Technology

Senate votes to strip the CFPB of its power to regulate X

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

Senate votes to strip the CFPB of its power to regulate X

The Senate voted on Wednesday to strip a key financial regulator of its ability to monitor digital platforms like X, as the social media company’s owner, Elon Musk, has become the public face of the government office seeking to shrink the agency’s workforce.

With the CFPB’s digital authority now in danger, two Democrats are calling on the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to probe Musk’s compliance with federal ethics laws, given his financial interests and work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In a letter shared exclusively with The Verge, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) are asking the OGE to preserve communications about Musk and DOGE’s compliance. They ask whether Musk has recused himself from DOGE’s work at the CFPB or if he’s been issued ethics waivers to address conflicts of interest that might be raised by his ownership of X and leadership at Tesla, which offers financing to auto customers.

The White House has previously offered vague assurances that Musk would not work on matters that present a conflict of interest

The CFPB rule that Republicans are trying to get rid of would let the agency keep tabs on digital services like X’s planned venture into payments for fraud and privacy issues. That raised concerns that Musk could be serving his own financial interests in kneecapping a regulator that would have direct oversight of at least one of his businesses. The White House has previously offered vague assurances that Musk would not work on matters that present a conflict of interest, but he hasn’t done much to distance himself publicly from DOGE’s work at the CFPB. He posted “CFPB RIP” on his X account in the wake of an initial stop-work order issued to the agency.

“Notably, the CFPB has taken steps in recent years to protect consumers from fraud on digital payment apps and collects proprietary information from the digital payment industry,” Warren and Schiff write in their letter to the OGE. “Mr. Musk is also the founder and CEO of Tesla, which offers customers the option of working with Tesla to finance their auto purchases. The CFPB plays a critical role in supervising the auto lending industry and protecting consumers from corporate malfeasance and scams. Therefore, actions by Mr. Musk and DOGE at the CFPB have the potential to directly benefit X, Visa, and Tesla—and by extension, Mr. Musk.”

Musk has been dubbed a “special government employee” by the Trump administration, which the lawmakers point out makes him subject to conflict of interest laws. “Therefore, if Mr. Musk has taken actions in his federal role that will benefit his financial interests without receiving appropriate waivers and approvals, he may have violated the criminal conflict of interest statute.”

Ahead of the Senate vote on Wednesday, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) framed the choice to his colleagues succinctly: “A vote in favor of this resolution is a vote to strip federal oversight of Elon Musk’s payments company.”

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Technology

The US government just banned consumer routers made outside the US

Published

6 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

The US government just banned consumer routers made outside the US

In December, the Federal Communications Commission banned all future drones made in foreign countries from being imported into the United States, unless or until their maker gets an exemption. Now, the FCC has done the exact same for consumer networking gear, citing “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.”

If you already have a Wi-Fi or wired router, you can keep on using it — and companies that have already gotten FCC radio authorization for a specific foreign-made product can continue to import that product.

But since the vast majority — if not all — consumer routers are manufactured outside the United States, the vast majority of future consumer routers are now banned. By adding all foreign-made consumer routers to its Covered List, the FCC is saying it will no longer authorize their radios, which de facto bans new devices from import into the country.

Now, router makers need to A) secure a “conditional approval” that lets them keep getting new products cleared for US entry while they work to convince the government that they’ll open up manufacturing in the US, or B) make the decision to skip selling future products in the US, like dronemaker DJI already did.

Like with the foreign drone ban, the FCC has a National Security Determination that it says justifies these actions, one which claims that “Allowing routers produced abroad to dominate the U.S. market creates unacceptable economic, national security, and cybersecurity risks,” and that “routers produced abroad were directly implicated in the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks which targeted critical American communications, energy, transportation, and water infrastructure.”

“Given the criticality of routers to the successful functioning of our nation’s economy and defense, the United States can no longer depend on foreign nations for router manufacturing,” reads another passage.

It is true that a great many router vulnerabilities have surfaced over the years, which make them a popular target for hackers and botnets. It is also true that one China-founded company, TP-Link, is dominant in the US consumer market; US authorities had previously considered a specific TP-Link ban due to that dominance and national security concerns. (TP-Link has been attempting to distance itself from China, splitting off from the Chinese entity in 2022, establishing a global headquarters in California in 2024, and suing Netgear in 2025 for suggesting that TP-Link had been infiltrated by the Chinese government.)

It is not clear how simply moving production of routers domestically would make them safer. In the Volt Typhoon hack, Chinese state-sponsored hackers primarily targeted Cisco and Netgear routers, routers designed by US companies, according to the Department of Justice. They were vulnerable because those US companies had stopped providing security updates to the specific targeted routers, which had been discontinued by those companies.

While the FCC’s Covered List makes it sound like the US is banning all “routers produced in a foreign country,” it’s defined a bit more narrowly than that. It’s specifically banning “consumer-grade routers” as defined in NIST Internal Report 8425A, which refers to ones “intended for residential use and can be installed by the customer.”

“Virtually all routers are made outside the United States, including those produced by U.S.-based companies like TP-Link, which manufactures its products in Vietnam,” reads part of a statement from TP-Link via third-party spokesperson Ricca Silverio. “It appears that the entire router industry will be impacted by the FCC’s announcement concerning new devices not previously authorized by the FCC.”

Update, March 23rd: Clarified how TP-Link has distanced itself from China, and added company statement.

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Sean Hollister

Technology

ATM jackpotting attacks surge across the US

Published

6 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

ATM jackpotting attacks surge across the US

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You swipe your card and enter your PIN. You grab your cash and head out the door. It feels routine and secure. Most of us never give it a second thought. However, some ATMs are quietly being turned into cash machines for criminals.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently issued a cybersecurity alert about a rise in malware attacks targeting ATMs. These incidents are known as jackpotting attacks. In simple terms, hackers force machines to spit out money on command.

The numbers are growing. Since 2020, nearly 1,900 attacks have been reported. More than a third occurred just last year. In 2025 alone, losses have already exceeded $20 million. So what is really happening inside these machines, and why is the threat accelerating now?

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HOW DEBIT CARD FRAUD CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT USING THE CARD

The FBI warns of rising ATM “jackpotting” attacks, where hackers force machines to dispense cash using malware. (TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images)

How ATM jackpotting attacks work

This is not a Hollywood hacking scene. In many cases, attackers use generic keys to open the ATM’s maintenance cabinet. Once inside, they remove the storage drive. Then they load malware onto it or swap it with a compromised one.

After rebooting the machine, the malicious software takes control. One of the most widely used tools is a malware strain called Ploutus. It targets software known as XFS, which ATMs use to communicate with bank networks and authorize transactions.

Instead of asking the bank for permission, the malware overrides that process. It sends its own commands to the machine. The result? The ATM dispenses cash without a card, without an account and without a legitimate transaction. That is jackpotting.

Why are so many ATMs vulnerable?

Here is the uncomfortable truth. Many ATMs run on aging versions of Windows. Some machines have even displayed Windows 7 login screens. That operating system was released in 2009 and officially discontinued years ago.

Outdated software creates opportunity. If attackers find a vulnerability in the Windows operating system, they can exploit it across different ATM brands and financial networks. The FBI says these attacks are not tied to one specific bank or ATM manufacturer. Instead, they target common weaknesses shared across systems.

That makes the problem much bigger. And with hundreds of thousands of ATMs deployed across the U.S., upgrading and securing every machine will take time.

FEDS CHARGE 87 INDIVIDUALS IN MASSIVE ATM ‘JACKPOTTING’ OPERATION LINKED TO TREN DE ARAGUA GANG

Nearly 1,900 ATM jackpotting attacks have been reported since 2020, with losses topping $20 million in 2025 alone. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

What banks are being told to do

The FBI has outlined several defensive steps for financial institutions:

Monitor ATMs for unauthorized files and suspicious executables
Disable USB ports to prevent malware loading
Replace generic locks with keypad systems
Add secondary alarms and enhanced physical security

These are practical fixes. But rolling them out nationwide is a slow process. Meanwhile, attackers continue to look for weak targets.

Why this still matters to you

You might be thinking this sounds like a bank problem, not a personal one. Technically, consumers are not the direct victims in these cases. Unlike Bitcoin ATM scams that have cost individuals hundreds of millions, jackpotting attacks hit financial institutions. However, there is a ripple effect.

When banks lose money, insurance companies pay claims. Eventually, those costs show up somewhere. Higher fees. Increased service charges. Stricter policies. In the end, everyday customers absorb the impact. Cybercrime rarely stays contained.

HOW TO SAFELY VIEW YOUR BANK AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ONLINE

Cybercriminals are exploiting outdated ATM software to override bank controls and trigger unauthorized cash withdrawals. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

How to protect yourself when using ATMs

While ATM jackpotting attacks primarily target banks, you can still take smart steps to protect yourself when using cash machines.

1) Use ATMs in well-lit, secure locations

Choose machines inside bank branches or in busy areas with foot traffic. These locations are more likely to be monitored and maintained.

2) Avoid late-night or isolated ATMs

Criminals need physical access to tamper with machines. High traffic areas during regular business hours reduce that risk.

3) Watch for unusual ATM behavior

If a machine suddenly reboots, freezes or behaves strangely, stop immediately. Do not insert your card. Report the issue to the bank right away.

4) Look for signs of tampering

Check for loose panels, exposed wiring or unusual attachments near the card slot or keypad. If something looks off, use a different machine.

5) Cover the keypad when entering your PIN

Shield your PIN with your hand as you type. This protects you from hidden cameras and shoulder surfers who may try to capture your code.

6) Set up real-time transaction alerts

Enable text or app notifications for withdrawals and account activity. Instant alerts help you act quickly if anything unexpected appears.

7) Check your bank statements regularly

Even though jackpotting bypasses customer accounts, fraud tactics evolve. Review your transactions often so you can catch unauthorized charges early.

8) Consider identity theft monitoring

Identity theft protection services can provide alerts about unusual financial activity across your accounts. Think of it as an added layer of awareness rather than a fix for ATM malware. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

9) Use contactless or in-app ATM withdrawals

Many banks offer cardless access through secure mobile apps. This reduces exposure to skimming devices and physical tampering.

10) Keep your banking app updated

Install updates promptly to ensure you have the latest security patches and protections.

Staying alert lowers your risk and reinforces good habits, even when attackers are targeting financial institutions rather than individual customers.

Kurt’s key takeaways

ATM jackpotting attacks reveal something important. Even familiar machines can hide modern vulnerabilities. Most of us rarely think about the software running inside a cash dispenser. Yet those systems rely on the same operating foundations as home and office computers. When they fall behind on updates, criminals notice. The FBI alert is not a reason to panic. It is a reminder that digital security touches nearly every part of daily life, even the simple act of withdrawing cash.

How much trust do you place in the technology you use every day without ever seeing how it works? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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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

Two of my favorite color e-book readers are the cheapest they’ve been in months

Published

18 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Two of my favorite color e-book readers are the cheapest they’ve been in months

Color isn’t essential in an e-reader, but let’s be honest, it’s a nice perk that can bring digital books, magazines, comics, cookbooks, and other publications to life. The catch is that color ebook readers tend to be substantially pricier, which makes today’s deals stand out. Right now, the Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) and Kobo Libra Colour are matching their lowest prices to date, with the Amazon e-reader going for $169.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, and the Libra Colour going for $199.99 ($30 off) via Rakuten’s online storefront.

At their core, both are excellent e-readers with 7-inch, 300ppi E Ink displays, which drop to 150ppi when viewing color. The Colorsoft’s display is slightly more vibrant in most instances, but the difference isn’t dramatic. Each also offers IPX8 water resistance, so you don’t need to worry about spills and can comfortably read in the bath or by the pool.

Which one makes more sense for you largely depends on where you buy your books, how much storage you need, and whether you like to take notes. The Colorsoft is great if you’re heavily embedded in Amazon’s ecosystem, as buying and accessing Kindle books is intuitive and doesn’t require any sideloading. As the more affordable option in Amazon’s lineup, the standard Colorsoft delivers a nearly identical reading experience to the Signature Edition, and it supports Amazon’s “Send to Alexa Plus” feature, which lets you send notes or documents to Amazon’s AI-powered assistant for summaries, to-do lists, reminders, and more. The downside is that it lacks wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light — which are standard on the step-up model — and comes with 16GB of storage instead of 32GB.

That said, if I didn’t already own so many Kindle books, the Libra Colour would be my pick. It offers double the storage at 32GB and includes intuitive physical page-turn buttons. You can also write notes while reading, given that it offers stylus support, and it includes built-in notebook templates, as well as the ability to convert handwriting to typed text. It also supports EPUB and a wider range of file formats, and lets you save articles for offline reading with Instapaper. And it also offers adjustable warm lighting, which makes reading at night a little easier on the eyes.