Technology

Winter storms can knock out your tech fast: Prepare now

Published

1 day ago

January 25, 2026

Winter storms can knock out your tech fast: Prepare now

States prepare for massive winter storm

FOX Weather meteorologist Bayne Froney joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ in Dallas, Texas as the first signs of a massive winter storm begin to show. Texas is preparing accordingly following the devastating winter storm five years ago.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Weather forecasters are warning that a major winter storm is expected to impact large portions of the United States starting Friday. Forecasts call for snow, freezing rain and ice stretching from Texas and the Southern Plains through the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast. This system is concerning because it combines ice accumulation, gusty winds and plunging temperatures. In many regions, especially across the South and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, infrastructure is not designed to handle prolonged ice events.

That increases the risk of extended power outages and disrupted cell service. When the grid goes down, everyday tech becomes critical. Phones, alerts, vehicles and apps may be your only connection to updates and emergency help. Preparing now matters far more than reacting later.

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RUSSIAN WINTER STRIKE LEAVES NEARLY 800K HOMES WITHOUT POWER AND HEAT IN UKRAINE’S DNIPRO REGION

Ice storms can take down power lines fast, leaving homes without electricity and cell service for hours or even days. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Why ice storms are especially disruptive

Ice storms cause more damage than most people expect. Unlike snow, ice sticks to everything and adds significant weight. Ice builds up on trees and power lines, causing branches to snap and lines to fall. Utility crews often cannot begin repairs until conditions improve, which delays restoration. Forecasters at Fox Weather warn that freezing rain across the South and interior Southeast could be particularly damaging, while snow and wind farther north may slow emergency response.

Even if cell towers remain standing, networks often overload during severe weather. When thousands of people try to call at once, connections fail. Texts and alerts usually have a better chance of getting through. That is why you should assume you may be offline longer than expected.

Immediate tech actions to take before the storm hits

These steps are simple, but timing matters. Do them before the weather conditions worsen.

Charge devices and prepare backup power

Charge all phones, laptops, tablets and battery packs
Fully charge wearable devices like smartwatches
Turn on Low Power Mode on phones now
Lower screen brightness to extend battery life, and check out these other tips to keep your phone battery charged longer
Make sure you have a reliable portable charger on hand, like those highlighted in our 5 best portable chargers for emergencies on Cyberguy.com
For outages that could last days in this winter storm, a good generator can keep your home powered the longest and safest
Reliable lighting matters during storms and blackouts. Invest in a high-output flashlight and hats with built-in lights that can be especially useful when visibility is poor
Keep a battery-powered weather radio on hand so you can receive emergency updates even if power and cell service go out

A fully charged phone, smart power settings and a reliable portable charger can keep you connected early in an outage while longer-term home power solutions carry you through the days ahead.

A woman walks with an umbrella in the rain in the Manhattan borough of New York, Feb. 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Plan for offline communication and limited cell service

Download offline maps for your area.
Save emergency contacts locally on your device.
Write down key phone numbers on paper.
Plan to text instead of calling if networks are congested. Text messages use less bandwidth and often go through when calls fail.
Cold weather can also make phones harder to use. Touchscreen-compatible winter gloves let you stay connected without exposing your hands to the cold.

Set up a family check-in plan before the storm

Agree on specific check-in times
Choose one out-of-area contact everyone can message
Avoid constant calling, which can overload networks

Clear expectations reduce panic and unnecessary phone use

Make sure emergency alerts are enabled

Emergency alerts can reach your phone even when apps and social media cannot. They are designed to cut through network congestion and deliver critical warnings.

How to turn on emergency alerts on iPhone

Open Settings
Tap Notifications
Scroll to Government Alerts
Turn on Emergency Alerts
Enable Always Play Sound
Turn on Imminent Threat Alerts under Enhanced Safety Alerts

US POWER CRUNCH LOOMS AS OKLO CEO SAYS GRID CAN’T KEEP UP WITHOUT NEW INVESTMENT

Ice storms add heavy weight to trees and power lines, causing widespread damage and outages that can overwhelm repair crews and communication networks for longer than expected. (AP/Craig Ruttle)

How to turn on emergency alerts on Android

Settings may vary, depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

Open Settings
Tap Safety and emergency or Notifications
Select Wireless emergency alerts
Turn on Severe threats and Extreme threats
Enable Allow alerts and Alert sound

On some phones, you may also see options for Public safety messages or Emergency alerts, which should be turned on. These alerts may include evacuation notices, shelter updates and severe weather warnings.

Both iPhone and Android let you preview alert sounds and settings in these menus, so take a moment to test them now and make sure alerts are loud enough before severe weather hits.

Know how to use Emergency SOS on your phone

If you need help during a winter storm, Emergency SOS can contact emergency services even when you cannot unlock your phone or make a normal call. Set this up now. Do not wait until you are stressed, cold or without power.

How to set up and use Emergency SOS on iPhone

Open Settings
Tap Emergency SOS
Turn on Call with Hold and Release or Call with 5 Button Presses
Scroll down and add emergency contacts

To activate Emergency SOS during an emergency, press and hold the side button and a volume button, or quickly press the side button five times, depending on your settings.

How to set up and use Emergency SOS on Android

Settings may vary, depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

Open Settings
Tap Safety and emergency or Privacy and safety
Select Emergency SOS
Turn on Use Emergency SOS
Choose how SOS is triggered, such as Require to swipe to call
Add emergency contacts and medical information by clicking Emergency sharing settings

On many Android phones, pressing the power button five times will trigger Emergency SOS. Emergency SOS can call for help, share your location and alert emergency contacts when conditions are dangerous.

If cell towers go down during this storm, features like Emergency SOS can still help you reach emergency services. Our guide explains in more detail how these lifesaving settings work.

Apps you should have installed ahead of time

The right apps can deliver critical updates when power is out, cell networks are strained and social media is unreliable. Install and set these up before the storm arrives.

Weather and severe alert apps

Fox Weather app: A trusted option for real-time forecasts, winter storm alerts, radar tracking and location-based notifications. Make sure local alerts are turned on.
MyRadar Weather Radar: A highly rated radar app that shows storm movement in real time and sends push alerts when severe weather is approaching your area.
Storm Shield Severe Weather App: Delivers National Weather Service alerts based on your exact location, similar to NOAA weather radio warnings, with clear push notifications for winter storms and ice events.
NOAA Weather Radio apps (iPhone and Android): These apps stream official NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts, providing continuous updates, watches and warnings directly from the National Weather Service. Weather radio streams often remain available even during major outages.

Using more than one weather app can give you redundancy if one service is delayed or overloaded.

Utility and outage tracking apps

Your local power utility app: Most utilities offer apps that allow you to report outages, view outage maps and track restoration progress in real time.
FEMA App: Provides official weather alerts, disaster resources, shelter locations and safety guidance during severe weather events.

These apps can confirm outages, provide restoration updates and reduce unnecessary calls to utilities when systems are overwhelmed.

Do not overlook vehicle tech and preparedness

Your vehicle may become a critical resource during extended outages.

Prep your car before conditions worsen

Fill your gas tank early. A full tank allows you to run the engine briefly for heat or charging if needed.
Keep a phone charger in the car.
Store a fully charged portable power bank in the glove box or center console. This gives you emergency phone power if your car battery dies or you cannot run the engine.
Download weather and road condition alerts.
Also, consider buying a Snow brush and ice scraper, jumper cables, a set of 6 LED Road Flares Emergency Lights and a First Aid Trauma Pack with QuikCloth, so you will not be caught off guard in an emergency.
There are also portable tech solutions designed to help you stay warm and powered during outages or roadside delays, including heated gear worth purchasing in advance.

Storms also bring scams and fraud attempts

Severe weather creates ideal conditions for scams. Power outages, delayed responses and anxiety make people more likely to trust messages that appear urgent or official.

Fake utility and restoration scams

Scammers often impersonate electric, gas or water utilities.

Texts or calls claiming your power will be restored sooner if you pay
Messages warning service will be shut off unless you act immediately
Spoofed phone numbers that look like your local utility

What to know: Utilities do not charge fees to restore power and do not demand payment by text, gift cards or apps.

Emergency aid and disaster relief scams

These scams spike right after storms hit.

Messages promising emergency funds, fuel vouchers or hotel assistance
Fake charity links claiming to help storm victims
Social media posts asking for donations using stolen images

What to know: Legitimate aid is announced through official government or well-known nonprofit channels, not unsolicited messages.

Fake delivery, fuel and repair service scams

Storms disrupt normal services, which scammers exploit.

Links claiming fuel delivery is available in your area
Messages about delayed packages that require confirmation
Ads for emergency home repairs that ask for upfront payment

What to know: Do not click links or pay deposits without verifying the company independently.

Charging your devices and lining up backup power now can make the difference between staying informed during an outage and being cut off once the storm hits. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Account takeover and identity theft attempts

Storm chaos makes it easier for attackers to slip through unnoticed.

Password reset emails pretending to be from banks or retailers
Login alerts asking you to “secure” your account immediately
Calls claiming suspicious activity that push you to share codes

What to know: Never share one-time codes or login details, even if the message looks legitimate.

How to protect yourself before and during the storm

Taking a few precautions now can help you avoid costly mistakes when outages, delays and scam messages start piling up.

1) Slow down and verify every urgent message

Scammers rely on panic. If a message pressures you to act fast, stop and verify it through a trusted source.

2) Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and use strong antivirus software

Go directly to official websites or apps instead of tapping links in texts or emails. Keep your operating system up to date, and use strong antivirus software to block malicious links and fake websites.

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 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

3) Lock down accounts before outages hit

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email, banking, and utility accounts so stolen passwords cannot be used alone.

4) Reduce your exposure with a data removal service

Many storm scams work because criminals already have your phone number, address or email. Using a data removal service to opt out of data broker sites can reduce how easily scammers target you during emergencies.

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.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

5) Never pay to restore power or receive aid

Utilities and government agencies do not charge fees to restore service or release emergency assistance.

When power and internet access are limited, it is harder to verify messages quickly. That makes preparation just as important as awareness. A little skepticism now can prevent financial loss and identity theft when help is hardest to reach.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

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.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Winter storms can turn small tech decisions into critical ones. Ice, power outages and overloaded cell networks can leave people cut off faster than expected, especially in regions not built for prolonged winter weather. Preparing your devices, alerts, vehicles and accounts ahead of time gives you more control when conditions worsen. It also reduces panic and limits your exposure to scams that thrive during emergencies. A little planning now can make a big difference when help is harder to reach.

Have you taken steps to prepare your tech for this winter storm, or did this checklist highlight something you still need to do? 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.

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Technology

It doesn’t matter if Alex Pretti had a gun

Published

9 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

It doesn’t matter if Alex Pretti had a gun

Shortly after federal agents killed Alex Pretti Saturday morning, the Department of Homeland Security began to run with the story that the dead man had been armed and dangerous. He had a gun, DHS said. (A Bellingcat analysis of the video concludes that Pretti was unarmed when he was shot.) He had approached the agents holding the gun, DHS said. (He was holding a phone, The New York Times reports.) Pretti died on his knees, surrounded by armed Border Patrol agents, with shot after shot unloaded in his direction.

America’s Second Amendment is beloved by conservatives. Minnesota allows open carry with a permit. Pretti lived in a city where people are regularly being assaulted and even killed by the masked and armed men he was busy observing. So why has so much ink been spilled over the minutiae of his behavior? Why is it so normal for law enforcement — those who are supposed to be keepers of law and order — to kill Americans? And why is the only question at the end of the day how much their victims deserved to die?

In July 2020, DHS sent in over a hundred federal officers from various agencies to my city of Portland, Oregon. They flooded downtown with a thick fog of brownish tear gas. This didn’t neutralize the crowds — it merely hurt and enraged them. The city understood it was being intentionally tormented by sadists and chose to walk into the tear gas out of spite.

Throughout the protests, politicians and media figures fixated on whether Portland and other cities were the site of “protests” or “riots.” The distinction was drawn solely based on the behavior of the protesters, whose actions were treated as if they occurred in a vacuum. But on the ground in Portland, that felt as if it was missing the point.

The protesters’ actions blurred the definition of nonviolence. They came wearing gas masks and carrying shields. People brought leaf blowers and intentionally blew the tear gas straight back at the agents who threw the canisters. They chucked plastic water bottles at the feds because they hated them and thought it might be funny to bonk them on their militarized helmets. No one was trying to murder the feds, but nevertheless, it was not the same as linking arms and walking down the streets of Selma while singing.

But if a riot was occurring in Portland, the feds had instigated it — preemptively escalating the situation with rubber bullets and pepper balls and gas canisters, weapons that don’t simply blur the definition of “nonlethal” but literally contradict it.

These unequal expectations were unfair to civilians. And they are being applied again, with greater weight and brutality, to the people of Minneapolis.

It is obvious that ICE’s presence in Minnesota is a source of conflict and anxiety. As feds leave disorder and fear in their wake, Minnesotans without training or state-issued protective gear are being asked to behave with greater restraint than the armed agents who are supposed to be upholding the law.

Early reporting would suggest that Pretti was violently killed while engaging nonviolently with federal law enforcement. Videos show that he was holding a phone and moving to help a protester when agents grabbed him by the legs and wrestled him to the ground. The agents shout that he has a gun only after they’ve pinned him to the ground.

Why must the victims of state violence be entrusted with the task of not escalating a situation?

But whatever happened, the physical coordinates of Pretti’s purported gun in the few seconds leading up to his killing are far less relevant than the ongoing siege of the Twin Cities. What, in the face of this aggression, is so relevant about his demeanor or his attitude or how he approached the agents right before his death? Why must the victims of state violence be entrusted with the task of not escalating a situation, when they’re not drawing a salary or health insurance or pension on the taxpayer’s dime?

The people are being charged with keeping the peace, asked to stand firm against the federal agents who are disrupting it. This is a sick form of double taxation — your paycheck gets docked so that a guy in a mask can beat you up while you try to calm him down. “That’s fine, dude, I’m not mad at you,” Renee Good told ICE agents moments before they shot her through the side window of her car. Did she deserve to die because she did an inadequate job of tempering their feelings?

What is the point of pinning someone to the ground before pouring pepper spray in his face? What is the point of all of this, except to anger the public, and then to respond to that anger with even more force? ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol have proven themselves incapable of obeying the law, let alone enforcing it for others; unable to self-soothe, let alone keep the peace. ICE and its ilk are not an answer to a problem, but a problem with only one solution. They are malignant, they are worthless, and they should not exist.

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Sarah Jeong

Technology

Smart pill confirms when medication is swallowed

Published

9 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Smart pill confirms when medication is swallowed

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Remembering to take medication sounds simple. However, missed doses put people at serious health risk every day. Because of that, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a pill that confirms when someone swallows it. As a result, doctors could track treatment more accurately, and patients could stay on schedule more easily. At the same time, the pill safely breaks down inside the body, which helps reduce long-term risk.

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FDA CLEARS FIRST AT-HOME BRAIN DEVICE FOR DEPRESSION

MIT engineers have designed a pill that can report when it has been swallowed. (Mehmet Say)

How the MIT smart pill works

The new system fits inside existing pill capsules. It uses a tiny, biodegradable radio-frequency antenna made from zinc and cellulose. These materials already have strong safety records in medicine. Here is what happens step by step:

You swallow the capsule as usual
The outer coating dissolves in the stomach
The pill releases both the medication and the antenna
The antenna sends a radio signal confirming ingestion

This entire process happens within about 10 minutes. An external receiver, potentially built into a wearable device, detects the signal from up to two feet away.

Designed to break down safely

Previous smart pill designs relied on components that stayed intact as they passed through the digestive system. That raised concerns about long-term safety. The MIT team took a different approach. Nearly all parts of the antenna break down in the stomach within days. Only a tiny off-the-shelf RF chip remains, and it passes naturally through the body. According to lead researcher Mehmet Girayhan Say, the goal is clear. The system avoids long-term buildup while still reliably confirming that a pill was taken.

Who could benefit most from this technology?

This smart pill is not meant for every prescription. Instead, it targets situations where missing medication can be dangerous. Potential beneficiaries include:

Organ transplant patients taking immunosuppressants
People with chronic infections like TB or HIV
Patients with recent stent procedures
Individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions

For these patients, adherence can mean the difference between recovery and serious complications.

BREAKTHROUGH DEVICE PROMISES TO DETECT GLUCOSE WITHOUT NEEDLES

The MIT capsule uses layered materials, including gelatin, cellulose, and metals like molybdenum or tungsten, to prevent any RF signal from transmitting outside the body. (iStock)

What researchers say about the breakthrough pill

Senior author Giovanni Traverso emphasizes that the focus is on patient health. The aim is to support people, not police them. The research team published its findings in Nature Communications and plans further preclinical testing. Human trials are expected next as the technology moves closer to real-world use. This research received funding from Novo Nordisk, MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Gastroenterology and the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.

Why medication adherence remains a major problem

Patients failing to take medicine as prescribed contribute to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year. It also adds billions of dollars to health care costs. This problem hits hardest when patients must take treatment consistently over long periods. That includes people who have received organ transplants, patients with tuberculosis and those managing complex neurological conditions. For these groups, missing doses can have life-altering consequences.

10 HEALTH TECH PRODUCTS STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT AT CES 2026

Once safely inside the stomach, the pill can activate and communicate internally, reducing privacy risks while enabling more accurate medical tracking. (iStock)

What this means for you

If you or a loved one relies on critical medication, this kind of technology could add an extra layer of safety. It may reduce guesswork for doctors and ease pressure on patients who manage complex treatment plans. At the same time, it raises important questions about privacy, consent and how medical data is shared. Any future rollout will need strong safeguards to protect patients.

For now, until this technology becomes available, you can still stay on track by using the built-in tools on your phone. We break down the best ways to track your meds on iPhone and Android in our step-by-step guide.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

A pill that confirms it was swallowed may sound futuristic, but it addresses a very real problem. By combining simple materials with smart engineering, MIT researchers created a tool that could save lives without lingering in the body. As testing continues, this approach could reshape how medicine is monitored and delivered.

Would you be comfortable taking a pill that reports when you swallow it if it meant better health outcomes? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Technology

Creators and communities everywhere take a stand against ICE

Published

21 hours ago

January 25, 2026

Press Room

Creators and communities everywhere take a stand against ICE

It’s not surprising when the guy who’s been yelling about the horrors of late-stage capitalism on Instagram for the last five years turns his ire towards ICE. But something different has been happening over the week or so, following the most recent shootings of civilians by federal agents — even accounts that stay laser focused on golfing, chopping wood, and playing cats like bongos have started to speak out.

The tenor on social media and Reddit took an even sharper turn yesterday, following the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE. Even the moderator of normally politics-free r/catbongos (a subreddit “Where gentlemen, gentlewomen, and gentlethems of quality gather to watch cats being played like bongos”) spokeout in a post where they declared that “If you still support Trump/ICE even slightly, you’re not welcome in this sub.”

That quilters on Instagram or a Facebook account dedicated to New England gravestones have decided enough, is enough, is one thing. But, judging from the comments, it seems like the government has lost the support of r/military as well. The subreddit is filled with angry posters decrying that “this is exactly what tyranny looks like” and sharing memes mocking Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. One poster claiming to be an active member of the U.S. Army who has served for 21 years said, “these guys are against all we stand for as Americans. Modern day brownshirts.”

All across Reddit, subs are being inundated with anti-ICE posts. From r/Fauxmoi, to r/NFCNorthMemeWar, and r/DungeonCrawlerCarl. There’s even been some limited signs of revolt among the members of r/conservative, some of whom have taken issue with Kristi Noem’s description of Alexi Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” and suggested that she should “just be quiet for a while.” And arguments have broken out among community members over perceived hypocrisy around the Second Amendment.

Some big names have also joined the chorus, including Joe Santagato of The Basement Yard podcast, who posted that what was occurring on the streets of Minneapolis was “legit horrifying.” And when someone told him to “Stay out of politics,” and “get back to spitting water out of your mouth and de-jumbling words with your idiot friends.” He shot back, “De-jumble this: ksuc ym slalb.”

Canadian wrestlers and social media influencers Chris and Patrick Vörös have spoken out previously about their anti-ICE views, but took the opportunity to remind people of the only two ICE agents they support. Educational YouTube channel Primer also took to X to say this is no longer about politics, but about the “fabric of society.”

Canadian musician bbno$ decided to break his silence, even if it risked his visa and his current U.S. tour, to throw his support behind the abolish ICE movement. Even Thoren Bradley, the Axe Man himself, whose whole schtick is being a ripped rural dude who chops wood, has decided to call out the hypocrisy of the Christian conservatives to his 10.7 million followers.

That creators like Hank Green are speaking out is no surprise. But when fitness influencers, duck-painting TikTokers, football subreddits, and even Second Amendment rights activists have finally broken their silence, it seems like the government has lost control of the narrative. No matter how hard they try to spin it.

Let us know in the comments what other creators and communities have begun to speakout in the comments.

Updated January 25th: Added additional information about Reddit communities.

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