How to protect your online privacy and security on your next cruise vacation

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March 27, 2024

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While it may be incredibly tempting to have a “go with the flow” mindset like the rest of your vacation, your technology definitely should not be compromised while traveling. Much like we would advise against using public hot spots, hopping onto a public Wi-Fi on-board or at your destination is not always worth the risk.

Not all cruise lines are the same when it comes to Wi-Fi security at sea. Check with your ship’s internet security before connecting to understand what level of safety is being provided when you are using their internet access.

MISTAKES TO AVOID IF YOU JUST HAVE TO USE PUBLIC WI-FI

Cruise ships at a port. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Between long periods at sea, between ports and disembarking in a variety of destinations, it is incredibly easy for hackers to grab your personal information from or embed malicious viruses on a vulnerable device. And it is much harder for you to combat the consequences while out at sea.

It’s incredibly easy for hackers to grab your personal information from a vulnerable device while you’re at sea. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

While VPNs are a popular choice for secure browsing on cruise ships, their reliability can vary. Some larger cruise lines, like Carnival, don’t allow VPN use on their networks. Others, like Royal Caribbean, might not have an official stance, but connectivity can still be spotty due to satellite internet. Here’s what savvy vacationers can do:

Check the cruise line’s Wi-Fi policy to see if VPNs are allowed.
Consider alternatives depending on your needs. For example, downloading geo-restricted content beforehand might be an option.
Be prepared for potentially slow or unavailable internet with or without a VPN, due to the limitations of satellite internet on cruise ships.

VPNs are a popular choice for secure browsing on cruise ships, but their reliability can vary. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

IS YOUR ROKU SAFE? MASSIVE DATA BREACH EXPOSES THOUSANDS OF ACCOUNTS

How to protect your devices while on your next cruise

Let’s dive into some ways to keep your devices safe and secure while you’re sailing the high seas! Here are eight tips:

1) Install antivirus software on your devices before you leave home

While you cannot control the vulnerability of the networks secured or unsecured on a cruise, you can certainly control what types of viruses and malware get on your devices. The best bet is to make sure your antivirus software is completely up to date on your devices via your secure, private network before heading out for your vacation.

A good antivirus software will protect you from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information. It can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

2) Update operating software on your devices before you leave home

Make sure the operating software is completely up to date on your devices via your secure, private network before heading out for your vacation. Operating system updates usually contain patches for known vulnerabilities and cyberattacks

3) Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use

While at home or the office, you might keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi constantly on for convenience. However, on a cruise ship with public Wi-Fi and in unfamiliar ports, it’s important to tighten your digital security. Here’s why. First, public Wi-Fi networks, especially free ones, can be unsecured. Disabling Wi-Fi minimizes the chance your device automatically connects to a risky network. Second, Bluetooth can be exploited by nearby devices to steal information. Turning it off when not needed adds an extra layer of security.

Remember: Only enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you need to actively use the internet or connect a specific device. This helps protect your data and keeps your online activity more secure while enjoying your cruise.

Only enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you need to actively use the internet or connect a specific device. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED ON YOUR PHONE WHILE TRAVELING ABROAD

4) Wait until you get to the port to use data from your cellular carrier

While it might seem like a chore to wait between ports to hop on to the internet, it might be the safer and cheaper bet. While cellular carriers charge hefty fees for roaming, their cruise packages aren’t exactly cheap.

For instance, AT&T offers a basic cruise package that starts at $60 for 100 minutes of talk, text and data. But if you can wait until you get to port, AT&T customers with unlimited plans can use their AT&T International Day Pass® for $10/day, and data will be drawn from your domestic data allowance. Check with your cellular provider to see if they have a data plan that works with your plan and itinerary. Check out the best SIM and eSIM cards for travelers by clicking here.

While it might seem like a chore to wait between ports to hop on to the internet, it might be the safer and cheaper bet. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HIDDEN FEATURES IN YOUR AMAZON ECHO THAT IMPROVES YOUR WI-FI SIGNAL

5) Be careful of what websites you visit

If you must stay connected onboard, avoid sensitive sites such as your financial institutions or important email accounts. If possible, access all your funds and travel information before you leave for your trip so you can get updates on a safe connection when you disembark (at ports).

6) Bring your own power banks or USB blockers

While charging your phone may seem like the least risky part of your cruise, it might actually be the riskiest. Yes, hackers and scammers have made even utilizing free charging stations a minefield for your security. Like free Wi-Fi hot spots, hackers have access to free USB charging stations onboard or at ports.

While it is tempting to power up your phone’s battery for the perfect photo op, someone might be siphoning data from your phone while you charge. You should always bring your own charging cable and charging block to connect directly to a wall outlet. If you want to be able to charge as you go, you can bring a power bank you can charge to take with you anywhere on the ship or at the port.

If you want to carry fewer items but need to charge your phone at the free charging stations, you can bring USB data blockers, which will prevent data from being gleaned from your phone while you charge.

It is tempting to power up your phone’s battery for the perfect photo op, but someone might be siphoning data while you charge. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7) Pony up for the onboard internet packages

Packages for social media access start at around $15/day, so it isn’t cheap. While ponying up for a slower-than-home internet Wi-Fi package seems less than ideal, so are astronomical data roaming charges or identity theft from using an insecure connection. A closed network that requires a login and password, and sometimes two-factor authentication, such as an onboard internet package, is going to keep you safer.

8) Why a VPN is recommended even with slower speeds onboard your cruise ship

Even if it slows down your connection onboard, if your cruise ship allows it, a VPN is still highly recommended. Additionally, with the exception of certain countries where a VPN is illegal, it is still worth being able to use the VPN alongside any connection points you use when you get to the port.

A VPN will protect against being tracked and identify your potential location on websites that you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on their privacy settings, may display the city from which you are corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location, and this can be useful for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming content.

For example, if you are traveling to a country that blocks a streaming service you normally use, you can use a VPN to set your destination to a country where the service is available. This will allow you to access the streaming content as if you were in that country. See my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

Kurt’s key takeaways

While we are accustomed to being connected 24/7 to our devices, hopping on board a cruise may be the ultimate invitation to disconnect. Keeping your devices safe on board a cruise can be pricey, but the costs of not staying secure are even higher. If you can’t limit your time online onboard, make sure you’re willing to take steps before and during your cruise to keep yourself and your devices safe.

If you’re required to be in contact with your employer, it might be helpful to discuss your cruise ship’s limitations, especially if there is an IT support person available at work.

Do you feel like the cruise ship companies should step up their security, given the potential security risks of their Wi-Fi? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

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How to recover a purchased app you accidentally deleted from your iPhone

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March 27, 2024

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Have you ever accidentally deleted an app from your iPhone that you’ve already paid for? Don’t worry. We’ve got a trick that will save your day — and your wallet — by getting it back without having to buy it again.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IPHONE CALENDAR FROM DISTRACTING SPAM INVITATIONS

Go to the Hidden Purchases feature on your iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to recover a deleted app that you purchased on iPhone

Let’s tackle this step by step. Grab your iPhone or iPad to get started.

Open the Settings app. You’ll find it on your home screen with the familiar gear icon.
Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the settings menu. Remember to use the same Apple ID that you used to purchase the app originally.
Now, select ‘Media and Purchases’
Tap View Account. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID

Steps to recover a deleted app that you purchased on your iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Scroll down until you find Hidden Purchases, and tap it. This is where apps go to hide when they think you don’t need them anymore.
From the list, simply tap Unhide next to the app you want to bring back to life.
Tap Continue
Now, click the download icon with a cloud and a down arrow to begin downloading the app back onto your device.

THE IPHONE PRIVACY SETTING YOU NEED TO TURN OFF

Should app stores make it easier to find previously purchased apps? (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

You should be able to recover that app without forking over any more cash. It’s like finding digital loose change in the couch cushions.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Isn’t technology great? With just a few taps, you can undo a mistake that could have cost you money. It’s a reminder that even in our fast-paced digital world, there are still simple solutions to our problems.

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PASSCODE ON IPHONE

Should app stores make it easier to find previously purchased apps? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover .

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Abortion pill use has spiked in recent years, new report reveals: ‘Substantial increase’

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March 27, 2024

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Since 2020, the prevalence of medication abortions — triggered by what’s known as the abortion pill — has risen 10%.

Medication abortions made up 63% of all abortions performed in the U.S. in 2023, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization headquartered in New York.

Some 642,700 medication abortions were performed last year.

IN ABORTION PILL ARGUMENTS, SUPREME COURT JUSTICES SEEM SKEPTICAL ABOUT FDA ACCOUNTABILITY EXPERTS SAY

The data came from Guttmacher’s Monthly Abortion Provision Study, which monitors the estimated number of abortions performed on a state and national basis.

What is medication abortion?

With medication abortion, a woman terminates her pregnancy by taking two different medications — mifepristone and misoprostol — over a period of a couple of days, according to the Yale Medicine website.

This photo shows a patient preparing to take the first of two combination pills, mifepristone, for a medication abortion during a visit to a clinic in Kansas City in Oct. 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The woman first takes a medication called mifepristone, which blocks the production of progesterone, a hormone that supports pregnancy.

The second medication, misoprostol, triggers contractions — and kickstarts the process of miscarriage. That process usually takes between 12 and 24 hours.

The abortion pill was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. It can be administered within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

PASTOR GREG LAURIE ON WHY HE IS PRO-LIFE: ‘MY LIFE WAS SAVED FROM ABORTION’

In states where procedural abortions are illegal, medication abortions may also be illegal.

Fourteen states have banned the prescription of mifepristone.

Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Why have medication abortions increased?

“The increased reliance on medication is, to some extent, likely a result of abortion being banned in 14 states,” Rachel K. Jones, principal research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, told Fox News Digital.

“In many states where abortion remains available, medication abortion can be provided by telehealth, which can reduce the logistical and financial barriers that make it difficult for people to access care,” she went on.

Bottles of abortion pills mifepristone, left, and misoprostol, right, at a clinic in Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

“Some brick-and-mortar facilities are also able to provide medication abortion more efficiently, which has been necessary to meet the growing need in states where people are traveling for care.”

It is also likely that some people who would prefer a “procedural abortion” now have to rely on medication abortion because they don’t want to wait weeks for an appointment, Jones stated.

ABORTION IS ‘GRUESOME SIGN’ OF WHAT SOCIETY HAS FORGOTTEN, SAYS CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP

Monica Cepak, the New York-based CEO of Wisp, an online provider of birth control pills and treatments, said the Wisp team expanded its offering of medication abortions following the Supreme Court’s June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. The high court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization returned the issue of abortion to the states.

The company currently ships the abortion pill to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, Washington, New York and Maryland, its website states.

“There are disparities in health insurance for a procedural abortion. You have to visit the clinic and pay a doctor — it can be a substantial expense.”

“We were able to provide an affordable telehealth option in nine states to date — while, most importantly, protecting our patients’ privacy,” she told Fox News Digital.

Wisp saw a 527% increase in demand for its medical abortion services in 2023, Cepak noted.

Regarding medication abortions, one company provides “an affordable telehealth option” in nine states while protecting its patients’ privacy, it said. (iStock)

Audrey Blondin, a former attorney and adjunct professor in the Department of Population Health and Leadership at the University of New Haven, talked to Fox News Digital about the increase in medication abortions.

“This was a substantial increase in medication abortion over a relatively short period of time,” she said.

“I think this is a good example of ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way,’” she added, referring to the response that resulted when some states enacted bans against abortions.

“Between 2.9% and 4.6% of women who take the drug may require emergency room treatment.”

“Technology and medicine have worked together to give women a rightful choice,” she said. “I always say your health care should not be determined by your zip code.”

Cost savings could be another reason for the rise in medication abortions, according to Blondin.

“There are disparities in health insurance for a procedural abortion,” she said. “You have to visit the clinic and pay a doctor — it can be a substantial expense.”

A medication abortion typically costs around $800, according to the Planned Parenthood website, but some health insurance policies may cover it. (iStock)

There may also be extra costs involved for women who travel to another state, she noted.

“That’s different from rolling over to Walgreens or CVS and getting a prescription,” Blondin noted.

A medication abortion typically costs around $800, according to the Planned Parenthood website, but some health insurance policies may cover it.

There are also programs available via the National Network of Abortion Funds to provide financial assistance for the abortion pill.

Pro-life advocates speak out against medication abortions

Lila Rose, founder and president of the Virginia-based pro-life advocacy group Live Nation, said the rise of “the abortion pill” is a “horrific tragedy.”

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“Federal law currently prohibits sending abortion drugs through the mail under the Comstock Act, and that law should be vigorously enforced,” she told Fox News Digital.

Rose also warned that medication abortions can pose a dangerous risk to women.

“Between 2.9% and 4.6% of women who take the drug may require emergency room treatment,” she told Fox News Digital.

“The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine has estimated that roughly one in 25 women who take mifepristone may require emergency care.” (iStock)

“Based on this data, the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine has estimated that roughly one in 25 women who take mifepristone may require emergency care.”

“The abortion pill, mifepristone, has killed millions of American children in a discriminatory and brutal way,” she added.

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Yale Medicine stated that while medication abortion is considered a “safe procedure,” some rare complications can occur.

Those include “pregnancy tissue being left in the uterus, blood clots in the uterus, bleeding too much or for too long, infection or an ongoing pregnancy,” the website noted.

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

NBC’s ousting of Ronna McDaniel reinforces status as anti-Trump, pro-Biden network

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March 27, 2024

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NBC News’ dramatic decision to hire and then immediately fire former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel in the span of five days shows just how far left the media juggernaut has drifted in recent years, particularly as the 2024 presidential election steadily approaches.

On Friday, the network announced McDaniel would be joining the Peacock family as a political analyst across all NBC platforms, including its far-left sister network MSNBC. That opened the floodgates of on-air backlash from the company’s biggest liberal stars, including Rachel Maddow.

“This seems to me to be an example of the hermetically-sealed bubble in which these people on the left live because they simply can’t see it from the other side,” Fox News chief political analyst Brit Hume reacted on Monday’s “Special Report.”

NBCUniversial News Group Chairman Cesar Conde sent a memo to staff Tuesday announcing McDaniel was no longer with the network.

“I want to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down,” Conde wrote in the memo. “While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I approved it and take full responsibility for it.”

NBC NEWS OFFICIALLY DROPS RONNA MCDANIEL FOLLOWING ON-AIR BACKLASH FROM STAFF

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and NBC’s Chuck Todd led the public ousting of their newly-hired colleague, former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel. (Getty Images/RNC)

During the chorus of outrage from NBC talent, a recurring theme was their claims that objections to McDaniel had nothing to do with politics.

“We believe NBC News should seek out conservative Republican voices to provide balance in their election coverage. But it should be conservative Republicans, not a person who used her position of power to be an anti-democracy election denier.”,” MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski said on “Morning Joe.”

“The ReidOut” host Joy Reid similarly insisted it wasn’t about partisanship, listing MSNBC colleagues Nicolle Wallace and Michael Steele as well as vocal Trump foes former Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney as Republicans she approves of. She also complimented her guest, NeverTrump MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes, as a “real conservative” and “not the Trump fake kind.”

NBC’S RONNA MCDANIEL MELTDOWN MARKS LATEST NEWS OUTLET TO FACE REVOLT FROM LIBERAL STAFF FOR GOP PLATFORMING

“The issue isn’t about ideology, it’s about basic truth. Those trying to make this a left-right issue are being intentionally dishonest. This is about whether honest journalists are supposed to lend their credibility to someone who intentionally tried to ruin ours,” NBC’s Chuck Todd wrote on X.

Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway reacted, “Chuck Todd has pushed the Russia collusion hoax for years. He has NEGATIVE credibility. This is hilarious.”

Other critics were quick to point out the lack of outrage about MSNBC hiring former Biden-Harris administration officials Symone Sanders and Jen Psaki, the latter of whom allegedly had active discussions with NBC while serving as White House press secretary. They weren’t just hired as mere analysts like McDaniel, they were both given their own shows.

Psaki herself rejected the comparison on Monday, insisting that, unlike McDaniel, she brings “truth” and “honesty” to viewers. But as independent journalist Glenn Greenwald pointed out, Psaki peddled the false Russian disinformation narrative about Hunter Biden’s laptop during the 2020 election.

NBC NEWS LEADERSHIP UNDER FIRE OVER RONNA MCDANIEL DEBACLE

Former Biden White House press secretary-turned-MSNBC host Jen Psaki attempted to distance herself from comparisons to NBC’s hiring of RNC chair Ronna McDaniel. (MSNBC/Screenshot/Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

The automatic shunning of McDaniel reflects who’s truly welcomed on MSNBC’s airwaves.

Countless Democratic strategists and left-wing journalists from other legacy news organizations have long found a home as paid contributors on MSNBC. The network also has a slew of so-called “conservative” commentators who purportedly bring ideological diversity to the network but in reality sing from the same sheet of music as their liberal counterparts in bashing former President Trump and Republicans broadly.

Alongside Sykes on MSNBC’s payroll are Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin, New York Times’ Bret Stephens, former Bush official Elise Jordan, former Bush strategist Matthew Dowd, The Bulwark’s Tim Miller, ex-GOP strategist Susan Del Percio, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and ex-Republican lawmakers David Jolly and Carlos Curbelo.

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson and Stuart Stevens, former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum, The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell, former GOP congressman Joe Walsh and The Atlantic staff writer Tom Nichols, while not paid contributors, serve as frequent guests.

MSNBC’S RACHEL MADDOW SLAMS ‘INEXPLICABLE’ RONNA MCDANIEL HIRE, HOPES NBC ‘WILL REVERSE THEIR DECISION’

There is a plethora of former Obama administration appointees on MSNBC’s paid roster, like Ben Rhodes, Richard Stengel, Frank Figliuzzi, Joyce Vance and top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. But the two biggest standouts, former CIA Director John Brennan and former CIA and Defense chief of staff Jeremy Bash, signed the infamous open letter from former intel officials pushing the Russian disinformation narrative about Hunter Biden’s laptop in 2020. Brennan also had a key role in the orchestration of the Russia collusion narrative that plagued the Trump presidency.

Former CIA Director John Brennan is still in MSNBC’s good graces despite his role in the orchestration of the Russian collusion probe and peddling false claims that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation in 2020. (Screenshot/MSNBC)

Additionally, DOJ officials involved in the Russia probe landed jobs at MSNBC, such as Andrew Weissmann, best known as the “pit bull prosecutor” on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team, and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, who made headlines after her anti-Trump texts with her lover and FBI colleague Peter Strzok were made public. Strzok is also a frequent MSNBC guest.

That’s not to say that anyone who has worked for former President Trump in the past isn’t allowed on MSNBC’s airwaves, they just have to fully denounce their ex-boss, like his former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former White House aides Cassidy Hutchinson, Sarah Matthews and Anthony Scaramucci, former Pence aide Olivia Troye, and ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, all who make regular guest appearances.

NBC NEWS DEBACLE: RONNA MCDANIEL HIRING INFURIATES MSNBC INSIDERS, PROMPTS ON-AIR REBUKES

McDaniel isn’t the only Biden critic given the heave-ho by the Peacock network. Mehdi Hasan, once a rising liberal star on MSNBC, left the network after his outspoken stance on the Israel-Hamas war, which included criticism from the left of the Biden administration’s handling of the ongoing foreign policy crisis.

There has only been one notable instance where an MSNBC pundit was actually too deep in Biden’s pocket. In 2020, MSNBC was forced to cut presidential historian and outspoken Biden supporter Jon Meachum as a paid contributor after he failed to disclose to the network that he was a Biden speechwriter and even appeared on-air to praise Biden’s victory speech he helped craft. Meachum remains a frequent guest on the network.

But there is certainly no shortage of Biden fans under the NBC umbrella. Of the very few interviews the White House has granted throughout Biden’s presidency, several of them were given to NBC and MSNBC stars like Joe Scarborough, Nicolle Wallace, Lester Holt, Stephanie Ruhle, Lawrence O’Donnell, Al Roker and Jonathan Capehart, the latter of whom most recently landed his second interview with the president earlier this month.

MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace was giddy during her exclusive sit-down with President Biden last year. (Screenshots/MSNBC)

NBC’s lurch to the left is no secret. In fact, its stars have been transparent with their liberal ideology and their philosophy when it comes to journalism for years.

In a 2019 “Meet the Press” special that dedicated an entire hour to the “climate crisis,” Todd banned climate change skeptics from appearing on his show.

“We’re not going to debate climate change, the existence of it. The Earth is getting hotter and human activity is a major cause, period,” Todd told viewers at the time. “We’re not going to give time to climate deniers. The science is settled, even if political opinion is not.”

NBC’S CHUCK TODD EXPLODES ON NETWORK BOSSES ON THE AIR FOR HIRING RONNA MCDANIEL AS ANALYST, CALLS FOR APOLOGY

“NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt, who was tapped as one of the moderators at the NBC-hosted debate during the GOP primaries last fall, said “it’s become clear that fairness is overrated” while accepting a journalism award in 2021, adding that “the idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in.”

“That the sun sets in the west is a fact. Any contrary view does not deserve our time or attention,” Holt said. “Decisions to not give unsupported arguments equal time are not a dereliction of journalistic responsibility or some kind of agenda. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Providing an open platform for misinformation, for anyone to come say whatever they want, especially when issues of public health and safety are at stake, can be quite dangerous. Our duty is to be fair to the truth.”

NBC’s Lester Holt declared “fairness is overrated” while accepting a journalism award in 2021. (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

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And as Maddow told her viewers Monday night while denouncing the “inexplicable” McDaniel hire, their role in the media is to defend democracy.

“It’s about our system of government and undermining elections and going after democracy as an ongoing project,” Maddow said. “And this is a difficult time for us as a country. And I think that means we need to be clear-eyed about the implications of it. Difficult times make for difficult decisions. We are contending with something we’ve never had to contend with before. In the news business, yes, we are covering an election, which we do all the time, but we’re also covering bad actors trying to use the rights and privileges of a democracy to end democracy!”

In a direct plea to her NBC bosses, Maddow added, “Take a minute, acknowledge that maybe it wasn’t the right call. It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to acknowledge when you are wrong. It is a sign of strength. And our country needs us to be strong right now.”

Exclusive-Russia struggles to collect oil payments as China, UAE, Turkey raise bank scrutiny

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March 27, 2024

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MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian oil firms face delays of up to several months to be paid for crude and fuel as banks in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) become more wary of U.S. secondary sanctions, eight sources familiar with the matter said.

Payment delays reduce revenue to the Kremlin and make them erratic, allowing Washington to achieve its dual policy sanction goals – to disrupt money going to the Kremlin to punish it for the war in Ukraine while not interrupting global energy flows.

Several banks in China, the UAE and Turkey have boosted their sanctions compliance requirements in recent weeks, resulting in delays or even the rejection of money transfers to Moscow, according to the eight banking and trading sources.

Banks, cautious of the U.S. secondary sanctions, started to ask their clients to provide written guarantees that no person or entity from the U.S. SDN (Special Designated Nationals) list is involved in a deal or is a beneficiary of a payment.

The sources asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue and because they are not allowed to speak to media.

In the UAE, banks First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) have suspended several accounts linked to the trading of Russian goods, two sources said.

UAE’s Mashreq bank, Turkey’s Ziraat and Vakifbank and Chinese banks ICBC and Bank of China still process payments but take weeks or months to process them, four sources said.

Mashreq bank declined to comment. UAE’s FAB and DIB banks, Turkey’s Ziraat and Vakifbank, China’s ICBC and Bank of China did not reply to requests for comments.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said payment problems exist when asked about reports that banks in China have slowed payments.

“Of course, unprecedented pressure from the United States and the European Union on the People’s Republic of China continues,” Peskov told a daily conference call with reporters.

“This, of course, creates certain problems, but cannot become an obstacle to the further development of our trade and economic relations (with China),” Peskov said.

U.S. EXECUTIVE ORDER

The West has imposed a multitude of sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Dealing with Russian oil is not illegal as long as it is sold below a Western-imposed price cap of $60 per barrel.

Russian oil exports and payments for it have been disrupted in the first months of the war but later normalised as Moscow re-routed flows to Asia and Africa away from Europe.

“Problems returned from December after banks and companies have realised the threat of U.S. secondary sanctions is real,” one trading source said.

The source was referring to a U.S. Treasury executive order published on Dec. 22, 2023, which warned it could apply sanctions for the evasion of the Russian price cap on foreign banks and called on them to boost compliance.

It became the first direct warning about a possibility of secondary sanctions on Russia, putting it on par with Iran in some areas of trade.

Following the U.S. order, Chinese, UAE and Turkish banks that work with Russia have increased checks, started asking for extra documentation and trained more staff to make sure deals were compliant with the price cap, the trading sources said.

Additional documents can also include details on the ownership of all companies involved in the deal and personal data of individuals controlling the entities, so that banks can check on any exposure to the SDN list.

In the end of February UAE banks had to rise payment scrutiny as they were asked to provide data to the U.S. correspondent banks and the U.S. treasury if they have transactions that go to China on behalf of a Russian entity, according to one banking source familiar with the matter.

“This meant delays in processing payments to Russia,” one of the sources said.

One source said one payment had been delayed by two months, while another said the delays amounted to two to three weeks.

“It has become tough and not even for the dollar transactions. Sometimes it takes weeks for a direct yuan-rouble transaction to be executed,” one of the traders said.

(Reporting by Reuters reporters in MOSCOW, Aizhu Chen in SINGAPORE, Engen Tham in BEIJING, additional reporting by Ziyi Tang, Florence Tan, Can Sezer, Jonathan Spicer, Federico Maccioni, Nidhi Verma, Hadeel Al Sayegh and Kevin Huang; editing by David Evans)

Drug overdoses have reached record high, per latest CDC report: ‘Grim statistics’

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March 26, 2024

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Drug overdoses reached a new high last year in the U.S., according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2022, the agency said.

This was a marginal increase from 2021, when 106,669 people died of drug overdoses.

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Overdoses are still the leading cause of death for adults in the country, largely driven by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid drug.

Over the past two decades, the rate of drug overdose deaths has spiked from 8.2 per 100,000 people in the year 2000 to 32.6 per 100,000 in 2022, per the CDC.

The CDC says that overdoses are at a record high. (iStock)

The overdose rate increased for males between 2021 and 2022, and slightly decreased for females.

Overdoses increased among adults ages 35 and older between 2021 and 2022, and they decreased among those aged 15 to 34.

They were lowest for adults 65 and older.

AMID KRATOM OVERDOSE CLAIMS, GROUPS CALL FOR REGULATION, BETTER TESTING OF DRUG

Overall, roughly 25% of adults aged 12 and older — over 70 million people — used illicit drugs in 2022, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“When it comes to the intractable problem of substance abuse, one thing is evidently clear: America has an appetite for drugs, and not enough is being done about it,” Dr. David Campbell, clinical and program director of Recover Together in Bend, Oregon, who was not involved in the CDC report, told Fox News Digital.

“It should come as no surprise, then, that overdoses have emerged as one of the top 10 causes of non-genetic deaths and a leading contributor to the first drop in life expectancy in the United States in over two decades.”

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One doctor said that Americans have an “appetite for drugs” and that not enough is being done to protect Americans. (REUTERS/Nikolay Doychinov (BULGARIA))

Although the record-high rates signify an ongoing problem, some industry experts are pointing out that the rate of increase has slowed considerably.

“Despite the grim statistics released today by the CDC, overdose fatalities rose at a slower rate in 2022 compared to a year earlier,” said Philip Rutherford, strategy lead for substance use at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

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Rutherford was also not involved in the CDC’s report.

“Let’s hope this is an early indication that the upward curve of overdose deaths is flattening,” he added.

What needs to change?

To help reverse the high rate of overdoses, Rutherford stressed the need for addiction treatment and recovery support.

“It will require increasing the size of the behavioral health workforce, augmenting the number of peer support specialists and implementing a variety of strategies to provide care in all settings,” he said.

Rutherford also called for increasing support for underserved populations and eliminating “deserts of care.”

“We strongly urge pharmacies to increase the supply of suboxone,” he said.

“That simple step will sharply increase equitable access to treatment and recovery supports and help communities provide people with the opioid use disorder medication they need to survive.”

KETAMINE THERAPY SHOWN EFFECTIVE IN TREATING SEVERE DEPRESSION IN VETERANS, STUDY FINDS

Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, chief medical officer of American Addiction Centers in Tampa Bay, Florida, also emphasized the need for education around the dangers of hidden substances, such as fentanyl.

“Fentanyl, along with fentanyl analogs and other adulterants, can be mixed with other substances without the user’s knowledge, putting them at much greater risk of overdose,” he told Fox News Digital.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s office in Houston said it seized more than 7 million fatal fentanyl doses in 2022. (U.S. State Department )

“Being aware of that risk can encourage those with substance-use disorder to be more mindful and cautious.”

Weinstein noted that “harm-reduction strategies” — like the availability of naloxone (Narcan) and needle-exchange programs — can help, but he also called for more widespread substance-use disorder treatments.

“Fentanyl can be mixed with other substances without the user’s knowledge, putting them at much greater risk of overdose.”

“Evidence-based treatment can reduce substance use disorder, health harms and overdose deaths, and the longevity and quality of treatment directly relates to lower mortality rates,” he said.

“We should also prioritize medication-assisted treatment to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety.”

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A lack of mental health resources could also contribute to the problem, Weinstein said.

“Our country must find ways to make community mental health resources more readily available through walk-in clinics and telehealth, and to expand the number of providers, especially in areas most impacted by the overdose epidemic,” he told Fox News Digital.

Accessibility to walk-in clinics and telehealth doctors can be critical to helping with mental health issues, said one health professional. (Ashley Gibson/Cleveland Clinic)

“Not only is substance-use disorder itself often driven by underlying mental health issues, but the impact of substance-use disorder and overdoses on families and communities is creating a secondary mental health crisis that must be addressed before it turns deadly.”

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In the event of an overdose, Weinstein said it’s essential to call 911 first, administer naloxone if available, administer rescue breaths if needed — and stay until help arrives.

“These simple steps could save a life,” he said.

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

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

Is Apple’s new Journal app a major privacy nightmare?

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March 26, 2024

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Apple’s new Journal feature is all about capturing those little moments in life right on your iPhone. But posts started blowing up on social media that (oh no!) because of it, anyone can find your full name and location as well as read your deepest thoughts. Yikes.

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Is all the fearmongering worth our worry? Or is it just another tech urban legend? I got the scoop on Apple Journal, and along the way, I found an even more concerning privacy issue I bet you’ve overlooked. But first…

I’M A TECH EXPERT AND YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE TECH CHANGES NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

What’s the deal with Apple Journal?

Think of it as a digital diary on your phone that tracks your videos, photos, audio clips and location data — then sends eerily-timed notifications to inspire you to jot things down.

Say you head out on the town for a night with friends and take pictures at a restaurant. Apple Journal will remember that and send you a prompt to write an entry about it.

The Journal app is seen on an iPhone in this photo illustration. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

According to Apple, this feature doesn’t share this information with the outside world, but plenty of people still thought, “Hmm, maybe not.” I don’t need Tim Cook knowing about my 5th grade crush, thank you very much.

Two settings raised hairs

Journaling Suggestions and Discoverable by Others are causing a commotion. Social media posts spread like wildfire, claiming that these settings give strangers access to your personal information and entries.

First, let’s tackle Journaling Suggestions. I researched it, and Journaling Suggestions are only created based on which apps you use. Plus, you get to control which data gets included.

7 MAC AND WINDOWS TRICKS ONLY THE PROS KNOW

OK, but can Apple see your entries?

🔍 Myth busted: Nope, your entries are end-to-end encrypted. That means not even Apple can access them.

The Discoverable By Others setting detects nearby iPhone users who also have the Journal app and are “discoverable.” So, does it share your info with passersby?

🔍 I debunked this one, too: This setting doesn’t share your name or location with strangers. It just lets you know how many of your contacts are around to create more personalized prompts.

You can easily disable it in your settings:

On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
Tap Privacy & Security > Journaling Suggestions.
Toggle Discoverable by Others to the off position.
You can also turn off Journaling Suggestions altogether or customize the type of data used to create prompts.

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One privacy concern you should be scared of?

Everyone can see your smartphone’s name. Yep, anyone who tries to connect to Wi-Fi will see it in their list of discovered networks as a potential hotspot. That means if you use your real name as your phone’s name, anyone with a smartphone or laptop can see it.

Hackers could use that information to zero in on who (and where) you are. Now, that’s creepy. The good news is you can easily change the name of your phone to something else:

iPhone/iPad: Open Settings > General > About > Name. Tap the X, then type in a new name. Hit Done.
Android: Go to Settings > About Phone > Device Name. Type in a new name for your phone, then hit OK.

Keep your tech-know going

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How to escape Facebook’s creepy ad tracking

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March 26, 2024

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Do you ever feel like your Facebook is listening to you, or watching your every move? That whenever you search for something on another website or have a conversation with a friend, the next minute you’re seeing ads on Facebook for that same thing?

This is no coincidence. Although Facebook has denied that our phones listen to us, they do have other ways of finding out what we are talking about, listening to and searching for. In some cases, it seems like they know what we’re thinking, too.

If you’re feeling a bit creeped out by all this, we don’t blame you. The good news is that while Facebook does have many capabilities, it isn’t omnipresent.

The good news is that there are ways to escape Facebook’s creepy ad tracking, so you can scroll in peace.

SCAMMERS ARE USING FAKE NEWS, MALICIOUS LINKS TO TARGET YOU IN AN EMOTIONAL FACEBOOK PHISHING TRAP

There are ways to escape Facebook’s creepy ad tracking. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Does Facebook know what I’m searching on Google?

If you’re wondering whether Facebook can track what you search for on Google, the answer is no. (Though it sure does feel like it, right?)

Though Facebook isn’t able to track what you’re searching for in Google, Facebook does use tracking cookies that are stored on your computer or mobile device to “get to know you” better. These cookies are logged information about your online activity, which they can get while the Facebook app is on your phone, and you’re running other apps in the background. They’re also able to collect your data from third parties to understand your behavior based on which sites or apps you visit, or what you like on Facebook.

The data Facebook gathers may include:

The content you create, including posts, comments or audio messages
What types of content, apps and features you view or interact with
Information about friends, followers, groups, accounts, Facebook pages and other pages you interact with
The content you provide through Meta’s camera feature or your camera roll
Your Facebook search history
Messages you send and receive

Even without access to what you search on Google, they still know a lot about you and they can share that information with companies that want to target you via ads.

Off Facebook activity on Facebook app (Facebook)

I’M A TECH EXPERT AND YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE TECH CHANGES NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

What is Facebook’s ad tracking?

Based on all this information that Facebook can collect, companies can use ad tracking to target you with ads highly relevant to your browsing activity, interests, conversations on Facebook Messenger, and potentially even interactions on WhatsApp (which is also owned by Meta, Facebook’s parent company).

Facebook ad tracking enables advertisers to monitor how users interact with their ads on the platform, providing insights into clicks, impressions and conversions. Without this information, companies are not able to target people with their ads as well as they do.

As we mentioned, Facebook has several ways of sharing your data with others, but these days, it’s very easy to do via Facebook Pixel. Facebook Pixel is a small line of code placed on a website that collects valuable data about user behavior. This helps advertisers understand the effectiveness of their ads, optimize future campaigns and retarget visitors based on their site behavior.

Facebook has several ways of sharing your data with others. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

An example of how Facebook ad tracking works behind the scenes

Let’s illustrate how this works, using the example of what a reader had asked us about searching for a dentist and then seeing relevant ads on their Facebook:

If someone is searching for a dentist and then sees an ad for a dentist on their Facebook, it might seem like Facebook is directly tracking their searches in a web browser. While Facebook itself doesn’t monitor browser searches outside its platform, here’s how it can happen:

Facebook Pixel: If you visit a dentist’s website that has the Facebook Pixel installed, this action can be tracked and relayed back to Facebook, which then might show you ads related to dentistry.

Partner Data: Facebook partners with data brokers and other online platforms to exchange information about users’ online behaviors. Even if Facebook isn’t directly tracking your searches, these partnerships might help Facebook obtain information about your interests, including looking for a dentist.

Activity on Facebook: Your behavior on Facebook itself, such as liking pages related to a dentist’s office or sending a message to a friend to ask about dentists, can signal to Facebook’s algorithms that you might be interested in seeing dental ads.

Device and Location Data: If you’ve allowed Facebook access to your location, it might use this information to show ads from local businesses, including dentists in your area, based on the assumption that local services are relevant to you.

Even though Facebook itself likely doesn’t receive your search history directly from most search engines, there are ways your browsing activity could still influence the ads you see on Facebook based on privacy policies and agreements.

Facebook app Settings options (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT BULLETPROOF

Ways to limit the number of targeted ads you see on Facebook

If you’re tired of Facebook targeting you with ads, there are ways to put a stop to it.

1. Off-Facebook Activity

Facebook provides a tool called “Off-Facebook Activity” that allows you to manage tracking and prevent it from being used for targeted ads. While it doesn’t stop all tracking methods, it does help reduce the visibility of advertisements related to services and products you’ve recently viewed.

To disable this feature:

Log in to the Facebook app on your smartphone.
Tap the Menu button located in the bottom right corner.
Scroll down and select “Settings & Privacy.”
Tap “Settings.”
Look for the section labeled “Your information” and choose “Off-Facebook Activity.”
Click “Continue.”

From here, you have several options to control or disconnect the information businesses send to Meta:

Disconnect specific activity: Choose specific activities to disconnect from your profile.
Clear previous activity: Remove any existing tracked data.
Manage future activity: Control how future activity is tracked and associated with your account.

By using this tool, you can take more control over your online privacy and limit the impact of targeted ads based on your browsing history.

2. Ad preferences

You can control your ad preferences in Facebook’s settings to control the types of ads you see.

Log in to the Facebook app on your smartphone
Tap the Menu button located in the bottom right corner
Scroll down and select “Settings & Privacy”
Tap “Settings”
Tap See More in the Accounts Center
Scroll down and click Ad Preferences
Here, you can view “Ad Activity” and the “Advertisers you saw ads from”
If you want to hide ads from certain advertisers, click See all next to where it says “Advertisers you saw ads from”
Below All Advertisers You’ve Seen Most Recently, you’ll see a list of advertisers. Click on the advertiser
Then tap Hide Ads for any advertisers you’d like to not see ads from

Please note that changing your ad preferences influences which ads you see, but it won’t change the total number of ads you see. Also, keep in mind that there is no way to hide all ads.

3. Use an ad blocker

Ad blockers are essential tools that prevent intrusive advertisements while you browse the internet. When you visit a website, the ad blocker scans for any content that’s on its blacklist and promptly identifies it as advertising material.

Blocking ads on Facebook is particularly beneficial for safeguarding against malware. Numerous ads contain viruses that could potentially infect your device. Some antivirus software comes with Ad blockers that effectively remove Facebook ads. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

4. Use a VPN to protect your browsing privacy

Even if Facebook doesn’t know what you’re searching for on Google, they are getting enough information elsewhere to be able to target you with specific ads. That being said, it’s certainly not a bad idea to take extra steps to protect your browsing privacy where you can.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which establishes a digital connection between your computer and a remote server owned by a VPN provider. This creates a point-to-point tunnel that encrypts your data, masks your IP address, and allows you to sidestep website blocks and firewalls on the internet. See my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

Kurt’s key takeaways

If you’re a Facebook user but you’re getting tired of seeing targeted ads all the time, try implementing the suggestions in this article to see if that helps minimize the number you are seeing. But keep in mind you can never have 100% privacy when online or using these platforms, which is a consideration that has led many people to close their accounts or limit their activity.

Have you tried limiting the amount of targeted ads you get on Facebook? What were the results? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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This humanoid robot is now capable of full conversations

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March 26, 2024

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With the integration of OpenAI’s cutting-edge technology, Figure 01 has taken a significant leap forward. The humanoid robot, developed by Figure, is now capable of engaging in full conversations with people. This breakthrough showcases the potential of robots to understand and interact with us on a more personal level.

The humanoid robot is now capable of engaging in full conversations with people. (Figure)

Visual and language intelligence

OpenAI’s models have been instrumental in providing high-level visual and language intelligence to Figure 01. These models enable the robot to process and interpret visual data, as well as comprehend and respond to spoken language, making interactions seamless and intuitive.

OpenAI’s models have been instrumental in providing high-level visual and language intelligence to Figure 01. (Figure)

FORGET HANDS, TOYOTA’S HUG-READY ROBOT PICKS UP WITH ITS ENTIRE BODY

Dexterous robot actions

The neural networks of Figure 01 have been optimized to deliver fast, low-level, dexterous actions. This allows Figure 01 to perform tasks with precision and agility, responding to its environment in real-time.

Figure 01 can perform tasks with precision and agility, responding to its environment in real-time. (Figure)

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BEING REPLACED BY AI ROBOT BRICKLAYERS

The journey of Figure 01

The journey of Figure 01 from concept to reality is a testament to the vision and dedication of entrepreneur Brett Adcock and his team. Comprising experts from renowned organizations such as Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Google DeepMind and Archer Aviation, the team has worked tirelessly to bring this general-purpose humanoid robot to life.

The team has worked tirelessly to bring this general-purpose humanoid robot to life.

THE CREEPY-EYED ROBOT THAT WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND AND TEACHER

Figure 01 robot showcases rapid advancements in a recent demo

In a striking display of technological progress, the Figure 01 bot has been confirmed to operate autonomously, as evidenced by Adcock during a recent demonstration. The accompanying video, presented at true speed, highlights the significant advancements made in just a two-week collaboration.

The bot has been confirmed to operate autonomously. (Figure)

Integration with OpenAI

The recent collaboration with OpenAI has accelerated the development of Figure 01, equipping it with next-generation AI models. These models enhance the robot’s capabilities, enabling it to learn from its surroundings and adapt to complex tasks.

Figure 01 can learn from its surroundings and adapt to complex tasks. (Figure)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The progress made by Figure in such a short time is remarkable. With the goal of operating humanoid robots at a billion-unit scale, the partnership between Figure and OpenAI could redefine our interaction with technology. As we witness these advancements unfold, it’s clear that the future of humanoid robotics is not just a distant dream but an imminent reality.

Does talking to a humanoid robot intrigue you or make you feel uneasy? What potential benefits or challenges do you foresee? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Rare condition caused patient to see ‘demonic’ faces, study finds about ‘visual disorder’

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March 26, 2024

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It sounds like the stuff of horror films — but for people who are afflicted with a rare disorder, it’s a terrifying reality.

A condition called prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) causes facial features to appear distorted, according to researchers from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

A study published in The Lancet revealed that a 58-year-old man reported seeing faces as distorted or “demonic” for 2½ years.

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“The patient stated that the distortions — severely stretched features of the face, with deep grooves on the forehead, cheeks and chin — were present on every person’s face he encountered, but he reported no distortions when looking at objects, such as houses or cars,” the researchers wrote in the findings.

The patient did not see those same distortions when looking at two-dimensional faces on printed paper or digital screens.

Computer-generated images of the distortions of a male face, top, and female face, bottom, as perceived by a 58-year-old patient in a new study. (A. Mello et al.)

Still, despite the distortions, the patient reported that he was able to recognize people.

After the researchers showed the man some images on a screen of a person, they then had him compare the images with that same person’s actual face.

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The patient provided feedback on the differences he perceived between the two — and the researchers used computer software to edit the photograph to capture what he was seeing.

“Through the process, we were able to visualize the patient’s real-time perception of the face distortions,” said Antonio Mello, a PhD student in psychological and brain sciences at Dartmouth who worked on the study, in a press release.

“This suggests that the brain’s way of visually ‘displaying’ faces, and the brain’s ability to recognize a person’s face, might be occurring in two different parts of the brain,” said a neurologist about the study’s findings. (iStock)

Dr. Jonathan Tiu, a neurologist and assistant professor of neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of medicine in New Jersey, was not involved in the study but reviewed the findings.

“Fascinatingly, the patient highlighted in the recent Lancet case report was still able to recognize everyone he was looking at,” Tiu told Fox News Digital.

WALKING DEAD SYNDROME AND OTHER RARE CONDITIONS BAFFLE DOCTORS AND RESEARCHERS

“This suggests that the brain’s way of visually ‘displaying’ faces, and the brain’s ability to recognize a person’s face, might be occurring in two different parts of the brain.”

What to know about PMO

The name of the disorder, prosopometamorphopsia, comes from “prosopo” (the Greek word for face, prosopon) and “metamorphopsia,” which refers to perceptual distortions.

Tiu described PMO as a “very rare visual disorder” that causes a person to see visual distortions of facial features.

Experts don’t fully understand how PMO occurs and who is more likely to experience it.

“This can include a twisting or stretching of someone’s eyes or a visual ballooning of that person’s chin, or they might even see features where they shouldn’t be, like seeing that person’s teeth hover over their lips,” he said.

BOOST BRAIN HEALTH AND SLOW MENTAL AGING WITH 10 INTRIGUING TIPS FROM LONGEVITY EXPERTS

Experts don’t fully understand how PMO occurs and who is more likely to experience it.

“It is thought that an injury to specific parts of facial processing networks in the brain, whether it be from a stroke or tumor, can produce the symptoms of PMO,” Tiu said.

Among those who are diagnosed with PMO, it is common for them to have been misdiagnosed at some point, researchers said in the study findings. (iStock)

The condition has also been known to occur as an effect of migraines or seizures, but sometimes it comes on without any identifiable cause.

PMO is very rare, with fewer than 100 documented cases, according to the neurologist.

There are different types of PMO, as noted in a separate article published by senior author Brad Duchaine, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Dartmouth.

“It’s a problem that people often don’t understand.”

The two most common types are full-face prosopometamorphopsia (full-face PMO) and hemi-prosopometamorphopsia (hemi-PMO), he noted.

Most cases last only a few days or weeks.

Some patients, however, continue seeing the distortions for years.

RESEARCHERS FIND SOURCES OF FOUR BRAIN DISORDERS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO NEW TREATMENTS

Among the people who have had PMO, it is common for them to have been misdiagnosed at some point, the researchers stated in the study findings.

“We’ve heard from multiple people with PMO that they have been diagnosed by psychiatrists as having schizophrenia and put on anti-psychotics, when their condition is a problem with the visual system,” Duchaine said in the release.

In one study from 2021 that reviewed 81 individuals with PMO, the authors found that there was full or virtually full recovery in more than half of the reported cases. (iStock)

“And it’s not uncommon for people who have PMO to not tell others about their problem with face perception because they fear others will think the distortions are a sign of a psychiatric disorder,” he added.

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For those who have the condition, the optimal treatment should be tailored to the underlying cause of the symptom, Tiu noted.

In one study from 2021 that reviewed 81 individuals with PMO, the authors found that there was full or virtually full recovery in more than half of the reported cases, he pointed out.

“Of those who recovered, the PMO resolved quickly within days to weeks,” Tiu said.

The facial processing networks that involve PMO may be in a part of the brain that has generally good potential for recovery.

“However, some patients took years to recover, and in a group of patients, the symptoms did not demonstrate any improvement.”

The study authors concluded that the facial processing networks that involve PMO may be in a part of the brain that has generally good potential for recovery, Tiu added.

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The Dartmouth researchers expressed hope that this latest study will help raise awareness of the rare but impactful condition.

As Duchaine added, “It’s a problem that people often don’t understand.”

Fox News Digital contacted the researchers for additional comment.

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

How to protect your devices while on your next cruise

1) Install antivirus software on your devices before you leave home

2) Update operating software on your devices before you leave home

3) Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use

4) Wait until you get to the port to use data from your cellular carrier

5) Be careful of what websites you visit

6) Bring your own power banks or USB blockers

7) Pony up for the onboard internet packages

8) Why a VPN is recommended even with slower speeds onboard your cruise ship

Kurt’s key takeaways

How to recover a deleted app that you purchased on iPhone

Kurt’s key takeaways

What is medication abortion?

Why have medication abortions increased?

Pro-life advocates speak out against medication abortions

What needs to change?

Does Facebook know what I’m searching on Google?

What is Facebook’s ad tracking?

An example of how Facebook ad tracking works behind the scenes

Ways to limit the number of targeted ads you see on Facebook

1. Off-Facebook Activity

2. Ad preferences

3. Use an ad blocker

Kurt’s key takeaways

Visual and language intelligence

Dexterous robot actions

The journey of Figure 01

Figure 01 robot showcases rapid advancements in a recent demo

Integration with OpenAI

Kurt’s key takeaways

What to know about PMO

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