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New California law requires AI to tell you it’s AI

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New California law requires AI to tell you it’s AI

A bill attempting to regulate the ever-growing industry of companion AI chatbots is now law in California, as of October 13th.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 243, billed as “first-in-the-nation AI chatbot safeguards” by state senator Anthony Padilla. The new law requires that companion chatbot developers implement new safeguards — for instance, “if a reasonable person interacting with a companion chatbot would be misled to believe that the person is interacting with a human,” then the new law requires the chatbot maker to “issue a clear and conspicuous notification” that the product is strictly AI and not human.

Starting next year, the legislation would require some companion chatbot operators to make annual reports to the Office of Suicide Prevention about safeguards they’ve put in place “to detect, remove, and respond to instances of suicidal ideation by users,” and the Office would need to post such data on its website.

“Emerging technology like chatbots and social media can inspire, educate, and connect – but without real guardrails, technology can also exploit, mislead, and endanger our kids,” Newsom said in a statement on signing the bill, along with several other pieces of legislation aimed at improving online safety for children, including new age-gating requirements for hardware. “We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do it responsibly — protecting our children every step of the way. Our children’s safety is not for sale.”

The news comes after Governor Newsom officially signed Senate Bill 53, the landmark AI transparency bill that divided AI companies and made headlines for months, into law in California.

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Australian construction robot Charlotte can 3D print 2,150-sq-ft home in one day using sustainable materials

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Australian construction robot Charlotte can 3D print 2,150-sq-ft home in one day using sustainable materials

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Construction robots are no longer a far-off idea. They’re already changing job sites by tackling repetitive, heavy, and often dangerous tasks. The latest robot comes from Australia, where a spider-like machine named Charlotte is making headlines.

Charlotte is designed to 3D print an entire 2,150-sq-ft home in just one day. That’s equivalent to the speed of more than 100 bricklayers working simultaneously. This offers a glimpse into how the future of housing might be constructed.

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AUSTRALIA DEBUTS FIRST MULTI-STORY 3D PRINTED HOME – BUILT IN JUST 5 MONTHS

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Charlotte the robot 3D prints homes in just 24 hours using eco-friendly materials.  (Crest Robotics)

How Charlotte the robot works

Charlotte is a collaboration between Crest Robotics and Earthbuilt Technology. The robot doesn’t simply stack bricks or tie rebar. Instead, it uses a giant extrusion system that lays down eco-friendly material in layers.

That material comes from sand, crushed brick and recycled glass, all locally sourced. The result? A structure that’s fireproof, floodproof and created with a far smaller carbon footprint than traditional building methods.

SUSTAINABLE 3D-PRINTED HOME BUILT PRIMARILY FROM SOIL

Why Charlotte the robot stands out

This 3D printing construction robot stands out for its unique mix of speed, strength, versatility and affordability.

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  • Speed: Prints a home in 24 hours.
  • Strength: Uses durable, sustainable materials.
  • Versatility: Can raise itself on spider-like legs to keep building higher walls.
  • Affordability: Cuts out many of the expensive steps in construction.

While Charlotte is still in the development phase, a scaled-down prototype has already been showcased. Researchers believe it could help solve housing shortages where labor is scarce and construction costs are skyrocketing.

3D printing robot builds a structure beside a supply trailer in a desert setting.

Its spider-like legs let it climb and build higher, cutting costs and saving time.  (Crest Robotics)

The future of 3D printed moon bases beyond Earth

Charlotte’s creators also have their eyes set on the stars. They imagine future versions of the robot building moon bases for research and exploration. With its compact design and autonomous operation, Charlotte could adapt to the extreme environments of space just as well as it can to the challenges on Earth.

THE NEW ROBOT THAT COULD MAKE CHORES A THING OF THE PAST

What this means for you

If Charlotte delivers on its promise, it could reshape how homes are built worldwide. Faster construction means quicker housing availability. Lower costs and sustainable materials mean more affordable homes with a smaller environmental impact. For anyone facing rising housing prices or construction delays, technology like Charlotte may bring a ray of hope.

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/Quiz

AMERICA’S LESSONS FROM WORLD’S LARGEST 3D-PRINTED SCHOOLS

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Robot 3D prints a structure on the Moon’s surface under a dark sky with a support vehicle nearby.

Future versions may even construct Moon bases for research and exploration.  (Crest Robotics)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Charlotte may be years away from building its first full-scale home, but its prototype already points toward a future where robots take on critical roles in construction. From tackling housing crises on Earth to building shelters on the moon, Charlotte shows how robotics and 3D printing can work together to solve real problems.

Would you live in a home 3D printed by a robot like Charlotte, or even in one built on the moon? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved. 

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Marvel details upcoming slate of shows at New York Comic Con

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Marvel details upcoming slate of shows at New York Comic Con

We got our first proper look at the upcoming Wonder Man series, but Marvel has a whole slate of shows in the works. Other than Wonder Man, though, the company didn’t roll into New York Comic Con with a firm release date for anything. The best we got were some broad release windows and few tantalizing details for what’s in store.

Season two of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is set for release in fall of 2026. A lot of details are still unknown, but head of Marvel Television and Marvel Animation Brad Winderbaum did say the story would feature a “black, oozy substance.” Let’s just hope the show handles that particular story arc a little bit better than Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 did.

X-Men ‘97 is also getting a season two, which is set to premiere in the summer of 2026. Eric and Julia Lewald, the writers behind X-Men: The Animated Series, as well as the Larry Houston who directed most of the original series are joining the show as executive producers.

Before that, though, we’ll be getting another season of Daredevil: Born Again in March, with a third season confirmed to be in the works. The first season of Born Again was a bit uneven, but the back half was surprisingly strong. We’re intrigued to see how the show evolves, and even more so now that Krysten Ritter is back in the mix as Jessica Jones.

Lastly Winderbaum confirmed that VisionQuest is scheduled to close out the storyline that began with WandaVision sometime in 2026. Though no more specific timeframe was given.

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Ethernet vs Wi-Fi security comparison reveals surprising results for home users seeking protection

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Ethernet vs Wi-Fi security comparison reveals surprising results for home users seeking protection

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We spend so much time online that how we connect to the internet has become almost as important as the devices we use. Most people never give it a second thought. They connect their computer to Wi-Fi, type in a password and get on with their day. But if you have ever wondered whether plugging in an Ethernet cable is safer than sticking to wireless, you are asking the right question. The way you connect can have real consequences for your privacy and security. Recently, Kathleen reached out to me with the same doubt.

“Is it more secure to use the Ethernet connection at home for my computer, or is it safer to use the Wi-Fi from my cable provider?”

It’s a great question, Kathleen, because both options seem similar on the surface but work very differently under the hood. Those differences can mean the difference between a private, secure connection and one that’s more vulnerable to attackers.

BEWARE OF FAKE WI-FI NETWORKS THAT STEAL YOUR DATA WHEN TRAVELING

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Ethernet offers direct, wired security without wireless risks. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How Ethernet and Wi-Fi differ when it comes to security

Ethernet and Wi-Fi both get you online, but they do it in completely different ways. Ethernet uses a physical cable that connects your computer directly to the router. Since it is a wired connection, data travels straight through that cable, making it much harder for anyone to intercept it. There is no wireless signal to hijack, no airwaves to eavesdrop on.

Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is built on convenience. It sends your data through the air to and from your router, which is what makes it so easy to connect from anywhere in your home. But that convenience comes with more risk. Anyone within range of your signal could potentially try to break into the network. If your Wi-Fi is protected by a weak password or uses outdated encryption, a skilled attacker might gain access without ever stepping inside your house. 

At home, that risk is smaller than in a coffee shop or hotel, but it is not zero. Even a poorly secured smart device on your network can give attackers a way in. Ethernet removes many of those risks simply because it is harder to access a connection that requires physical access to a cable. Check out our steps for setting up a home network like a pro here.

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DON’T USE YOUR HOME WI-FI BEFORE FIXING CERTAIN SECURITY RISKS

Why one connection might be safer than the other

It is easy to think Ethernet is automatically safer, but that is not the whole story. Your real security depends on how your entire network is set up. For example, a Wi-Fi network with a strong password, up-to-date router firmware, and WPA3 encryption is going to be far more secure than a poorly configured Ethernet setup connected to an outdated router.

There is also the question of who else uses your network. If it is just you and a handful of devices, your risk is low. But if you live in a shared space or run smart home gadgets, that changes the equation. Each device connected to Wi-Fi is a potential entry point. Ethernet reduces the number of devices that can connect, which limits the attack surface.

Ultimately, the connection type is one piece of the puzzle. The bigger factors are how your router is configured, how often you update your software, and how careful you are with what devices you connect.

Wireless router with four antennas glowing in blue and pink light.

Wi-Fi brings convenience but also potential exposure to hackers.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

6 ways to make your internet safer

Whether you stick with Wi-Fi or switch to Ethernet, there are several practical steps you can take to protect your devices and data. Each step adds an extra layer of security to your network.

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IS YOUR HOME WI-FI REALLY SAFE? THINK AGAIN

1) Use a strong network password

Choose a long and unique password for your Wi-Fi. Avoid obvious choices like your name, address, or simple sequences. A strong password makes it far harder for attackers to guess or crack your network. A password manager helps you create and store strong, unique passwords for every account, reducing the chances of a hacker gaining access through weak or repeated credentials.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. 

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords

2) Enable the latest encryption on your router

Most modern routers support WPA3, which is much more secure than older standards like WPA2. Check your router’s settings to enable the latest encryption and ensure your network traffic is harder to intercept.

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3) Keep your router firmware updated

Router manufacturers regularly release updates that patch security vulnerabilities. Log into your router’s admin panel occasionally to check for updates and install them as soon as they are available. This prevents attackers from exploiting known flaws. 

10 WAYS TO SECURE YOUR OLDER MAC FROM THREATS AND MALWARE

4) Review connected devices

Regularly check which devices are connected to your network and disconnect anything you no longer use. Each connected device is a potential entry point for attackers, so keeping the list limited reduces your network’s exposure.

5) Install strong antivirus software

Even on a secure network, malware can sneak in through downloads, phishing attacks, or compromised websites. A strong antivirus program will detect and block malicious activity, protecting your computer before damage occurs.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

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Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/LockUpYourTech 

Close-up of a Wi-Fi router showing Ethernet ports and connected network cables.

Ethernet cables connect to a router as part of a home network setup. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

6) Use a VPN for sensitive tasks

A virtual private network encrypts your internet traffic, making it unreadable to outsiders. This is especially useful if you ever use Wi-Fi in public or need an extra layer of privacy at home. A reliable VPN is essential for protecting your online privacy and ensuring a secure, high-speed connection.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/VPN

Kurt’s key takeaway

So, which is safer, Ethernet or Wi-Fi? Ethernet wins in raw security because it eliminates many of the risks that come with wireless connections. But in a well-secured home network, the difference is often smaller than most people think. What matters more is how you manage your devices, passwords, software, and online habits.

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Would you trade the flexibility of wireless for the peace of mind of a wired connection? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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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

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  

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