Technology

The NSA says do these 5 things with your phone right now

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

The NSA says do these 5 things with your phone right now

Can’t remember the last time you turned your phone off? Is Bluetooth always on? Do you plug into any charger you can find?

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If you answered yes to any of these questions, the NSA says you’re playing a crapshoot with your privacy. The National Security Agency’s purpose is to listen and collect communications from satellites, cellphones and anywhere else, really.

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Let’s take a deeper look at five smartphone rules they use that you can, too.

1. Restart your phone once a week

It’s dead simple and absolutely worth doing. Turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This works to combat zero-click exploits where a hacker can get in simply by sending you the right code.

Heads up: A restart won’t work for other types of malware. If your phone becomes infected, you’ll need to do a full factory reset.

2. Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it

Bluetooth works similarly to Wi-Fi and cellular networks but performs simpler tasks at shorter ranges. You don’t need a cellular signal or network connection to use Bluetooth, and it doesn’t use data. And like any other connection, it’s not 100% safe.

A driver is pictured holding an iced coffee and a mobile phone while in the car. (iStock)

Hackers and scammers must be close to you to use Bluetooth to hijack your phone. But in just about any public space, you’re arm’s length from strangers.

The NSA’s advice: Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it. It’ll help battery life, too.

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. You can also swipe down from the top right of your screen to open the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon.
The same steps work for Android phones. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps may vary based on your phone’s model. Look or search for Bluetooth if these steps don’t match your phone.)

Airplane mode also disables Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among other things, so it works in a pinch — but you won’t receive calls or texts.

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3. Skip public USB ports

In spaces like the airport or coffee shop, hackers can use them to install malware or steal your data. Now, actual cases of juice jacking are rare in the U.S. but it’s still a real threat. They happen through USB connections, so if a kiosk has actual power outlets to charge your phone using your own adapter, you’re good to go.

Stay away from USB ports of any size, especially when traveling overseas. USB standards are international, and foreign hackers can target USB ports in hotels or rentals to steal your data, even if you’re not using a kiosk.

More and more public kiosks have wireless charging pads instead of USBs. This method doesn’t exchange data directly with your phone, so it’s virus-free by default.

If you’re desperate for juice, you can use a USB connection safely … with the right cable. Pack a charge-only cable for your trip. They’re cheap and compact, and they don’t allow for data transfers.

A business person is seen working on a laptop. (iStock)

4. Don’t use public Wi-Fi

It’s a playground for snoopers. Public Wi-Fi is open to everyone, and every device is susceptible, whether it’s your smartphone, laptop or tablet.

Just because a public Wi-Fi network pops up and asks if you want to join doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. If you’re at a coffee shop or hotel, ask an employee for the specific name of their Wi-Fi network. Scammers will sometimes create networks called “Coffee Shop” or “Hotel Guest” to make you believe you’re connecting to the real thing when, actually, you’re not.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If it requires a username and password to log in, you should only access that site from your own private network. If you do need to access sensitive sites or info on a public network, don’t do it without a VPN enabled.

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5. Cover your mic and camera

The NSA says it’s best to use a protective case that drowns out your microphone and covers your camera when you’re not using it.

In “hot-miking” attacks, hackers activate your microphone without you knowing it so they can listen into your conversations. It happens when your device has been compromised in some way, usually through malware or an app that’s exploiting permissions you granted. Most folks aren’t targets for attacks like this, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Start with app permissions to check what access you’ve handed out:

Apple iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, and look through the list of apps and what permissions they have.
Google Pixel: Open Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager.
Samsung Galaxy: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Permission manager.

A woman uses her smartphone while waiting to board a plane at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

It’s not just hackers to worry about. Most of what you type, say, search and buy is being tracked in one way or another.

The only unhackable layer of security is physically blocking the sound or camera feed. There are expensive cases out there that do the job, or you can buy a mic blocker for around $10.

It slides into your headphone port to stop recording. You’ll need an adapter unless your phone still has an audio jack. For a cheaper DIY option, grab your oldest corded headphones, snip them off and plug that into an adapter.

Pro tip: When your phone’s microphone is on or was recently accessed, you’ll see a small orange dot at the top of the screen. You’ll see a green dot if your camera is in use or was recently recording.

While this is on your mind, go a step further. Here’s a quick 5-minute phone cleanup I like to do a few times a year.

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Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

Technology

Google’s annual revenue tops $400 billion for the first time

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Google’s annual revenue tops 0 billion for the first time

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has earned more than $400 billion in annual revenue for the first time. The company announced the milestone as part of its Q4 2025 earnings report released on Wednesday, which highlights the 15 percent year-over-year increase as its cloud business and YouTube continue to grow.

As noted in the earnings report, Google’s Cloud business reached a $70 billion run rate in 2025, while YouTube’s annual revenue soared beyond $60 billion across ads and subscriptions. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told investors that YouTube remains the “number one streamer,” citing data from Nielsen. The company also now has more than 325 million paid subscribers, led by Google One and YouTube Premium.

Additionally, Pichai noted that Google Search saw more usage over the past few months “than ever before,” adding that daily AI Mode queries have doubled since launch. Google will soon take advantage of the popularity of its Gemini app and AI Mode, as it plans to build an agentic checkout feature into both tools.

Technology

Waymo under federal investigation after child struck

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Waymo under federal investigation after child struck

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Federal safety regulators are once again taking a hard look at self-driving cars after a serious incident involving Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet.

This time, the investigation centers on a Waymo vehicle that struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, during morning drop-off hours. The crash happened Jan. 23 and raised immediate questions about how autonomous vehicles behave around children, school zones and unpredictable pedestrian movement.

On Jan. 29, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed it had opened a new preliminary investigation into Waymo’s automated driving system.

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Waymo operates Level 4 self-driving vehicles in select U.S. cities, where the car controls all driving tasks without a human behind the wheel. (AP Photo/Terry Chea, File)

What happened near the Santa Monica school?

According to documents posted by NHTSA, the crash occurred within two blocks of an elementary school during normal drop-off hours. The area was busy. There were multiple children present, a crossing guard on duty and several vehicles double-parked along the street.

Investigators say the child ran into the roadway from behind a double-parked SUV while heading toward the school. The Waymo vehicle struck the child, who suffered minor injuries. No safety operator was inside the vehicle at the time.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation is now examining whether the autonomous system exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to a school zone and the presence of young pedestrians.

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Federal investigators are now examining whether Waymo’s automated system exercised enough caution near a school zone during morning drop-off hours. (Waymo)

Why federal investigators stepped in

The NHTSA says the investigation will focus on how Waymo’s automated driving system is designed to behave in and around school zones, especially during peak pickup and drop-off times.

That includes whether the vehicle followed posted speed limits, how it responded to visual cues like crossing guards and parked vehicles and whether its post-crash response met federal safety expectations. The agency is also reviewing how Waymo handled the incident after it occurred.

Waymo said it voluntarily contacted regulators the same day as the crash and plans to cooperate fully with the investigation. In a statement, the company said it remains committed to improving road safety for riders and everyone sharing the road.

Waymo responds to the federal investigation

We reached out to Waymo for comment, and the company provided the following statement:

“At Waymo, we are committed to improving road safety, both for our riders and all those with whom we share the road. Part of that commitment is being transparent when incidents occur, which is why we are sharing details regarding an event in Santa Monica, California, on Friday, January 23, where one of our vehicles made contact with a young pedestrian. Following the event, we voluntarily contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that same day. NHTSA has indicated to us that they intend to open an investigation into this incident, and we will cooperate fully with them throughout the process.

“The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle’s path. Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle. The Waymo Driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made.

“To put this in perspective, our peer-reviewed model shows that a fully attentive human driver in this same situation would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 mph. This significant reduction in impact speed and severity is a demonstration of the material safety benefit of the Waymo Driver.

“Following contact, the pedestrian stood up immediately, walked to the sidewalk and we called 911. The vehicle remained stopped, moved to the side of the road and stayed there until law enforcement cleared the vehicle to leave the scene.

This event demonstrates the critical value of our safety systems. We remain committed to improving road safety where we operate as we continue on our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver.”

Understanding Waymo’s autonomy level

Waymo vehicles fall under Level 4 autonomy on NHTSA’s six-level scale.

At Level 4, the vehicle handles all driving tasks within specific service areas. A human driver is not required to intervene, and no safety operator needs to be present inside the car. However, these systems do not operate everywhere and are currently limited to ride-hailing services in select cities.

The NHTSA has been clear that Level 4 vehicles are not available for consumer purchase, even though passengers may ride inside them.

This is not Waymo’s first federal probe

This latest investigation follows a previous NHTSA evaluation that opened in May 2024. That earlier probe examined reports of Waymo vehicles colliding with stationary objects like gates, chains and parked cars. Regulators also reviewed incidents in which the vehicles appeared to disobey traffic control devices.

That investigation was closed in July 2025 after regulators reviewed the data and Waymo’s responses. Safety advocates say the new incident highlights unresolved concerns.

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No safety operator was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, raising fresh questions about how autonomous cars handle unpredictable situations involving children. (Waymo)

What this means for you

If you live in a city where self-driving cars operate, this investigation matters more than it might seem. School zones are already high-risk areas, even for attentive human drivers. Autonomous vehicles must be able to detect unpredictable behavior, anticipate sudden movement and respond instantly when children are present.

This case will likely influence how regulators set expectations for autonomous driving systems near schools, playgrounds and other areas with vulnerable pedestrians. It could also shape future rules around local oversight, data reporting and operational limits for self-driving fleets.

For parents, commuters and riders, the outcome may affect where and when autonomous vehicles are allowed to operate.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Self-driving technology promises safer roads, fewer crashes and less human error. But moments like this remind us that the hardest driving scenarios often involve human unpredictability, especially when children are involved. Federal investigators now face a crucial question: Did the system act as cautiously as it should have in one of the most sensitive driving environments possible? How they answer that question could help define the next phase of autonomous vehicle regulation in the United States.

Do you feel comfortable sharing the road with self-driving cars near schools, or is that a line technology should not cross yet? 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

Adobe actually won’t discontinue Animate

Published

16 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Adobe actually won’t discontinue Animate

Adobe is no longer planning to discontinue Adobe Animate on March 1st. In an FAQ, the company now says that Animate will now be in maintenance mode and that it has “no plans to discontinue or remove access” to the app. Animate will still receive “ongoing security and bug fixes” and will still be available for “both new and existing users,” but it won’t get new features.

An announcement email that went out to Adobe Animate customers about the discontinuation did “not meet our standards and caused a lot of confusion and angst within the community,” according to a Reddit post from Adobe community team member Mike Chambers.

Animate will be available in maintenance mode “indefinitely” to “individual, small business, and enterprise customers,” according to Adobe. Before the change, Adobe said that non-enterprise customers could access Animate and download content until March 1st, 2027, while enterprise customers had until March 1st, 2029.