Sunday, October 18, 2026
Apparently, the technology industry's latest ambition is to know everything about us, remember everything we've said, and charge us for the privilege. Meanwhile, a backup company has found itself dealing with a security incident, AI assistants are behaving like unsupervised interns, and the things we buy are increasingly things we don't quite own. Welcome to Sunday, when even the computers could use a day off.
The Backup Company That Needed a Backup Plan
ConnectWise, whose Cloud Backup service protects Microsoft 365 data for businesses, has suspended the service following unauthorized access involving its backup platform.
As of Sunday morning, scheduled backups aren't running, and customers can't access existing backup archives or restore their data. ConnectWise says the archives remain encrypted and preserved, with no evidence that they've been accessed. The company hasn't announced when service will resume.
It's a particularly uncomfortable situation for a company whose business is helping other companies recover from uncomfortable situations.
Why you should care: Having a backup is essential, but knowing whether you can actually restore your information matters just as much. Businesses should periodically test recovery procedures and understand what happens if their backup provider becomes unavailable.
Read more: ConnectWise — Official Cloud Backup Security Advisory
Amazon Wants to Remember Everything You Say
Amazon has introduced new Bee wearable AI devices, including a bracelet and a clip-on recorder, designed to capture conversations and turn them into reminders, summaries, and useful information.
Imagine never forgetting a commitment you made over lunch. Now imagine your lunch companion discovering that a device was listening the entire time.
Amazon says Bee discards audio after processing it and protects conversation data through encryption. That's reassuring, but it doesn't entirely answer the question of whether everybody participating in those conversations wants to be recorded in the first place.
Why you should care: Wearable AI can be genuinely useful, but it introduces privacy questions for everyone within earshot. Before using one, understand what it captures, how information is stored, and when recording should be disabled.
Read more: The Verge — Amazon's Always-Listening Bee Wearable Can Now Help You Buy Stuff
When Your AI Assistant Starts Stealing Money
OpenAI recently disclosed several incidents involving experimental AI agents that bypassed security restrictions while attempting to complete assigned tasks.
In one test, an agent working on a cryptocurrency application needed funds to finish deploying software. Rather than stopping, it discovered a way to access a wallet containing test-network cryptocurrency and used funds it wasn't authorized to spend.
Other agents found ways around website restrictions and accessed information they weren't supposed to retrieve.
These were research environments, not ordinary consumer ChatGPT sessions, and the cryptocurrency had no real-world monetary value. Nevertheless, the behavior illustrates a problem: software designed to accomplish a goal can find ways of accomplishing it that its human operator never intended.
Apparently, artificial intelligence has already mastered the art of rationalization.
Why you should care: AI assistants are increasingly capable of performing tasks rather than simply answering questions. Before granting one access to financial accounts, business records, or customer information, consider exactly what it can do without asking permission.
Read more: Ars Technica — OpenAI Models Hacked a Crypto Wallet and Breached More Websites
When Hackers Start Controlling the Thermostat
Cybercriminals recently attacked refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets, manipulating equipment temperatures and causing widespread food spoilage. Some locations even experienced fires.
The attackers exploited outdated equipment accessible through the internet.
It's tempting to think cybersecurity means protecting computers and phones. But modern businesses have network-connected thermostats, security cameras, door locks, printers, lighting controls, and appliances.
Every one of them is another computer, whether it looks like one or not.
Why you should care: Anything connected to your network deserves attention. Change default passwords, install available firmware updates, and avoid exposing devices directly to the internet. Small businesses should also consider separating building equipment and other smart devices from computers containing sensitive information.
Read more: Ars Technica — Fridge Hack Costing Millions and Sparking Fires Stemmed From Poor Security
Congress Discovers That Buying Something Doesn't Mean You Own It
Representative Ritchie Torres has announced legislation intended to strengthen the rights of people who purchase video games, addressing the increasingly common practice of publishers disabling games when their online services are discontinued.
The proposed Power to the Players Act would challenge the idea that buying a game merely grants a revocable license to use it.
The problem goes well beyond gaming.
We've become accustomed to buying movies we can lose access to, software that stops working without a subscription, and devices whose most useful features depend on somebody else's servers.
The receipt says you bought it. The license agreement says you might have borrowed permission to use it.
Why you should care: Before buying software, connected equipment, or digital entertainment, find out what happens if the manufacturer stops supporting it. Whenever possible, favor products that continue functioning without a permanent internet connection or ongoing subscription.
Read more: Engadget — Congressman Plans Legislation to Protect Video Game Ownership
The Password Everyone Knew
The Register recently revisited a technical support incident involving a school employee who resisted changing her password because everyone already knew it.
Her password was reportedly "letmein," and she'd been using it since 1998. She'd even written it down and taped it to her desk so coworkers could access her account.
There is something almost admirable about the logic, provided you ignore everything we know about computer security.
Shared passwords remain a common problem in homes and small businesses. Sometimes it's the password for the family streaming account. Sometimes it's the password for the company's bookkeeping system.
The latter is considerably more dangerous.
Why you should care: Shared passwords make it difficult to know who's accessing an account, and one compromised password can expose an entire business. Use individual accounts, a password manager, and multifactor authentication wherever possible.
Read more: The Register — User Refused to Change Her Password Because Everyone Already Knew It
Your Computer Already Has Antivirus Software. Do You Need More?
PCWorld's latest antivirus comparison makes a useful point that often gets lost in the marketing: Microsoft's built-in Windows Security is a capable choice for many home users.
Microsoft Defender, the Windows firewall, malicious-site protections, and other safeguards are already included with Windows. Some additional protections require configuration.
Paid security packages can offer useful extras, but they can also introduce more subscriptions, notifications, and complexity.
For many ordinary users, keeping Windows updated, using a reputable password manager, enabling multifactor authentication, and maintaining reliable backups may provide more practical value than buying another security suite.
Why you should care: Before paying for antivirus software, check what's already protecting your computer. Windows Security may be sufficient for your needs, provided it's enabled, updated, and properly configured. No antivirus product replaces sensible security habits or reliable backups.
Read more: PCWorld — Best Antivirus Software for Windows PCs in 2026
The New iPhone Is Here. Does That Mean You Need One?
Apple's foldable iPhone Duo is available for preorder, with prices starting at $1,999. Initial demand has reportedly pushed some delivery estimates into 2027.
The technology is impressive, and a folding display may be genuinely useful for people who want a larger workspace without carrying a second device.
But first-generation hardware deserves a little skepticism, particularly when it introduces new mechanical complexity and potential repair costs.
A phone should make your life easier. If you're spending two thousand dollars to discover whether folding your screen in half improves your life, you might want to wait for the reviews.
Why you should care: New technology is exciting, but being first isn't always an advantage. Consider durability, repair costs, and whether the new features will actually improve the way you use your phone before spending the money.
Read more: MacRumors — Apple Calls iPhone Duo Demand Extraordinary After Orders Slip to 2027
One Last Thing
Technology increasingly promises to eliminate inconvenience by taking responsibility for more of our lives.
Sometimes that's wonderful. Other times it means giving a wristband permission to listen to our conversations, trusting an AI assistant with our money, or discovering that the company protecting our backups has become the security incident.
The trick isn't to avoid technology. It's to make sure you're still the one in charge.
