Refresh Computers Tech Talk

David Leavitt
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Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life. Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.

  1. قبل ٣ أيام

    05-24-26 Your Phone Can Go Dead And Your Bank Can Too

    Send us Fan Mail If your phone suddenly loses service, it might not be a carrier outage. It could be a SIM swap, and that can hand a criminal the keys to your bank, email, and social accounts in minutes. We explain how attackers impersonate you with data from phishing and breaches, why SMS based two factor authentication is now a liability, and what that scary “my phone went dead” moment really means. We also unpack a major dating app breach story tied to Match Group brands and why exposed profile data can turn into account takeovers or even blackmail once it spreads on the dark web. You’ll leave with a clear action list: change passwords, check whether your email appears in known breaches, and move away from text codes toward authenticator apps and passkeys, the modern phishing resistant login method that Google, Apple, and Microsoft are all backing. Then we shift to AI powered smart home tech that feels like science fiction becoming normal, from robot vacuums that handle obstacles to smart locks with facial recognition, plus the privacy and security tradeoffs of always on devices. We share a practical home network tip to reduce risk by separating IoT devices onto their own Wi Fi network, add a fast Windows 11 Snap Layouts trick for multitasking, and close with a timely warning about AI voice cloning scams that pressure families into sending money. Subscribe for weekly tech security guidance, share this with someone who still uses SMS codes, and leave a review if it helped. What security change are you making first? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  2. قبل ٣ أيام

    05-23-26 When Convenience Becomes A Subscription Trap

    Send us Fan Mail Streaming was supposed to make TV cheaper and simpler, but the math is starting to look painfully familiar. As Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, Spotify, and others keep raising prices, a lot of us are right back to paying a cable sized bill, just split across a bunch of apps. We dig into what’s driving the increases, why ad-supported tiers are changing everything, and how weekly episode releases quietly keep you subscribed for months. Then we get practical. We talk through a no-nonsense subscription audit, why small charges are the easiest to miss, and a simple habit that helps you catch recurring bills before they creep up: enabling credit card text notifications. We also cover bundle options through cell carriers and the real question you should ask before you “save” money by adding yet another service. From there, we pivot into summer tech decisions that can save you hundreds. We explain why now is a strong time to buy a refurbished computer before the back-to-school rush, what to look for in a quality business class machine, and why details like fresh CPU thermal paste and a new CMOS battery matter for long-term reliability. We also weigh the hype around Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, including price rumors, durability concerns, and why version-one hardware can turn buyers into beta testers. Finally, we react to Florida’s experimental highway that can charge EVs while you drive and close with an important Windows 11 update warning to help you avoid a corrupted install. Subscribe for more practical tech talk, share this with a friend who’s drowning in subscriptions, and leave us a review with your biggest streaming bill frustration. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  3. ١٧ مايو

    05-17-26 Social Media Is Engineered To Be Addictive To You and Your Child

    Send us Fan Mail Record profits used to mean stability. Now it can mean something else: a company realizes AI can do more with fewer people, and the layoffs start anyway. We talk through the real-world signals, starting with Cisco cutting thousands of jobs while reporting strong results, plus other examples like GM trimming IT roles. The takeaway isn’t panic, it’s clarity: AI job displacement is already happening, and the smartest move is to understand where the tech is headed before it reshapes your department around you. We also get practical for anyone shopping this summer. New computer prices are still elevated, so we break down the specs that actually matter for a fast Windows 11 experience in 2026: 16GB RAM as the sweet spot, a solid state drive as non-negotiable, and CPUs new enough to keep up with modern browsers and AI features. We explain why bloatware makes many brand-new PCs feel slower than they should, and why a properly refurbished laptop or desktop can be a better value without the junk. Then we shift to the redesign of social media itself. Endless scrolling, reels, shorts, and notification loops are engineered to be addictive, and we talk about what that does to attention, sleep, and mental health, especially for kids and teens. The European Union is pushing regulations that target the mechanics of addiction, not just content, and it may set the template for what comes next. We close with a few wild tech stories and a serious security lesson every business needs: revoke access before you terminate someone. If this helped, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find Tech Talk. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  4. ١٦ مايو

    05-16-26 You Are More Vulnerable Online Than Ever So Update Everything

    Send us Fan Mail AI is no longer just a productivity tool, it’s a force multiplier for cybercrime. We dig into Google’s Threat Intelligence Group warning about the first confirmed case of criminal hackers using AI to discover and weaponize a zero-day vulnerability, the kind of software flaw nobody can patch because nobody knows it exists yet. That changes the clock on security from “weeks to respond” to “minutes to get hit,” and it’s why we keep hammering the basics that still work.  We walk through the simplest, highest-impact defenses for real people: turn on automatic software updates, patch your router, and stop treating smart home gadgets like toys. Every connected device is an endpoint, and attackers only need one weak link. We also talk about practical account protection with passkeys and why you should treat unexpected emails, texts, and scam calls as hostile until proven otherwise. If you want help checking your settings, we point you to the free tech support hotline and what to ask.  Then we hit a privacy shift you may have missed: Apple finally makes iPhone to Android texting secure with RCS and end-to-end encryption via iOS 26.5, closing a long-standing gap where SMS and MMS were basically digital postcards. From there we zoom out to the bigger AI landscape, including Google’s Gemini push across Android and the messy business side of AI with the Elon Musk vs Sam Altman lawsuit over OpenAI’s original mission, plus why Grok may be losing momentum as competitors gain fans.  If you get value from the show, subscribe, share it with a friend who keeps postponing updates, and leave us a review so more people can find Tech Talk. What security habit are you changing this week? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  5. ١٠ مايو

    05-10-26 Who Should Decide What AI Can Do?

    Send us Fan Mail The government wants a seat at the table before the most powerful AI ships, and Big Tech is starting to say yes. We walk through the news that Google, Microsoft, and xAI plan to let the US Department of Commerce review new frontier AI models ahead of release, supposedly to catch national security and cybersecurity risks. That sparks the bigger question we cannot ignore: where does “safety review” end and information control begin, and how might it change depending on who is in charge? Then we bring it down to a practical decision you can make today: what computer should you actually buy in an AI world? We make the case that you do not need an expensive, brand-new “AI machine” to use tools like ChatGPT, Grok, or Gemini. A well-built, properly remanufactured refurbished Windows 11 PC can deliver a great experience at a fraction of the cost, especially when it comes with real testing, real support, and a real warranty. From there, we dig into the next wave: AI agents. Google’s Remy concept inside the Gemini app points toward a 24/7 assistant that can take actions like emailing, booking, ordering, and managing your calendar. That convenience is real, but so are the risks when an agent needs access to your accounts. We close with the money trail behind all this: Samsung hitting a trillion-dollar market cap, the AI chip boom driving demand for memory, and data centers scaling so fast that the costs eventually land on consumers. Subscribe, share the show with a friend who loves tech, and leave a review with your take: should frontier AI be reviewed before release or pushed forward at full speed? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  6. ٩ مايو

    05-09-26 Google Installed A Hidden 4GB AI Model In Your Browser Without Asking

    Send us Fan Mail A hidden 4GB file on your computer sounds like malware, but this time it can arrive through a normal Chrome update. We break down what Google’s Gemini Nano is, why the weights.bin file is showing up for Chrome users and many Chromebook owners, and why people are upset that it installs without a clear “yes” from you. We also talk through what “on-device AI” actually means, what it’s supposed to help with, and the real-world problem: even if you toggle it off, the storage hit can still be there. From there, we zoom out to performance and value. New PCs often ship with bloatware that burns storage, nags you with pop-ups, and quietly slows the machine down. We explain why a quality refurbished computer with a clean Windows install can feel faster on day one, plus simple ways to audit the tech in your home or small business. We also share how our recycling and trade-in options can help you clear out old gear responsibly and put credit toward an upgrade. Then we get into AI you actually choose to use. ChatGPT’s latest “5.5 Instant” update claims 52.5% fewer hallucinations, better memory, and clickable sources, but we keep it practical: AI is a research assistant, not an oracle, and it still needs fact-checking for medical, legal, and financial questions. Finally, we cover the Canvas ransomware breach tied to Shiny Hunters and why this is prime time for phishing scams aimed at students, parents, and educators, including the password changes you should make right now. Subscribe, share the show with a friend who uses Chrome or Canvas, and leave a review so more people can find Tech Talk. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  7. ٢ مايو

    05-02-26 An AI Model Finds Thousands Of Hidden Zero-Day Flaws Before Criminals Do

    Send us Fan Mail A brand-new AI model goes hunting for hackers and what it finds is honestly unsettling: thousands of high-severity zero-day vulnerabilities, including flaws that sat unnoticed for decades. We talk through Anthropic’s Project Glasswing, why the partnerships matter, and how AI-powered cybersecurity could help patch the holes before bad actors get there first. If you’ve ever wondered how much unseen risk is baked into the software running your bank, your hospital, or your everyday devices, this conversation puts real examples to that fear. Then the mood shifts from “future tech” to “right now.” The Shiny Hunters ransomware and data extortion group is back in the headlines with claims involving major brands like Carnival, Amtrak, ADT, Zara, and more. We break down what these attacks look like, why cloud data and third-party platforms keep becoming the weak link, and how phishing emails still beat expensive security programs. Most importantly, we share concrete steps you can take if you think your information was exposed, including checking HaveIBeenPwned, changing passwords the right way, and when it makes sense to freeze credit. We also get into a surprisingly practical change coming from the European Union right to repair movement: by February 2027, smartphones sold in the EU must have user-replaceable batteries. We debate what that could mean for iPhone and Android design, durability, warranties, and e-waste recycling and why tech rules made in Europe often ripple into the United States. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a security reset, and leave a quick review with the one topic you want us to tackle next. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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  8. ٢٥ أبريل

    04-25-26 How Robotaxis Work And What To Watch For

    Send us Fan Mail Waymo is officially giving rides around metro Orlando, and that single fact kicks off a bigger question: are we ready for a world where “rideshare” no longer includes a driver? We walk through what Waymo’s launch looks like on the ground, why it is avoiding interstates for now, and the real-world situations that test every self-driving system, from construction zones and emergency vehicles to Central Florida heavy rain. We also touch Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions and how quickly this technology can reshape the same transportation industry Uber upended. Then we get practical. New tech brings new scams, so we share how to protect yourself from fake ride apps, sketchy QR codes, and phishing texts designed to steal your info. We also talk privacy in autonomous vehicles, because “no driver” does not mean private. Cabin audio and video recording, plus GPS location history, can be part of the service, and you should assume it is stored somewhere. From there, we shift to something you can control today: your next computer purchase and your online security. We explain why refurbished computers can be a better value than new, especially when bloatware is removed and the refurb process is done right with details like fresh thermal paste and a new CMOS battery. Finally, we break down the booking.com breach mindset and the defenses that matter most: unique passwords, password managers, passkeys, authenticator apps, and even pausing your credit card to stop fraud before it starts. If this helped, subscribe so you never miss a week, share the show with a friend who needs safer tech habits, and leave a review with the one topic you want us to tackle next. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life. Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.

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    David Leavitt
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    ملائم
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    © 2026 Refresh Computers Tech Talk
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    Refresh Computers Tech Talk