
Technology
An A/C and heater that can be taken anywhere
![An A/C and heater that can be taken anywhere An A/C and heater that can be taken anywhere](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZYx1HNsOzGkJILqdLvtLmZTnOCg=/0x0:5712x4284/1200x628/filters:focal(2930x2602:2931x2603)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25573368/IMG_9081.jpeg)
A heat pump’s ability to transfer heat in and out of a room is what makes these increasingly popular appliances so efficient, but EcoFlow’s pitch for the diminutive Wave 2 is absurd and misleading. It shows people using it inside a spacious living room, a large RV, on the deck of a boat, and outside at a campsite. Some backpacker even carried it into the mountains to use with a tent.
After a year of testing, I can assure you that the Wave 2 will not cool or heat those spaces in any meaningful way as depicted. It certainly won’t raise or lower the temperature by 18 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in just five minutes, as EcoFlow claims.
I’ve tested the $799 Wave 2 to both heat and cool a shipping-container-sized surf shack, and to cool both a campervan and a tiny bedroom in an old Portuguese farmhouse. The fastest temperature change I’ve seen is an 8F (4.6C) drop in 30 minutes, well below EcoFlow’s claim. But it also kept a room at 72F (22C) or below on a day that reached 99F (37C) outside. Its worst performance resulted in no temperature change at all.
Notably, in some climates, a 400W solar panel could conceivably keep the $1,199 Wave 2 with battery add-on running continuously without ever needing to plug it into a wall socket. The Wave 2 is certainly innovative and a very capable device in some limited scenarios — but it’s not the little miracle EcoFlow makes it seem.
EcoFlow’s Wave 2 is fitted with a compact compressor, condenser, and heat exchanger with air exhaust and intake pairs on both sides of the device that form two closed loops. The system works by moving heat from one loop to the other to either cool or heat the space you’re in. This ability to transfer heat instead of generating hot and cold air is what makes heat pumps so efficient. JerryRigEverything has a good Wave 2 teardown that also explains how everything works in more detail.
The Wave 2 is very small for an HVAC unit which is both a strength and a weakness. It measures just 20.4 x 11.7 x 13.2 inches (518 x 297 x 336mm) and weighs only 32 pounds (14.5kg). It’s rated for 1500W / 5100BTU hours of cooling capacity and 1800W / 6100BTU hours of heating capacity, yet only pulls about 200W to 450W in my testing. But anyone who’s ever purchased an air conditioner can tell you that 5100BTUs isn’t a lot of cooling capacity.
Basic window-mounted A/Cs commonly sold in the US usually start at around 8000BTUs. They cost less than half the price of the Wave 2 but consume far more power over time. You can also buy a much less portable 14000BTU A/C and heater combo unit from Midea for $100 less than the Wave 2 if you can afford the extra space it requires.
But only the Wave 2 can be fitted with an optional battery that adds 17.2 pounds (7.8kg) to the total weight and up to eight hours of untethered run time. Uniquely, that battery can be charged by an efficient 700W DC-to-DC connection from many of EcoFlow’s giant power stations. Or take advantage of the battery’s XT150 jack to charge it from just about any power station or DC-to-DC charger. It can also be charged from a standard AC wall jack (820W max), solar (11-60V / 13A, 400W max), or a vehicle’s cigarette lighter outlet (200W max).
Placement of the Wave 2 is limited by several factors, including the rather short AC power cord and the 55.1-inch (140-cm) long ducts that require five- and six-inch (12.7-cm and 15.2-cm) diameter openings in a window. You might also need a bucket within reach of the drainage hose to capture any accumulated condensation.
Last year I tried using the Wave 2 to heat and cool a single-room surf shack measuring about 800 cubic feet. I wasn’t impressed as it failed to effectively regulate the temperature in both cases. I did, however, benefit from the warm or cool air blowing directly on me, especially when falling asleep, but it didn’t do enough to justify the price.
Then I read the fine print. Ecoflow says the Wave 2 works best in spaces measuring less than 350 cubic feet (10 cubic meters), which is just big enough to fit a double bed and two side tables. Heating and cooling performance is roughly the same in such compact places — it’s a wee bit louder when cooling and uses slightly more power when heating. But the Wave 2 is not a heater for very cold winters. Instead, it’s designed to operate in temperatures between 41F and 122F (5C and 50C). And since EcoFlow says it’s “the industry’s most powerful and compact portable A/C,” I mainly tested its cooling abilities during a very hot summer.
So, with my expectations reset, I’ve been using the Wave 2 for the last few weeks to cool down a small 500-cubic-foot bedroom and a 364-cubic-foot Sprinter van in central Portugal, where cloudless skies have regularly produced temperatures too extreme for my Scottish ancestry.
Setting up the Wave 2 in the Sprinter requires more patience than in a home — but that’s true with everything in vanlife. After parking, I have to lug the unit out of the van’s storage to place it in front of the passenger seat. Then, I attach the battery, drain hose, and receptacle and carefully run the paper-thin ducting up and out through the window using a thick foam insert I created. I’ve got the whole thing down to under 10 minutes.
I tested the Wave 2’s cooling inside the van at night and in direct sunlight. For the sunlight test, I closed the doors and covered the inside of the windows with insulated and reflective covers. With the cooling set to maximum at the unit’s lowest possible temperature (16C / 61F), the inside of the van remained roughly the same as the outside, which ranged from 86F to a sweltering 99F (30C to 37C). That’s not bad considering the interior could have easily surpassed 120F (49F) without the Wave 2 running, but it’s still a fail in my book since higher capacity rooftop A/Cs (costing more than $2,000) from companies like Dometic and Coleman would have tamed that heat.
Of course, I suspected the Wave 2’s meager 5100BTU capacity would fail this test, but EcoFlow’s pitch to vanlifers is that the Wave 2 will “cool or warm, anywhere, anytime” which just isn’t true, especially for RVs — many of which are much larger than a class-B Sprinter van — that must park in the sun to recharge their leisure batteries off rooftop solar.
Cooling the Sprinter after the sun went down yielded much better results. On the warmest night of my testing when it was 72F to 77F (22C to 25C) outside, I was able to lower the internal temperature to about 66F (19C) and maintain it into the morning. The van got so cold that I needed a down-filled duvet at one point. That’s a major win, with one caveat.
The Wave 2’s optional 1159Wh battery only lasts about two and a half hours on max mode in my testing, or over eight in eco mode, its most energy-efficient setting. That wasn’t enough juice to keep the A/C running all night in a mix of max and eco cooling modes, so I had to plug the Wave 2 into the much larger solar generator I carry to power things like my van’s lighting, induction cooktop, and coffee maker. When I woke up, that bigger battery had drained to 10 percent, leaving me with precious little power to start my day.
My final test was to cool a small room in a restored Portuguese farmhouse. Here the Wave 2 received an assist from the room’s one tiny window cut into a structure with two-foot thick stone walls. On yet another 99F (37C) day I managed to keep the room between 68F and 72F (20C to 22C) with the Wave 2 operating in a mix of low to medium settings, even as the temperature inside the house peaked at 83F (28C). Impressive.
Over the last year of on and (mostly) off operation I’ve noticed two problems with my review unit. First, the buttons on the physical control panel now only work intermittently, perhaps because they got squashed from all the moving around. It’s not really an issue, though, because I prefer to control the unit with the excellent EcoFlow app which works well over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Of greater concern is the very loud and irritating noise the Wave 2 sometimes produces. I think it’s related to the water pump as it sometimes happens when the water receptacle is full or the drain hose is looped in a way that reduces gravity’s help. The squeal is identical to the sound reported by several other users. EcoFlow tells me that there’s a known issue related to the water pump clogging due to debris or trapped air. Affected owners can request a replacement under warranty.
- When initially cooling a room on max setting the Wave 2 is a loud 53dB from a meter away, which drops to a reasonable 45dB in Eco mode — that’s consistent with the quietest of basic window A/Cs.
- The Wave 2 can automatically evaporate condensation that develops during the heat exchange process, but only in environments with less than 70 percent humidity.
- The optional battery includes 100W USB-C and 18W USB-A charging ports for your gadgets.
- IPX4 water resistance makes it okay for the Wave 2 (and IP65 battery) to get caught in the rain.
- The top hose duct warms up considerably when exhausting heat outside the window (and thereby cooling the room). Good idea to wrap it in insulation for more permanent installations instead of bleeding that heat (or cold) back into the room.
The Wave 2 heat pump is a fairly niche but interesting product that works best to cool and heat small spaces located in temperate climates. It can even cool a small room in a very warm climate if the insulation is good enough. It’s also a good choice for vanlifers looking for some occasional DIY temperature control, especially at night and when traveling beyond the grid. But if you regularly need to heat or cool a living space larger than 350 cubic feet (10 cubic meters) in more extreme climates, you should consider more traditional cooling and heating options.
Still, as a budding vanlifer and off-grid adventurer, I’m excited by the future of battery-powered heat pumps. The Wave 2 already improved upon the original EcoFlow Wave, and EcoFlow tells me that a third generation is coming in 2025.
All photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
Technology
Lego-like construction blocks made from plastic waste can stand up to nature’s fury
![Lego-like construction blocks made from plastic waste can stand up to nature’s fury Lego-like construction blocks made from plastic waste can stand up to nature’s fury](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/b66ac595-2-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg)
In a world grappling with the effects of climate change and natural disasters, innovative solutions are emerging to address urgent housing needs.
One such solution comes from Finland, where a company called Block Solutions is revolutionizing the construction industry by utilizing plastic waste to create interlocking Lego-like building blocks.
Let’s dive into how these eco-friendly blocks could have us rethinking the way we look at construction and sustainability.
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Lego-like building blocks. (Block Solutions)
The concept behind Block Solutions
Founded by Markus Silfverberg in 2017, Block Solutions aims to provide a rapid, low-cost construction method that is both sustainable and efficient. The blocks are made from recycled polypropylene and other plastics, combined with organic fibers like wood byproducts. This unique biocomposite material is not only lightweight but also features a load-bearing strength that surpasses traditional cinder blocks.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET
![lego-like blocks 2](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/b66ac595-2-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
People holding Lego-like building blocks. (Block Solutions)
3D PRINTER CONSTRUCTS STUNNING DATA CENTER HANDS-FREE IN 140 HOURS
Rapid assembly using blocks for disaster recovery
The construction process is remarkably simple; it requires no heavy machinery or skilled labor. With just a rubber hammer, a water level and a ring wrench, two people can assemble a 323-square-foot structure in approximately two and a half hours. This efficiency is crucial in disaster recovery scenarios, where time is of the essence.
![lego-like blocks 3](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/3-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A woman holding a Lego-like building block. (Block Solutions)
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BEING REPLACED BY AI ROBOT BRICKLAYERS
Real-world applications of building with blocks
Block Solutions has made significant strides in disaster recovery, particularly following the 2018 earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia. In collaboration with Classroom of Hope, the company constructed a five-room school in just six days, at a cost significantly lower than traditional building methods. This project not only provided immediate shelter but also helped remove tons of plastic waste from the environment, demonstrating the dual benefits of their approach.
![lego-like blocks 4](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/4-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Five-room school in Indonesia constructed of Lego-like building blocks. (Block Solutions)
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The lightweight nature of the blocks also enhances safety in earthquake-prone regions, as they are less likely to cause serious harm during seismic events. As Block Solutions expands its operations globally, including plans for factories in Asia and potentially the U.S., the demand for these innovative blocks continues to grow.
![lego-like blocks 5](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/5-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Five-room school in Indonesia constructed of Lego-like building blocks. (Block Solutions)
WHY YOUR NEW NEIGHBOR COULD BE A GIANT AI DATA WAREHOUSE
Environmental impact of using blocks in construction
The environmental implications of using plastic waste in construction are profound. With only 1% of plastic ever being recycled twice, the majority ends up in landfills, contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By repurposing this waste into building materials, Block Solutions not only addresses housing shortages but also helps mitigate the environmental crisis.
![lego-like blocks 6](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/6-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Classroom in Indonesia constructed of Lego-like building blocks. (Block Solutions)
The company says it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, claiming that the carbon impact of their blocks is “close to zero.” As they explore new materials, such as bamboo and rice husks, they aim to further enhance the sustainability of their products.
![Lego-like blocks 7](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/7-Lego-like-construction-bricks-made-from-plastic-waste-can-stand-up-to-natures-furry.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
People using Lego-like building blocks on a construction project. (Block Solutions)
Kurt’s key takeaways
By turning plastic waste into building blocks, Block Solutions is not only providing affordable housing solutions but also addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution. As climate change continues to challenge communities worldwide, the need for such creative and effective solutions will only grow. The future of construction may very well lie in the hands of companies like Block Solutions, paving the way for a cleaner, safer and more sustainable world.
What role do you believe government policies should play in promoting the use of innovative construction methods like those developed by Block Solutions? 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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Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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