Technology

National Security Agency is urging Americans to reboot our phones once a week

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2024

National Security Agency is urging Americans to reboot our phones once a week

We spend a lot of time on our smartphones, whether texting, scrolling on social media, checking emails or staying on top of the latest news. We typically only power off our devices when an issue or bug appears or when the battery dies (although that’s not intentional).

However, the National Security Agency recommends powering off and on your smartphone every week to protect yourself from cyberattacks. The spy agency has also listed some general mobile device best practices, which I have been telling you about from time to time.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

A person holding a Google Pixel smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why you should restart your phone weekly, according to NSA

The NSA recommends rebooting your smartphone weekly to protect against zero-click exploits, which attackers use to eavesdrop and gather data from phones. While rebooting won’t completely thwart more advanced schemes, many modern cyberattacks involve a sequence of multiple vulnerabilities that need to be exploited in succession. Restarting your phone makes the attacker start over, which can disrupt their progress.

How restarting your phone helps it stay secure

Restarting your phone not only helps you avoid cyberattacks, but it also makes your phone run smoothly. Manufacturers recommend restarting your phone regularly to prevent it from slowing down or freezing.

A quick restart clears out background apps, fixes overheating, resolves memory issues and improves call signals, even if it’s just for a short time. Most importantly, it gives your device a fresh start, which means smoother performance and a longer-lasting battery. This applies to both Android phones and iPhones.

Limitations of restarting your phone

However, the NSA warns that turning your phone off and on again will only sometimes prevent these attacks from being successful.

“Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity,” the NSA said while warning that some smartphone features “provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security.”

A person holding an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC, PC, IPHONES AND ANDROIDS – CYBERGUY PICKS

NSA has more mobile security tips for you

The NSA also advises that you disable Bluetooth when not using it, update your phone with the latest version of the operating system and apps as soon as updates become available and disable location services when not needed. The NSA further warns you not to open email attachments and links.

The spy agency specifically asks you to “not connect to public Wi-Fi networks,” to disable Wi-Fi when not in use and to delete unused Wi-Fi networks. This is solid advice, considering how much cybercriminals use Wi-Fi to exploit you. Earlier in June, I reported on a vulnerability in Windows devices that allows bad actors to hack into your PC just by being connected to the same Wi-Fi network as you.

The NSA also recommends using strong lock-screen PINs and passwords, advising a minimum of a six-digit PIN, as long as your smartphone is set up to wipe itself after 10 incorrect attempts and to lock automatically after 5 minutes of inactivity.

Setting a strong password for every app or software you use and also remembering them can be challenging. I personally use a password manager to generate and manage my passwords, and you can consider using one, too.

A smartphone on a desk (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

4 additional ways to secure your smartphone

While the tips mentioned above are quite useful, here are a few additional security measures you might consider following.

1) Have strong 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 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 and iOS devices.

2) Use a VPN: Consider using a VPN to protect against being tracked and to identify your potential location on websites that you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on their privacy settings, may display the city from which you are corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

3) Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.

4) Change your password: You can render a stolen password useless to thieves simply by changing it. Opt for a strong password, one you don’t use elsewhere.

DON’T LET SNOOPS NEARBY LISTEN TO YOUR VOICEMAIL WITH THIS QUICK TIP

Kurt’s key takeaway

The NSA’s advice isn’t a cure-all for your security problems, but I completely agree with the suggestion to turn your devices on and off regularly. It only takes a minute or two each week and is a great habit to develop. You might even want to make it a daily routine, like part of your bedtime routine. Also, it’s important to keep your phone’s software and apps up to date and to avoid clicking on unknown links and attachments.

How often do you restart your devices and have you noticed any benefits from doing so? 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.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

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

Apple’s website leaks MacBook ‘Neo,’ which could be its new cheaper laptop

Published

9 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Apple’s website leaks MacBook ‘Neo,’ which could be its new cheaper laptop

During Apple’s week-long product launch event on Tuesday, a listing for the “MacBook Neo (Model A3404)” appeared on a regulatory compliance page on Apple’s website under its line-up of 2026 MacBooks. First spotted by MacRumors, the listing appears to be an accident and has since been removed, but may have been a leaked reference to a rumored entry-level MacBook. Unfortunately, it didn’t include any additional details beyond the device’s name and model number.

The lower price and an “entirely new design” could help the new MacBook appeal to students and casual users, competing with Chromebooks and low-cost Windows laptops. A more affordable MacBook could be especially appealing after Apple announced the M5 MacBook Air on Tuesday, which has a higher starting price than last year’s Air.

Technology

China’s compact humanoid robot shows off balance and flips

Published

9 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

China’s compact humanoid robot shows off balance and flips

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Humanoid robotics companies have already shown their machines can run at 22 mph, land backflips and even pull off front flips. So the new proving ground is not raw speed or acrobatics. It is control when something unexpected happens. That is where the EngineAI PM01 humanoid robot comes in.

In newly released footage, the compact humanoid keeps dancing after being deliberately pushed off balance. It performs a controlled forward slip, absorbs the disruption and smoothly regains rhythm within seconds. The motion looks fluid and surprisingly natural.

Then it lands another front flip, this time as part of a broader demonstration of balance and recovery.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

EngineAI pushes back on CGI skepticism as its PM01 humanoid robot demonstrates controlled recovery and dynamic motion. (Liu Lihang/Xinhua via Getty Images)

EngineAI PM01 humanoid robot shows advanced balance control

Speed gets attention. Recovery earns trust. When someone shoves the PM01, it does not freeze. It recalculates its center of mass, adjusts joint torque and corrects posture in real time. That level of control depends on tight coordination between sensors, actuators and AI algorithms. The front flip adds another challenge.

Front flips are typically harder than backflips. Rotating forward shifts the body weight ahead of the support base. That makes landings less forgiving. The EngineAI PM01 humanoid robot executes the move with coordinated arm swing, core stabilization and accurate landing mechanics. This is not about flashy tricks. It is about controlled dynamic motion under stress.

Why the compact size of the EngineAI PM01 matters

The PM01 stands just under 4 feet tall. That smaller build works to its advantage. A lower center of mass reduces tipping risk and requires less rotational force during flips. Its lighter structure also helps distribute impact forces more efficiently when it lands.

By comparison, EngineAI’s larger SE01 stands about 4 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 88 pounds. The PM01 is roughly 10.5 inches shorter and about 17.6 pounds lighter. That size difference makes it more agile in research and development settings.

Full-sized humanoids face greater mechanical stress during high-impact maneuvers. They need stronger actuators, reinforced joints and heavier structural support to stay stable. Compact robots like the EngineAI PM01 can achieve advanced movement with less overall strain.

CHINA’S ROBOTICS GIANT PUTS 200 ROBOTS TO THE TEST

The PM01 robot stands on display at EngineAI’s robot retail flagship store in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China. Newly released footage shows the PM01 humanoid absorbing a push and recalculating its center of mass within seconds. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

AI hardware powering the EngineAI PM01 humanoid robot

Under the hood, the EngineAI PM01 humanoid robot combines advanced perception with serious computing power. It uses an Intel RealSense depth camera for visual awareness and spatial mapping. A dual-chip setup integrates Nvidia Jetson Orin with an Intel N97 processor. That architecture supports real-time AI workloads and rapid balance correction when the robot is pushed or slips.

The robot features 24 degrees of freedom, including 12 joint motors. This design allows smooth coordinated movement across its limbs and torso. In the small humanoid segment, PM01 competes with models like the Unitree G1 and the Booster T1. It walks at up to about 4.5 miles per hour, faster than the T1, though still below some larger high-speed humanoid platforms built for sprint performance.

EngineAI appears less focused on headline-grabbing speed and more focused on refined stability and controlled motion.

EngineAI pushes back against CGI claims

As humanoid videos go viral, skepticism follows. EngineAI recently addressed CGI accusations by releasing footage of its T800 humanoid physically interacting with its CEO. The company clearly wants to demonstrate that its robots operate in the real world.

That credibility push matters. In a crowded robotics market, bold claims are common. Physical demonstrations help separate engineering progress from digital effects.

WARM-SKINNED AI ROBOT WITH CAMERA EYES IS SERIOUSLY CREEPY

The nearly 4-foot-tall EngineAI PM01 uses AI-powered sensors and joint motors to recover from slips and continue moving. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

What this means to you

Right now, this looks like a polished demo. However, balance and recovery are critical for real-world use. If humanoid robots are going to work in warehouses, hospitals or our homes, they must handle bumps, slips and unexpected contact without causing damage. A machine that can brace itself, fall safely and stand back up is far more practical than one that performs a single choreographed stunt. As humanoids move closer to everyday environments, resilience becomes just as important as athletic performance. The more stable they are, the more comfortable people will feel sharing space with them.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Humanoid robots can already run fast, flip and move with serious athletic ability. What companies are racing to perfect now is something more practical: balance when things go wrong. The EngineAI PM01 humanoid robot shows how compact design and real-time correction can help a machine stay upright, recover quickly and keep moving without chaos. That kind of control matters far more in a crowded warehouse, hospital hallway or public space than a perfectly staged stunt. We are starting to see the shift from viral demo moments to robots built for everyday reliability. The real breakthrough is not the flip. It is what happens after the push.

When humanoid robots can absorb a shove, land a flip and get back to work without missing a beat, how close are we to seeing them in your neighborhood? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Technology

Anthropic upgrades Claude’s memory to attract AI switchers

Published

21 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Anthropic upgrades Claude’s memory to attract AI switchers

Anthropic is making it easier to switch to its Claude AI from other chatbots with an update that brings Claude’s memory feature to users on the free plan, along with a new prompt and dedicated tool for importing data from other chatbots. These upgrades could allow users who have been using rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini to quickly copy the data their preferred AI has collected on them and bring it over to Anthropic’s chatbot. That way, they don’t have to “start over” teaching Claude the context and history their previous chatbot already knows.

The option to import and export memories from Claude has been available since October, when Anthropic also rolled out the option for users to turn on Claude’s memory. Up until now, the memory feature was only available to users on paid Claude subscriptions, but now all Claude users can turn it on by going into “settings” then “capabilities.” This menu is also where users can find the new memory importing tool, which has users copy a pre-written prompt into their previous AI then copy the output from that prompt back into Claude’s importing tool.

Anthropic is introducing the upgraded memory importing tool as Claude is seeing a rise in popularity, driven by tools like Claude Code and Claude Cowork. Last month, Anthropic launched its new Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 models, which the company says are better at coding and completing complex tasks like working through a spreadsheet or filling out forms.

Anthropic has also been experiencing a spike in attention recently after pushing back against demands from the Pentagon to loosen the guardrails on its AI models, with the company stating publicly that they drew “red lines” around mass surveillance and fully autonomous lethal weapons.