Skechers’ AirTag shoes let you track your kids’ steps

Kurt’s key takeaways

Skechers’ AirTag-ready shoes bring smart design to a simple parenting problem: knowing where your kid’s shoes are. They’re clever, budget-friendly, and discreet. But while they offer convenience and comfort, they don’t offer total protection. As with any tech aimed at families, it’s important to balance innovation with caution. The shoes give you more visibility, but not full security.

Would you trust a sneaker to help keep your child safe? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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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? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Trump will meet with Putin in Alaska — here’s what we know

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August 13, 2025

VLADIMIR PUTIN TO RETURN TO US FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE

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A historic summit is set to be held between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Though specifics on the summit like the time and exact location remain unknown, all eyes will be on the talks as world leaders wait to see what, if anything, can be accomplished in Putin’s first trip to the U.S. in a decade.

Here’s what we know:

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

AGENDA

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that Trump will travel to Anchorage on Friday morning for what she described as a “listening exercise” with Putin.

Trump, who on Monday described the talks as a “feel-out meeting,” has made clear that his chief agenda item will be to determine whether a ceasefire in Ukraine is even possible.

When pressed by reporters this week as to what he specifically hopes to achieve from the in-person talks with Putin — particularly following seemingly positive calls that only resulted in a “frustrated” Trump and continued Russian bombardment in Ukraine — the president was light on specifics.

Though he told reporters that he thinks he will know whether a ceasefire deal with Putin is even possible within the first “two minutes.”

“I’m not going to make a deal. It’s not up to me to make a deal,” he said. “I think a deal should be made for both [Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy].

“I’d like to see a ceasefire. I’d like to see the best deal that could be made for both parties. You know, it takes two to tango,” he added.

TRUMP GOES AFTER ZELENSKYY OVER ‘LAND SWAPPING’ DISPUTE, LAYS OUT ‘FEEL OUT MEETING’ WITH PUTIN

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet during the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in The Hague, Netherlands on June 25, 2025. (Getty Images)

EXPECTATIONS

Trump has raised geopolitical eyebrows over the last week when he suggested there would be a land “swap” that Russia and Ukraine would need to agree to.

While it remains unclear which borders he thinks will likely be moved around, particularly which Russian borders he foresees Putin handing over to Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his allies in NATO have made clear any deal forged without Ukraine will not be acceptable.

Zelenskyy over the weekend reiterated that he cannot unilaterally agree to cede territory illegally occupied by Russia without a national referendum under Ukraine’s Constitution.

“Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace,” he added. “They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work.”

Following a meeting with top EU officials on Monday, chief diplomat for the EU Kaja Kallas told Fox News Digital, “Ukraine’s right to exist as a sovereign nation is under attack, as well as the security of our European continent.”

“As far as Russia has not agreed to full and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even discuss any concessions,” she said. “It has never worked in the past with Russia, and will not work with Putin today.

Trump, who is slated to hold talks with Ukraine and NATO allies on Wednesday, said he will first call Zelenskyy following his talks with Putin, followed by calls to European leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

EU HITS BACK AT TRUMP, ZELENSKYY COMMENTS, NO CONCESSIONS IN UKRAINE BEFORE PUTIN CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT

WHY ALASKA

Though geographically speaking, Anchorage is a near equal distance from Moscow and Washington, D.C., the president prompted surprise when he said Putin had agreed to meet him in Alaska rather than a third-party state, like Switzerland or Hungary, both of which were floated as potential meeting locations.

However, both locations held dubious optics, as Switzerland, a member of the International Criminal Court, could be obligated to act on the 2023 ICC arrest warrant issued against Putin, and Hungary, though frequently seen as sympathetic to Russia, is a NATO member state.

“They probably avoided Europe, because if they included Europe, then Europe would have demanded that they’re actually at the table,” Dan Hoffman, former CIA Moscow Station Chief, told Fox News Digital. “Probably your two choices were go to Russia — which Trump would never do — or invite him here.

“It also exposes the challenge that you can’t solve this without Ukraine and without Europe,” he added.

But Alaska also has a shared history with the U.S., which Washington purchased from Saint Petersburg — then the capital of Russia — in 1867.

Though this shared past was championed by some in Russia and the U.S., like the Kremlin’s special economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who called it the “perfect stage” for the Putin-Trump talks, others took to social media to suggest it showed the precarious nature of sovereign borders.

Anchorage, Alaska is set to receive both President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for a high-level bilateral meeting on Friday Aug. 15, 2025. (Zihao Chen via Getty Images)

ZELENSKYY TELLS PUTIN TO ‘BE BRAVE’ AND FINALLY AGREE TO TRILATERAL MEETING WITH TRUMP

ZELENSKYY’S ROLE

Zelenskyy does not appear to have been officially invited to the talks, which the White House on Tuesday confirmed are the result of a direct invitation from Putin.

“The president is agreeing to this meeting at the request of President Putin,” Leavitt said Tuesday. “And the goal of this meeting for the president is to walk away with a better understanding of how we can end this war.”

Zelenskyy is set to hold talks with the U.S. president ahead of the high-level bilateral meeting on Wednesday alongside other European leaders.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly said he is open to meeting with Putin directly to end the war, though Putin has thus far refused.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, hold a telephone conversation with US President Trump on the sidelines of a meeting at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025 at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. (KuglerSteffen/Bundesregierung via Getty Images)

WHAT’S NEXT

Trump on Monday said his goal is that following his meeting with Putin, the Kremlin chief will sit down with Zelenskyy to begin hashing out terms for a ceasefire — whether or not it includes him in direct negotiations.

“Ultimately, I’m going to put the two of them in a room. I’ll be there, or I won’t be there,” Trump said Monday. “And I think it’ll get solved.”

Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he also discussed the possibility of holding high-level talks organized by Turkey, which has hosted previous diplomatic negotiations that have failed to secure any lasting ceasefire agreements, but have released thousands of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war (POWs).

“We are ready for any format of meeting aimed at stopping the killings and ending the war,” Zelenksyy said. “President Erdoğan confirmed his country’s readiness to organize a summit of the leaders of Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Türkiye.”

Experts have warned it is too soon to tell what could come out of the talks with Putin on Friday.

Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.

Teen pilot’s unauthorized landing in Antarctica leads to Chilean detention

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August 13, 2025

‘CARBON PASSPORTS’ WOULD TRACK TRAVEL AND EVEN RESTRICT HOW SOME PEOPLE TAKE VACATION

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An American-Asian teenager set out on a journey to do good by raising funds for cancer research — until this adventure came to an abrupt halt.

The young pilot, Ethan Guo, set out in his small plane to become the youngest person to fly solo across the world.

Guo was detained by Chilean authorities in Antarctica, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Authorities allege the 19-year-old landed his Cessna 182Q plane without authorization and provided “false flight plan data” — which launched an investigation.

He was authorized to fly only over Punta Arenas, Chile, according to prosecutors, as AP reported, but Guo continued going south.

Teenager Ethan Guo’s record-breaking solo flight around the world was halted in Antarctica, where he now faces charges for landing without authorization. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP, File)

By his own choice, Guo has been staying at a Chilean territory military base, since he’s been unable to get a flight out due to weather conditions, according to AP.

The Chilean territory covers a region in West Antarctica as well as nearby islands, according to The Oxford Science Park.

Guo was first charged with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization until an agreement was reached between his attorneys and Chilean prosecutors, AP noted.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS WARN NIGERIAN WOMEN AGAINST BIRTH TOURISM: ‘THIS IS NOT PERMITTED’

In its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. State Department examined whether Chile engages in prolonged detention without charges.

“The constitution prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court,” the report stated. “The government generally observed these requirements.”

FILE - This Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, file photo shows a frozen section of the Ross Sea at the Scott Base in Antarctica. In October 2016, 24 nations and the European Union agreed to create the world's largest marine reserve near Antarctica. The reserve in the Ross Sea is about twice the size of Texas, although will account for only a tiny fraction of the world's total ocean area. (Mark Ralston/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Guo was detained by Chilean authorities in Antarctica. (Mark Ralston/Pool Photo via AP, File)

The judge dropped the charges on Monday, but Guo is to give a $30,000 donation to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial.

Guo must also leave Antarctica as soon as he can and is prohibited from returning to Chilean territory for three years.

He told AP via text message that he was relieved by the case’s outcome.

BEACH TOWN CRACKS DOWN ON HALF-NAKED TOURISTS WITH HEFTY FINES FOR INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE

“I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight … I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission.”

Bryan Stern of Gray Bull Rescue, a nonprofit focused on saving lives in some of the world’s most dangerous places, told Fox News Digital, “Just like in America, both sides need to be emotionally ready to settle.”

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Added Stern, “Dealing with Chilean authorities is very similar to dealing with many countries in Latin America … They have laws and they expect them to be followed. It’s a sovereign country, and presenting a legal argument or a humanitarian argument, and allowing cooler heads to prevail, is the key.”

He also said, “Bottom line is, the kid broke the law, and an arrangement and negotiation that is amicable for everybody while respecting the sovereignty of a country must occur.”

The Chilean territory covers a region in West Antarctica as well as nearby islands. (Danuta Hamlin/Fox News)

Stern also said travelers should not go to “high-risk” destinations.

“Right now, there is not an entity within the executive branch really in charge of an American in trouble if they violate a law in a foreign country,” said Stern.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “The department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens … Whenever a U.S. citizen is in need of consular assistance overseas, we stand ready to assist.”

The spokesperson also shared that due to privacy concerns, the department had no further comment on the case at hand.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Stepdad uses workout as punishment after stepson disrespects mom in viral clip

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August 12, 2025

GRANDMOTHER’S RESPONSE TO MOM ‘GIVING IN’ TO TODDLER AT DINNER SPARKS HEATED DEBATE

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A stepfather has gone viral for using exercise to discipline his stepson — and then sharing the video on Instagram.

The boy was caught telling his mother to “chill” after he was told to stop his current behavior.

His stepdad stepped in, asking the boy, “Did you just tell your mom to ‘chill?’”

He then instructed his stepson to do several push-ups, followed by 60 squats.

“Count ‘em,” the man told his stepson calmly, as he moved through the workout. “Keep squatting. All the way down.”

The punishment was followed by a conversation where the stepdad asked, “Do we tell our mom to chill out?”

The boy replied, “No.”

The man responded, “Absolutely not. I will not let you talk to my girl that way … Would I let anyone else talk to her like that? No. So, you don’t get to talk to her like that.”

FAMILY VACATION DRAMA ERUPTS OVER GRANDMOTHER’S REQUEST FOR DINNER WITH HER GROWN KIDS ONLY

The two hugged it out, and the boy apologized to his mother with a wholesome, “Sorry, Mom.”

The stepdad ended the conversation by reassuring the boy that he was loved.

“Hey, I love you,” he said.

The stepdad disciplined his stepson (not pictured) by making him do push-ups and squats. (iStock)

The video, which was posted on the family’s Instagram account, raisingmaletich, has since gone viral on social media, receiving millions of views.

“I will never stop being grateful to be raising kids with a real man who knows how to be a father, especially to his boys.”

The mother, who wrote the caption for the video, shared the following.

“I will never stop being grateful to be raising kids with a real man who knows how to be a father, especially to his boys. This is masculinity. I was trying to send a work email while making breakfast for my family and my son kept asking me to use my phone after I had repeatedly told him ‘No, you need to wait.’ His dad overheard him tell me to ‘chill’ and here is how he handled it.”

The parenting approach was met with mixed reactions, but many social media users shared their praise.

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“Stepdad did the right thing. Awesome!” one X user commented under Fox News’ post of the video.

“That’s an awesome punishment. Good job on the stepdad!” another wrote.

Educational psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba reacted to the viral moment in an interview with Fox News Digital, noting that discipline is not one-size-fits-all.

Speaking calmly instead of reacting is a great approach to discipline, an expert said. (iStock)

Borba, who is based in California, commented that the stepfather approached discipline the “right way” in this scenario, by responding calmly instead of reacting, and enforcing a punishment that seemed familiar and doable for the child.

“It may be something that he and the kid did together or the kid is good at, because [he] seems to have no problem doing it,” she said.

“The most amazing thing the dad did was right on the mark … He said, ‘Here’s what was wrong.’ He was very calm in his delivery,” Borba went on. “And then he let his stepson know in no uncertain terms – you don’t speak like that to your mom and I don’t want you to do it again.”

“The huge red flag was going viral with it … you’ve got a real emotional issue now.”

Where the punishment went wrong, the expert noted, was when the parents posted it on the internet, at which point it became less about physical consequences and more about public humiliation.

“Whatever was done now just crumbles, because the discipline is no longer face-to-face appropriate … it’s shaming,” Borba said.

Discipline should always be age-appropriate and tailored to the individual child, the expert advised. (iStock)

“The huge red flag was going viral with it, because now it’s not guilt. It’s shame. It’s public,” she added. “You’ve got a real emotional issue now.”

Borba stressed that discipline should always be age-appropriate and tailored to the child, as making a child do strenuous exercise they are not comfortable with would be considered inappropriate.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

It is important for discipline to be delivered in a way that is both responsible and respectful, the expert said.

“The key question is, will it enhance the child’s behavior so they don’t repeat the behavior?”

Fox News Digital reached out to the parents for comment.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dies from melanoma

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August 12, 2025

TV HOST DISCOVERS HE HAS SKIN CANCER DURING LIVE ON-AIR BROADCAST

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Days after Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, passed away at the age of 48, the cause of his death was revealed.

On August 11, it was reported that the talent manager died after a private battle with melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

“Brandon Blackstock passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana on August 7 under hospice care surrounded by his family,” Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis told Fox News Digital.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and renowned talent manager, Brandon Blackstock, died at the age of 48, following a three-year battle with cancer. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Atlantic Records)

The singer, who was married to Blackstock for seven years before their divorce in 2022, reportedly “remained protective” of her ex as he battled cancer for three years.

What to know about melanoma risks

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. — with one in five Americans developing the disease by the age of 70.

MOM CREDITS TIKTOK VIDEO FOR CANCER DIAGNOSIS AFTER SPOTTING STRANGE NAIL MARKING

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, expected to take the lives of more than 8,400 people in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

“Melanoma has a significantly higher chance of spreading than basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the most common types of skin cancer,” said Marcus Monroe, MD, surgeon and investigator with the Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine, previously told Fox News Digital.

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 28: Brandon Blackstock and singer/songwriter Kelly Clarkson attend Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XXI at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on March 28, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.

On August 11, it was reported that the talent manager died after a private battle with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)

The chances of melanoma spreading to other locations increases with each stage of cancer.

“For the earliest stage, this risk is estimated at less than 5%, increasing for patients with stage 2 disease to a wider range, from 5% at the low end up to 40% to 50% for the most advanced stage 2 patients,” said Monroe.

In stage 3 patients (those with regional spread either via in-transit metastases or to adjacent lymph nodes), up to 30% to 40% will develop distant metastases, with a 16% to 17% risk of brain metastases, the doctor added.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, expected to take the lives of more than 8,400 people in the U.S. this year.

The brain and lungs are the most common sites of metastasis for melanoma, experts confirmed.

If the patient has lesions that are deep in the skin or involve the lymph nodes, the chance of melanoma spreading is higher — anywhere from 20% to 70%, according to Jose Lutzky, MD, director of cutaneous oncology services at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in South Florida.

Treatment and prevention

Metastatic melanoma was once considered mostly treatment-resistant because it did not respond to traditional chemotherapy and radiation, noted Dr. Joshua Strauss from Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates of the Atlantic Medical Group in Morristown, New Jersey.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. — with one in five Americans developing the disease by the age of 70. (iStock)

“Nowadays, using targeted therapies and immunotherapy survival has been dramatically improved, and there is a possibility of long-term remission with treatment,” Strauss previously told Fox News Digital.

Lutzky noted that melanoma is almost always curable by surgical removal when it’s detected early.

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“Because of advances in the treatment of melanoma over the last 10 to 15 years, even very advanced melanoma can be cured in up to 50% of cases with modern immunotherapy treatment,” he told Fox News Digital.

“More recently, cell therapy has been approved to treat those advanced melanomas that do not respond to immunotherapy.”

Prevention of melanoma

To prevent melanoma, it’s important to reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation, especially in people with lightly pigmented skin, Strauss advised.

“Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing are critical,” he said.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying water-resistant sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, and SPF 30 or higher, before sun exposure.

“Indoor tanning bed use should be avoided because it is known to be associated with increased melanoma risk,” Strauss added.

Shirtless patient lays face down while having their back examined by doctor

High-risk individuals should also have yearly skin checks with a dermatologist, experts recommend. (iStock)

High-risk individuals should also have yearly skin checks with a dermatologist.

“This includes individuals with a personal history of skin cancer, family history of melanoma, people who take medications that suppress the immune system, and people who are highly sun-sensitive, such as those with red or blond hair, light skin pigmentation, significant freckling and light eye color,” the oncologist said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Strauss uses the acronym ABCDE to differentiate between a normal mole and a melanoma.

“Moles with Asymmetry, irregular Borders, multiple Colors, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving or changing characteristics require further evaluation,” he said.

Fox News’ Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed reporting.

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.

Rip current kills 1, rescues 6 at popular Seaside Heights, New Jersey beach

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August 12, 2025

DEADLY RIP CURRENT FATALITIES REPORTED AMID SUMMER BEACH SEASON AS EXPERTS WEIGH IN

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A day at the beach turned into a tragedy as one person was left dead and six others were saved during a jet-ski rescue amid a dramatic scene.

The fire department responded to a distress call on Monday evening at 6:55 p.m. ET at a beach in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. (See the video at the top of this article.)

Six individuals were caught in a rip current at Webster Avenue Beach about 100 yards offshore, according to the Jersey Shore Fire Response.

The beach did not have lifeguards on duty at the time of the incident.

The Seaside Heights Fire Department deployed a rescue swimmer with a jet ski, successfully bringing the victims to shore.

The Seaside Heights Fire Department was dispatched to rescue multiple swimmers caught in a rip current at Webster Avenue Beach in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, on Monday evening. (@jerseyshorefireresponse / Instagram)

Dramatic aerial video shows the rescuer grabbing the individuals one by one, placing them on a raft and quickly driving to shore with medics on site.

Another person was found in the water and rushed to shore — with CPR performed on the seventh individual, FOX 5 reported.

Tragically, the person was taken to the Community Medical Center and later pronounced dead.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Seaside Heights Fire Department for comment.

There have already been 49 rip current deaths reported so far this year, according to the National Weather Service.

At approximately 6:55 PM, Seaside Heights Fire Department was dispatched along with others for a report of multiple swimmers in distress off Webster Avenue Beach in Seaside Heights.

Six victims were rescued by jet ski, while one person was pronounced dead. (@jerseyshorefireresponse / Instagram)

Chris Brewster of the United States Lifesaving Association told Fox News Digital recently that most people are not aware of rip currents while they’re in the water.

“They notice that they’re further away from the beach than they thought they were, then typically they try to swim back toward the shore and realize they’re making no progress,” said Brewster.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

This then “causes panic and that leads them to expend a lot of energy,” he said. That’s what “results in the drowning ultimately.”

“The big picture is that once you realize this is going on, don’t fight the current, because you won’t win. Relax, float and then try to swim out of the rip,” advised Brewster.

emergency beach rescue seaside heights new jersey

Seaside Heights beach had no lifeguards on duty during the Monday evening incident. (Tri- County Scanner News)

Brewster co-authored a peer-reviewed study estimating rip current rescues and drowning in the U.S. published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences.

Rip currents were found to cause 81.9% of rescues on surf beaches.

It’s possible that more than 100 fatal drownings per year occur due to them.

The Seaside Heights Fire Department’s ocean rescue team recently saved 12 people from a rip current on beaches with lifeguards on duty, according to FOX 5.

CAPTCHAgeddon signals a dangerous shift

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August 12, 2025

HOW SCAMMERS EXPLOIT YOUR DATA FOR ‘PRE-APPROVED’ RETIREMENT SCAMS

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What looks like a simple “Are you human?” check is now one of the most dangerous tricks on the internet. Fake captchas have evolved into full-blown malware launchpads, thanks to a sneaky new method called ClickFix. It copies commands to your clipboard and tricks you into running them, without ever downloading a file.

This shift in attack tactics is so big that researchers are calling it “CAPTCHAgeddon.” It’s not just a new scam. It’s a viral malware delivery system that’s more convincing, stealthy, and widespread than anything before it. Let’s break down how this new wave of attacks works and what makes it so hard to stop.

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Illustration of fake content behind fake Captcha. (Guardio)

How fake CAPTCHAS took over

Back in 2024, security experts warned about fake browser update pop-ups. Victims were told to download files that turned out to be malware. But those tricks are now outdated. Enter ClickFix.

Instead of asking users to install something, ClickFix loads a fake CAPTCHA screen. It looks legit, just like Google reCAPTCHA or Cloudflare’s bot checks. But when you click “verify,” it secretly copies a malicious PowerShell or shell script to your clipboard.

From there, you’re just one paste away from installing malware that steals your accounts, passwords, and files. This new trick is more convincing than any old download prompt. And it’s spreading like wildfire.

5 STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCES FROM FAMILY SCAMS

From pop-ups to full-scale CAPTCHA campaigns

Fake captchas didn’t stay in sketchy ad pop-ups for long. Attackers realized they could hide these tricks in places people already trust:

Compromised WordPress blogs
GitHub repositories
Reddit threads
Blurred-out news sites
Booking.com phishing emails

Each attack blends into the site or service it mimics. Some CAPTCHAS even display site logos, making the trick look like it came from the page itself. This isn’t a spray-and-pray scheme anymore. It’s targeted social engineering wrapped in sleek design.

Illustration of expanding CAPTCHA narrative over time. (Guardio)

The tech behind the CAPTCHA trick

These aren’t low-effort scams. Attackers constantly evolve their tactics to avoid detection. Here’s what makes this malware so stealthy:

Clipboard hijacking: Instead of downloading a file, it pastes the attack right into your clipboard.
Obfuscated code: PowerShell and shell scripts are hidden with misspellings, symbols, and encoding.
Trusted hosts: Some payloads come from Google Scripts, making them look safe.
Cross-platform reach: They target Windows, macOS, and Linux users alike.

Attackers also serve the payloads through trusted-looking domains and even legitimate-looking JavaScript libraries.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Tracking the malware’s DNA

Security researchers at Guardio didn’t just look at one attack. They analyzed thousands. By clustering command structures, domains, and payload patterns, they identified multiple threat actors using similar tactics, each with a slightly different twist. Some groups use heavily obfuscated code. Others go for speed with clean, readable scripts. But all of them rely on the same core trick: fooling you into clicking something that seems harmless.

Illustration of evolution of CAPTCHA scams. (Guardio)

How to protect yourself from fake CAPTCHA attacks

These new ClickFix scams are stealthy, convincing, and hard to detect, but you can stay safe with the right habits and tools. Here’s what to do immediately:

1) Keep your browser and antivirus software updated

Always run the latest version of your browser and operating system. Updates patch security holes that attackers exploit. Also, use a strong antivirus software and keep it updated. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.

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2) Avoid copying and pasting commands from unknown sources

If a site asks you to paste a command into your terminal or browser console, stop. That’s the main delivery method for ClickFix malware. Legitimate services will never ask you to do this.

3) Check links and domains carefully

Phishing campaigns are hiding fake CAPTCHAs in legit-looking URLs on Reddit, GitHub, and even news sites. Always hover over links before clicking and double-check the domain, especially if prompted to “verify you’re human.”

4) Use a personal data removal service

These attacks often target users whose emails or personal details are already circulating online. These services can reduce your digital footprint by requesting removal from data broker sites. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap – and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com/Delete

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan.

5) Use a browser with built-in phishing protection

Modern browsers like Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera offer real-time protection that blocks malicious websites, including fake CAPTCHA pages. Microsoft Edge also includes strong phishing defenses through its SmartScreen filter. Make sure features like Enhanced Safe Browsing or SmartScreen are turned on. These tools detect threats before you click, giving you a critical layer of defense.

6) Use a password manager with phishing detection

Password managers don’t just store your logins; they can also alert you when a site looks suspicious. If your manager won’t autofill a password on a CAPTCHA screen or login page, that’s a red flag. It usually means the site isn’t recognized as legitimate. This small moment of hesitation can help you avoid falling for a scam.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords.

7) Report fake CAPTCHA sites

If you land on a shady CAPTCHA page, don’t just close the tab; report it. Most browsers have a “Report a security issue” option, or you can use Google Safe Browsing (safebrowsing.google.com). Flagging malicious pages helps stop the scam from spreading and protects others from falling victim to the same trap.

8) Warn your friends and family about CAPTCHA scams

Most people don’t know about these clipboard-based attacks. Share this article and talk about it. Raising awareness can stop the scam from spreading.

Kurt’s key takeaways

CAPTCHAgeddon marks a turning point. Malware isn’t just hiding in shady downloads anymore. It’s hiding in plain sight, on familiar websites, in trusted apps, and inside the buttons you click every day. This trend replaces the fake browser update scam entirely. It’s smarter, faster, and harder to detect. And unless we understand how it spreads, it will only grow. Security now means thinking twice about the everyday. Even a CAPTCHA.

Have you ever encountered a suspicious CAPTCHA or a strange prompt online? What tipped you off, or did you almost fall for it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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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? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Ex-NBA player asks Trump for pardon

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August 12, 2025

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

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Former NBA star Sebastian Telfair expressed hope that President Donald Trump would pardon him as he’s set to report to prison on Tuesday for violating the terms of his release.

Telfair was among the former NBA players caught up in a healthcare fraud scandal. He was given a suspended sentence for his role in the fraud.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Sebastian Telfair, #3, dribbles around Denver Nuggets guard Anthony Carter, #25, during the second half at Target Center in Minneapolis on Feb. 5, 2011. (Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports)

However, Sportico reported in June that Telfair failed to live up to the terms of his conditional supervised release. He didn’t live up to his court-ordered community service and didn’t report to the U.S. Probation Office and is now set to spend six months in prison over it.

He told TMZ Sports this week that the situation was “definitely some bulls—.”

“Trump, go check in on my story, and you’re definitely going to want to pardon me. You’ll hold me accountable and want me to continue to go do good. But I did too good to being sending anybody to jail,” he told TMZ Sports.

Telfair claimed the whole issue stemmed from a problem with paperwork and that it was “super unfair.”

2025 NBA OFFSEASON BUZZ: COULD JONATHAN KUMINGA-JOSH GIDDEY SWAP HAPPEN?

Phoenix Suns guard Sebastian Telfair, #31, reacts on the court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at US Airways Center in Phoenix on Jan. 6, 2013. (Jennifer Stewart/USA TODAY Sports)

He said if Trump doesn’t come through for him then he will be in jail trying to improve himself.

Telfair was among 18 former NBA players who were charged in October 2021 with pocketing about $2.5 million by defrauding the NBA’s health and welfare benefit plan with a scam that involved fake medical and dental expenses.

NBA champion Glen “Big Baby” Davis was given a 40-month sentence in May 2024.

Telfair reached a plea deal in the case, with prosecutors recommending that he serve between 15 and 21 months, according to Sportico. He was sentenced to time served and three years of a supervised release program.

President Donald Trump speaks during a Purple Heart Day event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Telfair was a standout high school player in New York City. The Portland Trail Blazers selected him in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft. He played with eight teams over his 10-year career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Instagram Friend Map feature sparks privacy questions

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August 12, 2025

META ADDS TEEN SAFETY FEATURES TO INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK

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Instagram has introduced three new features to help you share more easily with friends: Friend Map, Repost, and a Friends tab in Reels. While all three are designed to boost connection, one in particular, the Friend Map, has sparked some privacy misconceptions.

While the Friend Map has been welcomed by some, it’s also fueling misconceptions online. Social media posts have spread confusion about whether it shares your live location by default, prompting questions about how much control you really have.

Here’s what these new tools actually do, how they work, and what you need to know before using them.

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New Instagram features include Friend Map, Repost, and a Friends tab in Reels. (Meta)

Repost your favorite content

The new Repost feature lets you share public reels and feed posts directly with your followers. Your reposts appear both in their feeds and in a dedicated tab on your profile, making it easy to revisit your favorites.

Creators benefit, too. When someone reposts your content, it can reach that person’s followers, even if they don’t follow you, opening the door to new audiences.

To repost, tap the repost icon, add an optional note, and save. The post will credit the original creator so everyone knows where it came from.

With reposts, you can repost public reels and feed posts. (Meta)

Explore and share with Friend Map

Friend Map allows you to opt in to sharing your last active location with a select group of friends. You can choose from options like friends you follow back, Close Friends, or a custom list. You can also turn location sharing off at any time.

Privacy matters here. A Meta spokesperson told us:

“Instagram Map is off by default, and your live location is never shared unless you choose to turn it on. If you do, only people you follow back—or a private, custom list you select—can see your location.”

META AI’S NEW CHATBOT RAISES PRIVACY ALARMS

Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri also clarified that tagging a location in your story only shares that place with your followers for 24 hours, it does not reveal your real-time location.

If you’re a parent with supervision tools enabled, you’ll be notified if your teen turns on location sharing. You can also disable the feature for them.

Location updates occur when you open the app or return to it from the background. Beyond location sharing, the map also lets you explore stories, reels, and notes tagged with a location from friends and creators you follow.

Friend Map allows you to opt in to sharing your last active location with a select group of friends. (Meta)

Discover more in the Friends Tab

The Friends tab in Reels shows you the public content your friends have liked, commented on, reposted, or created. You can also see recommendations from Blends you’ve joined.

You’ll have controls to hide your own likes or comments and mute activity from certain people. This makes it easy to keep your feed focused on what you enjoy.

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Friends is a new tab in Reels. (Meta)

What this means for you

If you love staying connected on Instagram, these tools give you more ways to share and discover content with people you care about. But the Friend Map feature demands extra attention. If you decide to turn it on, take time to customize your sharing settings. Think about who really needs to see your location and review your choices regularly. For parents, this is a good opportunity to talk with teens about online privacy.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Instagram’s latest features are a mix of fun and function. Reposts make it easier to share what inspires you, Friends tab helps spark conversations, and Friend Map opens the door to spontaneous meetups, but only if you manage privacy wisely. The good news: you’re in control of what you share and with whom.

So, would you trade a little privacy for more connection with friends on Instagram? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER.

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? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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‘Super agers’ over 80 show memory performance of people 30 years younger

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August 12, 2025

‘MISSING LINK’ TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE FOUND IN STUDY OF HUMAN BRAIN TISSUE

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Many assume that memory loss and cognitive decline are an inevitable part of aging — but new research suggests that doesn’t have to be the case.

A 25-year study from Northwestern University analyzed the brains of “super agers” to determine what traits they share that may contribute to their mental resilience.

“Super agers” are defined as people 80 and older who show “outstanding memory performance” that is on par with those who are three decades younger, according to the researchers.

“‘Super ager’ is not a condition, but rather a term we defined at Northwestern on the basis of a score on a memory test over age 80,” lead author Sandra Weintraub, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and neurology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

“We were interested in memory aging because memory decline is the most common complaint in older adults. One can be ‘super’ in many ways, and this is just one.”

“Super agers” are defined as people 80 and older who show “outstanding memory performance” that is on par with those who are three decades younger. (iStock)

In the study, the researchers analyzed 79 brains that were donated by super agers and identified some key differences compared to those who “age typically.”

Some of the brains contained amyloid and tau proteins, which typically accumulate in people with Alzheimer’s disease, while other brains showed no sign of these toxins.

ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCHERS SAY TARGETING BRAIN SUGAR COULD HELP PROTECT AGAINST DEMENTIA

“Some super agers have very few of these proteins, so for some reason they don’t manufacture them,” Weintraub noted. “But we found some super agers’ brains contained large numbers of these proteins, despite maintaining their cognitive health until death.”

This means there may be different biological pathways to super aging — “one resistance and the other resilience,” she said.

“If your relative is forgetful at age 80, it may not be part of aging, but of disease.”

With the resistance group, they don’t make the plaques and tangles, Weintraub said. In the resilience group, they make them, but they don’t have any impact on their brains.

While “typically aging” brains show thinning of the cortex — which is the outer layer of the brain that helps with decision-making, motivation and regulation of emotions — the super agers’ brains did not show this characteristic.

TWO CANCER DRUGS SHOW PROMISE IN REVERSING ALZHEIMER’S DEVASTATING EFFECTS

Super agers were also found to have a greater number of “von economo neurons,” which are brain cells that control social behavior. The researchers also found that this group had larger “entorhinal neurons,” which are essential for powering memory, the release stated.

In terms of behavior, the super agers were also found to be “highly social” with strong interpersonal relationships, according to the study findings.

Challenging assumptions

“There is the common assumption that aging implicitly brings cognitive decline and that loss of short-term memory is part of ‘normal aging,’” lead author Sandra Weintraub, professor of psychiatry and neurology at Northwestern Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

ALZHEIMER’S RISK COULD RISE WITH SPECIFIC SLEEP PATTERN, EXPERTS WARN

“The truth is that on average, cognitive test scores decline, but the variance among individuals within that average span gets larger and larger with age,” she continued.

“That means that loss is not inevitable, and that if your relative is forgetful at age 80, it may not be part of aging, but of disease.”

Tamar Gefen, left, observes as Allegra Kawles points to an image of neurons and neuropathology while incoming doctoral student Antonia Zouridakis looks on. (Shane Collins, Northwestern University)

Christopher Weber, Ph.D., senior director of global science initiatives at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, was not involved in the study but commented on the “exciting” findings.

“This increases our understanding of people’s brains as they age and gives some insight into what makes some resilient or resistant to age-related brain changes,” Weber told Fox News Digital.