Ransomware puts hospitals in danger
Digest
Kim Commando, the beloved digital goddess, kicks off the show with a PSA about the dangers of climbing high voltage power lines, highlighting a recent incident in Portland, Oregon. She then dives into the top five tech news stories of the week. First, she discusses Google's new AI that will scan the internet and create its own version of news stories, potentially impacting news organizations' traffic and revenue. Second, she reveals that Starlink will launch its direct-to-cell phone service by the end of August, providing high-speed broadband service almost anywhere on Earth. Third, she warns listeners about the top three email scams currently circulating, including disguised emails from banks and delivery services, fake package delivery notifications, and fake bank employee requests for personal information. Fourth, she shares a lighthearted look at phrases we no longer use due to technological advancements, such as "Did you drop off the film to get developed?" and "I'll fax that right over to you." Finally, she emphasizes the importance of having physical copies of medical records due to the increasing number of cyberattacks on hospitals, citing the recent ransomware attack on Ascension, a non-profit healthcare system. The show concludes with a call from a listener seeking advice on buying a laptop for his wife, a discussion about binge-watching and its impact on sleep, and a reminder to opt out of unsolicited credit card offers to prevent mail theft. Kim also shares a tip about saving Apple or Google Maps directions for offline use to avoid expensive roaming charges while traveling. The show ends with a reminder to enter the giveaway for a brand new iPhone 15 at winfromkim.com and a discussion about the prevalence of military romance scams on Facebook.
Outlines
Introduction and PSA
This Chapter introduces Kim Commando, the host of the show, and begins with a public service announcement (PSA) about the dangers of climbing high voltage power lines. The PSA highlights a recent incident in Portland, Oregon, where a man climbed a power line tower for a selfie and was electrocuted and fell 40 feet, resulting in a transformer explosion. Luckily, an off-duty paramedic was nearby and provided immediate assistance. The PSA emphasizes the potential dangers of high voltage power lines and the importance of safety.
Top Five Tech News Stories
This Chapter delves into the top five tech news stories of the week. The first story discusses Google's new AI that will scan the internet and create its own version of news stories, potentially impacting news organizations' traffic and revenue. The second story reveals that Starlink will launch its direct-to-cell phone service by the end of August, providing high-speed broadband service almost anywhere on Earth. The third story warns listeners about the top three email scams currently circulating, including disguised emails from banks and delivery services, fake package delivery notifications, and fake bank employee requests for personal information. The fourth story shares a lighthearted look at phrases we no longer use due to technological advancements, such as "Did you drop off the film to get developed?" and "I'll fax that right over to you." The fifth story emphasizes the importance of having physical copies of medical records due to the increasing number of cyberattacks on hospitals, citing the recent ransomware attack on Ascension, a non-profit healthcare system.
Listener Calls and Tech Tips
This Chapter features listener calls and tech tips. The first call is from Daniel, who seeks advice on buying a laptop for his wife. Kim recommends a Dell Inspiron laptop and a second monitor for a dual-screen setup. The second call is from Beth, who has an idea for a new dating app and seeks advice on how to bring it to fruition. Kim encourages her to develop a business plan, create mockups, and protect her idea legally. The third call is from John, who discusses the prevalence of military romance scams on Facebook and expresses frustration with Facebook's lack of action against fake accounts. Kim acknowledges the issue and emphasizes the importance of public awareness. The show concludes with a tip on how to opt out of unsolicited credit card offers to prevent mail theft and a reminder to enter the giveaway for a brand new iPhone 15 at winfromkim.com.
Daily Tech Update
This Chapter highlights the importance of Kim Commando's daily tech update podcast, which provides listeners with the top news story of the day and one great digital life tip. Kim emphasizes the growing popularity of the daily tech update and encourages listeners to subscribe to it. She suggests listening to the daily tech update during short activities like walking the dog, making coffee, or gardening.
Military Romance Scams on Facebook
This Chapter delves into the issue of military romance scams on Facebook. A listener, John, shares his experience of discovering numerous fake accounts pretending to be retired US military officers, specifically generals, on Facebook. He expresses frustration with Facebook's lack of action against these fake accounts, despite reporting them. Kim acknowledges the issue and discusses the prevalence of these scams, highlighting the significant financial losses associated with them. She also criticizes Facebook's lack of action and suggests that the company should prioritize protecting its users from these scams.
Keywords
Google AI
Google's artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology that is being used to develop a wide range of products and services, including search engines, voice assistants, and self-driving cars. Google AI is known for its ability to learn from data and make predictions. In this context, Google AI is being used to scan the internet and create its own version of news stories, potentially impacting news organizations' traffic and revenue.
Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing high-speed broadband internet service to almost anywhere on Earth. Starlink uses a network of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet connectivity. The service is known for its high speeds and low latency, making it a viable alternative to traditional internet service providers in areas with limited or no internet access.
Email Scams
Email scams are fraudulent attempts to deceive individuals into revealing personal information or transferring money. Common email scams include phishing scams, where attackers impersonate legitimate organizations to steal login credentials, and malware scams, where attackers send malicious attachments or links that infect devices with viruses or other harmful software. In this context, Kim Commando warns listeners about the top three email scams currently circulating, including disguised emails from banks and delivery services, fake package delivery notifications, and fake bank employee requests for personal information.
Ransomware Attack
A ransomware attack is a type of cyberattack where attackers encrypt a victim's data and demand payment in exchange for decryption. Ransomware attacks can target individuals, businesses, and organizations, causing significant disruption and financial losses. In this context, Kim Commando discusses the recent ransomware attack on Ascension, a non-profit healthcare system, highlighting the importance of having physical copies of medical records to avoid being compromised by cybercriminals.
Military Romance Scam
A military romance scam is a type of online fraud where scammers create fake profiles, often posing as military personnel stationed overseas, to build relationships with victims and eventually request money. These scams often target vulnerable individuals, such as widows or those seeking companionship. In this context, a listener, John, shares his experience of discovering numerous fake accounts pretending to be retired US military officers on Facebook, highlighting the prevalence of these scams and the need for public awareness.
Opt Out Pre-Screen
Opt Out Pre-Screen is a service offered by the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, and Innovis) that allows consumers to opt out of receiving pre-screened offers for credit cards and insurance. This service helps reduce the amount of unsolicited mail consumers receive and can help protect against identity theft. In this context, Kim Commando encourages listeners to opt out of pre-screened offers to prevent mail theft, which is on the rise.
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, known for its luxurious lifestyle, modern architecture, and thriving business environment. Dubai has become a popular destination for entrepreneurs and investors from around the world, particularly in the technology sector. In this context, Kim Commando mentions Dubai as a hub for entrepreneurs and highlights the "Conversations with Lulie" podcast, which focuses on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Dubai and the Middle East.
Binge Watching
Binge watching is the practice of watching multiple episodes of a television show or series in a short period of time. Binge watching has become increasingly popular with the rise of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. In this context, Kim Commando discusses the impact of binge watching on sleep, suggesting that viewers turn off autoplay and set sleep timers to avoid losing sleep.
Facebook is a social networking service that allows users to connect with friends and family, share information, and engage in online communities. Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with billions of active users. In this context, Kim Commando discusses the prevalence of military romance scams on Facebook and criticizes the company's lack of action against fake accounts.
iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 is the upcoming smartphone model from Apple, expected to be released in the fall of 2023. The iPhone 15 is expected to feature a number of new features and improvements, including a faster processor, a better camera, and a new design. In this context, Kim Commando is giving away a brand new iPhone 15 to a listener who enters the giveaway at winfromkim.com.
Q&A
What are the top five tech news stories discussed in this episode?
The top five tech news stories discussed are: Google's AI taking aim at the media, Starlink's direct-to-cell phone service, the top three email scams, phrases we no longer use, and the importance of having physical copies of medical records due to cyberattacks.
What is the main concern about Google's new AI?
The main concern is that Google's AI will create its own version of news stories, potentially impacting news organizations' traffic and revenue. This could lead to layoffs for larger news sites and bankruptcy for smaller ones.
How will Starlink's direct-to-cell phone service work?
Starlink will launch a new generation of satellites that will communicate directly with cell phones, providing high-speed broadband service almost anywhere on Earth. T-Mobile customers will be the first to get basic texting on their phones, with data and voice service expected to be available by the end of the year.
What are the top three email scams currently circulating?
The top three email scams are: disguised emails from banks and delivery services, fake package delivery notifications, and fake bank employee requests for personal information.
Why is it important to have physical copies of medical records?
It is important to have physical copies of medical records due to the increasing number of cyberattacks on hospitals. If a hospital's electronic patient charts are compromised, patients may not be able to access their medical history, potentially jeopardizing their health.
What is a military romance scam?
A military romance scam is a type of online fraud where scammers create fake profiles, often posing as military personnel stationed overseas, to build relationships with victims and eventually request money.
How can I opt out of receiving unsolicited credit card offers?
You can opt out of receiving unsolicited credit card offers by visiting optoutprescreen.com and filling out a form. You can opt out for either five years or forever.
What is the best way to avoid losing sleep due to binge watching?
To avoid losing sleep due to binge watching, turn off autoplay on streaming services, set a sleep timer on your TV, or take a break from streaming altogether.
What is the giveaway being offered on the show?
The giveaway is a brand new iPhone 15. To enter, visit winfromkim.com.
What is Kim Commando's advice for someone who wants to create a dating app?
Kim Commando advises developing a business plan, creating mockups, and protecting the idea legally. She also recommends taking courses on app building and hiring a developer or agency to help with the process.
Show Notes
The hack on Ascension threw its 140 hospitals and 40 senior facilities into full-blown chaos. Plus, Google's untrustworthy AI, tech phrases you'll never use again, and lost sleep from binge-watching.
Table of contents
United States
