gigastacey
@gigastacey.bsky.social
Recovering tech journalist and IoT expert who now works on cybersecurity, IoT, and right to repair for Consumer Reports.
I just taught my first group Pilates class (I've been teaching one-on-ones for a while) and it was terrifying. But it felt amazing to be doing something new and scary.
I definitely have a lot to learn.
I definitely have a lot to learn.
November 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
I just taught my first group Pilates class (I've been teaching one-on-ones for a while) and it was terrifying. But it felt amazing to be doing something new and scary.
I definitely have a lot to learn.
I definitely have a lot to learn.
It is especially insulting because the government isn't even spending our taxes in a legal manner. And we have to pay them. It's like if your local mob boss added a processing fee on top of whatever money he extorted from you. And that processing fee went to his friends.
So frustrating. Killing a free and easy way for Americans to file their taxes in exchange for a more complicated and or fee-based program from private companies is ludicrous. Why would a government want to make it difficult for citizens to pay their taxes?
IRS Direct File won't be available next year. Here's what that means for taxpayers
The Trump administration has decided not to offer the IRS' electronic tax filing system for free next year, and its future is unclear.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:11 AM
It is especially insulting because the government isn't even spending our taxes in a legal manner. And we have to pay them. It's like if your local mob boss added a processing fee on top of whatever money he extorted from you. And that processing fee went to his friends.
So frustrating. Killing a free and easy way for Americans to file their taxes in exchange for a more complicated and or fee-based program from private companies is ludicrous. Why would a government want to make it difficult for citizens to pay their taxes?
IRS Direct File won't be available next year. Here's what that means for taxpayers
The Trump administration has decided not to offer the IRS' electronic tax filing system for free next year, and its future is unclear.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:07 AM
So frustrating. Killing a free and easy way for Americans to file their taxes in exchange for a more complicated and or fee-based program from private companies is ludicrous. Why would a government want to make it difficult for citizens to pay their taxes?
The ACA and associated subsidies are a huge driver of entrepreneurship in our economy. So this idea that most people using ACA are unemployed grifters is demonstrably false. They are the people starting small businesses, freelancing, or those who cannot find full-time work.
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The ACA and associated subsidies are a huge driver of entrepreneurship in our economy. So this idea that most people using ACA are unemployed grifters is demonstrably false. They are the people starting small businesses, freelancing, or those who cannot find full-time work.
Reposted by gigastacey
Texting and messaging scam attempts have increased by 50% in the past year, with young adults ages 18-29 experiencing the sharpest rise of any age group. See our report with @aspendigital.bsky.social & @gca.bsky.social: innovation.consumerreports.org/2025-Consume...
#CybersecurityAwarenessMonth
#CybersecurityAwarenessMonth
October 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Texting and messaging scam attempts have increased by 50% in the past year, with young adults ages 18-29 experiencing the sharpest rise of any age group. See our report with @aspendigital.bsky.social & @gca.bsky.social: innovation.consumerreports.org/2025-Consume...
#CybersecurityAwarenessMonth
#CybersecurityAwarenessMonth
Another day. Another brutal review for Google's Gemini AI for smart home monitoring. Wirecutter following Ars with more tales of hallucinated animals.
AI Is Making a Lot of Big Promises, but It Can’t Even Properly Identify My Cat
It also said I have a herd of cats and thinks my husband is a child.
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Another day. Another brutal review for Google's Gemini AI for smart home monitoring. Wirecutter following Ars with more tales of hallucinated animals.
Reposted by gigastacey
It's Friday and you've probably had enough cyber... but I'm re-upping my story on this.weekinsecurity.com about how AI browsers are shipping with security bugs that put your private data (saved passwords, credit cards, browsing history) at risk.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
AI browsers are a hot mess of security risks
AI-enabled web browsers are putting their users' data, security, and privacy at risk from rudimentary prompt injection attacks.
this.weekinsecurity.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It's Friday and you've probably had enough cyber... but I'm re-upping my story on this.weekinsecurity.com about how AI browsers are shipping with security bugs that put your private data (saved passwords, credit cards, browsing history) at risk.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
Reposted by gigastacey
New Podcast Episode:
This Week in Tech: The Big Sleep
The Great Router Ban
with @leolaporte.me, Jill Duffy, Alex Stamos, @gigastacey.bsky.social
This Week in Tech: The Big Sleep
The Great Router Ban
with @leolaporte.me, Jill Duffy, Alex Stamos, @gigastacey.bsky.social
The Big Sleep | TWiT.TV
From AI-powered code generation boosting productivity to adversaries using the same tools to hunt zero-days, the panel exposes the coming wave of AI-fueled cyberattacks—and
twit.tv
November 3, 2025 at 4:35 AM
New Podcast Episode:
This Week in Tech: The Big Sleep
The Great Router Ban
with @leolaporte.me, Jill Duffy, Alex Stamos, @gigastacey.bsky.social
This Week in Tech: The Big Sleep
The Great Router Ban
with @leolaporte.me, Jill Duffy, Alex Stamos, @gigastacey.bsky.social
Reposted by gigastacey
Reposted by gigastacey
The @consumerreports.org cybersecurity testing lab has helped improve security for several connected products. We showcase a few examples of what they have found and how they work with companies to improve product security. Also, if you're building a connected device, encrypt your traffic.
How CR’s Testing Team is Boosting Security—One Smart Product at a Time - Innovation at Consumer Reports
Take a look inside CR’s testing lab, where our engineers are strengthening the security of connected devices and boosting consumer trust
innovation.consumerreports.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The @consumerreports.org cybersecurity testing lab has helped improve security for several connected products. We showcase a few examples of what they have found and how they work with companies to improve product security. Also, if you're building a connected device, encrypt your traffic.
Reposted by gigastacey
"The best way to deal with this is to downgrade to the cheaper plan" is probably not the conclusion Google was hoping for.
October 31, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"The best way to deal with this is to downgrade to the cheaper plan" is probably not the conclusion Google was hoping for.
This is a brutal review.
October 31, 2025 at 12:29 PM
This is a brutal review.
It's worth noting that some of the mechanisms the FCC cites as reasons the industry can be trusted to implement good cybersecurity practices are under threat or simply exist. For example, a banking group has asked the SEC to repeal a rule that requires companies to report attacks.
The FCC has published the text of the proposed order undoing its cyber requirements for telecoms, which will get a vote at next month's meeting: docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
It says the requirements lacked legal standing and wouldn't be as effective as "an agile and collaborative approach."
It says the requirements lacked legal standing and wouldn't be as effective as "an agile and collaborative approach."
October 30, 2025 at 10:30 PM
It's worth noting that some of the mechanisms the FCC cites as reasons the industry can be trusted to implement good cybersecurity practices are under threat or simply exist. For example, a banking group has asked the SEC to repeal a rule that requires companies to report attacks.
Reposted by gigastacey
I testified to Congress that I believe the PRC operations prepositioning for disruptive effects in the US make it a bad idea to use TP-Link routers in millions of American homes. New reporting- the government appears to have reached the same conclusion!
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
U.S. agencies back banning popular home WiFi device, citing national security risk
The Commerce Department has proposed barring sales of TP-Link products, citing a national security risk from its China ties, people familiar with the matter said.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I testified to Congress that I believe the PRC operations prepositioning for disruptive effects in the US make it a bad idea to use TP-Link routers in millions of American homes. New reporting- the government appears to have reached the same conclusion!
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
The @consumerreports.org cybersecurity testing lab has helped improve security for several connected products. We showcase a few examples of what they have found and how they work with companies to improve product security. Also, if you're building a connected device, encrypt your traffic.
How CR’s Testing Team is Boosting Security—One Smart Product at a Time - Innovation at Consumer Reports
Take a look inside CR’s testing lab, where our engineers are strengthening the security of connected devices and boosting consumer trust
innovation.consumerreports.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The @consumerreports.org cybersecurity testing lab has helped improve security for several connected products. We showcase a few examples of what they have found and how they work with companies to improve product security. Also, if you're building a connected device, encrypt your traffic.
Reposted by gigastacey
Change one letter, ruin a candy.
Shittles.
Shittles.
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Death bar
Death bar
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Milky Wax
Milky Wax
October 29, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Change one letter, ruin a candy.
Shittles.
Shittles.
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Death bar
Death bar
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Milky Wax
Milky Wax
Change one letter, ruin a candy
100 Gland
100 Gland
October 29, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Death bar
Death bar
Can she ask what a parsley cluster is? A sprig? A hank? I am really into trying this caper/parsley mayo sauce
October 29, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Can she ask what a parsley cluster is? A sprig? A hank? I am really into trying this caper/parsley mayo sauce
I maintain that the best smart toilet is one that will detect leaks, like those flapper leaks that waste hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a year.
www.denverwater.org/tap/stop-you...
www.denverwater.org/tap/stop-you...
October 29, 2025 at 4:30 AM
I maintain that the best smart toilet is one that will detect leaks, like those flapper leaks that waste hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a year.
www.denverwater.org/tap/stop-you...
www.denverwater.org/tap/stop-you...
Reposted by gigastacey
man if they discovered lead toxicity today, in 2025, they would never ban it in anything. you'd be able to buy lead vape pods at the gas station in eight flavors
October 29, 2025 at 12:48 AM
man if they discovered lead toxicity today, in 2025, they would never ban it in anything. you'd be able to buy lead vape pods at the gas station in eight flavors
One of the best email newsletters I read each week is from a recently-opened cheese shop in Seattle. It's an inside look (with sales figures and cool facts about retail operations) that somehow is captivating and warm. Also, I learn about cheeses.
mailchi.mp/0b1c0ce58a06...
mailchi.mp/0b1c0ce58a06...
Street Cheese Newsletter - Week of 10/27
mailchi.mp
October 28, 2025 at 4:49 PM
One of the best email newsletters I read each week is from a recently-opened cheese shop in Seattle. It's an inside look (with sales figures and cool facts about retail operations) that somehow is captivating and warm. Also, I learn about cheeses.
mailchi.mp/0b1c0ce58a06...
mailchi.mp/0b1c0ce58a06...
It must be Fall. It's not the cool weather or the colorful leaves that mark the season, but our first 24 hours without power after windstorms knock a tree onto a power line. RIP to the groceries purchased yesterday morning.
October 27, 2025 at 4:35 AM
It must be Fall. It's not the cool weather or the colorful leaves that mark the season, but our first 24 hours without power after windstorms knock a tree onto a power line. RIP to the groceries purchased yesterday morning.
Y'all. This room is giving some real #sadbeigepleasuresuite vibes
Alex Da Kid, 44, is listing a pair of Los Angeles mansions—one with a “pleasure suite” outfitted with a curated collection of sex toys—on the market for $85 million. 🔗 on.wsj.com/3L2SXXC
October 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Y'all. This room is giving some real #sadbeigepleasuresuite vibes
Reposted by gigastacey
If you're in the Bay and feeling paralyzed in the face of the oncoming ICE raids, here's a link to a stellar mobilization webinar that ran yesterday. It's incredibly grounding, practical & tactical, and will give you the guidance and resources to do what you can, where you can.
Stay Out of the Bay Mobilization Call
YouTube video by We Are California
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
If you're in the Bay and feeling paralyzed in the face of the oncoming ICE raids, here's a link to a stellar mobilization webinar that ran yesterday. It's incredibly grounding, practical & tactical, and will give you the guidance and resources to do what you can, where you can.
Reposted by gigastacey
At what point do we acknowledge that Johnson has effectively dissolved Congress?
October 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
At what point do we acknowledge that Johnson has effectively dissolved Congress?