Technology
This is what they never told you about online privacy
Protecting your personal information online starts with understanding the language of the internet. We’ll break down five essential tech terms that directly affect your online privacy, from the secretive Dark Web to the nuances of email etiquette.
Learning these concepts will equip you to navigate the internet more securely.
Stay tuned for more in this series as we dive deeper into privacy-related tech terms and other essential concepts, answering the top questions we get from readers like you!
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People working on their laptops (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The Dark Web
A hidden internet below the surface
Beneath the familiar internet you browse every day lies the Dark Web, a concealed layer of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines like Google and requires specialized software, such as the Tor browser, to access.
Originally developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1990s for secure and anonymous communication, the Dark Web has since evolved into a double-edged sword, a haven for privacy advocates, journalists and whistleblowers, as well as a hot spot for cybercriminals engaging in illicit activities.
While some use the Dark Web for legitimate purposes, like bypassing censorship or protecting free speech, it’s also a marketplace for stolen personal data, financial fraud and illegal goods, making it a high-risk zone for identity theft.
If you want to safeguard your personal information from being bought, sold or leaked on the Dark Web, consider using identity monitoring services that scan underground forums and databases for exposed data.
If you want to make sure your data stays out of nefarious hands and away from the Dark Web, consider identity monitoring services that can scour the internet for your data and remove it for you.
Illustration of a hacker on the Dark Web (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Encryption
Securing your digital world, one byte at a time
Ever wonder how your online banking info stays safe? That’s thanks to encryption, a process that scrambles your data into a secret code so only authorized people (or devices) can read it.
How encryption works:
- Turns data into unreadable text – If intercepted, it looks like gibberish.
- Only the right system can unlock it – Your bank, email provider or messaging app automatically decrypts it so you see normal text.
Where you use encryption every day:
- Secure websites – Look for HTTPS (the “S” means encrypted).
- Messaging apps – WhatsApp and iMessage use end-to-end encryption.
- Online banking and shopping – Protects your financial transactions.
Encryption keeps prying eyes out and your private info safe because not everything you do online should be an open book. Check out other tips to protect your documents and keep them private.
Saving a document with encryption (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST LAPTOPS OF 2025
CAPTCHA
Proving you’re human online
Have you ever had to click on pictures of traffic lights or type in wavy letters before logging onto a website? That’s a CAPTCHA, a simple test designed to tell humans and bots apart.
Websites use CAPTCHAs to block automated programs (like spambots) from accessing accounts, submitting fake forms or posting junk. The name stands for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.”
So what’s a Turing test? Named after computer scientist and WW2 codebreaker Alan Turing, it’s a challenge to see if a machine can act so much like a human that people can’t tell the difference. CAPTCHAs flip the idea around, making sure you’re human, not a bot!
While some CAPTCHAs ask you to solve puzzles, newer versions just check if your mouse movements look human. So next time you prove you’re “not a robot,” you’re actually helping protect the internet.
But not all CAPTCHAS are created equal. Follow my guide to learn how to spot the signs of a fake CAPTCHA designed to download malware.
Website using Captcha (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST TECH FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION IN 2025
Spam
From Monty Python to malware: The evolution of spam
The term “spam” for unwanted email comes from a Monty Python sketch where the word “Spam” (referring to the canned meat) is repeatedly mentioned, overwhelming the conversation. This led to the term being used to describe the overwhelming nature of unwanted email: spam.
Originally, spam was just a nuisance flooding inboxes with promotional emails, chain letters and irrelevant ads. But, over time, spam has evolved into a major cybersecurity threat. Phishing emails, malware-laden attachments and fraudulent schemes now lurk within spam messages, tricking unsuspecting users into clicking malicious links, revealing sensitive information or even infecting their devices with ransomware and spyware.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
A woman encountering spam on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
CC/BCC
Who sees what? Mastering email copies
Believe it or not, you may already know what the nicknames for these tech terms come from. If you’ve ever sent an email, you’ve probably seen CC and BCC. But what are they for?
CC stands for “carbon copy,” a throwback to the days of typewriters when carbon paper made duplicate copies. In email, it means sending a copy of your message to someone so they can stay informed. Everyone can see who’s been CC’d, making it great for keeping people in the loop without needing them to respond.
BCC stands for “blind carbon copy.” It’s like CC but private. Recipients in the BCC field get the email, but their names and addresses aren’t visible to others. This is handy for group emails where you want to protect privacy or avoid a reply-all storm.
These tools help you manage communication and keep everyone on the same page. Looking to switch up your email provider to a more secure and private platform? Check out my picks – I’ll take you through the pros and cons.
CC/BCC outlined in red (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Understanding these five privacy-related tech terms is essential. The Dark Web highlights the need to protect your personal data. Encryption is your digital shield, securing your information during online activities. CAPTCHAs help protect websites from automated attacks, which indirectly preserves your security. Recognizing spam protects you from phishing and malware. And using CC and BCC correctly in emails respects privacy. By knowing these concepts, you’re better equipped to enhance your online privacy and security.
Confused by a tech term or want something explained? We want to hear from you! Share your questions at Cyberguy.com/Contact so we can help.
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Technology
Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show
Amazon has slowly been teasing out casting details for its live-action adaptation of God of War, and now we have our first look at the show. It’s a single image but a notable one showing protagonist Kratos and his son Atreus. The characters are played by Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson, respectively, and they look relatively close to their video game counterparts.
There aren’t a lot of other details about the show just yet, but this is Amazon’s official description:
The God of War series storyline follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
That sounds a lot like the recent soft reboot of the franchise, which started with 2018’s God of War and continued through Ragnarök in 2022. For the Amazon series, Ronald D. Moore, best-known for his work on For All Mankind and Battlestar Galactica, will serve as showrunner. The rest of the cast includes: Mandy Patinkin (Odin), Ed Skrein (Baldur), Max Parker (Heimdall), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Thor), Teresa Palmer (Sif), Alastair Duncan (Mimir), Jeff Gulka (Sindri), and Danny Woodburn (Brok).
While production is underway on the God of War series, there’s no word on when it might start streaming.
Technology
300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions
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Your web browser may feel like a safe place, especially when you install helpful tools that promise to make your life easier. But security researchers have uncovered a dangerous campaign in which more than 300,000 people installed Chrome extensions pretending to be artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. Instead of helping, these fake tools secretly collect sensitive information like your emails, passwords and browsing activity.
They used familiar names like ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Assistant. If you use Chrome and have installed any AI-related extension, your personal information may already be exposed. Even worse, some of these malicious extensions are still available today, putting more people at risk without their knowing.
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More than 300,000 Chrome users installed fake AI extensions that secretly harvested sensitive data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know about fake AI extensions
Security researchers at browser security company LayerX discovered a large campaign involving 30 malicious Chrome extensions disguised as AI-powered assistants (via BleepingComputer). Together, these extensions were installed more than 300,000 times by unsuspecting users.
Some of the most popular extensions included names like AI Sidebar with 70,000 users, AI Assistant with 60,000 users, ChatGPT Translate with 30,000 users, and Google Gemini with 10,000 users. Another extension called Gemini AI Sidebar had 80,000 users before it was removed.
These extensions were distributed through the official Chrome Web Store, which made them appear legitimate and trustworthy. Even more concerning, researchers found that many of these extensions were connected to the same malicious server, showing they were part of a coordinated effort.
While some extensions have since been removed, others remain available. This means new users could still unknowingly install them and expose their personal data. Here’s the list of the affected extensions:
- AI Assistant
- Llama
- Gemini AI Sidebar
- AI Sidebar
- ChatGPT Sidebar
- Grok
- Asking ChatGPT
- ChatGBT
- Chat Bot GPT
- Grok Chatbot
- Chat With Gemini
- XAI
- Google Gemini
- Ask Gemini
- AI Letter Generator
- AI Message Generator
- AI Translator
- AI For Translation
- AI Cover Letter Generator
- AI Image Generator ChatGPT
- Ai Wallpaper Generator
- Ai Picture Generator
- DeepSeek Download
- AI Email Writer
- Email Generator AI
- DeepSeek Chat
- ChatGPT Picture Generator
- ChatGPT Translate
- AI GPT
- ChatGPT Translation
- ChatGPT for Gmail
FAKE AI CHAT RESULTS ARE SPREADING DANGEROUS MAC MALWARE
These malicious tools were listed in the official Chrome Web Store, making them appear legitimate and trustworthy. (LayerX)
How the fake AI Chrome extension attack works
These fake extensions pretend to offer helpful AI features, such as translating text, summarizing emails, or acting as an AI assistant. But behind the scenes, they quietly monitor what you are doing online.
Once installed, the extension gains permission to view and interact with the websites you visit. This allows it to read the contents of web pages, including login screens where you enter your username and password.
In some cases, the extensions specifically targeted Gmail. They could read your email messages directly from your browser, including emails you received and even drafts you were still writing. This means attackers could access private conversations, financial information and sensitive personal details.
The extensions then sent this information to servers controlled by the attackers. Because they loaded content remotely, the attackers could change their behavior at any time without needing to update the extension.
Some versions could also activate voice features through your browser. This could potentially capture spoken conversations near your device and send transcripts back to the attackers.
If you installed one of these extensions, attackers may already have access to extremely sensitive information. This includes your email content, login credentials, browsing habits and possibly even voice recordings.
We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson told CyberGuy that the company “can confirm that the extensions from this report have all been removed from the Google Web Store.”
BROWSER EXTENSION MALWARE INFECTED 8.8M USERS IN DARKSPECTRE ATTACK
Once installed, the extensions could read emails, capture passwords, monitor browsing activity and send the data to attacker-controlled servers. (Bildquelle/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
7 ways you can protect yourself from malicious Chrome extensions
If you have ever installed an AI-related Chrome extension, taking a few simple precautions now can help protect your accounts and prevent further damage.
1) Remove any suspicious or unused browser extensions
On a Windows PC or Mac, open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar. Review every extension listed. If you see anything unfamiliar, especially AI assistants you don’t remember installing, click “Remove” immediately. Malicious extensions depend on going unnoticed. Removing them stops further data collection and cuts off the attacker’s access to your information.
2) Change your passwords
If you installed any suspicious extension, assume your passwords may be compromised. Start by changing your email password first, since email controls access to most other accounts. Then update passwords for banking, shopping and social media accounts. This prevents attackers from using stolen credentials to break into your accounts.
3) Use a password manager to create and protect strong passwords
A password manager generates unique, complex passwords for each account and stores them securely. This prevents attackers from accessing multiple accounts if one password is stolen. Password managers also alert you if your login credentials appear in known data breaches, helping you respond quickly and protect your identity. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
4) Install strong antivirus software and keep it active
Good antivirus software can detect malicious browser extensions, spyware, and other hidden threats. It scans your system for suspicious activity and blocks harmful programs before they can steal your information. This adds an important layer of protection that works continuously in the background to keep your device safe. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
5) Use an identity theft protection service
Identity theft protection services monitor your personal data, including email addresses, financial accounts, and Social Security numbers, for signs of misuse. If criminals try to open accounts or commit fraud using your information, you receive alerts quickly. Early detection allows you to act fast and limit financial and personal damage. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
6) Keep your browser and computer fully updated
Software updates fix security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Enable automatic updates for Chrome and your operating system so you always have the latest protections. These updates strengthen your defenses against malicious extensions and prevent attackers from taking advantage of known weaknesses.
7) Use a personal data removal service
Personal data removal services scan data broker websites that collect and sell your personal information. They help remove your data from these sites, reducing what attackers can find and use against you. Less exposed information means fewer opportunities for criminals to target you with scams, identity theft or phishing attacks.
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.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaway
Even tools designed to make your life easier can become tools for cybercriminals. Malicious extensions often hide behind trusted names and convincing features, making them difficult to spot. You can significantly reduce your risk by reviewing your browser extensions regularly, removing anything suspicious and using protective tools like password managers and strong antivirus software.
Have you checked your browser extensions recently? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance
Less than 24 hours before the deadline in an ultimatum issued by the Pentagon, Anthropic has refused the Department of Defense’s demands for unrestricted access to its AI.
It’s the culmination of a dramatic exchange of public statements, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, coming down to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desire to renegotiate all AI labs’ current contracts with the military. But Anthropic, so far, has refused to back down from its two current red lines: no mass surveillance of Americans, and no lethal autonomous weapons (or weapons with license to kill targets with no human oversight whatsoever). OpenAI and xAI had reportedly already agreed to the new terms, while Anthropic’s refusal had led to CEO Dario Amodei being summoned to the White House this week for a meeting with Hegseth himself, in which the Secretary reportedly issued an ultimatum to the CEO to back down by the end of business day on Friday or else.
In a statement late Thursday, Amodei wrote, “I believe deeply in the existential importance of using AI to defend the United States and other democracies, and to defeat our autocratic adversaries. Anthropic has therefore worked proactively to deploy our models to the Department of War and the intelligence community.”
He added that the company has “never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner” but that in a “narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values” — going on to specifically mention mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. (Amodei mentioned that “partial autonomous weapons … are vital to the defense of democracy” and that fully autonomous weapons may eventually “prove critical for our national defense,” but that “today, frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough to power fully autonomous weapons.” He did not rule out Anthropic acquiescing to the military’s use of fully autonomous weapons in the future but mentioned that they were not ready now.)
The Pentagon had already reportedly asked major defense contractors to assess their dependence on Anthropic’s Claude, which could be seen as the first step to designating the company a “supply chain risk” – a public threat that the Pentagon had made recently (and a classification usually reserved for threats to national security). The Pentagon was also reportedly considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic comply.
Amodei wrote in his statement that the Pentagon’s “threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.” He also wrote that “should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. Our models will be available on the expansive terms we have proposed for as long as required.”
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