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Is your Roku safe? Massive data breach exposes thousands of accounts

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Is your Roku safe? Massive data breach exposes thousands of accounts

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Hackers have stolen data from at least 15,363 Roku users, including credit card information, passwords and more. 

According to Roku officials, hackers used information from third-party sources to break into accounts. They then sold user data for just $0.50 per account, according to BleepingComputer.

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This effectively lets anyone who wants to pay 50 cents use the credit card stored in the account. 

While Roku says they have secured affected accounts, you can still take steps to ensure your safety.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

Roku stuffing attack

According to Roku, hackers obtained usernames and passwords from a third party. This is called a password stuffing attack. Hackers will try to use those logins on several websites, hoping to get your personal information. Once they do break into your account, your credit card information, shipping address, email, and password are all susceptible.

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FRENCH GOVERNMENT HIT WITH ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ WAVE OF CYBERATTACKS

Roku has secured accounts and forced password resets on affected accounts. The company also investigated for fraudulent charges, canceled subscriptions and issued refunds to defrauded users.

MORE: HOW TO FIND OUT WHO’S SPYING ON YOU

Someone else is controlling my Roku

We often hear of people wondering how someone else nearby can get access to their Roku device. Channels may change unexpectedly, content can be cast onto the Roku or the previously viewed shows may not be recognizable. If this happens, in addition to locking down your wireless home network and following advice in the next section, check your Roku settings for anything unusual. Here’s how.

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  • On the Roku remote, press the home button to go to the main screen
  • Select “Settings,” then System, find Screen Mirroring, and make sure “none” is selected for others having permission to stream content to your Roku
  • Next, do the same for Remotes by selecting Remotes & Devices from the Settings menu. Unless you have permitted others, you should not see any other remote control devices connected except yours
  • Now check the Guest Mode by clicking Guest Mode from the Settings menu. Make sure no other people are shown — who may have access to your Roku in Guest Mode
  • Finally, from the Settings menu, select System, then Advanced System Settings. Click Control by mobile apps and make sure you see either “default” or “disabled” selected so that no one else is using a mobile app to control your Roku

Data on a computer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM STREAMING HACKS

Roku’s response to the hack

Roku announced the breach in a public memo sent to customers dated March 8, citing various information on what happened and what the company is doing to combat the issue:

“We are committed to maintaining the privacy and security of your Roku account and we are taking this incident very seriously. When we identified potentially impacted Roku accounts, we secured the accounts from further unauthorized access by requiring the registered account holder to reset the password, we investigated account activity to determine whether the unauthorized actors had incurred any charges, and we took steps to cancel unauthorized subscriptions and refund any unauthorized charges.

“We did not delay notification as a result of a law enforcement investigation, and we are providing this letter to notify you about these issues, to provide information about how you can further protect yourself, and to let you know that we are continuing our investigation to identify any additional appropriate steps. Finally, our team continues to actively monitor for signs of suspicious activity, to ensure that all customer information and data is kept secure.”

What to do if you’ve been hacked

If it has already happened and you’ve been hacked, then you should take immediate action to minimize the damage and secure your device. Here are some steps that you can follow.

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Change your Roku passwords

If hackers have recorded your passwords, they could access your online accounts and steal your data or money. ON ANOTHER DEVICE (i.e., your laptop or desktop), you should change your passwords for all your important accounts, such as email, banking, social media, etc. You want to do this on another device, so the hacker isn’t recording you setting up your new password on your hacked device. And you should also use strong and unique passwords that are hard to guess or crack. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.

Enable two-factor authentication: You’ll want to activate two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.

Monitor your accounts and transactions

You should check your online accounts and transactions regularly for any suspicious or unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, report it to the service provider or the authorities as soon as possible. You should also review your credit reports and scores to see if there are any signs of identity theft or fraud.

Use identity theft protection

Identity Theft protection companies can monitor personal information like your home title, Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address and alert you if it is 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.

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Contact your bank and credit card companies

If hackers have obtained your bank or credit card information, they could use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You should contact your bank and credit card companies and inform them of the situation. They can help you freeze or cancel your cards, dispute any fraudulent charges and issue new cards for you.

Alert your contacts

If hackers have accessed your email or social media accounts, they could use them to send spam or phishing messages to your contacts. They could also impersonate you and ask for money or personal information. You should alert your contacts and warn them not to open or respond to any messages from you that seem suspicious or unusual. 

Hacker on a computer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: HACKERS USE PIRATED SOFTWARE TO HIJACK MAC, ANDROID AND WINDOWS DEVICES

Kurt’s key takeaways

Who knew hackers could snag your info for less than a cup of coffee? The good news is Roku took action and locked things down. Plus, we now have a game plan to keep our accounts extra secure. Remember, the key is making it as tough as possible for hackers. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication — that kind of stuff. And keeping an eye on your accounts for anything fishy. If you think you’ve been hacked, don’t panic. Just follow the steps we discussed — changing passwords, checking accounts and contacting your bank.

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Do you think streaming services have a responsibility to do more to protect user data? 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 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Technology

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

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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.

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AI wearable helps stroke survivors speak again

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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

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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

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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

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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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Nvidia CEO denies he’s ‘unhappy’ with OpenAI

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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.”

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