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Sheriff’s office tests America’s first self-driving police SUV

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Sheriff’s office tests America’s first self-driving police SUV

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The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office recently announced a bold experiment that could redefine the future of law enforcement. The department introduced the Police Unmanned Ground Vehicle Patrol Partner, or PUG, which it claims is America’s first fully autonomous patrol vehicle. 

Developed with the nonprofit Policing Lab and Perrone Robotics, the SUV can drive itself, detect suspicious activity through artificial intelligence-powered cameras and even deploy drones for aerial surveillance.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the year-long pilot program is designed to explore how advanced technology can improve public safety, extend deputy resources and increase efficiency. The vehicle will initially operate on predetermined patrol routes and will have a deputy seated in the front during testing. Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz called it a way to “set the standard for what will be the future of law enforcement in this country.”

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AI-powered sensors and drones provide officers with real-time awareness as the community observes this new approach. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service)

Inside the Police Unmanned Ground Patrol Partner 

The PUG Patrol Partner is packed with high-tech features. It integrates with police databases, license plate readers and crime analytics software in real time. Its 360-degree cameras and thermal imaging sensors allow it to identify people or vehicles in restricted areas, even in low-light conditions. The vehicle can also launch drones equipped with thermal cameras to monitor larger areas or assist in active incidents.

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A community tablet installed on the PUG lets residents interact with the vehicle and offer feedback during public events. This interactive component is a way to bridge the gap between technology and trust, helping people understand how the system works while giving them a voice in shaping its use.

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Miami-Dade’s new autonomous patrol vehicle begins its first trial run and offers a look at the future of modern policing. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg)

Why the PUG matters

The PUG represents a new approach to community safety. Advocates call it a “force multiplier” that automates routine patrols, increases situational awareness and frees deputies to focus on complex human interactions. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office sees it as a partner, not a replacement, for human officers.

Still, questions remain about privacy, data collection and long-term costs. Although the first unit was donated, future vehicles could cost between $150,000 and $200,000 each. The trial period will measure the vehicle’s impact on response times, deterrence, officer safety and public confidence. If the results are positive, Miami-Dade could become a national model for autonomous policing.

What begins in Miami-Dade today could soon expand across the country and reshape how safety and surveillance work together. (Giorgio Viera/AFP)

What this means to you

For people in Miami-Dade County, the arrival of the PUG could reshape how everyday policing looks and feels. You may soon see the self-driving vehicle patrolling neighborhoods, monitoring events and collecting information through its network of cameras and sensors. Its AI systems can process and respond to situations faster than human officers, raising new questions about transparency, accountability and how data from public spaces will be managed.

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However, this project reaches far beyond Miami-Dade. Other law enforcement agencies are paying close attention to see whether the program succeeds. If it performs well, similar vehicles could begin appearing in major cities across the country. Communities from coast to coast may soon face the same discussions about safety, surveillance and trust that Miami residents are having today. People will need to decide what balance they want between innovation and privacy and how technology should support public safety.

As the pilot continues, community participation will matter more than ever. Residents, civic leaders and advocacy groups can shape how this technology develops by speaking up about clear rules, fair data use and transparency. The results from Miami-Dade could influence how police departments nationwide use automation in the years ahead. This is a moment to pay attention, ask questions and help guide the direction of modern policing before it becomes standard practice everywhere.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The debut of the autonomous patrol vehicle marks a milestone in American law enforcement. It blends innovation with controversy, hope with hesitation. Supporters believe it can enhance safety and efficiency, while critics worry about surveillance overreach and cost. The truth will emerge over the next year as data and public feedback shape the path forward. Change has arrived on four wheels, powered by code and cameras. The question is whether society will guide that change responsibly or let technology take the wheel.

Are you ready for a self-driving police SUV patrolling your neighborhood, or does the idea of robotic law enforcement cross the line for you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Amazon’s smart shopping cart for Whole Foods gets bigger, lighter, and adds tap-to-pay

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Amazon’s smart shopping cart for Whole Foods gets bigger, lighter, and adds tap-to-pay

Amazon is launching a revamped version of its smart shopping cart, which it plans to bring to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of this year, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The new Dash Cart features a “more responsive” item scanner that’s now located next to the built-in display, along with a new NFC reader that lets you tap to pay with your credit card or phone.

Amazon’s previous Dash Cart design put scanners beneath and in front of the handle, potentially making them harder to spot. It also only let you pay with the credit card attached to your Amazon account.

With the upgraded Dash Cart, you’ll find a new scale alongside the cart’s handle, which Amazon says “works in tandem with on-cart cameras, weight sensors, and deep learning models to ensure accurate pricing for every item.” The upgraded Dash Cart eliminates the large sensors facing inside the cart as well, offering a 40 percent larger capacity and a 25 percent lighter weight.

The Dash Cart shows an interactive map of the store on its display, similar to Instacart’s smart Caper Cart. You can sync your shopping list created with Alexa, too, and see how much you’re spending as you add more items to your cart. The cart uses built-in sensors and computer vision to detect when you’ve removed an item, allowing it to automatically update your total. When you’re done shopping, you can skip the checkout line and leave the store in a designated Dash Cart lane.

Amazon is launching its new Dash Cart as the company shakes up its grocery business, which has tied Whole Foods more closely to the Amazon brand. The company has already brought its new Dash Cart to three Whole Foods stores in McKinney, Texas; Reston, Virginia; and Westford, Massachusetts, along with two Amazon Fresh stores.

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Fake error popups are spreading malware fast

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Fake error popups are spreading malware fast

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A dangerous cybercrime tool has surfaced in underground forums, making it far easier for attackers to spread malware. 

Instead of relying on hidden downloads, this tool pushes fake error messages that pressure you into fixing problems that never existed. Security researchers say this method is spreading quickly because it feels legitimate. The page looks broken. The warning feels urgent. The fix sounds simple. 

That combination is proving alarmingly effective for cybercriminals.

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How fake error malware attacks actually work

These attacks begin with a compromised website. When a visitor lands on the page, something looks wrong right away. Text appears broken. Fonts look scrambled. Visual elements seem corrupted. A pop-up then appears claiming the issue can be fixed with a browser update or a missing system font. A button offers to repair the problem instantly. 

Clicking that button copies a command to the clipboard and displays instructions to paste it into PowerShell or a system terminal. That single step launches the infection.

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Fake error popups make a website look broken by scrambling text or fonts to create urgency and panic. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Why this new tool changes the threat landscape

The tool behind these attacks is called ErrTraffic. It automates the entire process and removes the technical barriers that once limited cybercrime operations. For about $800, attackers get a full package with a control panel and scripted payload delivery. Analysts at the Hudson Rock Threat Intelligence Team identified the tool after tracking its promotion on Russian-language forums in early December 2025. 

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ErrTraffic works through a simple JavaScript injection. A single line of code connects a hacked site to the attacker’s dashboard. From there, everything adapts automatically. The script detects the operating system and browser. It then displays a customized fake error message in the correct language. The attack works across Windows, Android, macOS and Linux.

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The popups often claim a browser update or missing system font is needed to fix the problem. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Why security software struggles to stop it

Traditional malware defenses look for suspicious downloads or unauthorized installations. ErrTraffic avoids both. Browsers see normal text copying. Security tools see a legitimate system utility being opened manually. Nothing appears out of place. That design allows the attack to slip through protections that would normally stop malware in its tracks.

The success rate is deeply concerning

Data pulled from active ErrTraffic campaigns shows conversion rates approaching 60%. That means more than half of the visitors who see the fake error message follow the instructions and install malware. Once active, the tool can deliver infostealers like Lumma or Vidar on Windows devices. Android targets often receive banking trojans instead. The control panel even includes geographic filtering, with built-in blocks for Russia and neighboring regions to avoid drawing attention from local authorities.

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What happens after infection?

Once malware is installed, credentials and session data are stolen. Those compromised logins are then used to breach additional websites. Each newly hacked site becomes another delivery vehicle for the same attack. That cycle allows the campaign to grow without direct involvement from the original operator.

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Following the on-screen instructions can quietly trigger malware that steals passwords and personal data. (Kurt Knutsson)

Ways to stay safe from fake error malware

A few smart habits can significantly reduce risk when facing fake error pop-ups and browser-based traps.

1) Never run commands suggested by a website

Legitimate websites never ask you to copy and paste commands into PowerShell or a system terminal. Fake error malware relies on convincing messages that pressure you into doing exactly that. If a page instructs you to run code to fix a problem, close it immediately.

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2) Close pages that claim your system is corrupted

Fake error campaigns often use broken text, scrambled fonts or warnings about missing files to grab attention. As a result, these visuals create urgency and trigger fear. In reality, a real system problem never announces itself through a random website, so close the page right away.

3) Install updates only through official system settings

Real browser and operating system updates come from built-in update tools, not pop-ups on websites. If an update is needed, your device will notify you directly through system settings or trusted app stores.

4) Install strong antivirus software on every device

Strong antivirus software can help block malicious scripts, detect infostealers and stop suspicious behavior before damage spreads. This is especially important since fake error malware targets Windows, Android, macOS and Linux systems.

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.

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

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5) Use a data removal service to reduce exposure

Stolen credentials fuel the spread of fake error malware. Removing personal information from data broker sites can reduce the impact if login details are compromised and limit how far an attack can spread.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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6) Treat font and browser update pop-ups with suspicion

Claims about missing fonts or outdated browsers are a hallmark of these attacks. Modern systems manage fonts automatically, and browsers update themselves. A webpage has no reason to request manual fixes.

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If a real update is needed, the operating system will request it directly. A random webpage never should.

Kurt’s key takeaways 

Fake error malware works because it plays on a very human reaction. When something on a screen suddenly looks broken, most people want to fix it fast and move on. That split-second decision is exactly what attackers are counting on. Tools like ErrTraffic show how polished these scams have become. The messages look professional. The instructions feel routine. Nothing about the moment screams danger. But behind the scenes, one click can quietly hand over passwords, banking access and personal data. The good news is that slowing down makes a real difference. Closing a suspicious page and trusting built-in system updates can stop these attacks cold. When it comes to pop-ups claiming your device is broken, walking away is often the smartest fix.

Have you ever seen a pop-up or error message that made you stop and wonder if it was real? Tell us what it looked like and how you handled it by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Intel is planning a custom Panther Lake CPU for handheld PCs

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Intel is planning a custom Panther Lake CPU for handheld PCs

Intel announced yesterday that it’s developing an entire “handheld gaming platform” powered by its new Panther Lake chips, and joining an increasingly competitive field. Qualcomm is hinting about potential Windows gaming handhelds showing up at the Game Developers Conference in March, and AMD’s new Strix Halo chips could lead to more powerful handhelds.

According to IGN and TechCrunch, sources say Intel is going to compete by developing a custom Intel Core G3 “variant or variants” just for handhelds that could outperform the Arc B390 GPU on the chips it just announced. IGN reports that by using the new 18A process, Intel can cut different die slices, and “spec the chips to offer better performance on the GPU where you want it.”

As for concrete details about the gaming platform, we’re going to have to wait. According to Intel’s Dan Rogers yesterday, the company will have “more news to share on that from our hardware and software partners later this year.” The Intel-based MSI Claw saw a marked improvement when it jumped to Lunar Lake, and hopefully the new platform keeps up that positive trend.

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