Technology
Stop thinking about retirement by tapping tech to rediscover what gets you excited
![Stop thinking about retirement by tapping tech to rediscover what gets you excited](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/3-How-to-advance-your-skills-at-any-age-1.jpg)
Even if you’re retired or well into your career, it’s never too late to learn a new skill. And because you don’t need to go back into a physical classroom to learn those skills anymore (something that can be very anxiety-inducing for some people), taking the leap to study may be much less daunting when you can do it online.
Whether you’re looking for a career change, want to stay relevant at your current job or are looking for something to do post-retirement, why not try something new?
There are so many websites that offer low-cost or even free courses where you can advance your skills on your own time without having to borrow thousands of dollars or change your routine and dedicate yourself to it full time.
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
Two women looking at computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
ASK ANY TECH QUESTION AND GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE
What are the highest-paying jobs in 2024?
If one of the reasons you’re looking to learn a new skill is that you’re interested in a higher-paying job, that’s understandable. Or maybe someone younger than you is asking for advice, and you want to give them some tips on what they can pursue. Perhaps you’re just curious about what the highest-paying jobs are these days. Whatever the reason, it’s good to be current on these questions.
Though year after year doctors, lawyers, accountants and electrical engineers are at the top of the list of the highest-paying jobs, that’s not always the most realistic career path for everyone, especially if you’re looking to skill up quickly for a career change or a hobby. In either case – or maybe you’re just curious – here are the highest-paying jobs in 2024, according to several sources like Yahoo! Finance, Indeed and U.S. News Money.
- Loan officer: $192K
- IT manager: $164K
- Financial manager: $140K
- Marketing manager: $140K
- Sales manager: $131K
- Software developer: $127K
- Computer network architect: $127K
- Actuary: $114K
- Information security analyst: $112K
- Scrum master: $106K
- Data scientist: $104K
- Tax manager: $130K
- Real estate analyst: $90K
- HR manager: $79K
- Virtual assistant: $75K
- Digital marketer: $67K
- Life insurance agent: $67K
- Freelance writer: $59K
- Customer service representative: $59K
- Translate/interpreter: $58K
- Graphic designer: $56K
- Online fitness trainer: $53K
CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS
![WOMAN with laptop](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/2-How-to-advance-your-skills-for-a-higher-paying-job.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Online fitness trainer at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST LAPTOPS OF 2024
Do you need an education to do these jobs?
The quick answer? No, not necessarily. But it will take some skill leveling up. You can get some of these roles by educating yourself online or enrolling in online courses. And these courses don’t typically ask you for a degree to enroll.
Why? They understand that a person might want to learn new skills for many reasons. Of course, if getting a higher-paid job or wanting a promotion is your reason for learning a new skill in the first place, then certainly having some college education may help you land one of these jobs sooner.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR COMPUTER GOT HACKED – WHAT TO DO NEXT
![WOMAN taking class on laptop](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/3-How-to-advance-your-skills-at-any-age-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A woman taking an online course (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
IS YOUR BOSS SPYING ON YOU?
Where to take online courses
There are several excellent online platforms where you can continue your education, acquire new skills and explore various subjects. Here are some of the top online learning platforms.
edEX: Ideal for tech enthusiasts and career-minded individuals seeking courses from top universities on subjects like AI, coding and data analytics.
Coursera: Perfect for those looking for university-level courses, specializations and degrees from renowned institutions worldwide, with financial aid options available.
Udacity: Ideal for aspiring programmers and tech enthusiasts seeking hands-on experience and industry connections through Nanodegree programs.
LinkedIn Learning: Suitable for professionals looking to advance their careers with courses on leadership, marketing and project management with personalized recommendations and LinkedIn integration.
![WOMAN ON computer](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/4-How-to-advance-your-skills-at-any-age.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A woman taking an online course (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM GMAIL SIGNATURE
What if I am late in my career or near retirement?
Then, yes, you can take one of these courses (or many of them). Again, the whole purpose of online learning is to make it accessible to everyone. So, even though there may be other students in your cohort who are younger or at a totally different stage of their careers or their lives, don’t let that hold you back.
Learning a new skill, even if you’ve been in your career for decades, can help you stay on top of your game as new tech and trends roll in. If you’re a parent or a grandparent, learning a new skill can help you relate more to your children as they grow and pursue their careers. And, if you’re near retirement or already retired, learning a new skill helps keep the mind sharp and maybe even gives you the education you need to start a new venture.
![man on phone](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/5-How-to-advance-your-skills-at-any-age-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Man on his phone and computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to choose the best online course for you
Choosing the best online course depends on several factors. Understand the reputation of the course, the length of time you have to complete it, whether courses are asynchronous or synchronous, your learning styles, budget, etc.
You can look at reviews, talk to students who have taken the course, and find out who in your network has attended one of these programs and ask about their job prospects. Again, it all depends on why you’re taking the course in the first place. If you just want to do it for fun, perhaps you’ll join a course taught by a favorite celebrity on MasterClass.
![Learning from home](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/6-How-to-advance-your-skills-for-a-higher-paying-job.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A woman learning from home (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
TOP PORTABLE DUAL-MONITORS FOR WORKING REMOTELY
Kurt’s key takeaways
Learning new skills isn’t only for recent high school or college grads. It’s for anyone. Going “back to school” has never been easier with online courses. No matter your age and your intention, there is a course – and platform – out there for you.
Have you or anyone you know advanced any of your skills using one of the methods above? What about a friend who took an online course as a hobby? What was the experience like? 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 Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Technology
This Matter-enabled smart ceiling light costs under $100
![This Matter-enabled smart ceiling light costs under $100](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WQQytLaHSTrmHfA1Z35y6bB8h8U=/0x0:3840x3840/1200x628/filters:focal(1920x1920:1921x1921)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25505691/Ceiling_White_Clouds_FinalRender_V1C.jpg)
Developed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung (and others), Matter is an open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer for smart home devices. It works over Wi-Fi, ethernet, and the low-power mesh networking protocol Thread and currently supports over 30 device types. These include lighting, thermostats, locks, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, ovens, smoke alarms, air quality monitors, EV chargers, and more.
A smart home gadget with the Matter logo can be set up and used with any Matter-compatible ecosystem via a Matter controller and controlled by them simultaneously, a feature called Multi-Admin.
Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple Home are some major smart home platforms supporting Matter, along with hundreds of device manufacturers.
Technology
Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it
![Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1-The-countdown-is-on-for-Metas-AI-to-use-your-data-–-What-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself-details.jpg)
Meta may have paused its plans to train artificial intelligence models for the lucky ones living in Europe, where laws protect people using Facebook and Instagram better than Americans. Here in the good ole USA, both Facebook and Instagram have already been combing through public posts from U.S. accounts to train and improve its AI capabilities, including its chatbot, since last year.
The proposed privacy policy update for European Union and U.K. users, originally scheduled for June 26, would have allowed Meta to use publicly shared content for AI training. However, users and regulatory agencies opposed this plan, leading to its indefinite postponement in those regions.
In contrast, Meta has been incorporating public data from U.S. accounts into its generative AI features without offering an opt-out option. But I’ve got some privacy tweaks for you to make on both social networks we will get to in a second.
We reached out to Meta, and a company spokesperson provided us with this statement: “Across the internet, public information is being used to train AI. This is not unique to our services. We’re committed to building AI responsibly and believe it’s important that people understand how we train the models that power our generative AI product.”
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
Facebook account on a smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know about Meta’s AI training
AI chatbots and other large language models, such as those creating images, use your personal data for training. Companies like Google and OpenAI trained their AI models using data shared on the internet. It’s important to note that these companies did not feed your social media data directly to AI. Instead, they relied on data posted by publishers and small websites. They also made agreements with large publishers and companies like News Corp and Reddit to use their content legally.
However, Meta’s AI training is different. The company will use every personal detail of your life that you posted publicly. This includes photos and videos in your feed and captions on your posts and Reels. Meta can only use this information if you have a public account. Private accounts, Facebook and Instagram stories, and Threads data will be spared. Meta says it also doesn’t use anything from private, direct messaging on Facebook and Instagram, even for people with public accounts.
Users in the U.S. and other countries without national data privacy laws don’t have a sure way to stop Meta from using their data to train AI. Interestingly, people in the U.S. might never have known that Meta is using their personal data to train AI if it weren’t for the European Union (EU). The EU has laws that make companies disclose how they get, use and keep data – and offer opt-outs. Because of these laws, Meta had to email EU users about the policy change.
DON’T FALL FOR THAT ‘LOOK WHO DIED’ FACEBOOK MESSAGE TRAP
How to stop Meta from using your data to train AI
You can’t stop Meta from training its AI on your personal data unless you make your Facebook or Instagram account private. The other option to stop the social media giant from using your personal data is to delete your public posts. Deleting stuff might be a little too much, but below, I show you how to make your account private on both Instagram and Facebook.
If you have a Facebook account:
Open your Facebook account on your phone or computer. Note: I am using my phone for this tutorial.
- Select the Menu
- Tap Settings & privacy
- Select Settings
![Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/2-The-countdown-is-on-for-Metas-AI-to-use-your-data-–-What-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself-facebook.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Scroll to where it says Audience and visibility
- Click Posts
- Then select an option other than Public, such as Friends or Only Me
![Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/3-The-countdown-is-on-for-Metas-AI-to-use-your-data-–-What-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself-data.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
If you have an Instagram account:
- Select the profile tab in the bottom right
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner to open Settings and activity
![Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/4-The-countdown-is-on-for-Metas-AI-to-use-your-data-–-What-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself-instagram.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Tap Account privacy and toggle your account to private so it appears blue
![Facebook, Instagram are using your data to train AI: Learn how to protect it](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/5-The-countdown-is-on-for-Metas-AI-to-use-your-data-–-What-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself-data.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Steps to stop Meta’s AI from training with your data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
SCAMMERS ARE USING FAKE NEWS AND MALICIOUS LINKS TO TARGET YOU IN AN EMOTIONAL FACEBOOK PHISHING TRAP
How to remove data from the internet
While you can stop Meta from using your data by making your account private, other tech companies can still use your publicly available data. Invest in a data removal service to remove your data online. No service promises to remove all your data from the internet, but having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period. Remove your personal data from the internet with my top picks here.
Kurt’s key takeaway
Tech companies are chasing after your data to get ahead in the AI race. Google already uses data from multiple platforms to train its AI, and OpenAI was one of the first to do this. Meta wants in on the action by using your Facebook and Instagram posts. This isn’t fair, and U.S. users should have the same control over their data as those in the EU. It’s time for the government to introduce stricter data protection laws to stop big tech giants from exploiting Americans’ data.
Would you consider making your social media accounts private to prevent companies like Meta from using your data? 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:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Tesla Cybertuck recalled again, this time over faulty wiper and trim
![Tesla Cybertuck recalled again, this time over faulty wiper and trim](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DLM0SSysj52GnlZCnOA8wXg5D9Y=/0x0:2040x1360/1200x628/filters:focal(1020x680:1021x681)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25118635/236937_Cybertruck_CVirginia.jpg)
Tesla is again issuing a physical recall of its Cybertruck. This time it’s recalling 11,688 of its electric pickups due to a faulty windshield wiper that could reduce visibility for the driver, and 11,383 Cybertrucks due to trim in the truck bed that could come loose and create a road hazard for others.
Issues with the gigantic wiper had surfaced in owner forums in recent weeks and reportedly delayed Cybertruck deliveries on short notice. The NHTSA recall notice for the wiper says that “excessive electrical current can cause the front windshield wiper motor controller to fail.” Tesla service will replace the wiper motor, free of charge.
Regarding the trim, “Tesla service will apply adhesion promoter and pressure sensitive tape or replace missing applique as necessary, free of charge,” according to a separate NHTSA notice.
-
News1 week ago
Joe Biden, Barack Obama And Jimmy Kimmel Warn Of Another Donald Trump Term; Star-Filled L.A. Fundraiser Expected To Raise At Least $30 Million — Update
-
World1 week ago
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 842
-
News1 week ago
It's easy to believe young voters could back Trump at young conservative conference
-
World1 week ago
Protesters in Brussels march against right-wing ideology
-
World1 week ago
Swiss summit demands 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine
-
News1 week ago
A fast-moving wildfire spreads north of Los Angeles, forcing evacuations
-
Politics1 week ago
Judge rules Missouri abortion ban did not aim to impose lawmakers' religious views on others
-
World1 week ago
Al-Qaeda affiliate claims responsibility for June attack in Burkina Faso