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Showing posts with the label cybersafety

Cyber-Bob's Cyber Safety Tip #132 — Smart Speaker Security

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https://youtu.be/bsV6YuyBVoc 🎙️Smart speakers can be handy little helpers — playing music, answering questions, setting timers, and making life easier around the house. But when a device has a microphone and is connected to the internet, it deserves a little privacy attention too. In this episode, Bob The Cyber-Guy takes a friendly, practical look at Alexa and Google-style smart speakers, why people worry about them “listening,” and what everyday users should think about before placing one in the home. No panic. No paranoia. Just common-sense privacy awareness for real people living in the real world. Because convenience is wonderful — but privacy should not be left sitting in the corner like yesterday’s newspaper. 🛡️🏠 Stay safe, stay secure, stay curious — and remember my friends, you’re never too old to outsmart a scammer. 👋 Created by Norbert (Bob) Gostischa with a little help from ChatGPT, NotebookLM Slide Deck, and ScreenPal. All videos featuring Cyber-Bob are available here: ...

Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore Update: A Restart Revealed the Missing Restore Points

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After publishing my first look at Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore, I continued testing the feature on my own Windows 11 system. This follow-up is important because it clears up something that first looked disturbing. At first, the Point-in-Time Restore settings screen showed only one restore point: 6/30/2026 8:04 AM 10.0.26200.8737 That did not look right. My settings showed that Point-in-Time Restore was turned on, set to create restore points every 24 hours, and set to retain restore points for 72 hours. Based on that, I expected to see more than one restore point listed. Since today is July 3, I expected the list to include newer entries, especially from July 1 and July 2. So I did some digging. First, I checked the underlying Volume Shadow Copy Service information using the vssadmin command. That showed that Windows had actually created multiple shadow copies, including ones from July 1 and July 2. That was a very useful clue. It told me that the restore data appeared to exist und...

ChatGPT, Are You Still Earning the Monthly Subscription?

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There was a time when paying for ChatGPT Plus felt like an easy decision. It was the tool I reached for constantly: writing help, cybersecurity explanations, YouTube descriptions, blog drafts, prompts, brainstorming, image ideas, and plain-English tech guidance. But times change. Tools change. Budgets sure do not magically grow wings. And now the honest question is this: Is ChatGPT still useful enough to justify a monthly subscription for everyday creators, seniors, educators, and small YouTube producers? That is not an insult. That is a practical question. OpenAI still offers a free version of ChatGPT, and the free tier now includes limited access to GPT-5.5, though OpenAI says free users have limited GPT-5.5 access within a five-hour window. Paid plans offer more access and higher limits, with ChatGPT Go listed at $8 per month in the United States and ChatGPT Plus listed at $20 per month. For some users, that $20 may be a bargain. For others, especially retired folks, hobby cre...

Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore - A New Way to Roll Back Your PC

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https://youtu.be/ojk33DtdSyk Windows 11 has a new recovery feature called Point-in-Time Restore, and it could become a very useful safety net when things go wrong. In this tutorial, Bob The Cyber-Guy takes an early hands-on look at where to find it, what it shows, and why users should understand it before relying on it. This is not the old System Restore, and it is not a replacement for a real backup — but it is definitely worth watching. Credits: Created and presented by Norbert (Bob) Gostischa aka Bob The Cyber-Guy. All videos featuring Cyber-Bob are available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=vb75DBhUg_ZJarby Edited with ScreenPal. Screen recording and tutorial support aided by Zoom Clips. Research, outline, and visual support created in collaboration with ChatGPT. Windows 11 feature shown from Bob’s own real-world test system. 

Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore - A New Way to Roll Back Your PC

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Windows 11 Point-in-Time Restore: A New Way to Roll Back Your PC Microsoft has added a new Windows 11 recovery feature called Point-in-Time Restore, and this one is worth paying attention to. I discovered it after installing the 2026-06 Preview Update, KB5095093, which brought my system to build 26200.8737. After the update, a new recovery option appeared under: Settings > System > Recovery > Point-in-time restore This is not the same thing as the older System Restore feature many Windows users may remember. System Restore mainly focuses on Windows system files, drivers, registry settings, and some installed software. Point-in-Time Restore is designed to go further. It can roll the PC back to a recent saved state, including Windows, installed apps, settings, and local personal files. That sounds powerful — and it is — but there are some important details users need to understand before treating it like magic. Spoiler alert: it is not magic. Windows still does not come with a t...

How GPT-5.5 Can Help Everyday Users Stay Cyber Safe

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https://youtu.be/tVQCrI0ecvI Everyday cybersecurity does not have to be scary, confusing, or filled with tech gobbledygook. In this Bob The Cyber-Guy tutorial, we look at how ChatGPT-5.5 can help average users stay safer online by acting like a practical cyber-safety coach. 🛡️💻 From checking suspicious emails and scam texts to understanding security warnings, building better password habits, and learning when to pause before clicking, this guide shows how AI can help regular folks make smarter digital decisions. The big lesson: ChatGPT can help you think before you click — but you still need to verify before you trust. 🔍✅ Stay safe, stay secure, stay curious — and remember my friends, you’re never too old to outsmart a scammer. 👋 Created by Norbert (Bob) Gostischa with a little help from ChatGPT, NotebookLM Slide Deck, and ScreenPal. All videos featuring Cyber-Bob are available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=vb75DBhUg_ZJarby #Cyber...

Auto-Renewal Traps - How Subscriptions Quietly Empty Your Wallet

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https://youtu.be/rNCRNYjWWgI 🔁💳 Auto-renewal can be convenient — until it quietly becomes a wallet-draining trap. In this Bob The Cyber-Guy Advice episode, Bob takes a friendly but direct look at subscription renewals, free trials, hidden cancel buttons, confusing menus, and those sneaky little charges that show up when you least expect them. It’s a practical reminder for seniors and everyday users: check your subscriptions before they check your wallet. 🧾⚠️ 👍 Like, share, and subscribe for more simple, practical cyber safety advice from Bob The Cyber-Guy. Created by Norbert “Bob” Gostischa, also known as Bob The Cyber-Guy, with help from ChatGPT, NotebookLM Slide Deck, and ScreenPal. All videos featuring Cyber-Bob are available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=vb75DBhUg_ZJarby #Cybersecurity #CyberBob #BobTheCyberGuy #TechSupportScam #OnlineSafety #PrivacyTips #DataProtection 

Bob The Cyber-Guy - "Is Now the Right Time to Buy AI Glasses"

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https://youtu.be/FIu1dLwwrew Are AI glasses finally ready for everyday people — or are they still a shiny tech toy looking for a real purpose? In this Bob The Cyber-Guy video, I take a practical, no-hype look at today’s AI glasses, what they promise, what they actually deliver, and why rushing to buy the newest gadget may not always be the smartest move. Cameras, live translation, voice assistants, privacy concerns, battery life, cost, and good old common sense all come into play. Created by Norbert “Bob” Gostischa with help from ChatGPT, Gemini’s NotebookLM, and ScreenPal. Narration provided by Bob. Stay curious, stay cautious, and remember — the future may be wearable, but your wallet still deserves adult supervision. All videos featuring Cyber-Bob are available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=vb75DBhUg_ZJarby  

Cyber-Bob's Cyber Safety Tip #124 — Oversharing on Social Media

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https://youtu.be/xF_GGeYRdZA Think your vacation photo, birthday post, pet name, favorite restaurant, or “just having fun” social media update is harmless? Think again. 👀 In Cyber-Bob’s Cyber Safety Tip #124, Bob The Cyber-Guy explains why oversharing online can give criminals the puzzle pieces they need to guess passwords, answer security questions, or aim scams directly at you. It’s not about being afraid to post — it’s about posting smarter. Created by Norbert (Bob) Gostischa with a little help from ChatGPT, Gemini’s NotebookLM, and ScreenPal. Stay safe, stay secure, stay curious, and remember my friends—you’re never too old to outsmart a scammer👋 All videos featuring Cyber-Bob are available here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=vb75DBhUg_ZJarby #Cybersecurity #CyberBob #BobTheCyberGuy #TechSupportScam #OnlineSafety #PrivacyTips #DataProtection 

Watch App Permissions - (Explained by the Avast Bears!)

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https://youtube.com/shorts/vXyRmG1-Q14 Welcome back to the @bob3160 channel for another Teddy-Tip with the Avast Bears! 👋🐻 📱 Not every app needs access to everything on your phone. If a simple app wants your camera, microphone, contacts, location, and probably your first-born teddy bear, it’s time to slow down. In this quick Avast Bears tip, you’ll see why checking app permissions is one of the smartest little habits for staying safer online. 🐻🔐 I used ChatGPT and Gemini Vids to help me create this Avast Cybersecurity Teddy-tip. You'll find all the videos featuring the Avast Bears at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g21PhSulGJ3MwRYEJazFNcWa&si=dtL0wKWETI6iyl_1  

Setup a Safe Word With Your Family - (Explained by the Avast Bears!)

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https://youtu.be/V3wBAEOpdMg Welcome back to the @bob3160 channel for another Teddy-Tip with the Avast Bears! 👋🐻 🛡️ In a world full of scam calls, fake emergencies, and messages designed to make you panic, having a family safe word is one smart little trick that can make a big difference. In this quick Avast Bears tip, you’ll see why a simple shared word can help protect your loved ones from fraud, confusion, and fast-talking crooks. Small step, big peace of mind. 🐻📞 I used ChatGPT and Sora to help me create this Avast Cybersecurity Teddy-tip. You'll find all the videos featuring the Avast Bears at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g21PhSulGJ3MwRYEJazFNcWa&si=dtL0wKWETI6iyl_1  

Never share your verification code with anyone! - (Explained by the Avast Bears!)

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https://youtube.com/shorts/sdw_tWKHI-Q Welcome back to the @bob3160 channel for another Teddy-Tip with the Avast Bears! 👋🐻 🚨 One of the easiest tricks scammers use is asking for a verification code that was never meant for them. In this quick tip, the Avast Bears explain why that little code can open the door to your accounts if it falls into the wrong hands. Simple, smart, and worth remembering — because giving away that code is like handing a crook your house key and saying, “Try the front door.” 🐻🔐 Watch closely — this is one of those online traps that catches people every single day. I used ChatGPT and Google's Veo to help me create this Avast feature Cybersecurity Teddy-tip. You'll find all the videos featuring the Avast Bears at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g21PhSulGJ3MwRYEJazFNcWa&si=dtL0wKWETI6iyl_1  

Don’t Plug In Unknown USB Devices - (Explained by the Avast Bears!)

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https://youtube.com/shorts/PvxIdFkMVrA Welcome back to the @bob3160 channel for another Teddy-Tip with the Avast Bears! 👋🐻 🧸💻 Found a stray USB drive? That little gadget may look harmless, but plugging in something you do not know can open the door to trouble fast. In this Avast Bears cyber tip, a simple moment becomes a smart reminder that curiosity is good… just not when it comes with a mystery plug attached. A few seconds of caution can save a whole lot of regret. 🛡️ Watch closely — this is one of those online traps that catches people every single day. I used ChatGPT and Google's Veo to help me create this Avast feature Cybersecurity Teddy-tip. You'll find all the videos featuring the Avast Bears at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g21PhSulGJ3MwRYEJazFNcWa&si=dtL0wKWETI6iyl_1  

Tax Scams During Tax Season – The Most Common Tricks and How to Avoid Them

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https://youtu.be/J1YBLJFMUbo 💰 Tax season brings out more than calculators and paperwork — it also brings out the crooks. In this Bob The Cyber-Guy video, we take a closer look at the tricks scammers use to scare, pressure, and fool everyday taxpayers. Before you trust that call, text, email, or so-called “expert,” take a minute to watch this. It could save you money, stress, and a whole lot of regret. ⚠️📱🛡️ This video was produced with the assistance of ChatGPT, NotebookLM, NotebookLM’s Slide Deck, and ScreenPal. I did the narration.  All the video's featuring Cyber-Bob are available at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=vb75DBhUg_ZJarby

Cyber Bob’s Cyber Safety Tip #116

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SIM Swap - When Scammers Steal Your Phone Number https://youtu.be/as9y21AKgco 📱 Your phone number may be more powerful than you realize. In this Cyber Bob’s Cyber Safety Tip, we uncover a growing threat called a SIM swap — where criminals hijack your phone number and use it to break into your email, bank, and online accounts. No hacking skills required. No access to your phone required. Just social engineering and a careless mobile carrier interaction. In this episode you’ll learn: • What a SIM swap actually is (in plain English) • The warning signs your number may have been hijacked • Why text-message login codes can become dangerous • The simple carrier setting that can stop this attack cold 🛡️ One small step — adding a carrier PIN — could prevent a digital disaster. Don’t wait until your phone suddenly says “No Service.” Protect your number. Protect your identity. Stay safe. Stay secure. Stay curious. (ChatGPT, Gemini's Storybook and Slide Deck, and ScreenPal were used to help...

Cyber Bob’s Cyber Safety Tip #130

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The Hidden Risk of Browser Autofill (Convenient… But Is It Smart?) 💳 Most of us love convenience. Click a box… and suddenly your name, address, phone number, and even your credit card number magically appear. It feels efficient. It feels modern. It feels safe. But here’s the honest question: Should your browser really be storing that much personal information? Let’s talk about it. What Exactly Is Autofill? 🖥️ Autofill is a browser feature that automatically fills in: Your full name Home address Phone number Email address Credit card details It saves time. No argument there. But it also means your personal and financial data is sitting inside your browser — waiting to be used. Convenient? Yes. Risk-free? Not quite. Why This Can Be a Problem ⚠️ Here’s what most people don’t realize: Your web browser is not a secure vault. It was designed to browse the internet — not to act as a high-security storage system for financial data. If your computer ever be...

Cyber Bob’s Cyber Safety Tip #115 - Don’t Trust “Customer Support” Numbers in Google Search

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https://youtu.be/mh80qhig57E ☎️ Think that “support number” in Google search is safe? Think again. Scammers are planting fake customer support numbers across search results, hoping you’ll call when you’re stressed, frustrated, or locked out of an account. Once you call, they may try to gain remote access, steal your passwords, or trick you into paying for fake fixes. In this Cyber Bob’s Cyber Safety Tip, you’ll learn: • How fake support numbers appear in search results • Why scammers rely on urgency and panic • The safest way to find legitimate customer support • One simple habit that can protect your entire digital life 🛡️ Remember: Always verify the number before you call. Your security depends on it. Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay safe. (ChatGPT, Gemini's Storybook and Slide Deck, and ScreenPal were used to help create this cybersecurity tip.) All the video's featuring Cyber-Bob are available at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1_9cbkt8g23Y9OlMqTZElR_JO20E0AGy&si=v...

Bob the Cyber-Guy’s Cyber Safety Tip #123

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“Your Old Devices Still Remember You” Most people think the danger ends when a device is turned off, replaced, or shoved into a drawer. It doesn’t. 🚨 What’s the hidden risk? Old phones, tablets, laptops, and even smart TVs often still contain: Saved email accounts Stored passwords Wi-Fi credentials Cloud access tokens Photos, messages, and documents If that device is: Sold Given away Donated Recycled Or “reset” incorrectly …the next owner may gain more access than you ever intended . ⚠️ Common false assumptions “I deleted my files, so it’s fine” “I logged out, so I’m safe” “A factory reset always wipes everything” (Spoiler: it doesn’t always) ✅ Smart, simple protection steps Sign out of accounts first , then reset Remove the device from your Google / Apple / Microsoft account Encrypt before resetting when possible If the device is truly obsolete, physically destroy the storage (yes, really) For smart devices, remov...

Bob The Cyber-Guy’s Wi-Fi Calling Safety Tip

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Wi-Fi Calling is one of those quiet helpers that you don’t notice… until the cell network goes down and your phone still works . That happened to me during a recent Verizon outage. Wi-Fi Calling kicked in automatically, and I never missed a call. But there’s an important safety detail most people don’t know — especially when it comes to calling 911 . 🚨 Why This Tip Matters When you call 911 over a cell tower , your location can usually be found automatically. When you call 911 using Wi-Fi Calling , your phone is using the internet — not cell towers. That means 911 depends on the emergency address you entered in your phone. No address, wrong address, or an old address? 👉 Emergency services may not know where to send help. The good news? Fixing this is easy — and you only need to do it once.- Unless you move! ✅ Bob’s Step-by-Step Wi-Fi Calling Emergency Address Check (Simple enough for anyone to follow) Step 1 Open your Settings app ⚙️ (That little gear icon.) St...

Bob the Cyber-Guy’s Cyber Safety Tip #120

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Registry Cleaners: Fixing What Isn’t Broken Can Break What Is You may see ads claiming registry cleaners will speed up your computer, fix errors, and make Windows “like new again.” Here’s the honest truth: Leaving leftover registry entries alone is far safer than using registry cleaners. When programs are removed, Windows may leave behind small registry notes. That’s normal. Windows ignores them. They don’t slow your PC, waste memory, or create security risks. Registry cleaners, on the other hand, guess which entries are “safe” to remove — and guessing inside the Windows registry is risky business. One wrong deletion can cause: Programs to stop working Printer or driver problems Start Menu or Windows Update glitches And the promised speed boost? That myth expired around the same time as Windows 98.   ✔️ Bob’s Practical Advice ❌ Skip registry cleaners — especially automatic ones ✅ Uninstall software normally ✅ Keep Windows and programs updated ✅ If s...