Tulane Universitys School of Architecture has established the Center on Climate Change and Urbanism (CCU) to enhance understanding of the built environments role in mitigating this issue by focusing on research, curriculum development, and innovation across disciplines. The center will support research among faculty and students, drive public programming on how climate change is shaping the Gulf Coast, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and will serve as the host for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicines multi-year Gulf Coast Climate Futures Project, led by assistant professor Liz Camuti with professor Margarita Jover. The latter effort considers the legacies of energy extraction across the Gulf Coast, the tensions between current climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in Louisiana and Texas, and post-carbon futures that reimagine energy infrastructure and extraction sites.In addition, the CCU has launched the Tulane Prize for Climate Change Curriculum in the Built Environment to recognize innovative course development by faculty across the world. Nominations are being accepted until January 31, 2025, with $10,000 in awards available for selected winners. We recognize that climate change is an opportunity to redesign our built environment in a manner that advances affordability, accessibility and environmental sustainability, while also breaking down barriers to segregation, isolation and carbon-intensive ways of life that have constrained our quality of life, said Jesse M. Keenan, the centers director.Keenan, the School of Architectures Favrot II Associate Professor of Sustainable Real Estate and Urban Planning, emphasized the importance of everything from measuring the carbon footprint of each building to evaluating physical risks in urban planning projects.By bridging teaching and research in climate change, we are preparing our students with the cutting-edge skills that they need to address some of our planets most pressing social and environmental challenges, he said.One of the centers initial supported projects includes the Carbon Budget Zero studio led by assistant professor Sonsoles Vela Navarro, which focuses on designing low-carbon housing and infrastructure in Florida, New York, and California. By targeting these diverse regions, theres opportunity to explore new ways of retrofitting existing buildings in New York to improve energy efficiency while simultaneously looking at water conservation solutions in California or the use of solar energy in Florida. The center has also launched climatesyllabus.org, a searchable repository for climate-related syllabi in fields such as urban planning, architecture, and landscape architecture. The repository is designed to be a resource for faculty who are seeking to bridge the centers focus with their current areas of expertise.Adam Marcus, the CCUs research director and associate professor of architecture, highlighted the critical mass of scholars at Tulanes School of Architecture already engaged in innovative approaches addressing climate change and plans for more.The School of Architecture and CCU are uniquely positioned to support and lead new interdisciplinary collaborations for engaging these challenges in novel and critical ways, Marcus said.The CCU has just launched its first round of research grants for faculty and students, with applications that were due by November 15. This support is designed to inspire exploratory research and facilitate collaborative efforts with local stakeholders, particularly in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Catherine Sckerl, CCUs managing director and professor of practice in architecture, will build the centers infrastructure to support student and faculty research projects and field-based research studios, to deliver programming and events that promote cross-disciplinary dialogue and knowledge-sharing, and to facilitate intra- and inter-institutional initiatives.The impacts of climate change are accelerating, and there is no one who is not impacted, Sckerl said. We cant continue to ignore it or be passive about including climate adaptations and mitigations in our work. It must be front and center.

Wesleyan Universitys campus, tucked away in Middletown, Connecticut, is a stately one. Many of its brick buildings predate World War II, such as those by McKim, Mead, and White. The last major addition there was a complex by Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo, finished in 1973. Now, Peterson Rich Office (PRO) has completed the first new arts building at Wesleyan in more than 50 years. Pruzan Art Center is the new, 8,500-square-foot home for Wesleyan Universitys prestigious Davison Arts Collectiona robust, internationally renowned collection of works on paper.The Pruzan Art Center is a transformative addition to Wesleyan University, offering a space where art, history, and academic inquiry come together, PRO cofounder Miriam Peterson said in a statement. Our vision was to create a gallery that not only protects delicate works of art but also encourages connection between people, disciplines, and the campus itself.The gallery space was designed to exhibit and protect precious works of art on paper. ( Rafael Gamo/Courtesy PRO)Construction on the new addition broke ground in 2021. Today, Davison Arts Collection is sandwiched between two monumental campus buildings: Olin Memorial Library and the Public Affairs Center (PAC). Both Olin Memorial Library and PAC were designed by McKim, Mead, and White. Pruzan Art Center can be understood as a thoroughfare between the McKim, Mead, and White buildings. It simultaneously serves however as a space for respite, where visitors can spend time with the priceless works of art on paper.Inside, the space is defined by its roofs underbelly, and its sweeping but subtle curvature. In plan, the building is informed by a string north-south axes. This creates sight lines between galleries that call to mind the Sainsbury Wing in London by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.Wood lines the entryways into the galleries. ( Rafael Gamo/Courtesy PRO)The Center is broken into two volumes. The first is where the entrance is sited. This partmade of steel, glass, and woodcontains the lobby, which connects to the adjacent structures. The second, climate-controlled volume holds print and teaching galleries. To protect the art works, this volume has highly-insulated walls and no natural light, entombed in thick, stone walls. Outside, a forecourt dotted with a fountain provides visual splendor that pairs nicely with the McKim, Mead, and White buildings. This forecourt is the new main ADA accessible entrance to the campus library complex.One elevation faces a stately forecourt. ( Rafael Gamo/Courtesy PRO)Wesleyan is one of our great institutions of culture and inquiry, added Nathan Rich, PRO cofounder. Were honored to take part in this bold investment in the liberal arts.The opening at Wesleyan University comes amid an ongoing project by PRO at The Met in New York. At The Met, PRO will design a new special exhibition gallery andreimagine the Museums dining and retail spaces, along with its street-level entrance at 83rd Street and Fifth Avenue, as reported by AN.

Built in 1925 as the cafeteria forSt. Johns Prep School in Danvers, Massachusetts, this handsome brick building issited across Summer Streetfrom Porphyry and Xavier halls, both built decades earlier. The structure was designed by architect, Matthew Sullivan, a member of the notable firm,Maginnis, Walsh & Sullivan, who specialized in ecclesiastical design in the Boston area. The firm disbanded in 1907 with Sullivan creating his own practice, where he won the commission for this building years later. The cafeteria is Neo-Gothic in style with Gothic tracery, lancet arches, buttresses and pinnacles at the entrances. This is a really underrated and stunning structure. I am glad to see it so well-preserved 100 years later!

Xavier Hallwas built between 1910-11 on the campus ofSt. Johns Prep Schoolin Danvers, Massachusetts. The building was constructed by the Xaverian Brothers as classrooms as the first purpose-built structure in what would become a large campus. The Neo-Gothic Revival style building was sited adjacent to Porphyry Hall, an 1880 estate house that the new school purchased in 1891, which was later expanded by the addition of a rear chapel.Edward T. P. Graham, an architect best known for his design of Roman Catholic churches and associated buildings, was hired to design the stately structure built of brick and limestone.

PeopleIrish Mosaics: From Roscommon to the WorldVanessa Power gets inspired by Thomas Kilroe, the creative force behind Roscommon's Irish Mosaics.Better LettersDec 5, 2024 8 min readDetail from a nineteenth century mosaic restored by Thomas Kilroe at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.Roscommon is a small town in the centre of Ireland and home to Irish Mosaics, a business whose output reaches across, and well beyond, the island. Ahead of a piece about her own adventures in mosaic making for BLAG 06, Vanessa Power caught up with Thomas Kilroe who has been plying his trade in tiles for over 60 years. Now semi-retired, he offers his reflections on a life in tesserae.Irish Mosaics: From Roscommon to the WorldBy Vanessa PowerMosaics are a distinctive, charming feature of the Irish urban landscape, but for many years they were imported into the country. That changed in 1954 when John Crean, alongside craftspeople brought over from Italy, founded Irish Mosaics in Roscommon. His vision was to blend traditional Italian techniques with modern designs to advance the art of mosaics in Ireland.Some classic Irish mosaics blending lettering, pictorial, and decorative elements. The Mullaney Bros. and Lyons Cafe entranceways are in Silgo, while those for Ryan's and the Stag's Head are in Dublin. The Stag's Head is one of Dublin's most famous mosaics and was restored by Irish Mosaics.Irish Mosaics' work was commissioned for use in various settings, including private homes, public spaces, and religious buildings. In addition to its work in Ireland, the aesthetic appeal and cultural significance of the company's creations led to major projects for the export market. In a business traditionally dominated by Japanese, Italian, and some English makers, John Crean supplied and installed mosaics in Australia, England, Nigeria, and the USA.Enter Thomas KilroeThomas Kilroe joined Irish Mosaics as an apprentice straight after finishing school, and went on to run the company. He continued the legacy that John Crean began, crafting bespoke mosaics for homes and businesses across Ireland. His mosaic art projects enhance both public and private spaces, including churches, schools, pubs, shops, hotels, and community spaces.A 24-hour sundial mosaic by Thomas Kilroe/Irish Mosaics. Everything is produced in reverse on backing paper, which is then removed after the finished mosaic has been transported and flipped over onto the adhesive during installation.Kilroe's mosaics are renowned for their artistry and the stories they convey through the meticulous arrangement of carefully cut tiles. This timeless beauty and cultural significance have made many of his entranceway mosaics in Dublin pubs and shops treasured landmarks of the city. I was lucky to meet him recently, and had the opportunity to ask some questions.Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in mosaics?My name is Thomas Kilroe. I went to school with two of my best friends, whose father started a mosaic business in the fifties. By the time I saw it, it was already well-established. Spending time with my school pals and witnessing the beautiful work being done, I became fascinated and couldnt wait to finish school and start working there. Growing up on a farm, this seemed like a far more appealing option than farming.How did you begin your professional journey in mosaics?I started an apprenticeship with Irish Mosaics. I was fortunate because the Italians working there, particularly Luciana de Paoli, became my mentor. As I progressed, he gave me more intricate work, always encouraging me. Romeo Vasistello specialised in the fixing end of the mosaics. In the sixties, there was a lot of church work with new churches being built. I nearly served my time with the five rosary churches in Cork: Wilton, Mayfield, and others. It was wonderful because now you wouldnt have the opportunity to do such large-scale mosaics.What kind of projects have you worked on in recent years?For the last 20 years of my working life, I mainly did restoration. In the National Museum and the National Library. The cathedrals, churches, and chapels, like the Mater Hospital chapel in Belfast and the Good Shepherd Convent in Belfast. I worked on six churches or chapels and two cathedrals in Belfast. The church work was my favourite.These mosaics at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin were originally produced in the nineteenth century by Manchester-based artistLudwig Oppenheimer. They were then covered for decades until being cleaned and restored in by Thomas Kilroe in 2011.How did changes in the industry affect your career?I worked for Irish Mosaics, but then the boss died, and the regime changed. They had very little interest in the art. They bought it to use up the materials. They got their money back from me doing that, but I had no time for it and started moving out. When work became scarce, I took little subcontracts from various people in the mosaic, tiling, and terrazzo business, mainly in Dublin. A lot of it was very commercial, like doing panels on the facades of buildings and shop fronts.Can you share some unique projects you've done over the years?I did work for the Irish Pub Company, doing mosaic doorways, behind the counter, sometimes the front of the counter with the pub's name, and a graphic element like a Celtic design. Guinness designs too, until they asked us to work for them.Irish Mosaics projects with lettering elements.What is your approach to creating mosaics?Sometimes I work from designs the client presents. If they want me to come up with a design, I do the design, enlarge it, and draw it on the paper in reverse. Then I use my hammer to make it up. In recent years, I don't install them myself: I present the mosaic to the clients, packaged for their tradesmen to fix. But in the old days, we did the entire thing. Few of us did all the art, the craft of putting the tesserae together, and the trade of fixing it in place. At 81 years of age, I regard it more as a hobby now. I wouldn't take on any big jobs. I've had a good innings.Created for a television commercial, the Bulmers taglineNothing added but timewas particularly fitting for the mosaic-themed ad. This was doubly so, as Kilroe actually had to create the lettering on the bottle twice. He'd initially peeled the label off a bottle to use as a reference for drawing the letters, but once the mosaic was finished, he noticed the lettering was off because the logo on the label had been slightly tapered to fit the curve of the bottle. This meant the mosaic didnt translate correctly, and he had to start over.What is the most enjoyable part of the process for you?Deciding how to go about doing it. The planning. Waking up and reimagining the design. Sometimes changing it and starting again.Is there a piece in your portfolio that you're most proud of?There are so many. As a young man, I got a kick out of learning and seeing the job done, thinking it would last 20 years. Now, 60 years later, I'm still looking at them. They last too long.One of Thomas Kilroe's first mosaics from his days as an apprentice, which still looks fresh all these years later.What kept you motivated throughout your career?Job satisfaction is a big part of it. I could have made more money doing other things, but my mother let me stay in school, which stood to me in other ways. I even went back to study in my forties, doing a course at the Irish Management Institute. But mosaics were my passion. I had to get back to it even after working with Wagstaff & Wilson, a jewellery wholesale company. I became the branch manager but decided it wasn't for me and went back to mosaics.Did you mentor anyone in the field of mosaics?I had about four different apprentices over the years, but they weren't as lucky as I was to have someone with great experience. They might be good at the trade, but I was fortunate to work with top-class people.Do you have any tips for people looking to get into mosaics?The same tips I'd give to anyone becoming a painter or sculptor: dedication and patience. Look at lots of mosaics, see the good ones, and learn what makes a good mosaic.Any advice you'd give your younger self? Would you change anything?No. I've been lucky, first with my mother letting me finish school, then meeting the right people. I got the opportunity to travel to America and work, but I'm happy to point to all the work I've done over the years.Excellent. What's next for you?I might start a small sketch in the morning and expand on it. Just keep doing what I love.Thomas Kilroe in his happy place, setting down tile after tile for his next creation.Article and interview by Vanessa Power / @signsofpowerMore PeopleMore History

Oxymodern (Aztec Calendar) (2002), blown-glass, mixed-media wall installation, 120 x 120 x 12 inches. Image courtesy of the Cheech Marin Collectionand Riverside Art Museum. All images courtesy of the artists and the Corning Museum of Glass, shared with permissionEinar and Jamex de la Torres Monumental Glass Assemblages Hurtle Through CollidoscopeDecember 5, 2024ArtCraftKate MothesIn 1972, when Einar and Jamex de la Torre were nine and 12 years old, respectively, their family moved to Southern California from their hometown, Guadalajara, Mexico. Building upon their immigrant experiences and the sometimes contradictory facets of bicultural identity, the artists began creating sculptures and installations exploring themes as varied as time, religion, traditions, and regionalism. The pair have collaborated since the 1990s, combining blown glass and mixed media into large-scale wall pieces and striking public art. In the expansive exhibition Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective at the Corning Museum of Glass, the pair present 40 works spanning nearly three decades.Meteorite dall Influenza Veneziana (2024)Included in the showcase is a brand new, monumental commission titled Meteorite dall Influenza Veneziana, which draws on the rich history of Venetian or Murano glass. While only pieces produced on the small Italian island can bear the name of Muranothink Champagne in the wine world or Parmigiano Reggiano for cheesethe de la Torre brothers revel in the idea that once [the technique] escaped, it hit the glassblowing world like a meteorite, Einar says.The de la Torre brothers are known for their additive approach, layering both meaning and material into meticulous assemblages. Vibrant colors and sometimes ironic details, like symbols for a car battery or engine light, emerge when encountered up close, then dissolve into energetic patterns when viewed from a distance.Detail of Meteorite dall Influenza VenezianaToday, the duo split their time between San Diego and the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California, Mexico, and the occasionally humorous interplay of American and Mexican motifs hold a sustained role in their practice. Many pieces incorporate motifs specific to Mexico, like the iconic, circular Aztec calendar that combines a 365-day cycle with a 260-day ritual or spiritual cycle. Mechanical gears, shells, religious iconography, anatomy, and more, merge in their maximalist compilations.The brothers created the new work in the Corning Museums studio, and the idea for incorporating Venetian details like cane work arose organically around the hot shop teams experience with the style. An artists job is to get away with their vision, Einar says, and we were very gratified and surprised at how much support we had for our ideas for this commission.Collidoscope continues through January 5 in Corning, New York. Find more on the artists website.Detail of Meteorite dall Influenza VenezianaFrijolera Clsica (2010), bown-glass, mixed-media sculpture, 31 x 18 x 18 inches. Image courtesy of Crocker Art MuseumMitosis (2008), blown-glass and mixed-media with resin castings and waterjet-cut aluminum frame, 48 x 48 x 9 inches. Image courtesy of the artists and Koplin Del Rio GalleryEn Cada Arbol una Cruz (2000), blown-glass, mixed-media sculpture, 28 x 21 inches. Image courtesy of the artists and Koplin Del Rio GalleryCorning Museum of Glass staff work with the de la Torre brothers to install Meteorite dall Influenza VenezianaThe de la Torre brothers construct glass installation components in the Amphitheater Hot Shop of the Corning Museum of GlassNext article

Published December 5, 2024 10:00am EST close Windows bug leaves computer Wi-Fi vulnerable to hackers Kurt The Cyberguy Knutsson explains how to keep your Windows computer safe and security risks of online retail giant Temu. The holiday season is upon us, bringing joy and celebration. But it also comes with a surge in cybercrime. As we focus on shopping and connecting with loved ones, scammers are hard at work using phishing emails to trick us into revealing personal and financial information.These deceptive messages often look like theyre from trusted sources such as banks or delivery services, making it easy to fall for their traps.Below are some phishing attempts that have ended up in CyberGuy's inboxes. By examining these examples of fake phishing emails, youll be better equipped to spot the red flags and protect yourself from potential scams this holiday season. A woman typing on her laptop. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Apple free iPhone fake email Apple free iPhone fake email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)This phishing email claims to be from Apple and promises you a free iPhone 15 Pro.It says, "NO CATCH, NO COST, WIN IN MINUTES." It uses the official Apple logo and the word FREE in capital letters to catch your attention. It asks you to confirm your shipping address to receive your prize and says, "Just answer a few questions, WIN a iPhone 15 Pro. It is that simple!"It even shows you a picture of an iPhone 15 to make it look authentic. Youll notice it has two green buttons for you to click that say, "GET STARTED."TEMU fake phishing email Temu fake phishing email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)This scammer tries to fool you by using the words "Temu Confirmation," which sounds like a legitimate email confirming that your package is on its way. They urge you to click on the link that says, "Please Confirm Receipt," implying that you need to do so to receive your package.They also add a deceptive message that says, "If you cannot see the images below, Click show images," highlighted in red. This is another way to trick you into clicking on the link.Moreover, they use a sneaky tactic of labeling the message as "This message is from a trusted sender" and highlighting it in green, as if to reassure you that it is safe and authentic.TEMU fake survey email Temu fake survey email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)This email is a fake one that tries to imitate the Chinese shopping platform Temu.It uses the phrase "YOUR OPINION IS IMPORTANT!" in capital letters to get your attention. It then offers you a tempting reward: "a pallet of products from TEMU" with a picture to make it look real. It asks you to take a short survey to claim your reward by clicking on the big orange button that says "CLICK HERE" in capital letters. Dont do it!Target fake giveaway email Target fake giveaway email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The scam email pretending to be from Target wants you to believe that you are a lucky winner.It uses the words "GIVEAWAY ENTRY WINNER" in large and bold capital letters.It also puts "Final notice" in the subject header, giving you a sense of urgency. The email asks you to take a short survey about your Black Friday shopping experience to claim your prize and wants you to click on the GET STARTED button. Dont do it.How scammers try to trick you with a series of urgent messagesAs youll see in the "Delivery" messages below, the scammers are getting clever by sending aseries of emails to make you think that you have a real package on its way to you, and/or you keep missing the delivery of this package. The emails say things like "We tried delivering your package," "Uncompleted Dispatch," "Third attempt," "Delivery unsuccessful" and "Your order will be canceled in the next 24 hours." Fake shipping email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)These emails are designed to create a sense of urgency and pressure you into clicking on the links that they provide. They want you to think that this company is really trying to reach you, so it must be real.But its a scam! However, these links are not from legitimate delivery companies but from scammers who want to steal your information or infect your device. If you are expecting a package, check the tracking number and the senders address carefully. Do not click on any links or attachments that you do not recognize.UPS fake delivery notification emailThis email claims to be from UPS, but it is actually a scam. It uses the UPS logo and colors to look authentic and is designed to trick you into clicking on malicious links. It starts with the alarming phrase "Delivery Unsuccessful" and tells you that you have one package waiting for delivery.It then asks you to confirm your shipping details by clicking on either the "CONTINUE" or the "SCHEDULE YOUR DELIVERY" buttons, both in capital letters. Dont do it!UPS fake order pending email UPS fake order pending email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)This is another email pretending to be from UPS. It uses the words "order pending" to catch your attention, and it shows a picture of a package to make you think you have a delivery.It then tells you that your parcel is stuck at a distribution center because you need to pay more postage. It asks you to go to a link to pay the fee. And it warns you that you have only 48 hours to do so, or else your package will be returned to the sender. It tries to create a sense of urgency by making you click on the yellow button that says "SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERY" in capital letters. Dont do it! Fake delivery email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Fake Rachel Ray Cookware Set scam disguised as Kohls emailOne of the phishing scams we encountered recently is an email claiming that you've won a Rachel Ray Cucina Cookware Set. This email is particularly deceptive because it appears to come from a reputable retailer, Kohl's, but there are several red flags to watch out for. The email falsely claims to be from "Kohl's Department" instead of the official "Kohl's." This slight alteration is a common tactic used by scammers to trick recipients into believing the email is legitimate.The email's reply-to address is tech@student.lvusd.org, which is clearly unrelated to Kohl's. Official emails from Kohl's would not use a student email address. The message includes phrases like "You have won a Rachel Ray Cucina Cookware Set" to create a sense of urgency and excitement, prompting you to click on the provided link without proper verification. Fake Kohls email. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Additional red flags to spot phishing emailsAs you can see, phishing emails can be hard to distinguish from genuine ones, especially during the busy holiday season when you may receive many emails from various sources. However, there are some additional red flags beyond the ones we've already mentioned that can help you identify a fake email. Here are some of them:Check the senders address and domain name. Fake emails often use spoofed or similar-looking addresses and domain names to deceive you. For example, an email from support@amaz0n.com or info@fedex.delivery.com is likely a phishing attempt. You'll notice in the Apple phishing email below the email address has just a bunch of letters and numbers. Always verify the senders address and domain name before opening or responding to an email.Check the spelling and grammar. Phishing emails often contain spelling and grammar errors or use poor or unnatural language. For example, an email that says, "Dear Customer, Your order has been shipped. Please confirm your delivery address by clicking here." It is suspicious because it does not address you by name, uses a generic greeting and asks you to click on a link. Always read the email carefully and look for any mistakes or inconsistencies.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?Check the links and attachments. Fake emails often contain links and attachments that lead to malicious websites or download malware to your device. For example, an email that says, "You have won a $100 gift card from Walmart. Click here to claim your prize." It is likely a scam. On a laptop or desktop, always carefully hover your mouse over the links and check the URL before clicking on them, and never open or download any attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.How to handle spam emailsUse strong antivirus software: The first and most crucial step to protect yourself from accidentally clicking on fake links in spam emails is to have strong antivirus software installed on your device. This software can detect and block malicious emails and links, providing an extra layer of security.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.Do not open or reply to spam emails.This can confirm your email address to the sender and encourage them to send you more spam. It can also expose you to malicious links or attachments that can harm your device or data.Mark spam email as junk or spam. Most email providers have afeature that allows you to flag spam emails and move them to a separate folder. This can help you filter out spam emails from your inbox and also improve the spam detection of your email provider.Do not share your email address publicly or with unknown sources.This can reduce the chances of your email address being collected by spammers. You can also use a disposable oremail alias for signing up for online services that you do not trust or need.Use a personal data removal service: Scammers can obtain your information from various online sources, including data brokers, people search sites and public records. Using a data removal service can help reduce your digital footprint, making it harder for scammers to access your personal information. This proactive step can be crucial in preventing identity theft and minimizing the chances of falling victim to scams during the busy holiday season.While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.What to do if you accidentally click on a link or open an attachment from a fake emailIf you realize that you have clicked on a link or opened an attachment from a fake email, dont panic. Here are some steps that you can take to minimize the damage and protect yourself:1. Disconnect your device from the internet.This will prevent any further communication or data transfer between your device and the malicious website ormalware. You can do this by turning off your Wi-Fi or unplugging your ethernet cable.2. Scan your device for malware. Use a reputableantivirus software to scan your device and remove any potential threats. Having good antivirus software actively running on your devices will alert you of any malware in your system, warn you against clicking on any malicious links in phishing emails, and ultimately protect you from being hacked. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.3. Change your passwords. If you have entered or provided any passwords or personal information on the malicious website, you should change them as soon as possible. Consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE4. You should alsoenabletwo-factor authentication for your online accounts, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a device confirmation in addition to your password.5. Monitor your accounts and credit reports.If you have entered or provided any financial information on the malicious website or link you clicked on, you should monitor your bank accounts, credit cards and credit reports for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.6. You should alsocontact your bank or credit card company and inform them of the incident. You may need to cancel or freeze your cards or accounts to prevent any further fraud.7. Report the phishing email.You should also report the phishing email to the senders legitimate organization, such as your bank, retailer or delivery service, and to the authorities, such as theFederal Trade Commission (FTC) or theAnti-Phishing Working Group (APWG). This will help them to take action and prevent others from falling for the same scam.8. Use identity theft protection servicesif you entered your personal information on any links you clicked on or websites that you were directed to. Identity theft protection companies can monitor your personal information (home title, Social Security number, phone number, email address) and alert you in the event they become breached. It can also alert you if any of these are being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.Kurt's key takeawaysUnfortunately, as the holiday season unfolds, cybercriminals are also getting into the "holiday spirit" by increasing their efforts to exploit your trust and distractions. By staying alert and applying the tips weve discussed, you can enjoy the season without falling victim to their schemes. Remember, phishing emails are designed to play on your emotions whether it's excitement, urgency or curiosity. Always take a moment to verify the authenticity of any message before clicking on links or sharing personal information. When in doubt, reach out directly to the company or service in question through its official website or app.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDo you feel that companies are doing enough to protect consumers from phishing scams? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterFollow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. 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? 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US government agencies have been urged to use end-to-end encrypted messaging services, including WhatsApp, Signal and FaceTime, following disclosures that China has breached US telephone networks in a hacking operation that undermines US national security.In a letter to the US Department of Defence (DOD), two prominent senators warned the DOD is placing security at risk through its continued use of unencrypted landlines, and unencrypted platforms such as Microsoft Teams.The warning follows confirmation from the FBI and the US Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) that groups linked to the Peoples Republic of China have compromised multiple telephone networks and had accessed private communications of a limited number of people in government and politics in a hacking operation dubbed Salt Typhoon.Democratic senator Ron Wyden and republican Eric Schmittcriticised the defence department for failing to use its purchasing power to require wireless telephone service providers to provide cyber defences and accountability, in a letter on 4 December 2024.DODs failure to secure its unclassified voice, video and text communications with end-to-end encryption has left it vulnerable to foreign espionage, they warned.The senators disclosed previously classified details of a trial by the US Navy to test end-to-end encryption communications platform Matrix, an open-source, decentralised service widely used by Nato countries. The US Navy is testing Matrix to send encrypted messages from 23 ships and three on-shore sites.While we commend the DOD for piloting such secure, interoperable communications technology, its use remains the exception; insecure propriety tools within the DOD and the federal government generally, the senators said.The widespread adoption of insecure, proprietary tools is the direct result of DOD leadership failing to require the use of default end-to-end encryption, a cyber security best practice, as well as a failure to prioritise communications security when evaluating different communications platforms.The Salt Typhoon attack, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, has targeted individuals including president-elect Donald Trump, vice-president-elect JD Vance and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, according to press reports.This successful espionage campaign should finally serve as a wake-up call to the governments communications security, despite repeated warnings from experts and Congress, the senators wrote.The FBI and CISA have recommended that people use encrypted messaging and voice services such as Signal and WhatsApp to reduce the risk of hackers intercepting text messages.CISA executive assistant director for cyber security Jeff Greene told broadcaster NBC this week: Encryption is your friend, whether its on text messaging or if you have the capacity to use encrypted voice communication. Even if the adversary is able to intercept the data, if it is encrypted, it will make it impossible.Read more about Salt TyphoonUS updates telco security guidance after mass Chinese hack: Following the widespread Salt Typhoon hacks of US telecoms operators including AT&T and Verizon, CISA and partner agencies have launched refreshed security guidance for network engineers and defenders alike.CISA, FBI confirm China breached telecommunication providers: The government agencies confirmed Wall Street Journal reports that China-backed threat actors breached telecommunication providers and access data for law enforcement requests.According to a blog by cyber security expert Bruce Schneier in October 2024, Chinese hackers appear to have accessed backdoors used by the US government to execute wire-tapping requests, which have been mandated by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, enacted in 1994.For years, the security community has pushed back against these backdoors, pointing out that the technical capability cannot differentiate between good guys and bad guys, he said. And here is one more example of a backdoor access mechanism being targeted by the wrong eavesdroppers.Matthew Hodgson, co-founder of Matrix.org, a non-profit foundation developing standards for end-to-end encryption, told Computer Weekly that the Salt Typhoon hack was an unfortunate validation of concerns raised about the impact of the UKs Online Safety Act, which contains measures that could be used to weaken end-to-end encrypted communications services.It is morbidly amusing to see all of the intelligence agencies telling everybody that actually, end-to-end encryption is a good idea, and the backdoors are a bad idea, and everybody should hop on encrypted systems like Matrix or Signal rather than trust the phone network anymore, he said.

The Metropolitan Police has claimed its live facial-recognition (LFR) deployments in Lewisham are supported by the majority of residents and local councillors, but a community impact assessment (CIA) obtained by Computer Weekly shows there has been minimal direct consultation with residents, while elected officials continue to express concern.In August 2024, Lewisham councillors complained there had been no engagement with the local community ahead of the controversial technology being deployed in the area, with the Met announcing the tech would be used in Tweet just a month after being urged by councillors to improve its community engagement around LFR.Responding to Computer Weeklys questions about the concerns raised by Lewisham councillors, a Met Police spokesperson said at the time that its LFR deployments have been very much supported by the majority of Lewisham residents, business owners and political representatives namely Lewisham councillors.The spokesperson added that over the previous six months, the force had delivered more than six briefings at a mixture of public forums, private council and independent advisory group sessions to explain what its LFR deployments entail and to answer all enquiries posed by committee members.However, according to the CIA obtained under freedom of information (FoI) rules by Computer Weekly, the only mention of residents in the entire document is when detailing the press response given to Computer Weekly.Despite the Met claiming its LFR deployments are supported by the majority of residents, the CIA also explicitly notes there is mixed opinion for the operation within the community, adding that while there is nothing to suggest there would any form of disorder/criminality in relation to the deployment, there is likely to be some opposition.In terms of actual engagement conducted by the Met, the CIA notes the force held seven meetings between March and August 2024, including five with various council bodies, and two sets of public discussions: one at the New Met for London event held at the Albany in Deptford, and another held in relation to the Mets London Race Action Plan.The council bodies engaged with included a select committee tasked with scrutinising LFR deployments, the Lewisham Independent Advisory Group (IAG) for LFR, and the Safer Neighbourhoods Board (SNB).Members of the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee urged improved communication with residents concerning LFR deployments, as well as a need to increase stakeholder engagement, the committee told Computer Weekly in response to the CIA document.Many councillors are on record (as evidenced in meeting minutes) calling for improved communication with residents and stakeholders, noting there has been minimal stakeholder engagement regarding LFR deployments thus far.Expressing her own views on the matter, independent councillor and Safer Stronger select committee member Hau-Yu Tam who previously stressed the need to give local people the ability to scrutinise the Mets approach told Computer Weekly she is personally only aware of one instance of consultation between the Met and Lewishams SNB, the boroughs independent forum for community engagement with the police.The CIA document confirms there has been one formal meeting with the SNB recorded, which took place on 26 March 2024.Policing is touted as being legitimised by community consent, so they tick the box of community consultation, but it doesnt take much digging to find that the consultation is extremely poor, she said, adding that the effectiveness of the consultation is limited by the fact that not a lot of people get consulted, and the use of leading questions by the Met when they talk to people about the technology, which are designed to sell LFR to the public, rather than understand and act on the areas of concern. People who would be hurt or harmed by LFR dont have the means to access the consultation, nor are their views really allowed to be registered Hau-Yu Tam, Lewisham CouncilIts similar to a lot of large public institutions, including Lewisham Council, in that consultation is undertaken poorly because communities are not engaged. Above all, budget cuts including to communities are being passed down, with the political and executive leadership failing to formulate alternatives or even to believe alternatives can be possible.An example of the leading nature of the Mets engagement process is shown by an email to an SNB member (not recorded in the CIA), which has been shared with Computer Weekly. In it, a Met police officer explains that local policing teams are proposing to run an LFR operation in the area, highlighting only the benefits of the technology.This is used to identify individuals who are sought by police in relation to ongoing investigations with a focus on violence against women and girls. Previously, this has been extremely successful in other local boroughs e.g. identifying an individual who was sought for a serious domestic violence incident and had been evading police by changing appearance, they said.Facial-recognition technology is a very valuable tool to help to catch perpetrators of crime that impact individuals and communities. Is this something that you think is a good idea, and would support? We appreciate your comments.Tam said the email shows the Met framing LFR solely around the prevention of violence against women and girls in a way that would appeal to the recipient, because obviously they would express support in that context.She added that thebiggest issue is the lack of mechanisms in place for dealing with critical comments about LFR: What people support is safer streets and improved equity and community cohesion. They dont necessarily support live facial recognition, which theyre not given the full rundown of, or theyre given very misleading information about.She further added that while the Met does seek input from legitimate voices, the same sorts of voices are over-represented: People who would be hurt or harmed by LFR dont have the means to access the consultation, nor are their views really allowed to be registered.Tam said that while the Met may have formally engaged with the SNB on LFR issues, many members of that body have raised concerns around the use of LFR by police, adding: Theres a lot of trepidation about this.Computer Weekly contacted the Met about the CIA process and every aspect of the story.The Met is committed to making London safer, using data andtechnology to helpidentify offenders that pose a risk to our communities, said Lindsey Chiswick, the forces director of performance. We continue to engage with and listen to views from a range of voices across Lewisham on our use of LFR technology, including local residents, councillors, local businesses and retailers.A spokesperson for the force added that the Met is committed to transparency and community engagement in its use of LFR technology, which they described as a key tool for enhancing public safety that also enables police to identify individuals wanted for serious offences while minimising disruption to the wider public.Officers have conducted extensive engagement with the Lewisham community, including local residents, councillors, businesses, and advisory groups, they said. These sessions provide an open platform for discussion, allowing us to explain how LFR works, the intelligence-led process behind deployments, and the safeguards in place to protect privacy and human rights. We also share data, such as the number of arrests, other outcomes and false-positive alerts, to ensure accountability and transparency.We understand the concerns raised by some community members and are committed to listening to all voices, including those critical of LFR. Engagement is intended to be inclusive, and we work with independent advisory groups [IAGs] and community leaders to reach those who may not always have access to formal consultation processes.Our focus is on ensuring the safety of Londons streets while maintaining open, honest dialogue about the use of LFR technology.Responding to the contents of the CIA, Charlie Whelton, policy and campaigns officer at human rights groupLiberty, said: Facial-recognition technology effectively enables the police to identify and track anyone they choose. But instead of reaching out to the residents of Lewisham on the impacts of this dangerous surveillance tech, the Met has redefined community engagement as speaking to high-level officials.The real community impact of facial recognition is that our privacy is undermined, our movement restricted, and our risk of being subjected to a false stop from a dodgy algorithm is increased as we just go about our lives. None of these were addressed within the assessment as the Met Police continue to push forward this unknown and unchecked technology.He added that the huge power LFR grants police is particularly concerning after years of high-profile scandals involving violent, racist and sexist police forces in the UK: The government must urgently introduce safeguardsto restrict the use of this invasive technology and for the police to recognise the true impact on the communities they are spying upon.Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations at privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, added that it is hard to evaluate the efficacy of the Mets community engagement in Lewisham because the CIA is so light on detail: It doesnt demonstrate very good engagement at all. Instead of reaching out to the residents of Lewisham ... the Met has redefined community engagement as speaking to high-level officials Charlie Whelton, LibertyEchoing sentiments from Tam that the CIA is a box-ticking exercise, he further added that because there is so little genuine community engagement over LFR with people who live in Lewisham, the engagement process becomes a rubber stamp for the Mets continued deployments.To be honest, do it properly or dont bother, he said, adding that the way the Met has characterised its engagement with councillors is also an issue. Were in conversation with councillors and a lot of them arent happy.According to a spokesperson for Lewisham Council, the local authority will continue to carefully monitor its implementation in our borough and will continue to engage with the police and other local authorities where its being used.Hurfurt concluded that for there to be meaningful community engagement, the process needs to be done without the Mets thumb on the scale by limiting its consultation to mostly high-level council meetings and officials.You have to properly consult people, giving them a chance to object, to raise concerns and listen to them, rather than tick a box theres a chance this undermines trust in the police if its not done properly, he said, adding that while a number of local authorities have passed motions that express their opposition to the police deployment of LFR in their boroughs, its been deployed anyway.In January 2023, for example, Newham Council unanimously passed a motion to suspend the use of LFR throughout the borough until biometric and anti-discrimination safeguards are in place.While the motion highlighted the potential of LFR to exacerbate racist outcomes in policing particularly in Newham, the most ethnically diverse of all local authorities in England and Wales both the Met and the Home Office said that they would press forward with the deployments anyway.As part of the authorisation process and before any deployment, a specific community impact assessment is completed by the local BCU [Basic Command Unit], said a Met police spokesperson at the time. This assessment involves speaking to a wide number of local groups so that policing is informed of those views and can take those into consideration before any decision to deploy is made.The Mets ownLFR policy documentstates it may be appropriate to pursue engagement opportunities with a number of stakeholders prior to any deployments taking place.Chiswick, speaking as the Mets then-director of intelligence, has alsopreviously toldLords that LFR is a precision-based, community crime-fighting tool,adding in a later sessionthat because of a lack of support for police among specific community groups, there would need to be engagement with them prior to any LFR deployments to quell any fears people might have.You get told theres all this engagement by the Met, but theyre just cracking on, said Hurfurt.On 13 November 2024, MPs held their first-ever debate on the police use of LFR technology, eight years after the Met first deployed the technology at Notting Hill Carnival in August 2016.MPs including members of both front benches discussed a range of issues associated with the technology, including the impacts of LFR surveillance on privacy; problems around bias, accuracy and racial discrimination; the lack of a clear legal framework governing its use by police; and how its wider roll-out could further reduce peoples dwindling trust in police.While there were differences of opinion about the efficacy of LFR as a crime-fighting tool, MPs largely agreed there are legitimate concerns around its use by police, with a consensus emerging on the need for proper regulation of the technology.The majority of MPs involved in the debate openly lamented why there had been no debate about the use of the technology by police up until now.Read more about facial recognition technologyLords shoplifting inquiry calls for facial recognition laws: A Lords committee has expressed concern about the use of facial recognition technology by retailers to combat shoplifting, and is calling on the government to introduce new laws to ensure there are minimum standards for their deployments.Facial recognition to play key role in UK shoplifting crackdown: UK government will fund roll-out of police facial recognition across the country as part of its crackdown on shoplifting and violence against retail staff, but civil society groups say the government is attempting to police its way out of the cost-of-living crisis.Campaigners criticise Starmer post-riot public surveillance plans: A UK government programme to expand police facial recognition and information sharing after racist riots is attracting criticism from campaigners for exploiting the far-right unrest to generally crack down on protest and increase surveillance.

ZDNET's key takeaways It offers sharp and vibrant picture quality that's well above its price tag. New gimbal design is convenient and easy to setup. Minimal port selection might be a problem for some more buying choices The Xgimi Horizon S Max is one of the brightest projectors I've tested. It includes my favorite design element from the JMGO N-series of projectors, which makes it easy to plug, set up, and play. I'm also fond of the form factor and functionality; while it builds upon the physical limitations of the predecessor, one software hindrance will annoy you.Or maybe a few, depending on your use case. With that being said, I still like the Horizon S Max, and here's why you should consider it. details View at Amazon I love the new designUnlike the Horizon Ultra, the new Xgimi projector comes with a built-in rotating stand, so you don't need to spend extra on a stand to hold the projector. It's very similar to the one you can find on the JMGO N1 Ultra and the newly-launched N1S Ultimate. Personally, I love it because it's extremely simple to adjust the screen placement -- both vertically (135 degrees) and horizontally (360 degrees). Also, the mounting system is solid and stays at the angle you set it unless you connect a heavy HDMI cable that pulls it down.The new Xgimi projector retains the sliding cover on the front. Apart from looking classy, it protects the lens from attracting dust. On the back, you'll find two USB 2.0 ports and an HDMI (eARC) port. The port situation sees a downgrade from the Horizon Ultra, which had another HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an ethernet port, in addition to the ones present on the Horizon S Max.The lack of a 3.5mm audio jack means I couldn't connect my Marshall Stanmore 2 for sound, while one HDMI port means you can either connect a soundbar or a gaming console. Most rival projectors have a 3.5mm audio port and two HDMI ports. It's a minimal port selection alongside the power button and heat vents on the back.Oh, so bright! Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Xgimi Horizon S Max features a dual light source that brings the brightness up from 2,300 lumens on the Horizon Ultra to 3,100 lumens. The screen size can expand up to 200 inches with a throw ratio of 1.2:1. In my experience, I've found it brighter and more detailed than the JMGO N1 Ultra and on par with the more expensive N1S Ultimate.I've enjoyed my time with the Horizon S Max. The keystone correction is quicker and more reliable than its predecessor. It's also quicker at adjusting the picture on any surface and autofocus.Also:The most charming projector I've tested has now replaced my TV for movie nightsHowever, I still pull the curtains if I power it on during the day, but it is bright enough to be visible in light. The screen is vibrant, colorful, and immersive. You'll definitely enjoy watching movies on it. When I had it projected on a pink wall, it didn't affect the picture quality -- thanks to a new feature that adjusts the color balance of the picture based on wall color.Like the Horizon Ultra, the Horizon S Max comes with support for MEMC, Dolby Vision, and a game mode for reduced latency. Watching Dolby Vision content with varying lighting is an immersive experience and It's also elevated by the great speaker setup, which sounds louder than expected. Xgimi Horizon S Max ports Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETI have my Stanmore 2 connected to the JMGO N1S Ultimate because it doesn't get loud enough but the dual 12W drivers on the Horizon S Max are enough for a small room. So, you wouldn't require an external speaker. But, I'm disappointed that there's no audio port for my speaker and I have to connect a soundbar through HDMI if I want to elevate the sound experience.In my experience, navigating on the Android TV 11-based Horizon S Max software was smooth. But, there were times when I noticed a lag between remote input and the UI. As for the remote, it's well-built, yet it lacks quick action buttons that allow one press to go to your favorite streaming apps.Also:The best projector screens of 2024It took me just a few minutes to pair the remote, set up my Google accounts, and download my desired apps. Horizon S Max houses 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage onboard, which is powered by quad Cortex A55 cores. You also get built-in Chromecast support, Bluetooth 5.1, and WiFi 5 for wireless connectivity.One annoyance from last year that remains is the absence of Netflix support. You can't run the native Netflix app on the Horizon S Max. This is surprising because rivals like JMGO fixed this issue with the latest N1S lineup. You can still run Netflix with a streaming stick, but the lack of Netflix support could be a deal breaker for many.ZDNET's buying adviceAt $1,900, the Xgimi Horizon S Max features better image quality than its competitors. It rivals the $2,500+ JMGO N1S Ultimate and it's better than the similarly-priced JMGO N1 Ultra. I love the new design with an integrated gimbal-like stand. It makes the projector very convenient to set up and play. However, the lack of port selection and Netflix support may counter that convenience.Additionally, the Xgimi Horizon S Max offers excellent image quality and sound. The user interface is manageable and I've enjoyed watching movies on it. So, if you have a budget of $2,000 and want a projector purely for its image quality, the Xgimi Horizon S Max is an easy recommendation.Xgimi is offering a dongle and stand with the purchase of the Horizon S Max as part of its Black Friday sale. The free dongle solves the no-Netflix issue because you can use the streaming service by plugging it into the projector.Featured reviews