Bitcoin and altcoins are falling toward strong support levels, which appear likely to hold in the short term.
Family’s history in Scotland is focus of maze shaped in 5-pointed star: ‘Bringing it back to life’
A maze in Scotland is shaped uniquely in a nod to a family’s decades-long history — and is today a favorite travel destination for many, especially during the spring and summer months.Â
The Murray Star Maze at Scone Palace in Scotland was planted in 1991 in the shape of a five-point star as a nod to the history of the Murray family — one of “the great families” of Scotland.Â
“As soldiers and statesmen, ambassadors and lawmakers, they have for centuries been close to the heart of Scottish affairs,” the website of Scone Palace points out.
The maze includes 2,000 beech trees and is roughly half a mile long, per the Scone Palace.Â
An international maze designer named Adrian Fisher created the unique feature at the palace, making sure the center contained a statue to represent the water nymph Arethusa.Â
The Murray Star Maze at the historic Scone Palace in Scotland is half a mile long. The maze includes 2,000 beech trees. (SWNS)
The Scone Palace notes that the maze’s shortest walk to the center for a view of Arethusa is only about 100 feet from the start — but good luck figuring out how to manage that.Â
The unique star shape of the maze, however, resembles the Earl of Mansfield’s family tartan, according to the Scone Palace — and is shaped with five points that were part of the family’s historical emblem.Â
Additionally, the area in which the maze is planted has a mixture of copper and green beech trees.Â
The head gardener at Scone Palace, Brian Cunningham, told British news service SWNS that he’s been taking care of the maze for the last 13 years.Â
The center of the maze has a statue of the water nymph Arethusa. (SWNS)
“You could blindfold me and spin me around, and I could make my way out of the left half,” he joked.Â
He added, “But I must admit I’m still prone to getting lost on the right-hand side.”
Cunningham said there’s only one way in and one way out of the maze — which is a bit of a secret, he added.Â
LAWN CARE IS MADE EASY THIS SUMMER WITH SYNTHETIC GRASS, SAYS HOME CONTRACTOR
As for upkeep, Cunningham said it takes him about two weeks to trim the hedges since the paths are narrow.Â
“To get the hedge clippings out, we’ve got to go in with wheelie bins,” he said.Â
The star maze contains thousands of plants and hedges. (SWNS)
Cunningham and his team of gardeners work on other projects throughout the palace, noting that the maze is “great.”
Cunningham told SWNS the palace was built 220 years ago but was abandoned during World War I.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“For the last 20 odd years, it’s just been grass, so we’re starting an ambitious project now to bringing it back to life,” he added.Â
“We’re maintaining and developing this pretty remarkable garden and grounds around the palace.”
Scone Palace gardeners work on the grounds, including the maze, all year long. (SWNS)
During the summer, the public can visit the Scone Palace seven days a week.
The grounds include gardens, plus a coffee and food spot.Â
Here, “nature awaits in abundance,” says the palace’s website. “There are no formal gardens at Scone, but 100 acres of woodland gardens with their borders, flowering shrubs and trees create a gloriously peaceful setting for strolling or picnicking.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
For more information on visiting Scone Palace in Perthshire, Scotland, and understanding its 1,000-plus years of history, anyone can check out scone-palace.co.uk.Â
Fox News Digital reached out to Scone Palace for further comment.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Avalanche integrates with Stripe for fiat-to-crypto onboarding
Avalanche C-Chain users can now buy AVAX directly within Web3 apps, using a widget supplied by Stripe.
68% of Runes are in the red — Are they really an upgrade for Bitcoin?
Bitcoin Runes’ debut stirred controversy with high fees and poor initial returns, but supporters say the tokens upgrade the Bitcoin network.
How ‘Yahoo Boys’ use real-time face-swapping to carry out elaborate romance scams
We’ve all heard of catfish scams – when someone pretends to be a lover on the other side of the screen, but instead, they aren’t who they say they are once their real face is revealed. Now, there’s a similar scam on the rise, and it’s much more sophisticated because scammers can fake the face, too. The scam is known as the “Yahoo Boys” scam, and it’s taking “catfishing” to a whole new level.
Woman on laptop making a heart sign (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How does deepfake technology work?
Deepfake technology uses AI to allow people to impersonate others over audio or video. The technology is essentially able to replicate someone’s face, facial expressions, gestures, voice, etc., so that the scammer can pretend to be someone they aren’t with almost perfect accuracy. Although deepfake technology has some intentions for good – like in the film industry or advertising (though there are some debates regarding the ethics of this) – it’s generally used for more malicious purposes than anything else.
Because it’s very difficult to tell whether or not a deepfake is the real person or a deepfake (and also because deepfakes are relatively new), deepfakes can have the potential to do a lot of damage. From the larger implications of it being used to spread inaccurate news stories that can sway public opinion and political processes to it being used to inflict damage on individuals with scams, it’s important to know what to watch out for.
Woman with a scan on her face (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: EXPOSING THE TOP SCAMS TARGETING COSTCO SHOPPERS
What is the ‘Yahoo Boys’ scam?
The “Yahoo Boys” scam involves a group of sophisticated cybercriminals, primarily based in Nigeria, who are using this technology to conduct what’s otherwise known as romance scams. Like some catfishing attempts, they first build trust with victims through personal and romantic interactions over messaging and, eventually, video calls, where they then manipulate their appearances in real time to match the description and profile they may have shared with them up until that point.
By doing this, they can trick the victim into trusting them even more. This is because most of us still use video as a way to verify a person’s identity, when messaging isn’t convincing enough. Finally, when the timing is right, the victims are often persuaded into transferring money based on various fabricated scenarios, leading to significant financial losses. In fact, the FBI reported over $650 million lost to romance scams like these.
Man on his cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: DON’T FALL FOR THESE SNEAKY TAX SCAMS THAT ARE OUT TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY AND MONEY
How does it actually work?
In the case of the “Yahoo Boys” scam, the scammers do their dirty work by:
Step 1: The scammer will use two smartphones or a combination of a smartphone and a laptop. One device is used to conduct the video call with the victim, while the other runs face-swapping software.
Step 2: On a secondary device, the scammer activates face-swapping software. This device’s camera films the scammer’s face, and the software adds a digital mask over it. This mask is a realistic replica of another person’s facial features, which the scammer has chosen to impersonate. The software is sophisticated enough to track and mimic the scammer’s facial movements and expressions in real time, altering everything from skin tone and facial structure to hair and gender to match the chosen identity.
Step 3: For the video call, the scammer uses a primary device with its rear camera aimed at the secondary device’s screen. This screen shows the deepfake – the digitally altered face. The rear camera captures this and sends it to the victim, who sees the deepfake as if it’s the scammer’s actual face. To make the illusion more convincing, the devices are stabilized on stands, and ring lights provide even, flattering lighting. This setup ensures that the deepfake appears clear and stable, tricking the victim into believing they’re seeing a real person.
Step 4: Throughout the call, the scammer speaks using their own voice, although in some setups, voice-altering technology might also be used to match the voice to the deep-faked face. This comprehensive disguise allows the scammer to interact naturally with the victim, reinforcing the illusion.
Though each deepfake scam is different, having a basic level of understanding in terms of how scams like these work can help you recognize them.
Scammer typing on a keyboard (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to stay safe from deepfake scams
To protect yourself from deepfake scams like the “Yahoo Boys” scam, here’s what you can do:
Verify identities: Always confirm the identity of individuals you meet online through video calls by asking them to perform unpredictable actions in real time, like writing a specific word on paper and showing it on camera.
Be skeptical of unusual requests: Be cautious if someone you’ve only met online requests money, personal information or any other sensitive details.
Enhance privacy settings: Adjust privacy settings on social media and other platforms to limit the amount of personal information available publicly, which can be used to create deepfake content.
Use secure communication channels: Prefer secure, encrypted platforms for communications and avoid sharing sensitive content over less secure channels.
Educate yourself about deepfakes: Stay informed about the latest developments in deepfake technology to better recognize potentially manipulated content.
Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a potential scam or deepfake attempt, report it to the relevant authorities or platforms to help prevent further incidents.
By following these guidelines, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to sophisticated digital scams and protect your personal and financial information from falling into the hands of these scammers.
Woman talking on her cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: CAN AI HELP SOMEONE STAGE A FAKE KIDNAPPING SCAM AGAINST YOUR FAMILY
Protecting your identity in the age of deepfakes
As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and convincing, the risk of identity theft increases. Scammers can use stolen personal information to create more believable deepfakes, making it harder for you to detect fraud. Furthermore, the sophistication of deepfakes may allow criminals to bypass biometric security measures, potentially granting them unauthorized access to your personal accounts and sensitive financial information. This is where identity theft protection services become invaluable.
Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
By subscribing to a reputable identity theft protection service, you can add an extra layer of security, ensuring that your digital presence is monitored and protected against the ever-evolving tactics of cybercriminals like the “Yahoo Boys.”
MORE: UNFORGETTABLE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS 2024
Kurt’s key takeaways
The main targets of the “Yahoo Boys” scam are individuals who establish online romantic relationships with the scammers. Because these victims are often emotionally invested and therefore more susceptible to manipulation, there’s not necessarily a specific age or demographic that can become a victim. And because we know the root of all these scams is the deepfake technology, truly anyone can become a target. So, we hope this helps, but also, be sure to spread the word to friends and family.
Have you heard of any other types of deepfake scams? Or do you know anyone who has been a victim of scams like this? 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:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
SEC and Gensler believed Ether was security for at least a year
In April 2023, Gensler refused to answer repeated questions on whether the SEC believed Ether to be a security.
5 Amazing places to visit in Türkiye, according to an American
Galata Tower in Istanbul, Türkiye. (GoTürkiye)
People love asking travel writers like me for recommendations on where to go. It makes sense. In the last 18 months alone, I’ve touched down on all seven continents. But don’t ask me about Türkiye if you’re in a hurry. Despite being a broke 25-year-old when I first visited 10 years ago, I will sing the destination’s praises until I lose my voice. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly fun or a five-star sojourn (which I’m all about these days), Türkiye has it all. And thanks to new nonstop flights from Detroit to Istanbul, it’s never been more accessible. Ideally, you can take a month off to criss-cross the country. But if you only have a week, or two, below is where I’d begin.Â
Istanbul
It’s hard not to fall head over heels for this seaside city that straddles two continents and was once the capital of three iconic empires. The locals are sincere, and even the street cats seem like they’re on holiday. Plus everything – from sipping your morning tea (served in a clear glass so you can enjoy the color) to bathing in an underground Turkish hammam – is an inviting experience. I learned the art of the barter in the bustling Grand Bazaar, took in 180-degree views of the Bosphorus from the Galata Tower, and house hunted in the effortlessly hip neighborhood of Karaköy because I wanted to move there so badly after just two nights. Despite being Catholic, I can’t deny that the Hagia Sophia is the most stunning house of worship I’ve ever stepped foot in.Â
Pro tip: Wear socks; shoes aren’t allowed in mosques.Â
Bodrum
A coastal city of contrasts, Bodrum is where the traditional wooden gulet I was on for an 8-night Sun Fun You cruise docked next to a multi-million dollar fiberglass yacht. This port city along the boasts Yalıkavak Marina, one of Europe’s finest marinas where you can shop in Dior and dine at Zuma. But it’s also home to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While exploring on foot – everywhere in the old town is walkable – I saw remnants of Bodrum’s previous life as a quiet fishing village. In the evenings, however, I drank and danced my way up Bar Street, a mile-long strip specializing in nightlife. And forget FOMO. Thanks to the laidback Turkaegean way of life, I was fully present and even the mundane moments felt magical.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the “Anatolia show”, where martial arts meet acrobats, at the city’s oldest club, Halikarnas.Â
Aerial view of hot air balloons, Göreme, Cappadocia, Türkiye. (GoTürkiye)
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is more than the hot air balloon capital of the world. It’s rich in history (take a tour of Derinkuyu, a subterranean city dating back to the 7th century BCE, or explore Göreme’s mysterious cave churches) and chock full of geographic formations. From whimsical 100-foot-tall fairy chimneys to a snow-covered 12,851-foot-tall inactive volcano, this part of Central ​​Türkiye is made for the ‘gram. Here, it’s all about perspective, hence the hundreds of hot air balloon safaris that launch daily. Still, many think this magical landscape is best enjoyed on horseback. And don’t forget to embrace your inner sommelier and sample the region’s fine wines. Cappadocia’s fertile soil produces the rare Emir grape, among other renowned varieties.Â
Pro tip: Make your own ceramic souvenir at Avanos Pottery Workshop or shop for a hand-woven rug in Cappadocia’s colorful bazaars.Â
Türkiye’s iconic Sümela Monastery. (GoTürkiye)
Trabzon
A former Silk Road hub hugging the Black Sea and surrounded by mountains, Trabzon appeals to my inner adrenaline junkie. My bucket list includes paragliding over Uzungöl Lake, a popular alpine escape for adventurers, laying first tracks at Zigana Ski Centre, one of more than 40 ski resorts in the country, and hiking to the Sumela Monastery, a Greek Orthodox engineering marvel dating back to the 4th century CE. It’s carved out of a cliff and on clear days, offers breathtaking views of the always verdant Altindere Valley National Park below. Of course, no trip to Trabzon is complete without refueling with Akçaabat köftesi (fried meatballs).Â
Pro tip: If you’re not claustrophobic, go spelunking at Cal Cave, the self-proclaimed second-longest cave system in the world.Â
Aerial view of Porto Ceneviz Bay, Antalya, Türkiye. (GoTürkiye)
Antalya
The beating heart of the Turkish Riviera is blessed with 231 Blue Flag Beaches. For comparison, the U.S. has just two. But there’s so much more to this resort-filled region than world-class sand and surf. Just 55 miles north of the city, a crystal clear river meanders through Köprülü Canyon National Park – a natural playground for rafters, campers, and hikers. Closer to town, the dramatic Duden Waterfalls are a popular place to picnic. The Lower Falls even cascade over a cliff into the sea. Antalya, with its Roman, Ottoman Turkish, Seljuk Turkish, and Eastern Roman influences, doesn’t disappoint in the culture department either. Its 2,000-year-old Aspendos – the best preserved theater from the ancient world – still hosts concerts, operas, and ballets. And Kaleiçi, Antalya’s old town, is a living, open-air museum.Â
Pro tip: Embrace your inner emperor and enter Kaleiçi through the triple-arched Hadrian’s Gate, built specifically for the Roman ruler’s visit in 130 CE.Â
Katie Jackson is a freelance travel writer. When she’s not working, she’s chasing after a Leonberger named Wilco.
‘Seinfeld’ set stage for sitcom gold in NYC diner, tourists still flock to eateries that played a part
Influential sitcom “Seinfeld” celebrated the central role diners play in the social fabric of New York City during its hilarious 10-season romp through American pop culture.Â
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a year in American television and film that doesn’t have at least one scene set in a diner,” Ed Levine wrote for Serious Eats in 2019.Â
No series, film or performer did more to celebrate the diner than “Seinfeld” and its classic cast of comedians led by namesake Jerry Seinfeld, who turns 70 on Monday, April 29, 2024.
5 FRUIT-FRIENDLY FACTS FOR NATIONAL BLUEBERRY PIE DAY: ‘HEALTHY’ AND ‘TASTY’
“I’d even go so far as to call it the quintessentially American restaurant,” Levine added.
Diners exist across the nation but are largely a northeastern phenomenon. New Jersey recently staked claim to be the home of 500 diners, more than any other state.Â
A scene from the first episode of “Seinfeld.” Jason Alexander as George Costanza, left, and Jerry Seinfeld as himself. (Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
New York City easily tops the list among municipalities, with more than 400 diners in Gotham alone, according to various estimates.
The role of Monk’s Café on “Seinfeld” was actually played by three diners. Two of them are still Manhattan tourist attractions today, more than 25 years since the last episode aired in 1998.
Monk’s Café itself, however, was purely fictional.Â
The interior scenes of the diner where Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer kibitzed about life and love over tuna salad and rye were shot in a Los Angeles studio.
Tom’s Restaurant on Broadway in the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan served as the facade of the diner on “Seinfeld.”Â
Tom’s remains a popular photo and selfie spot today.
It’s located just three blocks from the main quad of the Columbia University campus, the site of so much chaos in recent days.Â
Tom’s emerged as the true celebrity setting of the series. Its photogenic sign and constant appearances (minus the “Tom’s”) on “Seinfeld” rendered it an American pop-culture landmark. It remains a popular photo and selfie spot today.
The celebrated sitcom “Seinfeld” was conceived by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David at Westway Diner in Manhattan. A plaque memorializes its role in TV history today. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
Westway Diner in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, however, is the real spiritual home of “Seinfeld.”
It slowly emerged as a perpetually popular tourist destination, and remains one today, even though it never appeared nor was mentioned on the TV series — a testament to the sitcom’s enduring impact.
“In 1988 at the Westway Diner on 9th Ave., Larry David and I hatched a show about a comedian but with no story,” Jerry Seinfeld shared on X (then Twitter) in 2021.
David lived diagonally across the street, at the corner of Ninth Avenue and West 43rd Street, in Manhattan Plaza. The twin-skyscraper development is a haven of subsidized housing for artists and performers, many of whom work in Broadway theaters, most of which are just a couple blocks away.
“Larry David was a writer for ‘Saturday Night Live’ when he lived here and created ‘Seinfeld,’” Marisa Redanty, president emeritus of the Manhattan Plaza Tenant Association, told Fox News Digital.Â
The facade of Tom’s Restaurant in the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan was made famous while providing the exterior shots for the diner scenes in hit TV series “Seinfeld.” (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
“Jerry performed at the old Improv comedy club around the corner on West 44th Street. Westway Diner is right in between. So that’s why they met there.”
The old comedy club, she added, is now the home of Don Giovanni Ristorante.Â
A plaque inside Westway Diner, meanwhile, honors the eatery’s role in TV history today.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Westway Diner is a perpetually popular tourist destination today, even though it never appeared nor was mentioned on the TV series – a testament to the sitcom’s enduring impact.
A plaque honors its role in TV history today.
“We sat here about 12, 1 o’clock in the morning, trying to figure out what this show could be,” Seinfeld is quoted on the small memorial today, recounting Westway Diner’s role in TV history.
Manhattan Plaza, meanwhile, is a pop-culture icon in its own right.Â
It was the home of many famous entertainment figures, including Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Dempsey and Alicia Keys.Â
She’s known internationally for, among many other hits, the atmospheric ode to Gotham “Empire State of Mind” with Jay-Z.Â
Her new musical, “Hell’s Kitchen,” just debuted on Broadway. Manhattan Plaza serves as one of its settings.
“Seinfeld” starring comedian Jerry Seinfeld helped popularize New York City diner culture and made two Manhattan diners tourist landmarks. (Robert Caplin/Bloomberg; Joesph Delvalle/NBCU Photo Bank; Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group, each via Getty Images)
Manhattan Plaza still boasts one resident famous for a role in “Seinfeld.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“Kenny Kramer, the inspiration for Kramer on the show, still lives here,” said Redanty.Â
“I just talked to him the other day. He lived across the hall from Larry David. They used to try to leap from one apartment to the other without touching the hall in between. That’s why you saw all those crazy entrances by Kramer on the show.”
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
US stablecoin bill to ‘cement’ dollar dominance, fight sanction evasion
The Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act is a step in the right direction, but enactment in an election year may be difficult.
Bitcoin Runes fees surpass 1,200 BTC as miners reap rewards post-halving
Bitcoin miners are reaping the benefits of Runes after the halving, with skyrocketing transaction fees lessening the impact of reduced block rewards.