I love black-and-white photography. I also adore compact cameras you can always have by your side. So I’m a total mark for the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, a fixed-lens camera that can’t zoom and can’t record color — at all. It’s a formula that makes the average person ask, “Why?”
Technology
Substack data breach exposed users’ emails and phone numbers
Substack is notifying some users that the email addresses and phone numbers linked to their accounts were exposed in a “security incident” last year. In an email to account holders, Substack CEO Chris Best said that a hacker had accessed internal data without authorization in October 2025, but that passwords, credit card numbers, and other financial information remain secure.
“On February 3rd, we identified evidence of a problem with our systems that allowed an unauthorized third party to access limited user data without permission, including email addresses, phone numbers, and other internal metadata,” Best said in the email. “We do not have evidence that this information is being misused, but we encourage you to take extra caution with any emails or text messages you receive that may be suspicious.”
Substack says that it has since fixed the security problem, and is now conducting a full investigation alongside bolstering its systems “to prevent this type of issue from happening in the future.” The platform didn’t provide any details regarding what the security issue was, or how many users have been impacted — myself and several Verge colleagues who also use Substack did not receive the email. We have reached out to Substack for clarification.
“I’m incredibly sorry this happened,” Best said in the email to users. “We take our responsibility to protect your data and your privacy seriously, and we came up short here.”
Technology
Identity theft losses surge 70% for older Americans
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The FBI has just released its latest annual internet crime report, and the numbers are staggering: Americans filed 1,008,597 complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) last year, with losses nearing $20.9 billion.
Buried in the new data is an eerily familiar trend getting more expensive for older adults. Identity theft complaints involving Americans 60 and older totaled 5,359 complaints and $48.5 million in reported losses in 2025, a steep jump from the year before.
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DO YOU KNOW THE TRUE COST OF IDENTITY THEFT?
Identity theft tied to major data broker breaches has cost Americans more than $20 billion over the past decade, according to a Senate report analyzing hundreds of millions of exposed records. (Sara Diggins/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)
Seniors account for a disproportionate share of losses
The report shows a clear fault line by age. Americans 60 and older filed more than 200,000 complaints in 2025, with reported losses reaching $7.7 billion, the highest total of any age group. By comparison, people in their 30s and 40s submitted more complaints overall, but reported lower total losses. Complaints from older adults more often involve bank accounts, retirement funds, and investment portfolios, where a single identity fraud incident can result in a large withdrawal or transfer.
IC3 data is based on self-reported complaints submitted by victims and businesses throughout the year. Each report includes details such as transaction type, payment method, and estimated losses. The FBI aggregates these submissions to identify where money is moving and which groups are being affected.
Identity theft appears within this data as one of several fraud types. Identity theft prompts fewer complaints than categories such as investment or tech support scams. In many cases, it’s used to get access to existing accounts, where stolen personal details can pass verification checks and move funds.
Identity theft losses trail other fraud types
Investment scams led all categories in 2025, with reported losses of more than $4.5 billion. Business email compromise followed, with losses exceeding $2.9 billion, while tech support scams accounted for more than $1 billion. These categories make up a large share of the $7.7 billion in total losses mentioned earlier.
Identity theft sits below those totals, though it remains part of how some of these cases unfold. Among victims age 60 and older, identity theft complaints added up to $48.5 million in reported losses last year. That’s a roughly 70% increase from 2024.
Other federal data shows how common identity theft remains. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives more than a million identity theft reports each year, placing it among the most frequently reported consumer issues, even as total losses remain lower than other fraud types.
5 MYTHS ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT THAT PUT YOUR DATA AT RISK
How are victims getting scammed?
Complaints from older Americans span a wide range of fraud types, with a few categories appearing consistently across IC3 reports.
- High-volume scams: The most frequently reported complaints include phishing and spoofing, tech support scams, and government impersonation, all of which involve direct contact through phone calls, emails, or online messages. Other commonly reported cases include non-payment or non-delivery scams, extortion, and personal data breaches, each contributing to overall complaint volume among victims aged 60 and older.
- High-loss scams: The categories tied to the largest losses are different. Investment scams, business email compromises, and confidence or romance scams account for a significant share of reported losses, even with fewer complaints.
- New categories also appear in the 2025 data. AI-related scams are included for the first time, with thousands of complaints and substantial reported losses among older victims. Charity fraud is also listed as a newly reported fraud type for this group.
An identity theft victim in Albany, New York, looks over documents he’s gathered. Victims of identity theft frequently spend weeks disputing fraudulent accounts, contacting lenders and restoring their credit reports after stolen data is misused. (John Carl D’Annibale/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
How to avoid these scams
With losses climbing, knowing how these scams work and how to spot them early can make all the difference.
1) Limit how personal information is shared
Be cautious when asked for Social Security numbers or account credentials. Government agencies, banks, and tech companies do not request this information through unsolicited calls, emails, or messages.
2) Pause before sending money
Scams that lead to the largest losses often involve urgency. Requests to move money quickly – especially through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards – should be treated with caution. Taking time to verify the request can prevent large losses.
3) Verify contacts independently
If a message claims to be from a bank or government agency, use a known phone number or official website to confirm. Do not rely on contact details provided in the message itself.
4) Watch for unusual account activity
Regularly review bank and investment accounts for unfamiliar transactions. Small or unexpected changes can be an early sign of unwanted access.
5) Use account protections where available
Enable two-factor authentication and account alerts where possible. These tools can help flag or block unauthorized access attempts.
Monitoring can help catch identity misuse earlier
When identity theft happens, the first sign could be a new account or a transaction the account holder didn’t authorize. Credit monitoring and identity protection services can track activity across credit files and financial accounts, alerting users when new accounts are opened or when personal information appears in known data breaches.
That can give victims a window to act, such as freezing credit, locking accounts, or disputing fraudulent activity, before they lose money. Many services also offer identity theft insurance and fraud resolution support, helping cover certain losses and guiding victims through the recovery process.
If fraud does happen, that support can include working directly with banks, credit bureaus, and creditors to restore accounts and remove fraudulent activity.
For older Americans, where accounts often hold larger balances, timing can mean the difference between a small loss and a much larger one, and how quickly accounts are restored.
MICROSOFT ‘IMPORTANT MAIL’ EMAIL IS A SCAM: HOW TO SPOT IT
No service can prevent every kind of identity theft. However, monitoring tools and guided recovery support can make it easier to detect suspicious activity early and respond quickly.
See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com
Kurt’s key takeaways
OpenAI joins the Global Anti-Scam Alliance as bad actors use AI to scam victims out of money and data. (Halfpoint/Getty Images)
The numbers tell a clear story. While identity theft may not top the list of total losses, it plays a critical role in how many of the biggest scams succeed. For older Americans, the stakes are higher because the accounts being targeted often hold decades of savings. What stands out isn’t just the increase in complaints. It’s how fraud is evolving. Scammers are combining tactics, using identity theft to unlock accounts, then moving money through investment scams, impersonation schemes or social engineering attacks. Once they get in, the damage can escalate quickly. The takeaway is simple. Slowing down, verifying requests and adding basic protections like alerts and two-factor authentication can make a real difference. Catching suspicious activity early often determines whether a loss stays small or becomes life-changing.
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If scammers only need one piece of your personal information to get started, how confident are you that yours isn’t already out there? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Allow me to explain why I love this camera that can’t shoot color
I’ve tested the GR IV Monochrome for over a month, taking it with me everywhere and photographing everything. Let me explain how this pricey little point-and-shoot is likely to go down as one of my all-time-favorite cameras.

$2197
The Good
- Excellent black-and-white image quality
- Everything great about the standard GR IV: sharp lens, small size, solid focusing
- Fantastic high-ISO noise performance
- Limiting yourself to black and white has creative benefits
The Bad
- Expensive for a Ricoh GR
- Face / eye tracking autofocus pales in comparison to the bigger camera brands
- Short battery life (about 200-ish shots)
Ricoh GRs are some of the most unassuming, no-frills cameras around, and they have been since their conception in the film days. In the digital era, they’re pocket-size point-and-shoots with a large APS-C sensor permanently attached to a fixed focal length lens. If you’re familiar with Fujifilm’s popular X100 line, it’s like trimming one of those down to the bare minimum — that means no viewfinder and no fancy aperture ring. The X100 and other coveted street cameras like Leicas offer vintage-style shooting and double as lifestyle accessories or shoulder-carried jewelry (with prices to match). But a Ricoh GR is purely a shooter’s camera, with unabashedly modern methods of being used. Atop the camera is a typical mode dial, with customizable user presets, not an old-timey shutter speed dial.
The GR IV Monochrome takes last year’s Ricoh GR IV, strips out the color filter from the sensor, and replaces its built-in ND filter with a red filter (for one-click contrast adjustment purely using optics). Functionally, the alteration to the sensor gives the GR Monochrome an elevated ISO range of 160 to 409,600 and makes it better in low-light shooting (because color noise looks worse at high ISO than pure luminance grain). It maintains the upgrades established with the GR IV: improved autofocusing for its 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, and 53GB of internal storage (supported by a microSD card slot).
Using the GR IV Monochrome feels just like the standard GR IV, with key functions that help it thrive in impromptu street-style shooting. It powers on and is ready to shoot in less than one second, and at any moment you can quickly full-press the shutter to forgo autofocusing and take a shot at a preset focus distance. Ricoh calls this Snap Focus, and it allows you to easily shoot from the hip with zone focusing — a staple of street photographers. The GR is all about spontaneity. Its autofocus system has face and eye detection, but it’s just a serviceable helper. The main way to use the GR is with single-point focusing and quickly moving it around the touchscreen. Many hardcore photographers will loathe its lack of an electronic viewfinder, but I’ve come to terms with its forgoing one for the sake of size.
But being forced into a black-and-white view of the world through this camera’s LCD is where the real magic happens. Any digital camera can be set to black-and-white mode, but not having the choice pushes you to look more intently at light and tonality. I pay extra attention to my compositions and seek out textures and tones I might ignore when shooting color. I know the camera can’t see color, so I mentally adjust my eye and my creativity to match — knowing there’s no bailout or reverting back to color in post. A more disciplined shooter may not feel they need all that, but I’ve shot enough on the GR IV Monochrome, other black-and-white-only cameras, and film cameras to know that I’m feasting when working with some limitations.
1/23
That’s the same ethos that drives people to go back to analog photography and digicams, or use toy-like cameras, but the GR IV Monochrome also unlocks the ability to shoot at extravagantly high ISOs in just about any light. The f/2.8 maximum aperture of the GR’s lens isn’t as fast as the f/1.7 and f/2 lenses of the Leica Q and Fujifilm X100 cameras of the world, but it’s fast enough when you barely notice much noise until ISO 25,600 and even a six-digit ISO is perfectly usable (even before denoising in post-processing software).
The other big way the GR IV sets itself apart from its Leica and Fujifilm competitors is that this camera is actually pocketable. I have ventured out of the house many times with my personal Leica Q2 slung over my shoulder, sans camera bag, ready to go on a little photo adventure or capture memories with family or friends. But it’s even easier to drop a Ricoh GR into a purse, diaper bag, or even a jacket / rear pants pocket. It turns any outing or errand into an opportunity to dabble in your creativity. These are snapshot-y moments that would usually be reserved for the camera you always have with you: your phone. But with the GR IV Monochrome, I feel more empowered and motivated to create something special and purposeful.
1/31
Am I creating art at the grocery store that’s worthy of the white walls of a Chelsea gallery? No. But seeing my own personal world through a black-and-white lens of such quality is enchanting. And there’s nothing wrong with feeling a little “artsy” sometimes, even if you’re just auditioning for the art critic in your own head.
The mundanity of our humdrum lives feels elevated when given the timeless quality of black and white. Lately, it’s felt even more authentic to me and worthy of appreciation, since generative AI is making so much of our world feel fake. It’s now commonplace to doubt everything we see as a possible deepfake or a dubious con — even from our own government. Black-and-white imagery still feels precious and real, at least as long as the AI-obsessed tech platforms don’t focus their Eye of Sauron of Enshittification on this niche of the medium.


To be fair, cameras that can’t shoot color aren’t new. Leica has been making its Monochrom variants of Q and M cameras for nearly 14 years. But priced at nearly $8,000 to $11,000 and up, they’re mostly unattainable to an average enthusiast. At $2,199.95, the GR IV Monochrome isn’t cheap but it’s much more grounded and feasible to own one without it being your only possession. And frankly, it’s less hoity-toity and snobbish when your second, third, or fourth camera — the “artsy” one — doesn’t cost more than a used car.
1/34
I’d be lying if I said that’s not part of why I dig the GR IV Monochrome so much. I’d love to one day personally own a Leica Monochrom of some sort, but it’s hard not to opt for the catch-all color camera when you’re spending that kind of money (hence why I own a Leica Q2 and not a Q2 Monochrom). But since my brain was broken by Leica and pro-level mirrorless system prices years ago, I can simultaneously look at the GR IV Monochrome and think, “$2,200? That’s not bad,” and also “GR cameras used to be like 900 bucks — what gives?”
It’s the everyday companion status of the GR IV Monochrome that makes it extra-extra special. With this little guy in your pocket, with that kind of image quality and light gathering potential, it feels like a permission slip to capture a sense of authentic wonder wherever you go. The standard GR IV is the logical version to get, allowing you to capture the vibrancy of your world. But the more hardcore GR IV Monochrome brings the romance, gritty realism, and magic.
Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
Technology
Samsung Messages ending? What Android owners must know
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You may be hearing that Samsung Messages is going away, and for many Android users, that’s true. Samsung is quietly phasing out its Samsung Messages app and moving people to Google Messages as the default texting platform with a planned cutoff around July 2026 in the U.S.
Newer Galaxy phones already come with Google Messages preinstalled, and Samsung Messages is no longer available to download on many newer devices.
That shift is real. But the way people are finding out about it is causing confusion. For many people, it starts with a text that doesn’t feel quite right. They’re checking their phone, and suddenly a text pops up warning that their messaging app is going away.
That’s exactly what happened to Gilberto of Running Springs, California. He wrote to us saying, “I just received a text on my Android phone advising me that Samsung Messages was going to end on July 6th, 2026, and that I needed to change to Google Messages. Is that true or a scam? I am a fan and enjoy your newsletter.”
MICROSOFT ‘IMPORTANT MAIL’ EMAIL IS A SCAM: HOW TO SPOT IT
Gilberto is not alone. A growing number of Android owners are seeing similar alerts, and they’re leaving people unsure what’s real and what’s a scam. Here’s what’s real, based on Samsung and Google’s latest moves.
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Scam texts like this use urgency and official-looking language to trick you into clicking dangerous links. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What’s actually happening with Samsung Messages
Samsung says Samsung Messages will be discontinued and is pushing people to switch to Google Messages. Google Messages is already the default texting app on many Galaxy phones.
Here’s what we know right now:
- Newer Samsung Galaxy devices already ship with Google Messages as the default
- Samsung Messages is still available on many older phones, but it is no longer the focus
- Samsung says the app is expected to be discontinued in July 2026 for customers in the United States and advises checking the Samsung Messages app for the exact shutdown date
- Some Galaxy phones may show an in-app notification guiding you to switch to Google Messages
- Owners of newer Galaxy devices already cannot download Samsung Messages, and all devices will lose access to download it after the July 2026 cutoff
Samsung has not made a dramatic shutdown announcement inside settings or via official alerts. Instead, this is more of a phased shift tied to Google’s push for RCS messaging.
Why Samsung is moving to Google Messages
This change is not random. It’s about standardizing how texting works across Android.
Google has been pushing RCS, which stands for rich communication services. Think of it as the Android version of iMessage.
With Google Messages, you get:
- Read receipts and typing indicators
- High-quality photo and video sharing
- Better group chats
- Spam protection powered by Google
- Access to newer Google features, including AI tools powered by Gemini, like suggested replies and experimental features such as image generation inside chats
- Built-in security improvements, including AI-powered scam detection and stronger spam filtering to help block suspicious messages
Samsung has decided it makes more sense to partner with Google rather than maintain a separate messaging platform.
TAX SEASON SCAMS 2026: FAKE IRS MESSAGES STEALING IDENTITIES
As Samsung shifts to Google Messages, many people are receiving confusing alerts that can be easy to misinterpret. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
So is that text message real or a scam?
Here’s where things get tricky.
- The change itself is real
- The text message Gilberto received may not be
Samsung does not typically send standalone text messages with links asking you to switch apps. That creates a perfect opening for scammers.
How to tell if the message is legit
Here’s what to look for:
Signs the message could be legitimate
- You see a notification inside your phone’s system settings
- The alert appears within your existing messaging app
- Links go directly to official sources like Google Play
Red flags that point to a scam
- A random text with a link
- Messages that pressure you to act quickly
- Requests for login details or payment
- Strange sender numbers or email-style addresses
Scammers know people are already hearing about this change, and they’re using that confusion to make their messages look real.
Taking a moment to verify a message before tapping can protect your data, your money and your identity. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you should do right now
You don’t need to panic. You just need to take control of the process.
1) Ignore the link
Even if the message looks convincing, do not tap anything inside it. It could take you to a fake site designed to steal your information. It’s also smart to have strong antivirus software on your phone, which can help block malicious links and warn you about suspicious activity before any damage is done. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
2) Check your phone manually
Open the Google Play Store and search for Google Messages. If it is already installed, you are ahead of the game. If you’re using a newer Galaxy phone, you may already have Google Messages as your default and may not see Samsung Messages at all.
3) Switch in a safe way
Open Google Messages. If it is not already installed, download it from the Google Play Store. When you open it, tap “Set default SMS app,” select Google Messages, then confirm “Set as default.”
If you do not see that prompt, go to Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > SMS app (this may appear as “Default apps” on some devices), then select Google Messages.
4) Your existing texts should appear in Google Messages
When you switch your default messaging app, your SMS and MMS message history should automatically appear inside Google Messages. Google and Samsung both indicate that existing conversations transfer during the switch. In most cases, that means you will keep your existing text messages and won’t lose your conversation history when you switch apps. It is still a good idea to open Google Messages after switching and confirm your threads are there before removing or disabling Samsung Messages.
5) Reduce your exposure online
Scammers don’t just guess your number. They often get it from data broker sites and other places where your personal information is already floating around online. That’s why it’s smart to use a data removal service, which can help remove your phone number and personal details from these sites. The less information that’s out there, the harder it is for scammers to target you with texts like this in the first place. 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.
What Samsung and Google are not telling you clearly
Here’s the part that frustrates many people. This transition is not being communicated in a consistent or highly visible way. Some Galaxy phones may show notices inside Samsung Messages or system prompts, but there is no single, universal alert reaching everyone at once. Instead, it’s a gradual shift tied to device updates, software versions and Google’s messaging strategy. That uneven rollout is exactly what creates confusion and gives scam texts an opening.
Who may not be affected?
Some older Samsung phones may continue to use Samsung Messages for now, especially if they are no longer receiving major software updates.
However, Samsung has not given a clear cutoff for the Android version, so the timeline can vary depending on your specific device, carrier and region.
You can check your Android version by going to Settings > About phone > Software information > Android version.
Why this matters for you
This is bigger than just switching apps.
It highlights a growing pattern:
- Real tech changes create confusion
- Scammers jump in immediately
- People get caught in the middle
Right now, this change applies to U.S. customers, and timing may vary elsewhere. That kind of uncertainty is exactly what scammers look for, which is why it’s critical to verify any message before you act. Don’t want to use Google Messages? Here are your options
We’re hearing from readers who don’t trust Google and aren’t sure what to do, especially if family members use iPhones.
Here’s the reality:
- Use Google Messages (default option): Works with everyone, including iPhones. No one else has to change anything
- Use Signal for privacy: More secure, but only works if your contacts also use it
- Apps like WhatsApp or Telegram: Both sides need the app
Best practical setup: Use Google Messages for everyday texting and Signal for private conversations.
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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.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Gilberto’s instinct to question that message was the right move. The switch to Google Messages is real, but the text he received might not be. When tech companies make quiet changes, scammers step in fast. The safest move is simple. Ignore unexpected links, verify everything yourself and make the switch on your terms, not theirs.
Should Big Tech companies be doing more to clearly warn you about major changes like this before scammers step in and fill the gap? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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