Technology
Jeff Bezos says he’s ‘very optimistic this time around’ about Trump
Jeff Bezos and President-elect Donald Trump famously didn’t get along the last time Trump was in the White House. This time, Bezos says he’s “very optimistic” and even wants to help out.
“I’m actually very optimistic this time around,” Bezos said of Trump during a rare public appearance at The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday. “He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help him do that, I’m going to help him.”
Trump railed against Bezos and his companies — Amazon, Blue Origin, and The Washington Post — during his 2016 term. Bezos defended himself but it did little to help his reputation with Trump. Now, his companies have a lot at stake in the coming administration, from the FTC’s antitrust lawsuit against Amazon to Blue Origin’s efforts to compete with SpaceX for government contracts.
Onstage at the DealBook Summit on Wednesday, Bezos called Trump “calmer this time” and “more settled.” He said he will try to “talk him out of” the idea that the press, which includes The Washington Post, is an enemy of the people.
“You’ve probably grown in the last eight years,” he said to DealBook’s Andrew Ross Sorkin. “He has, too.”
Bezos also echoed Sam Altman’s comments earlier in the day, saying he doesn’t expect Elon Musk to wield his new political power with DOGE against rivals. “I’ve had a lot success in life not being cynical,” he said. “And I’ve rarely been taken advantage of as a result.”
You can watch Bezos’s conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin below:
Technology
Don’t scam yourself with the tricks hackers don’t want me to share
You’re pulling your hair out, trying to fix something on your computer. You Google it and find what looks like a helpful website or a tutorial with easy step-by-step instructions.
Phew, you’re finally solving your problem, but hold up! You’ve just walked into a “scam-yourself” attack. Cybercreeps use this clever strategy to trick you into compromising your tech so they don’t have to do the dirty work.
BIOMETRIC DATA: IS IT SAFE TO HAND IT OVER TO ANY COMPANY THAT ASKS?
I’m giving away a $500 Amazon gift card. Enter here, no purchase necessary!
How bad is it?
Bad. Really bad. “Scam-yourself” attacks shot up 614% in the third quarter of this year alone. Lumma Stealer, the top data-stealing malware type that grabs banking info and browser extensions, spiked by 1,154%.
Why do these scams work so well? When something’s broken, our instinct is to rush and fix it as quickly as possible. Now, add to this the fact you’re going through the steps yourself so it feels like you’re in control. That’s exactly what makes these tricks so dangerous.
Scammers are also shockingly good at mimicking trusted sources with professional-looking websites or tutorials, making it easy to believe you’re on safe ground. Add frustration and impatience to the mix, and it’s no wonder so many folks take the bait.
TALK TECHY TO ME: GET YOUR WORK DONE FASTER WITH THIS PRO TIP
RELATED: How to spot a fake retail website before you buy
How they snag you
- Fake CAPTCHA: You verify (“I’m not a robot”), then you’re asked to download a README file for instructions. Those instructions install malware.
- YouTube tutorials: You click a download link in the description of a YouTube video that promises to fix your tech issue. You guessed it! It’s malware in disguise.
- ClickFix scams: You copy and paste commands into your computer while following a step-by-step guide. Oops … You’ve commanded it to obey its new hacker overlords.
- Phony updates: Quick! A pop-up says you need to install a security update right now! It’s malware pretending to be your app, operating system or browser.
RELATED: Another scammer is now rich
How to protect yourself
These scammers are savvy, but you can outsmart them.
Think twice before downloading: If a tutorial tells you to turn off antivirus software or download a random link, bail. Rely on big names like Google, Apple and Microsoft that publish steps for help online … or, you know, me!
Check URLs and sources: Cybercriminals mimic legitimate sites. Always double-check the web address, especially when you’re looking at updates or troubleshooting guides. If the URL feels off, trust your gut and close it.
3 SECURITY AND DATA CHECKS YOU SHOULD DO ONCE A YEAR
Be careful what you copy and paste: Never copy commands from unknown sources into your computer’s terminal or command prompt. That’s a classic malware delivery tactic.
Update the right way: Don’t click random pop-ups to update your software. Always go through your device settings or the app store.
RELATED: Hackers have a sneaky trick to get you to click their fake links – See it in action
Let’s say the worst happens.
Despite being careful, you fell for it. Don’t panic, just act fast to limit the damage:
- Run a virus scan: Use antivirus software you trust to detect and remove any malware installed on your device. The free stuff isn’t good enough anymore.
- Change your passwords: Update passwords for any accounts you suspect are compromised. Email and financial accounts should be your first priority. And no password reusing! Every one should be unique. Yes, I know it’s a pain.
- Monitor your bank accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for unauthorized charges or transactions. Notify your bank immediately if you see anything suspicious. I have the alerts in my banking app turned on so I get a buzz every time something out of the ordinary happens.
- Check for unusual activity: Look for strange logins or changes in your online accounts, too. Many sites and services have a section in the settings where you can see what devices are logged into your accounts and where they’re coming from.
- Reinstall your system if necessary: You may need to reset your device or reinstall your operating system. Steps here to complete a factory reset. Please, please back up your data first.
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Technology
Large drones are flying over New Jersey at night and no one knows why
For over a week, New Jersey residents have spotted unidentified aircraft in the northern part of the state, including Morris County and near Newark — and now the authorities are urging people to remain calm.
The FBI’s Newark office, along with Morris County officials, recently issued a statement asking the public to share any information they might have on the mysterious drones, while reiterating that there is “no known threat” to the public. And NJ Governor Phil Murphy said that his office is actively monitoring the situation.
The drones were captured on camera by residents in multiple boroughs in the state, mostly at night. Some images and videos shared in news broadcasts and social media depict strange winged aircraft that look like small planes (or “car-sized drones”). Others seem like groups of consumer-level drone copters.
The drones would fly back and forth for “hours,” some witnesses said. Following the reports, the FAA has banned drones from flying over President-elect Donald Trump’s New Jersey golf course, NJ.com reports.
Technology
Uber’s first international robotaxi service is live in the UAE
Uber launched a robotaxi service with its partner WeRide in Abu Dhabi, its first international effort to make a wide number of autonomous vehicles from different operators available on its platform.
Customers who use Uber to book a ride will be presented with the option to hail an autonomous vehicle from WeRide. Fares will be upfront and equal to UberX and Uber Comfort prices. The vehicles will include safety drivers, so it won’t be a fully autonomous service at launch. But Uber and WeRide said they aim to offer driverless vehicles to passengers in 2025.
The vehicles will include safety drivers
Uber first announced its partnership with WeRide, a startup based in Guangzhou, China, last September. WeRide holds driverless operation permits in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, and the US — though Uber has said it isn’t currently considering extending the partnership beyond the UAE.
WeRide’s autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi have been available to customers through the TXAI app. The company was first granted a permit to test and operate AVs on public roads in the country in July 2023.
WeRide was planning on listing its shares in the US at a valuation of $5 billion, but its initial public offering has been delayed, with the company citing a need to complete all the documentation.
The company also develops self-driving technology that powers shuttle buses and freight equipment. It first launched in Silicon Valley in 2017 and subsequently was incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
Since ending its own efforts to develop self-driving cars in 2020, Uber has sought to become a clearinghouse for any company operating autonomous vehicles in the world. In addition to WeRide, Uber has deals with Cruise, Waymo, Motional, and Avride for self-driving cars and Serve, Cartken, and Nuro for delivery robots.
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